Environmental Issues Biology

Exam Duration: 60 Mins Total Questions : 60

1 )

World enviroment day is celebrated on

(a)
5th june
(b)
28th february
(c)
7th august
(d)
10th april

2 )

Which one of the following is a secoundary air pollutant?

(a)
SO₂
(b)
CO
(c)
PAN
(d)
Aerosol

3 )

In 1984, the Bhopal gas tragedy took place because methyl isocyanate

(a)
reacted with DDT
(b)
reacted with ammonia
(c)
reacted with CO₂
(d)
reacted with water

Solution :

Bhopal gas tragedy occurred (23 Dec. 1984) when MIC (Methyl Isocyanate) reacted with water in a tank, an exothermic chemical reaction started and produced a lot of heat. As a result, the safety valve of tank burst because of increase in pressure and gave rise to a heavy gas which rapidly killed the people around.

4 )

Pollution of SO₂ destroys

(a)
lichen
(b)
fungi
(c)
algae
(d)
fishes

5 )

Phorochemical smog always contains

(a)
ozone
(b)
methane
(c)
carbon monoxide
(d)
carbon dioxide

6 )

In which one of the following the BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) of sewage (S), Distillery Effluent (DE), Paper mill Effluent (PE) and Sugar-Mill Effluent (SE) Have been arranged in ascending in ascending order?

(a)
SE
(b)
SE
(c)
PE
(d)
S

Solution :

The ascending order of BOD is Sewage (S) < Distillary Effluent (DE) < Paper Mill Effluent (PE) < Sugar Mill Effluent (SE).

7 )

Limit of BOD prescribed by central Pollution Control Board for the discharges of industrial and municipal waste water into natural surface water, is

(a)
<3.0 ppm
(b)
<10 ppm
(c)
<100 ppm
(d)
<30 ppm

Solution :

The Central Pollution Control Board prescribed the BOD limit for the discharge of industrial and municipal waste water as < 10 ppm.

8 )

If we continuously add sewage water in a river the BOD of river will

(a)
decrease continuously
(b)
increase continuously
(c)
be higher before addition of sewage water
(d)
be lower after addition of sewage water

9 )

Water pollution is caused by

(a)
DDT
(b)
2, 4-D
(c)
BHC
(d)
All of these

10 )

Cadmium poisoning is responsible for

(a)
Minamata disease
(b)
itai-itai-disease
(c)
blue-baby synodrome
(d)
carboxyhaemoglobinemia

11 )

Greenhouse effect is due to the presence of

(a)
ozone layer in the atmosphere
(b)
moisture layer in the atmosphere
(c)
CO₂ layer in the atmosphere
(d)
infrared light reaching the earth

12 )

Ozone layer in upper atmosphere (stratosphere) is destroyed by

(a)
Photochemical song
(b)
chlorofluorocarbons
(c)
sulphur dioxide
(d)
hudrocholric acid

13 )

The molecular action of ultraviolet light is mainly reflected through

(a)
destruction of hydrogen bonds between DNA strands
(b)
photodynamic action
(c)
formation of pyrimidine
(d)
formation of stickly metaphase

14 )

Ozone depletion in the stratosphere shall result in increased incidence of

(a)
heart diseases
(b)
lung diseases
(c)
skin diseases
(d)
liver diseases

15 )

Which of the following is not one of prime health health risks associated with greater UV radiation through the atmosphere due to the depletion of stratospheric zone?

