Pollution (Part-II)

Total Questions: 50

31. Which Indian River is called 'biological desert'? [U.P.P.S.C. (R.L) 2014]

(a) Noyale
(b) Damodar
(c) Bhiwani
(d) Bhadar

Correct Answer: (b) Damodar

Solution:Damodar, considered as 'Sorrow of Bengal' due to its devastating floods, has now become the sorrow of both Jharkhand and Bengal owing to excessive pollution. The enormous quantity of pollutants coming out from the mines, industries, cities and agricultural fields have so much degraded the quality of river that it has virtually become a biological desert.

32. Concerning bio-toilets used by the Indian Railways, consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2015]

1. The decomposition of human waste in their toilets is initiated by fungal inoculum.

2. Ammonia and water vapour are the only end products in this decomposition which are released into the atmosphere.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct :

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

Correct Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution:Bio-toilets, which have been developed by the railways and the Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO) has a colony of anaerobic bacteria that converts human waste into water and a few gases. The gases are released into the atmosphere and the water is discharged after the chlorination on the tracks. Hence both of the statements are not correct.

33. Which of the following rivers of Uttar Pradesh has been declared a 'Biological Disaster' due to environmental pollution? [(U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]

(a) Yamuna
(b) Gomati
(c) Sai
(d) Tamsa

Correct Answer: (b) Gomati

Solution:Gomti River has become the most polluted river in Uttar Pradesh

Monitoring by the state authorities shows that the water is unfit for even bathing and this has been common knowledge since 2010. The extent of pollution is destroying the river's biodiversity.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has declared the Lucknow-jaunpur stretch of the river among the most polluted river stretches in the country.

The main contributors to polluting the Gomti are sewage and industrial effluents. And the most serious problem is that the ecological flow of the river has reduced drastically over the years.

34. Which of the following can be found as pollutants in the drinking water in some parts of India? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2013]

1. Arsenic

2. Sorbitol

3. Fluoride

4. Formaldehyde

5. Uranium

Select the correct answer using codes given below:

(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2, 4 and 5
(c) 1, 3 and 5
(d) All of these

Correct Answer: (c) 1, 3 and 5

Solution:Water pollution is a major environmental issue in India. The largest source of water pollution in India is untreated sewage. The groundwater contains arsenic, fluoride and uranium consumed by nearly 85% of the population. A substantial quantity of Uranium had been found in the tested sample of groundwater in Punjab. Over-exploitationof groundwater from irrigation further exacerbates uranium mobilisation. It is likely to be one of the reasons for Uranium and other geogenic contaminants, including arsenic and fluoride. Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

35. "Knock-Knee Syndrome" is caused by the pollution of : [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016, M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

(a) Mercury
(b) Lead
(c) Arsenic
(d) Fluoride

Correct Answer: (d) Fluoride

Solution:When fluoride level exceeds 0.5 ppm over a period of 5-10 years it may result in fluorosis. It has an affinity for calcium and gets accumulated in bones resulting in pain in bones and joints and outward bending of legs from the knees known as Knock-Knee Syndrome.

36. Which mega city of India generates the largest solid waste per capita annually? [U.P.P.C.S (Pre) 2010]

(a) Bangalore
(b) Chennai
(c) Delhi
(d) Mumbai

Correct Answer: (c) Delhi

Solution:According to the latest data of CPCB (Central Polluation Control Board) Mumbai is the largest producer of solid waste. While during the 2009-10 Delhi was the largest producer of solid waste.

37. As per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in India, which one of the following statements is correct? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2019]

(a) Waste generator has to segregate waste into five categories.
(b) The Rules are applicable to notified urban local bodies, notified towns and all industrial townships only.
(c) The Rules provide for exact and elaborate criteria for the identification of sites for landfills and waste processing facilities.
(d) It is mandatory on the part of waste generator that the waste generated in one district cannot be moved to another district.

Correct Answer: (c) The Rules provide for exact and elaborate criteria for the identification of sites for landfills and waste processing facilities.

Solution:Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in India provide for exact and elaborate criteria for the identification of sites for landfills and waste processing facilities. Hence, option (c) is correct answer.

38. There is a concern over the increase in harmful algal blooms in the sea-waters of India. What could be the causative factors for this phenomenon? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2011]

1. Discharge of nutrients from the estuaries.

2. Run-off from the land during the monsoon.

3. Upwelling in the seas.

Select the correct answer using codes given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution:Harmful algal blooms, lethal for a human being and marine ecosystems alike, are steadily increasing in intensity in Indian waters. Upwelling, the formation of mud banks, nutrient discharges from estuaries and run-off from land during the south-west and north-east monsoons cause some algae blooms in coastal waters. Hence (d) is the correct answer.

39. The headquarter of International Maritime Organization is located in: [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]

(a) London
(b) Geneva
(c) Paris
(d) Rome

Correct Answer: (a) London

Solution:In 1948 an international conference in Geneva adopted a convention formally establishing IMO (The Original name was the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organiztion or IMCO, but the name was changed in 1982 to IMO). International Maritime Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It is global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is universally adopted and implemented. Its headquarters is in London.

40. The Union Cabinet has approved MoU between India and SACEP for cooperation on oil and chemical pollution in the South Asian seas region. What does SACEP stand for? [63rd B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2017]

(a) South Asia Compatibility Environment Programme
(b) South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme be
(c) South Asia Connectivity Environment Programme
(d) South Asia Coercive Environment Programme
(e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Correct Answer: (b) South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme be

Solution:On 28th March 2018, the Union Cabinet has approved MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) between India and SACEP for cooperation on Oil and Chemical Pollution in the South Asian Seas Region. Here SACEP stands for 'South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme'.

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