1. Which of the following Articles of the Indian Constitution is/are related to the protection of the environment.
1) Article 48-A
2) Article 51A(g)
Select the correct code:a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer. c
Explanation:
Article 48A [Directive Principles of State Policy] and Article 51A (g) [Fundamental Dutries] deal with the protection of the environment. They are given below.
48A. Protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of forests and wild life The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wild life of the country
51A (g). To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures.
2. Which of the following protected areas is/are located south of the ‘Tropic of Cancer’?1) Kali Tiger Reserve
2) Bandipur National Park
3) Hemis National Park
4) Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary
Select the correct code:a) 1, 2 and 4 only
b) 2, 3 and 4 only
c) 1, 2 and 3 only
d) All of them
Answer. a
Explanation:
The Kali Tiger Reserve is a protected area and a tiger reserve. It is located in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. Bandipur National Park was established in 1974 as a tiger reserve under the Project Tiger. It is located in Karnataka. Hemis National Park is a high altitude national park. It is located in the eastern Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary is located in northern Telangana. It was declared as a tiger reserve in 2012.
3. Consider the following statements related to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).1) Both government and civil society organizations are members of the IUCN.
2) It is one of the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network.
3) Its headquarters is located in Swizerland.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) All of them
Answer. d
Explanation:
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.
Created in 1948, IUCN has evolved into the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network. It harnesses the experience, resources and reach of its 1,300 Member organisations and the input of some 10,000 experts.
IUCN is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it. Our experts are organised into six commissions dedicated to species survival, environmental law, protected areas, social and economic policy, ecosystem management, and education and communication.
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Red Data List) is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species.
4. Which of the following were identified by the Union Government for the species recovery programme?1) Hangul
2) Snow Leopard
3) Vulture
4) Lion
5) Wild Buffalo
Select the correct code:a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
b) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
c) 3, 4 and 5 only
d) All of them
Answer. d
Explanation:
The Union Ministry of Enviornment, Forest and Climate Change has identified 17 critically endangered species under the Species Recovery programme. As part of the programme, efforts will be taken to conserve them. Some of the important species are Hangul, Snow Leopard, Vulture, Lion, Wild Buffalo, Swiftlets, Nilgiri Tahr, Sanghai Deer, Dugong, Wild buffalo and Jerdon’s Courser.
5. Consider the following statements related to UNESCO’s Global Network of Geoparks.1) These are single and unified geographical areas of international significance.
2) At present, there are 127 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 35 countries.
3) India is home five UNESCO’s Global Network of Geoparks.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) All of them
Answer. a
Explanation:
UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.
A UNESCO Global Geopark uses its geological heritage, in connection with all other aspects of the area’s natural and cultural heritage, to enhance awareness about key issues faced by the society. At present, there are 127 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 35 countries. There is not a single UNESCO Global Network of Geopark is located in India.
6. Consider the following statements related to the National Air Quality Index (AQI).1) In October 2014, it was launched by the Union Government as an initiative under ‘Swachh Bharat’.
2) The AQI takes into account the presence of eight pollutants in the environment.
3) At regular intervals, the index is published by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Which of the above statements is/are correct?a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) All of them
Answer. d
Explanation:
The National Air Quality Index (AQI) was launched by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in October 2014 as an environment protection initiative under ‘Swachh Bharat’. The index acts as an effective tool for dissemination of air quality information to people.
There are six AQI categories, namely Good, Satisfactory, Moderately polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe. The proposed AQI will consider eight pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb) for which short-term (up to 24-hourly averaging period) National Ambient Air Quality Standards are prescribed.
The AQI also prompts the local authorities to take quick action to improve air quality and is aimed at attracting people's participation in the process.
7. Consider the following statements related to Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).1) Prime Minister is the chairperson of the CAMPA.
2) The CAMPA was established as a statutory body in 2004.
3) Funds available with CAMPA are part of Public Account.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 3 only
Answer. d
Explanation:
Compensatory Afforestation (CA) refers to afforestation and regeneration activities carried out as a way of compensating for forest land diverted to non-forest purposes. The Supreme Court of India in October 2002 directed the government to create a ‘Compensatory Afforestation Fund’ in which all the monies received from the user agencies towards compensatory afforestation, additional compensatory afforestation, penal compensatory afforestation are deposited.
