Environmental Chemistry &

Qualitative and Quantitative

Analysis of Organic Compounds
 Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and
Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds
Environmental pollution may be defined as any undesirable change in the physical, chemical or
biological characteristics of air, water and soil which may cause any harm to man and other living
organisms of the environment.

Types of Pollutants
The agents causing pollution are termed as pollutants.
(A) On the basis of form of their occurrence, pollutants are divided into two categories.
(i) Primary pollutants: These are present in the same form in which they are produced. eg. carbon
monoxide, DDT.
(ii) Secondary pollutants: These are formed by reaction between the primary pollutants in the
presence of sunlight eg. PAN, Ozone, HNO3 H2SO4 etc. Nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons react
photochemically to produce peroxyacetyl nitrates (PAN) and ozone.
The secondary pollutants may be more toxic than the primary once. The phenomenon is called
synergism.

(B) On the basis of their degradation, pollutants are divided into two categories.
(i) Biodegradable Pollutants: Pollutants which are decomposed or degraded by biological or
microbial action are called biodegradable pollutants e.g. domestic sewage.
(ii) Non-biodegradable Pollutants: Pollutants which are not decomposed or degraded by living
organisms or micro organisms are called non-biodegradable pollutants eg. DDT, glass, plastics,
aluminium cans, phenolic compounds, pesticides, radioactive substances, heavy metals like
mercury, lead, cadmium etc.

(C) On the basis of their existance in nature, pollutants are divided into two categories.
(i) Quantitative pollutants: These are naturally present in nature and are also added by man. These
become pollutants only when their concentration reaches beyond a threshold value in the
environment.
e.g. CO2.
(ii) Qualitative pollutants: These are not present in the nature but are added in nature only due to
human activities e.g. insecticides, fungicides, herbicides etc.

Kinds of Pollution
On the basis of environmental study pollution is of following types.
(1) Air pollution
(2) Water pollution
(3) Soil pollution
(4) Noise pollution
(5) Radioactive pollution

Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds 3

Air Pollution:
• It is mainly caused by industries and automobiles. Automobiles are the greatest polluter of the
atmosphere and are responsible for 75% of noise pollution and about 60-80% of air pollution of
big cities.
• The combustion of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas etc.) releases CO, CO2, nitrogen oxides, fluorides,
hydrocarbons etc. into atmosphere usually in the form of smoke causing air pollution.
• Particulate matters released by mills, factories and mines also cause air pollution.
• Some of the natural air pollutants are pollen grains, spores, volcanoes etc.

Major Air Pollutants :

(1) Carbon monoxide :
• It is formed by incomplete combustion of fuels in various industries, automobiles etc.
• CO accounts for about 50% of total air pollution. It is largest pollutant in Delhi’s air.
• CO combines with haemoglobin, produces carboxyhaemoglobin and therefore decreases
oxygen carrying capacity leading to hypoxia, headache, decreased vision, muscular
weakness, nausea, exhaustion etc.
• When 50% of haemoglobin has been transformed into carboxyhaemoglobin, then death
occurs due to CO-poisoning leading to anoxia (oxygen starvation)

(2) Carbon dioxide (CO2) :

• It is a green house gas. It is produced due to combustion of fuels, volcanic eruptions and
during the process of respiration.
• Its average concentration in the atmosphere is 300 ppm (0.03%) .
• It is normally not an atmospheric pollutants, but under very high concentration it may act
as a pollutant.
• It causes Global warming .

(3) Sulphur dioxide (SO2) :

• It is produced during combustion of fossil fuels (mainly coal) and smelting of sulphur
containing ores.
• It causes acid rain (gaseous SO2 oxidises to SO3, which on combination with water forms
H2SO4).
• Acid rain is 60-70% due to SO2 and SO3, and 30-40% due to NO2 and NO3.
• Due to acid rain the leaves develop chlorotic and necrotic spots.
• SO2 corrodes stones, metals, leather, paper and fabrics. There is deterioration of colour and
lustre of fabries, stones and painted surfaces.
• Taj mahal of Agra is affected by gases (SO2, H2S etc.) discharged from oil refinery of Mathura.
• Lichens (e.g. Usnea) are extremely sensitive to SO2 and could be regarded as indicators of
SO2 pollution. (indicators of air pollution)
• Garden pea is another SO2 pollution indicator.

4 Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds

 • Lichen vegetation (parmelia, usnea, cladonia,) Garden pea and mosses are completely
destroyed due to SO2.
• SO2 causes chlorosis (destruction of chlorophyll) and necrosis of vegetation, membrane
damage and yield reduction.
• In plants and animals, SO2 destroys all membrane systems.
• In human beings SO2 increases the chances of occurrence of asthma, bronchitis and
emphysema. (xv) It produces eye irritation, damage respiratory tract.

(4) Hydrocarbons :
• They are produced naturally (e.g. marsh gas CH4) and by burning of petroleum.
• Benzene (C6H6) is a major constituent of petrol and automobile exhaust.
• Hydrocarbons are carcinogenic, cause irritation of eyes and mucous membrane.
• Benzene is a known carcinogen causing leukemia.
• Ethylene (C2H4) causes premature senescence and abscission in many plants especially in
orchids and cotton,
• Methane (marsh gas) has the potential of destroy ozone.

(5) Nitrogen oxides :

• There are three oxides of nitrogen which act as air pollutants : Nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen
dioxide (NO2) and nitrogen trioxide.
• Nitrogen and oxygen combine together at high temperature in any combustion process to
produce nitrogen oxides.
• These are also released by furnaces, forest fires, industries and denitrifying bacteria.
• NO is less toxic but NO2 is a poisonous gas.
• Nitrogen oxides are responsible for forming photochemical smog.
• They also cause acid rain due to formation of HNO3.
• They produce lesions, necrosis, defoliation, dieback and death of many plants.
• Like SO2, they corrode metals and deteriorate paints, textiles as well as various articles.
• They cause eye irritation, dilation of arteries, injury of lungs, liver and kidneys.

(6) Fluorides :
• Fluorides are emitted during refinement of aluminium and rock phosphates .
• Fluorides cause necrosis and chlorosis of leaf tips and leaf margins.
• In human fluorides cause mottling of teeth, weak bones, boat-shaped posture, knocking
knees etc.
• Disease caused by fluoride is known as fluorosis.

(7) Particulate matter :

• It is the non-gaseous matter in the atmosphere.
• It consists of soot, dust, mist, fibres, fly ash, fur, spores, pollen grains etc.
• It is of two types settleable (larger than 10 m) and suspended (less than 10m)

Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds 5

 • SPM (suspended particulate matter) is classified into 3 categories –
(a) Aerosols (less than 1 m)
(b) Dust (solid particles with more than 1 m diameter)
(c) Mist (liquid particles with more than 1 m diameter)
• It is added in the atmosphere by burning of fuels.
• Particulate matter causes about 10-15% of air pollution.
• Under condition of high humidity, the particulate matter causes corrosion and erosion of
surfaces.
• In human beings, it may cause respiratory problems.
• Particulate matter from processing industries (eg. cotton dust, iron mill dust, flour mill dust,
mine dust) causes pneumoconiosis, byssinosis, siderosis, emphysema and other pulmonary
problems.
• The asbestos fibers cause asbestosis which is a type of cancer.
• Dust and smoke produce smog.
• The ill effects of different kinds of dusts are listed below –
(a) Coal dust – Anthracosis
(b) Silica – Silicosis
(c) Asbestos – Asbestosis, Lung cancer
(d) Iron – Siderosis
(e) Cotton dust – Byssinosis
(f) Hay or grain dust – Farmer’s lung

(8) Aerosols :
• These are chemicals released in the air with force in the form of mist or vapour by jet
planes.
• Aerosols contain CFC (chlorofluor-ocarbons) which destroy ozone layer in the stratosphere.
This permitting some more harmful
• U.V. radiations to reach the earth surface, U.V. radiations cause skin cancer and increases
mutation rates.
• Ozone acts as preventive shield against the U.V. rays.
• Freons are several CFMS (chlorofluoromethanes) released into troposphere where they
dissociates and release free chlorine that causes depletion of ozone.
• Freon or CFC also used in refrigerator, air conditioners and in making plastic foams.

