Question

Identify the false statement. (a) Sink is a medium which removes the pollutant from the environment. (b) The medium which interacts with long-lived pollutant is receptor. (c) The sink for dead plants and animals is microorganisms. (d) Sca water is a sink for \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\).

Short answer

Statement (b) is false.

Step-by-step solution

- Understand the Definitions

Understand the definitions of 'sink', 'receptor', and specific examples such as microorganisms decomposing dead plants and sea water interacting with \(\text{CO}_2\).

- Evaluate Each Statement

Examine each statement to determine if it accurately applies to the definitions understood from Step 1.

- Identify the Correct Statements

Evaluate statement (a) - A sink is indeed a medium that removes pollutants from the environment. Thus, statement (a) is true. Evaluate statement (b) - A receptor is actually the medium that receives pollutants and shows effects. The definition here is misleading, so statement (b) is false. Evaluate statement (c) - Microorganisms do act as a sink for decomposing dead plants and animals, so statement (c) is true. Evaluate statement (d) - Sea water does act as a sink for absorbing \(\text{CO}_2\), thus statement (d) is true.

- Identify the False Statement

After evaluating all statements, the false statement is statement (b).

Key concepts

Pollutant Sink

When we talk about a pollutant sink, we mean any medium or process that removes pollutants from the environment. Think of it like a natural trash can that helps clean up contaminants. For example, soil can act as a sink by trapping pollutants, and wetlands can filter harmful substances out of water. These sinks are crucial as they help to mitigate pollution levels. Whether through absorption, dilution, or chemical transformation, pollutant sinks neutralize harmful substances and maintain the ecological balance.

Pollutant Receptor

A pollutant receptor is different from a sink. Instead of removing pollutants, a receptor is any medium or organism that interacts with and is affected by pollutants. Human lungs, for instance, are receptors for air pollutants like ozone and particulate matter. Plants, animals, and even entire ecosystems can act as receptors, often showing signs of stress or damage when exposed to contaminants. The key role here is interaction and impact rather than removal. Understanding this difference helps in identifying and managing environmental risks more effectively.

Microorganisms Decomposition

Microorganisms play a vital role in decomposing dead plants and animals. These tiny organisms, like bacteria and fungi, break down organic material into simpler substances. This process is essential for nutrient cycling in ecosystems. As they decompose dead matter, microorganisms release nutrients back into the soil, making them available for use by living plants. Absent this natural recycling system, dead matter would accumulate, and ecosystems would be deprived of essential nutrients. This decomposition process is often referred to as a natural sink because it helps manage biological waste.

Carbon Dioxide Absorption

Carbon dioxide absorption is a critical process for regulating the Earth's atmosphere. One of the major sinks for carbon dioxide (CO₂) is seawater. Oceans absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere, where it dissolves and undergoes chemical reactions to form bicarbonate and carbonate ions. Forests also act as significant CO₂ sinks through photosynthesis, where trees capture CO₂ and convert it into oxygen and glucose. This absorption process is vital for controlling atmospheric CO₂ levels, thereby mitigating global warming and enhancing climate stability.