WBBSE Solutions For Class 10 Geography And Environment Chapter 4 Waste Management

Geography Class 10 West Bengal Board Chapter 4 Waste Management True Or False Type:

Question 1. Papers may be manufactured by recycling newspapers as raw material.
Answer: True

Question 2. Accumulation of wastes due to improper disposal is a major problem that affects our environment.
Answer: True

Question 3. Reduction of waste means stopping waste before it starts.
Answer: True

Read and learn all WBBSE Solutions For Class 10 Geography And Environment

Question 4. Segregation of waste is a common process of recycling waste.
Answer: True

Geography Class 10 West Bengal Board

Question 5. Dumping or burying of waste is called composting.
Answer: False

Question 6. The scrubber is used to remove solid and liquid wastes.
Answer: True

Class 10 Geography West Bengal Board Chapter 4 Waste Management Fill In The Blanks Type:

Question 1. In short, electronic waste is known as _____ waste.
Answer: E.

Question 2. Waste paper is a _____ type of waste.
Answer: Recyclable

Question 3. The wastes which after decomposition mix with air, water and soil are called as ______
Answer: Biodegradable.

Question 4. ______ treatment is the process of removing contaminants from wastewater.
Answer: Sewage.

Question 5. Students can generate awareness among people through ______, banners etc.
Answer: Posters.

Question 6. STP is the abbreviated form of ______,_______,______.
Answer: Sewage, Treatment and Plants.

Geography Class 10 West Bengal Board

Question 7. Depending on the physical state wastes are divided into ______,______and ________wastes.
Answer: Solid, Liquid and Gaseous

Question 8. Smoke, vapour, fumes, etc. are examples of ______ waste.
Answer: Gaseous.

Question 9. Plastic bags take ______years to degenerate.
Answer: One million.

School Geography Class 10 WBBSE Chapter 4 Waste Management Very Short Answer Type:

Question 1. In which part of the course, is the river Ganga is maximumly polluted?
Answer: Delta or in the old age portion.

Question 2. Name one radioactive waste.
Answer: Uranium, Plutonium, Thorium.

Question 3. What type of waste material is plastic?
Answer: Solid waste.

Question 4. What do we call any substance which is discarded after primary use?
Answer: Waste.

Question 5. Name any one toxic waste.
Answer: Mercury.

Question 6. What are the wastes called that decompose readily?
Answer: Bio-degradable wastes.

Geography Class 10 West Bengal Board

Question 7. Name one source of industrial waste.
Answer: Thermal power plants.

Question 8. Name the disease caused by mercury contamination in Japan.
Answer: Minamata.

Question 9. Name the element which causes berylliosis.
Answer: Beryllium.

Question 10. Name one element which is a source of radioactive waste.
Answer: Uranium.

Question 11. Kitchen waste, newspapers, etc. are classified into which type of waste according to its source?
Answer: Domestic waste.

Question 12. Give one example of liquid waste.
Answer: Oil or grease.

Question 13. Give an example of organic waste.
Answer: Paper towels.

Geography Class 10 Solutions WBBSE Chapter 4 Waste Management 2 Marks Questions And Answers:

Question 1. What is a landfill in waste management?
Answer:
Landfill: Landfilling is the most common method of waste disposal, where the wastes are buried underground. But this method is not of much use in modern days, as this requires a huge vacant land for this purpose.

Question 2. Define Municipal wastes.
Answer:
Municipal wastes: Wastes produced in cities and municipal areas are called municipal wastes. For e.g., Plastic, Paper, Metal items, Glass, Vegetable peelings, Electrical products, Food waste, etc.

Geography Class 10 West Bengal Board

Question 3. Define waste management.
Answer: Some of the easiest ways of management of waste is the ‘3-R1 system, i.e., Reduction, Reuse and Recovery. We can reduce our use of resources. We can reuse them. the materials for packaging, ‘that is, use the same product several times, e.g. bottles, containers, etc. We can recover materials such as glass, paper and metals (like aluminium, cans and steel) from old articles. We can recycle the used items to make new material, e.g. cardboard from used paper.

Question 4. What do you mean by radioactive waste?
Answer: Wastes which contain radioactive hazards are called radioactive wastes. These wastes are a product of radioactive reactions. For e.g. Uranium dioxide (UQ,), Titanium 99m, Krypton 85, Uranium Hexafluoride (UF6), etc.

Question 5. How is the segregation of waste materials done?
Answer: The separation of wastes at the source of the collection is known as the segregation of wastes. This reduces the cost of transportation, and energy and helps in acquiring organic stock for energy generation. Wastes may be categorised as:
1. Bio-degradable: Kitchen wastes, garden trimmings, paper, etc.
2. Non-biodegradable: Plastics, glass, old medicines, containers, etc.

Question 6. What do you mean by ‘Recycling the waste’?
Answer:
Waste Recycling: The method by which old items are used once again to produce the same item is called recycling. Ex-paper, glass, plastic, metals, etc. But the materials produced after recycling are lesser in amount than the initial waste material used.

