ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY FOR CSE BY VAISHALI ANAND- MCQs SET 21

MCQs SET 21- 2020

1. Which of the following contribute/s to anthropogenically induced global warming?

1. GHG Emissions
2. Aerosols
3. Changes in the land use and land cover

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) 1 & 3 only
d) All of the above

2. Which of the following is/are climate indicators of Earth system?

1. Ocean temperatures
2. Atmospheric water vapour
3. Ocean pH
4. Snow cover

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

a) 1, 2 & 3 only
b) 2, 3 & 4 only
c) 1, 3 & 4 only
d) All of the above

3. Which of the following is/are the impact/s of climate change over India?

1. The sea surface temperature (SST) of Indian Ocean has risen more than the global average
sea surface temperature rise.
2. Over the last few decades, the dry spells during the summer monsoon season have
increased whereas the intense wet spells have decreased over India.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 & 2
d) None of the above

4. Which of the following is/are the impact/s of climate change over India?

1. The summer monsoon precipitation has increased over India in last some decades.
2. Both the frequency and spatial extent of droughts have increased significantly in India over
last some decades.

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Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 & 2
d) None of the above

5. Which of the following is/are the impact/s of climate change over India?

1. The sea-level rise in North Indian Ocean has been at a higher rate as compared to global
mean SLR in last few decades.
2. There has been a significant increase in the annual frequency of tropical cyclones in North
Indian Ocean due to climate change.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 & 2
d) None of the above

6. Which of the following is/are cause/s of natural climate change?

1. Plate tectonic processes

2. Volcanic eruptions
3. Atmospheric quantity of greenhouse gases
4. Ocean currents

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

a) 1, 2 & 3only
b) 2, 3 & 4 only
c) 1, 3 & 4 only
d) All of the above

7. Which of the following statement/s is/are correct about the Seabed 2030 Project?

1. It was launched by the United Nations in 2017.

2. It aims to bring together all available bathymetric data to produce the definitive map of the
world ocean floor by 2030.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 & 2
d) None of the above

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8. Which of the following statement/s is/are correct about the Pangolin?

1. In Asia, pangolins are found in China and India only.

2. The IUCN status of Indian Pangolin is ‘Endangered’.
3. Indian Pangolin is found throughout the country except in High Himalayas and in arid regions
of India.
4. Indian Pangolin is found in the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and
Srilanka as well.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

a) 1, 2 & 3 only
b) 2 & 4 only
c) 1, 3 & 4 only
d) All of the above

9. Which of the following statement/s is/are correct about environmental pollutant ‘styrene’?

1. It is used in the manufacturing of rubber and latex.

2. One of the sources of styrene is vehicle exhaust.
3. Short-term exposure to styrene can result in mortality.

Select the correct option using the codes given below:

a) 1 & 2 only
b) 2 & 3 only
c) 1 & 3 only
d) All of the above

10. Which of the following statement/s is/are correct about Indian Bison (Gaur)?

1. It is native to South Asia and Southeast Asia.

2. It is listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
3. Its IUCN status is ‘vulnerable’.

Select the correct option using the codes given below:

a) 1 & 2 only
b) 2 & 3 only
c) 1 & 3 only
d) All of the above

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Answers & Explanations

1. Answer: C
Explanation: This is a question from the report titled, “Assessment of Climate Change over the
Indian Region” which was released on 16th June by the Minister of Earth Sciences.

The report is significant for India because it deals exclusively for India and the sub-continent, unlike
the earlier IPCC Assessment Reports or Special Reports which were global in nature.

Now, coming to the question 1. Please read the question carefully. It asks- what contributes to
global warming (and not climate change).

The key drivers of present-day climate change are-

i. Anthropogenic (human-caused) emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs)- GHGs warm the
surface by reducing the amount of Earth’s terrestrial radiation escaping directly to space.
Thus, GHG emissions contribute to global warming.

ii. Aerosols- Aerosols are small particles or droplets suspended in the atmosphere produced
from both natural and anthropogenic sources.
Natural sources include mineral dust from soil erosion, sea salt and volcanic eruptions.
Key anthropogenic sources are industrial air pollution, transport, and biomass burning,
which produce airborne sulfates, nitrates, ammonium and black carbon, and dust produced
by land degradation processes such as desertification.
Aerosols tend to cool the surface by scattering or absorption of solar radiation (direct
effect), or by enhancing cloud formation (indirect effect). Aerosol pollution, due to human
activities, has thus offset a part of the warming caused by anthropogenic GHG emissions.
Thus, it doesn’t contribute to global warming.

iii. Changes in land use and land cover (LULC)- Much of the Earth’s land surface has been
affected by considerable changes in land use and land cover (LULC) over the past few
centuries (and even earlier), mainly because of deforestation and the expansion of
agriculture. Deforested areas have a diminished capacity to act as a carbon dioxide sink and,
if accompanied by biomass burning, are a direct source of GHGs. Thus, LULC contributed to
global warming.
Please note that had the question asked you the anthropogenic drivers of climate change, then all
the three options were true.

