MCQ Online Test: Environment- 3 - UPSC MCQ

Statement 1 is incorrect because the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is not focused on preventing deforestation due to industrialization or urbanization. Instead, it aims to protect plant health by preventing the spread of pests and diseases.

Statement 2 is also incorrect because the IPPC is governed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, not the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Hence, the Correct Answer is Option D

1. The Ramsar Convention is indeed an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, but it is not limited to mangroves. It covers all types of wetlands, including freshwater and coastal wetlands, not just mangroves. Therefore, statement 1 is incorrect.

2. World Wetlands Day is observed on 2 February every year to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands for people and the planet. This statement is correct.

Thus, the only correct statement is statement 2, and the correct answer is (b) 2 only.

Statement 1: Correct
The EPI ranks countries based on performance in two key areas:

• Environmental Health (which includes protection of human health from environmental risks), and
• Ecosystem Vitality (which includes biodiversity, climate change, and natural resources).

Statement 2: Incorrect
In the 2024 EPI ranking, Estonia ranked first, not Japan.

Hence, the correct answer is Option A

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of India is a statutory organization under the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). It Co-ordinate the activities of the State Boards by providing technical assistance and guidance and resolve disputes among them. There is no such requirement for the chairman of CPCB to be a retired judge of the Supreme Court.

All three animals listed are classified as Critically Endangered under the IUCN Red List and are found in India:

1. Namdapha flying squirrel – Critically Endangered; endemic to Arunachal Pradesh; known only from a single specimen.

2. Pygmy hog – Critically Endangered; found in the grasslands of Assam; subject to a dedicated conservation programme.

3. Nicobar White-tailed Shrew – Critically Endangered; endemic to Great Nicobar Island.

Hence, the correct answer is D: 1, 2 and 3.

The Red Panda is classified as endangered by the IUCN and is primarily found in the Eastern Himalayas. This region provides the necessary habitat for their survival, including dense bamboo forests which are essential for their diet and shelter.

In contrast, the Red Panda is not native to the Western Himalayas, Nicobar Islands, or Nilgiri Hills. Therefore, their population is largely concentrated in the eastern parts of the Himalayas, where conservation efforts are crucial for their protection.

Hence, the Correct Answer is Option A.

To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, a region must meet both of the following criteria (as defined by Conservation International):

1. It must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics (i.e., species found nowhere else).

2. It must have lost at least 70% of its original (primary) vegetation.

Since both conditions are mentioned in the question and are accurate,therefore correct aswer is Option C

A. Montreal Protocol (1987):
Correct – It deals with the phasing out of ozone-depleting substances (ODS).

B. Bonn Convention (1979):
Correct – Also known as the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).

C. Basel Convention (1989):
Incorrect – It deals with the transboundary movement and disposal of hazardous wastes, not Living Modified Organisms (LMOs). LMOs are addressed under the Cartagena Protocol (2000) to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

D. Rotterdam Convention (1998):
Correct – It promotes shared responsibilities and cooperative efforts in the international trade of certain hazardous chemicals and pesticides, using a Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure.

Hence, the correct answer is Option C.

The 'Red Data Book', maintained by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), provides information on the global conservation status of various species. It includes documentation of rare and endangered species of animals, plants, and fungi.

Hence, the Correct Answer is Option D.

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, adopted in 2000 as a supplement to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), focuses on the safe handling, transport, and use of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology. Its primary goal is to protect biological diversity from the potential risks posed by LMOs, particularly in transboundary movements.

• Statement 1: It is legally binding for Annex I countries – Correct.
  The Kyoto Protocol sets legally binding emission reduction targets for industrialized countries and economies in transition (Annex I countries).

• Statement 2: It emerged from the deliberations of COP-3 to the UNFCCC – Correct.
  The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997 during COP-3 held in Kyoto, Japan.

• Statement 3: The signatories have to reduce their individual Greenhouse Gas emissions by 5.2% from 1990 levels – Incorrect. 
  The 5.2% reduction is the collective average target for all Annex I countries, not an identical cut for each country. Individual member nations had different targets (e.g., EU‑15 had –8%, USA had –7%, Japan had –6%, while Australia and others were allowed increases).

Hence, the correct answer is Option B

The most abundant greenhouse gas (GHG) in the Earth's atmosphere is water vapour. It plays a crucial role in the greenhouse effect, trapping heat and contributing to the overall temperature of the planet.

• Water vapour accounts for approximately 60% of the greenhouse effect.
• It is a natural component of the atmosphere, varying in concentration with temperature and weather patterns.
• Unlike other greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, water vapour has a shorter lifespan in the atmosphere.

In contrast, carbon dioxide, while significant, is less abundant than water vapour and has a longer atmospheric lifetime, contributing to climate change over time.

