Mix Example-Environmental Issues Questions in English

(C) The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty aimed at reducing the emission of greenhouse gases.
It was adopted at the third session of the Conference of Parties $(CoP-3)$ to the $UNFCCC$ (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) in $1997$,held in Kyoto,Japan.

(C) The correct answer is $C$.
International conferences held in Kyoto, Japan, established commitments from various countries to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions to a level $5\%$ below that of $1990$ for the period $2008-2012$.
In Doha, Qatar, on $8^{th}$ December $2012$, the "Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol" was adopted.
The second commitment period spans from $1^{st}$ January $2013$ to $31^{st}$ December $2020$.

(B) is the incorrect statement. Ozone present in the upper atmosphere (stratosphere) forms a protective layer known as the ozone layer. This layer is essential for the survival of life on Earth because it absorbs harmful $UV$ radiation from the Sun,preventing it from reaching the Earth's surface. In contrast,ozone at the ground level (troposphere) is considered a pollutant and is harmful to animals and plants.

(C) The Bhopal gas tragedy occurred on the night of December $2-3, 1984$,at the Union Carbide India Limited $(UCIL)$ pesticide plant in Bhopal,Madhya Pradesh.
It was caused by the leakage of a highly toxic gas called Methyl isocyanate $(MIC)$.
Thousands of people died due to the exposure to this toxic gas,and many more suffered from long-term health effects.
Statement $(C)$ is incorrect because the tragedy was a chemical disaster involving toxic gas,not a radioactive fallout event.

(D) The correct expanded form is $IUCN$ = International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
- $IPCC$ stands for Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
- $UNEP$ stands for United Nations Environment Programme.
- $EPA$ stands for Environmental Protection Agency.
- Therefore,option $D$ is the only correct expansion.

(C) The correct answer is $B$ and $C$.
$1.$ The use of fertilizers like urea and phosphate in nearby crops leads to eutrophication,which causes the lake water to turn green due to algal blooms and become stinky due to decomposition,resulting in oxygen depletion and fish mortality $(C)$.
$2.$ Spraying $DDT$ by aircraft leads to the accumulation of toxic pesticides in the water body,which causes immediate and mass-scale death of aquatic animals like fishes $(B)$.
$3.$ Therefore,the combination of eutrophication $(C)$ and toxic pesticide contamination $(B)$ are the primary reasons for the observed fish mortality.

(C) The relative contribution of various greenhouse gases to global warming is as follows:
$1$. Carbon dioxide $(CO_2)$: $60\%$
$2$. Methane $(CH_4)$: $20\%$
$3$. Chlorofluorocarbons $(CFCs)$: $14\%$
$4$. Nitrous oxide $(N_2O)$: $6\%$
Comparing these values with the given options,option $(c)$ correctly identifies the percentages for $CFCs$ $(14\%)$ and Methane $(20\%)$.

(B) Bioindicators are organisms whose presence,absence,or abundance provides information about the quality of the environment.
Blood-worms,sewage fungus,and sludge worms are well-known bioindicators of organic water pollution,as they thrive in polluted waters with low oxygen levels.
Stone flies,on the other hand,are highly sensitive to water pollution and require clean,well-oxygenated water to survive. Therefore,they are typically used as indicators of clean water rather than indicators of water pollution.

(A) The Central Pollution Control Board $(CPCB)$ has established standards for the discharge of environmental pollutants.
For the discharge of industrial and municipal wastewater into natural surface water bodies,the prescribed limit for Biochemical Oxygen Demand $(BOD)$ is less than $30 \ ppm$ $(30 \ mg/L)$.
This measurement is typically taken over a period of $3$ days at a temperature of $27^{\circ}C$.

(A) $BOD$ (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) refers to the amount of oxygen that would be consumed if all the organic matter in one liter of water were oxidized by bacteria.
Therefore,$A$ is correct because $BOD$ measures the organic matter content in water.
$R$ is also correct because a higher $BOD$ indicates more organic matter,which means higher pollution,while a lower $BOD$ indicates less organic matter,meaning lower pollution potential.
Thus,both $A$ and $R$ are correct.

