Mix Example-Environmental Issues Questions in English

(B) Energy resources can be classified based on their availability into two main categories:
$1$. Renewable resources: These are available in unlimited quantities and can be replenished naturally over a short period (e.g.,solar energy,wind energy,water energy).
$2$. Non-renewable resources: These are available in limited quantities and take millions of years to form,meaning they cannot be replaced once consumed (e.g.,fossil fuels,minerals,metals,coal,natural gas).
Therefore,minerals,metals,and fossil fuels are classified as non-renewable energy resources.

(B) In $1973$,the Chipko movement (Chipko means to hug or stick to) was launched by Chandi Prasad Bhatt and Sunder Lal Bahuguna against the large-scale felling of trees by timber contractors in the Uttarakhand hills.
The movement originated in the Chamoli district of the Garhwal region in Uttarakhand.
The primary objective of this movement was the protection and conservation of forests.

(A) Soil conservation refers to the management of soil to prevent its destruction or degradation.
Its primary objective is to protect the top fertile layer of soil from being carried away by natural agents like wind and water,a process known as soil erosion.
Therefore,soil conservation practices focus on minimizing erosion to maintain the land's productivity.

(C) Agrostological methods of soil conservation involve the use of grasses,such as $Cynodon$ $dactylon$,to act as erosion-resisting plants.
These grasses are typically grown in strips between agricultural crops.
This practice is commonly employed in arid and semi-arid regions,often associated with dry farming techniques,to help maintain soil moisture and prevent topsoil erosion.

(D) The mean annual temperature of the earth is approximately $15^{\circ} C$,not $25^{\circ} C$. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen. Sulphur dioxide causes respiratory issues. Nitrogen oxides contribute to the formation of photochemical smog,often referred to as brown air.

(D) Minerals and fossil fuels are classified as non-renewable (cannot be regenerated after being consumed) and exhaustible (present in limited quantities) resources.
Conversely,water,wildlife,soil fertility,and aquatic organisms are considered renewable resources because they can be replenished over time.

(B) The $5\; F's$ associated with the Chipko movement are:
$1.$ Fibres
$2.$ Food
$3.$ Fodder
$4.$ Fertilizer
$5.$ Fuel
Therefore,'Flood' is not one of the $5\; F's$ of the Chipko movement.

(A) According to the National Forest Policy of India,forests constitute approximately $19.4\;\%$ of the total land area of the country. This figure is often cited in the context of environmental conservation and the need for increasing forest cover.

(C) The National Environmental Engineering Research Institute $(NEERI)$ is a research institute created and funded by the Government of India. It is located in Nagpur,Maharashtra.

(A) The correct answer is $SL$ Bahuguna (Sundar Lal Bahuguna).
The Chipko Movement was initiated in the Garhwal Himalayas in $1974$ by Shri Sundar Lal Bahuguna to prevent the indiscriminate cutting down of trees.
Local women hugged the trees to prevent contractors from felling them,which is why it is known as the 'Chipko' (to hug) movement.

(A) $DDT$ (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) is a persistent organic pollutant.
It is highly lipo-soluble (fat-soluble) and non-biodegradable in nature.
Because it is fat-soluble,it is not excreted from the body but instead gets stored in the fatty tissues of organisms.
As it moves up the food chain,its concentration increases at each successive trophic level,a process known as biomagnification.

(D) Eutrophication is the natural or artificial enrichment of a water body with nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus,which leads to the excessive growth of planktonic algae.
The excessive growth of these planktonic algae is known as an algal bloom.
Since domestic sewage promotes both the process of nutrient enrichment (Eutrophication) and the resulting excessive growth of algae (Algal bloom),both phenomena are accelerated.
Therefore,the correct answer is $(D)$.

(D) Ecological sanitation (ecosan) is an ecologically compatible system for the disposal of human excreta using dry composting toilets.
$1$. It is a practical,hygienic,and efficient method of waste disposal because it does not require water and prevents the contamination of water sources.
$2$. It is cost-effective as it requires minimal infrastructure and maintenance.
$3$. Human excreta is converted into a valuable resource by being processed into natural fertilizer,which can replace chemical fertilizers,thereby promoting sustainable agriculture.
Therefore,all three statements are correct.

(D) Photochemical smog is a highly oxidizing polluted atmosphere comprising largely of nitrogen oxides $(NO_x)$,ozone $(O_3)$,$H_2O_2$,organic peroxides,$HNO_3$,and $PAN$ (peroxyacetyl nitrate).
Photochemical smog forms through a complex process when nitrogen oxides and Volatile Organic Compounds $(VOCs)$ react with sunlight to form secondary pollutants,such as ozone,$HNO_3$,and $PAN$,creating a brown haze above cities.