(a)
Increased skin cancer
(b)
Reduced immune system
(c)
Damage to eyes
(d)
Increased liver cancer

16 )

A scrubber in the exhaust of a chemical industrial plant removes

(a)
Gases like sulphur dioxide
(b)
Particulate matter of the size 5 micrometer or above
(c)
Gases like ozone and methane
(d)
Particulate matter of the sizes micrometer of less

Solution :

Scrubber is an electrostatic precipitator in which the dirty air is cleaned by capturing the gas like SO₂ and other oxides in water/lime spray (CaCO₃). The calcium in limestone combines chemically with the sulphur to produce calcium sulphate (CaSO₄), which is separately collected. The detailed mechanism is shown in the figure below:

17 )

Global warming can be controlled by

(a)
Reducing reforestation, increasing the use of fossil fuel.
(b)
Increasing deforestation, slowing down the growth of human population
(c)
Increasing deforestation, reducing efficiency of energy usage
(d)
Reducing deforestation, cutting down use of fossil fuel

Solution :

Global warming can be controlled by reducing deforestation, cutting down use of fossil fuel, which results into reduction in the concentration of one of the greenhouse gas, i.e. CO₂ in the atmosphere. The other ways of reducing global warming are slowing down the growth of human population, improving efficiency of energy usage and encouraging eco-friendly sustainable development.

18 )

The carbon dioxide content in the atmospheric air is about

(a)
0.031%
(b)
0.34%
(c)
3.34%
(d)
4%

Solution :

0.031%

19 )

The scrubber removes the pollutants by

(a)
Filtration.
(b)
Precipitation.
(c)
Adsorption.
(d)
Electric charges

Solution :

Precipitation.

20 )

Which triggers excessive growth of algae and aquatic plants which may result in algal bloom?

(a)
Nutrients like nitrogen and calcium
(b)
Nutrients like Calcium and phosphorus.
(c)
Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus
(d)
Nutrients like hydrogen and phosphorus

Solution :

Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus

21 )

High concentrations of DDT

(a)
Disturb the calcium metabolism in birds
(b)
Affect the reproductive cycle in birds.
(c)
Affect the nervous system of birds.
(d)
Are lethal to the bird's population.

Solution :

Disturb the calcium metabolism in birds

22 )

Which one is not the source of soil pollution?

(a)
Fertilisers
(b)
Pesticides
(c)
Organic wastes
(d)
Heavy metals

Solution :

Organic wastes

23 )

Which one is the control measure of radioactive wastes?

(a)
Concentration and reduction in volume
(b)
Allowing the waste in suitable containers for 50 to 100 years for natural decaying
(c)
Burying in the rocks about 500 m deep inside the earth.
(d)
All the above

Solution :

All the above

24 )

Which of the following are the most suitable indicators of SO₂ pollution in the environment?

(a)
Conifers.
(b)
Algae.
(c)
Fungi
(d)
Lichens

Solution :

Lichens are useful bioindicators for air pollution, especially sulphur dioxide pollution, since they derive their water and essential nutrients mainly from the atmosphere rather than from soil.

25 )

A scrubber in the exhaust of a chemical industrial plant removes

(a)
Gases like ozone and methane
(b)
Particulate matter of the size 2.5 micrometer or less
(c)
Gases like sulphur dioxide
(d)
Particulate matter of the size5 micrometer or above

Solution :

Gases like sulphur dioxide

26 )

A location with luxuriant growth of lichens on the trees indicates that the

(a)
The location is highly polluted
(b)
Location is not polluted
(c)
Trees are very healthy
(d)
Trees are heavily infested

Solution :

Location is not polluted

27 )

The UN Conference of Parties on climate change in the year 2011 was held in

(a)
Poland
(b)
South Africa
(c)
Peru
(d)
Qatar

Solution :

The UN Conference of parties on climate change in the year 2011 from 28th November to 1st December was held at Durban, South Africa

28 )

Which one is not a pollutant normally?

(a)
Hydrocarbons.
(b)
Carbon dioxide
(c)
Carbon monoxide
(d)
Sulphur dioxide.

Solution :

CO₂ is an essential component of the air and its concentration is 0.03% but when CO₂ concentration goes above this limit, it acts as a pollutant.

29 )

Domestic waste constitutes

(a)
Non bio degradable pollution
(b)
Bio degradable pollution
(c)
Effluents.
(d)
Airpollution.

