Which of the following are non-degradable pollutants ?

Options

A. Mercury salts
B. Long chain phenolics
C. DDT
D. All of the above

Answer

To determine which of the following are non-degradable pollutants, we need to understand what non-degradable pollutants are. Non-degradable pollutants are substances that cannot be broken down by natural processes into harmless components.

Here’s a step-by-step solution:

1. **Define Non-degradable Pollutants**: Non-degradable pollutants are substances that do not decompose naturally and remain in the environment for a long time, causing pollution.

2. **Identify Examples**: Common examples of non-degradable pollutants include:
- Heavy metals (e.g., mercury, lead)
- Plastics
- Polymers
- Certain pesticides (e.g., DDT - diphenyl trichloroethane)

3. **Evaluate the Options**: Now, let's look at the options provided:
- **Option 1: Mercury salts** - These are indeed non-degradable pollutants as they cannot be broken down naturally.
- **Option 2: Long chain phenolics** - These compounds, such as tannic acid, are also non-degradable.
- **Option 3: DDT (diphenyl trichloroethane)** - This is a well-known non-degradable pollutant.
- **Option 4: All of the above** - Since all the previous options are non-degradable pollutants, this option is correct.

4. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the correct answer is **Option 4: All of the above**.