Pollution

Total Questions: 50

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

(a) Xenobiotics
(b) Antibiotics
(c) Humalins
(d) Anthropogenic

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]

(a) Natural environment
(b) Anthropogenic environment
(c) Urban environment
(d) Modern environment

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

(a) Plastic
(b) Polythene
(c) Mercury
(d) Rubber

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.

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

(b) Pesticide
(a) Faecal matter
(c) Urine
(d) Domestic waste

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]

(a) Water pollution
(b) Land pollution
(c) Air pollution
(d) Noise pollution

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.

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?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

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 mercu- ry pollution. Mercury is a highly toxic element; there is no known safe level of exposure. People are mainly exposed to methylmercury, an organic compound, when they eat fish and shellfish that contain the compound.Mercury is consid- ered 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., methylmercury, 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]

(a) Hydrocarbons
(b) Nitrogen Oxides
(c) Ozone
(d) Methane

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]

(a) NO₂, O, and peroxyacetyl nitrate in the presence of sunlight
(b) CO, O, and peroxyacetyl nitrate in the presence of sunlight
(c) CO, CO, and NO, at low temperature
(d) High concentration of NO, O, and CO in the evening

Correct Answer: (a) NO₂, O, 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.

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