Write the difference between Biodegradable and Non - biodegradable.

Biodegradable - Those things that can be decomposed by microorganisms into useful manure or humus is called Biodegradable.
Non Biodegradable - Those things that cannot be decomposed by microorganisms is called Non- Biodegradable.

Capable of being broken down (decomposed) rapidly by the action of microorganisms. Biodegradable substances include food scraps, cotton, wool, wood, human and animal waste, manufactured products based on natural materials (such as paper, and vegetable-oil based soaps). See also degradable and photo degradable.
 
The term non-biodegradable describes substances that do not break down to a natural, environmentally safe condition over time by biological processes. In other words, non-biodegradable materials do not decay.

 

Differences between Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable Pollutants are as follows:

Biodegradable Pollutants:

i. They are decomposed and degraded by microbes

ii. Degradation process is rapid.

iii. They are not accumulated but are used up in short time.

iv. They are used to produce energy manure, compost and biogas.

v. They become part of biogeochemical cycles and give back rapid turn over

Non-Biodegradable Pollutants:

i. Cannot be decomposed by microbes.

ii. Degradation process is slow.

iii. They often accumulate.

iv. They can be separated and recycled but the process is very expensive.

v. Most of them never enter into Biogeochemical cycles, very slow and toxic.

Biodegradable - Substances which can be decomposed in the soil.
Non - Biodegradable - Substances which can not be decomposed in the soil.

Biodegradable The term ‘Biodegradable’ is used for those things that can be easily decomposed by natural agents like water, oxygen, ultraviolet rays of the sun, acid rains, micro-organisms, etc. One can notice that when a dead leaf or a banana peel is thrown outside, it is acted upon by several micro-organisms like bacteria, fungi or small insects in a time period. The natural elements like oxygen, water, moisture and heat facilitate the decomposition thereby breaking the complex organic forms to simpler units. The decomposed matter eventually mixes or returns back to the soil and thus the soil is once again nourished with various nutrients and minerals.
  Non-biodegradable substances

Those materials which cannot be broken down or decomposed into the soil by natural agents are labelled as non-biodegradable. These substances consists of plastic materials, metal scraps, aluminum cans and bottles, hazardous chemicals etc. These things are practically immune to the natural processes and thus cannot be fed upon or broken down even after thousands of years. Therefore, these waste rather than returning back, contribute to solid waste which is very hazardous for the environment. The ever increasing load of non-biodegradable trash is a growing concern all over the world and several countries are therefore, looking for eco-friendly alternatives that can minimize the threat on several land and aquatic life forms.

  Key Differences between Biodegradable and Non-biodegradable substances:

1. Biodegradable is referred to all those things that can be easily decomposed by natural agents. Natural agents include water, oxygen, ultraviolet rays of the sun, acid rains, microorganisms, etc. On the other hand non-biodegradable substances are never broken down or decomposed by environmental factors.
2. Biodegradable substances include food waste like vegetable and fruit peels, dead plants and animals, chicken, egg shells, paper materials, garden waste etc. Non-biodegradable things consist of  plastics, polystyrene, metals, plastic and aluminum cans, toxic chemicals, paints, tyres, etc.
3. Biodegradable substances on breaking up are converted into simple organic matter and are thus assimilated in the soil and thus becomes a part of the carbon cycle of the atmosphere. On the contrary, non-biodegradable substances are resistant to the environmental factors and never decompose and instead contribute to majority of the solid waste.
4. Biodegradable substances may decompose within few days or months while non-biodegradable items may take thousands of years or may never ever be broken down and remain in their original form as it is.

 

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Biodegradable materials are those materials which can be broken down into smaller substances by the action of micro organisms . Non biodegradable are those materials which cannot be broken down by the action of micro organisms.

Meritnation Top Member War II