Environmental Studies · General Awareness

Pollution and Human Impact

2,911 Questions

Pollution involves the introduction of contaminants into natural environments, causing severe human impact. This hub focuses on water pollution, thermal pollution, soil contamination, and diseases like Minamata. It is a highly relevant topic for environmental studies in UPSC exams.

Water pollution sourcesOcean pollutantsHeavy metal contaminationSoil erosion impactsThermal pollution causes

Pollution and Human Impact Questions

Multiple choice evs seeds and seeds interdependencies among organisms hunting plant interdependence between plants and animals

Which of the following is the use of lichens in case of pollution?

  1. They treat the polluted water.

  2. They act as bioindicators of air pollution.

  3. They promote pollution.

  4. Lichens are not related with pollution.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Lichens are most sensitive to sulphur dioxide pollution and do not grow in areas with high levels of air pollution. Hence, Lichens are an important indicators of air pollution.

Multiple choice evs seeds and seeds interdependencies among organisms hunting plant interdependence between plants and animals

Lichens are described as indicator of 

  1. Air pollution

  2. Water pollution

  3. Soil pollution

  4. Agricultural productivity
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Lichens are highly sensitive to sulfur dioxide in the air. Because they absorb nutrients directly from the atmosphere, their presence or absence serves as a reliable bio-indicator for air quality.

Multiple choice geography hazards major hazards in india and prevention tsunami and floods pollution and environment study of water pollution threats to water resource

Greenhouse effect is caused due to ___________.

  1. noise pollution

  2. air pollution

  3. water pollution

  4. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The greenhouse effect is primarily caused by the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which is a direct consequence of air pollution. Other forms of pollution like noise or water do not contribute to the greenhouse effect.

Multiple choice geography hazards major hazards in india and prevention tsunami and floods pollution and environment study of water pollution threats to water resource

Global warming is the phenomenon arising due to air pollution causing damage to ______.

  1. Environment

  2. Earth

  3. Human health

  4. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Global warming is an environmental phenomenon where the Earth's average temperature rises due to the trapping of heat by greenhouse gases. While it affects the Earth and human health, the primary damage is to the global environment.

Multiple choice geography hazards major hazards in india and prevention tsunami and floods pollution and environment study of water pollution threats to water resource

In terms of pollution SPM represents ___________________.

  1. Suspended Pollution Matter

  2. Suspended Particulate Matter

  3. Solid Pollution Matter

  4. Solid Particulate Matter
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

SPM stands for Suspended Particulate Matter, which refers to tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the air.

Multiple choice zoology environmental pollution primary air pollutants air pollution - types and sources not for breathing not for drinking

Which of the following will not cause an environmental pollution?

  1. Noise from vehicles

  2. The Using of chemical fertilizers

  3. Improper disposal of sewage

  4. The Using of a CFC free refrigerator
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The noise from the horn and engines of the vehicles results in sound pollution. The use of extensive chemical fertilizers causes accumulation of these chemicals in the soil and leaching into the ground water. The runoff of these chemicals into water causes water pollution. The improper disposal of sewage results in water pollution. The use of CFC-free refrigerator does not cause any air pollution.

Thus, the correct answer is option D. 

Multiple choice economics environment pollution introduction to environmental pollution introduction to pollution environment and pollution

The introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change is called ________.

  1. Pollution

  2. Emission

  3. Greenhouse effect

  4. None of above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment that cause adverse change. Pollution can take the form of chemical substances or energy, such as noise, heat or light.


Hence, te correct option is $\text{A}$

Multiple choice economics environment pollution introduction to environmental pollution introduction to pollution environment and pollution

Lead is considered as a major  _________ pollutant.

  1. water

  2. air

  3. soil

  4. none of above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Lead is a major air pollutant.Smelters (metal refineries) and other metal industries; combustion of leaded gasoline in piston engine aircraft; waste incinerators (waste burners), and battery manufacturing.

Multiple choice economics environment pollution introduction to environmental pollution introduction to pollution environment and pollution

Which of the following are causes of industrial pollution?

