Question

Spraying of DDT causes pollution of: (a) Air (b) Air and water (c) Air and soil (d) Air, water and soil

Short answer

Air, water, and soil are polluted by DDT.

Step-by-step solution

Analyze the Problem

Read the question carefully. We need to identify which environmental components (air, water, or soil) are polluted by the spraying of DDT, a pesticide.

Recall DDT Properties

Remember that DDT (Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane) is a persistent organic pollutant known to affect multiple areas in the environment due to its ability to accumulate and remain for long periods.

Examine Pollution Pathways

DDT can become airborne when sprayed, contaminating the air. It also settles on plant surfaces and can be washed into water bodies through runoff, polluting water. Additionally, DDT can adhere to soil particles, causing soil pollution.

Conclusion Based on Knowledge

Given that DDT affects all three components (air, water, and soil), the correct answer is an option that includes all these elements.

Key concepts

DDT Pollution

Spraying DDT results in serious environmental pollution because of its ability to affect multiple components simultaneously. DDT, or Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane, is infamous for its persistence and tenacity. Once applied, DDT can linger in the environment for years, if not decades. When DDT is sprayed, a portion of it becomes airborne. This can lead to the contamination of the air, presenting risks to humans and animals who breathe it in.
As for water pollution, DDT residue can make its way into water bodies through processes like runoff, especially after rainfall. This is hazardous to aquatic life, disrupting ecosystems and bioaccumulating in organisms. Lastly, DDT can bind to soil particles, polluting the soil. This affects micro-organisms and further disrupts the food chain by entering crops through soil uptake.

Persistent Organic Pollutants

DDT is classified as a persistent organic pollutant (POP), a group that includes many other dangerous chemicals. POPs are known for their longevity in the environment; they resist natural breakdown processes, remaining intact for many years. DDT, for example, can continue to be a problem long after its initial application. POPs are of great concern due to several significant characteristics:

• Resistance to Degradation: POPs do not easily decompose in the environment, so they accumulate over time.
• Bioaccumulation: These pollutants build up in the tissues of organisms, leading to higher concentrations at each level of the food chain.
• Long-Range Transport: POPs can travel vast distances from their source, even reaching remote areas like the Arctic.

Due to these properties, managing and regulating POPs like DDT is important for safeguarding the environment and public health.

Effects of Pesticides on Ecosystems

Pesticides, including DDT, have profound effects on ecosystems. The repercussions are often severe and widespread due to the non-specific nature of these chemicals. When pesticides enter an ecosystem, their primary intention is to eliminate certain pests. However, they indiscriminately affect a wide range of species. Some critical impacts include:

• Disruption of Food Chains: By targeting a particular species, pesticides can cause a cascade effect, affecting predators and prey alike.
• Biodiversity Loss: Sensitive species that cannot tolerate the chemicals may decline in number or become extinct, reducing biodiversity.
• Altered Nutrient Cycles: Pesticides can kill soil microorganisms vital for nutrient recycling, thereby disrupting normal soil functions.

These impacts are particularly concerning because they can destabilize entire ecosystems, making it challenging for them to recover. Sustainable pest control methods are necessary to maintain ecological balance and health.