Environment chapter practice
Practise 80+ Environmental Pollution MCQs for UPSC Prelims in Environment, including 36+ previous year questions. The sample set below is shown with correct answers and explanations.
12 sample questions are shown here; sign up free to practise all 80.
Consider the following: 1. Cigarette butts 2. Eyeglass lenses 3. Car tyres How many of them contain plastic?
Explanation
Correct. Cigarette butts contain cellulose acetate (a plastic), eyeglass lenses are made of polycarbonate or CR-39 plastic, and car tyres contain synthetic rubber polymers which are classified as plastic.
Consider the following statements: Statement I: Activated carbon is a good and attractive tool to remove pollutants from effluent streams and to remediate contaminants from various industries. Statement II: Activated carbon exhibits a large surface area and a strong potential for adsorbing heavy metals. Statement III: Activated carbon can be easily synthesized from environmental wastes with high carbon content. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Explanation
Correct. Activated carbon's large surface area (Statement II) enables it to adsorb pollutants effectively, and its easy synthesis from waste biomass (Statement III) makes it an attractive remediation tool. Both explain Statement I.
Artificial way of causing rainfall to reduce air pollution makes use of which of the following?
Explanation
Correct. Cloud seeding uses silver iodide and potassium iodide as nucleating agents to induce artificial rainfall, which helps wash out particulate pollutants from the atmosphere.
With reference to Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are used in making many consumer products, consider the following statements: 1. PFAS are man-made chemicals that are not found naturally in the environment. 2. PFAS are called 'forever chemicals' because they do not degrade in the environment. 3. PFAS can accumulate in the human body over time. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
Correct. PFAS are synthetic (Statement 1), are called 'forever chemicals' because they persist without degrading (Statement 2), and bioaccumulate in the human body (Statement 3).
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which one of the following is the largest source of sulphur dioxide emissions?
Explanation
Correct. The EPA identifies fossil fuel combustion at power plants, especially coal-fired plants, as the largest source of SO2 emissions due to the sulphur content in coal.
'Membrane Bioreactors' are often discussed in the context of:
Explanation
Correct. Membrane bioreactors combine biological degradation of organic matter with membrane filtration to treat wastewater, producing high-quality effluent suitable for reuse.
With reference to the role of biofilters in Recirculating Aquaculture System, consider the following statements: 1. Biofilters provide a medium for nitrifying bacteria that convert ammonia to nitrate. 2. Biofilters increase the dissolved oxygen content in water. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Correct. Biofilters host nitrifying bacteria (Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter) that convert toxic ammonia to less toxic nitrate (Statement 1), and the trickling of water through the filter media also helps increase dissolved oxygen (Statement 2).
Consider the following statements regarding mercury pollution: 1. TheMinamata Convention)__ on Mercury is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury. 2. Mercury is released into the environment primarily through volcanic eruptions and weathering of rocks only. 3. Artisanal and small-scale gold mining is the largest source of anthropogenic mercury emissions globally. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Correct. The Minamata Convention is indeed a global mercury treaty (Statement 1), and artisanal gold mining is the largest anthropogenic mercury source (Statement 3). Statement 2 is wrong because it excludes major anthropogenic sources.
Consider the following: 1. Aerosols 2. Foam agents 3. Fire retardants 4. Lubricants In thecontext of ozonedepletion, which of the above can beCFC-containingproducts?
Explanation
Correct. CFCs have been used as aerosol propellants, foam-blowing agents, fire retardants (Halons are related), and as lubricant solvents in industrial applications.
In the context of WHO Air Quality Guidelines, consider the following statements: 1. Theupdated WHO guidelinestighten the recommended limits for all the classical pollutants. 2. Particulate Matter (PM2.5) WHO guideline annual mean has beenreviseddownward from 10 µg/m³ to 5 µg/m³. 3. WHO Air Quality Guidelines arelegally binding on all member nations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Correct. The 2021 WHO guidelines tightened limits for all classical pollutants (Statement 1) and reduced the PM2.5 annual mean from 10 to 5 µg/m³ (Statement 2). They are not legally binding (Statement 3 is wrong).
'R2 Code of Practices' constitutes a tool available for promoting the adoption of:
Explanation
Correct. R2 (Responsible Recycling) is a certification standard for electronics recyclers, promoting environmentally sound management of e-waste through responsible recycling practices.
Why is there a concern about copper smelting plants? 1. They may releasesulphur dioxide as a pollutant. 2.They may releasearsenic as a pollutant. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Correct. Copper smelting releases SO2 from the sulphide ores being processed (Statement 1) and arsenic because it is a common impurity in copper ores (Statement 2).
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