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 business organisation and correspondence environmental pollution and industries air pollution and its effects the environment and us environment and conservation

Soil pollution is caused by

  1. Water impurity

  2. Smokey air

  3. Chemical deposition

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

Soil contamination or soil pollution is caused by the presence of human-made chemicals or other alteration in the natural soil environment. It is typically caused by industrial activity, agricultural chemicals or improper disposal of waste. The most common chemicals involved are petroleum hydrocarbons, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, solvents, pesticides, lead and other heavy metals. 

Multiple choice business organisation and correspondence environmental pollution and industries air pollution and its effects the environment and us environment and conservation

The type of pollution which occurs in lithosphere is known as

  1. Soil pollution

  2. Water pollution

  3. Air pollution

  4. Noise pollution
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
The lithosphere is the rigid outer part of the earth, consisting of the crust and upper mantle. The type of pollution which occurs in lithosphere is soil pollution. Soil pollution occurs when the presence of toxic chemicals, pollutants or contaminants in the soil is in high enough concentrations to be of risk to plants, wildlife, humans and of course, the soil itself.
So, the correct answer is 'Soil pollution'.
Multiple choice biology air and water pollution control environmental impact: global warming green house effect geobiochemical cycle

Gloal warming is a serious outcome of:

  1. water pollution

  2. land pollution

  3. industrial pollution

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

Global warming is among the most serious outcome of industrial pollution, witnessed on the account of the steady rise of industrial activities. Industries release into the atmosphere a variety of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide $(CO _2)$ and methane $(CH _4)$. These gases absorb thermal radiation from the sun thereby increasing the general temperature of the earth, leading to global warming.

Multiple choice evs how to save fuel define fossil fuels conservation of fuels reason for finishing of materials (resources) fuel and conservation

Which of the following is a recently originated problem of environment?

  1. Global warming

  2. Ozone depletion

  3. Greenhouse effect

  4. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
Global warming, also referred to as climate change, is the observed century-scale rise in the average temperature of the Earth's climate system  and its related effects.

Ozone layer depletion is simply the wearing out (reduction) of the amount of ozone in the stratosphere. Unlike pollution, which has many types and causes, ozone depletion has been pinned down to one major human activity. 

Depletion begins when CFC's get into the stratosphere.

The greenhouse effect is the process by which radiation from a planet's atmosphere warms the planet's surface to a temperature above what it would be without its atmosphere.

Hence the option D is correct.
Multiple choice evs how to save fuel define fossil fuels conservation of fuels reason for finishing of materials (resources) fuel and conservation

What are the effects of natural resource depletion?

  1. reduce the quality of safe and accessible drinking water.

  2. introduces harmful toxins into waterways and the atmosphere.

  3. cause soil contamination.

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

Depletion of natural resources like water, fuel-air and soil produces competition among living organisms for the remaining portions and diminishes the quality of available resources. Some of the human activities reduce the quality of drinking water. Overuse of fossil fuels reduces their availability and also introduces harmful toxins into the water and the atmosphere. Deforestation and agricultural activities exacerbate erosion and cause soil contamination, which impairs the survival capacity of plants, and makes surrounding areas prone to flooding and environmental disasters.

Multiple choice zoology natural resources and agriculture pollution of soil degradation of land damaging the forests

The type of pollution which is found the third most is

  1. Land or landscape pollution

  2. Controlled tipping

  3. Noise pollution

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

The three main types of pollution are 1. Air Pollution 2. Water Pollution 3. Soil Pollution. Rapid urbanization, with the consequent increase in population and building construction, has resulted in the reduction of land for the wastes to be disposed of.

Every year solid wastes are increasing tremendously all over the world. Several hazardous chemicals and the mountains of wastes are ultimately dumped on the land. For example sources of soil, pollution is 
1. Industrial wastes, 2. Urban wastes, 3. Radioactive pollutants, 4. Agricultural practices, 5. Biological agents, 6. Soil sediments.
So the correct answer is 'Land or landscape pollution'.

Multiple choice business studies tourism, transport and communication importance of transport system importance of transportation system introduction to transport and communication

Which type of pollution is found in urban areas?

  1. Air Pollution

  2. Noise pollution

  3. Water pollution

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

Pollution is a major problem in the cities. It has adverse effects on urban like. Air pollution, noise pollution and water pollution are clearly visible in urban areas. Increase in the development of the city, increase in transportation and industries and breaking of laws makes pollution a big problem As city grow, pollution also increase.

Multiple choice botany adaptations to different ecosystems lichen lichens lichens ( the nature's pioneers )

Lichens are important in the studies on atmospheric pollution because they

  1. Can also grow in greatly polluted atmosphere

  2. Can readily multiply in polluted atmosphere
  3. Are very sensitive to pollutants such as $SO _2$

  4. Efficiently purify the atmosphere
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Lichens are used as the indicators of air pollution. These structures grow on tree bark and rocks. Air pollutants which are in the gaseous forms get dissolved in the rainwater, especially pollutants like SO$ _2$ can damage lichens, and check them from growing. In places where lichens are not growing, it indicates that the air is heavily polluted with sulphur dioxide and other pollutants. 

Thus, the correct answer is option C. 

Multiple choice botany living world lichen lichens lichens ( the nature's pioneers )

Lichens are best indicators of

  1. Water pollution

  2. Soil pollution

  3. Air pollution

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

Lichens are used as the indicators of air pollution. These structures grow on tree bark and rocks. Air pollutants which are in the gaseous forms get dissolved in the rainwater, especially SO$ _2$ (sulphur dioxide) can damage lichens, and check them from growing. In places where lichens are not growing, it indicates that the air is heavily polluted with sulphur dioxide and other pollutants. 

Thus, the correct answer is option D. 

Multiple choice zoology global environmental change causes of resource depletion causes of greenhouse effect ozone layer depletion

Maximum threat to the world is from

  1. Global warming

  2. Ozone hole

  3. Water pollution

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

Maximum threat to the world is from ozone layer which is found in the stratosphere. This layer acts as a shield absorbing UV radiations from the sun. For the ozone layer to be intact there has to be a balance between the production and degradation which has been disturbed by the CFCs used in refrigerators. The F and Cl, which are released by these compounds results in the thinning out of the ozone layer also known as the ozone hole. It causes threat to life and environment as it leads to skin aging and cancers, snow blindness, cataract, melting of polar ice caps, global warming etc.

So, the correct answer is 'Ozone hole'

Multiple choice commercial applications global environmental change causes of resource depletion causes of greenhouse effect ozone layer depletion

Chlorofluorocarbons cause

  1. Global warming

  2. Eutrophication of lakes

  3. Depletion of the ozone layer

  4. Magnification in the food chain

  5. Acid rain
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) also known as freons which cause a destruction of ozone layer found in the stratospheric layer. The ozone layer in the atmosphere prevents the harmful UV rays from reaching the earth surface. When this ozone layer gets depleted, harmful UV rays causes skin cancer. 
Multiple choice commercial applications global environmental change causes of resource depletion causes of greenhouse effect ozone layer depletion

Which of the following is the result of use of chlorofluorocarbons?

  1. Global warming

  2. Eutrophication of lates

  3. Depletion of the ozone layer

  4. Magnification in the food chain

  5. Acid rain
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) is composed of carbon, chlorine, and fluorine. This is used in refrigerants, propellants, and solvents. The chlorine atoms are released due to splitting of CFC by ultravoilet radiation.

So, the correct answer is option C.