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

Agricultural sources are the cause of

  1. greenhouse effect

  2. toxicity in rivers

  3. eutrophication

  4. change in pH of rivers
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Agricultural sources increase the level of nitrates and phosphates in water bodies. It causes rapid algal growth, making water oxygen deficient, leading to suffocation of aquatic life. This is called eutrophication.

Multiple choice

Effect of pollution is first marked on:

  1. green vegetables of an area

  2. micro-organisms

  3. fodder crop

  4. weeds

  5. none of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The effect of pollution is most prominently seen in green vegetables of an area.

Multiple choice

Pollution is not caused by:

  1. thermal power plant

  2. automobile

  3. radioactive power plant

  4. hydroelectric power plant

  5. none of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

No pollution is caused by a hydroelectric power plant as it utilises water for production of electricity.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a point source of water pollution?

  1. Factories

  2. Power plants

  3. Breweries

  4. Construction sites

  5. Underground coal mines
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option as construction sites are not a point source of water pollution. They are a non-point source of water pollution. Unlike point sources, these sources are difficult to monitor and treat, to remove the pollutants.

Multiple choice

Which of the following does not contribute to environmental degradation?

  1. Pollutants

  2. Pesticides

  3. Poisonous chemicals

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

Plants help maintain environmental health by producing oxygen, absorbing pollutants, and preventing soil erosion. The other options (pollutants, pesticides, poisonous chemicals) all contribute to environmental degradation through contamination, toxicity, and ecosystem disruption.

Multiple choice

Environmental pollution can be reduced by

  1. opening more factories

  2. constructing more roads

  3. opening hospitals

  4. planting more trees and plants
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Environmental pollution can be reduced by planting more trees and plants.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a serious cause for pollution?

  1. organic manure

  2. vehicular exhaust

  3. ertilizers and insecticides

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

Organic manure is a natural fertilizer derived from animal wastes or plant residues and is generally beneficial for soil health rather than a cause of serious pollution. In contrast, vehicular exhaust, chemical fertilizers, and plastic garbage are major contributors to air, water, and land pollution. Organic farming practices actually help reduce environmental degradation.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a point source of water pollution?

  1. Run-off from fields

  2. Construction sites

  3. Oil wells

  4. Logging areas

  5. Run-offs from roads and streets
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option as oil wells are a point source of water pollution. Being a point source, it is easier to treat the pollution coming out of oil wells before their discharge into nearby water bodies.

Multiple choice

Highly concentrated sewage is a

  1. Fertilizer

  2. Pollutant

  3. Environmental hazard

  4. Nothing
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Highly concentrated sewage contains organic matter, pathogens, and chemicals that degrade water quality, making it a pollutant. It is not a fertilizer in its raw, concentrated form.

Multiple choice

Industrialisation has:

  1. no effect on pollution

  2. increased pollution

  3. decreases pollution

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

Industrialization involves large-scale manufacturing and energy consumption, which historically and consistently leads to increased environmental pollution.