Insights Static Quiz -185, 2018 –Environment

            Solution: b)

The nitrogen cycle contains several stages:

1. Nitrification
2. Assimilation
3. Ammonification
4. Denitrification

• Nitrification – Nitrificationis the biological oxidation of ammonia or ammonium to nitrite followed by the oxidation of the nitrite to nitrate. Nitrification is an aerobic process performed by small groups of autotrophic bacteria and archaea.
• Assimilation – Nitrogen compounds in various forms, such as nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, and ammonium are taken up from soils by plants which are then used in the formation of plant and animal proteins.
• Ammonification – When plants and animals die, or when animals emit wastes, the nitrogen in the organic matter re-enters the soil where it is broken down by other microorganisms, known as decomposers. This decomposition produces ammonia which is then available for other biological processes.
• Denitrification – Nitrogen makes its way back into the atmosphere through a process called denitrification, in which nitrate (NO3-) is converted back to gaseous nitrogen (N2).

            Solution: a)

The following pollutants are emitted from motor vehicles:

Particulate matter (PM).

Un-burnt hydrocarbons.

Nitrogen oxides (NO_x).

Carbon monoxide (CO).

Carbon dioxide (CO₂).

Sulphur dioxide (SO₂).

Methane

While ozone is not emitted directly from automobiles, the unstable compound is formed in the atmosphere through a complex set of chemical reactions involving hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen, and sunlight.

            Solution: d)

• ISI is a certification marks scheme, operated by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Some mandatory ISI certification products include cement, electrical appliances, LPG cylinder, Batteries, Oil pressure stove, Automobile Accessories, Medical equipment, steel products, Stainless Steel, Chemicals, Fertilizers, infant foods and packaged drinking water.
• AGMARK – The Agmark certification is done of agricultural commodities for the benefit of consumers and producers/manufacturers by Directorate of Marketing and Inspection, an agency of the Government of India.  There are some 205 different commodities including Pulses, Cereals, Essential Oils, Vegetable Oils, Fruits and Vegetables, and semi-processed products that have to have an AGMARK.
• ECOMARK – Eco mark is a certification mark issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (the national standards organization of India) to products conforming to a set of standards aimed at the least impact on the ecosystem. It includes Foods Preservatives and Additives.
• FPO Mark – This mark is a certification mark mandatory for all the “processed fruit products” in India.

Solution: c)

• HYVs became popular in the 1960s and played an important role in the green revolution, although their ancestral roots can be older.
• Advantages
  • Starvation and famine have been reduced
  • HYV crops are shorter (show the trait of dwarfness) so more able to withstand high winds and heavy rain
  • More food is grown on an area of land which increases farmers’ profits
  • Early maturation
• Disadvantages
  • HYV crops need a lot of fertilisers and pesticides to grow which increases costs and pollution
  • HYV crops require a more reliable source of water – irrigation increases costs.
• Most important HYVs can be found among wheat, corn, soybean, rice, potato, and cotton.

Solution: a)

• The BS — or Bharat Stage — emission standards are norms instituted by the government to regulate the output of air pollutants from internal combustion engine equipment, including motor vehicles. India has been following the European (Euro) emission norms, though with a time-lag of five years.
• The newly introduced fuel is estimated to reduce the amount of sulphur released by 80%, from 50 parts per million to 10 ppm. As per the analysts, the emission of NOx (nitrogen oxides) from diesel cars is also expected to reduce by nearly 70% and 25% from cars with petrol engines.