Solution :

Domestic waste constitutes biodegradable pollutants, such pollutants are naturally present organic compounds which can be broken down by microorganisms and can be recycled e.g sewage.

30 )

Ultra violet radiation from sunlight cause a reaction which produces

(a)
O₃
(b)
SO₂
(c)
CO
(d)
CH₄

Solution :

Ozone is produced by action of ultraviolet and other high energy radiations on oxygen resulting in splitting and interaction of oxygen molecules 3O₂⟶ 2O₃ This ozone forms a layer that is also called protective umbrella at 23 krn from earth surface.

31 )

Drawback ofDDT as pesticide is

(a)
It becomes ineffective after some time
(b)
It is less effective than others
(c)
It is not easily/rapidly degraded in nature.
(d)
It is costlier

Solution :

It is not easily/rapidly degraded in nature.

32 )

Formation of ozone hole is maximum over

(a)
India
(b)
Antarctica.
(c)
Europe
(d)
Africa

Solution :

An ozone hole (thinning) has been formed over Antarctica as a result of damage to ozone. Most ozone is formed in the stratosphere over the equator and spread by winds around the globe. Icy particles in polar stratospheric clouds catalyse the release of chlorine (from CFC) which destroys ozone. The thinning in ozone is maximum because in winter there is exceptionally cold.

33 )

In coming years, skin related disorders will be more common due to

(a)
Air pollution
(b)
Use of detergents
(c)
Water pollution
(d)
Depletion of ozone layer

Solution :

Depletion of ozone layer

34 )

Steps taken by the Government of India to control air pollution include

(a)
compulsory mixing of 20% ethyl alcohol with petrol and 20% biodiesel with diesel
(b)
compulsory PUC (PollutionUnder Control) certification of petrol driven vehicles, which tests for carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons
(c)
permission to use only pure diesel with a maximum of 500 ppm sulphur as fuel for vehicles
(d)
use of non-polluting Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) only as fuel by all buses and trucks

Solution :

Government of India have taken many steps to control air pollution. Out of which one includes compulsory PUC (Pollution Under Control) certification of petrol driven vehicles; which test for carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons emissions of the vehicles.

35 )

What is the intensity of sound in normal conversation?

(a)
0-20 dB
(b)
30-60 dB
(c)
70-90 dB
(d)
120-150 dB

Solution :

The word noise is taken from the Latin word nausea and is defined as unwanted or unpleasant sound that causes discomfort.
Intensity of some noise sources is as follows

Source	Intensity(dB)
Breathing	10
Broadcasting studio	20
Tricklingclock	30
Library	30-35
Normal conversation	35-60
Telephone	60
Office noise	60-80
Alarm clock	70-80
Traffic	50-90
Motorcycle	105
Jet fly (over 1000')	100-110
Train whistle (50')	110
Air craft (100')	110-120
Commercial jet afr craft (100')	120-140
Space rocket (launching	170-180

36 )

The highest DDT concentration in aquatic food chain shall occur in

(a)
phytoplankton
(b)
seagull
(c)
crab
(d)
eel

Solution :

DDT is a toxic substance which gets concentrated subsequently in a food chain of an aquatic ecosystem in the following manner
\(\underset { \left( 0.04\ ppm \right) }{ Phytoplanktons } \rightarrow \underset { \left( 0.5\ ppm \right) }{ Eel } \rightarrow \underset { \left( 2\ ppm \right) }{ Crab } \rightarrow \underset { \left( 25\ ppm \right) }{ Seagull } \)

37 )

Which one of the following statements is wrong in case of Bhopal gas tragedy?

(a)
Thousands of human being died
(b)
Radioactive fall out engulfed Bhopal
(c)
It took place in the night of December 23, 1984
(d)
Methyl isocyanate gas leakage took place

Solution :

Bhopal gas gragedy (Bhopal disaster) one of the world's worst industrial catastrophes. It occurred on the night of December 23,1984 at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
A leak of methyl isocyanate gas and other chemicals from the plant resulted in the exposure of hundreds of thousands of people, The official immediate death toll was 2,259 and the government of Madhya Pradesh has confirmed a total of 3,787 deaths related to the gas releases.