Accordingly, in April 2004, the Union Government established the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
For providing a proper institutional mechanism for compensatory afforestation matters, the Parliament gave its nod for the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill in 2016. As per the Act, the funds would be brought within broader focus of both Parliament and State Legislatures and in greater public view, by transferring them to non-lapsable interest bearing funds, to be created under public accounts of the Union of India and each State.
8. Consider the following statements.1) The National Environment Tribunal was established in 1995 as a statutory organisation.
2) The National Green Tribunal was established in 2010 as a statutory organisation.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer. b
Explanation:
The Parliament has passed the National Environment Tribunal Act in 1995. The Act provided for strict liability for damages arising out of any accident while handling any hazardous substance and for providing relief and compensation for damages to persons, property and the environment resulting from such accidents. However, the National Environment Tribunal could not become functional.
The National Green Tribunal has been established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources, including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property and for matters connected therewith.
Consequent on coming into effect of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, the National Environment Tribunal Act stands repealed.
9. Consider the following statements related to ECOMARK Scheme.1) It is issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) as a certification mark for the products which are ecologically safe.
2) The scheme was launched in 1991.
3) At present, the mark is issued in around 16 categories.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) All of them
Answer. d
Explanation:
ECOMARK Scheme was launched by the Union Environment ministry in 1991. It is issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) as a certification mark for the products which are ecologically safe conforming to the standards prescribed by the BIS. It is voluntary in nature and helps in identifying eco-friendly products in the market. The mark is being issued in around 16 categories like food, medicines, chemicals, electronic goods, paper, lubricating oils, packing materials etc.
The specific objectives of the scheme are as follows -
• To provide an incentive for manufacturers and importers to reduce adverse environmental impact of products.
• To reward genuine initiatives by companies to reduce adverse environmental impact of their products.
• To assist consumers to become environmentally responsible in their daily lives by providing information to take account of environmental factors in their purchase decisions.
• To encourage citizens to purchase products which have less harmful environmental impacts.
• Ultimately to improve the quality of the environment and to encourage the sustainable management of resources.
10. Which of the following environment related organisations are headed by the Prime Minister?1) National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)
2) National Board of Wildlife
3) National Water Resources Council
Select the correct code:a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) All of them
Answer. d
Explanation:
The Union Government has established the National GangaRiver Basin Authority (NGRBA) as an empowered planning, financing, monitoring and coordinating authority for the Ganga River. It was established under the Environment (Protection) Act,1986. The Prime Minister is ex-officio Chairperson of the NGRBA.
National Board for Wild Life is a “Statutory Organization” constituted under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. It serves as the apex body to review all wildlife-related matters and approve projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries. While it is chaired by the Prime Minister, the Union Minister for Enviornment acts its vice-chairperson.
The National Water Resources Council was set up by the Government of India in March 1983. The Prime Minister is the Chairman, Union Minister of Water Resources is the Vice-Chairman, and Minister of State for Water Resources, concerned Union Ministers/ Ministers of State, Chief Ministers of all States & Lieutenant Governors/ Administrators of the Union Territories are the Members. It approves of the policies related to water usage in the country.
Environmental Legislation
1. Consider the following statements regarding the national legislation to protect the environment in India:
1. The forty second amendment Clause (g) to Article 51A of the Indian constitution made it a fundamental duty to protect and improve the natural environment.
2. There is a directive, given to the State as one of the Directive Principles of State Policy regarding the protection and improvement of the environment.
3. The Department of Environment was established in India in 1980 to ensure a healthy environment for the country.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a. 1 only
b. 1 and 2
c. 2 and 3
d. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: d
Explanation:
The forty second amendment Clause (g) to Article 51A of the Indian constitution made it a fundamental duty to protect and improve the natural environment. “It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and have compassion for living creatures.” There is a directive, given to the State as one of the Directive Principles of State Policy regarding the protection and improvement of the environment.
