Environment, Ecology & Biodiversity MCQs
Environment, Ecology & Biodiversity Multiple choice questions for GK paper in SSC, NDA, CDS, UPSC, UPPSC and State PSC Examinations.
31. Consider the following statements regarding Neem Coated Urea:
- It gives higher crop yields
- Reduces underground water contamination
- Suitable for industrial uses
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Only 1 & 2
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Only 1 & 2]
Notes:
Neem coated urea is required less in quantity with same plot size and gives higher crop yields. Underground water contamination due to leaching of urea also gets reduced with neem coating since nitrogen in the neem coated urea gets released to plants very slowly. Neem coated urea is not fit for industrial use.
32. Guar gum:
1. is used in Hydraulic Fracturing Process.
2. is more viscous when compared to water
3. is produced mainly in western India
Which of the above is / are correct statements?
[A] 1 & 3 Only
[B] 2 & 3 Only
[C] 1 & 2 Only
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ 1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
All given statements are correct.
33. In recent times, the term “Clean coal” has been making news frequently. Which among the following statements is the closest explanation to clean coal ?
[A] Equivalent use of alternative fuels in place of coal
[B] Use of coal that has not been procured from underground mines
[C] Underground coal gasification and liquefaction to reduce CO2 emissions
[D] Coal combustion within controlled environment
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Underground coal gasification and liquefaction to reduce CO2 emissions]
Notes:
The basic idea is to reduce CO2 emission by either converting coal to something which reduces less CO2 or using Carbon Capture and Storage. Thus, underground coal gasification and liquefaction which converts coal into liquid and gaseous fuel alternatives is a recognized ‘clean coal’ technology-handy in extraction of energy from coal seams which cannot be mined through conventional methods.
34. Excessive accumulation of Nitrogen and Phosphorous in the water helps in growth of which of the following?
- Phytoplankton
- Zooplankton
- Fish
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ Only 1 ]
Notes:
First option (Phytoplankton) is correct but second and third will not be correct and want you to think about eutrophication. Phosphorus stimulates the growth of algae in slow moving water. These algae eventually die and decompose, removing the oxygen from the water. This process is called eutrophication. This leads to killing of fish and other fauna and drastic fall in fish population.
35. Consider the following pollutants:
- Ground level ozone
- Sulphur oxides
- Volatile organic compounds
Which of the above is/are primary pollutant(s)?
[A] 1 Only
[B] 2 & 3 Only
[C] 1 & 2 Only
[D] 2 Only
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ 2 & 3 Only]
Notes:
Ground level ozone is a secondary pollutant
36. There is a Carbon Footprint if a process releases:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Methane (CH4)
- Nitrous oxide (N2O)
- Hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs)
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] 1, 2 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ 1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:
Carbon footprint considers all six of the Kyoto Protocol greenhouse gases listed above. However, to simplify matters- and since C02 is the most prevalent GHG-these emissions are expressed in terms of C02 equivalent based on a conversion table that uses the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Global Warming Potential (GWP) factors.
37. Which among the following have been covered under the National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture?
1.Farm Crops
2.Livestock
3.Fisheries
Choose the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] 1, 2 & 3
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 1
[D] Only 1 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ 1, 2 & 3 ]
Notes:
National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) was launched during February 2011 by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (lCAR) with the funding from Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. Objective of this initiative is to enhance the resilience of Indian agriculture covering crops, livestock and fisheries to climatic variability and climate change through development and application of improved production and risk management technologies.
38. Which among the following is the largest terrestrial pool of carbon?
[A] Ponds and Lakes
[B] Forests
[C] Soil
[D] Rocks and Mountains
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [ Soil]
Notes:
Soil carbon refers to the carbon held within the soil, mainly as organic content. Soil carbon is the largest terrestrial pool of carbon (2,200 Giga tonnes). Soil carbon plays a key role in the carbon cycle and thus is important in global climate models. It has been shown that l kg of carbon released from the soil constitutes 3.64kg of Co2 in the atmosphere. The exchange of carbon between soils and the atmosphere is a significant part of the world carbon cycle, which is extensive both spatially and temporally. Carbon, as it relates to the organic matter of soils, is a major component of soil and catchment health. With reference to Carbon sequestration, the soil is one of the largest reservoirs, where carbon could be restored.
39. With reference to IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) , which among the following is a correct statement?
[A] IUCN is known to save endangered species through dramatic, attention-grabbing protests
[B] IUCN is an organization of multinational corporations united to fight conservation efforts
[C] IUCN came up into existence after the Earth Summit of 1992
[D] IUCN is a collaboration of both the governmental agencies and private conservation groups
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [ IUCN is a collaboration of both the governmental agencies and private conservation groups]
Notes:
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) works in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. It was founded in the year 1948. It is a collaboration of both the governmental agencies and private conservation groups. IUCN publishes “Red List” compiling information from a network of conservation organizations to rate which species are most endangered in the world.
40. Why is thermal pollution a problem for marine organisms?
[A] Marine Organisms are hot-blooded and thermal pollution may overheat them
[B] Marine Organisms live in narrow temperature range and thermal pollution may breakdown their metabolism
[C] Thermal pollution destroys the primary producers of the marine ecosystem and other organisms die because of food scarcity
[D] All of the above are correct explanations
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [ Marine Organisms live in narrow temperature range and thermal pollution may breakdown their metabolism]
Notes:
Thermal pollution, the release of liquid or gas that increases heat in a surrounding area, has far-reaching and damaging ecological effects by impacting aquatic organisms and animal populations. Cold-blooded organisms adapted to specific temperature ranges. If water temperatures change too much, metabolic processes break down. Unlike humans, who can adapt to wide temperature ranges, most organisms live in narrow temperature niches. Unlike humans, who can adapt to wide temperature ranges, most organisms live in narrow temperature niches and their metabolism breaks down at higher temperatures.
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