Question

What are the effects of non biodegradable substances on the environment??

Answer 1

When we eat food, it is digested by various enzymes present in our body. However, these enzymes cannot digest everything. This is why we cannot eat stone, plastic, or other such material. Similarly, micro-organisms make use of enzymes to digest the wastes (organic matter). However, these micro-organisms cannot digest certain substances, which we classify as non-biodegradable substances. These non-biodegradable substances get accumulated in the environment and cause pollution. further, these substances are responsible for the harmful effects on the environment.

• Long term exposure of these substances to air and soil may make them enter food chain and harm the organisms. e.g. Pesticides like DDT.
• The non-biodegradable substances like radioactive wastes, lead, mercury etc. accumulate in the environment and cause life threatening diseases in humans and other living beings.
• They also pollute water and harms the aquatic life. According to a survey, plastic debris in the ocean is responsible for the death of over 100,000 marine animals each year.