(B) Terrace farming,or terracing,is a method of farming that involves creating step-like structures on the slopes of hills or mountains. This technique is widely practiced in hilly areas to reduce soil erosion and surface runoff,allowing for better water retention and cultivation on steep terrain.

(A) Eutrophication is the process of nutrient enrichment in a water body,such as a lake,due to the influx of fertilizers,detergents,and agricultural runoff.
This process leads to excessive growth of algae and aquatic plants,which eventually die and decompose.
The decomposition process consumes large amounts of dissolved $O_{2}$,leading to oxygen depletion,which negatively impacts aquatic life.

(C) Biomagnification refers to the increase in the 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.
This phenomenon is well-known for mercury and $DDT$.

(D) World Environment Day is celebrated annually on $5^{th}$ $June$ to raise global awareness about the importance of protecting our environment and to encourage action for the protection of nature.

(D) - The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty that extends the $1992$ United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change $(UNFCCC)$.
- The primary goal of the protocol is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.
- It includes legally binding commitments for developed countries to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases,which are responsible for global warming by absorbing and re-emitting infrared radiation.
- Therefore,all the given options are correct as they describe the objectives and commitments associated with the Kyoto Protocol.

(B) Domestic sewage primarily consists of organic matter that is biodegradable. These organic wastes are broken down by microorganisms,which act as decomposers (such as bacteria and fungi). Therefore,$A$ refers to biodegradable wastes and $B$ refers to decomposers.

(A) Biochemical Oxygen Demand $(BOD)$ is defined as the amount of oxygen in milligrams required by microorganisms to metabolize the organic waste present in one liter of water over a period of five days at $20^{\circ}C$.
$BOD$ is directly proportional to the level of organic pollution in the water.
$1$. Distilled water $(III)$ has the least amount of organic matter,so its $BOD$ is the lowest.
$2$. Unpolluted pond water $(II)$ contains some natural organic matter,so its $BOD$ is higher than distilled water but lower than polluted water.
$3$. Highly polluted pond water $(I)$ contains a large amount of organic waste,requiring more oxygen for decomposition,thus having the highest $BOD$.
Therefore,the ascending order of $BOD$ value is $III \rightarrow II \rightarrow I$.

(A) Prolonged and continuous high-intensity noise not only causes partial hearing loss but may lead to permanent hearing loss. $A$ sudden loud noise,such as an explosion,can damage the tympanic membrane. Noise also causes sleeplessness,increased heart rate,and altered breathing patterns,thereby causing significant stress to humans.
Silicosis and asbestosis are common occupational lung diseases. These diseases are caused by chronic exposure to silica and asbestos dust,respectively,and are not related to noise pollution.

(D) Global warming refers to the gradual increase in the Earth's average temperature due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
$A$,$B$,and $C$ are effective strategies to mitigate global warming: reducing fossil fuel consumption lowers $CO_{2}$ emissions,increasing forest cover enhances the sequestration of $CO_{2}$ through photosynthesis,and minimizing nitrogen fertilizers reduces the release of nitrous oxide $(N_{2}O)$,a potent greenhouse gas.
Option $D$ is incorrect because air conditioners and refrigerators often use chlorofluorocarbons $(CFCs)$ or hydrofluorocarbons $(HFCs)$,which are potent greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming and ozone depletion. Additionally,plastic production is energy-intensive and often involves fossil fuel-based feedstocks,further contributing to the problem.

(C) Population explosion is the primary driver behind the rapid increase in urbanization,widespread deforestation,and rising levels of pollution. As the human population grows,the demand for land,resources,and infrastructure increases,leading to the destruction of natural habitats and environmental degradation.

(B) The correct answer is $B$.
Desertification is a form of land degradation where relatively dry land regions become increasingly arid,typically losing their water bodies,vegetation,and wildlife.
While factors like climate change play a role,human developmental activities—such as deforestation,overgrazing,and unsustainable agricultural practices—are recognized as the primary drivers of desertification in modern times.

(C) According to historical data on anthropogenic contributions to the greenhouse effect,the $USA$ is responsible for the largest portion of man-made greenhouse gas emissions $(21\%)$.
This is followed by Russia $(14\%)$,European countries $(14\%)$,India $(4\%)$,and the rest of the world $(36\%)$.

(A) $DDT$,$BHC$,$PCBs$,etc.,are non-biodegradable pollutants.
These substances are not degraded easily by biological processes and persist in the environment for a long time,leading to bioaccumulation and biomagnification.

