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

Pick up the wrong statement.

  1. Lichens are symbiotic associations.

  2. Lichens do not grow in unpolluted areas.

  3. Lichens are very good pollution indicators.

  4. Algal component of lichen is known as phycobiont .
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

  • Lichens are widely used as environmental indicators or bio-indicators. If the air is clean, shrubby, hairy and leafy, the lichens become abundant. 
  • Only a few lichen species can tolerate quite high levels of pollution.

So the correct option is B.

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.

Multiple choice economics environment and sustainable development need for sustainable development environmental economics sustainable development

What are the harmful effects of chemical fertilisers?

  1. Large tracts of productive land have been adversely affected

  2. Water bodies including groundwater system have suffered

  3. Demand for irrigation has been going up year after year

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

Chemical fertilizers cause soil degradation, water pollution through runoff, and often lead to increased water requirements for crops.

Multiple choice

How does pollution travel from a river to the ocean?

  1. Pollution flows upstream toward the ocean.

  2. Pollution flows downstream toward the ocean.

  3. Pollution flows toward the bank of a river and then to the ocean.

  4. Pollution flows toward the source of a river.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Rivers naturally flow downstream due to gravity, moving from their source toward larger bodies of water like oceans. Any pollution introduced into a river will be carried along with this downstream current into the ocean.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of non-point source pollution (pollution that comes from more than one source)?

  1. Land fills

  2. Oil refineries

  3. Urban runoff

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

Non-point source pollution comes from diffuse, multiple sources rather than a single, identifiable point. Urban runoff is a classic example because it collects pollutants from streets, lawns, and parking lots across an entire city before entering waterways.