Tag: environment and conservation

Soil pollution is caused by the addition of substances which decrease its productivity. It is caused by agrochemicals, industrial wastes, municipal wastes etc. It adversely affects the fertility of the soil. Pesticides are used in agricultural practices and these chemicals penetrate into the soil and changes the pH of the soil. Also, pesticides affect the fertility of soil by decreasing the number of soil microorganisms. 

Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician, is often cited in environmental history for his observations on the relationship between air quality and human health, dating back to around 400 BC.

Air pollution is defined as the presence of substances in the atmosphere at concentrations high enough to interfere with human health, safety, or welfare, or to produce other harmful environmental effects.

SPM (Suspended Particulate Matter) is defined as particles floating in the air with a diameter below 10um. Studies have shown that high SPM concentrations in the air can have a detrimental impact on respiratory organs. SPM is generated both from natural sources (e.g.,volcanoes or dust storms) and human activities (vehicles, incinerators and industrial plants)

Catalytic converter is a device designed to reduce the amount of emissions from automobiles.The current (so - called three - way) systems use a heated metal catalyst to reduce the emissions of carbon monoxide CO),hydrocarbons and nitric oxide (NO), all of which contribute to the formation of photochemical smog. In an automobile's exhaust system, a catalytic converter provides an environment for a chemical reaction where unburned hydrocarbons undergoes complete combustion. Hence the combustion process continues but outside the engine combustion chamber where no useful energy is extracted.Toxic car gases such as unburned hydrocarbon (UHC) and carbon monoxide(CO) would not exist if the fuel to energy conversion in the engine were perfect.

So, the correct answer is 'If both the assertion and reason are true but the reason is not a correct explanation of the assertion'

Photosynthesis, process by which green plants and certain other organisms use the energy of light to convert carbon dioxide and water into the simple sugar glucose. In so doing, photosynthesis provides the basic energy source for virtually all organisms. So, the correct option is "D" (Photosynthesis).

Air pollution is typically more severe in areas with high human activity, such as cities, industrial zones, and densely populated regions, due to increased emissions from transport and industry.

Acid rain and other pollutants react with building materials like limestone and metal, causing chemical degradation known as corrosion.

Scientific assessments of stratospheric ozone depletion in the late 20th century estimated that ozone levels over heavily populated regions in the Northern Hemisphere had declined by approximately 3%.

When a population exceeds the carrying capacity of its environment, the available resources become insufficient, often leading to famine.

Plant sensitivity to air pollution is primarily influenced by the plant's physiological state and environmental factors, but among the choices, fertility is a key factor affecting growth and stress response. The other options are either unrelated or secondary to the fundamental biological sensitivity.