(A) Electronic waste,or $E$-waste,consists of discarded electronic devices. The primary methods for disposing of $E$-waste include burying them in landfills or subjecting them to incineration. Therefore,the correct completion is $A-$landfills and $B-$incinerated.

(D) Ultraviolet $(UV)$ light is a form of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light but longer than $X-$rays.
It is classified as non-ionizing radiation.
$UV$ radiation is lethal because it has the ability to cause the inactivation of biological molecules,including proteins,pigments,and nucleic acids (such as $DNA$ and $RNA$),by damaging their chemical structures.

(D) Jhum cultivation,also known as slash and burn agriculture,is a traditional farming practice in the North-Eastern states of India.
In this process,farmers clear forest land by cutting down trees and burning the plant remains.
The resulting ash acts as a natural fertilizer for the soil,which is then used for crop cultivation or cattle grazing.
After the harvest,the land is left uncultivated for several years to allow the forest to regenerate and the soil to recover its fertility.
Therefore,all the statements $I, II, III,$ and $IV$ are correct.

(A) Acid rain is primarily caused by the atmospheric pollution of nitrogen oxides $(NO_x)$ and sulphur oxides $(SO_x)$.
Sulphur dioxide $(SO_2)$ reacts with atmospheric moisture to form sulphuric acid $(H_2SO_4)$.
This process is responsible for approximately $70\, \%$ of the acidity found in acid rain.

(D) The correct answer is $D$.
In $1731$,a Bishnoi woman,Amrita Devi,showed exemplary courage by hugging a tree to prevent its cutting.
The Government of India has instituted the Amrita Devi Bishnoi Wildlife Protection Award for individuals or communities from rural areas that have shown extraordinary courage and dedication in protecting wildlife.

(A) The pollution caused by pesticides,particularly organochlorines like $DDT$,interferes with the calcium metabolism in birds.
This disruption inhibits the enzyme carbonic anhydrase,which is essential for the deposition of calcium carbonate in the eggshell.
As a result,the eggshells become thin and fragile,leading to premature breakage and a decline in the bird population.

(D) Integrated organic farming is a cyclical,zero-waste procedure where waste products from one process are cycled in as nutrients for other processes. This allows the maximum utilisation of resources and increases the efficiency of production.
Ramesh Chandra Dagar,a farmer in Sonipat,Haryana,implements this system. He includes bee-keeping,dairy management,water harvesting,composting,and agriculture in a chain of processes that support each other,allowing for an extremely economical and sustainable venture.
There is no need to use chemical fertilisers for crops as cattle excreta (dung) is used as manure. Crop waste is used to create compost,which is used as a natural fertilizer. Furthermore,this compost or organic waste can be used to generate natural gas (biogas) to satisfy the energy needs of the farm. Thus,all four statements are correct.

(A) Statement $I$ is correct: Reforestation is defined as the process of restoring a forest cover over an area where one existed earlier but was removed at some point in the past.
Statement $II$ is correct: Reforestation can occur naturally in a deforested area if the land is left undisturbed,allowing native species to recolonize.
Statement $III$ is incorrect: The tree plantation movement,known as Van Mahotsava,has been carried out in India since $1950$,not $1982$. Under this movement,both government and private agencies perform tree plantation during July and February every year,as the soil has sufficient moisture to support plant growth during these periods.

(B) The National Forest Policy $(1988)$ of India has recommended $33\, \%$ forest cover for the plains and $67\, \%$ for the hills to maintain the best ecological balance.
This ensures the stability of the environment and prevents soil erosion and other ecological imbalances.

(D) Statement $I$ is correct: Eutrophication is the natural process of ageing of a water body by nutrient enrichment.
Statement $II$ is correct: Human activities like the discharge of sewage,agricultural runoff,and industrial waste accelerate this ageing process,which is known as cultural or accelerated eutrophication.
Statement $III$ is correct: The primary nutrients that promote excessive plant and algal growth in water bodies are nitrates and phosphates.
Statement $IV$ is correct: These nutrients lead to algal blooms,which consume dissolved oxygen during decomposition and respiration,leading to the death of fish and other aquatic organisms due to deoxygenation.
Therefore,all statements $I, II, III,$ and $IV$ are correct.

