Tag: Carbon dioxide

Introduction

Biodegradable and non-biodegradable substances refer to the materials that make up the products and waste we use and discard in our daily lives. Biodegradable substances are made from organic materials and have a positive impact on the environment when properly managed and disposed of. Non-biodegradable substances, on the other hand, are made from synthetic materials and do not break down in the natural environment. It is important to minimize our use of non-biodegradable substances and properly manage both biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste in order to protect the environment and promote sustainability.

Biodegradable Waste and Biodegradable Material

Biodegradable waste materials are materials made from organic matter, such as starch-based plastics or plant-based fibers, which can be broken down by natural processes into the water, carbon dioxide, and biomass. Unlike traditional plastics, which can persist in the environment for hundreds of years.

Examples of Biodegradable substances

Some common examples of biodegradable substances include:

• Food waste, such as fruit and vegetable scraps, bread, and meat
• Yard waste, such as leaves, grass clippings, and tree branches
• Paper products, such as newspaper, paper towels, and cardboard
• Textiles made from natural fibers, such as cotton or wool
• Biodegradable plastics made from renewable materials, such as corn starch or sugarcane
• Manure and sewage sludge
• Wood chips and sawdust.

Non-Biodegradable Waste and Non-Biodegradable Material

Non-biodegradable material refer to a material that does not break down into natural substances over time and persist in the environment for long periods. These materials are typically synthetic, made from petrochemicals, and do not decompose in the natural environment.

Non-biodegradable waste refers to discarded items made from non-biodegradable materials that cannot be decomposed by natural processes. Examples of non-biodegradable waste include plastic bags, polystyrene packaging, and aluminum cans. Unlike biodegradable waste, non-biodegradable waste can persist in the environment for hundreds of years and can cause environmental problems if not properly disposed of.

Examples of Non-Biodegradable substances

Some common examples of non-biodegradable substances include:

• Traditional petroleum-based plastics, such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP)
• Aluminum cans and foil
• Glass bottles and jars
• Metal products, such as steel cans and car parts
• Electronic waste, such as computers, phones, and televisions
• Synthetic fibers, such as nylon and polyester
• Certain types of synthetic rubber and paints
• Fire retardants and flame-retardant materials.

Effect of Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable Substances on the environment 

The effects of biodegradable and non-biodegradable substances on the environment can vary greatly.

• Biodegradable substances, such as food waste and yard waste, can have positive impacts on the environment when properly managed. For example, food waste can be composted and added to soil as a natural fertilizer, improving soil health and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. Yard waste can also be composted, or used as mulch to retain moisture in the soil.
• On the other hand, non-biodegradable substances can have harmful impacts on the environment. When not properly disposed of, non-biodegradable waste, such as plastic bags and polystyrene packaging, can litter the environment, harm wildlife, and take hundreds of years to break down. Landfills overflowing with non-biodegradable waste can also release toxic substances into the air and water, causing further harm to the environment and human health.
• In addition, the production of non-biodegradable materials, such as petroleum-based plastics, can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental problems associated with the extraction and processing of fossil fuels. 
• When these wastes build in the soil, they affect the pH and fertility of the soil. Non-biodegradable trash should be reused, reduced, or repurposed rather than dumped into oceans, as this constitutes a significant environmental risk.

Overall, it is important to properly manage both biodegradable and non-biodegradable substances in order to minimize their negative impacts on the environment.

Differences between biodegradable and non-biodegradable substances:

Conclusion

Biodegradable compounds are those that can be broken down or decomposed by the action of microbes or any form of life, whereas non-biodegradable substances are those that cannot be broken down into little pieces by the action of any kind of life. Organic wastes that degrade quickly are considered biodegradable wastes. Plastics and glassware are examples of non-biodegradable garbage that require thousands of years to disintegrate. All sorts of garbage affect our environment and all types of life on the planet. As a result, waste treatment is critical, which includes recycling, reusing, and decreasing.

 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What is the three R’s stand for?

The “Three R’s” stand for Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. They are a widely recognized hierarchy of waste management and sustainability that encourages individuals and organizations to minimize waste and promote sustainability by reducing their consumption of resources, reusing products and materials whenever possible, and recycling materials that cannot be reduced or reused.

2. What is a biodegradable polymer?

A biodegradable polymer is a type of plastic that is designed to break down and decompose into natural substances over time through the action of microbes, heat, and other environmental factors. Biodegradable polymers are typically made from renewable resources, such as plant-based materials, and are designed to be more environmentally friendly than traditional petroleum-based plastics.

