Mix Example-Environmental Issues Questions in English

(A) Photochemical smog is formed by the action of sunlight on nitrogen oxides $(NO_x)$ and hydrocarbons released by automobiles and factories.
It is primarily composed of ozone $(O_3)$,peroxyacetyl nitrate $(PAN)$,and nitrogen oxides $(NO_x)$.
These components are secondary pollutants formed through complex photochemical reactions in the atmosphere.

(D) Petroleum in India is extracted from various regions.
Major oil-producing areas include the Digboi region in Assam,the Ankleshwar and Khambhat regions in Gujarat,and the offshore Bombay High field.
Therefore,all the mentioned locations are significant sources of petroleum in India.

(C) $LPG$ stands for Liquefied Petroleum Gas. It is a mixture of hydrocarbon gases,primarily propane and butane,which are obtained during the refining of petroleum or from natural gas streams. Since petroleum is a fossil fuel,$LPG$ is classified as a fossil fuel.

(C) Fossil fuels like oil and coke,as well as other organic substances,are carbon-based. When they are burned for energy,they undergo combustion and release $CO_2$ into the atmosphere.
Nuclear energy is generated through nuclear fission or fusion processes,which do not involve the combustion of carbon-based fuels. Therefore,it does not release $CO_2$ as a byproduct of energy production.

(D) $LPG$ stands for Liquefied Petroleum Gas.
It is obtained as a byproduct during the refining of crude oil or from natural gas processing.
Since crude oil and natural gas are derived from the remains of ancient marine organisms buried millions of years ago,$LPG$ is classified as a fossil fuel.

(B) non-renewable resource is a natural resource that cannot be readily replaced by natural means at a pace quick enough to keep up with consumption.
Fossils (such as coal,petroleum,and natural gas) and minerals are finite resources that take millions of years to form.
Therefore,they are classified as non-renewable resources.
In contrast,planktons,fishes,animals,and plants are biological resources that can regenerate through reproduction and ecological processes.

(C) non-renewable energy source is a natural resource that cannot be readily replaced by natural means at a pace quick enough to keep up with consumption.
Coal is a fossil fuel formed over millions of years from the remains of ancient plants.
Once consumed,coal reserves cannot be replenished within a human timescale,making them non-renewable.
In contrast,wildlife,forest wealth,and hydel power are considered renewable or sustainable resources under proper management.

(D) The standard of living is a complex socio-economic indicator that is negatively impacted by multiple environmental and social factors.
$1$. Pollution significantly degrades health,reduces productivity,and increases the cost of living,thereby lowering the standard of living.
$2$. Housing problems,such as lack of affordable or adequate shelter,directly impact the quality of life and social stability.
$3$. While population growth rate is a major driver of these issues,pollution and housing problems are direct,tangible factors that immediately affect the daily standard of living for individuals. Therefore,both $A$ and $B$ are primary contributors to this decline.

(B) The most densely populated city in India is Delhi,with a population density of approximately $9,294$ persons per sq. km. based on census data.

(B) According to the $1991$ census data,the rural population of India was approximately $74.3\%$. Among the given options,$76\%$ is the closest approximation used in various educational contexts and textbooks to represent the rural demographic during that period.

(D) $DDT$ (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) is a persistent organic pollutant.
$1$. It is a potent insecticide and an organochlorine compound.
$2$. It is lipophilic (fat-soluble) and non-biodegradable,meaning it accumulates in the fatty tissues of organisms.
$3$. Because it is fat-soluble,it can be excreted through milk in mammals,making milk a carrier.
$4$. $DDT$ is notorious for undergoing biomagnification,where its concentration increases at higher trophic levels in a food web.
Therefore,the statement that $DDT$ does not undergo biomagnification is incorrect.

(C) Biological magnification (biomagnification) refers to the increase in concentration of toxic substances at successive trophic levels. $DDT$ is a persistent organic pollutant that accumulates in the fatty tissues of organisms. Studies conducted on the population in India have shown that the concentration of $DDT$ in the body fat of Indian people ranges from $13-31 \ PPM$ (parts per million).

(D) The $Forest$ $Research$ $Institute$ $(FRI)$ is a premier institution in the field of forestry research in India. It is located in $Dehradun$,$Uttarakhand$. It was established in $1906$ and is one of the oldest institutions of its kind.

(C) The cooking gas cylinder used in households is filled with $LPG$ (Liquefied Petroleum Gas).
$LPG$ is a mixture of hydrocarbon gases,primarily propane and butane,which are liquefied under pressure for storage and transport.