(C) The Government of India passed the Environment (Protection) Act in $1986$ to protect and improve the quality of our environment (air,water,and soil).
This act provides a framework for the coordination of the activities of various central and state authorities established under previous laws.

(B) According to the $NCERT$ textbook (Environmental Issues chapter),in the $1990s$,Delhi ranked $4th$ among the $41$ most polluted cities of the world. This data highlights the severe air pollution crisis that Delhi faced during that decade.

(B) According to the $NCERT$ textbook for Class $12$ Biology,in the chapter 'Environmental Issues',it is stated that at the beginning of the twentieth century,forests covered about $30\%$ of the land of India.
By the end of the twentieth century,the forest cover had shrunk to $19.4\%$.
Therefore,the correct option is $B$.

(D) Deforestation refers to the removal of forest cover. Its serious effects include:
$1$. Changes in regional and global climate patterns due to the loss of carbon sinks and altered transpiration rates.
$2$. Disruptions in biogeochemical cycles (such as the carbon and water cycles) because trees play a vital role in nutrient cycling and moisture regulation.
$3$. Loss of biodiversity,as many organisms lose their natural habitats,leading to them becoming endangered or extinct.
Since all the options ($A$,$B$,and $C$) represent serious consequences of deforestation,the correct answer is $D$.

(A) The Environment (Protection) Act was enacted by the Parliament of India in the year $1986$. This act was passed under Article $253$ of the Constitution of India to implement the decisions taken at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm in June $1972$. Its primary objective is to provide for the protection and improvement of the environment and for matters connected therewith.

(B) According to the $NCERT$ textbook for Class $12$ Biology,Chapter 'Environmental Issues',at the beginning of the twentieth century,forests covered about $30$ percent of the land of India.
By the end of the century,this forest cover had shrunk to $19.4$ percent.
Therefore,the correct option is $B$.

(C) $DDT$ (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) is a persistent organic pollutant. When sprayed on crops,it can drift into the air,settle into the soil,and be washed by rainwater into water bodies,leading to widespread environmental contamination. Therefore,it causes pollution of air,soil,and water.

(C) The correct answer is $C$.
$Dobson$ units $(DU)$ are used to measure the thickness of the ozone layer in the atmosphere,not the oxygen content.
$Montreal$ protocol (signed in $1987$) was effective in controlling the emission of ozone-depleting substances like $CFCs$.
$Methane$ $(CH_4)$ and $carbon$ $dioxide$ $(CO_2)$ are major greenhouse gases responsible for global warming.
Incinerators are essential for the safe disposal of hazardous hospital wastes to prevent the spread of infections.

(C) The correct matches are as follows:
$1$. $(p)$ Catalytic converter: Used to reduce $(iii)$ Air pollution by converting toxic gases into less harmful ones.
$2$. $(q)$ Marsh land: Associated with $(i)$ Foam (often related to water pollution/eutrophication in specific contexts or methane production).
$3$. $(r)$ Polyblend: $A$ fine $(ii)$ Powder of plastic,used for road laying.
$4$. $(s)$ Elnino effect: Associated with $(v)$ Green House effect and global climate change.
$5$. $(t)$ Chipko movement: $A$ movement against $(iv)$ Deforestation.
Therefore,the correct sequence is $p-iii, q-i, r-ii, s-v, t-iv$.

(B) $E$-wastes (electronic wastes) are discarded electronic devices such as computers,mobile phones,and televisions. These devices contain various metals like copper,iron,silicon,nickel,and gold. Among the given options,$Silicon$ is a metalloid (semiconductor),not a metal. Therefore,it is the correct answer as it does not fit the category of a metal.

(A) According to the $NCERT$ textbook for Class $12$ Biology (Chapter: Environmental Issues),at the beginning of the twentieth century,forests covered about $30\%$ of the land area of India.
By the end of the twentieth century,this had shrunk to $21.54\%$,whereas the National Forest Policy $(1988)$ of India has recommended $33\%$ forest cover for the plains and $67\%$ for the hills.

