Issues on Environment, Biodiversity & Climate Change (Part-IV)

Total Questions: 61

21. Consider the following statements: [2022-1]

1. "The Climate Group" is an international non-profit organization that drives climate action by building large networks and runs them.

2. The International Energy Agency in partnership with the Climate Group launched a global initiative "EP100".

3. EP100 brings together leading companies committed to driving innovation in energy efficiency and increasing competitiveness while delivering on emission reduction goals.

4. Some Indian companies are members of EP100.

5. The International Energy Agency is the Secretariat to the "Under2 Coalition".

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 1, 3 and 4 only
Solution:

• The Climate Group is a non – profit organisation that works with business and government leaders around the world to address climate change. The group has programmes focusing on renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• EP100 is a global initiative led by the international non – profit Climate Group, bringing together over 120 energy smart businesses committed to measuring and reporting on energy efficiency improvements. The Climate Group’s global EP100 initiative, delivered in partnership with the Alliance to Save Energy, brings together leading companies improving their energy productivity, using less energy to achieve higher economic output.
• Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., the world’s largest manufacturer of tractors, has signed up to EP100. The Indian–based company has committed to doubling their energy productivity by 2030, a core requirement for any business signing on to the campaign. Recently, Dalmia Cement and JSW Cement – two leading Indian cement companies – committed to the Climate Group’s flagship business initiatives RE100, EV100 and EP100. Dalmia Cement committed to EV100, while they are already members of RE100 and EP100. JSW Cement, committed to all the three campaigns in one go.
• It is the largest global network of state and regional governments committed to reducing emissions in line with the Paris Agreement.

22. "If rainforests and tropical forests are the lungs of the Earth, then surely wetlands function as its kidneys." Which one of the following functions of wetlands best reflects the above statement? [2022-1]

Correct Answer: (d) Aquatic plants absorb heavy metals and excess nutrients.
Solution:

Option (d) is correct: kidney produce urine by removing toxic waste products and excess water from the body. Similarly the aquatic plants in the wetland remove the heavy metal and other toxic substances.
Wetlands are important ecosystems that provide numerous beneficial services for people and for fish and wildlife. Some of these services, or functions, include:

• Fish Harvest: Wetlands are highly productive ecosystems that provide the world with nearly two-thirds of its fish harvest.
• Ecology of the Watershed: Wetlands play an integral role in the ecology of the watershed. The combination of shallow water, and high levels of nutrients is ideal for the development of organisms that form the base of the food web and feed many species of fish, amphibians, shellfish and insects.
• Global Cycles: Wetlands’ microbes, plants and wildlife are part of global cycles for water, nitrogen and sulphur. Wetlands store carbon within their plant communities and soil instead of releasing it to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.
• Natural Barriers: Wetlands function as natural barriers that trap and slowly release surface water, rain, snowmelt, groundwater and flood waters. Wetland vegetation also slows the speed of flood waters lowering flood heights and reduces soil erosion.
• Biodiversity: Wetlands are critical to human and planet life. More than one billion people depend on them for a living and 40% of the world’s species live and breed in wetlands. Wetlands provide habitat for animals and plants and many contain a wide diversity of life, supporting plants and animals that are found nowhere else.
• Source of Resources: Wetlands are a vital source for food, raw materials, genetic resources for medicines, and hydropower.
• Transport, Tourism and Culture: Wetlands play an important role in transport, tourism and the cultural and spiritual well-being of people. Many wetlands are areas of natural beauty and promote tourism and many are important to Aboriginal people.
• Industry: Wetlands also provide important benefits for industry. For example, they form nurseries for fish and other freshwater and marine life and are critical to commercial and recreational fishing industries.

