Biofuels
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Biofuels

A biofuel is a fuel that is produced through contemporary processes from biomass, rather than a fuel produced by the very slow geological processes involved in the formation of fossil fuels, such as oil. Contemporary processes mean those processes that do not take much time. Biomass: includes living matter, dead organic matter, agricultural waste, including Municipal solid waste, Urban wood residue,…

Fuels (Non-Renewables)
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Fuels (Non-Renewables)

Natural resources can be classified as Exhaustible Natural Resources: Coal, Petroleum Inexhaustible Natural Resources: Sunlight, air   Similarly, Sources of Energy can be classified as: On the Basis of Renewability: Non-renewable or exhaustible: source of energy which have accumulated in nature over a very, very long time and can’t be quickly replaced when exhausted For example,…

Hazardous Waste
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Hazardous waste

Hazardous Waste: any waste, which by reason of characteristics, such as physical, chemical, or biological is reactive, toxic, flammable, explosive or corrosive, and causes danger to health, or the environment. It comprises the waste generated during the manufacturing processes of commercial products such as industries involved in petroleum refining, production of pharmaceuticals, petroleum, paint, aluminium,…

Plastic Waste
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Plastic Waste

Plastic is an artificial polymer (repeating molecules). It is so useful for mankind that we use it in everything. We use it as a packaging material, storage material, construction material, garments, sanitary and protection equipment, toys, educational material, as well as in electronic equipment. It is impossible to imagine human life without Plastics: In medicine,…

Solid Waste
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Solid Waste

Solid Waste includes all aggregate material that persists in the environment for a long time without degrading through biological processes, often adversely impacting the natural ecosystems and human life. It is estimated that about 62 million tonnes of waste is generated annually in the country, out of which:  5.6 million in plastic waste,  1.5Mn tonne…

Water Pollution
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Water Pollution

Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (rivers, lakes, oceans, and groundwater) due to harmful substances like chemicals, plastics, sewage, and industrial waste, making it unsafe for human use, aquatic life, and the environment. It disrupts ecosystems, reduces water quality, and poses serious health hazards. Types of impurities Generally the types of Impurities which…

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Measuring Air Pollution

On the basis of how the air pollution impacts human health, certain standards for Air pollution have been set. Such standards are often set only for the Ambient air, i.e. the air surrounding us in the outdoors. WHO establishes Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQG) based on scientific evidence of health risks. It sets limits for…

Particulate Matter Upsc Notes
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Particulate matter UPSC Notes

Particulate matter is the minute solid particles or liquid droplets in the air such as dust, mist, fumes, smoke and smog. Present in vehicle emissions, smoke particles from fires, dust, and ash from industries. These Particles can be classified into two categories: Viable: For example, minute living organisms’ bacteria, fungi, moulds, algae etc. Humans are…