No verified paper has been uploaded for GBPSC-PMS Environmental Science Set-5 yet.
The MCQs below are drawn from the Environmental Science subject category.
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1
What environmental process is facilitated by high water velocity in a river system?
High water velocity in rivers increases turbulence at the air-water interface. This turbulence promotes reaeration, which is the process of atmospheric oxygen dissolving into the water. This is crucial for maintaining dissolved oxygen levels necessary for aquatic life, especially in rivers that may have high biological oxygen demand from organic pollutants.
2
What physical change occurs in water when its temperature increases?
Thermal expansion is a physical property of water where its volume increases as its temperature rises. This phenomenon is significant in environmental science, particularly regarding sea level rise, as warmer ocean water occupies more space than cooler water, contributing to global changes in sea levels.
3
Into which environmental medium can toxic additives from plastic manufacturing potentially leach?
Plastic products often contain chemical additives like phthalates or bisphenol A (BPA) to improve flexibility or durability. When these plastics are discarded or exposed to environmental conditions, these toxic substances can leach into water bodies, posing significant risks to aquatic life and human health through contaminated water supplies.
4
Which environmental factor, when increased, typically enhances the toxicity of chemical pollutants in aquatic ecosystems?
Increased water temperature generally accelerates the metabolic rates of aquatic organisms, leading to higher uptake of toxins. Furthermore, higher temperatures can decrease dissolved oxygen levels and increase the solubility and bioavailability of certain chemical pollutants, thereby magnifying their toxic effects on the aquatic biota.
5
Which term describes pollution resulting from soil erosion, silt runoff, and the application of fertilizers and insecticides?
Agricultural pollution refers to the biotic and abiotic byproducts of farming practices that contaminate the environment. This includes sediment from soil erosion, nutrient runoff from fertilizers (leading to eutrophication), and chemical residues from pesticides and insecticides that enter water bodies and soil systems.
6
Which group is particularly susceptible to toxicity from high concentrations of ammonia in aquatic environments?
Ammonia is highly toxic to aquatic life, especially fish, because it interferes with their ability to excrete waste and disrupts gill function. Even at relatively low concentrations, ammonia can cause significant physiological stress, damage to tissues, and mortality in fish populations, making it a critical water quality parameter in aquaculture and natural aquatic ecosystems.
7
Substances such as ammonia, ethylacrylate, and hexanol are characterized by their ability to be easily:
Ammonia, ethylacrylate, and hexanol exhibit high solubility in water. Their chemical properties allow them to readily dissolve in aqueous solutions, which is a critical factor in their transport and behavior in environmental water systems.
8
Which water bodies serve as the primary conduits for the transport of pollutants from land to the sea?
Rivers act as the main drainage systems for landmasses, collecting runoff, agricultural chemicals, industrial waste, and urban sewage. As these rivers flow toward the coast, they transport these accumulated pollutants into the marine environment, making them the primary pathway for land-based marine pollution.
9
Temperature influences sedimentation, diffusion, and which other physical process?
Temperature affects the physical properties of water, such as viscosity and density. These changes directly impact the rate of molecular diffusion, the settling velocity of particles (sedimentation), and the dispersion of solutes or pollutants within a water body, as thermal stratification can inhibit or enhance mixing.
10
Which components are collectively referred to as 'Total Solids' in water quality analysis?
In environmental engineering and water quality assessment, the term 'Total Solids' refers to the sum of all solid materials present in a water sample. This includes both Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), which are particles that pass through a filter, and Total Suspended Solids (TSS), which are particles trapped by the filter. Measuring these is crucial for determining water quality and treatment requirements.
