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[Solution]
Q.1) Arrange the following in decreasing order of Global warming potential.
1. Perfluoromethane
2. Sulphur Hexafluoride
3. HCFC 22
4. Nitrous Oxide
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1>3>2>4
b) 2>3>1>4
c) 4>3>1>2
d) 2>1>3>4
Ans – [D]
Explanation – Sulphur Hexafluoride has highest global warming potential (GWP) which is equal to 23,900. Perfluoromethane has GWP of 6500. HCFC 22 has GWP of 1300-1400 and Nitrous oxide has 310.
Q.2) Arrange the following mountains from North to south direction.
1. Maikala Range
2. Balaghat Range
3. Kaimur Range
4. Ajanta Range
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 3, 1, 4, 2
b) 1, 2, 3, 4
c) 3, 1, 2, 4
d) 1, 2, 4, 3
Ans-[A]
Explanation–
Q.3) Consider the following statements about Savanna grass ecosystem.
1. It is a temperate grassland.
2. Trees are so close to each other that sunlight can not reach to the ground.
3. It is also known as a paradise of hunters.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 only
d) 3 only
Ans – [D]
Explanation- Savanna are tropical grasslands that are located near the equator, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. They cover much of Africa as well as large areas of Australia, South America, and India. They may have some drought-resistant, fire-resistant or they may have an open shrub layer. Savanna is characterized by the trees being sufficiently widely spaced so that the canopy does not close. The open canopy allows sufficient light to reach the ground to support an unbroken herbaceous layer consisting primarily of grasses. Savanna is also known as a paradise of the hunters.
Q.4) Which of the following does not affect salinity of the ocean?
a) Latitude
b) Temperature
c) Ocean currents
d) Tides
Ans-[D]
Explanation- Tides have no effect on the salinity of the ocean. Salinity generally decreases from equator to poles. Temperature and ocean currents affects salinity.
Q.5) Consider the following statements.
1. Antarctica has no Biomes.
2. Biomes are characterized on the basis of climatic factors only.
Select the incorrect statement using the codes given below.
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) None of the above
Ans – [C]
Explanation – Biomes are regions of planets that are characterized and distinguished on the basis of climate, flora and fauna. Antarctica is the coldest, windiest, and driest biome on Earth. There is not a lot of life on the Antarctic land.
Q.6) Consider the following statements about Eutrophication.
1. It decreases the Biochemical Oxygen demand of water.
2. It increases the biomass of phytoplanktons.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) None of the above
Ans – [B]
Explanation – Eutrophication occurs when large quantities of nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates enter an aquatic environment. Sources of these nutrients include animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and sewage. The ecosystem quickly experiences an increase in photosynthetic and blue-green algae, as these organisms thrive in the presence of the added nutrients. An algae bloom occurs as the algae accumulates into dense, visible patches near the surface of the water, prohibiting light from penetrating deeper areas of lake or stream. This can be a problem in marine habitats:
- This causes phytoplankton to grow and reproduce more rapidly, resulting in algal blooms. Hence statement 2 is correct. Biomass of phytoplanktons gets increased.
- This bloom of algae disrupts normal ecosystem functioning and causes many problems.
- The algae may use up all the oxygen in the water, leaving none for other marine life. This results in the death of many aquatic organisms such as fish, which need the oxygen in the water to live.
- The bloom of algae may also block sunlight from photosynthetic marine plants under the water surface.
- Some algae even produce toxins that are harmful to higher forms of life. This can cause problems along the food chain and affect any animal that feeds on them.
Some fish are unable to survive due to this, but for them an even more serious problem arises when the algae begin to die. At this point, oxygen-demanding bacteria take over the ecosystem, decomposing the algae and using up dissolved oxygen in the process. These bacteria increase the biological oxygen demand (BOD) of the ecosystem. BOD is the amount of oxygen required for the decomposition of organic compounds by microorganisms in a given amount of water.
Q.7) Consider the following statements about Oil Zapping technique.
1. Hazardous hydrocarbons waste are converted into Carbon dioxide and water.
2. This technique was developed by Centre for Science and Environment.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans – [A]
Explanation – Oil-zapper is essentially a combination of five different bacterial strains that are immobilized and mixed with a carrier material (powdered corncob). It is developed by TERI after seven years of research work and partly supported by the DBT (Department of Biotechnology), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. Oil-zapper feeds on hydrocarbon compounds present in crude oil and oily sludge (a hazardous hydrocarbon waste generated by oil refineries) and converts them into harmless CO2 and water. The Oilzapper is neatly packed into sterile polythene bags and sealed aseptically for safe transport. The shelf life of the product is three months at ambient temperature.
Q.8) Consider the following statements about Biodiversity.
1. High beta-diversity implies high similarity between species composition of different ecosystem.
2. Alpha diversity represent diversity of the species within the ecosystem.
3. Gamma diversity represents geographic scale species diversity.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are are incorrect?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) 3 only
d) 2 and 3 only
Ans-[A]
Explanation– Statement 2 and 3 are correct. And only statement 1 is incorrect. So, answer would be (a).
Biological diversity – or biodiversity – is the term given to the variety of life on Earth and the natural patterns it forms. Ecologist classify biodiversity as alpha beta and gamma diversity.
Alpha-diversity refers to a group of organisms interacting and competing for the same resources or sharing the same environment. Thus it represents diversity of species within the ecosystem.
Beta-diversity compares the the diversity between the ecosystem. High beta-diversity implies low similarity between species composition of different habitats. It is usually expressed in terms of similarity index between communities. Following diagram illustrates it better.
Q.9) Which of the following countries borders Baltic Sea?
1. Sweden
2. Denmark
3. Belarus
4. Finland
5. Lithuania
6.Spain
7.Russia
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 only
b) 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7 only
c) 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7 only
d) 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 only
Ans-[C]
Explanation– See the map
Q.10) Consider the following statements related with the Godavari river.
1. Indravati, Sabri and Bhima rivers are important tributaries of the Godavari river.
2. It originates in Dandakaranya Plateau.
3. It is navigable throughout its basin.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 1,2 and 3
d) None of them
Ans-[D]
Explanation- Godavari is the largest river of the Peninsular India. It is also known as Dakshin Ganga. Purna, Maner, Penganga, Pranhita, Indravati, Tal, Sabri and Manjira are its important tributaries. Bhima is the tributary of river Krishna. Hence statement 1 is wrong.
Godavari originates in the Trimbak Plateau at the spring near Nasik in Maharashtra. Mahanadi originates in the Dandakaranya Plateau near Raipur. Hence statement 2 is wrong.
Godavari is only navigable in the deltaic stretch of its course. Hence statement 3 is also wrong. Thus Option D is right ans.
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