Geography Class 10 West Bengal Board

Question 7. Define Waste.
Answer: Waste is a general term used to describe any material that is discarded because it has served its purpose and is no longer useful. Waste can also be any material that remains at the end of a process and has no further use and so it is thrown away.

Question 8. Define waste as defined in the Environment Protection Act, of 1990.
Answer: According to the Environment Protection Act, of 1990, waste is defined as:
1. Any substance which constitutes a scrap material, an effluent, or other unwanted surplus substance arising from the application of any process; and
2. Any substance or article which requires to be disposed of as being broken, worn out, contaminated or otherwise spoiled.

Question 9. Name two medical wastes.
Answer: Syringe needle, cloth.

Question 10. Name two agricultural wastes.
Answer: Excreta of farm animals, and plant remains.

Question 11. What is leachate?
Answer: The liquid that forms as water trickles through contaminated areas is called leachate. It forms very harmful mixture of chemicals that may result in hazardous substances entering the soil and groundwater.

Question 12. Give two examples of toxic wastes.
Answer: Arsenic, Lead.

Question 13. What are the sources of biomedical waste?
Answer: Biomedical wastes are commonly generated from hospitals, nursing homes, pathological laboratories, morgues, etc.

Question 14. What do you mean by recycling waste?
Answer: Recycling is the processing of used materials (waste) into new, useful products. This is done to reduce the use of raw materials that would have been used. Recycling also uses less energy and is a great way of controlling air, water and land pollution.

Class 10 Geography West Bengal Board

Question 15. Name the methods of disposing of waste.
Answer: The methods of disposing of waste include:
1. Sanitary landfill.
2. Composting.
3. Drainage.
4. Scrubber.

Question 16. What are organic and inorganic wastes?
Answer:
Organic wastes: Wastes generated from food, garden, vegetation or other organic materials are known as organic wastes.
Inorganic wastes: Wastes generated from chemical substances of mineral origin are called inorganic wastes.

Question 17. Give two advantages of sanitary landfill of dumping waste.
Answer:
1. It is free from air pollution from burning.
2. The health problems are minimised since flies, rats and other pests cannot breed in the landfill because of the covered wastes.

Question 18. What do you mean by biogeochemical cycle?
Answer: In earth science, a biogeochemical cycle or substance turnover or cycling of substance is a pathway by which a chemical substance moves through both biotic and abiotic compartments of the earth.

Question 19. What are the common sources of industrial waste?
Answer: Thermal power plants, petrochemical and oil refineries, iron & steel plants, cement-producing plants, etc. are the common sources of industrial waste.

Class 10 Geography WBBSE Chapter 4 Waste Management Short Notes:

Question 1. Waste Management.
Answer:
Waste Management: Some of the easiest ways of management of waste is the ‘3-R’ system i.e., Reduction, Reuse and Recovery. We can reduce our use of resources. We can reuse the materials for packaging ‘that is, use the same product several times, e.g. bottles, containers, etc. We can recover materials such as glass, paper and metals (like aluminium, cans and steel) from old articles. We can recycle the used items to make new material, e.g. cardboard from used paper. Public awareness of the health hazards of waste is increasing. There is a need to manage the waste properly. No doubt, waste disposal has become a big industry employing thousands of workers but the options for its disposal are limited, the main disposal sites are land, water or air.

Class 10 Geography West Bengal Board

Question 2. Biomagnification.
Answer:
Biomagnification: The term biomagnification means increasing the concern* traction of various toxic substances along the food chain. Toxic substances at the level of primary producers get concentrated at each trophic level as they move up the food chain. The phenomenon of concentrated toxic deposition at the higher trophic level is known as bioaccumulation.

Question 3. Sanitary Landfill.
Answer:
Sanitary Landfill: In this method, the waste is packed and dumped at the site and is covered with the earth daily to prevent insects or rodents from entering the landfill. The waste then is subjected to bacterial decomposition. Physical, chemical and biological reactions take place generating different gases like carbon dioxide, methane, ammonia and hydrogen sulphide. A Sanitary landfill is a way of disposing of refuse on land without creating nuisances or hazards to public health or safety. The waste disposal is carried, out with minimal environmental damage and in areas already spoiled or in need of restoration.

Question 4. Composting.
Answer:
Composting: Composting of waste is an aerobic (in the presence of air) method of decomposing solid waste. The process involves the decomposition of organic waste into humus, known as compost which is a good fertiliser for plants. The composting process produces carbon dioxide and heat which can be used for various purposes like cooking.

Class 10 Geography West Bengal Board

Question 5. Scrubber.
Answer:
Scrubber: It is a device that employs a spray of water to catch pollutants during emissions. In this process, water is introduced into a spray tower by means of a spray nozzle which allows the downward flow of water. As the polluted gas flows upwards, the particulates present in the gas collide with the water droplets sprayed from the spray nozzles. Under the influence of gravitational force, the liquid droplets containing the particulates settle at the bottom.

