Environment & Biodiversity MCQs

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Scoping is a process of detailing the terms of reference of Environment Impact Assessment. Quantifiable impacts are to be assessed on the basis of factors like magnitude, prevalence, frequency and duration.

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Biopiracy refers to the theft of genetic materials especially plants and other biological materials by the process of patent. It is a situation where indigenous knowledge of nature, originating with indigenous people, is exploited for commercial gain without permission and compensation.

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Dead Animal–Maggots–Frog–Snake is an example of detritus food chain. In such a food chain, Primary consumers are ‘detritivores’ including protozoans, bacteria, fungi, etc which feed upon the detritus (dead organic matter such as fallen leaves, plant parts or dead animal bodies) saprophytically. They are in turn eaten by secondary consumers such as insect larvae, nematodes, etc. In nature, detritus food chains are indispensable as the dead organic matter of grazing food chain is acted upon by the detritivores to recycle the inorganic elements into the ecosystem.

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Checking atomic blasts will reduce radioactive pollution. Sewage pollution can be prevented by treating sewage before passing into water course, in sewage treatment plant or effluent treatment plant (ETP). Electrically operated vehicles will control automobile exhaust and improve the air quality in cities. Environmental pollution can be controlled by treating factory wastes before disposing of them. So, if we treat wastewater before disposing of in a river, it will surely decrease the amount of dumped pollutants. For example- Steel industries have a high concentration of cyanide in it, and it led to harmful effect. So, treatment is really necessary.

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Thermal pollution is defined as the addition of excess of undesirable heat to water thereby making it harmful to man, animal or aquatic life. A common cause of thermal pollution is the use of water as a coolant by power plants and industrial manufacturers. The change in ambient temperature of water decreases oxygen supply and affects ecosystem composition.

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An air pollutant is a substance in the air that can have adverse effects on humans and the ecosystem. Because of its role as a greenhouse gas Carbon dioxide (CO2) has been described as “the leading pollutant” and “the worst climate pollution”. Other examples include carbon monoxide gas from motor vehicle exhaust, or the Sulphur dioxide released from factories.

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Particulate matter (PM) is a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets that get into the air. This complex mixture includes both organic and inorganic particles, such as dust, pollen, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets. Ozone is created in the atmosphere when the sun’s rays split oxygen molecules into single atoms. These atoms combine with nearby oxygen to form a three-oxygen molecule, called ozone.

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Old compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs lead to mercury pollution. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, common CFL bulbs contain 3-5 milligrams (mg) of mercury. CFLs, like all fluorescent lamps, contain mercury as a vapor inside the glass. Mercury (Hg) is a heavy metal that exists in several forms. Human contact with mercury, in any form, can produce toxic effects if the dose is high enough.

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Green undecomposed material used as manure is called green manure. It is obtained in two ways: (a) growing green manure crops usually belonging to leguminous family and incorporating into the soil after sufficient growth or (b) by collecting green leaf from plants grown in wastelands, field bunds and forest. The most important green manure crops are sunnhemp, dhaincha, etc.

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Kanchenzunga National Park is located in Sikkim. The park gets its name from the mountain Kanchenjunga which is 8,586 metres tall, the thirdhighest peak in the world. The park is known for animals like musk deer, snow leopard and Himalayan Tahr.