Environment – Easy Level – GK Questions

Detritivores feed on dead organic matter (detritus); earthworms consume decaying plant material and help in decomposition.

Decomposers like bacteria and fungi break down dead organic matter, releasing nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus back into the soil.

An ecosystem includes both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components interacting as a functional unit.

Established by the UN in 1973, World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5 to raise awareness of environmental issues.

Tree roots bind the soil and the canopy breaks the force of rain; removing trees exposes topsoil to wind and water erosion.

Natural gas is a fossil fuel that takes millions of years to form and depletes much faster than it can be naturally replenished.

The 3 R's represent a hierarchy designed to minimize waste generation and maximize resource efficiency.

Electronic waste includes old computers, phones, and appliances, which often contain hazardous materials like lead and mercury.

Organic matter like cow dung is readily broken down by microorganisms into simpler, non-toxic substances.

Afforestation is the planting of trees in areas that have not recently been forested, whereas reforestation is replanting in depleted forests.

Smog is a portmanteau of 'smoke' and 'fog', describing severe air pollution that reduces visibility and harms respiratory health.

Vermicomposting uses various species of earthworms to create a heterogeneous mixture of decomposing vegetable waste and soil.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is a statutory organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Villagers, particularly women, hugged trees to prevent contractors from cutting them down, making it a landmark eco-social movement.

Coal is a fossil fuel formed over millions of years from plant remains and cannot be replenished on a human timescale.

PV cells are made of semiconductor materials that absorb photons from sunlight and release electrons, generating an electric current.

CNG is natural gas (mostly methane) stored at high pressure, serving as a cleaner substitute for gasoline and diesel.

Biogas is predominantly composed of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide, making it a highly combustible fuel.

Solar energy is harnessed using photovoltaic cells or solar thermal collectors to capture the sun's radiation.

Solar energy is continuously replenished by the sun, making it a renewable and non-conventional source of energy.