Question 6. Ganga Action Plan.
Answer:
Ganga Action Plan: The Ganga Action Plan was started in 1986 for control of water pollution of the Ganga throughout its course. The main function of this plan is .to make the river free from the disposal of waste of the cities along the banks of the river. The main objectives of the Ganga Action plan are :
1. Treatment of filthy and sewage water before reaching the sea, and reusing the treated water for fish farms, irrigation, power generation, etc.
2. Construction of community toilets and electric cremation grounds to control wastes at the source.
3. Creation of awareness in people regarding pollution, its agents, effects and finally its purification.

Question 7. Eutrophication.
Answer:
Eutrophication: It is the process of depletion of oxygen from water bodies occurring either naturally or due to human activities. The process of eutrophication takes place due to the introduction of nutrients and chemicals through the discharge of domestic sewage, industrial effluents and fertilizers from agricultural fields. Algae and phytoplankton use carbon dioxide, inorganic nitrogen and phosphate from the water as food. They serve as food for microscopic animals (zooplankton). Small fishes feed on these zooplanktons and large fishes, in turn, consume these small fishes. When nutrients become abundant due to waste accumulation, the growth of phytoplankton and algae increases. Consequently, the penetration of oxygen, light and heat into the water body is reduced. This causes the death of most of the aquatic organisms, draining the water of all its oxygen.

WBBSE Class 10 Geography Solutions Chapter 4 Waste Management 3 Marks Questions And Answers:

Question 1. State three Necessities of Waste Management.
Answer:
The necessity of Waste Management: Waste creates environmental degradation that mankind. The necessity of waste management are as follows:
1. Pollution Control: Waste pollutes both air, water and soil. This brings an ill impact on the entire biosphere. It even causes a decline of physical resources. Waste management can eradicate the such menace.
2. Eradication of diseases: Waste, if managed judiciously and resourcefully, can prevent the cause of many fatal diseases and epidemics.
3. Overall development: Through waste management earth’s resources can be conserved for future generations.

Class 10 Geography West Bengal Board

Question 2. Briefly discuss any three effects of waste on the environment.
Answer: Environmental impact of wastes: The various effects of wastes on the environment:
1. Dumping of garbage and waste here and there pollutes the place and looks displeasing. This causes light pollution.
2. Poisonous wastes coming from factories pollute the water, soil as well as air. They damage the ecosystem and cause various diseases in plants and animals.
3. The wastes coming from households, agriculture, hospitals and industries disposed of in the soil cause pollution and reduce the fertility of the soil.
4. Poisonous and harmful wastes cause the destruction of the biodiversity of wetlands, forests and water bodies.

Question 3. Briefly discuss the role of students in waste management from any three perspectives.
Answer:
Role of students in waste management: Efficient and effective waste management is best achieved at household levels. Researchers established that by educating students on recycling health implications and the importance of a clean environment, students show a positive attitude towards waste management. Our education system should include training programmes for the students at the school level so that they develop knowledge about waste, its management and proper disposal.

Students should be entitled to services like:
1. Generate awareness among the people about the need of a clean environment through posters, placards, road shows; etc.;
2. Encourage the public to segregate of waste at the source.
3. They should regularly monitor waste management systems in their locality and prepare reports on them.
4. On special days like Earth Day on the 22nd of April or World Environment Day on the 5th of June every year, students can take an active part in collecting, transporting and disposal of waste, as a part of their awareness programme.

Class 10 Geography West Bengal Board

Question 4. Describe a method of controlling gaseous waste material.
Answer:
Method to control gaseous waste: Wet scrubbing is a method of using a liquid to remove solid, liquid or gaseous wastes and pollutants. The scrubbing liquid is sprayed into the disposed of gas in a spray chamber. Contact with the spray liquid removes the particulate pollutants of the gas. Dry scrubbing is also a popular method.

Question 5. How are the reduction of waste made?
Answer:
Methods of waste management:
1. Reduction: This is a process of waste minimisation at the source itself, and elimination of harmful and persistent wastes. This involves re-designing of products in order to reduce the production of waste at home, work or other places.
2. Reuse: To reuse is to use an item again after it has been used before. Reuse helps to save time, money, energy and resources. E.g. Packing boxes, gift wrappers, toys, etc.
3. Recycling: Recycling is processing used materials into new, useful products. It helps to save raw materials, energy and money and controls pollution and environmental degradation. E.g. Newspapers, iron items, etc.

Question 6. State the differences between bio-degradable and non-biodegradable wastes.
Answer:
Differences between bio-degradable and Non-bio degradable wastes:

Bio-degradable wastes:
1. Complex biotic materials are converted to simple biotic materials.
2. Generated from plant and animal wastes.
3. Eg: wood, paper, kitchen wastes, food remains, etc.