3. What is biodegradable degradation?

Biodegradable degradation refers to the process of breaking down and decomposing organic material into natural substances through the action of microbes, heat, and other environmental factors. This process is a natural and essential part of the earth’s ecosystem and helps to recycle nutrients and other substances in the environment.

Introduction

The air is a fundamental element of planet Earth that sustains life. The broad term “air” is used to describe the mixture of gases that makes up the earth’s atmosphere. It is a clear gas required for breathing and performing regular cellular activities. Air is a very essential and makes up the atmosphere of the earth.

It has the following other applications-

• All life depends on air to thrive, including humans, plants, animals, and other species.
• The air is necessary for the water cycle to take place.
• It facilitates combustion and breathing.
• It keeps the temperature constant.
• Air assists in the process of pollination in wind-pollinated plants.

Components of Air

The air around is composed of various components given below-

• Oxygen makes up around 21% of the air.
• The highest amount of gas present in the air is Nitrogen, which makes up 78% of the total air.
• Argon is 0.9% of the total air.
• Carbon dioxide is the lowest around 0.04% of the air.
• There are still other gases which are present in very lower concentrations eg. water vapour.
• Microscopic airborne particles known as “aerosols”  are also present in the air and are present in minute quantities.
• These aerosols include bacteria, suspended dust, pollen, and spores.

Properties of Air

• Air is colourless and odourless and cannot be seen, heard or touched.
• It is a mixture of many gases and they occupy space and matter.
• Air exerts pressure. Near the surface, the air pressure is more and at higher altitudes the air pressure is low.
• When heated the air expands and when cooled the air compresses.

Uses of Air

Respiration

• Respiration is the process where gaseous exchange occurs and oxygen is inhaled and carbon dioxide is exhaled.
• The two main gases involved in respiration are carbon dioxide and oxygen.
• Plants and animals require oxygen to convert the chemical energy found in food into energy that can be used for various metabolic processes.
• This energy is used in all actions of growth, development, locomotion and reproduction.
• Oxygen is created through the process of photosynthesis, which occurs when plants use carbon dioxide to make chemical energy while utilizing light energy.
  

Combustion

• A fuel oxidises when it is burned and produces lots of energy.
• This is an exothermic reaction wherein light and heat are generated.
• Any carbon-containing substance that is burned in the presence of oxygen produces carbon dioxide, water vapour, heat, and light energy.
• Colourful flames are created when methane, an essential element of combustion, combines with air. These colourful flames are an indicator of the combustion reaction.
• Explosive burning might occur if there is too much oxygen present hence to prevent this nitrogen gas is present in the atmosphere.
• Nitrogen does not contribute to combustion and inhibits too much oxygen from causing higher reactivity. Therefore, these two components work together to make sure that fuel energy is used in a controlled way.
• The heat that is generated during the process of combustion is used to cook, run our vehicles, generate electricity etc.

Regulation of temperature

• The earth’s surface is kept at a constant temperature by air.
• The density of hot air is less and hence it rises above the ground. This leads to the formation of a low-pressure area which is quickly filled by cool air.
• This phenomenon leads to the formation of winds.
• As the temperature of the air rises the air moves up draws in cooler air from the surroundings, warms it up, and the cycle repeats.
• When hot air rises, it radiates heat into space before sinking back to earth.
• Convection is the process of moving heat, and this is referred to as temperature regulation.
• Heat is transferred in this way from hotter to colder places and thus the temperature of the earth is regulated.
• The atmosphere and air also help to cool the earth and protect it from the sun’s excessive UV rays.

Summary

Air surrounding the earth makes up its atmosphere. The air is a mixture of gases and is essential to many living things. Air consists of 78% of nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.9% argon, and 0.04% carbon dioxide, and there are traces of other gases as well. The thick layer of air supports vital life-supporting activities. Contrarily, air is a substance and it has mass, can be compressed, and takes up space. Air performs the following major processes—breathing, combustion, and regulating the earth’s temperature.

Frequently Asked Question

1. Give the function of the ozone layer
Ans: The ozone layer, which is found in the stratosphere of the earth and absorbs the majority of the sun’s ultraviolet rays, works as a screen to protect the planet from these rays.

2. What does acid rain mean?
Ans: Polluted air consists of oxides of nitrates and sulphates. These oxides react with water vapour and other air components to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid. When there is rainfall both of these acids fall on earth which is termed acid rain. This acid rain is not only harmful to people but also affects various other living organisms.

3. What are the ill effects of air pollution?
Ans: Air pollution is a very severe problem that aggravates pre-existing respiratory and cardiac problems and causes several pollution-related ailments. Common diseases caused due by air pollution are lung cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and respiratory infections.