Environmental Science MCQs

Correct Answer: a) Sulfuric and nitric acids

Explanation:
Acid rain forms when sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals in the atmosphere to form sulfuric and nitric acids. These compounds then fall to the ground as acid rain, snow, or dry particles.

Correct Answer: b) 5.6

Explanation:
Normal rainwater is slightly acidic (pH ~5.6) due to dissolved carbon dioxide forming carbonic acid. Rain with pH below 5.6 is considered acid rain, with some cases as low as pH 4.0 in heavily polluted areas.

Correct Answer: b) Forests, buildings, and aquatic life

Explanation:
Acid rain has widespread effects: it leaches nutrients from soil harming forests, corrodes buildings and monuments (especially limestone/marble), acidifies lakes/rivers killing aquatic life, and can indirectly affect human health through contaminated water and food.

Correct Answer: b) Coal-fired power plants

Explanation:
Coal-fired power plants are the largest anthropogenic source of SO₂ emissions (about 2/3 of total) due to high sulfur content in coal. They also emit significant NOx. Other contributors include industrial boilers, metal smelters, and vehicle emissions.

Correct Answer: b) Central Europe

Explanation:
The "Black Triangle" (Germany-Poland-Czech Republic border) was one of Europe's most polluted areas in the 1980s due to lignite coal burning. Sulfur emissions caused severe forest dieback (Waldsterben) until emissions controls were implemented in the 1990s.

Correct Answer: b) Flue gas desulfurization

Explanation:
Flue gas desulfurization (scrubbers) can remove 90-95% of SO₂ from power plant emissions. Other measures include: using low-sulfur coal, catalytic converters for NOx reduction, fluidized bed combustion, and switching to cleaner energy sources.

Correct Answer: b) 1986

Explanation:
The Environment Protection Act was passed in 1986 after the Bhopal gas tragedy (1984). It provides the framework for India's environmental regulation and implements decisions from the 1972 UN Stockholm Conference. It gives the Central Government power to protect and improve environmental quality.

Correct Answer: b) 1973

Explanation:
Project Tiger was launched in 1973 under the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) to conserve India's tiger population. It established tiger reserves across different states. The tiger population has since increased from 1,411 (2006) to 2,967 (2018 census).

Correct Answer: b) Diversion of forest land

Explanation:
The Forest Conservation Act (1980) requires central government approval for diversion of forest land to non-forest purposes. Between 1980-2020, it helped reduce annual deforestation from 1.5 lakh ha to ~25,000 ha. The 2006 amendment strengthened tribal rights under FRA.

Correct Answer: b) 1987

Explanation:
The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 was amended in 1987 to include noise as an air pollutant. Noise standards were set for different zones: industrial (75 dB), commercial (65 dB), residential (55 dB), and silence zones (50 dB) during daytime.

Correct Answer: b) State Pollution Control Boards

Explanation:
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 established the Central and State Pollution Control Boards. SPCBs/PCCs are primarily responsible for enforcement, including consent management, standards compliance, and taking legal action against violators.

Correct Answer: b) 2002

Explanation:
The Biological Diversity Act (2002) implements India's commitments under the 1992 UN Convention on Biological Diversity. It established the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) and mandates prior approval for research/commercial use of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge.

Correct Answer: b) 2010

Explanation:
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) was established on October 18, 2010 under the NGT Act 2010. It handles cases related to environmental protection and conservation of forests. The tribunal follows principles of sustainable development and has benches in Delhi, Pune, Kolkata, Chennai, and Bhopal.

Correct Answer: b) EPA 1986

Explanation:
The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification was issued in 1994 under the Environment Protection Act (1986). It requires projects like mining, thermal plants, and infrastructure to undergo environmental clearance. The 2006 amendment introduced categorization (A/B) and public consultation for Category A projects.

Correct Answer: b) EPA 1986

Explanation:
CRZ notifications are issued under Section 3 of EPA 1986. The first CRZ notification was in 1991, revised in 2011 and 2019. It classifies coastal areas into four zones (CRZ-I to IV) with specific regulations for each. The 2019 notification relaxed norms for tourism infrastructure and fishing facilities.

Correct Answer: b) Forest Conservation Act

Explanation:
The Forest Conservation Act mandates compensatory afforestation when forest land is diverted - planting trees over equivalent non-forest land or degraded forest land. The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act (2016) created a ₹66,000 crore fund from accumulated payments for this purpose.

Correct Answer: b) EPA 1986

Explanation:
The "Polluter Pays" principle (Section 3 of EPA 1986) makes polluters responsible for environmental remediation costs. The Supreme Court upheld this in the Oleum Gas Leak case (1987) and Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum case (1996). It's now a fundamental principle of environmental jurisprudence in India.

Correct Answer: a) 1989

Explanation:
The Hazardous Waste (Management and Handling) Rules were first notified in 1989 under EPA 1986. They were revised in 2000, 2003, 2008, and 2016. The rules classify hazardous waste based on 36 industrial processes, requiring authorization for generation, storage, treatment, and disposal.