Non-biodegradable wastes:
1. Wastes cannot be converted to simple substances.
2. Generated from sources other than plants and animals.
3. Eg: polythene, PVC, plastic, DDT, etc.

Question 7. What are the advantages of the waste composting process?
Answer:
Advantages of the waste composting process:
1. It helps to increase the biotic or organic components of the soil.
2. The compost formed is highly useful in agriculture.
3. Composting helps to largely reduce the number of solid biodegradables.

Class 10 Geography Book West Bengal Board

Question 8. What are the benefits of recycling waste?
Answer:
Recycling helps to protect the environment: This is because the recyclable waste materials would have been burned or ended up in landfill. Pollution of air, land, water and soil is reduced.
Recycling conserves natural resources: Recycling more waste means that we do not depend too much on raw (natural) resources.
Recycling saves energy: It takes more energy to produce items with raw materials than from recycling used materials.
Recycling creates jobs: People are employed to collect, sort and work in recycling companies.

Question 9. Classify and explain the types of wastes as bio-degradable and non-biodegradable.
Answer:
Degradable and Non-degradable Wastes: Municipal wastes generated in various offices include used paper cuttings, xerox paper bits, carbon papers, typewriter ribbons, broken pens, pencil shavings, groundnut husks, paper packets, tissue papers, wrappers, glass pieces, rubber, cotton pads, bottles, vegetable matter, cooked items, etc.
Municipal domestic and agricultural solid wastes that can be degraded by microorganisms are called degradable or biodegradable wastes, e.g. stale food, tea leaves, egg shells, dry leaves, etc.

Question 10. State the diseases caused due to accumulation of waste on land.
Answer: Various diseases spread on an epidemic scale due to waste accumulation on land and water bodies. Vectors like flies, mosquitoes, rodents and pet animals transmit these diseases. The waste is a breeding ground for such vectors. Hence, there is an urgent need to manage waste disposal in an effective manner. Here is a list of common diseases spread by mosquitoes, flies, rodents and pet animals.

1. Housefly: Typhoid, diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera, gastroenteritis, etc.
2. Sandfly: Kaia-Azar, sandfly fever, etc.
3. Tsetse fly: Sleeping sickness.
4. Mosquitoes: Malaria, filaria, yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya, encephalitis, etc..
5. Rodents: Plague, salmonellosis, etc.
6. Pet animals:
(1) Dog:  Rabies, hydrated diseases, etc.
(2) Cat:  Dermatophytosis, anthrax, etc.

Class 10 Geography Book West Bengal Board

Question 11. Name some toxic particulate materials and their effects on humans.
Answer:
Effects of Toxic Particulate Materials:
1. Lead: Affects the blood system, and behavioural disorders and can also cause death.
2. Cadmium: Cardiovascular diseases and hypertension, kidney damage.
3. Nickel: Respiratory symptoms, lung cancer.
4. Mercury: Nerve and brain damage, kidney damage.
5. Beryllium: Causes berylliosis. Affects the mucus membrane of the eyes and lungs. Causes shortness of breath, weight loss, lung cancer and affects the heart.
6. Asbestos: Causes asbestosis, shortness of breath and lung cancer.

Question 12. State the effects of waste accumulation on plants.
Answer:
Effects of Waste Accumulation on Plants: Waste accumulation has a dangerous effect on plant life. Plant life is affected either by the direct deposition of harmful toxins from waste or indirectly through the soil. The toxins cause :
1. Different types of leaf injuries.
2. Premature leaf fall.
3. Decrease in transpiration.
4. Reduction in the rate of photosynthesis.
5 . Reduction in biological nitrogen fixation.
6. Dust and root deposited on leaves block the stomata of plants. This decreases the rate of transpiration and inhibits the absorption of nutrients from the soil; and,
7. Smoke emitted by burning of waste causes a reduction in root and shoot lengths, number of leaves and number of grains per spike in the case of crops like wheat.

Class 10 Geography Book West Bengal Board

Question 13. State the effects of waste accumulation on animals and birds.
Answer:
Effects of Waste Accumulation on Animals & Birds: Scavengers and stray animals like dogs, rats, pigs and cows are directly affected by waste when they feed on the waste for food. Sometimes these animals consume toxins or non-degradable substances like plastic carry bags present in the waste and die. The wastes consumed by animals also lead to many diseases and other problems. For example, according to a study, mice that were fed high levels of toxins had difficulty in reproducing and so did their offspring. These offspring also had higher rates of birth defects and lower body weights. Similarly, birds also get the adverse impact of feeding on waste. Some of the toxins have been shown to have made birds ill after consuming such toxins from the wastes. Birds feeding on agricultural waste suffer from defective egg shells and increased mortality.

