Environmental Studies · General Awareness

Pollution and Human Impact

2,864 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 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 physics sources of energy biomass and biogas biogas conventional sources of energy

Choose the correct statement.

  1. Biomass energy causes no pollution.

  2. Biomass energy causes heavy pollution.

  3. Biomass energy causes less pollution as compared to conventional sources of energy.

  4. Biomass energy is costly.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Biomass : Energy comes from living things like wood, animal wastes. Biomass does not produce pollutants like coal and petroleum does as it is completely organic. But burning of it still produce pollutants.

Multiple choice allotropes of carbon occurrence of carbon compounds in nature polymers chemistry

Who influences the plastic pollution the most?

  1. Public

  2. Manufacturer

  3. Government

  4. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
We all share the responsibility for environmental issues like plastic pollution. Any issue which concerns and community, has to be resolved with the co-operation of all involved; it is a "shared responsibility". Those involved are Government, Municipalities, the raw material manufacturers, the retailers, and consumers.
Because domestic waste is a mixture of materials of which plastics is only a small component, under 2% by weight, it is the responsibility of government to manage waste and a regulate its disposal.
It is the responsibility of the plastics raw material and packaging manufacturers to come up with the most cost efficient solutions, which will preserve and protect goods, minimize the use of energy and reduce the weight and volume of waste. 
Multiple choice common health problem international health bodies health organisation biology

Sewage obtained from domestic premises as well as commercial and industrial buildings, known as

  1. Municipal Pollution

  2. Industrial Pollution

  3. Natural pollution

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

Sewage from domestic, commercial, and industrial sources collected by a municipality is generally referred to as municipal sewage or municipal pollution.

Multiple choice water and air and their importance natural resources- air, water and land air around us air chemistry introduction to natural resources land

Forest fire produces ...... pollution.

  1. air

  2. water

  3. sea

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

A forest fire is a natural source of air pollution. 


Several major air pollutants can be released when a fire is caused in the forest. 

For example, carbon monoxide even in small quantities can cause several damage to the plant and animal life. Higher levels of carbon monoxide content reduce the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and cause breathing problems.

Thus, the correct answer is option A.