Question

Given below are some metals which are released into the environment from a variety of anthropogenic sources. Identify the metals which have been of serious concern from the point of view of pollution of water bodies

a) Aluminium

b) Copper

c) Mercury

d) Cadmium

e) Lead

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

1. b, c, e only
2. a, b, c, e only
3. c, d, e only
4. a, b, e only

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : c, d, e only

Metals	Permissible concentration (mg/L)	Sources
Aluminium	0.09	Weathering, solid waste, industrial waste, etc.
Copper	2	Mining, electroplating, smelting operations
Mercury	0.006	Chlor-alkali plants, thermal power plants, fluorescent lamps, hospital waste (damaged thermometers, barometers, sphygmomanometers), electrical appliances, etc.
Cadmium	0.003	Zinc smelting, waste batteries, e-waste, paint sludge, incinerations & fuel combustion
Lead	0.01	lead-acid batteries, paints, E-waste, Smelting operations, coal-based thermal power plants, ceramics, bangle industry

 

The causes of water pollution vary and maybe both natural and anthropogenic. However, the most common causes of water pollution are the anthropogenic ones. Based on the guideline value by WHO, Aluminium, and Copper have comparatively higher permissible limits of concentration. So, c, d, e only correct options here.