38 )

Montreal protocol aims at

(a)
reduction of ozone depleting substances
(b)
biodiversity conservation
(c)
control of water pollution
(d)
control of CO₂ emission

Solution :

In August 1989,44 countries and EEC ratified the Montreal Protocol, which provides a mechanism to review the efficiency of control measures. They also agreed to phase out the halogens and to control and reduce other Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs), In a policy statement called Helsinki Declaration, the attending nations agreed to phase out the production and consumption of controlled CFCs as soon as possible but not later than the year 2007.

39 )

Select the correct match of air pollution source with the type of pollutant and the effect it produces.

(a)
Chemical factory\(\rightarrow\) NO₂\(\rightarrow\)Ozone hole
(b)
Automobile exhaust \(\rightarrow\) N₂O \(\rightarrow\) Asphyxia effect
(c)
Heavy industry\(\rightarrow\) CO₂\(\rightarrow\)Acid rain
(d)
Incinerators\(\rightarrow\) NO_x gases \(\rightarrow\) Photochemical smog

Solution :

Nitrogen oxides are produced naturally through biological and non-biological activities. Human activity forms nitrogen oxides in combustion process of industries, automobiles, incinerators and nitrogen fertilisers. Nitrogen oxides give rise to photochemical smog.

40 )

Which one of the following statements regarding CO gas is correct?

(a)
It is produced by the complete combustion of fossil fuels.
(b)
It combines with haemoglobin to form carbamino haemoglobin.
(c)
It impairs oxygen transport resulting in giddiness, headache, asphyxia and even death.
(d)
All of these

Solution :

Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced due to incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, metallurgical operations, automobile emission, cigarette smoking. CO combines with haemoglobin, produces carboxyhaemoglobin which impairs oxygen transport resulting in headache, decreased vision, cardiovascular disease, asphyxia.

41 )

Motor vehicles equipped with catalytic converter are advised to use unleaded petrol because

(a)
lead is a heavy metal
(b)
lead causes inactivation of catalyst
(c)
lead decreases the efficiency of vehicle
(d)
lead increases burning of petrol.

Solution :

Automobiles fitted with catalytic converter should not use leaded petrol because lead inactivates the catalyst of the converter.

42 )

A higher biochemical oxygen demand in a particular segment of a river indicates that

(a)
the segment is free from pollution
(b)
the segment is highly polluted
(c)
aquatic life has started flourishing
(d)
the river has high number of aquatic animals.

Solution :

Biochemical oxygen demand or BOD is the oxygen required for microbial decomposition of a unit mass of organic remains. The degree of impurity of water due to organic matter is measured in terms of BOD. A higher BOD of a river indicates that water is highly polluted.

43 )

The term 'terror of Bengal' is used for

(a)
algal bloom
(b)
Eichhornia crassipes
(c)
increased biochemical oxygen demand
(d)
eutrophication.

44 )

A dental disease characterised by mottling of teeth is due to the presence of certain chemical element in drinking water. Which of the following is that element?

(a)
Fluorine
(b)
Boron
(c)
Mercury
(d)
Chlorine

Solution :

Excess fluoride in drinking water causes teeth deformity.

45 )

Which among the following is likely to have the highest levels of DDT deposition in its body?

(a)
Sea gull
(b)
Phytoplankton
(c)
Eel
(d)
Crab

Solution :

Chlorinated hydrocarbons like DDT pass into the food chain and increase in amount per unit weight of organism with the rise in trophic level due to their accumulation in fat. Among the given animals, sea gull which is a fish eating bird and is present at higher trophic level, will have high levels of DDT deposition in its body.

