UPSC Static Quiz – Environment : 25 December 2024

UPSC Static Quiz – Environment : 25 December 2024 We will post 5 questions daily on static topics mentioned in the UPSC civil services preliminary examination syllabus. Each week will focus on a specific topic from the syllabus, such as History of India and Indian National Movement, Indian and World Geography, and more.We are excited to bring you our daily UPSC Static Quiz, designed to help you prepare for the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination. Each day, we will post 5 questions on static topics mentioned in the UPSC syllabus. This week, we are focusing on Indian and World Geography.

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• Question 1 of 5 1. Question Consider the following statements about the Myristica swamp forest and its conservation: The forest is primarily a source of commercial timber and firewood for local communities. The sacred grove within the forest has been protected mainly for religious reasons, with no environmental benefits. The discovery of this forest has led to its immediate commercialization for tourism purposes. How many of the above statements is/are correct? a) Only one b) Only two c) All three d) None Correct Solution: d) All the statements are incorrect. Statement 1 is wrong because the Myristica swamp forest is not used for commercial timber or firewood; it is a highly protected ecosystem due to its ecological and cultural significance. Statement 2 is also incorrect because the forest provides essential environmental benefits such as groundwater recharge, flood mitigation, and carbon sequestration, in addition to its religious importance. Statement 3 is incorrect because there has been no immediate commercialization for tourism; instead, the discovery has highlighted the need for stronger conservation efforts. Incorrect Solution: d) All the statements are incorrect. Statement 1 is wrong because the Myristica swamp forest is not used for commercial timber or firewood; it is a highly protected ecosystem due to its ecological and cultural significance. Statement 2 is also incorrect because the forest provides essential environmental benefits such as groundwater recharge, flood mitigation, and carbon sequestration, in addition to its religious importance. Statement 3 is incorrect because there has been no immediate commercialization for tourism; instead, the discovery has highlighted the need for stronger conservation efforts.

#### 1. Question

Consider the following statements about the Myristica swamp forest and its conservation:

• The forest is primarily a source of commercial timber and firewood for local communities.

• The sacred grove within the forest has been protected mainly for religious reasons, with no environmental benefits.

• The discovery of this forest has led to its immediate commercialization for tourism purposes.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

• a) Only one

• b) Only two

• c) All three

Solution: d)

All the statements are incorrect. Statement 1 is wrong because the Myristica swamp forest is not used for commercial timber or firewood; it is a highly protected ecosystem due to its ecological and cultural significance.

Statement 2 is also incorrect because the forest provides essential environmental benefits such as groundwater recharge, flood mitigation, and carbon sequestration, in addition to its religious importance.

Statement 3 is incorrect because there has been no immediate commercialization for tourism; instead, the discovery has highlighted the need for stronger conservation efforts.

Solution: d)

Statement 3 is incorrect because there has been no immediate commercialization for tourism; instead, the discovery has highlighted the need for stronger conservation efforts.

• Question 2 of 5 2. Question Consider the following statements regarding Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) technologies: CCU technologies capture CO2 from industries and store it permanently underground. India’s first CO2-to-methanol pilot plant focuses on converting CO2 into chemicals like methanol. The coal-based thermal power sector accounts for less than 10% of India’s total carbon emissions, making it a low-priority sector for CCU. How many of the above statements is/are correct? a) Only one b) Only two c) All three d) None Correct Solution: a) CCU technologies aim to capture CO2 and convert it into useful chemicals like methanol rather than storing it permanently underground (Statement 1 is incorrect). The pilot plant in Pune focuses on this conversion process (Statement 2 is correct). The coal-based thermal power sector contributes to around 30% of India’s carbon emissions, making it a key target for CCU technologies (Statement 3 is incorrect). Incorrect Solution: a) CCU technologies aim to capture CO2 and convert it into useful chemicals like methanol rather than storing it permanently underground (Statement 1 is incorrect). The pilot plant in Pune focuses on this conversion process (Statement 2 is correct). The coal-based thermal power sector contributes to around 30% of India’s carbon emissions, making it a key target for CCU technologies (Statement 3 is incorrect).