Question 14. Name some of the toxic wastes with their sources.
Answer: Sources of Toxic Wastes:

Question 15. Explain the process involved in a sanitary landfill for waste disposal and management.
Answer: The sanitary landfill system of disposing of the waste is essentially a biological method. The waste undergoes the following five phases:
1. During the first phase of operation, aerobic bacteria deplete the available oxygen and as a result the temperature increases.
2. In the second phase, anaerobic conditions become established and hydrogen and carbon dioxide are evolved.
3. Phase three establishes the population of bacteria and the beginning of the methanogenic activity, i.e., the production of methane from the decomposition of organic matter.
4. In the fourth phase the methanogenic activity becomes stabilised.
5. The fifth phase depletes the organic matter and the system returns to an aerobic state.

Question 16. State some advantages of composting.
Answer:
Advantages of Composting: The major benefits of composting are:
1. It enhances soil nutrients and the water retention capacity of soils.
2. It suppresses plant diseases.
3. It rejuvenates poor soils by adding humus.
4. It absorbs odours and degrades volatile organic compounds.
5. it prevents pollution by preventing pollutants in stormwater run-off from draining into water resources.
6. It checks soil erosion and silting on embankments.
7. It reduces cost by reducing the need for excess water, fertilisers and pesticides.

Class 10 Geography Book West Bengal Board

Question 17. Write what you know about composting. Discuss the different types which are prevalent in India.
Answer:
Composting: In this system organic waste, the stool of man or dung of cattle are decomposed by bacteria arid converted into humus. It is called compost or organic manure. Carbon dioxide, water and heat are generated as by-products. 60° Celcius or more temperature can be generated. Consequently, the eggs of flies or larvae are killed. Weeds and other harmful microbes are destroyed. This manure contains nutrients for plants like nitrogen, phosphate, etc.

In our country composting is done mainly in two ways:
1. Bangalore method: A trench is dug 15′-30′ in length, 5′ – 8′ wide and 2′- 3′ deep. Waste is dumped in the pit at first and spread over. Over it stool and cattle dung and spread in different layers. Anaerobic bacteria carry on fermentation on the waste and compost is made.
2. Mechanical composting: At first glass, metal, etc. are separated from the waste heap. Next, the lot is crushed in a machine. Then bacteria is mixed with the lot and kept in a whirling machine. Fermentation takes place there and compost is made.

Chapter 4 Waste Management 5 Marks Questions And Answers:

Question 1. Classify waste. Give an account of each type of waste in brief. Or, Classify wastes according to nature along with examples.
Answer:
Waste: Waste is a general term used to describe any material that is discarded because it has served its purpose and is no longer useful. Waste can also be any material that remains at the end of a process and has no further use and so it is thrown away.

According to the Environment Protection Act, of 1990, waste is defined as:
1. Any substance which constitutes a scrap material, an effluent, or other unwanted surplus substance arising from the application of any process; and
2. Any substance or article which requires to be disposed of as being broken, worn out, contaminated or otherwise spoiled. ‘Waste’ is a matter, that
(1) Occupies some space
(2) Produces smell
(3) As weight.
Today, human beings produce most of the world’s waste. As our knowledge of science and technology increases, we continue to develop processes that exploit natural resources. In this process, the amount of waste we produce also increases.

Class 10 Geography Book West Bengal Board

As matter exists in three states, viz. solid, liquid and gas, we have three types of wastes:
1. Solid Wastes: It includes garbage, i.e., food left-overs, decaying fruits and vegetables, crop residues, etc. and rubbish, including cans, bottles, corroded metal pieces, plastics, wrappers, ashes, body parts of dead animals, septic tanks sludges, etc.
2. Liquid Wastes: It includes sewage from toilets of houses, hospitals, restaurants, offices and factories, etc., and oil spills.
3. Gaseous Wastes: It includes fuel exhausts containing carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, etc., and smog which is formed as a hazy mixture of gases when fuel exhausts react with sunlight.

Waste can also be classified into the following categories:
Toxic and Non-Toxic Waste: Toxic wastes are the wastes which pose a serious threat to human health and the environment. These wastes result from industrial processes, from the use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture, biomedical waste generated in hospitals, radioactive wastes and electronic waste or e-waste generated by broken or unwanted electrical appliances such as computers, mobile phones and electronics.

Some of the toxic wastes are arsenic, cyanide, lead, cadmium, nickel, beryllium, uranium and mercury and their compounds, chlorinated solvents, asbestos, organo- chlorine pesticides, photographic wastes, plating sludges, pesticide residues, waste paints and lubricants. Burning produces oxides of sulphur and nitrogen which become toxic at high concentrations. .
Some of the s, solid wastes are generated due to domestic activities such as food leftovers, and fruit and vegetable peelings, often stored in dustbins. The wastes produced by shops, offices, restaurants and schools that do not pose a serious problem to animals, plants or to the environment are called Non-toxic Wastes.

