Market structure and pricing - class-XI

Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) is a measure of how much organic pollution is in water. The BOD test measures the amount of dissolved oxygen in water that is used up due to the breakdown of organic pollutants, such as sewage, in a certain number of days.

Untreated sewage is an excellent source of bacterial growth. Such untreated sewage can result in spread of many bacterial diseases like outbreak of epidemics, cholera, typhoid etc.

Dumping waste in landfills or open areas has significant environmental disadvantages, including groundwater contamination, air pollution from decomposition, and habitat destruction, especially in densely populated or polluted regions.

Dry waste refers to non-biodegradable or recyclable materials like paper, plastic, metal, and glass. Wet waste refers to biodegradable organic matter like food scraps.

Dumping refers to the disposal of waste materials in a designated area, which is commonly referred to as a landfill.

The basic difference between biodegradable and non-biodegradable is that biodegradable items decompose or break down naturally whereas Non-biodegradable wastes are those who cannot be decomposed or dissolved by natural agents.

Biodegradable waste can be commonly found in municipal solid waste as green waste, food waste, paper waste, and biodegradable plastics. Other biodegradable wastes include human waste, manure, sewage, slaughterhouse waste.

Non-biodegradable waste includes Plastic products like grocery bags, plastic bags, water bottles, etc. Metals, metal cans, tins, metal scraps, etc. Construction waste, rubber tires, man-made fibers like nylon etc. Computer hardware like glass, CDs, DVDS, cellophane, processed woods, cable wires, Styrofoam etc.

Toxic waste includes substances that are harmful to health or the environment, such as chemicals, batteries, and pesticides, which require special handling.

Compost acts as a soil conditioner that helps buffer soil pH and improves soil structure, effectively mitigating issues caused by chemical fertilizers.

Drainage is the systematic removal of water from an area to prevent flooding, waterlogging, or soil degradation.

Organic waste is one which is biodegradable. It can undergo decomposition by the microbes aerobically or anaerobically to form compost which can be used as a fertilizer or it can just become a part of the soil.

Composting is a natural biological process where microorganisms break down organic matter into nutrient-rich humus, effectively recycling nutrients back into the soil.

Waste disposal methods encompass various techniques like landfilling, incineration, and composting used to manage waste safely and minimize environmental impact.

Waste segregation facilitates the recovery of materials by separating them into categories, which allows for easier reduction, reuse, and recycling.

Inorganic wastes (also known as non-biodegradable waste) are chemical substances of mineral origin which cannot be decomposed or dissolved by natural agents.

Biodegradable items decompose or break down naturally.

The waste generated from food establishment is called wet waste. It is heavier than dry waste due to the weight of the dampness contained in it. This waste is generally bio-degradable.

Organic waste is decomposed in compost pits to create fertilizer, distinguishing these pits from landfills or drainage systems.

Both toxic waste (hazardous chemicals) and soiled waste (potentially infectious medical waste) require specialized handling and disposal to prevent environmental and health risks.

Soiled waste refers to medical or biological waste contaminated with body fluids, which requires specific disposal protocols to prevent infection.

Drainage systems are typically classified into foul water (sewage) and surface water (rainwater runoff) to manage different types of water flow.

Organic waste is broken down by microbes (bacteria) into simpler substances. It is a multi-step process which is closely monitored with measured inputs of water, carbon and nitrogen rich compounds.

Non-biodegradable waste is a broad category that includes materials that do not break down naturally, such as recyclables, toxic materials, and soiled items that require specific disposal methods.

Composting provides multiple benefits: it reduces landfill volume, produces useful soil amendments, and decreases reliance on synthetic chemicals.

Dumping in low-lying areas involves the decomposition of solid waste through bacterial action, which reduces its volume and turns it into humus over time.

The three types of bacteria work at different temperatures to decompose the organic matter. Psychrophiles work at lowest temperature, around 55-70 degrees Fahrenheit to break down the organic matter. They give off small heat in the process which is sufficient enough for Mesophilic bacteria to begin composting. They prefer temperatures from 70-100 degrees Fahrenheit and give off heat while decomposing. They die when the temperature goes beyond 100 degrees and this is when thermophiles (heat loving bacteria) begin working.