Article 48A states “The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country”. The Department of Environment was established in India in 1980 to ensure a healthy environment for the country. This later became the Ministry of Environment and Forests in 1985. This Ministry has overall responsibility for administering and enforcing environmental legislation and policies.
2. The Environment Protection Act of 1986 (EPA) came into force soon after which of the following disaster in India?
a. Bhopal Gas Tragedy
b. Oleum Gas Leak
c. Maline Landslide in Pune
d. None of the above
Answer: a
Explanation:
In India, the constitutional provisions are backed by a number of legislations – Acts and rules. Most of our environmental legislations are Acts of the Parliament or the State Legislatures. These Acts generally delegate powers to regulatory agencies, to make rules for the purpose of their implementation. The Environment Protection Act of 1986 (EPA) came into force soon after the Bhopal Gas Tragedy and is considered umbrella legislation as it fills many lacunae in the existing legislations. Thereafter, a large number of environmental legislations have been passed to deal with specific environmental problems. For example, in the recent past, the use of CNG for public transport vehicles has been made mandatory in Delhi. This has reduced air pollution in Delhi.
3. Which of the following is not correctly matched?
a. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act - 1977
b. The Environment (Protection) Act - 1986
c. The Wild Life (Protection) Act - 1976
d. The Forest (Conservation) Act - 1980
Answer: b
Explanation:
In 1972, Parliament enacted the Wild Life Act (Protection) Act. The Wild Life Act provides for state wildlife advisory boards, regulations for hunting wild animals and birds, the establishment of sanctuaries and national parks, regulations for trade in wild animals, animal products and trophies, and judicially imposed penalties for violating the Act. Harming endangered species listed in Schedule 1 of the Act is prohibited throughout India. Hunting species, like those requiring special protection (Schedule II), big game (Schedule III), and small game (Schedule IV), is regulated through licensing. A few species classified as vermin (Schedule V), may be hunted without restrictions. Wildlife wardens and their staff administer the act.
4. The Indian government has started conservation projects of which of the following species?
a. Hungal
b. Crocodiles
c. Tiger
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
An amendment to the Wild Life Act (Protection) Act 1972 was done in 1982 which introduced a provision permitting the capture and transportation of wild animals for the scientific management of the animal population. India is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES 1976). Under this convention, export or import of endangered species and their products are governed by the conditions and stipulations laid down therein. The Indian government has also started some conservation projects for individual endangered species like Hungal (1970), Lion (1972), Tiger (1973), Crocodiles (1974), Brown-antlered Deer (1981) and Elephant (1991-92).
5. The Forest Act was enacted in which of the following year?
a. 1927
b. 1972
c. 1980
d. 1982
Answer: a
Explanation:
First Forest Act was enacted in 1927. This is one of the many surviving colonial legislations. It was enacted to consolidate the law related to forest, the transit of forest produce and the duty livable on timber and other forest produce. Subsequently, the Forest (Conservation). The act was promulgated in 1980 to make certain reforms over the preceding Act of 1927.The 1927 Act deals with the four categories of the forests, namely reserved forests, village forests, protected forests and private forests. A state may declare forestlands or wastelands as reserved forest and may sell the produce from these forests. Any unauthorized felling of trees quarrying, grazing and hunting in reserved forests is punishable with a fine or imprisonment, or both reserved forests assigned to a village community are called village forests.
Climate Change
Environment BAsics
1. In every ecosystem, organisms are linked through feeding relationships. Which of the following process deals with the relationship between the number of primary producers and consumers?
a.Ecological Pyramid
b.Food Chain
c.Food Web
d.Habitat
Answer: a
Explanation:
Ecological pyramids are the graphic representations of trophic levels in an ecosystem. They are pyramidal in shape and they are of three types: The producers make the base of the pyramid and the subsequent tiers of the pyramid represent herbivore, carnivore and top carnivore levels. The ecological pyramid deals between the relationship with the number of primary producers and consumers (herbivores and carnivores) of different orders.
