The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act was enacted in India in:
- 1974
- 1981
- 1986
- 1992
Answer: 1974
The Water Act of 1974 was the first major environmental legislation in India aimed at preventing and controlling water pollution.
MCQ – GK Questions
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Under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which schedule provides the absolute highest level of protection to species?
- Schedule I
- Schedule II
- Schedule III
- Schedule V
Answer: Schedule I
Schedule I and part II of Schedule II provide absolute protection, and an offence involving these species attracts the highest penalties.
The comprehensive Environment (Protection) Act was enacted by the Indian Parliament in which year?
- 1974
- 1981
- 1986
- 1992
Answer: 1986
Enacted in the wake of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, the EPA 1986 is an umbrella legislation for environmental protection in India.
Which of the following atmospheric gases is NOT considered a greenhouse gas?
- Water vapor
- Methane
- Argon
- Carbon dioxide
Answer: Argon
Argon is a noble gas and does not absorb and emit infrared radiation, unlike greenhouse gases such as CO2, CH4, and water vapor.
The El Niño phenomenon is primarily associated with:
- Cooling of the Indian Ocean
- Warming of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean
- Increased monsoon rainfall in India
- Melting of the Arctic ice cap
Answer: Warming of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean
El Niño is the periodic warming of the ocean surface in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, disrupting global weather patterns.
What does the term 'Carbon Sequestration' refer to?
- Release of CO2 from oceans
- Capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide
- Burning of fossil fuels
- Conversion of CO2 to Oxygen
Answer: Capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide
Carbon sequestration is the process of capture and long-term storage of atmospheric carbon dioxide to mitigate global warming.
Which international treaty was specifically designed to phase out the production of ozone-depleting substances like CFCs?
- Kyoto Protocol
- Montreal Protocol
- Basel Convention
- Vienna Convention
Answer: Montreal Protocol
The Montreal Protocol (1987) is a landmark environmental agreement that successfully phased out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ODS.
Which of the following greenhouse gases has the highest Global Warming Potential (GWP) per molecule over a 100-year period?
- Carbon dioxide
- Methane
- Nitrous oxide
- Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)
Answer: Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)
SF6 is the most potent greenhouse gas evaluated by the IPCC, with a GWP of 23,500 times that of CO2 over 100 years.
Which of the following greenhouse gases is commonly known as 'laughing gas'?
- Methane
- Nitrous oxide
- Carbon dioxide
- Chlorofluorocarbon
Answer: Nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is known as laughing gas and is also a potent greenhouse gas and ozone-depleting substance.
Blue Baby Syndrome (Methemoglobinemia) in infants is primarily caused by the contamination of drinking water with:
- Chlorides
- Nitrates
- Fluorides
- Sulphates
Answer: Nitrates
Excess nitrates in drinking water are converted to nitrites in the infant's body, which bind to hemoglobin, reducing its oxygen-carrying capacity.
The intensity of noise pollution is measured in which of the following units?
- Joules
- Decibels
- Hertz
- Watts
Answer: Decibels
Decibels (dB) is the logarithmic unit used to measure sound level or noise pollution.
Which of the following is classified as a secondary air pollutant?
- Carbon monoxide
- Sulphur dioxide
- Tropospheric Ozone
- Particulate Matter
Answer: Tropospheric Ozone
Secondary pollutants are not emitted directly but form when primary pollutants react in the atmosphere. Ground-level ozone is a classic example.
Minamata disease was first identified in Japan and was caused by severe poisoning from:
- Lead
- Cadmium
- Mercury
- Arsenic
Answer: Mercury
Minamata disease is a neurological syndrome caused by severe mercury poisoning, specifically methylmercury in industrial wastewater.
Cryopreservation is a technique primarily used in which type of conservation?
- In-situ conservation
- Ex-situ conservation
- Bio-fencing
- Social forestry
Answer: Ex-situ conservation
Cryopreservation involves preserving cells, tissues, or seeds at very low temperatures (liquid nitrogen) and is a form of ex-situ conservation.
Species that are found exclusively in a particular geographical region are known as:
- Endangered species
- Endemic species
- Invasive species
- Extinct species
Answer: Endemic species
Endemic species are native and restricted to a specific place and are not naturally found anywhere else in the world.
The Giant Panda is the international symbol of which environmental organization?
- Greenpeace
- UNEP
- WWF
- IUCN
Answer: WWF
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) uses the Giant Panda as its logo, inspired by a panda named Chi-Chi.
Which of the following is an example of in-situ conservation?
- Zoological Parks
- Botanical Gardens
- National Parks
- Seed Banks
Answer: National Parks
In-situ conservation involves protecting species in their natural habitats, such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
Which of the following pairs are recognized biodiversity hotspots in India?
- Thar Desert and Deccan Plateau
- Western Ghats and Eastern Himalayas
- Sundarbans and Aravalli Hills
- Gangetic Plains and Nilgiris
Answer: Western Ghats and Eastern Himalayas
India has four biodiversity hotspots: the Himalayas, Western Ghats, North-East India, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Benthic organisms are primarily found in which part of an aquatic ecosystem?
- Surface
- Middle water column
- Bottom sediments
- Shoreline
Answer: Bottom sediments
Benthos are the community of organisms that live on, in, or near the bottom sediments of a body of water.
Which of the following is considered an abiotic factor in an environment?
- Bacteria
- Moss
- Temperature
- Insects
Answer: Temperature
Abiotic factors are non-living chemical and physical parts of the environment, such as temperature, light, and water.