MEDIUMMCQ SINGLEIChO (Chemistry Olympiad)Inorganic ChemistryEnvironmental ChemistryPrevious Year Questions
The water pollutants mainly responsible for eutrophication are (Punjab PMET 2006)
A.Cd, Pb and Hg present in industrial waste
B.heavy metals present in mining waste
C.detergents and fertilisers containing phosphate anion✓ Correct
D.polychlorinated biphenyls
Explanation
Detergents and fertilisers contain phosphates as additives. The addition of phosphorus to water, in the form of the phosphate anion (PO4 3–) encourages the formation of algae, which reduces the dissolved oxygen concentration of water. This process is known as eutrophication.