(D) Conventional sources of energy are those that have been used for a long time and are generally non-renewable,such as coal,petroleum,and natural gas.
Nuclear power is also considered a conventional source because it relies on finite uranium reserves.
Solar radiation is a non-conventional or renewable source of energy because it is inexhaustible and has only recently been harnessed on a large scale for power generation.

(A) The $BOD$ (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) is a measure of the organic matter present in water. Higher organic content leads to higher $BOD$.
$1$. Sewage $(S)$ typically has a moderate $BOD$.
$2$. Paper mill effluent $(PE)$ contains cellulose and other organic wastes,resulting in a higher $BOD$ than domestic sewage.
$3$. Sugar factory effluent $(SE)$ is rich in sugars,leading to a high $BOD$.
$4$. Distillery effluent $(DE)$ is extremely rich in organic matter (molasses residues),resulting in the highest $BOD$ among these options.
Therefore,the ascending order of $BOD$ is $S < PE < SE < DE$.

(A) $1$. $DDT$ (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) is a well-known non-biodegradable pollutant that persists in the environment and undergoes biomagnification.
$2$. High levels of fluoride in drinking water cause fluorosis (skeletal and dental),not osteoporosis.
$3$. Black foot disease is caused by arsenic poisoning,not cadmium.
$4$. 'Itai-Itai' disease is caused by cadmium poisoning,while methyl mercury causes Minamata disease.
Therefore,the statement '$DDT$ is a non-biodegradable pollutant' is correct.

(B) According to the National Forest Policy $(1988)$ of India,it was recommended that $33\%$ of the land area should be under forest cover for the plains and $67\%$ for the hills.
However,the actual forest cover in India is approximately $21.54\%$ of the total geographical area as per recent forest survey reports.

(A) The per capita forest area in India is approximately $0.06$ $ha$. This is significantly lower than the global average,highlighting the pressure on forest resources due to the large population size.

(B) The correct answer is $B$.
Nuclear power generation produces radioactive waste,which is a significant environmental concern.
Fossil fuel combustion releases large amounts of $CO_2$,contributing to global warming.
Biomass combustion also releases $CO_2$ as a product of burning organic matter.
Solar energy is a clean,renewable source of energy that does not contribute to the greenhouse effect; therefore,the pair 'Solar energy - Greenhouse effect' is mismatched.

(B) Eutrophication is the natural aging of a lake by nutrient enrichment of its water.
In a young lake,the water is cold and clear,supporting little life.
With time,streams draining into the lake introduce nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus,which encourage the growth of aquatic organisms like algae.
As the lake's fertility increases,plant and animal life burgeons,and organic remains are deposited on the lake bottom.
Over centuries,as silt and organic debris pile up,the lake grows shallower and warmer,with warm-water organisms supplanting those that thrive in a cold environment.
Marsh plants take root in the shallows and begin to fill in the original lake basin.
Eventually,the lake gives way to large masses of floating plants (bog),finally converting into land.
Therefore,eutrophication is primarily observed in freshwater lakes.

(B) The World Summit on Sustainable Development $(2002)$ was held in Johannesburg,South Africa.
In this summit,$190$ countries pledged their commitment to achieve by $2010$,a significant reduction in the current rate of biodiversity loss at global,regional and local levels.

(B) non-renewable resource is a natural resource that cannot be readily replaced by natural means at a pace quick enough to keep up with consumption.
Coal is a fossil fuel formed over millions of years from the remains of ancient plants.
Once consumed,it cannot be replenished within a human timescale,making it a non-renewable resource.
In contrast,forests,water,and wildlife are considered renewable resources as they can be replenished through natural cycles.

(C) The Bhopal gas tragedy was a chemical industrial accident that occurred on the night of December $2/3, 1984$,at the Union Carbide India Limited $(UCIL)$ pesticide plant in Bhopal,Madhya Pradesh,India.
It involved the leakage of a highly toxic gas called Methyl Isocyanate $(MIC)$.
This disaster resulted in the death of thousands of people and caused long-term health issues for many others.
Option $C$ is incorrect because the Bhopal gas tragedy was a chemical disaster,not a nuclear or radioactive disaster. Radioactive fallout is associated with nuclear accidents (like Chernobyl),not chemical gas leaks.

(C) Soil erosion is the process by which the top layer of soil is removed by natural forces like wind or water.
Afforestation is the process of planting trees in an area where there was no previous tree cover.
Trees and vegetation act as a protective cover for the soil,their roots bind the soil particles together,and their canopy reduces the impact of rain and wind,thereby preventing soil erosion.
Overgrazing,removal of vegetation,and deforestation all contribute to increasing soil erosion.

