Pollution & its types MCQ Questions with Answers

Correct Answer: (D) Anthropogenic

Pollution occurs as a result of unexpected change in physical, chemical and biological characteristics of soil, water and air. It occurs due to the disproportionate accumulation of pollutants. Pollution caused by humans is called anthropogenic pollution. Anthropogenic pollution gives rise to non- biodegradable pollutants which do not get decomposed by organic decomposers or are decomposed very slowly. Therefore, it is very difficult to reign in non-biodegradable pollutants caused by anthropogenic pollution.

Correct Answer: (B) Sewage

Those pollutants which can be broken down into simpler, harmless substances in nature in the due course of time (by the action of micro-organisms like certain bacteria) are called bio-degradable pollutants. Domestic waste (garbage), urine, faecal matter, sewage, cattle dung, animal bones, etc. are biodegradable pollutants.

Correct Answer: (C) Air pollution

Coal, petrol and diesel burn to produce oxides of carbon and nitrogen which are the main factor behind air pollution.

Correct Answer: (B) Solar energy

Solar energy is an important source of renewable energy. There is no atmospheric pollution during the conversion of solar energy into electrical energy.

Correct Answer: (A) Sewage

Those pollutants which can be broken down into simpler, harmless substances in nature in due course of time (by the action of micro-organism like certain bacteria) are called biodegradable pollutants. Domestic wastes (garbage), urine, sewage, agriculture residues, cattle dung, animal bones, vegetable stuff are biodegradable pollutants. Hence, (a) is the correct answer.

Correct Answer: (B) Nitrogen Oxides

Photochemical smog is a mixture of pollutants that are formed when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react to sunlight, creating a brown haze above cities. It tends to occur more often in summer because that is when we have the most sunlight. Photochemical smog is formed by oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and Ozone (O3). The common components of photochemical smog are ozone, nitric oxide, acrolein, formaldehyde and peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN)

Correct Answer: (A) NO2, O3 and peroxyacetyl nitrate in the presence of sunlight

Photochemical smog is a mixture of pollutants that are formed when nitrogen oxides (NO2), ozone (O3) and peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) reacts with sunlight, creating a brown haze above cities.

Correct Answer: (D) Oxide of nitrogen and sulphur

Smog is a type of intense air pollution. The word 'smog' is a contraction of the words smoke and fog to refer the smoky fog. It is a kind of visible air pollution and is composed of nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, ozone, smoke and other particulates. Man-made smog is derived from coal combustion emissions, vehicular emissions, industrial emissions, forest and agricultural fires and photochemical reactions of these emissions.

Correct Answer: (D) Jet Flight

Noise pollution or noise disturbance is disturbing or excessive noise that may harm the activity or balance of human or animal life. The source of most outdoor noise worldwide is mainly caused by machines and transportation systems, motor vehicles, aircraft and train. Among the options given above, jet flight create the most the intense noise pollution.
Sound Source Sound (in dB)
Rustling of leaves 20 dB
Whispering 30 dB
Room noise 40 dB
Normal conversation 60 dB
Truck sound 80-85 dB
Jet engine sound 120 dB
Landing of Jet Plane 150 dB
Rocket engine 180 dB

Correct Answer: (A) Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Carbon monoxide (CO) is the main primary air pollutant. Carbon monoxide is an odourless, colourless gas formed by the incomplete combustion of fuels. When people are exposed to CO gas, the CO molecules displace the oxygen in their bodies and lead to poisoning.

Correct Answer: (C) Sulphur dioxide

PAN (Peroxyacetyl Nitrate), Ozone and Smog are secondary pollutants because these are formed after reaction of primary pollutants with atmosphere. While oxide of sulphur (mainly sulphur dioxide), an oxide of nitrogen, carbon monoxide are primary pollutants as these directly spread in the air and pollute the atmosphere.

Correct Answer: (C) Carbon monoxide

Colourless gas coming out from a motor vehicle and cigarette due to incomplete combustion is carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is harmful when breathed because it displaces oxygen in the blood causing even death.
Note: Carbon monoxide is the main pollutant emission gas in vehicle exhaust.

Correct Answer: (C) Lead

Combustion of petrol in automobiles pollutes the air by producing lead which causes long term harm in adults including increased risk of high blood pressure and kidney damage.

Correct Answer: (C) Carbon monoxide

The molecular weight of carbon monoxide is similar to that of air. It mixes freely with air in any proportion. Carbon monoxide is not detectable by humans either by taste or smell. In the human body, it reacts with haemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin (COHb).

Correct Answer: (C) Arsenic

Arsenic is a non-biotic pollutant of underground water. The introduction of Arsenic into drinking water can occur as a result of its natural geological presence in the local bedrock. Presence of Arsenic in groundwater is relatively high in areas adjoining banks of Ganga. Pesticides and insecticides also add to its presence in the ecosystem. According to WHO the amount of arsenic should be 0.01 mg/litre.

Correct Answer: (D) Amount of Oxygen dissolve in water

Water pollution of river is measured by the amount of Oxygen dissolved in water. The test Dissolved oxygen (DO) measures that amount of oxygen dissolved in the water. Oxygen is essential for both plants and animals, but high levels in water can be harmful to fish and other aquatic organisms. Nonpoint-source pollution can decrease the amount of dissolved oxygen in water, which can be harmful to fish and other aquatic organisms.

Correct Answer: (C) Eutrophication

Eutrophication is a form of water pollution. It occurs when excessive fertilizers run into lakes and rivers. Eutrophication decreases water quality and reduces oxygen. Asbestosis is a disease caused by the presence of asbestos in the air for a long time. Rest are related to air pollution.

Correct Answer: (C) Thermal power plant

Fly ash is a by-product generated as the coal is burnt at thermal power plants. The low-grade coal used in thermal power generation carries 30-45% ash content. The high-grade imported coal has a low ash content of 10- 15%. Since most of the coal used in thermal plants is of low- grade, it generates a large quantity of ash which requires a large area as landfill or ponds for disposal.

Correct Answer: (C) Noise pollution

Green Muffler is a control measure for noise pollution by planting green plants. Normally 4-5 rows of plants are grown near the noisy places like roadsides and industrial areas so that they can obstruct noise.

Correct Answer: (C) Methyl isocyanate gas

The Bhopal gas tragedy involved a leak of highly toxic methyl isocyanate gas from a pesticide plant, causing widespread death and illness in Bhopal, India. Bhopal Gas Tragedy was a gas leak incident in India, considered the world’s worst industrial disaster. It occurred on the night of 3 December, 1984 at the Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Over 500,000 people were exposed to Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) gas. According to state government record, 3787 people died in this tragedy. Later, due to disease caused by the gas around 25000 people were killed.

Pollution & its types MCQs with Explanations

Practice MCQ Questions