With reference to bio-toilets used by the Indian Railways, consider th

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

1. The decomposition of human waste in the bio-toilets is initiated by a fungal inoculum.
2. 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?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2015

Both statements are incorrect.

Indian Railways’ bio-toilets use a bacterial inoculum, not fungal, for the anaerobic decomposition of human waste. The end products of this decomposition include biogas (primarily methane and carbon dioxide) and treated water, not solely ammonia and water vapour.

The anaerobic bacteria consortium (specifically, bacteria from the DRDO-developed inoculum) breaks down the complex organic matter in human waste. The biogas is released into the atmosphere (or sometimes vented), and the treated liquid effluent is disinfected and discharged. While some ammonia might be produced, it is not the only end product released along with water vapour.

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