(A) The massive fish mortality in a lake is primarily caused by Eutrophication.
$(1)$ Excessive use of urea and phosphate fertilizers leads to nutrient enrichment (Eutrophication) in the water body,which promotes algal blooms.
$(3)$ The rapid growth of algae (algal bloom) makes the water turn green and produces a foul smell due to the decomposition of organic matter by bacteria,which consumes dissolved oxygen,leading to the death of fish.
Therefore,statements $(1)$ and $(3)$ are the primary reasons for the observed phenomenon.

(B) According to the National Forest Policy $(1988)$ of India,it was recommended that $33\%$ of the land area should be under forest cover for the plains and $67\%$ for the hills. However,the Forestry Commission Report of $1997$ indicated that the actual forest cover in India was only $19.5\%$. Therefore,the correct option is $B$.

(A) The phenomenon of biomagnification refers to the increase in concentration of non-biodegradable pollutants (like $DDT$) at successive trophic levels.
$DDT$ is a persistent organic pollutant that accumulates in the fatty tissues of organisms.
Since fish-eating birds occupy the highest trophic level in an aquatic food chain,they ingest the highest concentration of $DDT$ through their prey.
This leads to high levels of $DDT$ in their bodies,which interferes with calcium metabolism and causes thinning of eggshells,leading to a decline in their population.

(C) The Bhopal gas tragedy,which occurred on the night of December $2-3, 1984$,was caused by the accidental release of methyl isocyanate $(MIC)$ gas from the Union Carbide pesticide plant.
$MIC$ is highly reactive with water.
When water entered the storage tank,it triggered an exothermic reaction that caused the pressure to rise rapidly,leading to the leakage of the toxic gas into the atmosphere.

(C) The $Chipko$ movement was a non-violent social and ecological movement by rural villagers,particularly women,in India.
It began in the $1970s$ in the $Garhwal$ Himalayas region of $Uttarakhand$.
The primary objective of the movement was to prevent the commercial felling of trees and to protect the forests from deforestation.
Participants would literally hug the trees to prevent them from being cut down,hence the name '$Chipko$' (meaning 'to hug' or 'to stick').

(A) The $Kyoto$ $Protocol$ is an international treaty that extends the $1992$ $United$ $Nations$ $Framework$ $Convention$ $on$ $Climate$ $Change$ $(UNFCCC)$ that commits state parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,based on the scientific consensus that global warming is occurring and it is extremely likely that human-made $CO_2$ emissions have predominantly caused it.
- $Montreal$ $Protocol$ is related to the protection of the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion.
- $Basel$ $Convention$ is an international treaty that was designed to reduce the movements of hazardous waste between nations,and specifically to prevent transfer of hazardous waste from developed to less developed countries.
- $Ramsar$ $Convention$ is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.

(B) The periodic warming of the surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean is known as the $El$ $Niño$ effect.
This phenomenon significantly impacts global weather patterns,leading to changes in rainfall,temperature,and atmospheric circulation.
It is a part of the $El$ $Niño-Southern$ $Oscillation$ $(ENSO)$ cycle.

(C) Agricultural activities are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.
$CH_4$ (methane) is released from paddy fields and livestock.
$CO_2$ (carbon dioxide) is released due to the burning of crop residues and the use of fossil fuels in machinery.
$N_2O$ (nitrous oxide) is a significant greenhouse gas emitted from agricultural soils,primarily due to the use of nitrogen-based fertilizers.
Therefore,$N_2O$ is the correct answer.

(B) Petroleum is a fossil fuel formed over millions of years from the remains of ancient marine organisms.
Because its formation process is extremely slow and cannot be replenished within a human lifespan,it is classified as a non-renewable resource.
Therefore,the correct option is $B$.

(D) Bioindicators are organisms whose presence,absence,or abundance provides information about the quality of the environment.
$1$. Sewage fungus ($Sphaerotilus$ $natans$),sludge worms ($Tubifex$ $tubifex$),and blood worms ($Chironomus$ larvae) are classic bioindicators of organic water pollution,as they thrive in polluted,low-oxygen environments.
$2$. Stoneflies (order $Plecoptera$) are highly sensitive to water pollution and low dissolved oxygen levels. They are typically found in clean,well-oxygenated,fast-flowing water.
$3$. Therefore,while stoneflies are indicators of water quality,they are indicators of clean water,not pollution. In the context of identifying indicators of pollution,stoneflies are the correct choice as they are absent in polluted waters.