#### 2. Question

Consider the following statements regarding Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) technologies:

• CCU technologies capture CO2 from industries and store it permanently underground.

• India’s first CO2-to-methanol pilot plant focuses on converting CO2 into chemicals like methanol.

• The coal-based thermal power sector accounts for less than 10% of India’s total carbon emissions, making it a low-priority sector for CCU.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

• a) Only one

• b) Only two

• c) All three

Solution: a)

CCU technologies aim to capture CO2 and convert it into useful chemicals like methanol rather than storing it permanently underground (Statement 1 is incorrect).

The pilot plant in Pune focuses on this conversion process (Statement 2 is correct).

The coal-based thermal power sector contributes to around 30% of India’s carbon emissions, making it a key target for CCU technologies (Statement 3 is incorrect).

Solution: a)

CCU technologies aim to capture CO2 and convert it into useful chemicals like methanol rather than storing it permanently underground (Statement 1 is incorrect).

The pilot plant in Pune focuses on this conversion process (Statement 2 is correct).

The coal-based thermal power sector contributes to around 30% of India’s carbon emissions, making it a key target for CCU technologies (Statement 3 is incorrect).

• Question 3 of 5 3. Question Consider the following statements in the context of Methanotrophs and their applications STATEMENT 1: Methanotrophs can grow in temperatures above 50°C. STATEMENT 2: Methanotrophs convert methane to hydrogen gas. Which of the statements above is/are correct? a) Only STATEMENT 1 b) Only STATEMENT 2 c) BOTH STATEMENTS d) Neither Statements Correct Solution: d) STATEMENT 1: This statement is false. According to the information provided, Methylocucumis oryzae, the newly discovered methanotroph, has strict temperature requirements and cannot grow above 37°C. While some extremophile methanotrophs might exist that can tolerate higher temperatures, this particular species and many others typically have more moderate temperature ranges for growth. STATEMENT 2: This statement is incorrect. Methanotrophs do not convert methane to hydrogen gas. Instead, they oxidize methane, converting it to CO₂ (carbon dioxide) and water. This process helps mitigate the effects of methane as a greenhouse gas by transforming it into less potent forms. Incorrect Solution: d) STATEMENT 1: This statement is false. According to the information provided, Methylocucumis oryzae, the newly discovered methanotroph, has strict temperature requirements and cannot grow above 37°C. While some extremophile methanotrophs might exist that can tolerate higher temperatures, this particular species and many others typically have more moderate temperature ranges for growth. STATEMENT 2: This statement is incorrect. Methanotrophs do not convert methane to hydrogen gas. Instead, they oxidize methane, converting it to CO₂ (carbon dioxide) and water. This process helps mitigate the effects of methane as a greenhouse gas by transforming it into less potent forms.

#### 3. Question

Consider the following statements in the context of Methanotrophs and their applications STATEMENT 1: Methanotrophs can grow in temperatures above 50°C. STATEMENT 2: Methanotrophs convert methane to hydrogen gas.

Which of the statements above is/are correct?

• a) Only STATEMENT 1

• b) Only STATEMENT 2

• c) BOTH STATEMENTS

• d) Neither Statements

Solution: d)

STATEMENT 1: This statement is false. According to the information provided, Methylocucumis oryzae, the newly discovered methanotroph, has strict temperature requirements and cannot grow above 37°C. While some extremophile methanotrophs might exist that can tolerate higher temperatures, this particular species and many others typically have more moderate temperature ranges for growth.

STATEMENT 2: This statement is incorrect. Methanotrophs do not convert methane to hydrogen gas. Instead, they oxidize methane, converting it to CO₂ (carbon dioxide) and water. This process helps mitigate the effects of methane as a greenhouse gas by transforming it into less potent forms.

