ECOSYSTEM (Part-II)

The ecosystem is a composition made up of biotic and abiotic components. For example, plants and animals are biotic or abiotic components, whereas soil, air, sunlight, water, heat, organic and inorganic substances, etc., are biotic or abiotic components.

• Aluminium Phosphide is a dark grey or dark yellow crystalline (sand-like) solid. It is used as an insecticide or fumigant for grain and also as an igniting agent in flares.
• Magnesium bisulphite is a strong oxygen scavenger (reducing agent) and sodium free. Effective in the removal of organic compounds from gas streams.
• Hydrogen peroxide is a mild antiseptic used on the skin to prevent infection of minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.
• Ethanoic acid (CH₃COOH) belongs to the group of carboxylic acids and is commonly called acetic acid.

Three R’s protect the environment - Reduce, Recycle and Reuse. These do not include Recover.

All types of biological substances are biodegradable. Over time, when they come in contact with soil water, etc., they get fragmented by bacteria, etc. However, plastic is different from these because it does not biodegrade.

The presence of any foreign substance in water, which changes the natural properties of water so that water becomes injurious to health or its usefulness is reduced, is called ‘water pollution. Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a water purification technology.

‘Namami Gange Programme’ is an Integrated Conservation Mission approved as a ‘Flagship Programme’ by the Union Government in June 2014 with a budget outlay of Rs. 20,000 Crore to accomplish the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of National River Ganga.

BOD5 displays biochemistry oxygen demand over five days. This test takes place in the dark at a fixed temperature of 20°C for five days.

The air pollutant index ranges from ‘301-500’ as hazardous. A range of 0-50 is considered good.

Spraying of DDT on crops causes pollution of soil and water.

Rhizobium is diazotrophic bacteria (bacterium) found in the nodules of the roots of plants of the leguminous (Fabaceae) family and, while living in these, fixation of nitrogen by taking these essential enzymes.