Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion A and the other as Reason R. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below.
Assertion (A):Bottom ash generated in the boilers of thermal power plants is a major cause of nearby river pollution.
Reason (R):The hot water generated from thermal power plants is discharged into nearby rivers.
ABoth A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A
BBoth A and R are correct but R is not the correct explanation of A ✓ Correct
CA is correct but R is not correct
DA is not correct but R is correct
Correct answer: (B) Both A and R are correct but R is not the correct explanation of A
Explanation
Ash residues from thermal boilers can enter water bodies and degrade nearby rivers, which is a real pollution route.
Discharge of hot cooling water from these plants into adjacent rivers is also a genuine practice.
That heated water lowers dissolved oxygen and harms aquatic life through thermal pollution.
Heat loading and solid ash contamination are two independent pollution pathways.
The reason therefore describes a valid but unrelated effect, not the cause behind the ash claim.
Fly ash ponds and their leachate are usually the larger ash linked water hazard at such stations.
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