Question 2. Discuss the various sources of different wastes and their effects on the environment.
Answer: Depending on their source of origin, wastes are classified into the following broad categories:
1. Domestic Waste: Wastes generated due to domestic activities are called domestic wastes. Food leftovers, fruits and vegetable peels, bits of paper, packets, polythene bags, bottles, empty metal and aluminium cans, scrap metals, glass pieces, cotton, rags, discarded clothes, ashes from burning coal, sewage from toilets, batteries, expired medicines, chemicals, etc. are some of the examples of domestic wastes.
2. Industrial Waste: Wastes from various types of small and large-scale industries are called industrial wastes. Industrial wastes include any material that is rendered useless during a manufacturing process. For example, in the textile industry, wastes may be in the form of fibres used to wipe off the oil. Industrial wastes include chemicals (lead, mercury, arsenic, etc.), paints, sand, paper, paper products, industrial by-products, metals, etc.
3. Agricultural waste: These are typically produced due to agricultural activities like horticulture, fruit growing, seed growing, livestock breeding, market gardening, etc. Apart from biotic wastes, they also include pesticide containers, outdated medicines, cocoa pods, etc.

4. Municipal Wastes: Municipal waste is the waste generated in a municipality or a local government area. Such waste is produced by shops, offices, restaurants, schools, courts, libraries, banks, hospitals, parks, etc. and is collected from public waste bins. It also includes household or domestic rubbish, often dumped in dustbins for collection.
(1) Sewage: Municipal sewage is liquid waste which is extremely foul in nature. Domestic sewage is the wastewater from kitchens, bathrooms, lavatories and laboratories.
(2) Degradable and Non-degradable Wastes: Municipal domestic and agricultural solid wastes that can be degraded by micro-organisms are called degradable or biodegradable wastes. Examples of this type of waste are vegetable waste, stale food, tea leaves, egg shells, dry leaves, etc.

5. Organic Wastes: A big part of what we throw away every day is actually made up of organic waste. Organic waste is anything that comes from plants or animals and is biodegradable. Content: Fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry and seafood, egg shells, rice, beans, cheese bones, frozen pizza, paper towels, paper plates, plants and flowers, etc.
6. Biomedical Waste: Biomedical wastes are wastes that are generated during the diagnosis, treatment and immunisation of human beings or animals. It also includes the waste generated during research and experimentation on animals as well as microbiological waste such as laboratory cultures, micro-organisms, human and animal cell cultures and toxins. These wastes include:
1. Needles, syringes, and soiled dressings.
2. Pathological wastes such as blood, tissues, body parts, body fluids, human foetuses, and chemicals used for pathological tests;
3. Infectious wastes like cultures and stock of infectious agents
4. Wastes from surgery and autopsy.

7. Radioactive Waste: Nuclear waste is the radioactive waste generated from the nuclear energy industry which includes substances used in cooling and storing nuclear fuel, nuclear fuel from reactors in power stations and submarines and X-ray machines in hospitals and airports. Radioactive wastes are the most hazardous of all. They need to be handled carefully as they can remain dangerous for thousands of years.

Class 10 Geography Book West Bengal Board

Question 3. Explain the process of waste management by reducing, Reuse & Recycle.
Answer: In the modern industrial world, waste has become an environmental and public health hazard. Waste can be effectively managed by using the following three strategies:
1. Reducing the Waste.
2. Reusing the Waste and
3. Recycling the Waste.

1. Reducing the waste: The waste can be reduced by making use of the following methods:
(1)Change of Process: By changing a modern method to make the best use of raw materials, it reduces waste generation in industries. In zinc, electroplating chlorides are used in the process instead of using sulphate salt in order to eliminate the production of cyanides.
(2)Waste Concentration: By using scientific techniques such as precipitation and evaporation the amount of liquid waste can be reduced. Incineration can.be used to get rid of inflammable wastes.
(3)Segregation of Waste: First of all, non-hazardous wastes are separated from hazardous waste rather than dumping them together. Then a small amount of hazardous waste can be treated. We can dispose of a large amount of non-hazardous waste in the traditional ways.

2. Reusing the waste: In our houses and in industries many materials are discarded as waste. These materials have some value; for instance, glass, metal pieces, rubber, wood fibre and paper products. In developing countries like India, some of the. waste materials like old glass bottles, steel tyres, and tin cans are reused. For example, shoes or chappals are made from old tyres, water bags are made from leather, lamps are made from tin cans, etc. Many waste collectors roam about in residential areas and industrial units to collect solid waste.

They segregate them and supply them to specialised artisans who make utility articles from such materials and make a living from their skill. For example, a very beautiful garden has been created by Nek Chand in Chandigarh using waste products like tin cans, bottles, broken pieces of crockery, etc. Waste collectors, thus, help in making new production processes. Thus, they reduce the burden of waste disposal. Some solid wastes from the industry can be utilised directly. Fly ash from power plants is used as a cement substitute. Bricks are made from fly ash. Fly ash is also used in making of roads and filling up low-lying areas.

