Environmental Studies · General Awareness

Waste Management and Pollution

2,230 Questions

Waste management and pollution control address waste-to-energy technologies, hazardous disposal, and organic recycling methods. The questions cover landfilling, bioremediation, and marine debris indicators. This topic holds significant weight in UPSC, State PSC, and SSC general studies and environmental exams.

Waste-to-energy technologiesHazardous waste disposalBiogas storage methodsOrganic waste compostingPlastic pollution

Waste Management and Pollution Questions

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

Which of the following yields more energy?

  1. Direct burning of cow dung

  2. Burning of biogas derived from cow dung

  3. Burning of manure derived from cow dung

  4. Burning of semi-decayed cow dung
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Biogas production through anaerobic digestion of cow dung is more energy-efficient and provides a cleaner fuel than direct burning, which is inefficient and releases pollutants.

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

Biogas plant is more useful than burning of dung cakes because

  1. It is non-pollutant.

  2. It yields manure as well as fuel gas.

  3. It yields important biochemicals.

  4. Both A and B.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
Biogas plant produces both biogas and manure from the decomposition of waste material or organic matter. Biogas has a high calorific value than cow dung cakes. Calorific value of methane is about 5.5 KJ/g while for cow dung cakes is about 3.1 KJ/g. Moreover, biogas does not produce any pollutant like cow dung cakes produce carbon dioxide on burning. Neither biogas leaves any ash or soot after burning. Hence, biogas is a non pollutant.
So, the correct answer is 'Both A and B'.
Multiple choice commercial applications management of natural resources unequal distribution of resources protecting our environment rules are for everyone

The incorrect statement regarding biogas is

  1. It predominantly contains methane

  2. Production involves anaerobic digestion of organic wastes

  3. Dung can be used for generation of biogas

  4. It does not contain hydrogen sulphide
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Biogas is a type of fuel. It is a mixture of different gases produced when organic matter breaks down in the absence of oxygen. The organic wastes release many gases primarily methane and carbon-dioxide. It is produced by anaerobic fermentation. It is counted as eco-friendly gas.

So, the correct option is 'It does not contain hydrogen sulphide'.

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

Pollution from animal excreta and organic waste from kitchen can be most profitably minimized by 

  1. Storing them in underground storage tanks

  2. Using them for producing biogas

  3. Vermiculture

  4. Using them directly as biofertilizers
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Biogas is a mixture of methane, carbon dioxide and other trace gases which can be converted to heat, electricity or light. Small-scale biogas reactors are designed to produce biogas at the household or community level in rural areas. 

Animal manure and kitchen waste contain a lot of organic matter and generally, the process produces enough biogas for the family to cover at least cooking requirements. Humans produce less excreta, which contains less material that can be converted to biogas than animal dung (e.g., cows). 
However, toilets, if available can directly be linked to the biogas plant, where human faeces are digested together with the other wastes. This option provides a safe treatment of human excreta and thus improves the hygienic situation of the family. 
The availability of a renewable green energy source reduces the use of firewood for cooking and indoor air pollution. Thus, biogas digesters have the potential to minimize health risks and environmental pollution by using human excreta as a resource for producing energy and fertilizer.

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

There is a high accumulation of garbage in the past recent days in Bangalore. What would you suggest to the government as to how could the garbage be converted into cooking gas by decomposing. Which organism is involved in the process of conversion?

  1. Klebsiella

  2. Yeast

  3. Methanogen

  4. Clostridium
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
Methanogens convert organic products to methane and carbon dioxide. The methanogenic archaea populations play an indispensable role in anaerobic wastewater treatments. It is used as part of the process to treat biodegradable waste and sewage sludge. As part of an integrated waste management system, anaerobic digestion reduces the emission of landfill gas into the atmosphere. 
Therefore, the correct answer is option C.
Multiple choice chemistry occurrence of carbon compounds in nature substances, objects and energy alternative fuels and energy sources alternative sources of energy

Sewage gases are produced by by the decomposition of :

  1. organic household

  2. industrial wastes

  3. both A and B

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

Sewer gas is a complex mixture of toxic and nontoxic gases produced and collected in sewage systems by the decomposition of organic household or industrial wastes, typical components of sewage. Sewer gases may include hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, methane, esters, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

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

Sewage is mainly a

  1. liquid waste

  2. solid waste

  3. gaseous waste

  4. mixture of liquid waste and organic matter
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Sewage is defined as wastewater that contains a mixture of liquid waste from households and organic matter, such as human excreta and food scraps. It is not purely liquid or solid, but a suspension of materials in water.