Effect of air pollutants:

Air pollutants are involved in causing four major environmental effects:
(i) Smog (ii) acid rain (iii) global warming and (iv) ozone layer depletion.
(1) Smog :
• The term smog was coined by Des Voeux.
• It is produced by the combination of smoke and fog.
• It causes silvering/glazing and necrosis in plants, allergies and asthma/bronchitis in human.
• Smog is of two types :

6 Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds

 (a) Classical or London smog or sulphurous smog :
It occurs at low temperature andcontainsH2S, SO2, smoke and dust particles. It was first
observed in winter months at London in 1905. It is formed due to domestic and industrial
combustion of coal.
(b) Photochemical smog or Los Angeles smog :
It was first observed in the mid day at Los Angeles in 1943. The cause of this smog
was thought to be due to combustion of petroleum in automobiles. Photo chemical
smog occurs at high temperature over cities and towns. It is formed by the reaction of
two air pollutants nitrogen oxides (mainly NO2) and hydrocarbons (HC) that react with
one another in the presence of UV radiations of sunlight to produce ozone (O3) and PAN
(peroxy acetyl nitrate) which constitute the photochemical smog.
Nitrogen oxides + Hydrocarbons ⎯⎯→ PAN + Ozone
Ozone and PAN are commonly referred to as oxidants.
Breathing ozone affects the respiratory and nervous system, resulting in headache,
respiratory distress and exhaustion. It also causes irritation in eyes and asthma. The
ozone is known to destroy crops of potato, alfalfa and spinach to the extent of 50%. It
also damages leaves of tobacco, tomato and pine as also the grape fruits. Besides, the
PAN also blocks Hill reaction of photosynthesis.
(2) Acid rain :
• The coal and oil burned by power plants release SO2 into the air.
• Automobile exhaust puts NO2 in the air.
• Both SO2 and NO2 are converted to acids ( H2SO4 and HNO3 respectively) when they combine
with water vapour in the presence of O2 in the atmosphere. These acids return to the earth
as acid rain.
NO + O3 ⎯⎯→ NO2 + O2
NO2 + O3 ⎯⎯→ NO3 + O2
NO2 + NO3 ⎯⎯→ N2O5
N2O5 + H2O ⎯⎯→ 2HNO3
2SO2 + O2 ⎯⎯→ 2SO3
• The pure rain has a pH of about 5.6 while the acid rain has pH below 5.6.
• Acid rain is actually a mixture of H2SO4 and HNO3 ( usually 60-70% H2SO4 and 30-40% HNO3)
• Acid rain affects the ability of the trees to tolerate cold temperatures and the weakened
trees are killed by cold conditions or become more susceptible to diseases.
• Acid rain leaches lead, mercury and calcium, from the soils and rocks and discharges them
into rivers and lakes. The metals may become concentrated in fish and then passed on to
people through food chain.
• Acid rain also damages building materials, including steel, paint, plastics, cement and
marble.

(3) Green House Effect & Global Warming:

• The sunlight that reaches to the earth, warms both atmosphere and the earth surface. The
earth’s atmospheric system then reradiates the heat as infra-red radiations.

Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds 7

 • Gases like CO2 , CH4, CFCs, NO2 are strong absorbers of long-wave or infra-red radiations
emitted by the surface of the earth, and warm the earth’s atmosphere. This is called the
green house effect because it is like the glass panel of a green house that allows sunlight
to pass through and then traps the resulting heat inside the structure.
• CO2 in the principal green house gas responsible for warming of the earth.
• CO2 is rising into the atmosphere slowly as a result of large scale burning of fossil fuels
(coal, oil etc), volcanic activities and respiration
• 50% of the increase in earth’s temperature in due to CO2, 20% is due to CFCs and remaining
30% is due to other gases.
• Some ecologists visualise that the green house effect shall lead to global warming. In the
next fifty years time the temperature of earth shall rise by 2° –5°C.
• A rise of global temperature by 2 to 5°C may lead to
(a) Melting of glacies and polar ice caps.
(b) Flooding of low lying coastal plains.
(c) Increase in the flow of rivers and change in rainfall pattern.
(d) Possible submersion of islands.
• The UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) has appropriately chosen the slogan
“Global Warming : Global Warning” and since 1989, 5th June is celebrated as World
Environment Day.
Sunlight

Atmosphere
Radiant heta Trapped
by CO2

(4) Ozone layer depletion :

• The ozone layer present in the stratosphere acts as an ultraviolet absorbant thus protecting
the earth from its harmful effect.
• Depletion/destruction of ozone layer is primarily caused by CFCs (Chlorofluoro carbons) and
halons (halocarbons CxFx Brx )
• CFCs are heat transfer agents used in refrigerators, air conditioners, fire extinguishers.
• Halons are antifire agents used in fire extinguishes .
• The CFCs react with ozone and thus cause thinning of ozone layer which permits more UV
radiations to reach the surface of earth.
• UV radiations cause mutations that can develop skin cancer and cause eye cataracts. UV
rays also affect our immune system.
• Severe depletions of ozone layer are commonly called ozone holes.
• A hole in the ozone layer has been discovered in the Antarctica region. There was a severe
depletion of some 40–50% above the Antarctica region.

8 Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds

 • The ozone layer depletion is caused by chlorine atoms. These chlorine atoms comes from
the break down of CFCs. These atoms combine with ozone and remove the oxygen atoms
one by one.
Cl + O3 ⎯⎯→ ClO + O2
ClO+O ⎯⎯→ Cl + O2
• One atom of chlorine can destroy up to 100,000 molecules of ozone.
• Most countries of the world have agreed to stop using CFCs by the year 2000.

Bhopal Gas Tragedy :

Occurred on 2nd December 1984, when a poisonous gas MIC (methyl isocynate) was leaked in
the atmosphere from a fertilizer plant of union carbide company. MIC was used to manufacture
an insecticide marked in the name of SAVIN. The gas caused death of about 2500 persons.
December 2 is recalled as National Pollution Prevention Day.

Important Days:
• Hiroshima day – 6th August –
• World earth day – 22nd April
• World environment day – 5th june
• International day for preservation of ozone layer [OR] Ozone day – 16th September
• Bhopal gas tragedy – 2nd December,1984

Important Abbreviations:
• N.E.E.R.I. – National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur.
• I.U.C.N. – International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Switzerland.
• C.P.C.B. – Central Pollution Control Board.
• U.N.E.P. – United Nations Environment Programme.
• O.D.P. – Ozone Depleting Potential. (It is maximum in CFCs)
• I.A.P. – Indices of Atmospheric Pollution. [prepared with the help of lichens (sensitive to
SO2)]
• C.N.G. – Compressed Natural Gas
• C.T.B.T – Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
• C.S.E. – Centre for Science and Environment.

Important Acts To Control Air Pollution:

• National Environment Policy Act, 1969
• Air ( Prevention and Control of Pollution )Act, 1981 (water act, 1974)
• Environment Protection Act, 1986
• Motor Vehicle Act, 1988

Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds 9

 Important Points:
• Benzopyrene/polycyclic hydrocarbon is a powerful carcinogen (cancer causing agent). It is
emitted by cigarette smoking, combustion of petrol, diesel etc.
• Carbon monoxide (CO) accounts for about 50% of total air pollution .
• Sulphur dioxide (SO2) accounts for 6% of total air pollution.
• Particulate matter accounts for 10 -15% of total air pollution.
• First Earth Summit of United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
(UNCED) was held at Rio-de-Janerio ( Brazil) in 1992.
• First International Conference on “Environment and Development” was held at Stockholm
in 1972.
• Second International Conference on “ Environment and Development ” was held at New
Delhi in 1985.
• Cyclon collector is used for minimising air pollution.
• Most polluted city of the world – Tokyo (Japan)
• Most polluted city of India – Kolkata.
• In Delhi and Kolkata pollution is mainly due to automobiles and fire.
• In Mumbai pollution is mainly due to industries.
• Cotton dust is main source of air pollution in Surat and Ahmedabad.
• Level of suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentration is highest in the atmosphere of
Kolkata.
• In Bihar and Andhra Pradesh major source of air pollution is thermal power plants.
• Pittsburgh city (USA) was once named as “Smoke city ”.
• The automobile emission can be reduced by adding barium salts in the petrol.
• CFCs have maximum Ozone Depleting Potential (ODP)
• Ozone, PAN, HNO3 and H2SO4 are secondary pollutants.
• Green Charter– Drawn by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature for India in December , 1997.
It states that “ Protection of environment is crucial for human survival and well being now
and in future”.
• Excessive inhalation of manganese causes pneumonia.
• Methane is released by cud–chewing domestic animals.
• Excess of pollen causes allergic reactions in several human beings. The common reactions
are collectively called hay fever.
• The smoke reduces visibility. To visualise the extent of darkness caused due to smoke
Ringelmann charts are used.
• Tocofarol produces resistance against carcinogen.
• Formation of ozone hole is maximum over Antarctica.