2. The main agents of transportation of seeds are:
(i)Wind
(ii)Birds and animals
(iii)Running water and ocean current
(iv)Human beings
Codes:
a. (i) and (ii)
b. (i), (ii) and (iii)
c. (ii), (iii) and (iv)
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
Seed dispersal is the movement or transport of seeds away from the parent plant. Plants have very limited mobility and consequently rely upon a variety of dispersal vectors to transport their propagules, including both abiotic and biotic vectors. The main agents of transportation of seeds are wind, birds, animals, running water, ocean currents and human beings. They transport seeds of various kinds in varying amounts in different parts of the world.
3. The network of feeding interactions is called:
a.Ecological Pyramid
b.Ecological Relationship
c.Food Web
d.None
Answer: c
Explanation:
In most ecosystems, feeding relationships are much more complicated than the relationships shown in a food chain. The network of feeding interactions is called a food web. Trophic levels in an ecosystem are not linear rather they are interconnected and make a food web. Thus food web is a network interconnected food chains existing in an ecosystem. One animal may be a member of several different food chains. Food webs are more realistic models of energy flow through an ecosystem
4. The sequence of energy transfer from the lower level to the higher trophic level is called
a.Food Web
b.Food Chain
c.Respiration
d.None
Answer: b
Explanation:
Transfer of food energy from green plants (producers) through a series of organisms with repeated eating and being eaten is called a food chain. Each step in the food chain is called trophic level. In the above example, grasses are 1st, and eagle represents the 5th trophic level.
The sequence of energy transfer from the lower level to the higher trophic level is called Food Chain e.g. a hawk eats a lizard, the lizard has just eaten a grasshopper and the grasshopper was feeding on grass blades.
5. Which of the following is correctly matched?
(a) Grasshopper (i) Primary Consumer
(b)Frog (ii) Tertiary Consumer
(c)Vulture (iii) Secondary Consumer
Answer: a
Explanation:
Primary Consumers are those which feed on green plants ( autographs) e.g- grasshopper, insects etc Secondary Consumers are those which feed a primary consumer e.g. frog, lizard etc. Tertiary consumers are those that feed on secondary consumers e.g. vulture.
Global Warming
1. Consider the following statements regarding Global Warming situation on earth:
I. The temperature surrounding the earth has been rising during the recent past, is due to the ‘green house effect’.
II. A green house is a glass chamber in which plants are grown to provide them warmth by trapping sun light.
III. The phenomenon of heat build up inside a glass chamber from the absorption of solar radiation is called green house effect.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. II and III
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
The temperature surrounding the earth has been rising during the recent past, is due to the ‘green house effect’. A green house is a glass chamber in which plants are grown to provide them warmth by trapping sun light. Sunlight (a form of energy) passes through the glass and it gets absorbed inside releasing heat radiations unlike sunlight, heat radiation cannot escape through glass the heat generated there from, cannot escape out of the glass chamber.
Thus, even on a cold winter day, the inside of a green house can become quite warm to support plant growth. The phenomenon of heat build up inside a glass chamber from the absorption of solar radiation is called green house effect.
2. Which of the following is on the list of Global Environmental issues?
a. green house effect and global warming
b. biodiversity loss
c. desertification
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
The developmental discrepancies in different regions of the world pose a serious threat to our common global environment. Consequently, we are confronted with complex environmental issues deserving attention. The important global environmental issues are:
• green house effect and global warming
• biodiversity loss
• desertification
• depletion of ozone layer
• acid rain
• oil spills
• dumping of hazardous wastes
3. Consider the following statements regarding the suggested measures to minimize global warming by reducing emission of green house gases especially carbon dioxides:
I. Increased fuel efficiency of power plants and vehicles
II. Development/implementation of solar energy/non-fossil fuel alternatives
III. Halting deforestation
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. II and III
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
Every individual must take immediate steps to minimize global warming by reducing emission of green house gases especially carbon dioxides. Following steps would be useful in reducing emission/release of green house gases into the atmosphere:
• Increased fuel efficiency of power plants and vehicles
• Development/implementation of solar energy/non-fossil fuel alternatives
• Halting deforestation
• Supporting and undertaking tree-planting (afforestation)
• Reduce air-pollution
4. Consider the following statements regarding the reasons for biodiversity loss:
I. Introduction of foreign species
II. Environmental degradation
III. Loss of habitat
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a. Only I
b. I and II
c. II and III
d. All of the above
Answer: d
Explanation:
Rapid decline of biodiversity is a result of various causes and few of the followings are:
Loss of Habitat: Due to the growing human population, wetlands are being made dry through landfills, as the demand for land increases. Natural forests are cleared for industry, agriculture, dams, habitation, recreational sports, etc.
