Question

Environmental chemistry mainly deals with the study of

• A. unwanted substances and their effects
• B. flora and fauna
• C. biodiversity
• D. forest resources

Hint:

• Environmental chemistry focuses on the chemical species, reactions, transport, and effects of substances in the environment.
• A major part of this involves studying pollutants (often termed unwanted or harmful substances) and their environmental and health consequences.
• It also includes the study of natural chemical processes in the environment.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

To answer the question, let's explore the main focus of environmental chemistry and what it primarily deals with.

1. Understanding the Concepts:

- Environmental Chemistry: Environmental chemistry is the branch of chemistry that focuses on the study of chemical processes occurring in the environment. It examines the sources, reactions, transport, effects, and fates of chemicals in the air, water, soil, and living organisms.

- Main Focus: The primary goal of environmental chemistry is to understand the impact of chemicals on the environment and human health. It studies pollutants, their sources, and their long-term effects on ecosystems and natural resources.

2. Breakdown of the Given Options:

• Option 1: "Unwanted substances and their effects": This statement is correct. Environmental chemistry mainly deals with the study of unwanted substances (pollutants) and their effects on the environment, human health, and ecosystems. It helps assess the risks associated with these chemicals and develops strategies for managing pollution.
• Option 2: "Flora and fauna": While environmental chemistry does consider the effects of pollutants on flora (plants) and fauna (animals), it does not specifically focus on these biological aspects. The primary focus is on chemical interactions and their environmental impact.
• Option 3: "Biodiversity": Biodiversity is an important consideration in environmental studies, but environmental chemistry is more concerned with the chemical pollutants and their effects on ecosystems, which can affect biodiversity. It does not directly study biodiversity itself.
• Option 4: "Forest resources": Forest resources are vital to the environment, and environmental chemistry can study how pollution impacts forests. However, forest resources are not the main subject of study in environmental chemistry, which focuses more on pollutants and their chemical processes.

3. Conclusion:

Environmental chemistry mainly deals with the study of unwanted substances (pollutants) and their effects on the environment, human health, and ecosystems. It aims to understand the chemical behavior of these pollutants and their long-term impact.

Final Answer:

The correct statement is: "Environmental chemistry mainly deals with the study of unwanted substances and their effects."