3. Recycling of waste: Besides reusing the materials by using physical processes, we also use the recycling process by treating the waste before it is used in a manufacturing process. In India, we have tonnes of bagasse from sugarcane during a particular season. Bagasse can be used in the manufacture of paper pulp. This would save trees which are normally used for making paper pulp. Bagasse is also used for making packaging material of dairy products. The paper industry recycles wood, cloth and used paper.
Plastics are recycled by plastic manufacturers. About 80 per cent of the plastic waste is recycled in India, which is about 0.75 million tonnes a year. Plastic is non-biode- gradable. The bonds of carbon in plastic are impossible to break down through a physical or chemical process. They have to be incinerated, recycled or buried in landfills. The plastic bags which are extensively used in India are made from -recycled plastic. Recycled plastic bags are harmful because the melting of plastic and plastic products breaks some polymer chains into smaller units which is harmful.

Geography Class 10 Solutions WBBSE

Question 4. Discuss the effects of waste on the environment.
Answer:
Effects of waste on the environment: Accumulation of waste due to its improper disposal is a major problem that affects our environment. Consumption of resources and production of a variety of goods have generated a substantial quantity of waste, causing a chronic problem for mankind and animals. Every person on average generates about 400-500 grams of waste daily, if this waste is not cleaned regularly, they invite an increasing number of insects like, flies, mosquitoes, etc. scavengers such as stray dogs, pigs and rats which spread dangerous diseases, generate bad odour and causes pollution. All of the developed countries in the world produce some kind of toxic waste(s). They are potentially dangerous to us and/or our natural environment unless properly disposed of. Terrestrial organisms like plants and animals are always exposed to risks to health and life due to pollution caused because of waste accumulation. Solid and liquid wastes that accumulate in water bodies affect the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the aquatic ecosystem. The impact can range from less reproduction and also from a reduction in the total population of various plants and animals to the extinction of a few species.

Accumulation of waste in the environmental media affects the environment by the following ways:
1. By causing pollution of air, water and soil.
2. By degrading the landscape,
3. By affecting terrestrial and aquatic life.
4. By causing health problems.

Question 5. Explain the processes of waste disposal in brief.
Answer:
Processes of waste disposal: Common processes which are done in waste disposal are listed below:

1. Solid Waste: (1)Segregation of waste, (2) landfills, (3) Composting.
(1)Segregation of waste: In the case of solid waste the segregation or separation of waste according to the method of treatment is a must. The biodegradable and non-biodegrad- able types of waste are also segregated for different processes of waste management.
(2)Landfills: Disposing or dumping or burying of waste in an organized way is known as landfills. This process of waste disposal focuses attention on dumping the waste in a land far away from the residential locality.
(3)Composting: Composting is a natural bio-degradation process which takes organic wastes (i.e., remains of garden and kitchen waste) to turn into nutrient-rich food for plants. It is, however, a slow process and takes up a lot of space.

2. Liquid Waste: Liquid wastes are normally disposed of by a proper drainage system (waste removal by cutting drains or sewage channels in the land). Sewage treatment is the process of removing contaminants from wastewater, primarily from household sewage. A by-product of sewage treatment is usually a semi-solid waste or slurry called sewage sludge that undergoes further treatment before it is suitable for disposal.

3. Gaseous Waste: The disposal of gaseous wastes is generally done through wet scrubbers. The scrubber is an air-stream pollution control device which uses liquid spray to remove solid and liquid particulate matter (which washes out) and gaseous pollutants (which are either absorbed or chemically neutralized).

Geography Class 10 Solutions WBBSE

Question 6. Discuss the role of students in waste management.
Answer:
Role of students in waste management: Efficient and effective waste management is best achieved at household levels. Researchers established that by educating Students on recycling, health implications and the importance of a clean environment, students show a positive attitude towards waste management. Our education system should include training programmes for the students at the school level so that they develop knowledge about waste, its management and proper disposal. Students should be entitled to services like:

1. Generate awareness among the people about the need for a clean environment through posters placards, road shows, etc.
2. Encourage the public to segregate of waste at the source.
3. They should regularly monitor waste management systems in their locality and prepare reports on them.
4. On special days like Earth day on the 22nd of April or world environment day on the 5th of June every year, students can take an active part in collecting, transporting and disposal of waste, as a part of their awareness programme.

Question 7. Discuss the effects of waste disposal on the Bhagirathi-Hoogly river.
Answer:
Effects of Waste Disposal on Bhagirathi Hoogly River: Kolkata is a vibrant city located on the banks of the Hooghly River, the third most populous metropolitan area in India and the thirteenth most populous urban area in the world. The fact that it is situated on the left bank of Bhagirathi-Hooghly, is an indicator of the fact that the river receives a huge amounts of effluents and pollutants. The water of the Hooghly River has been severely polluted by waste from industries. Approximately 150 large industrial plants exist on the banks of the Hooghly and these plants contribute 30% of the effluents that reach the mouth of the Ganga. 50% of this effluent is from the pulp and paper industries, which discharge a mixture of bark and wood fibre full of mercury and other heavy metals, bleach, dyes and dioxin, rendering the water completely undrinkable.

