Pollution (Part-II)

11. Acid rain occurs due to- [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2001]

(a) Acid vapour reaching the clouds.
(b) Reaction between rainwater and carbon dioxide pollutants.
(c) Reaction between clouds and Sulphur dioxide pollutants.
(d) Reaction between water vapour and electric ions during lightening and cloud burst.

Correct Answer: (c) Reaction between clouds and Sulphur dioxide pollutants.

Solution:Acid rain is caused by the reaction of the cloud's water and sulphur dioxide. Acid rain reduces pH value of soil. It also impacts micro-organism as their growth is dependent on pH value. Acid rain also increases the corrosion rate of metals in particular iron, steel, copper and bronze. These enter in the drinking water and soil and thus affect the nervous system.

12. Which of the following, when dissolved in rainwater turns rainwater acidic (acid rain)- [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1997]

(a) Oxide of Sulphur
(b) Oxide of boron
(c) Hydrochloric acid
(d) Nitric acid

Correct Answer: (a) Oxide of Sulphur

Solution:Acid rain is caused by the reaction of the cloud's water and sulphur dioxide. Acid rain reduces pH value of soil. It also impacts micro-organism as their growth is dependent on pH value. Acid rain also increases the corrosion rate of metals in particular iron, steel, copper and bronze. These enter in the drinking water and soil and thus affect the nervous system.

13. Acid rain is caused by- [47th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2005]

(a) Industries
(b) Petrol
(c) Burning coal
(d) Wood

Correct Answer: (a) Industries

Solution:While a small portion of Sulphur dioxide and Nitrogen oxide that cause acid rain is from natural resources such as volcanoes, most of it comes from the burning of fossil fuels. The major sources of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide in the atmosphere are - Burning of fossil fuels

Vehicles and heavy equipment
Manufacturing, oil refineries and other industries.

14. Which one of the following gases is responsible for causing acid rain in the atmosphere: [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2002, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2003]

(a) CFC
(b) CH
(c) O₃
(d) SO₂

Correct Answer: (d) SO₂

Solution:While a small portion of Sulphur dioxide and Nitrogen oxide that cause acid rain is from natural resources such as volcanoes, most of it comes from the burning of fossil fuels. The major sources of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide in the atmosphere are - Burning of fossil fuels

Vehicles and heavy equipment
Manufacturing, oil refineries and other industries.

15. Which of the following countries suffer from the acid rains? [U.P.P.C.S (Pre) 2011]

1. Canada

2. France

3. Norway

4. Germany

Select the correct answer from codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 3 and 4

Correct Answer: (b) 1 and 3

Solution:Among the countries given in the options, Canada and Norway suffer most from acid rain. Notably, Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emitted by factories in the U.K. and Germany affect Norway and Sweden through acid rain.

16. Which one of the following countries receive the most acid rain: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2000]

(a) China
(b) Japan
(c) Norway
(d) the USA

Correct Answer: (c) Norway

Solution:Norway receives most acid rain among the given options.

17. The non-biotic pollutant in underground water is: [U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 2012]

(a) Bacteria
(b) Algae
(c) Arsenic
(d) Viruses

Correct Answer: (c) Arsenic

Solution:Arsenic is a non-biotic pollutant of underground water. The introduction of Arsenic into drinking water can occur as a result of its natural geological presence in the local bedrock. Presence of Arsenic in groundwater is relatively high in areas adjoining banks of Ganga. Pesticides and insecticides also add to its presence in the ecosystem. According to WHO the amount of arsenic should be 0.01 mg/litre.

18. The highest chemical pollution is caused by the industrial effluents of: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2005]

(a) Leather industry
(b) Paper industry
(c) Rayon industry
(d) Textile industry

Correct Answer: (a) Leather industry

Solution:The highest chemical pollution caused by the industrial effluents is from the leather industry. The leather industry is mainly responsible for water and soil pollution.

19. Which one of the following is not related to air pollution? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013]

(a) Smog
(b) Acid Rain
(c) Eutrophication
(d) Asbestosis

Correct Answer: (c) Eutrophication

Solution:Eutrophication is a form of water pollution. It occurs when excessive fertilizers run into lakes and rivers. Eutrophication decreases water quality and reduces oxygen. Asbestoses is a disease caused by the presence of asbestos in the air for a long time. Rest are related to air pollution.

20. With reference to Eutrophication, which of the following statements is/are correct? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

1. It is a phenomenon of nutrient enrichment of a water body.

2. It depletes dissolved oxygen of the water.

Select the correct answer using codes given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Solution:Eutrophication is excessive richness of nutrients in a lake or other body of water, frequently due to run-off from the land, which causes a dense growth of plant life. This induces excessive growth of algae and this process depletes dissolved oxygen of the water. Eutrophication is often induced by the discharge of nitrate or phosphate-containing detergents, fertilizers, or sewage into an aquatic system.