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 geography international development international development and world population and its impact on resources population growth and impact on resources reproductive health in humans

Overexploitation of resources results in ________.

  1. Desertification

  2. Pollution

  3. Water scarcity

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

Overexploitation of resources is disturbing environment in many ways. Wasting water has far-reaching consequences, which include the destruction of aquatic environments, lack of agricultural productivity and scarcity of safe drinking water.  Wastage of water leads to water scarcity. Unplanned exploitation of environmental resources has caused a lot of havoc to man and his environment on one hand. Air pollution, pollution of water, dumping of waste etc are some of the results of an unplanned exploitation of environmental resources. Desertification at the global level is the reduction in biodiversity, as it contributes to the destruction of the habitats of animal and vegetal species and micro-organisms.

Multiple choice geography international development international development and world population and its impact on resources population growth and impact on resources reproductive health in humans

Extreme mining leads to _____ pollution.

  1. ground

  2. water

  3. ground water

  4. all of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
The environmental impact of mining includes erosion, formation of sinkholes, loss of biodiversity, and contamination of soil, groundwater and surface water by chemicals from mining processes. Mining activities can lead to the generation of large quantities of heavy metal laden wastes which are released in an uncontrolled manner, causing widespread contamination of the ecosystem thus leading to pollution.
Multiple choice zoology human influences on the environment carbon cycle ozone layer depletion and causes depletion of ozone layer

A natural phenomenon that becomes harmful due to pollution is _____________.

  1. Global warming

  2. Ecological balance

  3. Greenhouse effect

  4. Desertification
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Solar radiation is absorbed in the Earth's surface and emitted as thermal energy that can be re-absorbed by greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, ozone, and methane; the major components of atmospheric gas nitrogen, oxygen, and argon are transparent to infrared radiation. The greenhouse effect insulates the earth's surface, making it hospitable to life; however, human activities have increased the concentration of these gases, causing global warming.

So, the correct answer is 'Greenhouse effect'.

Multiple choice biology wastewater story basics of water pollution sewage treatment wastewater treatment - need and methods personal and public cleanliness who will do this? water borne disease hygiene - a key to healthy life

Pollution can be controlled by:

  1. Sewage treatment

  2. Manufacturing electrically operated vehicles

  3. By checking atomic blasts

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

Checking atomic blasts will reduce radioactive pollution. Sewage pollution can be prevented by treating sewage before passing into water course, in sewage treatment plant or effluent treatment plant (ETP). Electrically operated vehicles will control automobile exhaust and improve the air quality in cities.

Multiple choice biology wastewater story basics of water pollution sewage treatment wastewater treatment - need and methods personal and public cleanliness who will do this? water borne disease hygiene - a key to healthy life

Water pollution is mainly caused by

  1. earthquake

  2. human activity

  3. forest fire

  4. biological decay
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

While natural events can affect water quality, the vast majority of water pollution is caused by human activities such as industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, and improper sewage disposal.

Multiple choice biology wastewater story basics of water pollution sewage treatment wastewater treatment - need and methods personal and public cleanliness who will do this? water borne disease hygiene - a key to healthy life

water pollution can cause 

  1. climate change

  2. deforestation

  3. diseases

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

Water pollution introduces pathogens and toxins into the water supply, which are direct causes of various diseases like cholera, typhoid, and dysentery.

Multiple choice economics sustainable development with equity liberalisation objectives of economic planning in india need for sustainable development introduction to social movements and its types social movements

Which among the following is a cause of environmental degradation?

  1. Population growth

  2. Technological progress

  3. Industrialisation

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

Environmental degradation refers to the depletion of the environment and its resources by the acts of human beings that include population growth, technological progress, and industrialization.

Multiple choice economics sustainable development with equity liberalisation objectives of economic planning in india need for sustainable development introduction to social movements and its types social movements

Which among the following can be stated to be a cause of global warming?

