Environment and Ecology

251. Which one of the following diseases is caused by Cadmium pollution?

Which one of the following diseases is caused by Cadmium pollution?

[amp_mcq option1=”Minamata” option2=”Itai-itai” option3=”Fluorosis” option4=”Blue baby syndrome” correct=”option2″]

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The correct answer is B) Itai-itai.
Itai-itai disease is a severe form of osteomalacia (softening of bones) associated with kidney dysfunction, caused by chronic exposure to cadmium poisoning. It was first reported in Japan, caused by cadmium released into rivers by mining activities.
A) Minamata disease is a neurological syndrome caused by severe mercury poisoning. It was first discovered in Minamata, Japan.
C) Fluorosis is a condition caused by excessive intake of fluoride, affecting bones and teeth.
D) Blue baby syndrome (Methemoglobinemia) is a condition in infants caused by nitrates in drinking water, which interferes with the blood’s ability to carry oxygen.

252. Which of the following are the necessary conditions for the growth of

Which of the following are the necessary conditions for the growth of coral reefs?

  • 1. Photic conditions
  • 2. Clean and sediment free water
  • 3. Sea salinity of 6%
  • 4. Tropical sea water with temperature of 20°C to 21°C

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 4 only” option2=”2 and 4 only” option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2, 3 and 4″ correct=”option1″]

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The correct answer is A) 1, 2 and 4 only.
Coral reefs are complex ecosystems built by tiny marine animals called coral polyps. Their growth depends on specific environmental conditions:
1. **Photic conditions:** Corals have a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae living in their tissues. These algae require sunlight for photosynthesis, which provides energy to the coral. Therefore, coral reefs are typically found in shallow, clear waters within the photic zone.
2. **Clean and sediment free water:** Sediments suspended in water can block sunlight needed by zooxanthellae and can also smother coral polyps. Pollution can also harm corals. Clean water is essential.
3. **Sea salinity of 6%:** This is incorrect. Coral reefs typically require stable salinity levels found in normal seawater, which is usually around 30-40 parts per thousand (ppt), or 3-4%. A salinity of 6% (60 ppt) is significantly higher than optimal and is not conducive to coral growth.
4. **Tropical sea water with temperature of 20°C to 21°C:** Corals thrive in warm tropical and subtropical waters. The ideal temperature range for most reef-building corals is generally between 20°C and 28°C (68°F to 82°F). The range 20-21°C falls within this suitable range.
Other conditions necessary for coral reef growth include adequate water circulation to bring nutrients and remove waste, and a hard substrate for larvae to settle on. Coral bleaching, a major threat to reefs, occurs when corals expel their symbiotic algae, often due to increased water temperature.

253. Which one of the following is NOT correct about organic farming ?

Which one of the following is NOT correct about organic farming ?

[amp_mcq option1=”It does not use genetically modified seeds” option2=”Synthetic pesticides or fertilizers are not used” option3=”It uses minimal crop rotation” option4=”It uses ecologically protective practices” correct=”option3″]

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The statement “It uses minimal crop rotation” is NOT correct about organic farming.
– Organic farming is an agricultural system that avoids the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and growth hormones. (Statements A and B are correct).
– It focuses on ecological balance, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable practices to maintain soil fertility and manage pests and diseases. (Statement D is correct).
– Crop rotation is a fundamental practice in organic farming. It is used extensively to improve soil health, break pest and disease cycles, manage weeds, and diversify nutrient uptake from the soil, thereby reducing reliance on external inputs. Organic farming uses *extensive*, not minimal, crop rotation.
Other common practices in organic farming include using compost and manure for soil fertility, biological pest control, cover cropping, and conservation tillage. The goal is to build healthy soil and a resilient ecosystem.

254. Which one of the following tiger reserves of India has ‘Bhoorsingh the

Which one of the following tiger reserves of India has ‘Bhoorsingh the Barasingha’ as its official mascot ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Nameri tiger reserve” option2=”Ranthambhore tiger reserve” option3=”Panna tiger reserve” option4=”Kanha tiger reserve” correct=”option4″]

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Kanha tiger reserve of India has ‘Bhoorsingh the Barasingha’ as its official mascot.
– Kanha Tiger Reserve, located in Madhya Pradesh, became the first tiger reserve in India to officially introduce a mascot, ‘Bhoorsingh the Barasingha’ (swamp deer), in 2017.
– The aim was to connect people with wildlife and encourage conservation efforts, particularly focusing on the barasingha, which is the state animal of Madhya Pradesh and a species found in abundance in Kanha.
Barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii) is a vulnerable species of deer. Kanha National Park is particularly famous for its conservation efforts for the hard ground barasingha, saving it from near extinction. The mascot initiative helps in raising awareness about this unique species and the park’s ecosystem.

