UPSC – CSE Prelims 2024
EASY
ENVIRONMENT – POLLUTION
1. Which one of the following is the exhaust pipe emission from Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles, powered by hydrogen ?
(a) Hydrogen peroxide
(b) Hydronium
(c) Oxygen
(d) Water vapour
Ans. (d)
Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are powered by hydrogen. They are more efficient than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles and produce no harmful tailpipe emissions—they only emit water vapor and warm air.
EASY
ENVIRONMENT – POLLUTION
2. With reference to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are used in making many consumer products, consider the following statements:
- PFAS are found to be widespread in drinking water, food and food packaging materials.
- PFAS are not easily degraded in the environment.
- Persistent exposure to PFAS can lead to bioaccumulation in animal bodies.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans. (d)
Day 5: Prelims 2024 Environment 2. Functions of Ecosystem Consider the following statements: 1. Bioaccumulation is increase in concentration of a pollutant from the environment to the first organism in a food chain. 2. Biomagnification is increase in concentration of a pollutant from one link in a food chain to another. 3. Eutrophication is when a water body becomes enriched with nutrients. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 2 and 3 only (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 1 and 2 only (d) All the above Ans. (d) |
EASY
ENVIRONMENT – POLLUTION
3. Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: Many chewing gums found in the market are considered source of environmental pollution
Statement-II: Many chewing gums contain plastic as gum base.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
(c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
Ans. (a)
Chewing gum has three main components that make up its gum bases: resin, wax, and elastomer. Resin (ex. terpene) is the main chewable portion. Wax softens the gum. Elastomers add flexibility.
EASY
ENVIRONMENT – POLLUTION
4. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which one of the following is the largest source of sulphur dioxide emissions?
(a) Locomotives using fossil fuels
(b) Ships using fossil fuels
(c) Extraction of metals from ores
(d) Power plants using fossil fuels
Ans. (d)
Environment – Pollution Test Consider the following pairs of pollutants and sources: 1. Sulphur dioxide: Thermal power plants 2. Lead: Incinerators 3. Volatile organic compounds: Printers 4. Fly Ash: Biomass burning Which of the pair(s) is/are correctly matched ? 1 and 4 only 1 only 2, 3 and 4 only 1, 2 and 3 only Ans. (d) Sulphur dioxide:
Lead:
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Fly ash
|
MEDIUM
ENVIRONMENT – POLLUTION
5. “Membrane Bioreactors” are often discussed in the context of :
(a) Assisted reproductive technologies
(b) Drug delivery nanotechnologies
(c) Vaccine production technologies
(d) Wastewater treatment technologies
Ans. (d)
Membrane bioreactors
- They are combinations of membrane processes like microfiltration or ultrafiltration with a biological wastewater treatment process, the activated sludge process.
- These technologies are now widely used for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment.
UPSC – CSE Prelims 2023
ENVIRONMENT – POLLUTION
1. Consider the following:
- Aerosols
- Foam agents
- Fire retardants
- Lubricants
In the making of how many of the above are hydrofluorocarbons used?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer is (d) All four.
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are used in the making of all four mentioned substances:
Aerosols: HFCs are commonly used as propellants in aerosol products, such as sprays for personal care, household cleaning, and automotive applications.
Foam agents: HFCs are used as blowing agents in the production of foam materials, including foam insulation, foam packaging, and foam cushions.
Fire retardants: HFCs are used in some fire extinguishing systems and fire retardant formulations.
Lubricants: HFCs are used as lubricants in certain applications, especially in the aerospace industry.
Therefore, HFCs are used in the making of all four substances.
ENVIRONMENT – POLLUTION
2. Consider the following heavy industries:
- Fertilizer plants
- Oil refineries
- Steel plants
Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in decarbonizing how many of the above industries?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Correct answer:(c) All three
Green hydrogen featured in a number of emissions reduction pledges at the UN Climate Conference, COP26, as a means to decarbonize heavy industry, long haul freight, shipping, and aviation. Governments and industry have both acknowledged hydrogen as an important pillar of a net zero economy.
Green hydrogen for ammonia synthesis in fertilizer manufacturing can support the net-zero vision for India.
Refineries, which turn crude oil into fuel such as petrol and diesel, use hydrogen to lower the sulfur content of diesel fuel. This hydrogen is currently produced using fossil fuels such as natural gas. IOC plans to use electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar to split water to produce green hydrogen.
Green hydrogen can be used in steel production in two ways1. It can be used as an alternative injection material to pulverized coal injection (PCI) to improve the performance of conventional blast furnaces. The use of green hydrogen can reduce carbon emissions in blast furnaces by 20% However, carbon neutral steel is not produced as the blast furnace still uses coal as a reducing agent.Green hydrogen can also be produced via electrolysis using just water and renewable electricity, making it completely free of CO₂ emissions. The green steel method uses hydrogen to reduce iron pellets into sponge iron, metallic iron that can then be processed to form steel.
ENVIRONMENT – POLLUTION
3. Consider the following statements regarding mercury pollution
- Gold mining activity is a source of mercury pollution in the world.
- Coal-based thermal power plants cause mercury pollution.
- 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
Answer : is (c) All three
Gold mining activity is a source of mercury pollution in the world: This statement is correct. Gold mining, particularly artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), is a significant source of mercury pollution globally. Mercury is often used in the gold extraction process, leading to the release of mercury into the environment, which can have adverse effects on ecosystems and human health.
Coal-based thermal power plants cause mercury pollution: This statement is correct. Coal combustion in thermal power plants is a significant contributor to mercury pollution. When coal is burned, mercury present in the coal is released into the atmosphere as mercury emissions. These emissions can then be deposited into water bodies and soil, posing environmental and health risks.
There is no known safe level of exposure to mercury: This statement is correct. Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that can have harmful effects on human health, particularly on the nervous system. Even at low levels of exposure, there is no known safe threshold for mercury. It can accumulate in the body over time and cause various health problems, including neurological disorders and developmental issues, especially in vulnerable populations such as infants and children.
ENVIRONMENT – POLLUTION
4. With reference to the role of bio filters in Recirculating Aquaculture System, consider the following statements:
- Biofilters provide waste treatment by removing uneaten fish feed.
- Biofilters convert ammonia present in fish waste to nitrate.
- Biofilters increase phosphorus as nutrient for fish in water.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (b) Only two
Biofilters provide waste treatment by removing uneaten fish feed: This statement is correct. Biofilters play a crucial role in a Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) by providing waste treatment. Uneaten fish feed, along with other organic waste, accumulates in the system. Biofilters house beneficial bacteria that break down and remove the uneaten fish feed and other organic matter, helping to maintain water quality.
Biofilters convert ammonia present in fish waste to nitrate: This statement is correct. One of the primary functions of biofilters in RAS is to convert toxic ammonia, which is excreted by fish as waste, into less harmful nitrate through the nitrification process. Beneficial bacteria in the biofilters convert ammonia into nitrite and then further into nitrate, which is less toxic to fish.
Biofilters increase phosphorus as a nutrient for fish in the water: This statement is not correct. Biofilters primarily focus on waste treatment and nitrification processes in RAS, and they do not directly increase phosphorus as a nutrient for fish. The role of biofilters is to remove organic waste and convert ammonia, not to increase phosphorus levels.