Water Pollution :
Water pollution is defined as the addition of some substances (organic, inorganic , biological, radio
logical) or factor (eg. heat) which degrades the quality of water so that, it either becomes health
hazard or unfit for use.

10 Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds

 (1) Kinds of water pollution:
The water pollution may be physical, chemical or biological.
(a) Physical pollution: It involves the changes in the physical properties of water eg. colour,
taste, odour, temperature, turbidity etc.
(b) Chemical pollution: It is caused due to change in the chemical properties of water. They
mainly include the pH, dissolved O2, inorganic or organic chemicals, heavy metals etc.
Inorganic chemicals include fluorides, chlorides, phosphates and nitrates. Organic chemicals
include phenols, dyes, pesticides and chlorocompounds.
(c) Biological pollution: It is caused due to the presence of living organisms in water such as
algae, fungi, bacteria, viruses, protozoans, insects etc.

(2) Sources of water pollution and effects of water pollutants :

Water pollution is a serious health hazards in India, especially in villages. It is estimated that
50-60% of Indian population suffers from diseases caused by it. 30-40% of all deaths are
believed to be due to it.
The principal sources of water pollution and effects of water pollutants are as follows.

Domestic wastes and sewage :

• Sewage containing human faeces, urine, kitchen and cloth washings, organic waste,
industrial waste etc. is usually poured into water bodies which cause water pollution.
• The villagers often wash their animals, cloths and take bath in the same pond. Such water
get contaminated with infectious agents for cholera, typhoid, dysentery, Jaundice and skin
diseases.
• Sewage provide food for decomposers, so the population of decomposers increases.
• Decomposers/microorganisms causing decomposition of sewage take up most of the oxygen
present dissolved in water. So in this water BOD (Biological oxygen demand or Biochemical
oxygen demand) increased very much.
• BOD is the amount of oxygen in milligrams required by microorganisms for five days to
metabolise waste present in one litre of water at 20°C .
• A weak organic waste will have BOD below 1500 mg/litre, medium organic waste between
1500 – 4000 mg/litre while in strong waste above 4000 mg/litre.
• The degree of pollution is directly proportional to BOD.
• In sewage phosphorous and nitrogen compounds are present which are necessary for the
growth of algae. In polluted water these are accumulated which result into excessive growth
of algae on water surface. Excessive growth of algae is called water bloom .
• The phosphates present in detergents stimulate algal growth in the water bodies and cause
eutrophication.
• Presence of extra nutrients brings about dense growth of plants and animals life. The
phenomenon is called eutrophication.
• Eutrophication leads to organic loading, depletion of oxygen, death of animals and fouling
of water.
• Sewage produces foul odour and makes the water brownish and oily.

Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds 11

 Industrial effluents (or industrial discharges)
Industries usually discharge waste water into ponds, lakes and rivers. Industrial waste water
contains heavy metals (mercury, lead, copper, arsenic and cadmium), inorganic pollutants
(acids, alkalies and bleaching liquors), organic pollutants (phenol, naphtha, proteins, aromatic
compounds, cellulose fibres etc.) Industrial effluents are the most hazardous pollutants on land
and water.
(A) Mercury (Hg):
• It is released during combustion of coal, smelting of metallic ores, paper and paint
industries.
• Mercury is highly persistent . In water it gets changed into water soluble dimethyl form
[(CH3)2Hg and enters the food chain (undergoes biomagnification).
• It kills fish and poisons the remaining fauna. Human beings feeding on such poisoned
animals develop a crippling deformity called minamata disease which is characterised
by impairment of
various senses, diarrhoea, haemolysis, meningitis and death.
• The minimata disease was first detected in Japan.
• Mercury inhibits chromosomal disjunction during gamete formation. So it brings about
genetic changes also.

(B) Lead (Pb):

• The sources of lead pollution are smelters, battery industry, paint, chemical and
pesticide industry, automobiles exhausts etc.
• Lead is pollutant of air, soil and water.
• It is used as anti-knock reagent in petrol and released by automobile exhausts.
• Lead is a persistent pollutant and may show biological amplification or biomagnification.
• It is a mutagenic and causes anaemia, headache, vomiting, colic, loss of muscle power,
bluish lines around the gums, loss of appetite and damage of liver, kidney and brain.

(C) Cadmium (Cd):

• It is added to the environment by metal industries, welding and electroplating,
pesticides and phosphate industries.
• Cd shows biological amplification and accumulates inside kidneys, liver, pancreas and
spleen.
• It causes hypertension, anaemia, diarrhoea and damages liver and kidneys.

(3) Oil:
• During extraction and transportation of oil from the sea to different parts, some of the oil
spreads over the surface of water. Refineries also discharge a lot of oil present in their
effluents into rivers.
• Oil spreading on the surface of water prevents its oxygenation and inhibits photosynthetic
activity of aquatic plants. Animal life is destroyed due to reduced availability of oxygen ,
food and toxic effects of oil.
• Oil spilled over the surface of water may catch fire and hence kill all organic life.

12 Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds

 (4) Thermal pollution:
• Hot water is produced by many industries , power generation plants and thermal power
plants.
• Thermal pollution is caused by addition of hot water effluents in water bodies, it bring about
rise in water temperature.
• Warmer water contains less oxygen. Therefore, there is decrease in the rate of
decomposition of organic matter.
• In hot water green algae are replaced by less desirable blue green algae.
• Many organisms fail to reproduce in hot water e.g. Salmon, Trout.

(5) Radioactive wastes:

• The nuclear tests performed into sea pollute the water.
• The animals and plants are affected by the remaining radioactivity of the wastes. Radioactive
elements (eg. cesium –137, strontium –90, Iodine – 131) enter the human system.
• Cesium–137 accumulates inside body muscles, strontium–90 in bones while Iodine–131 in
thyroid.
• Cesium – 137 brings about functional and genetic changes.
• Strontium – 90 causes blood and bone cancer.
• Iodine – 131 affects normal functioning of thyroid.

Important Points Related To Water Pollution:

• Some organism like Daphnia, Trout and fishes are sensitive to water pollution, they are indicator
of water pollution.
• I.W.P.– Indices of Water Pollution.
• Drinking water rich in nitrates cause methaemoglobenemia.
• Faecal pollution is indicated by Escherichia coli. MPN is Most Probable Number of E-coli. It is
indicator of water pollution.
• Algal Genus Index – High organic pollution is indicated by presence of 20 or more genera of
algae in a water body. Growth of less than 5 genera of algae is indication of clear water. It is
called as Algal Genus Index (AGI)
• Water (Prevention and control of pollution) Act, 1974. It has been amended in 1988.
• Putriscibility – Decay and decomposition of organic matter present in water by bacteria and
micro- organisms.
• Silent spring– Novel written by Rachel Carson (1962) mentioning the effect of DDT on birds.
DDT use has been banned in USA since then.
• In India, DDT banned for agricultural use in 1985. It is a chlorinated hydrocarbon and show
biomagnification.
• Fluorosis –13 states of India possess high fluoride content in drinking water (more than 1.5 mg/l)
which causes fluorosis in human.

Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds 13

 • ABS (Alkyl Benzene Sulphonate) – It is most harmful component of detergents causing water
pollution.
• Maize (Zea mays) is sensitive indicator of fluoride pollution.
• Ganga Action Plan started in 1985 for controlling pollution in Gangas.
• Reed plants yellow iris are used to purify water. This method of purifying water is called “Green
method of water cleaning”. Yellow iris plant is less affected by herbicides, so reed beds are
highly effective in those areas where pesticides are in use and provides microbiological methods
of pesticie detoxification. These plants filter out the particulate matter, while the microbes
living in association with the plants, decompose the organic wastes.
• Endrin is most toxic amongst chlorinated hydrocarbons.
• Aldrin in most persistent insecticide in the water and soil.
• Water hyacinth (Eicchornia) popularly known as Jalkumbhi or Kaloi, can purify water polluted
by biological or chemical wastes. It can also filter out heavy metals like cadmium , mercury,
lead and nickel as well as other toxic substances found in industrial waste waters.
• Biotic index: It gives an idea of pollution of a particular water body. Any water body with a biotic
index of more than 15 is clean, while index lower than 10 is polluted.
• C.O.D. (Chemical Oxygen Demand) – It is amount of oxygen required to oxidise all pollutant
materials is one litre of water at 20°C in five days. The value of COD is much higher than BOD.
(xx) B.O.D. of pure drinking water - Less than 1ppm or mg/l
• Soil salinity can be measured by conductivity meter.

