Environment – Medium Level – GK Questions

UNCCD was adopted in Paris in 1994 and entered into force in 1996, focusing on combating desertification and mitigating drought effects.

In arid areas, evaporation concentrates salts in the root zone; poor drainage prevents salt leaching, leading to soil salinization and reduced fertility.

Desertification is land degradation in drylands resulting from various factors including climate variability and unsustainable land use.

Removal of vegetation cover by deforestation and overgrazing exposes soil to wind and water, accelerating erosion and land degradation.

Contour bunding involves building embankments along contours to reduce runoff, conserve soil moisture, and prevent erosion on slopes.

Oligotrophic lakes have low productivity, clear water, and high oxygen levels, contrasting with nutrient-rich eutrophic lakes.

Jal Shakti Abhiyan is a time-bound campaign for water conservation, including rainwater harvesting, rejuvenation of water bodies, and reuse.

Virtual water represents the water used to produce commodities; trading such goods effectively transfers water resources between regions.

Desalination uses methods like reverse osmosis or distillation to remove salts from seawater, providing freshwater in water-scarce regions.

Johads are earthen check dams that capture rainwater, recharge groundwater, and have been traditionally used in Rajasthan for water conservation.

The Haber-Bosch process for producing ammonia fertilizers has doubled the rate of nitrogen fixation, causing eutrophication and other environmental issues.

Sulfur cycles through the atmosphere as SO2 from volcanoes and combustion, and through rocks and oceans as sulfates and sulfides.

Oceans store about 38,000 gigatons of carbon, primarily as dissolved inorganic carbon, making them the largest active carbon reservoir.

Denitrifying bacteria like Pseudomonas convert nitrates back to nitrogen gas (N2), releasing it into the atmosphere and completing the nitrogen cycle.

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria like Rhizobium convert inert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms for plants, a crucial step in the nitrogen cycle.

The phosphorus cycle is primarily sedimentary, moving through rocks, soil, and water, with minimal atmospheric involvement unlike carbon or nitrogen cycles.

Rapid urbanization strains infrastructure, increases waste and pollution, and challenges resource management, hindering sustainable development goals.

Sustainable agriculture maintains soil health, biodiversity, and water resources while producing food without degrading the environment.

Green buildings minimize environmental impact through efficient resource use, renewable materials, and healthy indoor environments.

Circular economy contrasts with the linear 'take-make-dispose' model, emphasizing resource efficiency and closed-loop systems.