Consider the following statements:
Statement I: Activated carbon is a good and an attractive tool to remove pollutants from effluent streams and to remediate contaminants from various industries.
Statement II: Activated carbon exhibits a large surface area and a strong potential for adsorbing heavy metals.
Statement III: Activated carbon can be easily synthesized from environmental wastes with high carbon content.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- A.Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I
- B.Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I
- C.Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I
- D.Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct
▶ Answer & Explanation
Correct answer: A. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I
Activated carbon's efficacy in removing pollutants stems from its high surface area and porous structure, which facilitates adsorption. This property is particularly effective for heavy metals due to their strong affinity to the carbon surface. Furthermore, its synthesis from abundant waste materials makes it an economically viable and environmentally friendly remediation tool.
Source: UPSC gs1 2025