पारा प्रदूषण के बारे में, निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए :
1. स्वर्ण खनन गतिविधि विश्व में पारा प्रदूषण का स्रोत है।
2. कोयला-आधारित तापीय शक्ति संयंत्र (थर्मल पावर प्लांट) से पारा प्रदूषण होता है।
3. पारा के संपर्क में आने का कोई ज्ञात सुरक्षा-स्तर नहीं है।
उपर्युक्त में से कितने कथन सही हैं?
सही उत्तर (B) Only two है।
व्याख्या:
Statement 1 is correct: Gold mining is contaminating Amazon forests with mercury. To extract gold, miners mix liquid mercury with sediment, creating a coating around the gold. Statement 2 is correct: Fly ash produced by thermal power plants (TPPs) is a significant source of mercury release into the environment. Fly ash is typically disposed of in ash ponds as ash slurry, creating its own aquatic ecosystem. Coal-based TPPs are the leading contributors to mercury emissions, which is the ninth most toxic element on earth. According to 2016 estimates by the Centre for Science and Environment, mercury accounted for over 80 percent of emissions from TPPs. Statement 3 is incorrect: Although mercury exposure can be dangerous at high levels, there are recognized safe exposure limits for various conditions. Mercury vapor concentrations exceeding 0.01 mg/m³ are currently considered unsafe.
In English (Question & Model Answer)
Consider the following statements regarding mercury pollution:
1. Gold mining activity is a source of mercury pollution in the world.
2. Coal-based thermal power plants cause mercury pollution.
3. There is no known safe level of exposure to mercury.
How many of the above statements are correct?
The correct answer is (B) Only two.
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: Gold mining is contaminating Amazon forests with mercury. To extract gold, miners mix liquid mercury with sediment, creating a coating around the gold. Statement 2 is correct: Fly ash produced by thermal power plants (TPPs) is a significant source of mercury release into the environment. Fly ash is typically disposed of in ash ponds as ash slurry, creating its own aquatic ecosystem. Coal-based TPPs are the leading contributors to mercury emissions, which is the ninth most toxic element on earth. According to 2016 estimates by the Centre for Science and Environment, mercury accounted for over 80 percent of emissions from TPPs. Statement 3 is incorrect: Although mercury exposure can be dangerous at high levels, there are recognized safe exposure limits for various conditions. Mercury vapor concentrations exceeding 0.01 mg/m³ are currently considered unsafe.