Pollution (Part-III)

Total Questions: 43

31. There is some concerns regarding the nanoparticles of some chemical elements that are used by the industry in the manufacture of various products. Why? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2014]

1. They can accumulate in the environment, and contaminate water and soil.

2. They can enter food chains.

3. They can trigger the production of free radicals.

Select the correct answer using codes given below:

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

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution:Nanoparticles pollute water, soil and air. After being received by bacteria, the whole food chain can get affected. Nano- particles of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide produce free radicals. Hence, statements (1), (2) and (3) are correct.

32. Which of the following is a biodegradable pollutant? [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2010]

(a) Asbestos
(b) DDT
(c) Plastic
(d) Sewage

Correct Answer: (d) Sewage

Solution:Sewage is a biodegradable pollutant. Rest are nonbio- degradable substances.

33. Which was the seasonal factor responsible for the intense cold in northern India in January, 2012? [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Spl) (Mains) 2010]

(a) Deforestation
(b) Atmospheric pollution
(c) La Nina
(d) El Nino

Correct Answer: (c) La Nina

Solution:La Nina is characterized by unusually cold oceanic temperature in the Equatorial Pacific. Due to La Nina Wind, January 2012 witnessed intense cold in Northern India.

34. Which of the following is used as an adulterant of a mustard seed? [U.P.U.D.A/L.D.A. (Spl) (Pre) 2010]

(a) Argimon seed
(b) Papaya seed
(c) Cumin seed
(d) Coriander seed

Correct Answer: (a) Argimon seed

Solution:Argimon seed is usually mixed with mustard seed as an adulterant. It is a form of poppy found in Mexico. Mixing of this in mustard oil could yield an epidemic called dropsy.

35. Incinerators are used for which of the following? [U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]

(a) Burning wastes
(b) Putting wastes into them
(c) For cutting green trees
(d) For making fertilizers

Correct Answer: (a) Burning wastes

Solution:Incineration is a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of organic substances contained in waste materials. Incinerators are used in this process.

36. In the context of which one of the following are the terms 'pyrolysis and plasma gasification' mentioned? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2019]

(a) Extraction of rare earth elements
(b) Natural gas extraction technologies
(c) Hydrogen fuel-based automobiles
(d) Waste-to-energy technologies

Correct Answer: (d) Waste-to-energy technologies

Solution:Like incineration, plasma pyrolysis and gasification technologies are thermal processes that use high temperatures to break down waste. Plasma gasification system facilitates safe disposal of all type of organic wastes. The inorganic materials like glass, metals can also be minimized to slag. In plasma pyrolysis the most likely compounds which are produced include carbonaceous matter, methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and water molecules. The product gases recovered has calorific and commercial values. These gases can be used as a heat source or as fuel. NITI Ayog in his three-year Action Agenda (2017-2020), has also assessed the benefit-cost ratio of thermal pyrolysis and plasma gasification as waste-to-energy technologies.

37. Consider the following : [I.A.S. (Pre) 2011]

1. Carbon dioxide

2. Oxides of Nitrogen

3. Oxides of Sulphur

Which of the given above is/are the emission/emissions from coal combustion at thermal power plants ?

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

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution:Pollution from coal combustion thermal power plants is caused by the emission of gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide into the air. Hence (d) is the correct answer.

38. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer from the codes given below the lists: [U.P.B.E.O. (Pre) 2019]

List-I (Phenomenon)	List-II (Compounds)
A. Acid Rain	1. Chlorofluoro Carbon
B. Photochemical Smog	2. Carbon Monoxide
C. Combination with Haemoglobin	3. Sulphur dioxide
D. Depletion of Ozone Layer	4. Unsaturated Hydrocarbons

Codes:

Option	A	B	C	D
(a)	1	2	3	4
(b)	3	2	4	1
(c)	3	4	2	1
(d)	1	3	2	4

Correct Answer: (c)

Solution:The correctly matched list is as follows:

Phenomenon	Compounds
Acid Rain	Sulphur dioxide
Photochemical Smog	Unsaturated Hydrocarbons
Combination with Haemoglobin	Carbon Monoxide
Depletion of Ozone Layer	Chlorofluoro Carbon

39. In India, 'extended producer responsibility' was introduced as an important feature in which of the following? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2019]

(a) The Bio-medical Waste (Management and handling) Rules, 1998
(b) The recycled Plastic (Manufacturing and Usage) Rules. 1999
(c) The e-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011
(d) The Food Safety and Standard Regulations, 2011

Correct Answer: (c) The e-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011

Solution:Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) means the responsibility of a producer for the environmentally sound management of the product (plastic packaging) until the end of its life.

India had first introduced EPR in 2011 under the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 and E-Waste Management and Handling Rules, 2011.

40. 'R2 Code of Practices' constitutes a tool available for promoting the adoption of- [I.A.S (Pre) 2021]

(a) Environmentally responsible practices in electronics recycling industry.
(b) Ecological management of 'Wetlands of International Importance' under the Ramsar Convention.
(c) Sustainable practices in the cultivation of agricultural crops in degraded lands.
(d) Environmental Impact Assessment' in the exploitation of natural resources.

Correct Answer: (a) Environmentally responsible practices in electronics recycling industry.

Solution:R2 Code of Practices refers to set of activities that needs to be done by an Electronics Company related to Recycling. Once the company follows all the required steps under R2 Practices, the Company becomes R2 Certified.

An electronics recycling company that is R2 certified in accordance with this Code of Practices will benefit by achieving higher profit margins and additional market share through improvements in its operating systems and processes, and the status bestowed by certification.

Thus, environmentally responsible practices in the electronics recycling industry are compiled under R2 Code of Practices.

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