(D) The correct matches are as follows:
$1$. $(p)$ Increasing level of $CO_2$ leads to the $(iii)$ Greenhouse effect.
$2$. $(q)$ $CFC$ (Chlorofluorocarbons) are responsible for $(i)$ Ozone depletion.
$3$. $(r)$ Ozone hole is prominently observed in the $(ii)$ Antarctica region.
$4$. $(s)$ $UV$ rays cause $(iv)$ Senescence of skin (premature aging of skin).
Therefore,the correct sequence is $(p-iii), (q-i), (r-ii), (s-iv)$.

(D) Bio-magnification refers to the increase in concentration of non-biodegradable substances (like $DDT$ or mercury) at successive trophic levels in a food chain.
In an aquatic food chain, the sequence is: $Water \rightarrow Phytoplankton \rightarrow Zooplankton \rightarrow Small \ fishes \rightarrow Large \ fishes \rightarrow Fish-eating \ birds$.
$Water$, $Phytoplankton$, and $Small \ fishes$ are all components of this specific aquatic food chain.
$Lion$ is a terrestrial animal and does not belong to this aquatic food chain, making it the odd one out.

(C) Ramesh Chandra Dagar is a farmer from Sonipat,Haryana,who is known for his work in organic farming. He developed the concept of 'Integrated Organic Farming',which is a cyclical,zero-waste procedure where waste products from one process are cycled in as nutrients for other processes. This allows for maximum utilization of resources and increases the efficiency of production.

(D) , $B$ , and $C$ refer to the same aquatic plant, $Eichhornia$ $crassipes$, which is commonly known as Water hyacinth and is referred to as the 'Terror of Bengal' due to its rapid growth and clogging of water bodies. $D$ (Polyblend) is a fine powder of recycled modified plastic, which is used for laying roads. Therefore, Polyblend is the odd one out.

(A) The Government of India passed the Environment (Protection) Act in $1986$ under Article $253$ of the Constitution of India.
This act was enacted to provide for the protection and improvement of the environment and for matters connected therewith.
It serves as an umbrella legislation designed to provide a framework for central government coordination of the activities of various central and state authorities established under previous laws,such as the Water Act and the Air Act.

(B) The symptoms mentioned,such as sleeplessness,increased heart rate,and altered breathing patterns,are classic physiological and psychological effects of noise pollution.
Noise pollution is defined as undesired high levels of sound.
It can cause psychological and physiological distress in humans,including increased heart rate,altered breathing patterns,and considerable stress or sleeplessness.

(D) $CNG$ (Compressed Natural Gas) is considered a better fuel than diesel for several reasons:
$1$. It burns more efficiently,meaning very little of it is left unburnt compared to diesel.
$2$. It is generally more cost-effective (cheaper) than diesel.
$3$. Unlike diesel,$CNG$ cannot be siphoned off by thieves or adulterated by unscrupulous fuel dealers.
Therefore,all the given options are correct.

(A) Biomagnification refers to the increase in concentration of a toxicant at successive trophic levels. This happens 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 an aquatic food chain involving $DDT$,the concentrations are as follows:
$1$. Water: $0.003 \;ppm$
$2$. Zooplankton: $0.04 \;ppm$ $(b-4)$
$3$. Small fish: $0.5 \;ppm$ $(a-3)$
$4$. Large fish: $2 \;ppm$ $(d-2)$
$5$. Fish-eating birds: $25 \;ppm$ $(c-1)$
Therefore,the correct matching is $a-3, b-4, c-1, d-2$.

(B) The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in India in $1981$.
In $1980$,the Government of India introduced the concept of Joint Forest Management $(JFM)$ to work closely with local communities for protecting and managing forests.
Therefore,the correct option is $B$.

