Daily Static MCQs for UPSC & State PSC Exams - Environment & Ecology (12 August 2023)

Daily Static MCQs Quiz for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, MPPSC. BPSC, RPSC & All State PSC Exams

Subject : Environment & Ecology

1. Consider the following statements regarding Peatlands:

1. Peatlands are wetlands that contain mixture of decomposed organic material.
2. Peatlands often lack oxygen as they are partially submerged in layer of water.
3. If they are drained, their high carbon content makes them vulnerable to incineration.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

Answer: (C)

Explanation: Peatlands are wetlands that contain a mixture of decomposed organic material, partially submerged in a layer of water, lacking oxygen. The complex biodiversity of peatlands means they are home to variety of species. Their high carbon content makes them uniquely vulnerable to incineration if they are drained. They are globally important carbon store. The unregulated exploitation of peatlands can potentially be detrimental to environment and to climate, as it could release carbon emissions that have been locked in for millennia. Hence, all statements are correct.

2. Consider the following:

1. Gothenburg Protocol
2. Bonn Convention
3. National Air Quality index
4. System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting

How many of the above national and international events monitors Ozone pollution?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four

Answer: (C)

Explanation:

  • The 1999 Gothenburg Protocol to Abate Acidification, Eutrophication and Ground-level Ozone is a multi-pollutant protocol designed to reduce acidification, eutrophication and ground-level ozone. The Protocol is part of the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution.
  • The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), also known as the Bonn Convention, aims to conserve terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory species throughout their range. Hence, option 2 is not correct.
  • Ozone has been classified and monitored as one of the eight pollutants under National Air Quality index.
  • Ozone is monitored as one of the Pollutants under SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting).

3. Consider the following Environmental conventions:

1. Basel Convention : Persistent Organic Pollutants.
2. Rotterdam Convention : Prior Informed Consent Procedure for certain hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in international trade.
3. Stockholm Convention : Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal.

How many of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

Answer: (A)

Explanation:

  • The Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions are multilateral environmental agreements, which share the common objective of protecting human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals and wastes.
  • The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal was created to protect people and the environment from the negative effects of the inappropriate management of hazardous wastes worldwide. It is the most comprehensive global treaty dealing with hazardous waste materials throughout their lifecycles, from production and transport to final use and disposal. Hence, pair 1 is not correctly matched.
  • The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for certain hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in international trade provides Parties with a first line of defence against hazardous chemicals. It promotes international efforts to protect human health and the environment as well as enabling countries to decide if they want to import hazardous chemicals and pesticides listed in the Convention. Hence, pair 2 is correctly matched.
  • The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is a global treaty to protect human health and the environment from highly dangerous, long-lasting chemicals by restricting and ultimately eliminating their production, use, trade, release and storage. Hence, pair 3 is not correctly matched.

4. Which of the following correctly assesses the impact of climate change on agriculture and food security?

1. Crop yield may be reduced in most tropical and sub-tropical regions due to decreased water availability.
2. Insect or pest incidence may increase leading to greater crop losses.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (C)

Explanation: According to IPCC report, climate change would hit the poorest countries severely in terms of reducing the agricultural products. Crop yield would be reduced due to decreased water availability, and new or changed insect/pest incidence. This is because higher temperature is conducive for the growth of pests. Agriculture will be adversely affected not only by an increase or decrease in the overall amounts of rainfall but also by shifts in the timing of the rainfall. Hence, both statements are correct.

5. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) test is commonly used to measure which of the following?

(a) Computing oxygen levels in forest ecosystems
(b) Amount of oxygen used in an oxygenation process
(c) Oxygen required to decompose organic constituents present in the wastewater
(d) None of the above

Answer: (C)

Explanation: The amount of oxygen that is required for the chemical oxidation of the organic and inorganic chemicals present in the wastewater by utilising oxidising agents like Potassium permanganate, Potassium dichromate etc. is called as chemical oxygen demand (COD). COD is the oxygen demand that is consumed by both inorganic and organic matter present in the wastewater sample. Hence, option (c) is correct.