Soil Pollution:
• Unfavourable alteration of soil by addition or removal of substances and factors which decrease
soil productivity, quality of plant products and ground water is called soil pollution.
• The soil pollutants include pesticides, fertilizers, industrial wastes, salts, radio-nuclids , tin, iron,
lead, copper, mercury, aluminium, plastics, paper, glass, broken bottles, discarded food etc.
• Soil pollution is of two main-types
(1) Negative soil pollution :
• It includes over use of soil and erosion .
• Soil erosion is caused by water and wind.
• Water erosion of soil is found near the hills where high speed flooding removes top soil.
• Soil erosion also occurs by high speed winds which bring sand particles from dry desert.

(2) Positive soil pollution:

It is caused by addition of undesirable substances (eg. pesticides, fertilizers, industrial waste, air
pollutant washed down from atmosphere through rain)

(A) Pesticides :
• These include insecticides (kill insects), fungicides (kill fungi), algicides (kill algal
blooms), weedicides or herbicides (kill weeds), rodenticides (kill rodents).

14 Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds

 • Pesticides are generally broad-spectrum and affect other animals, man and even plants.
They are hence, also called biocides.
• DDT (dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane), BHC (benzene hexachloride or gamaxine), aldrin,
dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor etc. are chlorinated hydrocarbons used as pesticides.
• Dieldrin is five times more toxic than DDT when ingested and 40 times more poisonous
when absorbed.
• Endrin in the most toxic amongst chlorinated hydrocarbons.
• Chlorinated hydrocarbons are persistent, fat soluble and show biomagnification.
• DDT and other chlorinated hydrocarbons affect CNS, cause softening of brain, cirrhosis of
liver (liver cancer), cerebral haemorrhage, cancer, hypertension, thinning of egg shells in
birds, malformation of sex hormones, failure of gonad development.
• The population of certain birds (e.g. Bald eagle) has declined due to these biocides.
• DDT also affects the photosynthetic activity of plants, especially phytoplankton.
• DDT was banned in 1985 for agricultural purpose in India.
• In India concentration of DDT in fat tissue of people is 18-31 ppm.
• The weedicides (or herbicides) are usually metabolic inhibitors which stop photosynthesis
and other metabolic activities and hence kill the plants.
• 2,4-D, 2,4,5 -T, DCMU and CMU are weedicides.

(B) Fertilizers:
• The fertilizers contain plant nutrients particularly N,P and K , but the soil also gets polluted
mainly due to organic pollutants present as impurities.
• Excessive use of fertilizers cause soil deterioration through decrease of natural microflora
( nitrogen fixing, nitrifying bacteria)
• Fertilizers added to soil enter the crop plants. Nitrogen fertilizers produce toxic
concentration of nitrate in the leaves and fruits. When these leaves and fruits are eaten,
nitrates changed into nitrites by the activity of bacteria in the alimentary canal. The nitrites
enter the blood and combine with haemoglobin to form methaemoglobin.
As a result oxygen transport is reduced. It gives rise to disease known as
methaemoglobinaemia. In infants it produces cyanosis (blue baby syndrome)

(C) Industrial wastes :

• Wastes of the industries are dumped over the soil. They contain a number of toxic
substances including cyanides, acids, chromates, alkalies and metals like mercury, copper,
zinc, lead, cadmium etc.
• The industrial pollutants increase the toxicity level of the soil.
• Heavy metals destroy useful micro organisms of the soil.
• In 1970 some 200 people died in Japan by Cd pollution of soil due to itai–itai disease.

Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds 15

Noise Pollution:
• Various kinds of undesirable loud sounds, which disturb our environment are called noise
pollutants.
• Noise pollution is produced by loud sounds of various machines, loudly played radio, automobiles,
thundering of jet planes, loud speakers etc.
• The intensity of noise is measured in decibels (or dB).
• The sound above 80 dB causes noise pollution.
• Moderate conversation produces 60 dB sound, loud conversation 70dB.
• Scooter, buses, trucks etc. create noise of about 90 dB, Jet aeroplanes 150 dB, rocket 180 dB.
• Noise pollution may cause hypertension (high B.P), respiratory and cardiac problems.
• Noise stimulates the secretion of adrenaline which increases irritability, nervousness ,
neuromuscular tension and feeling of fatigue, so decreasing the working efficiency.
• Noise has an adverse effect on mind health and behaviour of man.
• Noise may damage ear drum and eye sight.
• Noise brings about interference in conversation and hearing.
• The first effects of noise are anxiety and stress.
• Noise can impair the development of nervous system of unborn babies which leads to abnormal
behaviour in later life.
• Plantation of trees is very essential for reducing the noise pollution.
• Green plants are being planted along the road sides to check the noise pollution. This is called as
Green muffler.

Radioactive Pollution:
• It is a special type of physical pollution of air, water and soil with radioactive materials.
• Nuclear explosion results into production of radioactive substances as Sr90, U235. I131 and cause
pollution of air, water and soil.
Sources of Radioactive pollution :
(1) Natural (Background) radiations –
• These include cosmic rays that reach the earth surface from outer space and terrestrial
radiations from radioactive elements(radium–224, thorium –232, uranium–235, uranium –
238, radon –222, carbon–14, potassium – 40 etc.) present in the earth’s crust. These
radioactive elements are present in rocks, soil and water.
• Maximum back ground radiation is found in Kerala beach where 75% of thorium deposits
of the world are found.
• Monazite is the source of thorium.
(2) Man-made radiations – Man made sources of radiations include mining and refining of
plutonium, uranium and thorium, production and explosion of nuclear weapons, nuclear power
plants, nuclear fuels and preparation of radioactive isotopes.

16 Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds

Green Chemistry In Day To Day Life
(i) Dry Cleaning of Clothes
Tetra chlroroethene (Cl2C=CCl2) was earlier used as solvent for dry cleaning. The compound
contaminates the ground water and is also a suspected carcinogen. The process using this
compound is now being replaced by a process, where liquefied carbon dioxide, with a suitable
detergent is used. Replacement of halogenated solvent by liquid CO2 will result in less harm to
ground water.
These days hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is used for the purpose of bleaching clothes in the process of
laundary, which gives better results and makes use of lesser amount of water.

(ii) Bleaching of paper

Chlorine gas was used earlier for bleaching paper. These days, hydrogen peroxide (H 2O2) with
suitable catalyst, which promotes the bleaching action of hydrogen peroxide, is used.

(iii) Synthesis of Chemicals

Ethanal (CH3CHO) is now commercially prepared by one step oxidation of ethene in the presence
of ionic catalyst in aqueous medium with an yield of 90%.
Catalyst
CH2 = CH2 + O2 ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
Pd(III)/Cu(II)(inwater)
→ CH3CHO(90%)

Green chemistry, in a nutshell, is a cost effective approach which involves reduction in material,
energy consumption and waste generation.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of organic compound

Qualitative analysis: Detection of element present in compound:
(i) Detection of C and H :
Compound heated with cupric oxide and produced vapour is passes through lime water or
anhydrous CuSO4. If lime water turn milky, it shows presence of CO2 or carbon.
If anhydrous CuSO4 turn blue than it show presence of H2O or hydrogen.

Compound + CuO ⎯⎯⎯→ CO2 + H2O + Cu

CO2 + Ca(OH) ⎯⎯⎯

→ CaCO3  + H2O
Milky

H2O + CuSO4 ⎯⎯⎯

→ CuSO4.5H2O
Colourless Blue

(ii) Detection of Nitrogen, Sulphur and halogen : [Lassaigne's Test]

Preparation of lassaigne's solution or sodium extract:

Compound is heated with sodium in combustion tube and poured in cold water and heated for some
time it gives lassaigne's solution or sodium extract.
In lassaigne solution elements present in compound get converted from covalent to ionic.
e.g. Na + C + N → NaCN
Na + S → Na2S
Na + X → NaX(Ionic)

Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds 17

(i) Test of Nitrogen: Sodium extract is boiled with FeSO4 with gives sodium hexacyano ferrate (II). Now
few amount of FeCl3 is added which gives Prussian blue coloured ferro ferri cyanide that show
presence of Nitrogen.
6 NaCN + FeSO4 ⎯→ Na4[Fe(CN)6] + Na2SO4
Na4[Fe(CN)6] + FeCl3 ⎯→ Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3 + NaCl
Prussian blue colour

(ii) Test of Sulphur: Sulphur is present in form of Na2S

(a) Sodium Extract is acidified with acetic acid and lead acetate is added to it which gives black
ppt of PbS and shows the presence of Sulphur
Na2S + (CH3COO)2 Pb → 2CH3COONa + PbS(Black) 