Multiple choice chemistry man made materials environmental impact: plastics plastic plastic plastic waste garbage in, garbage out

These processes can be used to prevent health hazards of plastics :

  1. Reduce

  2. Reuse

  3. Recover

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

 

A number of waste prevention techniques are available, and they are commonly summarized as the so-called 4Rs: reduction, reuse, recycling and recovery. 

Reduction, reuse and recycling are known in the industry as the 3Rs. 

We must reduce the use of resources as much as possible and save them for the future generation. Reducing usage is a method of conservation of resources.

Therefore, A, B, C and D option are correct.

Multiple choice physics energy management solar power plant production of electricity from solar energy solar energy and its applications

The ................ animal dung left after the production of biogas is an excellent manure.

  1. spent

  2. coal

  3. methane

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

The dried manure left after the biogas process is even richer than ordinary muck and makes a fantastic organic fertilizer.
Hence, The spent animal dung left after the production of biogas is an excellent manure.

Multiple choice economics sustainable development with equity introduction to social movements and its types social movements liberalisation

Solid wastes that have not been effectively disposed lead to contamination of ground water resources.

  1. True

  2. False
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In developed countries, the resources are exploited in a very large quantity that has led to the depletion of the stock of natural resources. The industrialization has polluted the surface water as well as groundwater. Groundwater is usually polluted by solid wastes that has no technique of proper disposal. 

Multiple choice biology towards green energy solar power plant generation of electricity production of electricity from solar energy

Which of the following is the correct sequence of disposal of high-level radioactive wastes?
1. They are kept in thick leak proof containers
2. The wastes are concentrated to reduce their bulk
3. They are stored in special protective shields during handling and transport
4. The wastes are then buried deep down in the earth or undersea bed

  1. 2-1-3-4

  2. 3-2-1-4

  3. 3-1-2-4

  4. 2-3-1-4
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Before disposal of high level of radioactive waste which is very harmful for living organism, there is procedure to dispose it. 

Radioactive waste is stored in special protective shield before handling and transport. After that it is reduce to minimum amount and kept in leak proof containers before depose it, so that it cant harm environment around. Waste should be dispose into deep down earth or under sea bed for misuse.
So, the correct option is '3-2-1-4'.

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

Which of the following waste cannot be considered as a soil pollutant?

  1. Biodegradable

  2. Non-biodegradable

  3. Industrial

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

Substances that are not broken down by microorganisms are non-biodegradable. Non-biodegradable substances affect the soil. Biodegradable substances are broken down by organisms and are not harmful to environment. Hence, non-biodegradable and industrial wastes are considered as soil pollutants. They may enter the food chain and harm the organisms in the higher trophic levels. 

Thus, the correct answer is option A.

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

Electronic waste is harmful to soil because

  1. They are non-biodegradable waste

  2. They are biodegradable waste

  3. They can be turned into compost

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

Wastes are mainly of two types, biodegradable and non-biodegradable. Biodegradable wastes are not harmful to soil as they are broken down by microorganisms. Non-biodegradable wastes like hazardous waste, radioactive waste, electronic waste, etc., are harmful to the soil. These are soil pollutants which may enter the food chain and harm the organisms in the higher trophic levels. 

Thus, the correct answer is option A.

Multiple choice business organisation and correspondence meaning and factors of business environment dimensions of business environment business environment and its dimensions business environment

Which of the following is not a part of Environmental factor?

  1. Emphasis on safety

  2. Energy available and costs,

  3. Waste disposal,

  4. Environmental legislation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Emphasis on safety is not a part of Environmental factor since it is not related directly to the environment. Emphasis on safety falls under the social factor since it includes values and practices.