Question

Which of the following is biodegradable?
A. Iron nails
B. Plastic mugs
C. Leather belts
D. Silver foils

Answer 1

Hint: Biodegradable is something which can be degraded by microorganisms into simpler substances like carbon dioxide, water and secondly it doesn’t not cause pollution into the environment.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Leather belt is biodegradable in nature but that too should be the pure leather without any other contaminants in it. Leather is an organic material converted into inorganic one by the process named as tanning process.
Silver foil can be decomposed by microorganisms which may take around 100 years but it is harmful to the environment. Therefore, it is preferred to be recycled.
Plastic mugs are non biodegradable. They pollute the environment in which they are exposed. They live in an environment for centuries or decades.
Iron nails can be broken down by certain bacteria due to oxidation by the process called rusting. In this they form a layer which is brownish in color known as rust. This rust can be swept away and dissolve in bloods which can increase the toxic levels in blood. Therefore their biodegradability is undesired and reuse is preferred as it causes pollution.
The correct option is C.

Note: Some things can be broken down by microorganisms but they are harmful to the environment if consumed by living organisms. Although they satisfy one part of definition of biodegradable substances but it dissatisfies the other part of definition. Therefore, leather belt is biodegradable but it should not contain impurities and rest of them can be decomposed but it will take many years and second, they will result in undesirable products.