(b) Nitroprusside test

Sodium extract + Sodium Nitroprusside → Violet colour.
Na2S + Na2 [Fe(CN)5 NO] → Na4 [Fe(CN)5 NOS] (Violet colour)
Note : If Nitrogen and Sulphur both are present in compound then they form sodium thiocyanate
in sodium extract.
Na + C + N + S → NaCNS
During test of Nitrogen in place of Prussian blue, we get blood red colour of Fe(CNS)3
3NaCNS + FeCl3 Fe(CNS)3 + 3HCl
(Blood Red)
Therefore sodium extract is prepared in presence of excess of sodium which decomposes
sodium thiocyanate.
NaCNS + Na(Excess) → Na2S + NaCN

(iii) Test of halogen:

Before the test of halogen sodium extract if boiled with conc. HNO 3 to decompose the Na2S and
NaCN in form of H2S and HCN
Na2S + Conc. HNO3 → H2S 
NaCN + Conc. HNO3 → HCN
Now sodium extract is treated with silver nitrate which gives precipitate of AgX.
NaX + AgNO3 → AgX + NaNO3
Ppt
AgX

AgCl AgBr AgI

•White ppt •Pale Yellow ppt •Yellow ppt
(Soluble in NH4OH) (Sparingly soluble (Insoluble
in NH4OH) in NH4OH)

18 Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds

(iv) Test of phosphorous: Compound is heated with an oxidizing agent [Na 2O2] so the phosphorus in
compound is converted in to phosphate which on further reaction with ammonium molybdate in
presence of HNO3 gives canary yellow ppt of ammonium phosphor molybdate and show the
presence of phosphorus.
Compound + Na2O2 → Na3PO4
Na3PO4 + 3HNO3 → H3PO4 + 3NaNO3
H3PO4 + 12(NH4)2MoO4 + 21 HNO3 → (NH4)3PO. 12 MoO3 + 21 NH4NO3 + 12 H2O
(canary yellow)

Quantitative analysis: Calculation of percentage of element in compound.

(i) Estimation of carbon and hydrogen: [Leibigs method]
A know mass of organic compound is burnt in presence of excess of CuO so carbon and
hydrogen oxidise to CO2 and H2O respectively.
Now above vapour is passed through weighed u-tube having anhyd. CaCl2 followed by KOH
solution. Anhyd. CaCl2 absorbs H2O while KOH absorbs CO2.
Now we can calculate the amount of H2O and CO2 produced in combustion.

Calculation of % of C and H:-

If mass of organic compound is W gm.
Mass of H2O or CO2 produced is m gm
For H H2O  2H
18 2
 18 gm of H2O contains 2 gm of hydrogen
2
 1 gm of H2O contains gm of hydrogen
18
2
 m gm of H2O contains ×m gm of hydrogen
18

2 m
Percentage of hydrogen in W gm organic substance = % of H = × × 100
18 W

For C CO2  C
44 gm 12 gm
44 gm CO2 contain 12 gm carbon
12
1 gm CO2 contain gm carbon
44
12
m gm CO2 contain ×m gm carbon
44

12 m
% of C in W gm organic substance = % of C = × × 100
44 W
Estimation of Nitrogen :
These are two method for the estimation of nitrogen
(i) Duma's method (in form of N2)
(ii) Kjeldahl's method [in form of NH3]

Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds 19

 (1) Duma's method:
Organic compound is heated with CuO to give free Nitrogen, CO2 and H2O
y z
Cx Hy Nz + CuO → x CO2 + H2O + N2 + Cu
2 2
Now the above mixture is collected over Aq. KOH in nitrometer tube which absorb all the gases
except N2.
Now volume of nitrogen is calculated at STP.
P1V1 P2V2
= V1 = Volume of N2 gas.
T1 T2

P1 = Pressure of N2 – Aqueous tension

T1 = Room temperature

P1V1 × 273
V2 =
T1 × 760

Calculation of % of Nitrogen
 22400 ml of N2 at STP weight =- 28 gm

28
V ml of N2 at STP weight = × V gm
22400

28 V
% of Nitrogen in W gm organic substance = % of N = × × 100
22400 W

(2) Kjeldahl's method:

Compound containing nitrogen is heated with H 2SO4 so compound gets converted in to
ammonium sulphate.
Now above mixture is heated with excess of NaOH which liberates Ammonia gas.
Ammonia gas is absorbed in excess of standard solution of H2SO4.
The amount of ammonia produced is determined by estimating the amount of H2SO4 consumed.
Estimation of H2SO4 is done by titrating the H2SO4 left after absorption of ammonia with
standard alkali solution.
The difference between the initial amount of acid taken and that left after absorption of
ammonia is the amount of H2SO4 used.
Organic substance + H2SO4 → (NH4)2SO4
(NH4)2SO4 + NaOH → Na2SO4 + 2NH3  + H2O
NH3 + H2SO4 → (NH4)2SO4
If Normality of H2SO4 taken = N1
Volume of H2SO4 taken = V1
If Normality of NaOH used = N2
Volume of NaOH used = V2

20 Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds

 Milli equivalent of H2SO4 used for neutralization of produced NH3 = (N1V1–N2V2)
Which is equal to the milli equivalent of NH3
1000 ml of 1N NH3 contain 14 gm Nitrogen.
14
(N1V1–N2V2) ml of 1N NH3 contain × (N1V1 – N2V2) gm Nitrogen.
1000
If mass of organic substance is W g.
14 (N V –N2V2 )
Then % of N = × 1 1 × 100
1000 W
1.4 1.4
% of N = × (N1V1 –N2 V2 ) or % of N = ×NV
W W
N = Normality of H2SO4 V = volume of H2SO4 used in neutralization.

(3) Estimation of halogen : (by carius method)

A known mass of organic compound is heated with fuming HNO 3 in presence of AgNO3. The
halogen gets ppt in the form of AgX which can be filtered, washed and dried and weighed.
If mass of organic substance = W gm
Mass of ppt = m gm
AgX  X
[108 + atomic mass of X] [Atomic mass of X]
Atomic massX
Mass of halogen in m gm AgX is = × m gm
Molar mass of AgX

Atomic mass of X m
% of halogen = × × 100
Molar mass of AgX W

(4) Estimation of Sulphur : (by Carius method)

Sulphur is estimated in the form of BaSO4.
Now ppt is filtered, washed, dried and weighed.
BaSO4  S
233 gm 32 gm
32
Mass of Sulphur in m gm ppt of BaSO4 = ×m gm
233
%of Sulphur in W gm organic sub.
32 m
% of S = × × 100
233 W

(5) Estimation of phosphorus : (by Carius method)

Phosphorus is estimated in the form of magnesium pyrophosphate (Mg2P2O7)
Mg2P2O7  P2
222 gm 31 × 2 gm
Mass of Sulphur in m gm Mg2P2O7 is
62
× m gm
222
% of P in W gm organic sub.
62 m
% of P = × × 100
222 W

Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds 21

 Some Solved Example

1. 0.3960 gm of an organic compound on combustion gives 0.792 gm CO 2 and 0.324 gm of H2O.

Calculate the % of C and H
Ans. 9.09%
12 Wt. of CO2
Sol. % of C = × × 100
44 Wt. of compound
12 0.792
= × × 100 = 54.55%
44 0.396
2 Wt.of H2O
% of H = × × 100
18 Wt. of compound
2 0.324
= × × 100 = 9.09%
18 0.396

2. 0.25gm of an organic compound NTP gives 31 ml of N 2 gas by Duma’s method. Find out of % of
N.
Ans. 15.5%
28 V
Sol. % of N = × × 100
22400 W
28 31
=   100 = 15.5%
22400 0.25

3. 31.7 ml of moist N2 was obtained from 0.2033 gm of an organic compound in Duma’s method at
14°C and 758 mm pressure. If aq. tension at 14°C = 14 mm that calculate of % N
Ans. 18.15%
Sol. P1 = Pressure of N2–Aq. tension = 758 – 14 = 744 mm
P2 = 760 mm T2 = 273
V1 = 273 + 14
T1 = 287
P1V1 273 744  31.7  273
V2 = × = = 29.51
T1 760 287  760
28 V
%N = × × 100
22400 W
28 29.51
=  × 100 = 18.15%
22400 0.2033

4. 30 ml 0.25 N H2SO4 are used in neutralizing NH3 obtained from 0.75 gm of an organic compound
in Kjeldahl’s method find out %of N in the compound
Ans. 14%
1.4
Sol. N% = × NV
W
14
= × 30 × 0.25 = 14%
0.75

22 Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds

5. In Kjeldahl’s method, NH3 evolved from 0.25 gm of an organic compound was passed into 30 ml
N/2 H2SO4, 50 ml N/10 NaOH were required to neutralize the unreacted acid, calculate % of N.
Ans. 56%
Sol. 0.25 gm compound ⎯→ NH3

