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Pollution

Environment & Ecology

Useful for: UPSC Civil Services

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Overview

Pollution control in India rests on standards, monitoring and laws for air, water, soil, noise, plastic and waste.

Key points

Key air pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, SO₂, NOx, CO and ground-level ozone (a secondary pollutant).
National Ambient Air Quality Standards are set by the CPCB; the National Air Quality Index (2014) covers eight pollutants.
The National Clean Air Programme was launched in 2019.
High biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) indicates polluted water; eutrophication follows nutrient overload.
Biomagnification raises toxin levels up food chains (e.g. DDT, mercury — Minamata disease).
Laws: Water Act 1974, Air Act 1981, Environment (Protection) Act 1986.

Practice MCQs

From the perspective of definition and scope, which one of the following statements about Pollution is correct?
1. Pollution has no exceptions or limitations in exam analysis.
2. Air pollution can include particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and other pollutants with different sources.
3. Eutrophication is caused only by a lack of nutrients in water bodies.
4. Pollution is unrelated to institutions, processes or real-world applications.
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Answer: (b) Air pollution can include particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and other pollutants with different sources.. Air pollution can include particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and other pollutants with different sources.
Consider the following statements on Pollution, focusing on definition and scope: 1. Air pollution can include particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and other pollutants with different sources. 2. Eutrophication involves nutrient enrichment that can cause algal blooms and oxygen depletion. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2. Both statements are correct.

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Notes and questions are written by Kundali IQ for practice. They are not official papers; always check the latest official notification for the syllabus and pattern.