  1. Asbestos

  2. Oils

  3. Nitrates & Phosphates

  4. All of above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

All the options are causes of industrial pollution
Asbestos:
This pollutant has cancer-causing properties. When inhaled, it can cause illnesses such as asbestosis and some types of cancer.
Nitrates & Phosphates:
These are found in fertilizers, and are often washed from the soils to nearby water bodies. They can cause eutrophication, which can be very problematic to marine environments.
Oils:
Oils form a thick layer on the water surface because they do not dissolve in water. This can stop marine plants receiving enough light for photosynthesis.

Multiple choice economics environment pollution introduction to environmental pollution introduction to pollution environment and pollution

Pollution is:

  1. removal of top soil

  2. release of toxic/undesirable materials in environment

  3. conservation of energy

  4. all of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is the release of toxic materials in the environment.
The reasons are:-
  • Toxic waste is any unwanted material in all forms that can cause harm (e.g. by being inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin).
They pollute the air and contaminate soil and water. Disposing of such waste is a major public health issue.
They are the major contributors for the Environmental pollution when it is not disposed of and water pollution, when they are dumped in the water.
Multiple choice economics environment pollution introduction to environmental pollution introduction to pollution environment and pollution

Pollution is mainly caused by:

  1. increase in population and decrease in natural resources

  2. industrialisation

  3. urbanization and deforestation

  4. all the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
  1. Population explosion ends up in over use of natural resources and hence pollutes the environment. For example higher population pollutes our water resources around us.
  2. industralisation ends up in the release of effluents into water bodies or spoiling land areas.
  3. Cutting down trees for fuel and burning end up in air pollution.
  4. Urbanisation after deforestation ends up in polluted atmosphere and deficit of fresh water for human use.
Multiple choice economics environment pollution introduction to environmental pollution introduction to pollution environment and pollution

Chemical pollution is mainly due to the discharge of organic & inorganic substances released into the water.

Is the above statement correct?

  1. True

  2. False
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Most of the chemicals that pollute the environment (mainly water) are man-made, resulted from various activities. Toxic chemicals used for various purpose are thrown into water. Organic and inorganic pollutants are the main causes of chemical pollution. For example, many rivers and surface water bodies were contaminated by numerous waste streams from various chemical plants.

So, statement is true.

Multiple choice economics environment pollution introduction to environmental pollution introduction to pollution environment and pollution

Phosphate pollution is caused by:

  1. weathering of phosphate rocks only

  2. agriculatural fertilizers only

  3. phosphate rocks and sewage

  4. sewage and agricultural fertilizers
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Nitrates in water can cause severe illness in infants and domestic animals. Common sources of excess nitrate reaching lakes and streams include septic systems, animal feedlots, agricultural fertilizers, manure, industrial wastewaters, sanitary landfills, and garbage dumps. So D is the correct option. 

Multiple choice economics environment pollution introduction to environmental pollution introduction to pollution environment and pollution

Which of the following represents type(s) of environmental pollution

  1. Air pollution

  2. water pollution

  3. soil pollution

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Air pollution, water pollution and soil pollution represents types of environmental pollution. The contamination of air, water and soil is the environmental pollution. Certain impurities are added to environment due to human activities such as burning coal, dumping waste in water, deforestation, burning of fuel etc.

Multiple choice biology environmental pollution control of water pollution protecting our environment rules are for everyone

The first rate pollution monitor are

  1. molluscs

  2. butterflies

  3. honey bee

  4. plants
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Freshwater molluscs--snails and bivalves--have been used frequently as bioindicator organisms. With increasing needs for research on contaminant effects in freshwater ecosystems, this kind of biomonitoring is likely to develop further in the future. Molluscs can be used effectively for studies of both organic and inorganic contaminants; this review focuses on studies involving bioaccumulation and toxicity of metals. Two important advantages of snails and bivalves over most other freshwater organisms for biomonitoring research are their large size and limited mobility.

So the correct answer is molluscs.