N
30ml H2SO4
2


N
50 ml NaOH
10

N
50ml × = 5 ml N NaOH = 5 ml N H2SO4
10
Remaining acid = 5 ml N H2SO4
Consumed acid

 N 
=  30ml  − 5mlN = 10 ml N H2SO4
 2 

1.4 1.4
%N = × NV = × 10 = 56%
W 0.25

6. 0.35 gm of an organic compound was analysed by Kjeldahl’s method. Ammonia evolved was

N N
absolved in 100 ml H2SO4. Unused acid required 30 ml NaOH for neutralization calculate
10 10
% of N
Ans. 28%
Sol. W = 0.35 gm NH3


N
100 ml H2SO4(10 ml H2SO4)
10


N
30 ml NaOH (3 ml N NaOH)
10
Remaining acid 3 ml N H2SO4
Consumed acid (10 ml N – 3ml N) = 7 ml N H2SO4
1.4
% of N =  NV
W

1.4
=  1  7 = 28%
0.35

Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds 23

7. In Duma’s method estimation of nitrogen, 0.3 g of an organic compound gave 50 ml of nitrogen
collected at 300 K temperature and 715 mm pressure. Calculate the percentage composition of
nitrogen in the compound. (Aqueous tension at 300 K = 15 mm)
Ans. 17.46%
Sol. Volume of nitrogen collected at 300 K and 715 mm pressure is 50 ml
Actual of pressure = 715 – 15 = 700 mm

273  700  50
Volume of nitrogen at STP = = 41.9 ml
300  760
22,400 ml of N2 at STP weighs = 28g

28  41.9
41.9 ml of nitrogen weights = g
22400

28  41.9  100
Percentage of nitrogen = = 17.46%
22400  0.3

8. During estimation of nitrogen present in an organic compound by Kjeldahl’s method, the

ammonia evolved from 0.5 g of the compound in Kjeldahl’s estimation of nitrogen, neutralized
10 ml of 1 M H2SO4. Find out the percentage of nitrogen in the compound.
Ans. 56.0%
Sol. 1 M of 10 ml H2SO4 = 1 M of 20 ml NH3 1000 ml of 1M ammonia contains 14g nitrogen.
14  20
20 ml of 1 M ammonia contains g nitrogen.
1000
14  20  100
Percentage of nitrogen = = 56.0%
1000  0.5

9. In carius method of estimation of halogen, 0.15g of an organic compound gave 0.12g of AgBr.
Find out the percentage of bromine in the compound.
Ans. 34.04%
Sol. Molar mass of AgBr = 108 + 80 = 188 g mol–1
188 g AgBr contains 80g bromine.
0.12g AgBr contains 80 g bromine.
80  0.12
0.12g AgBr contains g bromine.
188
80  0.12  100
Percentage of bromine = = 34.04%
188  0.15

10. In Sulphur estimation, 0.157g of an organic compound gave 0.4813 g of barium sulphate. What
is the percentage of Sulphur in the compound ?
Ans. 42.10%
Sol. Molecular mass of BaSO4 = 137 + 32 + 64 = 233g
32  0.4813
233g BaSO4 contains g Sulphur
233
32  0.4813  100
percentage of Sulphur = = 42.10%
233  0.157

24 Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds

 Exercise – I

1. Domestic waste contains : 8. Which of the following is not a general

(1) Hydrocarbons pollutant of atmosphere :
(2) Non-biodegradable pollutants (1) Hydrocarbons (2) SO3
(3) Biodegradable pollutants (3) CO2 (4) SO2
(4) None of the above
9. PAN (Peroxy Acetyl Nitrate) is an
2. The substance which produces resistance important constituent of photochemical
against carcinogen is : smog, is a :
(1) Tocoferol (2) Afflatoxin (1) Quantitative pollutant
(2) Primary pollutant
(3) Streptomycin (4) Penicillic acid
(3) Natural pollutant
(4) Secondary pollutant
3. Drawback of DDT as pesticide is :
(1) It is less effective than others
10. Which is the not a green house gas :
(2) It is not easily/rapidly degraded in nature
(1) CFC’s (2) Methane
(3) Its high cost
(3) H2 (4) CO2
(4) It becomes ineffective after some time

11. Taj Mahal is threatened by pollution from:

4. World environment day is celebrated on :
(1) Carbon dioxide (2) Oxygen
(1) 4th May (2) 15th April (3) Sulphur dioxide (4) Chlorine
(3) 5th June (4) 15th March
12. Acid rain occurs in areas where :
5. Air pollutants that produce photochemical (1) There are big industries and the
smog : atmosphere is polluted with SO2
(1) Ozone, chlorine and sulphur dioxide (2) There are large plantation of pine
(2) Oxygen, chlorine and nitric acid plants
(3) Nitrous oxide, PAN and acrolein (3) Citrus plants are grown
(4) CO2, CO and SO2 (4) There are large plantation of
eucalyptus
6. Freon is :
(1) Metal fluoride 13. Protections from ultraviolet rays coming
(2) lron containing polycyclic from sun is provided by :
(3) Chloroflurocarbon (1) SO2 (2) CO2
(4) Ferrous sulphide pollutant (3) Ozone (4) Oxygen

7. Burning of fossil fuels is the main source 14. Trapping of reflected heat radiation by
atmospheric dust, water vapour, ozone,
of pollution :
CO2 etc. is known as :
(1) Nitric oxide
(1) Radioactive effect
(2) Sulphur dioxide
(2) Ozone layer effect
(3) Nitrogen oxide
(3) Solar effect
(4) Nitrous oxide
(4) Green house effect

Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds 25

15. UV radiations cause : 22. The ‘blue baby syndrome’ is caused due
(1) Liver cancer (2) Skin cancer to pollution by :
(3) Mouth cancer (4) Blood cancer (1) Nitrates (2) Chlorides
(3) Cyanides (4) Fluorides
16. Green house effect is related to :
(1) Cultivation of green plants 23. Minimata diseased was caused due to
(2) Cultivation of vegetables in houses water pollution by :
(3) Global warming (1) Cyanides
(4) Global green algae (2) Mercury
(3) Lead
17. Ozone layer of upper atmosphere is being
(4) Methyl isocyanate
destroyed by :
(1) Photochemical oxidants/O2 and CO2
24. Which disease in children is caused by
(2) Chlorofluorocarbon
the intensive use of nitrate fertilizers :
(3) Smog
(1) Jaundice
(4) SO2
(2) Septicaemia
(3) Mumps
18. Ultraviolet radiations from sunlight
(4) Methaemoglobinemia
causes a reaction that produces :
(1) Ozone
(2) Fluorides 25. BOD is :
(3) Carbon monoxide (1) Biochemical oxygen demand
(4) Sulphur dioxide (2) Biological oxygen deficit
(3) Biosphere oxygen demand
19. Which of the following does not causes (4) None of the above
air pollution :
(1) Pollen grains 26. Indiscriminate use of DDT is undesirable
(2) Hydroelectric power because:
(3) Diesel engine (1) It is harmful
(4) Thermoelectric power (2) It is degradable
(3) It causes mutation
20. Carbon monoxide (CO) is harmful to man (4) It is accumulated in food chain
because :
(1) It competes with O2 for haemoglobin 27. A persistent insecticide is :
(2) It forms carbolic acid (1) Chlorinated hydrocarbons
(3) It generates excess CO2 (2) Organophosphates
(4) It is carcinogenic
(3) Carbamates
(4) Thiocarbamates
21. When PO4 and NO3 is more in the water
of a lake it causes :
28. Noise pollution is measured in :
(1) Growth of bacteria
(1) Nanometres (2) Decibles
(2) Growth of fishes
(3) Fathoms (4) Hertz
(3) Death of algae
(4) Algal bloom

26 Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds

29. Biodegradable pollutant is : 35. Sudden mass death of fishes from oxygen
(1) Sewage (2) Mercury depletion is more likely in case of :
(3) Plastic (4) Asbestos (1) Oligotrophic lake
(2) Oxalotrophic lake
(3) Eutrophic lake
30. Which of the following is present in
(4) Mesotrophic lake
highest concentration in exhaust
emission:
36. Continuous sewage flow into a stream
(1) CO2 would lead to :
(2) Hydrocarbons (1) Increase in temperature
(3) CO (2) Algal bloom
(4) Oxides of nitrogen (3) Eutrophication
(4) Depletion of oxygen