23. In the context of WHO Air Quality Guidelines, consider the following statements: [2022-1]

1. The 24-hour mean of PM, should not exceed 15 µg/m² and annual mean of PM, should not exceed 5µg/m³.

2. In a year, the highest levels of ozone pollution occur during the periods of inclement weather.

3. PM can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the bloodstream.

4. Excessive ozone in the air can trigger asthma.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 1 and 4 only
Solution:Statement 2 is not correct: Ozone levels are typically highest in presence of sunlight. Inclement weather means unpleasant weather with cold wind and rain. So, Ozone pollution will low during inclement weather. (c) and (d) eliminated. Statment 3 is not correct: Particular matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and not PM10) can can penetrate the human lung barrier and enter the blood system. So A is eliminated. Therefore by elimination the answer is (b).

24. With reference to polyethylene terephthalate, the use of which is so widespread in our daily lives, consider the following statements: [2022-1]

1. Its fibres can be blended with wool and cotton fibres to reinforce their properties.

2. Containers made of it can be used to store any alcoholic beverage.

3. Bottles made of it can be recycled into other produets.

4. Articles made of it can be easily disposed of by incineration without causing greenhouse gas emissions.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 3
Solution:

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the predominant polyester used for fibre production. They are often used in durable-press blends with other fibres such as rayon, wool, and cotton, reinforcing the inherent properties of those fibres while contributing to the ability of the fabric to recover from wrinkling.

Features of PET
• Particularly for highly concentrated spirits in small PET bottles and high storage temperatures the water permeation is unfavourable. In fact, the leaching effects of plastic and plastic chemical substances (such as ethylene glycol) have the tendency to leach considerably into alcohol stored if the temperature goes up during storage.
• PET bottles can be recycled back into bottles, fibres, film, thermoformed packaging and strapping.
• The burning of plastics releases toxic gases like dioxins, furans, mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (better known as BCPs) into the atmosphere, and poses a threat to vegetation, and human and animal health.
• High strength: PET is a very strong material, with a tensile strength of up to 70 MPa. This makes it ideal for applications where strength and durability are required, such as food and beverage packaging.
• Lightweight: PET is a lightweight material, with a density of only 1.38 g/cm³. This makes it an attractive material for packaging applications, as it can help to reduce transportation costs.
• Good chemical resistance: PET has good resistance to a wide range of chemicals, including acids, bases, and solvents. This makes it suitable for packaging a variety of products, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products.
• Good barrier properties: PET has good barrier properties against gases and liquids, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water. This makes it ideal for packaging products that need to be protected from spoilage

25. Which of the following is not a bird? [2022-1]

Correct Answer: (a) Golden Mahseer
Solution:

• Mahseer roughly translates as mahi fish and sher tiger; it is also referred as tiger among fish. It is a large cyprinid and known to be the toughest among the fresh water sport fish. Golden Mahseer lives in fast-moving waters, inhabiting hill streams with a rocky and stony substrate. They can be found in temperatures between 5°C and 25°C. The Golden Mahseer inhabits the Himalayan foothills, the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra basins and can also be found down south in the Balamore, Cauvery, Tambraparni, and Kosi Rivers.
• The Indian nightjar species are nocturnal birds with long pointed wings and short legs.
• Spoonbill is any member of six species of long-legged wading birds that constitute the subfamily Plataleinae of the family Threskiornithidae (order Ciconiiformes), which also includes the ibises. Spoonbills are found in estuaries, saltwater bayous, and lakes.
• White ibises are large wading birds with football-shaped bodies. They are found in freshwater marshes, coastal estuaries, mangroves, flooded pastures, mudflats, and swamps.

26. Which of the following are nitrogen-fixing plants? [2022-1]

1. Alfalfa

2. Amaranth

3. Chickpea

4. Clover

5. Purslane (Kulfa)

6. Spinach

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: (a) 1, 3 and 4 only
Solution:Option (a) is correct: Rhizobium is rod-shaped nitrogen-fixing bacteria live symbiotically within the roots of several leguminous plants such as alfalfa, sweet clover, sweet pea, lentils etc. The amaranth plant is a grain and green crop plant, because it is not a pulse crop so do not nitrogen fixing mechanism. Spinach is a leaf plant, it consumes nitrogen, it doesn't fix nitrogen. So #6 is wrong. Therefore by elimination the answer is (a).

