1. Methane (CH4) is one of the six greenhouse gases under the Kyoto protocol.

Which of the following

is/are sources of methane?

1. combustion of fossil fuels

2. wetlands

3. automobiles

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 1 and 3 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

d) 1, 2 and 3. All three are sources of methane. Natural gas and petroleum systems are one of the
largest source of CH4 emissions. Methane is the primary component of natural gas. Some CH4 is emitted
to the atmosphere during the production, processing, storage, transmission, and distribution of natural
gas. Methane emissions from passenger cars (automobiles) have however dropped, as the use of
catalytic converters increased. Methane is generated in landfills as waste decomposes and in the
treatment of wastewater. As one of the most significant natural sources of atmospheric methane,
wetlands remain a major area of concern with respect to climate change.

2. Which of these pairs are correctly matched ?

1. Minamata convention : mercury

2. Stockholm convention : persistant organic pollutants

3. Basel convention : lead

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 1 and 3 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 1,2 and 3
a) 1 and 2 only. The Basel Convention is for the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous
Wastes and Their Disposal. It was designed to reduce the movements of hazardous waste between
nations, and specifically to prevent transfer of hazardous waste from developed to less developed
countries (LDCs). It does not, however, address the movement of radioactive waste. The Minamata
Convention on Mercury is an international treaty designed to protect human health and the
environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds.
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is an international environmental treaty that
aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

3. In context of environment, the term “dirty dozen” refers to

a) 12 most harmful greenhouse gases

b) 12 ozone depleting substances

c) 12 persistent organic pollutants

d) none of the above

c) 12 persistent organic pollutants. These were the 12 initial compounds that were listed under the
Stockholm convention. UPSC might not go into their details, so just remember what the dirty dozen are
related to.

4. A biofertilizer helps in increasing the supply of primary nutrients to plants. Which of the following
is/are examples of biofertilizers?

1. Azotobacter

2. Rhizobium

3. Azospirillium

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 1 and 3 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3
d) 1, 2 and 3. Rhizobium is used for leguminous crops. Azotobacter can be used with crops like wheat,
maize, mustard, cotton, potato and other vegetable crops. Azospirillum inoculations are recommended
mainly for sorghum, millets, maize, sugarcane and wheat. Bio-fertilizers add nutrients through the
natural processes of nitrogen fixation, solubilizing phosphorus, and stimulating plant growth through the
synthesis of growth-promoting substances.

5. Some regions are marked as ‘biodiversity hotspots’ on account of their endemism and threat. Which
of the followng regions in India is/are a biodiversity hotspot?

1. western ghats

2. eastern ghats

3. eastern himalayas

4. western himalays

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 1 and 3 only

c) 1, 2 and 3 only

d) 2 and 4 only

b) 1 and 3 only. A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with a significant reservoir of

biodiversity that is under threat from humans. To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot on Myers 2000
edition of the hotspot-map, a region must meet two strict criteria: 1. it must contain at least 0.5% or
1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics, and 2. it has to have lost at least 70% of its primary
vegetation. India has two BH – western ghats & eastern himalays.

6. Atmospheric nitrogen can undergo nitrogen fixation by

1. cynabacteria

2. lightning

3. ultraviolet rays
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

a) 1 only

b) 1 and 2 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

d) 1, 2 and 3. Nitrogen fixation (NF) is a process in which nitrogen (N2) in the atmosphere is converted
into ammonium (NH4+). Nitrogen fixation occurs naturally in the air by means of lightning. Biological
nitrogen fixation is carried by cyanobacteria (e.g. the highly significant Trichodesmium and Cyanothece),
green sulfur bacteria, Azotobacteraceae, rhizobia and Frankia. NF also takes place in presence of UV
rays.

7. Consider the following statements :

1. No human activity is allowed inside tiger reserves.

2. Tourism is allowed in national parks.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

b) 2 only. The second statement is a simple fact, which you must know. A tiger reserve has two zones –
core and buffer. In the buffer zone, human activity is allowed.

8. With reference to oil spills, consider the following statements :

1. They make the water deficient in oxygen.

2. They can cause algal blooms.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

a) 1 only. Oil Spills make the water deficient in oxygen. This causes problem for the marine animals.
Algal bloom is associated with eutrophication, and oil spills have no role here. On the contrary, oil spills
kills algae. Spilled oil can harm the environment in several ways, including the physical damages that
directly impact wildlife and their habitats (such as coating birds or mammals with a layer of oil), and the
toxicity of the oil itself, which can poison exposed organisms.

9. The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 provides for various categories of protected areas. These include:

1. National parks

2. Wildlife sanctuaries

3. Biosphere reserve

4. Tiger reserves

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 1 and 3 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 4 only

d) 1, 2 and 4 only. Very important point to be remembered – biosphere reserves are created by merely a
notification and they DO NOT require legislation. National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserves,
community reserves, conservation reserves are backed up by the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. UPSC
often asks question on the basis of differences of these protected areas.
10. Increased level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere would impact the plants in many ways. These
can be:

1. decrease in photosynthetic productivity of plants.

2. Proliferation of weeds.

3. Increase in number of insects and other pests.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 1 and 3 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

c) 2 and 3 only. Most of you might have marked statement 1 as correct. However, remember that
increase in CO2 will increase photosynthesis. UPSC has a habit of forming question on exceptions like
these. Increased CO2 concentration in the atmosphere may increase photosynthetic productivity of
plants. This in turn produces more organic matter. It may seem a positive effect. But, 1. Weeds may
proliferate rapidly and that too at the expense of useful plants. 2. Insects and other pests that feed on
plants may also increase in number. 3. Survival of other organisms gets affected. This question was
formed from the National Open School notes on environment. I would urge everyone to go through this
chapter – http://download.nos.org/333courseE/14.pdf