Question

The pH of water samples collected from a river was found to be acidic in the range of 3.5 – 4.5, on the banks of the river were several factories that were discharging effluents into the river. The effluents of which one of the following factories is the most likely cause for lowering the pH of river water? 

(a) Soap and detergent factory 

(b) Lead battery manufacturing factory

(c) Plastic cup manufacturing factory 

(d) Alcohol distillery

Answer 1

The answer is (d) Alcohol distillery

• Fermentation results in the production of lactic acid and alcohol.
• Alcohol oxidizes to get converted into ethanoic acid. 
• This will decrease the PH of river water.