(B) Statement $I$ is correct: $UV$ rays cause the dissociation of molecular oxygen into atomic oxygen,which then reacts with molecular oxygen to form ozone $(O_3)$. Conversely,$UV$ rays also break down ozone back into oxygen.
Statement $II$ is incorrect: Ozone is present in the stratosphere,not the ionosphere,where it acts as a shield to absorb harmful $UV$ radiation.
Statement $III$ is correct: Approximately one-fourth of incoming solar radiation is reflected by clouds and gases,and about half reaches the earth's surface to heat it,with a small portion being reflected back.
Therefore,statements $I$ and $III$ are correct.

(D) $I.$ Arsenic poisoning causes Black foot disease. (Correct)
$II.$ Secondary treatment of sewage is a biological process involving aerobic microbes. (Correct)
$III.$ Pyrolysis is a method of solid waste disposal involving thermal decomposition in the absence of oxygen. (Correct)
$IV.$ Tubifex worms are indicators of organic water pollution. (Correct)
$V.$ Biomagnification involves non-degradable pollutants (like $DDT$),not degradable ones. (Incorrect)
Therefore,statements $I, II, III,$ and $IV$ are correctly matched.

(A) Polyblend is a fine powder of recycled modified plastic.
It is mixed with bitumen to lay roads.
This technique was successfully implemented in Bengaluru by Ahmed Khan to enhance the water-repellent properties of bitumen and increase the life of the roads.

(C) Biomagnification is defined as the increase in the concentration of toxic substances at successive trophic levels.
Statement $I$ is correct: Persistent pollutants like heavy metals and pesticides accumulate in fatty tissues and increase in concentration as they move up the food chain.
Statement $II$ is incorrect: The thinning of eggshells in birds is caused by the accumulation of $DDT$,not zinc. $DDT$ interferes with calcium metabolism,leading to thinner shells.
Statement $III$ is correct: $DDT$ accumulation leads to the thinning of eggshells,which causes premature breaking and death of embryos in fish-eating birds.
Statement $IV$ is incorrect: Biomagnification occurs in all aquatic food chains,including both freshwater and marine ecosystems.
Therefore,statements $II$ and $IV$ are not correct.

(A) Chernobyl and Three Mile Island were nuclear power plant accidents. The Love Canal was a massive chemical waste contamination site. The Bhopal disaster was a gas leak from a pesticide plant. All of these are classified as major industrial or technological disasters caused by human error or negligence,rather than natural phenomena or global warming.

(B) An ecologically compatible system for the disposal of human excreta is the use of dry composting toilets,known as Ecosan toilets.
These toilets require no water.
Human excreta is converted into a valuable resource as it forms natural fertilizer.
Ecosan toilets are already operational in many parts of Kerala and Sri Lanka.
Therefore,among the given options,Delhi is the location where these are not typically found or implemented as a standard practice.

(B) According to the data regarding the $41$ most polluted cities in the world,Delhi was ranked as the $4^{th}$ most polluted city.

(A) The correct matches are as follows:
$(a)$. Environmental Protection Act was enacted in $1986$.
$(b)$. Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in $1981$.
$(c)$. Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in $1974$.
$(d)$. Montreal Protocol was signed in $1987$.
$(e)$. National Forest Policy was implemented in $1988$.
Therefore, the correct sequence is $a(v), b(iii), c(iv), d(ii), e(i)$.

(D) Ramesh Chandra Dagar,a farmer from Sonipat,Haryana,successfully integrated various agricultural practices to promote organic farming. His model includes dairy management,bee-keeping,water harvesting,composting,and electricity generation from waste. Therefore,all the mentioned options are part of his integrated organic farming approach.

(A) Ecosanitation is a sustainable system for handling human excreta using dry composting toilets. This method is practical,hygienic,and cost-effective,as it recycles human waste into natural fertilizer,thereby reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and preventing water contamination.

(B) Polyblend is a fine powder of modified plastic. It is created by recycling plastic waste. This mixture is then mixed with bitumen to lay roads,which enhances the water-repellent properties of the road and increases its life. Therefore,the raw material for making polyblend is plastic waste.

(A) Ramesh Chandra Dagar is a farmer in Sonipat,Haryana,who successfully implemented the concept of integrated organic farming.
This approach includes a chain of processes such as dairy management,water harvesting,composting,and bee-keeping,which are mutually supportive and create an economically and ecologically sustainable system.
Ahmed Khan is known for his work on the use of plastic waste in road construction.
Panduranga Hegde is associated with the Appiko movement for forest conservation.
Amrita Devi is known for her sacrifice in the protection of Khejri trees in Rajasthan.

(C) According to scientific data and the $NCERT$ textbook,the global mean temperature of the Earth has increased by $0.6^{\circ}C$ during the past century,primarily due to the increase in greenhouse gases.