This set of Pollution Control Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Effects of Pollution on Environment”.
1. Pollution causes problems on a global scale.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: Pollution causes problems on the local or regional level in the environment. That’s because pollution happens in a particular area, which causes issues related to public health and the environment in and around that area. Problems on the global scale manifest in the form of issues like climate change.
2. How does water-runoff cause soil pollution?
a) It causes erosion of topsoil
b) Soil fertility reduces
c) Gully formation happens
d) Water saturation occurs
View Answer
Explanation: Topsoil erosion is an effect of water runoff. For example, water runoff from farms may displace loose topsoil in areas where there is no vegetation. Once displaced, topsoil takes years to regenerate.
3. What is an example of a carbon sink?
a) Soil
b) Forests
c) Buildings
d) Cities
View Answer
Explanation: Carbon sinks are areas that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it into breathable oxygen. Forests are carbon sinks.
4. Which of the following reasons is NOT an effect of deforestation?
a) Loss of biodiversity
b) Loss of carbon sink
c) Loss of shelter for animals
d) Loss of trees
View Answer
Explanation: Loss of trees causes deforestation; it is not an effect of deforestation. The other options are all caused due to deforestation.
5. Plants grow slower in a carbon dioxide-enriched atmosphere.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: Studies have shown that plants tend to grow faster in an atmosphere in which carbon dioxide is in excess. But vegetation cannot keep with the sheer volume of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere because of large-scale deforestation and excess carbon dioxide production.
6. Which of the following is NOT an alternative to chlorofluorocarbons?
a) Hydrochlorofluorocarbons
b) Hydrofluorocarbons
c) Refrigerators without chlorofluorocarbons
d) Bromofluorocarbons
View Answer
Explanation: Bromoflourocarbons are similar to CFCs, as both chlorine and bromine are halogens. Therefore, they would have similar effects as chlorofluorocarbons and cause further ozone depletion.
7. Why is it difficult to quantify the extent of the effect of environmental pollution?
a) Because of political issues
b) Because there is too much data
c) Because the effects are interrelated
d) Because of lack of techniques
View Answer
Explanation: It is difficult to quantify the extent of pollution because the effects of different types of pollution are interrelated. One sphere is affected by multiple kinds of pollution, thus, making it hard to pinpoint the cause with accuracy.
8. What causes dead zones in water bodies?
a) Oxygen depletion
b) Oil spills
c) Algae growth
d) Loss of plankton
View Answer
Explanation: Algae release toxins that cause the death of aquatic life. Additionally, microorganisms consume all the dissolved oxygen as the algae die. Here, no life can survive further, and such areas are called dead zones.
9. What is the environmental effect of oil spills on ocean water?
a) Disruption of hunting
b) Disruption of pH
c) Disruption of natural aquatic life
d) Disruption of oceanic activity
View Answer
Explanation: An oil spill significantly disrupts the salinity of water by changing the pH of water. Ocean water tends to be slightly alkaline in nature, but an oil spill can make it more acidic, thus harming aquatic life.
10. If untreated, how does wastewater affect water bodies?
a) Reduces capacity of self-cleaning
b) Changes properties of the water body
c) Ruins the visual appeal
d) Increases free ammonia
View Answer
Explanation: If released untreated, wastewater affects the self-cleaning properties of the water body. That is because only a limited number of microorganisms are available to carry out these processes. These microorganisms may not be able to tackle the high volume of pollutants.
11. A few kinds of pesticides get concentrated in the bodies of plants and animals due to specific processes. Which of the following options is an example of such a pesticide?
a) Toxaphene
b) Lindane
c) Dieldrin
d) Heptachlor
View Answer
Explanation: Dieldrin (aldrin and DDT are other examples) is an example of a pesticide that is problematic due to its increasing concentration in the food chain. Due to biomagnification, the pesticide becomes more concentrated, and more harmful with trophic level.
12. What is the main content of mine drainage?
a) Nitric acid
b) Sulphuric acid
c) Carbonic acid
d) Caustic soda
View Answer
Explanation: Sulphuric acid is one of the main contents of waste from mines. It is produced by a reaction between the ore, air, and water, which then runoff to nearby waterbodies. Acid can kill fish.
13. What is the most worrying issue caused by pollution due to detergents?
a) Bleaching caused by detergents
b) Effect of surfactants present in detergents
c) Foam formation due to presence of detergents in water
d) Release of phosphates from detergents
View Answer
Explanation: Phosphates act as plant nutrients, thereby supporting eutrophication. An excess of nutrients supports the growth of algae in the water bodies.
Sanfoundry Global Education & Learning Series – Pollution Control.
To practice all areas of Pollution Control, here is complete set of 1000+ Multiple Choice Questions and Answers.