31. By what method the quantity of organic

37. Which of the following types of pollution
pollutants in water can be determined :
causes the out break of jaundice :
(1) By measuring BOD
(1) Water (2) Land
(2) By pH Measurement
(3) Thermal (4) Air
(3) By transparency measurements
(4) By measuring the change of colour / 38. The pollutants chlorofluorocarbons are
CFC major source of air pollution contributed
by :
32. A dental disease characterised by (1) Sewage pollutants
(2) Aerosols
mottling of teeth is due to presence of a
(3) Industrial effluents
certain chemical element in drinking
(4) All above
water. Which is the element:
(1) Fluorine (2) Mercury
39. Acid rains are produced by :
(3) Boron (4) Chlorine (1) Excess production of NH3 by industry
and coal gas
33. Chlorine treatment of water : (2) Excess release of carbon monoxide by
(1) Disinfect by killing germs incomplete combustion
(2) Remove hardness of water (3) Excess formation of CO2 by combustion
and animal respiration
(3) Remove all the air pollutants
(4) Excess NO2 and SO2 from burning of
(4) All above
fossil fuels

34. Pollution is rising due to :

40. The basic component of the smog may
(1) Automobiles and industries be:
(2) Population explosion (1) O3 and PAN (2) O3
(3) Rains (3) PAN (4) PVC
(4) Research institute

Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds 27

41. Water pollution causes : 47. 0.3780 g of an organic choro compound
(1) Increased deoxygenation and turbidity gave 0.5740 g of silver chloride in carius
(2) Decreased turbidity estimation. Calculate the % of chlorine
(3) Increased oxygenation present in compound.
(4) Increased photosynthesis (1) 37.57% (2) 43.12% (3) 57% (4) 85%

42. Most harmful types of environment 48. Solid substances change from solid to
pollutants are : vapour state without passing through
(1) Human organic wastes liquid state is known as-
(2) Non biodegradable chemicals (1) Distillation
(3) Natural nutrients present in excess (2) Crystallisation
(4) Wastes from feed lots (3) Sublimation
(4) Chromatography
43. One of the pollutants that is generally
helping in the early degradation of the 49. Method which is based on the difference
ozone layer is : in the solubilities of the compound-
(1) SO2 (2) DDT (1) Crystallisation (2) Distillation
(3) CO2 (4) Freons (3) Sublimation (4) All

44. The carbon dioxide contents in atmospheric 50. Different fraction of crude oil are
air is about : separated by
(1) 3.34% (2) 6.5% (1) Simple distillation
(3) 0.034% (4) 0.34% (2) Fractional distillation
(3) Steam distillation
45. In coming years, skin related disorders (4) Vacuum distillation
will become more common due to :
(1) Air pollution 51. On treating sodium fusion extract with
(2) Excessive use of detergents sodium nitroprusside appearance of a
(3) Depletion of ozone layer violet colour indicates the presence of
(4) Water pollution Sulphur, appearance of violet colour due
to-
46. A sample of 0.50 g of an organic (1) [Fe(CN)5NO]–2 (2) [Fe(CN)5NOS]–4
compound was treated according to (3) [Fe(SCN)]+2 (4) PbS
Kjeldahl's method. The ammonia evolved
was absorbed in 50 ml of 0.5 M H2SO4. 52. Which process is used for purification of
The residual acid required 30 ml of 0.5 M liquids having high B.P. and
solution of NaOH for neutralization. Find decomposition below their B.P.
% composition of nitrogen in the (1) Distillation
compound. (2) Steam distillation
(1) 56% (2) 65% (3) 36% (4) 63% (3) Distillation under reduced pressure
(4) Differential extraction

28 Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds

53. Mixture Purification (1) Distillation
technique (2) Crystallisation
(A) Chloroform (P) Distillation (3) Distillation under pressure
& aniline (4) steam distillation
(B) Glycerol (Q) Chromatography
& spent lye 58. If a liquid compound decomposes at its
(C) Aniline & water (R) Steam distillation boiling point, which method (s) can you
(D) Amino acid (S) Distillation under choose for its purification it is known that
reduced pressure the compound is stable at low pressure,
Correct match steam volatile and insoluble in water
(1) A-P, B-Q, C-R, D-S (1) Steam distillation
(2) A-P, B-S, C-R, D-Q (2) fractional distillation
(3) A-P, B-R, C-S, D-Q (3) chromatography
(4) A-R, B-S, C-P, D-Q (4) Crystallisation

54. During Lassaigne's test for nitrogen, the 59. Match Column I with Column II
Prussian blue colour is obtained due to Column I Column II
formation of (i) Dumas (a) AgNO3
(1) Na4[Fe(CN)6] (2) Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3 method
(3) Fe2[Fe(CN)6] (4) Fe3[Fe(CN)6]4 (ii) Kjeldahl's (b) Silica gel
55. The best and latest technique for method
isolation purification and separation of (iii) Carius (c) Nitrogen Gas
organic compounds is Method
(1) Crystallisation (iv) chromatography (d) Free radicals
(2) Distillation (e) Ammonium
(3) Sublimation sulphate
(4) Chromatography (1) i → c; ii → e; iii → a; iv → b
(2) i → d; ii → a; iii → c; iv → e
56. Aniline is purified by:- (3) i → b; ii → c; iii → a; iv → d
(1) Azeotropic distillation (4) i → e; ii → b; iii → d; iv → c
(2) Steam distillation
(3) Distillation in presence of magnesium 60. During the hearing of a court case, the
(4) Fractional distillation judge suspected that some changes in
the documents had been carried out. He
57. The fragnance of flower is due to the asked the forensic department to check
presence of some steam volatile organic the ink used at two different placed.
compound called essential oils. These are According to you which technique can
generally insoluble in water at room give the best results?
temperature but are miscible with water (1) Column chromatography
vapour in the vapour phase A. (2) Solvent extraction
A suitable method for the extraction of (3) Distillation
these oils from the flowers is : (4) Thin layer chromatography

Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds 29

61. The principle involved in paper 64. During estimation of nitrogen present in
chromatography is : an organic compound by Kjeldahl’s
(1) Adsorption method, the ammonia evolved from 0.5g
(2) Partition of the compound in Kjeldahl’s estimation
(3) Solubility of nitrogen, neutralized 10 ml of 1 M
(4) Volatility H2SO4. Find out the percentage of
nitrogen in the compound.
62. In carius method of estimation of halogen (1) 30.20% (2) 76.10%
0.15 g of an organic compound gave 0.12g (3) 48.05% (4) 56.00%
of AgBr. Find out the percentage of
bromine in the compound.
(1) 23.03% (2) 34.04%
(3) 42.10% (4) 45.05%

63. In Sulphur estimation, 0.157g of an

organic compound gave 0.4813g of barium
sulphate. What is the percentage of
sulphur in the compound ?
(1) 23.03% (2) 34.04%
(3) 42.10% (4) 48.05%

ANSWER KEY
Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Ans. 3 1 2 3 3 3 2 3 4 3 3 1 3 4 2 3 2 1 2 1 4 1 2 4 1
Que. 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
Ans. 4 1 2 1 3 1 1 1 1 3 4 1 2 4 1 1 2 4 3 3 1 1 3 1 2
Que. 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64
Ans. 2 3 2 2 4 2 4 1 1 4 2 2 3 4

30 Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds

 Exercise – II

1. The term biomagnification refers to the : 6. If there was no CO2 in the earth’s
(1) Increase in population size atmosphere, the temperature of earth’s
(2) Growth of organisms due to food surface would be :
consumption (1) Less than the present

(3) Increase in the concentration of (2) The same

(3) Dependent on the amount of oxygen
nondegradable pollutants as they
in the atmosphere
pass through food chain
(4) Higher than the present
(4) Blowing up of environmental issues
by man
7. Gas responsible for Bhopal tragedy of
1984 was:
2. CO produced by incomplete combustion (1) Carbon monoxide
of fuel exerts a harmful effect because : (2) Methyl Isocyanate
(1) It is respiratory inhibitor (3) SO2 & NOX
(2) It is CO2 antagonist (4) Ethyl isocyanate
(3) It is carcinogenic
(4) It is corrosive to eye 8. Aerosol of a jet air liner which destroys
the Ozone-layer of atmosphere is :

3. Which of the following is not a direct (1) CF2Cl2 (2) CO2 and SO2
(3) SO2 (4) NH3 and CCI4
atmospheric pollutant :
(1) CO
9. The minamata disease in Japan was
(2) SO2
caused through the pollution of water by:
(3) Hydrocarbons/CH4
(1) Methyl isocyanate
(4) CO2 & Water vapour
(2) Lead
(3) Mercury
4. As it travels along the food chain the (4) Cyanide
concentration of DDT :
(1) Decrease 10. Which of the following is water pollution
(2) Stays constant related disorder :
(3) Increases (1) Leprosis (2) Fluorosis
(4) Fluctuates randomly (3) Pneumonicosis (4) Silicosis