(D) Pollution control involves multiple strategies to protect the environment.
$1$. Sewage treatment is essential to remove contaminants from wastewater before it is released into the environment.
$2$. Checking atomic blasts is crucial to prevent radioactive pollution and long-term environmental damage.
$3$. The use of electric vehicles helps reduce air pollution by eliminating tailpipe emissions.
Therefore,all the mentioned options contribute to controlling pollution.

(D) Photochemical smog is formed by the reaction of sunlight with pollutants such as nitrogen oxides $(NO_x)$ and volatile organic compounds $(VOCs)$.
Key components of photochemical smog include nitrogen dioxide $(NO_2)$,ozone $(O_3)$,peroxyacetyl nitrate $(PAN)$,and aldehydes.
Since both $NO_2$ and ozone are primary components of photochemical smog,the correct answer is $D$.

(C) Polyblend is a fine powder of recycled modified plastic. It was developed by Ahmed Khan of Bangalore. When mixed with bitumen,it is used to lay roads,which enhances the water-repellent properties of the road and increases its life span.

(A) Domestic waste primarily consists of organic materials such as food scraps,paper,and vegetable peels,which are biodegradable.
However,when these wastes are dumped in large quantities,they undergo decomposition,which can lead to the production of foul gases and the breeding of pathogens,causing environmental pollution.
In the context of the options provided,domestic waste is categorized under biodegradable pollution because it can be broken down by microorganisms.
Therefore,the correct option is $A$.

(D) $NEERI$ stands for National Environmental Engineering Research Institute. It is a research institute created and funded by the Government of India. It is dedicated to environmental science and engineering and is located in Nagpur,India. It functions under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research $(CSIR)$.

(A) Biomagnification refers to the increase in the concentration of a persistent toxicant (such as $DDT$ or mercury) at successive trophic levels of a food chain.
This occurs because a toxic substance accumulated by an organism cannot be metabolized or excreted,and is thus passed on to the next higher trophic level in a higher concentration.
As a result,the concentration of the toxicant increases as we move up the food chain.

(B) The $5^{th}$ of June is globally recognized and celebrated as World Environment Day. This day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in $1972$ during the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. The primary objective of this day is to raise global awareness and encourage action for the protection of our environment.

(B) $NGO$ stands for Non-Government Organization. These are non-profit organizations that operate independently of any government,typically to address social or political issues.

(C) Ethanol is widely used as a biofuel in vehicles,particularly in Brazil. Brazil has implemented a successful program where ethanol,derived primarily from sugarcane,is blended with gasoline or used as a pure fuel to power automobiles. This helps in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions.

(B) The Ministry of Environment and Forests has initiated specific action plans to save major rivers in India from pollution.
These include the Ganga Action Plan $(GAP)$ and the Yamuna Action Plan $(YAP)$.
Therefore,the correct rivers are Ganga $(i)$ and Yamuna $(ii)$.

(D) The Ministry of Environment and Forests has initiated specific action plans,such as the Ganga Action Plan and the Yamuna Action Plan,to save these major rivers from severe pollution. These plans aim to build a large number of sewage treatment plants so that only treated sewage may be discharged in the rivers.

(D) $BOD$ stands for Biochemical Oxygen Demand.
It is defined as the amount of dissolved oxygen that would be consumed if all the organic matter in one liter of water were oxidized by bacteria.
$1$. It serves as an indirect measure of the pollution level in water bodies.
$2$. It measures the amount of biodegradable organic matter present in the water.
$3$. It quantifies the amount of $O_2$ required by aerobic microorganisms to decompose the organic waste.
Therefore,all the given statements are correct.

(A) The Joint Forest Management $(JFM)$ concept was introduced in India in the $1980s$.
Under this initiative,the government works in collaboration with local village and tribal communities to protect and manage degraded forest lands.
This approach ensures that local communities receive benefits from the forest resources in exchange for their active participation in conservation and sustainable management efforts.

(D) The $UN$ Climate Change Conference in $2012$ was the $18$th session of the Conference of the Parties ($COP$ $18$) to the $UN$ Framework Convention on Climate Change $(UNFCCC)$.
It was held in Doha,Qatar,from November $26$ to December $8$,$2012$.
Therefore,the correct option is $D$.

(D) The $UN$ Conference of Parties $(COP17)$ on climate change in the year $2011$ was held in Durban,South Africa. This conference is officially known as the $17$th session of the Conference of the Parties $(COP17)$ to the $UN$ Framework Convention on Climate Change $(UNFCCC)$.