2. Answer: D
Explanation: There are multiple climate indicators for the Earth system. They include-
i. Changes in surface, atmospheric and oceanic temperatures
ii. Glaciers
iii. Snow cover
iv. Sea ice
v. Sea-level rise

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vi. Extreme events

vii. Ocean acidification or ocean pH
viii. Atmospheric water vapour- Warming is expected to elevate the rate of evaporation and
increase the moisture content of the atmospheric. Indeed, the amount of water vapour in
the atmosphere, measured as specific humidity, has increased globally over both the land
and ocean.
Points i to vii are easy to understand.

3. Answer: A
Explanation: Please refer to the summary of ‘Climate Change Assessment over India’ report posted
on Channel on 25th June.

I am putting questions from the report so that you understand what kind of questions can be asked
in Prelims from it. Also, it will help in better retention of major points.

4. Answer: B
Explanation: Please refer to the summary of ‘Climate Change Assessment over India’ report posted
on Channel on 25th June.

5. Answer: D
Explanation: Please refer to the summary of ‘Climate Change Assessment over India’ report posted
on Channel on 25th June.

6. Answer: D
Explanation: Apart from the anthropogenic climate change, the planet has seen natural climate
change (one that is caused by natural factors) throughout its geological history. Natural climate
change is ideally to be discussed under Physical Geography, but let’s have a short discussion here on
why it happens.

Factors causing natural climate change are-

1. Solar Variations- The Sun is the source of energy for the Earth’s climate system. Although
the Sun’s energy output appears constant from an everyday point of view, small changes
over an extended period of time can lead to climate changes. Any changes in the sun's
energy output would cause the climate to change.
For instance, a decrease in solar activity was thought to have triggered the Little Ice Age
between approximately 1650 and 1850.

2. Earth’s Orbital Changes- Earth’s orbit around the Sun is an ellipse, not a circle but the ellipse
which changes shape (i.e, the eccentricity of the ellipse keeps changing). Sometimes it is
almost circular and the Earth stays approximately the same distance from the Sun as it
progresses around its orbit. At other times the ellipse is more pronounced so that the Earth
moves closer and further away from the sun as it orbits. When the Earth is closer to the sun
our climate is warmer.

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3. Changes in the Orientation of the Earth’s Axis of Rotation- Earth rotates around an axis but
the Earth’s axis is not upright, it leans at an angle. This angle changes with time and over
about 41 000 years it moves from 22.1 degrees to 24.5 degrees and back again.
Changes in the tilt of the earth can lead to small but climatically important changes in the
strength of the seasons, more tilt means warmer summers and colder winters; less tilt
means cooler summers and milder winters.

4. Volcanic Eruptions- Volcanic eruptions pump out clouds of dust and ash, which block out
some sunlight. Because the ash particles are relatively heavy, they fall to the ground within
about three months, so their cooling effect is very short-lived.
But volcanic debris also includes sulphur dioxide. This gas combines with water vapour and
dust in the atmosphere to form sulphate aerosols, which reflect sunlight away from the
Earth’s surface. These aerosols are lighter than ash particles and can remain in the
atmosphere for a year or more. Their cooling effect outweighs the warming caused by
volcanic greenhouse gases. Large volumes of gases and ash can influence climatic patterns
for years by increasing planetary reflectivity causing atmospheric cooling.

5. Plate Tectonic Processes- Over time, plate tectonic processes cause continents to move to
different positions on the globe. For example, Britain was near to the equator 300 million
years ago, and therefore was hotter than it is today. The movement of the plates also causes
volcanoes and mountains to form and these too can contribute to a change in climate.

6. Atmospheric Concentration of GHGs- The atmospheric quantity of GHGs can change

because of natural factors.
For example, the oceans contain more carbon dioxide (CO2) than the atmosphere and they
can also absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. When the CO2 is in the oceans it does not trap
heat as it does when it is in the atmosphere. If CO2 leaves the oceans and moves into the
atmosphere, this can contribute towards a warmer climate.

7. Ocean Currents- Ocean currents carry heat around the Earth. The direction of these currents
can shift so that different areas become warmer and cooler. Oceans store a large amount of
heat, so that small changes in ocean currents can have a large effect on coastal and global
climate.

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7. Answer: B
Explanation: Statement (1) is incorrect.

Origin- Seabed 2030 is a collaborative project between the Nippon Foundation of Japan and
the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO).

The project was launched at the United Nations (UN) Ocean Conference in June 2017 and is aligned
with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 14 to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas
and marine resources.

Aim- It aims to bring together all available bathymetric data to produce the definitive map of the
world ocean floor by 2030. Thus, Statement (2) is correct.