255. Which of the following statements about the Paris Agreement on Climate

Which of the following statements about the Paris Agreement on Climate Change is NOT correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”The agreement has been signed by more than 190 countries (as of March 2017)” option2=”The agreement went into effect on 4 November 2016″ option3=”The Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) pledged during the 2015 Climate Change Confer- ence has been withdrawn in the Paris Agreement” option4=”Both USA and China joined the Paris Agreement” correct=”option3″]

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Statement C is NOT correct. The Paris Agreement did not withdraw the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs). Instead, it formalized them into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and established a framework for countries to pursue these commitments, review progress, and enhance their ambition over time. The INDCs formed the *basis* for countries’ commitments under the Paris Agreement.
The Paris Agreement operates on the principle of NDCs, which are voluntarily set by each country and represent their efforts to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Statement A is correct; by March 2017, well over 190 countries had signed the agreement. Statement B is correct; the agreement entered into force on November 4, 2016, after meeting the ratification threshold. Statement D is correct; both the USA (under the Obama administration, though it later withdrew under Trump and rejoined under Biden) and China joined the agreement.

256. The largest greenhouse gas leakage in the US history took place in Feb

The largest greenhouse gas leakage in the US history took place in February 2016. The gas was :

[amp_mcq option1=”Carbon dioxide” option2=”Methane” option3=”Chlorofluorocarbon” option4=”Nitrous oxide” correct=”option2″]

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The gas involved in the largest greenhouse gas leakage in the US history in February 2016 was Methane.
This refers to the Aliso Canyon methane leak in Southern California, which was discovered in October 2015 but continued to release methane until February 2016. It was one of the largest natural gas leaks in US history and a significant environmental disaster, releasing a massive amount of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
The leak occurred at a natural gas storage facility owned by Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas). It highlighted concerns about aging infrastructure and the environmental impact of natural gas storage.

257. The ‘Paris Agreement’ adopted in Conference of the Parties (COP 21) in

The ‘Paris Agreement’ adopted in Conference of the Parties (COP 21) in December 2015 will be effective provided the document is signed by:

[amp_mcq option1=”51 UNFCCC parties accounting for at least 51% of global greenhouse gas emission” option2=”51 UNFCCC parties accounting for at least 55% of global greenhouse gas emission” option3=”55 UNFCCC parties accounting for at least 55% of global greenhouse gas emission” option4=”75 UNFCCC parties accounting for at least 51% of global greenhouse gas emission” correct=”option3″]

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The correct answer is C.
The Paris Agreement adopted in December 2015 required ratification, acceptance, approval, or accession by at least 55 Parties to the UNFCCC which together account for at least 55% of the total global greenhouse gas emissions for it to enter into force. This specific condition was met in October 2016, leading to the Agreement’s entry into force on November 4, 2016.
This dual requirement (number of Parties and percentage of emissions) was designed to ensure that the agreement had broad support and covered a significant portion of global emissions before becoming legally binding.

258. Which one of the following states has the maximum number of registered

Which one of the following states has the maximum number of registered E-Waste recyclers / dismantlers ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Maharashtra” option2=”Tamil Nadu” option3=”Karnataka” option4=”Uttar Pradesh” correct=”option1″]

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The correct answer is Maharashtra.
– This question pertains to the number of registered E-Waste recyclers and dismantlers, which falls under the E-Waste Management Rules. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is the regulatory body in India.
– Based on CPCB data available around the time frame from which this question likely originates (e.g., data from 2016-2019), Maharashtra has consistently had the highest number of registered E-Waste dismantling and recycling units among all Indian states.
– States like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh also have a significant number of registered units, but Maharashtra has typically led in this count.
The number of registered facilities can change over time as new licenses are granted and others expire or are revoked. However, historical data places Maharashtra at the top for having the maximum number of registered E-Waste recyclers/dismantlers. This is often attributed to the state’s large population, high e-waste generation, and relatively developed industrial infrastructure for processing waste.

259. The process of using microbes to treat areas of land or sea that have

The process of using microbes to treat areas of land or sea that have been contaminated by pesticides, oil or solvents is known as :

[amp_mcq option1=”Eutrophication” option2=”Nitrification” option3=”Ammonification” option4=”Bioremediation” correct=”option4″]

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The process of using microbes (or other biological agents) to remove pollutants from contaminated areas is known as bioremediation.
– Bioremediation utilizes the natural metabolic capabilities of microorganisms to degrade, transform, or immobilize contaminants in soil, water, or air.
– It is an environmentally friendly approach compared to some physical or chemical cleanup methods.
– Examples include using bacteria to break down oil spills or industrial solvents.
– Eutrophication is the process of nutrient enrichment in a water body, leading to excessive algal growth.
– Nitrification is the biological oxidation of ammonia to nitrite and then nitrate, performed by specific bacteria in the nitrogen cycle.
– Ammonification is the process by which organic nitrogen compounds are decomposed to produce ammonia or ammonium ions, also part of the nitrogen cycle.

260. Ramsar Convention, to which India is a signatory, is related to conser

Ramsar Convention, to which India is a signatory, is related to conservation and wise use of :

[amp_mcq option1=”wetlands” option2=”genetic resources” option3=”mines” option4=”forest lands” correct=”option1″]

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The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty focused on the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
– The full name of the convention is “The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat”.
– It was signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971 and came into force in 1975.
– Its mission is “the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world”.
– India is a signatory to this convention and has designated several sites as Ramsar Sites.
Wetlands include swamps, marshes, fens, peatlands or water; areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres; areas of karst, rivers, lakes and human-made wetlands such as dams, reservoirs, rice paddies, sewage treatment facilities and salt pans. Wise use is defined as “maintenance of their ecological character, achieved through the implementation of ecosystem approaches, within the context of sustainable development”.
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