Solution: d)

• Question 4 of 5 4. Question Consider the following statements. Permafrost is any ground that stays frozen for at least two decades straight. Arctic permafrost holds only CO2 and not methane. Wildfires prevent permafrost from thawing. How many of the above statements is/are incorrect? a) Only one b) Only two c) All three d) None Correct Solution: c) Permafrost — any ground that stays frozen for at least two years straight. Scientists estimate that Arctic permafrost holds around 1,700 billion metric tons of carbon, including methane and CO2. That’s roughly 51 times the amount of carbon the world released as fossil fuel emissions in 2019. Wildfires make permafrost more vulnerable to thawing as they destroy upper insulating layers of vegetation and soil. This can cause ancient organic materials such as dead animals and plants to decompose and release carbon into the atmosphere. In case a large-scale thawing of Arctic permafrost is triggered, it would be impossible to stop the release of carbon. Incorrect Solution: c) Permafrost — any ground that stays frozen for at least two years straight. Scientists estimate that Arctic permafrost holds around 1,700 billion metric tons of carbon, including methane and CO2. That’s roughly 51 times the amount of carbon the world released as fossil fuel emissions in 2019. Wildfires make permafrost more vulnerable to thawing as they destroy upper insulating layers of vegetation and soil. This can cause ancient organic materials such as dead animals and plants to decompose and release carbon into the atmosphere. In case a large-scale thawing of Arctic permafrost is triggered, it would be impossible to stop the release of carbon.

#### 4. Question

Consider the following statements.

• Permafrost is any ground that stays frozen for at least two decades straight.

• Arctic permafrost holds only CO2 and not methane.

• Wildfires prevent permafrost from thawing.

How many of the above statements is/are incorrect?

• a) Only one

• b) Only two

• c) All three

Solution: c)

Permafrost — any ground that stays frozen for at least two years straight. Scientists estimate that Arctic permafrost holds around 1,700 billion metric tons of carbon, including methane and CO2. That’s roughly 51 times the amount of carbon the world released as fossil fuel emissions in 2019.

Wildfires make permafrost more vulnerable to thawing as they destroy upper insulating layers of vegetation and soil. This can cause ancient organic materials such as dead animals and plants to decompose and release carbon into the atmosphere. In case a large-scale thawing of Arctic permafrost is triggered, it would be impossible to stop the release of carbon.

Solution: c)

• Question 5 of 5 5. Question Consider the following statements: The CO2-to-methanol technology supports India’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. Methanol produced from CO2 can be used in a wide range of industrial applications, including the chemical and energy sectors. The primary challenge in scaling up the CO2-to-methanol technology is the lack of CO2 availability from industrial sources in India. How many of the above statements is/are correct? a) Only one b) Only two c) All three d) None Correct Solution: a) India has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, not 2030 (Statement 1 is incorrect). Methanol produced from CO2 can indeed be used in various industrial applications, including the chemical, energy, and transport sectors (Statement 2 is correct). India’s challenge in scaling up CO2-to-methanol technologies is not due to a lack of CO2 availability but rather the cost and efficiency of capturing CO2 from industrial emissions (Statement 3 is incorrect). Incorrect Solution: a) India has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, not 2030 (Statement 1 is incorrect). Methanol produced from CO2 can indeed be used in various industrial applications, including the chemical, energy, and transport sectors (Statement 2 is correct). India’s challenge in scaling up CO2-to-methanol technologies is not due to a lack of CO2 availability but rather the cost and efficiency of capturing CO2 from industrial emissions (Statement 3 is incorrect).

#### 5. Question

Consider the following statements:

• The CO2-to-methanol technology supports India’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

• Methanol produced from CO2 can be used in a wide range of industrial applications, including the chemical and energy sectors.

• The primary challenge in scaling up the CO2-to-methanol technology is the lack of CO2 availability from industrial sources in India.

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

• a) Only one

• b) Only two

• c) All three

Solution: a)

India has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, not 2030 (Statement 1 is incorrect).

Methanol produced from CO2 can indeed be used in various industrial applications, including the chemical, energy, and transport sectors (Statement 2 is correct).

India’s challenge in scaling up CO2-to-methanol technologies is not due to a lack of CO2 availability but rather the cost and efficiency of capturing CO2 from industrial emissions (Statement 3 is incorrect).

Solution: a)

India has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, not 2030 (Statement 1 is incorrect).

Methanol produced from CO2 can indeed be used in various industrial applications, including the chemical, energy, and transport sectors (Statement 2 is correct).

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