Significance- Knowing the depth and shape of the seafloor (called as bathymetry) is fundamental for
understanding ocean circulation, tides, tsunami forecasting, fishing resources, sediment transport,
environmental change, underwater geo-hazards, cable and pipeline routing, mineral extraction, oil
and gas exploration and development, infrastructure construction and maintenance.

The ocean maps would also ensure a better understanding of climate change, since floor features
including canyons and underwater volcanoes influence phenomena such as the vertical mixing of
ocean water, and ocean currents. Climate change has impacted the flow of these currents, and more
knowledge about them would help scientists create models forecasting the future behaviour of the
climate, including sea-level rise.

8. Answer: B
Explanation: Pangolin has been in news due to couple of reasons.
China has recently accorded the pangolin the highest level of protection and banned its commercial
trade. In February 2020, China banned pangolin meat amid links between wild meat and the
transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Pangolins are insectivore mammals in nature.
Statement (1) is incorrect as pangolins are found in China, India, Sunda and Philippines in Asia.
There are 8 species of pangolins. Four are found in Asia and four of them in Africa.

IUCN Status of Pangolin

i. Chinese, Philippines and Sunda pangolin are listed by the IUCN as critically endangered.
ii. Indian Pangolin is listed as endangered by the IUCN. Thus, Statement (2) is correct.
iii. Out of the African species of pangolins, two of them are listed as ‘vulnerable’ and the other
two species are ‘endangered’.
However, all species face declining populations as it is one of the most trafficked mammals in the
world. They are trafficked for-
 Food Consumption- Pangolin meat is considered a delicacy in China and Vietnam.
 Therapeutic Properties- Pangolin scales, which are made of keratin (protein present in
human nails) are believed to improve lactation, promote blood circulation, and remove
blood stasis. But these health benefits are so far unproven.

About Indian Pangolin- It is listed in Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and as Endangered
on IUCN Red List. Also know that, in 2017, pangolin was added to the Appendix I of the CITES.

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Habitat of Indian Pangolin-

i. The species is understood to occur in various types of tropical forests as well as open land,
grasslands and degraded habitats, including in close proximity to villages.
ii. Indian Pangolin is widely distributed in India, except the arid region, high Himalayas and the
North-East. Thus, Statement (3) is incorrect.
iii. Chinese pangolin is found in North-Eastern India in the states of Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh,
Meghalaya, Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram and northern part of West Bengal.
iv. It can be found at elevation up to 2500 m.
v. The species also occurs in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. This makes Statement
(4) as correct.

9. Answer: A
Explanation: Styrene was the gas which leaked from the LG Polymer plant at Vishakhapatnam last
month. Changes in temperature inside the storage tank could have resulted in auto polymerization
and caused vapourisation of styrene.

Styrene is an organic compound with the formula C8H8. It is a derivative of benzene (C6H6).

It is a flammable liquid that is used in the manufacturing of polystyrene plastics, fiberglass, rubber
and latex. Thus, Statement (1) is correct.

Polystyrene is a versatile plastic that is used to make parts of various appliances such as refrigerators
or micro-ovens; automotive parts; and parts of electronics such as computers; and also to
manufacture disposable cups and in food packaging.

Styrene is stored in factories as a liquid, but evaporates easily, and has to be kept at temperatures
under 20°C.

So, we learn that styrene is actually a colourless liquid, and not a gas. Styrene exists as a single
molecule, but is unstable and has a high propensity for auto-polymerisation, especially at
temperatures over 65°C. This process is exothermic, releasing lot of heat during auto-polymerisation
and can become uncontrollable.

Styrene is also found in vehicle exhaust, cigarette smoke, and in natural foods like fruits and
vegetables. This makes Statement (2) as correct.

As per the US-based Environment Protection Agency (EPA), short-term exposure to styrene can
result in respiratory problems, irritation in the eyes, irritation in the mucous membrane, and
gastrointestinal issues. This makes Statement (3) as incorrect. Symptoms of styrene exposure include
headache, hearing loss, fatigue, weakness, difficulty in concentrating etc.

And long-term exposure could drastically affect the central nervous system and lead to other related
problems like peripheral neuropathy. It could also lead to cancer and depression in some cases.

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10. Answer: D
Explanation: This animal doesn’t catch the limelight of news often. But, recently was in news as the
first population estimation exercise of the Indian gaur carried out in the Nilgiris Forest Division in
recent years.

Indian Bison is one of the largest wild cattle found in India. It is native to South & Southeast Asia.
Gaurs are found in eastern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam,
southern China, and the Malay Peninsula. They inhabit evergreen and deciduous forest hills and
grassy clearings up to 2,500m.

It is listed as vulnerable in IUCN Red Data Book, and is listed in Appendix I of CITES. Also, it finds its
place in Schedule I of WLPA, 1972.

With only around 1000 left in the wild, their numbers are declining due to over-hunting, habitat
destruction and exposure to diseases of domestic cattle such as rinderpest, foot-and-mouth disease
and anthrax.

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