1. What is the current IUCN conservation status of Emperor Penguin and Antarctic Fur Seal?
[A] Endangered
[B] Critically Endangered
[C] Vulnerable
[D] Least Concern
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Endangered]
Notes:
International Union for Conservation of Nature has upgraded the Emperor Penguin and Antarctic Fur Seal to the Endangered category due to climate change impacts. Climate change in Antarctica is causing sea-ice loss, threatening emperor penguins that depend on stable “fast ice” for breeding and moulting. Emperor penguin populations have declined significantly, with projections indicating up to 50% reduction by the 2080s. Antarctic fur seal populations have dropped by over 50% since 1999 due to reduced food availability as krill shifts deeper warming oceans.
2. The formation of ozone hole in the Antarctic region has been a cause of concern. What could be the reason for the formation of this hole? (UPSC Prelims 2011)
[A] Presence of prominent tropospheric turbulence and inflow of chlorofluorocarbons
[B] Presence of prominent polar front and stratospheric clouds; and inflow of chlorofluorocarbons
[C] Absence of polar front and stratospheric clouds; and inflow of methane and chlorofluorocarbons
[D] Increased temperature at polar region due to global warming
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Presence of prominent polar front and stratospheric clouds; and inflow of chlorofluorocarbons]
Notes:The correct answer is
[B] Presence of prominent polar front and stratospheric clouds; and inflow of chlorofluorocarbons.While Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are present globally, the “hole” specifically forms over Antarctica because of unique atmospheric and meteorological conditions that occur during the southern winter and spring.Why the Antarctic Region?The formation of the ozone hole requires a very specific “chemical kitchen” that only exists in the Antarctic stratosphere:
- The Polar Vortex (Polar Front): During the winter, a strong, circling wind called the “polar vortex” develops over Antarctica. This acts as a barrier, trapping very cold air inside and preventing warmer, ozone-rich air from the tropics from mixing in.
- Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs): The air inside the vortex becomes so cold (below -78°C) that clouds form even in the very dry stratosphere. These are called Polar Stratospheric Clouds.
- The Role of CFCs: These clouds provide a solid surface for chemical reactions. Inactive chlorine compounds (from CFCs) land on these cloud particles and react to become highly reactive chlorine gas.
- Springtime Sunlight: When the sun returns in the spring (September/October), the UV radiation breaks that chlorine gas into free chlorine atoms. A single chlorine atom can destroy thousands of ozone molecules in a rapid chain reaction.
Other Options
- Option [A]: Tropospheric turbulence happens in the lower layer of the atmosphere (the troposphere), whereas the ozone layer is in the stratosphere.
- Option [C]: It is the presence of the polar front and PSCs, not their absence, that creates the conditions for ozone depletion. Also, while methane is a greenhouse gas, it is not the primary driver of the Antarctic ozone hole.
- Option [D]: This is a common misconception. Global warming actually leads to a cooling of the stratosphere (even as the surface warms), which can actually encourage the formation of more Polar Stratospheric Clouds.
3. Who led India’s first expedition to Antarctica?
[A] Hassan Nasiem Siddiquie
[B] Zahoor Qasim
[C] Rajeev Kumar Varshney
[D] Digvijai Singh
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Zahoor Qasim]
Notes:
Zahoor Qasim, from Uttar Pradesh, led India’s first Antarctic expedition in 1981–82 and was pivotal in developing India’s polar and oceanographic research. Hassan Siddiquie was a marine geologist, Rajeev Varshney is known for plant genomics, and Digvijai Singh was a politician not related to oceanography.
4. What is the name of India’s newest proposed research station in eastern Antarctica?
[A] Bharati II
[B] Sagar Maitri
[C] Dakshin Gangotri II
[D] Maitri II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Maitri II]
Notes:
The Finance Ministry recently approved Maitri II, India’s newest research station in eastern Antarctica. Maitri II will be larger than Maitri I and designed as a green research base. The station will use renewable energy, including solar power for summer and wind energy to harness Antarctic winds. Automated instruments will record data and send it to mainland India, even if the station is temporarily unmanned. Construction is expected to be completed by January 2029. National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) will operate and manage Antarctic and Arctic missions.
5. Which of the following are examples of mass marine migrations?
- Pacific salmon returning to freshwater rivers to spawn
- Leatherback turtles crossing oceans to nesting beaches
- Krill swarms migrating vertically in Antarctic waters
Select the correct code:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
Pacific salmon undertake mass migrations from oceans to freshwater rivers for spawning. Leatherback turtles cross entire oceans to reach nesting beaches. Antarctic krill migrate vertically in large swarms for feeding and survival. All three are documented examples of mass marine migrations involving vast movement and aggregation of individuals.
6. With reference to Antarctica’s protected areas, consider the following statements:
- It has designated Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs).
- These are governed under the Antarctic Treaty System.
- They are managed individually by the countries that claim Antarctic territory.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 2 and 3
[C] Only 1 and 3
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1 and 2]
Notes:
Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs) are established to protect unique habitats and biodiversity. They are collectively managed under the Antarctic Treaty System by the Consultative Parties, not by individual countries that claim Antarctic territory. Only statements 1 and 2 are correct; statement 3 is incorrect.
7. Consider the following statements:
- Antarctic sea ice is generally thicker than Arctic sea ice.
- Extreme winter at Antarctic leads to thicker sea ice formation compared to the Arctic.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Neither 1 nor 2
[D] Both 1 and 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Neither 1 nor 2]
Notes:
Both statements are incorrect. Arctic sea ice is generally thicker than Antarctic sea ice, typically ranging from 2 to 3 meters, while Antarctic sea ice is usually 1 to 2 meters thick. The Arctic’s geography (much of the Arctic is an ocean surrounded by land, allowing ice to persist and thicken year-round) allows ice to persist and thicken year-round, whereas Antarctic sea ice is more seasonal due to surrounding ocean.
8. Consider the following pairs:
- Oymyakon – Russia
- Commonwealth Bay – United States
- Mount Baker – Antarctica
- Lambert-Fisher Glacier – Greenland
Which of the above pairs are correctly matched?
[A] Only 1
[B] 1 and 3
[C] Only 1
[D] 2 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 1]
Notes:
Oymyakon is correctly matched with Russia. Commonwealth Bay is actually in Antarctica, not the US. Mount Baker is in the USA, not Antarctica. Lambert-Fisher Glacier is in Antarctica, not Greenland. Therefore, only the first pair is correct; the others are mismatched with their respective countries or continents.
9. With reference to wind systems, consider the following statements:
- Katabatic wind refers to a downward flow of cold, dense air due to gravity.
- Katabatic winds are commonly observed in Antarctica and Greenland.
- Anabatic wind is a term for the downslope movement of air caused by cooling of mountain slopes.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 2 and 3
[C] Only 1 and 3
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1 and 2]
Notes:
Statements 1 and 2 are correct: Katabatic winds are cool, dense air masses flowing downslope under gravity, commonly observed in Antarctica and Greenland. Statement 3 is incorrect: Anabatic wind refers to upslope movement of warm air due to heating of slopes during the day, not downslope movement caused by cooling.
10. Which village in Bihar is the birthplace of Akhouri Sinha, after whom Mt Sinha in Antarctica is named?
[A] Churamanpur
[B] Bhoj Pandaul
[C] Amauna
[D] Jagdishpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Churamanpur]
Notes:
Akhouri Sinha, a noted scientist, hails from Churamanpur village in Bihar. Mt Sinha in Antarctica is named in his honor, recognizing his contributions in genetics and cell biology, making him one of the few Indians to have a landmark in Antarctica named after them.