(B) The correct matches are as follows:
$1$. $(p)$ $CFC$ (Chlorofluorocarbons) are responsible for the widespread depletion of the ozone layer,so $(p-x)$.
$2$. $(q)$ Bad ozone is found in the lower atmosphere,i.e.,the troposphere,where it acts as a pollutant,so $(q-v)$.
$3$. $(r)$ Good ozone is found in the stratosphere,where it protects us from harmful $UV$ radiation,so $(r-y)$.
$4$. $(s)$ Non-biodegradable waste includes materials like plastic that cannot be broken down by biological processes,so $(s-w)$.
Thus,the correct sequence is $p-x, q-v, r-y, s-w$.

(B) Statement $(1)$ is correct: $CNG$ (Compressed Natural Gas) burns most efficiently as it leaves very little unburnt fuel.
Statement $(2)$ is correct: $CNG$ cannot be adulterated like petrol or diesel.
Statement $(3)$ is correct: $CNG$ is cheaper than petrol and diesel.
Statement $(4)$ is incorrect: In the $1990$s,Delhi ranked $4$th among the $41$ most polluted cities of the world,not $6$th.
Therefore,$3$ sentences are correct.

(B) Global warming is primarily caused by the increase in greenhouse gases like $CO_2$ due to human activities such as deforestation,burning of fossil fuels,and rapid population growth.
To control or mitigate global warming,we must adopt strategies that reverse these trends:
$(1)$ Reducing deforestation helps in maintaining carbon sinks.
$(2)$ Reducing the use of fossil fuels decreases the emission of greenhouse gases.
$(3)$ Planting trees increases carbon sequestration.
$(4)$ Slowing down the growth of the human population reduces the overall demand for resources and energy.
Therefore,these actions are methods to control global warming.

(C) $Ahmed \text{ } Khan$ is associated with the development of $\text{polyblend}$, a fine powder of recycled modified plastic, which is used for laying roads. Similarly, $\text{Amrita Devi Bishnoi}$ is associated with the $\text{Wild Life Protection Award}$, which is instituted by the Government of India in her honor for individuals from rural areas who have shown extraordinary courage and dedication in protecting wildlife.

(A) Statement $(1)$ is True: $CO_2$ is the major greenhouse gas contributing approximately $60\%$ to global warming.
Statement $(2)$ is True: Deforestation contributes to the greenhouse effect by reducing the carbon sink (trees) and increasing $CO_2$ levels.
Statement $(3)$ is True: Without the greenhouse effect,the Earth's average temperature would be $-18^oC$. Due to the greenhouse effect,it is maintained at $15^oC$.
Statement $(4)$ is False: The concentration of $DDT$ in water is $0.003\ ppb$,in zooplankton it is $0.04\ ppm$,and in small fish,it is $0.5\ ppm$. Therefore,the value $0.05\ ppm$ is incorrect.
Thus,the correct sequence is $TTFT$.

(A) More than $70\%$ of the world's freshwater is stored as ice caps and glaciers in Antarctica and Greenland. Among these,Antarctica holds the largest share of the world's freshwater reserves in the form of ice.

(A) Statement $A$ is correct. Excessive use of chemical fertilizers leads to nutrient enrichment (especially nitrogen and phosphorus) in water bodies,causing algal blooms and eutrophication.
Statement $B$ is incorrect because $Azotobacter$ is a free-living nitrogen-fixing bacterium,while $Rhizobium$ is a symbiotic bacterium found in root nodules.
Statement $C$ is incorrect because cyanobacteria like $Anabaena$ and $Nostoc$ are primarily nitrogen fixers,not phosphate or potassium mobilizers.
Statement $D$ is incorrect because organic farming practices allow for the cultivation of maize without chemical fertilizers.

(B) River water carries sediments such as silt,clay,and sand from its upper reaches and deposits them along its banks and in its delta region. This type of soil is known as $Alluvial$ $soil$. It is highly fertile and is formed by the depositional action of rivers.

(C) The $El$ $Niño$ is a climate pattern that describes the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
It typically occurs every $5$ to $8$ years.
This phenomenon significantly impacts global weather patterns,leading to increased rainfall in some regions and droughts in others.
Therefore,the correct answer is $El$ $Niño$.