1. Steppe – Found in Central Asia; refers to temperate grasslands with sparse trees or shrubs.

2. Prairie – Found in North America; large, flat grasslands with moderate rainfall.

3. Veld – Found in Southern Africa, not South America. This makes statement 3 incorrect.

Therefore, the correct option is: A: 1 and 2.

Per capita CO₂ emissions rankings are generally calculated based on:

1. Burning of fossil fuels – This includes emissions from coal, oil, and natural gas used in energy, transport, and industry.

2. Cement manufacture – The chemical process of converting limestone into cement releases significant CO₂.

However, land use changes such as deforestation are usually not included in standard per capita CO₂ emissions rankings. These are accounted for separately under broader categories like land-use change and forestry (LULUCF).
Therefore, the correct option is: B: 1 and 2.

A chronic occupational lung disease contracted by the prolonged breathing of coal mine dust. The silica and carbon in the coal dust cause black lung disease. About one of every 20 miners studied in the US has X-ray evidence of black lung disease, a form of pneumoconiosis.

Stages of the Disease

• In its early stages, called simple pneumoconiosis, the disease does not prevent the miner from working or carrying on most normal activities.
• In some miners, the disease never becomes more severe.

Pneumoconiosis is not reversible. There is no specific treatment. Black lung disease has gone by many names, including anthracosis, black lung, black spittle, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, miner's asthma, and silicosis.

Biomagnification refers to the process by which toxic substances become more concentrated in the tissues of organisms at each successive trophic level in a food chain. This occurs because the toxic chemicals accumulate in the organisms' bodies, leading to higher concentrations in predators compared to their prey.

Lichens are crucial indicators of atmospheric pollution because they are very sensitive to pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Their presence or absence can provide valuable information about air quality.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is not considered a conventional atmospheric pollutant like carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2), or hydrocarbons, which are associated with adverse health effects and environmental problems. CO₂ is a greenhouse gas, but it is not typically classified as a pollutant in the same way as the others.

The pollutant created when nitrogen oxide, oxygen, and waste hydrocarbons combine is known as peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) and ozone (O₃). This reaction typically occurs in the atmosphere under sunlight and involves complex chemical processes.

• Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and hydrocarbons react in the presence of sunlight.
• This leads to the formation of secondary pollutants, including ozone and PAN.
• These pollutants contribute to air quality issues and can affect human health.

Thus, the correct answer is PAN and O₃.

Non-ionizing radiation includes types of radiation that do not carry enough energy to ionize atoms or molecules. Ultraviolet (U.V.) radiation is considered non-ionizing at certain wavelengths, while X rays, gamma rays, and alpha rays are types of ionizing radiation.

The term primary air pollutant refers to substances that are directly emitted into the atmosphere and can cause harm to human health and the environment. Among the options provided, the following points clarify their classifications:

• Carbon monoxide (CO): This is a colourless, odourless gas produced primarily from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. It is a significant primary pollutant that can affect the respiratory system.
• Carbon dioxide (CO₂): While it is a greenhouse gas and contributes to climate change, it is not classified as a primary air pollutant in the same sense as CO, as it does not have immediate toxic effects on health.
• Nitrogen (N₂): This gas makes up a large portion of the atmosphere and is not considered a pollutant. It is inert and does not contribute to air quality issues.
• Sulfur: Although sulfur compounds can lead to acid rain and are harmful, the term ‘sulfur’ alone does not identify a specific primary pollutant.

Therefore, the correct identification of the primary air pollutant from the given options is Carbon monoxide (CO).

D.D.T, or Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane, is classified as a non-biodegradable pollutant. This means that it does not break down naturally in the environment and can persist for many years, leading to harmful effects on ecosystems and human health.

• It was widely used as an insecticide but has since been banned or restricted in many countries due to its negative environmental impact.
• D.D.T accumulates in the fatty tissues of living organisms, leading to potential bioaccumulation in the food chain.
• This accumulation can have serious consequences, affecting wildlife and potentially impacting human health through the consumption of contaminated food.

Due to these factors, D.D.T is clearly identified as a significant environmental concern.

Reverse osmosis is a water treatment process that removes contaminants from water by using pressure to force water molecules through a semipermeable membrane. This process is effective in converting sewage water into clean drinking water.

Solar energy is a renewable energy source that does not produce atmospheric pollution during operation, making it a clean alternative to fossil fuels like coal and wood, which contribute to air pollution.

If water pollution continues at its present rate, it can lead to various detrimental effects on the ecosystem. One significant consequence is that it may prevent precipitation, as polluted water can influence local weather patterns and reduce the quality of water available for evaporation and precipitation. Therefore, the correct answer is B.