The Hooghly has also been drastically polluted by domestic sources. Approximately 860 million litres of untreated sewage are dumped through sewer outlets into the river each day. This is because of unplanned sewage and solid waste disposal system.
The different phases of the Government’s Ganga Action Plan attempted to arrest this free flow of raw sewage into the waterbodies and to have water treated in Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) before release. According to the Calcutta Pollution Control Board, the quality of water from the Hooghly is far below acceptable standards at the main point where water is drawn for the city’s filtered water.

Idol manufacturers frequently use paints made of toxic chemicals and heavy metals such as mercury, chromium, cadmium, copper, zinc, lead and petroleum. One study found that almost four kilograms of this chemical paint is applied to each statue, resulting in nearly fifteen tons of toxins being submerged and washed into the Hooghly each year during Durga Puja. Another issue facing the Hooghly is low flow due to the bulk of Ganga’s waters entering other distributaries. The river is not able to properly flush out the toxins causing the pollution to adversely affect aquatic life. Lately, there has been a push from the people of Kolkata and some survey states that 77% of the people of Kolkata voted, the cleaning of rivers by the government to be the top priority. Different committees have been set up by the West Bengal Government to remove waste from banks, ban plastic bags within fifty metres of the river, keep ghats clean by installing garbage facilities and demolish encroachments on the river.

Geography Class 10 Solutions WBBSE

Question 8. Classify industrial waste and discuss it in brief.
Answer:
The industrial waste can be categorised into the following groups on the basis of different industries and their products:

1. Mining Waste: Wastes generated during mining operations or excavations are called mining wastes. They include tailings, slag heaps and debris. Some mining processes use large volumes of chemicals or liquids, which add to the waste generated. These can be toxic or hazardous. Mining operations also cause the leaching of metals into acidic effluents, thus adding to the metal content in rivers, lakes and groundwater.
2. Cement Industry: Cement manufacturing industries produce various coarse and fine particles. The dust emitted by the cement industry is a potential health hazard.
3. Oil Refineries: Petroleum industry can cause environmental problems. These industries include petrochemical plants and refineries. Their wastes include inorganic sulphur compounds, hydrocarbons and organic acids.
4. Construction Units: Wastes generated at construction sites, mainly due to demolition and construction rubble, are called construction wastes. It includes bricks, pipes, plastic, roofing, insulating materials, asbestos pieces, etc.
5. Food Processing Units: Remnants, waste products of dairies, breweries and meat processing units produce organic wastes. Some pathogenic organisms are flushed out through the effluents of slaughterhouses and packaging units.
6. Paper Industry: Some of the wood chips, cellulose fibres and chemicals are rejected as waste material in the paper industry. The effluents contain chlorine, sulphur dioxide, etc. which are considered highly poisonous to fish.
7. Textile Industry: Textile industry has effluents which emanate from the boiling and processing of fibres.
8. Chemical Industries: These include manufacturing industries, alkali manufacturing, fertilizer, pesticides and several other industries. The effluents from these industries contain acids which have corrosive effects. The effluents from fertilizer industries contain phosphorus, fluorine, silica and large amounts of suspended solids.
9. Metal Industries: These industries discharge effluents containing copper, lead, chromium, cadmium, zinc, etc. which are toxic to man as well as to aquatic life. These wastes also contain acids, oils, greases and cleansing agents.

Question 9. Discuss the legal measures taken in India for waste management.
Answer:
Legal measures for Waste Management: In India, mainly towns, agriculture and industry are the breeding grounds in respect of waste. A survey proves that 80% of the waste in our country comes from municipalities or corporations. Indian industries are responsible for making one million tonnes of waste. Govt, of India, has taken some steps for the management of that waste. In this respect, ASSOCHAM (The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India) has welcomed this venture of the Govt, of India and suggested the need for taking some measures.

Geography Class 10 Solutions WBBSE

1. The principal aim of this policy should be reducing waste. For this, the importance is to be attached to the reuse of the waste. Vigil is needed so that environment is not affected while destroying the waste.
2. An independent waste management agency is to be set up which is to help units reuse the waste in various ways.
3. Continuous campaign is to be made with a view to increasing awareness because some are indifferent to using recycled goods.
4. Liasion to be increased between Pollution Control Board (PCB) and the industrial units and the relation between them to be closer.
5. If a number of units of similar category lie concentrated, they may arrange for waste management unitedly which will be advantageous for all.
6. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) can tag itself with the industrial units and can help them and may act as an important adviser.
7. Index for the level of pollution should not change frequently.
8. There must be a central information centre which will supply all information in respect of pollution and suggest appropriate measures for control.
9. In each industrial unit there is to be a department that will look after the total affair of management.
10. The Govt, department which will see to it is to come forward with a friendly attitude in respect of supplying data, educating and guiding properly in matters of pollution control. ‘