As a consequence- every plant and animal species occupying that ecosystem is temporarily or permanently affected. So are the migrating birds or other animals visiting that habitat and occupying the ecosystem.
Introduction of foreign species: With growing volume of international travel accidental introduction of species into a new or foreign area has become easier. There are many species which have invaded new areas to which they were introduced unintentionally. Many of the new species introduced into new regions thrive at the expense of native species. For example: Parthenium, Argemone and Lantana are the common weeds of foreign origin in our country.
Environmental degradation: A vast array of factors causing environmental degradation may result in the loss of biodiversity. Some of these factors are: global warming, increased CO2concentration in atmosphere, nuclear radiation; UV-exposure; oil spills, etc.
5. Consider the following statements
1. Burning of fossil fuel, wood and crop residues all produce lot of Oxides of nitrogen
2. Sulphur dioxide is major pollutant released from oil refineries.
Select the correct answer from the following codes
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: b
Explanation:
Burning of fossil fuel, wood and crop residues all produce lot of carbon dioxide leading to global warming and climate change. Sulphur dioxide is produced by burning fossil fuels and it is a major pollutant released from oil refineries.
6. Which of the following is/are not Green House Gases?
1. Nitrous oxide
2. Ozone
3. Sulphur dioxide
Select the correct answer from the following codes
a. Only 3
b. Only 1 and 2
c. Only 2 and 3
d. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: a
Explanation:
Atmospheric gases like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapour, and Chlorofluorocarbons are capable of trapping the out-going infrared radiation from the earth.
7. At the global scale relative contributions of CO2, CH4, N2Oand CFCs towards global warming are:
a. 50 %, 30 %, 10 % , and 10 % respectively
b. 76%, 16%, 6%, and 2% respectively
c. 40 %, 30%, 20% and 10% respectively
d. None of the above
Answer: b
Explanation:
At the global scale, the key greenhouse gases emitted by human activities are:
Source: IPCC (2014) based on global emissions from 2010.
Carbon dioxide (CO2): Primary source of CO2 emission is the use of fossil fuel. The way in which people use land is also an important source of CO2, especially when it involves deforestation. CO2can also be emitted from direct human-induced impacts on forestry and other land use, such as through deforestation, land clearing for agriculture, and degradation of soils. Likewise, land can also remove CO2 from the atmosphere through reforestation, improvement of soils, and other activities.
Methane (CH4): Agricultural activities, waste management, energy use, and biomass burning all contribute to CH4 emissions.
Nitrous oxide (N2O): Agricultural activities, such as fertilizer use, are the primary source of N2O emissions. Biomass burning also generates N2O.
Fluorinated gases (F-gases): Industrial processes, refrigeration, and the use of a variety of consumer products contribute to emissions of F-gases, which include hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).
Black carbon is a solid particle or aerosol, not a gas, but it also contributes to warming of the atmosphere. Learn more about black carbon and climate change on our Causes of Climate Change page.
8. Which of the following economic activities out of the economic sector largely contributes to greenhouse gases at global level?
a. Industry
b. Agriculture, forestry and other land use
c. Electricity and Heat Production
d. Transportation
Answer: c
Explanation:
Electricity and Heat Production (25% of 2010 GHG emissions): The burning household coal, natural gas, and oil for electricity and heat, is the largest single source of global GHG emissions:
Source: IPCC (2014) based on global emissions from 2010.
Industrial activity (21% of 2010 GHG emissions): GHG gas emissions from industry primarily involve fossil fuels burned on site at facilities for energy. This sector also includes emissions from chemical, metallurgical, and mineral transformation processes not associated with energy consumption and emissions from waste management activities. (Note: Emissions from industrial electricity use are excluded and are instead covered in the Electricity and Heat Production sector.)
Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (24% of 2010 GHG emissions): Greenhouse gas emissions from this sector come mostly from agriculture (cultivation of crops and livestock) and deforestation. This estimate does not include the CO2 that ecosystems remove from the atmosphere by sequestering carbon in biomass, dead organic matter, and soils, which offset approximately 20% of emissions from this sector.
Transportation (14% of 2010 GHG emissions): Greenhouse gas emissions from this sector primarily involve fossil fuels burned for road, rail, air, and marine transportation. Almost all (95%) of the world's transportation energy comes from petroleum-based fuels, largely gasoline and diesel.
Buildings (6% of 2010 GHG emissions): Greenhouse gas emissions from this sector arise from onsite energy generation and burning fuels for heat in buildings or cooking in homes. (Note: Emissions from electricity use in buildings are excluded and are instead covered in the Electricity and Heat Production sector.)
Other Energy (10% of 2010 GHG emissions): This source of greenhouse gas emissions refers to all emissions from the Energy sector which are not directly associated with electricity or heat production, such as fuel extraction, refining, processing, and transportation.
9. With reference to the sources and causes of Greenhouse Gases which of the following is correctly matched?
|
Gas
|
Sources and Causes
|
a
|
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
|
Refrigeration, solvents, insulation foams, aero propellants, industrial and commercial uses
|
b
|
Chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs)
|
Burning of fossil fuels, deforestation
|
c
|
Methane (CH4)
|
Growing paddy, excreta of cattle and other livestock, termites, burning of fossil fuel, wood, landfills etc.
|
d
|
Nitrogen oxides (N2O)
|
Refrigeration, solvents, , aero propellants, insulation foams, industrial and commercial uses
|
Answer: c
Explanation:
Greenhouse Gases and their sources and causes:
Carbon dioxide (CO2): Burning of fossil fuels, deforestation
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs): Refrigeration, solvents, insulation foams, aero propellants, industrial and commercial uses.
Methane (CH4): Growing paddy, excreta of cattle and other livestock, termites, burning of fossil fuel, wood, landfills etc.
Nitrogen oxides (N2O): Burning of fossil fuels, fertilizers; burning of wood and crop residue.
10. With reference to effect of green house gases, which of the following is/are true?
1. Changes to plant growth and nutrition levels
2. Ozone depletion
3. Smog pollution
Select the correct answer from the following codes
a. Only 1
b. Only 1 and 2
c. Only 2 and 3
d. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: d
Explanation:
Ocean acidification, smog pollution, ozone depletion as well as changes to plant growth and nutrition levels.
The two most abundant gases in the atmosphere, nitrogen (comprising 78% of the dry atmosphere) and oxygen (comprising 21%), exert almost no greenhouse effect. Instead, the greenhouse effect comes from molecules that are more complex and much less common. Water vapour is the most important greenhouse gas, and carbon dioxide (CO
2) is the second-most important one. Methane, nitrous oxide, ozone and several other gases present in the atmosphere in small amounts also contribute to the greenhouse effect. In the humid equatorial regions, where there is so much water vapour in the air that the greenhouse effect is very large, adding a small additional amount of CO
2 or water vapour has only a small direct impact on downward infrared radiation. However, in the cold, dry polar regions, the effect of a small increase in CO
2 or water vapour is much greater. The same is true for the cold, dry upper atmosphere where a small increase in water vapour has a greater influence on the greenhouse effect than the same change in water vapour would have near the surface.
Several components of the climate system, notably the oceans and living things, affect atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases. A prime example of this is plants taking CO
2out of the atmosphere and converting it (and water) into carbohydrates via photosynthesis. In the industrial era, human activities have added greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, primarily through the burning of fossil fuels and clearing of forests.
Adding more of a greenhouse gas, such as CO
2, to the atmosphere intensifies the greenhouse effect, thus warming Earth’s climate. The amount of warming depends on various feedback mechanisms. For example, as the atmosphere warms due to rising levels of greenhouse gases, its concentration of water vapour increases, further intensifying the greenhouse effect. This in turn causes more warming, which causes an additional increase in water vapour, in a self-reinforcing cycle. This water vapour feedback may be strong enough to approximately double the increase in the greenhouse effect due to the added CO
2 alone.
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