ICSE Geography Class 10 Question Bank Chapter 18 Waste Generation & Management – Methods of Safe Disposal of Waste
Questions Based on Waste Generation and Management
Methods of Safe Disposal of Waste
I. Short Answer Questions
Question 1.
What do you mean by segregation of waste? How does it ensure safe waste disposal?
Answer:
Sorting out of the re-usable materials from heaps of waste is called segregation.
We can ensure a safe waste disposal by segregating domestic waste into different dustbins like biodegradable and non- biodegradable and then convert biodegradable ones into other useful products like compost or gobar gas. Urban residential colonies should undertake collective efforts for safe disposal of domestic waste as well as sweepings from the gardens and public parts. These sweepings can be converted into compost and used for the maintenance of these gardens and parks.
Question 2.
What is open dumping of wastes?
Answer:
In this method waste materials are dumped in open low lands far away from the city.
Question 3.
What is a sanitary landfill?
Answer:
Sanitary landfill is a way of disposing refuse on land without creating nuisances or hazards to public health or safety.
Question 4.
Give two advantages of dumping waste in sanitary landfill.
Answer:
- It is free from air pollution from burning.
- The health problems are minimised since flies, rats and other pests cannot breed in the landfill because of the covered wastes.
Question 5.
What is composting?
Answer:
Composting of waste is an aerobic (in the presence of air) method of decomposing solid wastes. The process involves decomposition of organic waste into humus known as compost which is a good fertiliser for plants.
II. Structured Questions
Question 1.
(a) Name two useful products which can be made from biodegradable domestic waste.
Answer:
Compost or Gobar gas and recycled paper.
(b) What service is indirectly done by the rag-pickers for the disposal of waste?
Answer:
In a country like India, the poor garbage collectors make a living from discarded solids. In this way they do a good job by removing much of the waste from the garbage dumps. Pieces of metal, glass, rubber, plastics etc., are removed to be recycled to get finished products.
(c) What steps should be taken by the municipal authorities for the safe disposal of solid waste?
Answer:
- Organising house-to-house collection of municipal solid wastes.
- Devising collection of waste from slums and squatter areas or localities including hotels, restaurants, office complexes and commercial areas.
- Bio-medical wastes and industrial wastes should not be mixed with municipal solid wastes.
- Horticultural and construction wastes should be separately collected and disposed of.
- The waste should be segregated into biodegradable and non- biodegradable.
- Waste (garbage, dry leaves) should not be burnt.
- Stray animals should not be allowed to move around waste storage facilities.
(d) How is compost made? Give three advantages of using compost.
Answer:
Composting of waste is an aerobic (in the presence of air) method of decomposing solid wastes. The process involves 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. The organic wastes from households are made to undergo decomposition in such a way that bacteria and other micro-organisms break them down and product a safe, clean and soil-like material called compost.
The major advantages of composting are :
- It enhances soil nutrients and water retention capacity of soils.
- It suppresses plant diseases.
- It rejuvenates poor soils by adding humus.
- It absorbs odours and degrading volatile organic compounds.
- It prevents pollution by preventing pollutants in storm water run-off from draining into water resources.
- It checks soil erosion and silting on embankments.
- It reduces cost by reducing the need for excess water, fertilisers and pesticides.
Question 2.
(a) Why is open dumping not considered as an environment friendly method?
Answer:
The open pits spoil the site of the area and become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, flies, insects etc., that are the carriers of harmful diseases. They give out foul .odour. The burning of waste material in the open dumps pollutes the air. Another danger of open dumping is that rainwater could carry the harmful substances to the nearby streams, ponds or lakes and if the water seeps down it could pollute the groundwater.
(b) How is the water polluted by open dumping of waste?
Answer:
Rainwater could carry the harmful substances to die nearby streams, ponds or lakes and if the water seeps down it could pollute the groundwater.
(c) How is waste disposed of in a sanitary landfill?
Answer:
The sanitary landfill system of disposing of waste is essentially a biological method. The waste undergoes the following five phases.
- During the first phase of operation, aerobic bacteria deplete the available oxygen and as a result the temperature increases.
- In the second phase, anaerobic conditions become established and hydrogen and carbon dioxie are evolved.
- Phase three establishes population of bacteria and the beginning of methanogenic activity, i.e., production of methane from the decomposition of organic matter.
- In the fourth phase the methanogenic activity becomes stabilished.
- The fifth phase depletes the organic matter, and the system returns to aerobic state.
(d) What are the advantages of sanitary landfill as compared to open dumping?
Answer:
The advantages of sanitary landfill as opposed to open dumping are:
- It is free from air pollution from burning.
The health problems are minimised since flies, rats and other pests cannot breed in the landfill because of the covered wastes. - It is mostly free from fire hazards.
ICSE Geography Class 10 Question Bank