  1. Urbanisation

  2. Industrialisation

  3. Both A & B

  4. Neither A nor B
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
Global warming refers to an increase in the average temperature of the globe due to heat that gets trapped in the atmosphere because of which the surface of the earth is heated. Both urbanization and industrialization have resulted in a large amount of pollution that has caused global warming. 
Multiple choice economics sustainable development with equity liberalisation objectives of economic planning in india need for sustainable development introduction to social movements and its types social movements

A pollutant which is directly released into the environment is called __________.

  1. primary pollutant

  2. secondary pollutant

  3. tertiary pollutant

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

Introduction of substances that are harmful to the environment is called environmental pollution and the substance is called pollutant. A pollutant which is directly released into the environment is called primary pollutant. Examples of primary pollutants are Carbon mono oxide, particulate matter like dust, ash, salt particles etc.

Multiple choice economics sustainable development with equity liberalisation objectives of economic planning in india need for sustainable development introduction to social movements and its types social movements

The priority environmental issues identified in India are _________________.

  1. land degradation

  2. biodiversity loss

  3. air pollution with special reference to vehicular pollution in urban cities

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

Land degradation, biodiversity loss, and urban air pollution are all major environmental challenges identified in India's environmental policy framework.

Multiple choice economics sustainable development with equity liberalisation objectives of economic planning in india need for sustainable development introduction to social movements and its types social movements

What are some of the most pressing environmental concerns of India?

  1. Air pollution

  2. Water contamination

  3. Soil erosion

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

Air pollution, water contamination, and soil erosion are all critical environmental issues currently facing India.

Multiple choice evs - i the environment and us soil and its conservations soil pollution-control protecting our environment

Soil pollution can lead to water pollution

  1. True

  2. False
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
  • The contamination of soil with solid waste, acid rain excess of fertilizers, Insecticides, and herbicides is called soil pollution.
  • Soil pollution can lead to water pollution if toxic chemicals leach(drain away from the soil) into groundwater, or if contaminated runoff reaches streams, lakes, or oceans.
  • Hence Soil pollution can lead to water pollution is a true statement.
  • So, the correct answer is 'True'.
Multiple choice commercial studies striving for a better environment soil and its conservations soil pollution-control protecting our environment

Which of the following reasons contribute to negative soil pollution?

  1. Reduction of soil productivity due to the addition of agrochemicals

  2. Reduction of soil productivity due to soil erosion and overuse

  3. Reduction of soil productivity due to the addition of industrial wastes

  4. Reduction of soil productivity due to faulty sanitation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Soil pollution greatly due to use of  large amount of herbicides, pesticides. There also some more reason of soil pollution like industrial wastes are dumped into fertile soil which get polluted and also not having proper satiation. But soil erosion is not responsible for soil pollution, soil erosion is mainly due to deforestation. So B option is right. 

Multiple choice commercial studies striving for a better environment soil and its conservations soil pollution-control protecting our environment

Choose the correct statement.
a)Trash which breaks down into the soil is the major cause of pollution.
b) Biodegradable waste is the main cause of soil pollution.
c) Soil contamination is a part of land degradation.

  1. Only A

  2. Both A and B

  3. Only C

  4. A, B and C
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The trash is mainly composed of the papers and the cardboard. These components contain the cellulose and can be degraded by the activity of the microorganisms. These products do not cause soil pollution. 

Biodegradable is the waste which can be degraded by the activity of microbes. They are converted into elements which get mixed with the soil. These sources are not the cause of soil pollution. 
When there is a change in the soil fertility and the composition of the soil contains toxic and harmful compounds, the soil is said to be contaminated. The contaminated soil reduces the fertility and productivity of the soil. The land gets degraded and cannot be used for production purposes. 
Thus, the correct answer is option C. 

Multiple choice evs - i the environment and us soil and its conservations soil pollution-control protecting our environment

Which of the following can be considered as a example of negative pollution?

  1. Slash and but agriculture

  2. Water logging

  3. Soil salinity due to over irrigation

  4. Land filling and productivity loss
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Negative soil pollution occurs because of overuse of soil & its erosion thereby decreasing soil productivity. For example soil salinity due to over irrigation.

So the correct answer should be option C "soil salinity due to over irrigation".