(C) The excessive use of fertilizers like urea and phosphate in nearby fields leads to nutrient enrichment in the water body,a process known as Eutrophication.
This causes an algal bloom,which makes the water appear green and murky (statement $c$).
As the algae die,their decomposition by microorganisms consumes a large amount of dissolved oxygen,leading to the death of fish due to hypoxia.
Therefore,the combination of nutrient runoff (statement $a$) and the resulting algal bloom/murky water (statement $c$) is the most direct cause of the fish kill.
Thus,the correct option is $a$ and $c$.

(C) Desertification is the process by which fertile land becomes desert,typically as a result of drought,deforestation,or inappropriate agriculture.
$1$. Overgrazing: Excessive grazing by livestock removes vegetation cover,leading to soil erosion and loss of soil fertility.
$2$. Deforestation: Removal of trees exposes the soil to wind and water erosion.
$3$. Inappropriate agricultural practices: Intensive irrigation in arid regions can lead to soil salinization,making the land unsuitable for plant growth.
Therefore,all the listed factors contribute to desertification.

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

(D) The correct abbreviation and full name is $IUCN$ = International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
$IPCC$ stands for Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
$UNEP$ stands for United Nations Environment Programme.
$EPA$ stands for Environmental Protection Agency.

(B) The Government of India introduced the concept of Joint Forest Management $(JFM)$ in the year $1980$.
This initiative was launched to involve local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests.
Under this scheme,local communities are entitled to intermediary benefits like non-timber forest products and a share in the timber harvested by successful protection and management.

(B) The phenomenon of $DDT$ concentration increasing at each successive trophic level is known as $Biomagnification$.
In an aquatic food chain,$DDT$ enters the water and is absorbed by $Phytoplankton$ (producers).
As these are consumed by higher trophic levels,the concentration of $DDT$ increases because it is fat-soluble and cannot be metabolized or excreted.
Therefore,the highest concentration of $DDT$ is found in the top-level consumers,which in this list are the $Sea$ $birds$ $(Gulls)$.

(D) The worst nuclear power plant accident occurred at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine in $1986$.
The Bhopal gas tragedy,which involved the leakage of Methyl Isocyanate $(MIC)$ gas,occurred in Bhopal,India,in $1984$.
Therefore,the correct sequence is $1986$ in Ukraine and $1984$ in Bhopal.

(D) The Bhopal gas tragedy,which occurred on the night of $2-3$ December $1984$,was a major industrial disaster.
It was caused by the accidental leakage of a highly toxic gas called Methyl Isocyanate $(MIC)$ from the Union Carbide India Limited $(UCIL)$ pesticide plant in Bhopal,Madhya Pradesh.
This gas leak resulted in the deaths of thousands of people and caused long-term health issues for many others.
Therefore,the correct option is $D$.

(C) secondary pollutant is not emitted directly into the atmosphere but forms when primary pollutants react in the atmosphere.
$PAN$ (Peroxyacetyl nitrate) is a classic example of a secondary pollutant formed by the photochemical reaction of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight.
$CO$,$CO_2$,and aerosols are generally considered primary pollutants as they are emitted directly from sources.

(A) Pollution-related diseases are caused by the presence of harmful substances in the environment.
$1$. Fluorosis is caused by excessive intake of fluoride in drinking water.
$2$. Pneumoconiosis and Silicosis are occupational lung diseases caused by the inhalation of dust particles (like silica) in industrial environments.
However,in the context of general environmental pollution,$Fluorosis$ is a classic example of a disease caused by water pollution.
$Leprosy$ is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium $Mycobacterium leprae$ and is not caused by environmental pollution.
Since both $Fluorosis$ and $Silicosis$ are pollution-related,$Fluorosis$ is often cited in environmental studies as a primary water pollution-related disease.

(B) The correct pair is $B$ (Kyoto Protocol - Climate change).
$1$. The Basel Convention is related to the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal.
$2$. 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 that human-made $CO_2$ emissions are driving it.
$3$. The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion.
$4$. The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.