27. "Biorock technology" is talked about in which one of the following situations? [2022-1]

Correct Answer: (a) Restoration of damaged coral reefs
Solution:

Option A is correct: Biorocks are sunken steel frames connected to a low voltage current to help in the regrowth of broken fragments of live coral.
• Biorock technology works by passing a low-voltage electrical current through seawater. This current causes the seawater to become slightly alkaline, which promotes the precipitation of calcium carbonate onto the steel structures. The calcium carbonate is deposited in a thin layer, which gradually builds up over time to form a thick, hard coating.
• Biorock technology has a number of advantages over traditional coastal protection methods. Biorock structures are stronger and more durable than concrete structures, and they are also more resistant to erosion and corrosion. Biorock structures are also self-repairing, as the calcium carbonate coating is constantly being replenished.
• Biorock technology is also beneficial for the marine environment. Biorock structures provide habitat for a wide variety of marine life, including fish, corals, and invertebrates.
• Biorock reefs can also help to improve water quality by filtering pollutants out of the water.
• Coastal protection: Biorock structures are being used to protect shorelines from erosion and storm damage.
• Reef restoration: Biorock structures are being used to restore damaged coral reefs.
• Aquaculture: Biorock structures are being used to create artificial reefs for aquaculture purposes.
• Marine habitat restoration: Biorock structures are being used to create artificial habitats for marine life.

28. The "Miyawaki method" is well known for the: [2022-1]

Correct Answer: (c) Creation of mini forests in urban areas
Solution:

About Miyawaki Technique:
• It was developed by renowned Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki in the 1970s.
• It is a revolutionary method for creating dense forests in limited spaces.
• It is often referred to as the ‘pot plantation method’. It involves planting trees and shrubs close to one another to accelerate their growth. Plants grow 10 times faster with this technique, making it a practical solution for urban areas.
• This method mimics natural forests by using a mix of native species planted densely.
Miyawaki Technique Advantages:
• It improves soil quality, enhances biodiversity, and accelerates forest development.
• Trees planted using the Miyawaki technique absorb more carbon, grow faster, and support richer biodiversity compared to traditional forests.
• In urban settings, this technique has transformed polluted, barren lands into green ecosystems.
• It has successfully managed industrial waste, reduced dust and foul odours, and curbed air and water pollution.
• Additionally, it prevents soil erosion and promotes ecological balance, making it an effective tool for environmental restoration.

29. Among the following crops, which one is the most important anthropogenic source of both methane and nitrous oxide? [2022-1]

Correct Answer: (b) Rice
Solution:Option (b) is correct: Rice cultivation is one of important source of GHGs, namely methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (Ν₂Ο).
Methane:
• Agriculture: Rice cultivation, livestock production, and manure management are all major sources of methane emissions from agriculture.
• Energy: Methane is released during the production, transportation, and storage of fossil fuels.
• Waste management: Methane is produced when organic waste decomposes in landfills.
• Biomass burning: Burning forests, grasslands, and other biomass also releases methane into the atmosphere.
Nitrous oxide:
• Agriculture: The use of nitrogen fertilizers and manure on agricultural land is the largest source of nitrous oxide emissions.
• Industry: Nitrous oxide is also emitted from certain industrial processes, such as the production of nitric acid and adipic acid.
• Energy: Nitrous oxide is released from the combustion of fossil fuels, especially in power plants and vehicles.

30. "System of Rice Intensification" of cultivation, in which alternate wetting and drying of rice fields is practised, results in: [2022-1]

1. Reduced seed requirement

2. Reduced methane production

3. Reduced electricity consumption

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Solution:In SRI paddy cultivation, less quantity of seeds needed than in coventional cultivation. #1 is right. SRI uses mostly organic fertilization so methane emissions are greatly reduced.

#2 is right. SRI Paddy Cultivation requires less water. So, less electricity consumption in irrigation pumpset. #3 is right.