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With reference to the gaseous and particulate pollutants present in the troposphere, consider the following statements:
1. Nitrogen dioxide damage the leaves of plants and retard the rate of photosynthesis.
2. Carbon dioxide binds to haemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin which reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of
the blood.
3. The presence of particulate matter in polluted air catalyses the oxidation of sulphur dioxide to sulphur trioxide.
Q. 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
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
With reference to the gaseous and particulate pollutants present in th...
  • Tropospheric pollution occurs due to the presence of undesirable solid or gaseous particles in the air. The following are the major gaseous and particulate pollutants present in the troposphere:
    • Gaseous air pollutants: These are oxides of sulphur, nitrogen and carbon, hydrogen sulphide, hydrocarbons, ozone and other oxidants.
    • Particulate pollutants: These are dust, mist, fumes, smoke, smog etc.
  • Oxides of Sulphur: Oxides of sulphur are produced when sulphur-containing fossil fuel is burnt. The most common species, sulphur dioxide, is a gas that is poisonous to both animals and plants.
  • It has been reported that even a low concentration of sulphur dioxide causes respiratory diseases e.g., asthma, bronchitis, emphysema in human beings.
  • Uncatalysed oxidation of sulphur dioxide is slow. However, the presence of particulate matter in polluted air catalyses the oxidation of sulphur dioxide to sulphur trioxide. Hence statement 3 is correct.
    2SO2 (g) +O2 (g) → 2SO3(g) The reaction can also be promoted by ozone and hydrogen peroxide.
    SO2 (g) +O3 (g) → SO3(g) + O2 (g)SO2(g) + H2O2(l) → H2SO4(aq)
  • Oxides of Nitrogen: Dinitrogen and dioxygen are the main constituents of air. These gases do not react  with each other at a normal temperature. At high altitudes when lightning strikes, they combine to form oxides of nitrogen. NO2 is oxidised to nitrate ion, NO3 which is washed into soil, where it serves as a fertilizer.
  • Rate of production of NOis faster when nitric oxide reacts with ozone in the stratosphere. NO (g) + O3(g) → NO2(g) + O2 (g) The irritant red haze in the traffic and congested places is due to oxides of nitrogen.
  • Higher concentrations of NO2 damage the leaves of plants and retard the rate of photosynthesis. Nitrogen dioxide is a lung irritant that can lead to an acute respiratory disease in children. It is toxic to living tissues also. Hence statement 1 is correct.
  • Nitrogen dioxide is also harmful to various textile fibres and metals.
  • Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the most serious air pollutants. It is a colourless and odourless gas, highly poisonous to living beings because of its ability to block the delivery of oxygen to the organs and tissues.
  • It is produced as a result of incomplete combustion of carbon. It binds to haemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin, which is about 300 times more stable than the oxygen-haemoglobin complex.
  • In blood, when the concentration of carboxyhemoglobin reaches about 3–4 per cent, the oxygen carrying capacity of blood is greatly reduced. This oxygen deficiency, results into headache, weak eyesight, nervousness and cardiovascular disorder. Hence statement 2 is not correct.
Community Answer
With reference to the gaseous and particulate pollutants present in th...
Nitrogen Dioxide's Effect on Plants:
- Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a gaseous pollutant present in the troposphere.
- Statement 1 is correct: Nitrogen dioxide can damage the leaves of plants and retard the rate of photosynthesis.
- High levels of nitrogen dioxide can cause visible leaf injury in plants, including stippling, chlorosis, and necrotic lesions.
- These effects occur because nitrogen dioxide can enter the stomata of leaves and disrupt the chlorophyll pigments, thereby hindering the process of photosynthesis.
- Additionally, nitrogen dioxide can also react with other air pollutants to form secondary pollutants, such as ozone, which further damages plant tissues.

Carbon Dioxide's Effect on Blood:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) is another gaseous pollutant present in the troposphere.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: Carbon dioxide does not bind to hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin.
- It is carbon monoxide (CO) that binds to hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin, reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
- Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and is a highly toxic gas.
- When inhaled, carbon monoxide readily binds to hemoglobin, preventing the normal transport of oxygen to the body's tissues.

Particulate Matter's Effect on Sulphur Dioxide:
- Particulate matter (PM) refers to tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the air.
- Statement 3 is correct: The presence of particulate matter in polluted air can catalyze the oxidation of sulphur dioxide (SO2) to sulphur trioxide (SO3).
- Sulphur dioxide is a gaseous pollutant emitted from burning fossil fuels, particularly those containing sulfur.
- The presence of particulate matter provides a surface for the oxidation of SO2 to SO3, which can then react with water vapor to form sulfuric acid (H2SO4), a major component of acid rain.
- This catalytic effect of particulate matter accelerates the conversion of SO2 into more harmful pollutants, exacerbating air pollution and its negative impacts on human health and the environment.

In conclusion, statement 1 is correct as nitrogen dioxide can damage plant leaves and retard photosynthesis. Statement 2 is incorrect as carbon dioxide does not bind to hemoglobin. Statement 3 is correct as particulate matter can catalyze the oxidation of sulphur dioxide. Therefore, option C, which includes statements 1 and 3 only, is the correct answer.
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With reference to the gaseous and particulate pollutants present in the troposphere, consider the following statements:1. Nitrogen dioxide damage the leaves of plants and retard the rate of photosynthesis.2. Carbon dioxide binds to haemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin which reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity ofthe blood.3. The presence of particulate matter in polluted air catalyses the oxidation of sulphur dioxide to sulphur trioxide.Q. Which of the statements given above are correct?a)1 and 2 onlyb)2 and 3 onlyc)1 and 3 onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
With reference to the gaseous and particulate pollutants present in the troposphere, consider the following statements:1. Nitrogen dioxide damage the leaves of plants and retard the rate of photosynthesis.2. Carbon dioxide binds to haemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin which reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity ofthe blood.3. The presence of particulate matter in polluted air catalyses the oxidation of sulphur dioxide to sulphur trioxide.Q. Which of the statements given above are correct?a)1 and 2 onlyb)2 and 3 onlyc)1 and 3 onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about With reference to the gaseous and particulate pollutants present in the troposphere, consider the following statements:1. Nitrogen dioxide damage the leaves of plants and retard the rate of photosynthesis.2. Carbon dioxide binds to haemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin which reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity ofthe blood.3. The presence of particulate matter in polluted air catalyses the oxidation of sulphur dioxide to sulphur trioxide.Q. Which of the statements given above are correct?a)1 and 2 onlyb)2 and 3 onlyc)1 and 3 onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for With reference to the gaseous and particulate pollutants present in the troposphere, consider the following statements:1. Nitrogen dioxide damage the leaves of plants and retard the rate of photosynthesis.2. Carbon dioxide binds to haemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin which reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity ofthe blood.3. The presence of particulate matter in polluted air catalyses the oxidation of sulphur dioxide to sulphur trioxide.Q. Which of the statements given above are correct?a)1 and 2 onlyb)2 and 3 onlyc)1 and 3 onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for With reference to the gaseous and particulate pollutants present in the troposphere, consider the following statements:1. Nitrogen dioxide damage the leaves of plants and retard the rate of photosynthesis.2. Carbon dioxide binds to haemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin which reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity ofthe blood.3. The presence of particulate matter in polluted air catalyses the oxidation of sulphur dioxide to sulphur trioxide.Q. Which of the statements given above are correct?a)1 and 2 onlyb)2 and 3 onlyc)1 and 3 onlyd)1, 2 and 3Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for UPSC. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for UPSC Exam by signing up for free.
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