Make a list of things that we throw into the waste bin at home or school. If these things were thrown into a river or a pond, how would each of these items harm the animals, plants and people who live nearby, and use this water?
Common waste items that we throw into waste bins at home or school can cause serious harm to water bodies like rivers and ponds.
Plastic wrappers and bottles do not decompose, trap and choke aquatic animals, and release toxic chemicals into the water.
Food waste decomposes and uses up oxygen in water, harming fish and aquatic life.
Paper decomposes but can initially block water flow and harm small organisms.
Chemical cleaners and soaps poison aquatic life and make water unsafe for drinking and bathing.
Oil and grease form a layer on the water surface, preventing oxygen from entering water and suffocating aquatic life.
Electronic waste releases heavy metals and toxic substances into water.
Medical waste introduces harmful chemicals and antibiotics into water bodies, affecting both humans and animals.
Explanation
Activity 2 asks students to analyse household and school waste and understand its impact on water bodies. The chapter explains that harmful things like chemicals or dirty soapy water can hide in rivers, and even when water looks clean, it might still carry things that can hurt living beings. The fish, turtles, and birds that live in and around rivers have nowhere else to go and are slowly disappearing due to pollution.
Solution Steps
Plastic wrappers and bottles do not decompose and harm aquatic animals with toxic chemicals
Food waste decomposes and depletes oxygen in water, harming fish and aquatic life
Paper can block water flow and harm small organisms
Chemical cleaners and soaps poison aquatic life and make water unsafe
Oil and grease form a surface layer that prevents oxygen from entering water
Electronic waste releases heavy metals and toxic substances
Medical waste introduces harmful chemicals and antibiotics affecting humans and animals