Pollution

Total Questions: 50

1. Human-made pollutants are called. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2005]

Correct Answer: (d) Anthropogenic
Solution:Pollution occurs as a result of unexpected change in physical, chemical and biological characteristics of soil, water and air. It occurs due to the disproportionate accumulation of pollutants. Pollution caused by humans is called anthropogenic pollution. Anthropogenic pollution rises non-biodegradable pollutants which do not get decomposed by organic decomposers or are decomposed very slowly. Therefore, it is very difficult to reign in non-biodegradable pollutants caused by anthropogenic pollution.

2. The environment modified by human activities is called: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

Correct Answer: (b) Anthropogenic environment
Solution:The environment modified by human activities is called 'Anthropogenic environment'. Scientists use the word 'Anthropogenic' in referring to environmental change caused or influenced by people either directly or indirectly.

Natural environment: A natural environment is one that exists without significant human intervention. This includes natural landscapes like forests, deserts, oceans, and mountains. It also encompasses the natural ecosystems that exist within these landscapes.

Urban environment: While an urban environment is a type of anthropogenic environment, it's a more specific subset. An urban environment refers to a densely populated area with a high concentration of buildings, infrastructure, and human activity. Not all anthropogenic environments are urban. For example, a rural farm or an industrial park are also anthropogenic environments.

Modern environment: "Modern environment" is a broad term that can encompass various aspects of contemporary life. It's not as precise as the other options in defining a specific type of environment. "Modern environment" might include technological advancements, social changes, or global interconnectedness, in addition to the built environment.

3. Bio-degradable pollutant is: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014]

Correct Answer: (b) Sewage
Solution:Those pollutants which can be broken down into simpler, harmless substances in nature in the due course of time (by the action of micro-organisms like certain bacteria) are called bio-degradable pollutants. Domestic waste (garbage), urine, faecal matter, sewage, cattle dung, animal bones, etc. are biodegradable pollutants.

Plastic is a polymeric material that has the capability of being molded or shaped, usually by the application of heat and pressure. This property of plasticity, often found in combination with other special properties such as low density, low electrical conductivity, transparency, and toughness, allows plastics to be made into a great variety of products. These include tough and lightweight beverage bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), flexible garden hoses made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), insulating food containers made of foamed polystyrene, and shatterproof windows made of polymethyl methacrylate.

Asbestos is a mineral that readily separates into long, flexible fibers. Chrysotile is the fibrous form of the mineral serpentine and is the best-known type and accounts for about 95 percent of all asbestos in commercial use. It is a hydrous magnesium silicate with the chemical composition of Mg3Si205(OH)4. The other types all belong to the amphibole group of anthophyllite, amosite (grunerite), crocidolite (riebeckite), tremolite, and actinolite.

4. Which of the following is a biodegradable pollutant? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]

Correct Answer: (a) Sewage
Solution:Those pollutants which can be broken down into simpler, harmless substances in nature in due course of time (by the action of micro-organism like certain bacteria) are called biodegradable pollutants. Domestic wastes (garbage), urine, sewage, agriculture residues, cattle dung, animal bones, vegetable stuff are biodegradable pollutants. Hence, (a) is the correct answer.

Plastic is a polymeric material that has the capability of being molded or shaped, usually by the application of heat and pressure. This property of plasticity, often found in combination with other special properties such as low density, low electrical conductivity, transparency, and toughness, allows plastics to be made into a great variety of products. These include tough and lightweight beverage bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), flexible garden hoses made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), insulating food containers made of foamed polystyrene, and shatterproof windows made of polymethyl methacrylate.

Asbestos is a mineral that readily separates into long, flexible fibers. Chrysotile is the fibrous form of the mineral serpentine and is the best-known type and accounts for about 95 percent of all asbestos in commercial use. It is a hydrous magnesium silicate with the chemical composition of Mg3Si205(OH)4. The other types all belong to the amphibole group of anthophyllite, amosite (grunerite), crocidolite (riebeckite), tremolite, and actinolite.

5. Which one of the following is biodegradable? [U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2014]

Correct Answer: (d) Rubber
Solution:A substance capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organism and thereby avoiding pollution is called biodegradable. Among the given options, rubber is biodegradable.

Plastic is a polymeric material that has the capability of being molded or shaped, usually by the application of heat and pressure. This property of plasticity, often found in combination with other special properties such as low density, low electrical conductivity, transparency, and toughness, allows plastics to be made into a great variety of products. These include tough and lightweight beverage bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), flexible garden hoses made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), insulating food containers made of foamed polystyrene, and shatterproof windows made of polymethyl methacrylate.