46 )

High concentration of nutrients especially nitrates and phosphates in water can accelerate which of the following phenomenon?

(a)
Algal bloom
(b)
Eutrophication
(c)
Biomagnification
(d)
Both (a) and (b)

Solution :

Eutrophication is the excessive growth of algae, plants and animals in water bodies due to the nutrient enrichment particularly with nitrogen and phosphorus. This excessive growth of planktonic algae that causes colouration of water is called algal bloom. So, the high concentration of nitrates and phosphates in water increases both the eutrophication and algal bloom.

47 )

The effect of today's radioactive fallout will probably be more harmful to children of future generation than to present day children because

(a)
infants are more susceptible to radiations
(b)
susceptibility to radiations increase with age
(c)
mutated genes are usually recessive
(d)
all of these

Solution :

The radioactive fallout can cause near-immediate effect by killing cells and damaging tissue. But radioactive fallout can also cause long term effect by causing mutations in the DNA of living cells. These mutated genes are usually recessive and so they can appear anytime in our future generations. That is the reason why effect of radioactive fallout probably will be more harmful to children of future generations than the present.

48 )

Which of the following is correct regarding 'EI Nino' Effect?

(a)
Temperature rise leads to odd climatic changes
(b)
Cutting down the use of fossil fuels
(c)
Planting more trees
(d)
Slowing down the growth of human population

Solution :

The rise in temperature due to global warming is leading to deleterious changes in the environment and resulting in odd climatic changes like EL Nino effect. EI Nino effect is the abnormal warming of surface ocean water. It affects the weather in large parts of the world. Moisture carrying capacity of air will increase. Pattern of air-mass movement will change. Precipitation will increase at higher latitudes both in summer and winter and in southern as well as Eastern Asia in summer. Frequency of droughts and floods will increase. Threat to human health will increase in tropical and subtropical countries due to changed ranges of disease vectors and water borne pathogens.

49 )

Read the following statements and select the correct option.
Statement 1 : Ozone layer present in the stratosphere protects the living organisms from harmful UV rays coming from sun by absorbing nearly all of them.
Statement 2 : Ozone formed in the troposphere by photochemical reactions as a result of human activities is harmful for all living organisms.

(a)
Both statements 1 and 2 are correct.
(b)
Statement 1 is correct but statement 2 is incorrect.
(c)
Statement 1 is incorrect but statement 2 is correct.
(d)
Both statements 1 and 2 are incorrect.

Solution :

'Good ozone' is found in the upper part of the atmosphere called the stratosphere and it act as a shield by absorbing ultraviolet radiations from the Sun. UV rays are, highly injurious to living organisms. 'Bad ozone' is formed in the lower part of atmosphere called troposphere and it harms plants and animals.

50 )

Read the given statements and select the correct option.
Statement 1 : Irrigation without proper drainage of water leads to waterlogging in the soil.
Statement 2 : Waterlogging draws salts to the soil surface, which are deposited as a thin crust on the land surface or start collecting at the roots of the plants.

(a)
Both statements 1 and 2 are correct.
(b)
Statement 1 is correct but statement 2 is incorrect.
(c)
Statement 1 is incorrect but statement 2 is correct.
(d)
Both statements 1 and 2 are incorrect.

51 )

The concept of Joint Forest Management (JFM) involves

(a)
conservation of forest and agricultural land by the government
(b)
conservation of forest and agricultural land by the government
(c)
work in close association with the local communities for protecting and managing forests
(d)
exploitation of beneficial forest products only.

Solution :

Realising the significance of participation by local communities, the Government of India in 1980s has introduced the concept of Joint Forest Management (JFM) so as to work closelywith the local communities for protecting and managing forests. In return for their servicesto the forest, the communities get benefit of various forest products (minor forest products), and thus the forest can be conserved in a sustainable manner. Presently, there are 84632 JFM committees with 17.33 million hectare forest area under them. Some 85.28 lakh families are involved in them allover the country.

