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 commercial applications management of natural resources unequal distribution of resources protecting our environment rules are for everyone

Thermal pollution in water bodies is caused due to discharge of

  1. Waste from agricultural fields

  2. Hot water from power plants

  3. Hot chemicals from industries

  4. Waste from mines
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Thermal pollution is caused by change in water temperature which leads to degradation of water quality. It is caused due to use of water as a coolant by power plants and industrial manufacturers. When such water is returned to the natural environment at a higher temperature, it decreases oxygen supply and affects ecosystem composition.

So, the correct answer is option B.

Multiple choice history the industrial revolution industrial revolution and its effects industries and impact india's contemporary economic condition the industrial age and change of life of people industrialization and the growth of democracy china: two different phases

Which pollution affected the lives of people?

  1. Air

  2. Water

  3. Noise

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

The overcrowded towns lacked sanitary amenities. Air, water and noise pollution affected the health of the people. People's respiratory system was affected because of air pollution. Due to the outcome of poisonous gases from some of the factories, many people died. Unhygienic and dirty water from industries polluted water and people suffered from diarrhoea, gastro and jaundice. City vehicles and sound of machinery caused sound pollution and men became deaf permanently. 

Multiple choice chemistry occurrence of carbon compounds in nature substances, objects and energy alternative fuels and energy sources alternative sources of energy

Which of the factors is mainly responsible for the increase in demand of natural resources?

  1. Environmental Pollution

  2. Increase in Human Population

  3. Scientific advancement

  4. Use of Biodegradable Chemicals
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Demand for natural resources has in the past been correlated with economic growth, but there are more factors at play than simple economics. Population change alone does also not lead to more demands for natural resources – although both play a part. Factors such as income growth, environmental change, advances in technology and price pressures all have a part to play.

Multiple choice chemistry occurrence of carbon compounds in nature substances, objects and energy alternative fuels and energy sources alternative sources of energy

Which of the following is biodegradable pollutant?

  1. Domestic waste

  2. DDT

  3. Mercury salts

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

Biodegradable pollutants:

Those pollutants which can be broken down into simpler, harmless, substances in nature in due course of time (by the action of micro-organisms like certain bacteria) are called biodegradable pollutants. Domestic wastes (garbage), urine, faecal matter, sewage, agriculture residues, paper, wood, cloth, cattle dung, animal bones, leather, wool, vegetable stuff or plants are biodegradable pollutants.

Non-biodegradable pollutants:

Those pollutants which cannot be broken down into simpler, harmless substances in nature, are called non-biodegradable pollutants. DDT, plastics, polythene, bags, insecticides, pesticides, mercury, lead, arsenic, metal articles like aluminum cans, synthetic fibres, glass objects, iron products and silver foils are non-biodegradable pollutants.

Multiple choice chemistry occurrence of carbon compounds in nature substances, objects and energy alternative fuels and energy sources alternative sources of energy

Environmental pollution affects:

  1. biotic components

  2. plants only

  3. humans only

  4. both biotic and abiotic components of environment.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Environmental pollution has following effects:

1. Effects on Humans: The effects of environmental pollution on humans are mainly physical, but can also turn into neuro-affections in the long term.

2. Effects on Animals: Environmental pollution mainly affects animal by causing harm to their living environment, making it toxic for them to live in

3. Effects on Plants: As for animals, plants, and especially trees, can be destroyed by acid rains (and this will also have a negative effect on animals as well, as their natural environment will be modified), ozone in the lower atmosphere block the plant respiration, and harmful pollutants can be absorbed from the water or soil.

4. Effects on the Ecosystem: In short, environmental pollution, almost exclusively created by human activities, has a negative effect on the ecosystem, destroying crucial layers of it and causing an even more negative effect on the upper layers.

Multiple choice commercial applications water and air and their importance natural resources and their types promotion of renewable resources protecting our environment

Which of the following is an exhaustible natural resource ?

  1. Air

  2. Water

  3. Soil

  4. Forest
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Resources which get exhausted and are not available in nature in plenty and are known as exhaustible natural resources. They take longer to get replenished. For example coal, petroleum, forest, minerals, etc.

Multiple choice social studies importance of transport system importance of transportation system introduction to transport and communication transportation services language, writing and great books

What type of effect pollution has on the environment?

  1. Constructive effect

  2. Destructive effect

  3. Friendly effect

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

Pollution introduces harmful substances into the environment, which damages ecosystems, health, and natural resources, thus having a destructive effect.

Multiple choice evs let's plant trees damaging the forests deforestation and afforestation protecting our environment pollution of soil degradation of land

The term 'Phytoremediation' refers to the _________________.

  1. Use of plants for removing pollutants from the environment

  2. Use of plants as remedies to cure diseases

  3. Use of plants for restoration of degraded forests

  4. Use of plants in the retention of soil water
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Phytoremediation is a bioremediation process that uses various types of plants to remove, transfer, stabilize, or destroy contaminants in the soil and groundwater.

Multiple choice commercial applications bioenergy biofuels making biofuels technological and industrial development

Leakage of oil tanks and improper oil extraction can cause

  1. Biomagnification

  2. Oil spills

  3. Air pollution

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

Oil spills occur when liquid petroleum is released into the environment by vehicle, vessel or pipeline. It is mostly seen in water bodies. Crude oil is released by tankers on land thus leading to oil spills. In water bodies, improper oil extraction due to drilling rigs, offshore oil platforms and well result in oil spills. Thus the correct answer is option B.

Multiple choice evs atmosphere- wind weather, climate and adaptation of animals to different climates climate and weather weather, climate and adaptations of animals to climate

Multiple Choice Questions
Which one is wrong statement?

  1. Ozone in upper part of atmosphere is harmful to animals

  2. Green house effect is a natural phenomenon

  3. Eutrophication is a natural phenomenon in freshwater bodies

  4. Most of the forests have been lost in tropical area.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Ozone in the upper layer of the atmosphere is also called as good ozone. It forms a layer of the protective sheet or shield against the harmful ultraviolet radiations of the sun. This protects all the life forms from the harmful effects of UV rays.

So, the correct answer is option A, ozone in upper part of atmosphere is harmful to animals.

Multiple choice zoology soil pollution industrial chemicals and their harmful effects toxic wastes and their effects soil pollution-causes

Spraying of D.D.T. on crops produces pollution of

  1. Air only

  2. Air and soil only

  3. Air, soil and water

  4. Air and water only
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Some of the common pollutants are non biodegradable, e.g : persistent pesticides like organochlorine or chlorinated hydrocarbons like DDT. These chemicals pass into food chains and increase in amount per unit weight of organisms with the rise in trophic level due to their accumulation in animal fats. Higher the trophic level of an organism in the food chain, greater will be the accumulation of pollutant. As these chemicals are persistent and non biodegradable, they pollute air, soil and water and in which ever organism they reach they simply keep on increasing in concentration. The phenomenon is called biomagnification. 

Multiple choice zoology soil pollution industrial chemicals and their harmful effects toxic wastes and their effects soil pollution-causes

Lakes which are located downwind from major industrial centers, vulnerable to

  1. Eutrophication

  2. Acid Deposition

  3. Air pollution

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

Lakes downwind from industrial centers are susceptible to acid deposition because industrial emissions (like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides) react with atmospheric moisture to form acids, which then fall as rain or dry deposition.