With reference to bio-toilets used by the Indian Railways, consider the following statements:The dec

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Question

With reference to bio-toilets used by the Indian Railways, consider the following statements:The decomposition of human waste in the bio-toilets is initiated by a fungal inoculum.Ammonia and water vapour are the only end products in this decomposition which are released into the atmosphere.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2Step-by-step Solution:Statement 1 — Bio-toilet decomposition is initiated by fungal inoculum: This is incorrect. The bio-toilets used by Indian Railways (developed in collaboration with DRDO's Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior) use an anaerobic bacterial consortium (microbial inoculum) — not fungi. The inoculum consists of specially selected anaerobic bacteria that thrive in low-oxygen, cold conditions (even at -40°C for high-altitude routes). These bacteria decompose the human waste within the bio-digester tank under the toilet compartment. ✗Statement 2 — Ammonia and water vapour are the only end products released to atmosphere: This is incorrect. The bio-toilet's anaerobic digestion process produces: water (treated effluent, released onto the tracks — which is treated and colorless, odorless); biogas/methane (CH₄) — an inflammable gas that is a significant byproduct; carbon dioxide (CO₂); and small amounts of hydrogen sulphide. The statement claiming only ammonia and water vapour is factually wrong — methane is actually the primary gaseous byproduct (in addition to CO₂). The system is designed to burn off or safely vent the methane, but it is certainly produced. ✗Key Concept: Indian Railways bio-toilets: developed by DRDO (Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior) — the same institute that developed cold-climate bacterial consortia for the bio-digestion system; technology first deployed 2012; aim to eliminate open defecation on tracks (previously ~40,000 kg of human waste deposited on tracks daily); system: bio-digester tank under toilet; anaerobic bacterial decomposition; outputs: treated water (released on tracks — clean enough), biogas (methane, CO₂), which is vented; bacteria work at temperatures from -40°C to 60°C — specially selected psychrophilic and mesophilic strains; IR achieved 100% bio-toilet coverage by 2019; environmental benefits: cleaner tracks, reduced water contamination near railway lines, reduced disease transmission. The specific bacterial consortium is DRDO's proprietary development — 'psychrophilic anaerobic bacteria' that function in cold conditions.

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