What are the major causes of water pollu | Class 11 Chemistry Chapter Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry NCERT Solutions

Question:

What are the major causes of water pollution? Explain.

Answer:

Water pollution arises as a result of several human activities, which leads to the presence of several undesirable substances in water. Major water pollutants with their sources have been tabulated as follows:

Pollutant Source
Radioactive substances Mining of uranium-containing minerals
Heat Water used for cooling in industries

Plant nutrients

 

Chemical fertilizers
Toxic heavy metals Chemical factories and industries
Sediments Strip mining and soil erosion
Pesticides Chemicals used for killing fungi, weed, insects

Micro-organisms

Domestic sewage
Organic wastes Domestic sewage, decaying animals and plants, animal excreta and waste, discharge from food processing industries

Roles played by major pollutants are:

1. Pathogens: These water pollutants include bacteria and other organisms. They enter water from animal excreta and domestic sewage. Bacteria present in human excreta (for example, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus faecalis) cause gastrointestinal diseases.

2. Organic wastes: These are biodegradable wastes that pollute water as a result of run off. The presence of excess organic wastes in water decreases the amount of oxygen held by water. This decrease in the amount of dissolved oxygen inhibits aquatic life.

3. Chemical pollutants: These are water soluble chemicals like heavy metals such as cadmium, mercury, nickel, etc. The presence of these chemicals (above the tolerance limit) can damage the kidneys, central nervous system, and liver.


Study Tips for Answering NCERT Questions:

NCERT questions are designed to test your understanding of the concepts and theories discussed in the chapter. Here are some tips to help you answer NCERT questions effectively:

  • Read the question carefully and focus on the core concept being asked.
  • Reference examples and data from the chapter when answering questions about Environmental Chemistry.
  • Review previous year question papers to get an idea of how such questions may be framed in exams.
  • Practice answering questions within the time limit to improve your speed and accuracy.
  • Discuss your answers with your teachers or peers to get feedback and improve your understanding.

Comments

Comment(s) on this Question

Welcome to the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Chemistry - Chapter . This page offers a step-by-step solution to the specific question from Excercise 1 , Question 11: What are the major causes of water pollution? Explain.....