Consider the following statements:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Option (d):
Statement 1 is correct: Coal ash, a byproduct generated from the combustion of coal in power plants, contains various trace toxic elements. These include heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and mercury, which can pose significant environmental and health risks if not managed properly.
Statement 2 is correct: Coal-fired thermal power plants are a major source of atmospheric pollution. They release gases like sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and oxides of nitrogen (NOₓ) into the environment. These emissions contribute to phenomena such as acid rain, smog, and respiratory issues.
Statement 3 is correct: Indian coal is generally characterized by a high ash content, often ranging between 30% and 50%. This is significantly higher compared to the ash content in many varieties of imported coal, which typically falls between 10% and 15%. High ash content affects the energy efficiency of coal and increases the volume of waste generated after combustion.
Option (a) is incorrect because statements 2 and 3 are also correct, in addition to statement 1.
Option (b) is incorrect because statement 1, regarding the toxic elements in coal ash, is also correct.
Option (c) is incorrect because statements 1 and 2 are also correct, alongside statement 3.