52 )

The expanded form of DDT is

(a)
dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane
(b)
dichloro diethyl trichloroethane
(c)
dichloro dipyrydyl trichloroethane
(d)
dichloro diphenyl tetrachloroacetate.

53 )

Assertion: Through the use of catalytic converters, unburnt hydrocarbons are changed into carbon monoxide which in turn is changed into nitrogen oxides and water. Reason: Motor vehicles equipped with catalytic converters should use leaded petrol to protect the catalyst from degradation.

(a)
If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b)
If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion
(c)
If assertion is true but reason is false.
(d)
If both assertion and reason are false.

Solution :

A catalytic converter is a vehicle emission control device that converts toxic pollutants of the exhaust gas into less toxic pollutants by catalysing a redox reaction. Catalytic converters, having expensive metals namely platinum-palladium and rhodium as the catalysts, are fitted into automobiles for reducing emission of poisonous gases. Rhodium is used as reduction catalyst, palladium is used as an oxidation catalyst, and platinum is used both for oxidation and reduction. As the exhaust passes through the catalytic converter, unburnt hydrocarbons are converted into carbon dioxide and water, and carbon monoxide and nitric oxide are changed to carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas, respectively. Motor vehicles equipped with catalytic converter should use unleaded petrol because lead in the petrol inactivates the catalyst.

54 )

Assertion: A brief exposure to extremely high sound level, 150dB or more generated by take off of a jet plane or rocket, may damage ear drum or dislocate ear ossicles and permanently impair the hearing ability.
Reason: In India, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act came into force in 1981, but was amended in 1987 to include noise as an air pollutant.

(a)
If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion
(b)
If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion
(c)
If assertion is true but reason is false.
(d)
If both assertion and reason are false

55 )

Assertion: There is a sharp decline in dissolved oxygen downstream from the point of sewage discharge.
Reason: Microorganisms involved in biodegradation of organic matter in the receiving water body consume a lot of oxygen.

(a)
If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b)
If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion
(c)
If assertion is true but reason is false.
(d)
If both assertion and reason are false.

Solution :

Domestic sewage is rich in biodegradable organic matter and the decomposition of this organic matter by microorganisms requires oxygen. Microorganisms involved in biodegradation of organic matter in the receiving water body consume a lot of oxygen, and as a result there is a sharp decline in dissolved oxygen downstream from the point of sewage discharge. If sewage quantity is large, the whole of dissolved oxygen may be consumed leaving nothing for respiration for fish and other clean water organisms. They, therefore, get killed. However, as sewage is decomposed, there is a gradual rise in dissolved oxygen downstream. Fish and other clean water organisms reappear indicating the recovery of river from sewage pollution.

56 )

Assertion: Deforestation increases carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere.
Reason: Deforestation may lead to desertification.

(a)
If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion
(b)
If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion
(c)
If assertion is true but reason is false.
(d)
If both assertion and reason are false

Solution :

Deforestation is the conversion of forested areas to non-forested ones. One of the major effects of deforestation is enhanced carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere because trees that could hold a lot of carbon in their biomass are lost with deforestation. Deforestation also causes loss of biodiversity due to habitat destruction, disturbs hydrological cycle, causes soil erosion and may lead to desertification.

57 )

Photochemical smog

(a)
Heat emission due to bomb explosion
(b)
Production of useful ecological effect by a previously useful chemical
(c)
Formation of secondary pollutant from reaction of primary pollutants
(d)
Production of adverse ecological effect by a previously useful chemical

58 )

The controlled aerobic combustion of wastes inside chambers at temperature of 900-1300°C is known as

(a)
Incineration
(b)
Recycling
(c)
Pyrolysis
(d)
Sanitary dumping

59 )

Which of the following conference obtained commitments from different countries for reducing overall green house gas emission at a level 5% below 1990 level by 2008-2012?