Asbestos is a mineral that readily separates into long, flexible fibers. Chrysotile is the fibrous form of the mineral serpentine and is the best-known type and accounts for about 95 percent of all asbestos in commercial use. It is a hydrous magnesium silicate with the chemical composition of Mg3Si205(OH)4. The other types all belong to the amphibole group of anthophyllite, amosite (grunerite), crocidolite (riebeckite), tremolite, and actinolite.

6. Which of the following is not a biodegradable polluter? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

Correct Answer: (b) Pesticide
Solution:Biodegradable Pollutants is a form of garbage that other living species can decompose. It mainly comes from plant or animal sources. Example of faecal matter, Urine, Domestic waste. Non-biodegradable pollutants reactants meaning the can not be degrated or decomposed by any natural process. Example Pesticides, Plastice Metals etc.

7. The combustion of coal, petrol and diesel etc. is the basic source of- [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011]

Correct Answer: (c) Air pollution
Solution:Coal, petrol and diesel burn to produce oxides of carbon and nitrogen which are the main factor behind air pollution.

Water pollution: This refers to the contamination of water bodies like rivers, lakes, oceans, and groundwater with harmful substances. Water pollution can be caused by industrial waste, sewage, agricultural runoff, and plastic pollution.
Land pollution: This refers to the contamination or degradation of land due to the accumulation of harmful substances or improper land use. Land pollution can be caused by factors like industrial waste disposal, hazardous materials dumping, deforestation, and intensive agriculture.
Noise pollution: Noise pollution refers to excessive or unwanted noise that can disrupt the normal activities of living organisms. It can come from various sources, including traffic, machinery, construction, loud music, and even aircraft. Noise pollution can have negative impacts on human health, such as increased stress, sleep disturbances, and hearing loss.

8. Consider the following statements regarding mercury pollution: [I.A.S. (Pre), 2023]

1. Gold mining activity is a source of mercury pollution in the world.

2. Coal-based thermal power plants cause mercury pollution.

3. There is no known safe level of exposure to mercury.

How many of the above statements are correct?

Correct Answer: (c) All three
Solution:Mercury is a global pollutant. It negatively affects humans and ecosystems. Gold mining activity is a major source of mercury pollution in the world. Thus statement I is correct. Mercury is released in gaseous form when coal is burned. So it is true that Coal-based thermal power plants cause mercury pollution. Mercury is a highly toxic element; there is no known safe level of exposure. People are mainly exposed to methyl mercury, an organic compound, when they eat fish and shellfish that contain the compound.Mercury is considered by WHO as one of the top ten chemicals or groups of chemicals of major public health concern. Mercury exists in various forms: elemental (or metallic) and inorganic (to which people may be exposed through their occupation); and organic (e.g., methyl mercury, to which people may be exposed through their diet). These forms of mercury differ in their degree of toxicity and in their effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, and on lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes. Hence all the statements are correct.

9. Which of the following is produced during the formation of photochemical smog? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2003]

Correct Answer: (b) Nitrogen Oxides
Solution:Photochemical smog is a mixture of pollutants that are formed when Nitrogen Oxides and volatile organic compounds react to sunlight, creating a brown haze above cities. It tends to occur more often in summer because that is when we have the most sunlight. Photochemical smog is formed by oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and Ozone (O_{3}) The common components of photochemical smog are Ozone, Nitric Oxide, Acrolein, Formaldehyde and peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN)

10. Photochemical smog is a resultant of the reaction among. [I.A.S. (Pre) 2013]

Correct Answer: (a) NO₂, O₂ and peroxyacetyl nitrate in the presence of sunlight.
Solution:Photochemical smog is a mixture of pollutants that are formed when nitrogen oxides (NO₂), ozone (O,) and peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) reacts with sunlight, creating a brown haze above cities.

Photochemical smog is also known as "Los Angeles smog". Photochemical smog occurs most prominently in urban areas that have large numbers of automobiles (Nitrogen oxides are the primary emissions). Photochemical (summer smog) forms when pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (primary pollutant) and organic compounds (primary pollutants) react together in the presence of SUNLIGHT. A gas called OZONE (Secondary pollutant) is formed.

Nitrogen Dioxide + Sunlight + Hydrocarbons = Ozone (Ozone in stratosphere it is beneficial, but near the earth's surface it results in global warming as it is a greenhouse gas)
The resulting smog causes a light brownish coloration of the atmosphere, reduced visibility, plant damage, irritation of the eyes, and respiratory distress.