5. Pollutant from motor car exhaust which 11. Which of the following organism is likely
to have more concentration of DDT in its
inhibit haemoglobin formulation, causes a
body :
mental disease (OR) substance which
(1) Carnivores
need to be removed from petrol/diesel is:
(2) Top carnivores
(1) Pb (2) NO2
(3) Primary producers
(3) Hg (4) SO2
(4) Herbivores

Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds 31

12. The maximum biomagnification would be 19. Often in water bodies subjected to
in which of the following in case of sewage pollution, fishes die because of
aquatic ecosystem : the :
(1) Phytoplanktons (2) zooplanktons
(1) Foul smell
(3) Birds (4) Fishes
(2) Reduction in dissolved oxygen caused

13. Lichens are best indicators of : by microbial activity

(1) Water pollution (3) Clogging of their gills by solid
(2) Soil pollution substances
(3) Air pollution/SO2 Pollution (4) Pathogens released by the sewage
(4) All types of pollution

20. When huge amount of sewage is dumped

14. Eutrophication is caused by :
(1) Increase nutrient concentration into a river the BOD will :

(2) Petrochemical and fertilizer plant (1) Remain unchanged

effluents (2) Slightly decrease
(3) and present in acid rains (3) Increase
(4) Mine effluents (4) Decrease

15. Indiscriminate use of DDT is undesirable

21. ................water pollutant causes
because :
(1) It is harmful brittleness of teeth :
(2) It is degradable (1) Hg (2) Fluorine
(3) It causes mutation (3) Cd (4) All of the above
(4) It is accumulated in food chain

22. Measurement of the rate of O2

16. Increase asthamatic attacks in certain
consumption in unit volume of water over
seasons are related to :
(1) Inhalation of seasonal pollen a period of time is done to find out :
(2) Eating of seasonal vegetables (1) Biosynthetic oxygen demand
(3) Low temperature (2) Biogas generation
(4) Wet and dry environment (3) Biochemical oxygen demand
(4) Fermentation
17. SO2 pollution is indicated by :
(1) Sphagnum ( mosses)
23. Sewage drained into water bodies kill
(2) Cucurbita (climbers)
(3) Deschampsia (grasses) fishes because :
(4) Usnea ( lichens) (1) It increases competition with fishes
to dissolved oxygen
18. Highest DDT deposition shall occur in : (2) It removes the competition with
(1) Crab
fishes to dissolve CO2
(2) Eel
(3) Excessive CO2 is added in water
(3) Sea Gull
(4) Phytoplankton (4) It gives of a bad smell

32 Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds

24. Eutrophication causes reduction in : 26. Match the lists I and II pick the correct
(1) Dissolved salts matching form the codes given below :
(2) Dissolved hydrogen List I List II
(a) Peroxy acetyl 1. Minamata disease
(3) Dissolved oxygen
nitrate
(4) All of the above
(b) Polycyclic 2. Global warming
aromatic
25. Pick up the correct statement :
hydrocarbons
(1) CO which is major pollutant resulting (c) Hg compounds 3. Photochemical
from the combustion of fuels in smog
automobiles plays a major role in (d) IR active 4. Carcinogens
photochemical smog Molecules
(2) Classical smog has an oxidizing (1) a – 1, b – 2, c – 3, d – 4
(2) a – 3, b – 4, c – 3, d – 3
character while the photochemical
(3) a – 3, b – 4, c –1, d – 2
smog is reducing in character
(4) a – 2, b – 3, c – 5, d – 4
(3) Photochemical smog occurs in day
time whereas the classical smog
27. In Antarctica ozone depletion is due to
occurs in early morning hours the formation of following compound –
(4) During formation of smog the level of (1) acrolein
ozone in the atmosphere goes down (2) peroxy acetyl nitrate
(3) chlorine nitrate
(4) SO2 and SO3

ANSWER KEY
Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Ans. 3 1 4 3 1 1 2 1 3 2 2 3 3 1 4 1 4 3 2 3 2 3 1 3 3
Que. 26 27
Ans. 3 3

Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds 33

 Exercise – III (Previous Year Questions)
1. Which one of the following statement is 6. If BOD of a water body has a 20 ppm then
not true: [AIPMT Pre.-2011] what can you conclude? [AIIMS-2015]
(1) Oxide of sulphur, nitrogen and carbon (1) polluted (2) light polluted
are the most widespread air pollutant (3) clean water (4) highly polluted
(2) pH of drinking water should be
between 5.5 – 9.5
7. Which of the following is a sink for CO? :
(3) Concentration of DO below 6 ppm is
[NEET-2017]
good for the growth of fish
(1) Haemoglobin
(4) Clean water would have a BOD value
(2) Micro organisms present in the soil
of less than 5ppm
(3) Oceans
2. Which one of the following statements (4) Plants
regarding photochemical smog is not
correct? [AIPMT Pre.-2012] 8. Which oxide of nitrogen is not a common
(1) Photochemical smog is formed pollutant introduced into the atmosphere
through photochemical reaction both due to natural and human activity?
involving solar energy [NEET 2018]
(2) Photochemical smog does not cause (1) N2O5 (2) NO2 (3) N2O (4) NO
irritation in eyes and throat
(3) Carbon monoxide does not play any
9. Among the following, the one that is not
role in photochemical smog formation
a green house gas is: [NEET 2019]
(4) Photochemical smog is an oxidising
(1) nitrous oxide (2) methane
agent in character
(3) ozone (4) sulphur dioxide
3. Which of the following is not a green
house gas : [AIIMS-2013] 10. Paper chromatography is an example of:
(1) Hydrogen [NEET 2020]
(2) Carbon dioxide (1) Column chromatography
(3) Methane (2) Adsorption chromatography
(4) Nitrous oxide or N2O (3) Partition chromatography
(4) Thin layer chromatography
4. Which one of the following is not a
common component of Photochemical
11. Which of the following is not correct
Smog? [AIPMT -2014]
about carbon monoxide: [NEET 2020]
(1) Ozone
(2) Acrolein (1) It is produced due to incomplete
(3) Peroxyacetyl nitrate combustion
(4) Chlorofluorocarbons (2) It forms carboxyhaemoglobin
(3) It reduced oxygen carrying ability of
5. Concentration of Peroxy Acetyl Nitrate
blood
(PAN) is maximum in : [AIIMS-2014]
(4) The carboxyhaemoglobin (haemoglobin
(1) Fog
(2) Smoke bound to CO) is less stable than
(3) Smog oxyhaemoglobin
(4) Photochemical smog

34 Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds

12. Which of the following statement is NOT c CaCO3 + H2SO4 → (iii) Ozone
true about acid rain: CaSO4 + H2O + depletion
[NEET(UG) 2020 (Covid-19)] CO2
(1) It is due to reaction of SO2, NO2 and
CO2 with rain water d h (iv) Tropospheric
(2) Causes no damage to monuments like NO2(g) ⎯⎯⎯ →
NO(g) + O(g) pollution
Taj Mahal
(3) It is harmful for plants
(4) Its pH is less than 5.6

13. A liquid compound (x) can be purified by Choose the correct answer from the
options given below.
steam distillation only if it is:
(1) (a)-(i), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iii), (d)-(iv)
[NEET(UG) 2020 (Covid-19)]
(2) (a)-(ii), (b)-(iii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
(1) Steam volatile, immiscible with water
(2) Not steam volatile, miscible with (3) (a)-(iv), (b)-(iii), (c)-(i), (d)-(ii)
water (4) (a)-(iii), (b)-(ii), (c)-(iv), (d)-(i)
(3) Steam volatile, miscible with water
(4) Not steam volatile, immiscible with
15. The pollution due to oxides of sulphur
water
gets enhanced due to the presence of:
14. Match List - I with List - II. (a) particulate matter [NEET(UG) 2022]
[NEET(UG) 2021] (b) ozone

List – I List – II (c) hydrocarbons

(d) hydrogen peroxide
a 2SO2(g) + O2(g) → (i) Acid rain
Choose the most appropriate answer
2SO3(g)
from the options given below:
(1) (a), (d) only (2) (a), (b), (d) only
b HOCl(g) h
⎯⎯⎯ → (ii) Smog
(3) (b), (c), (d) only (4) (a), (c), (d) only
• •
OH + Cl

ANSWER KEY
Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Ans. 3 2 1 4 4 4 2 1 4 3 4 2 1 3 2

Environmental Chemistry & Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Organic Compounds 35