[Mission 2023] STATIC QUIZ, 8 June 2023 – Environment

Solution: b)

Statement 2 is incorrect.

• Savanna or Sudan climate is a transitional type of climate found between the equatorial forests & trade wind hot deserts.
• It is best developed in Sudan, where dry & wet climate are most distinct, hence named Sudan climate.
• It covers much of Africa (Keya, Nigeria, Gambia) as well as large areas of Australia, South America (Brazilian highlands), and India.
• Sudan climate is characterized by an alternate & distinct hot, rainy season (from May to Sep) & cool, dry season (Oct – April) in Northern Hemisphere& vice versa in Southern Hemisphere.

Solution: d)

Vermicomposting is a type of composting in which certain species of earthworms are used to enhance the process of organic waste conversion and produce a better end-product. It is a mesophilic process utilizing microorganisms and earthworms. Earthworms feeds the organic waste materials and passes it through their digestive system and gives out in a granular form (cocoons) which is known as vermicompost.

A wide range of organic residues, such as straw, husk, leaves, stalks, weeds etc. can be converted into vermicompost. Other potential feedstock for vermicomposting production are livestock wastes, poultry litter, dairy wastes, food processing wastes, organic fraction of MSW, bagasse, digestate from biogas plants etc.

Solution: b)

Statement 1 is incorrect.

Mediterranean forests are found in areas around Mediterranean Sea, Central Chile, South-West USA, Australia, Africa. They have thick barks and wax coated leaves which help them reduce transpiration. Due to these characteristics, Mediterranean trees adapt themselves to dry summers. Mediterranean Forests are known as ‘Orchards of the world’ for their fruit cultivation. People have removed the natural vegetation here in order to cultivate what they want to. So, Citrus fruits such as oranges, figs, olives and grapes are commonly cultivated here.

Solution: b)

A few organisms can tolerate and thrive in a wide range of temperatures (they are called eurythermal), but, a vast majority of them are restricted to a narrow range of temperatures (such organisms are called stenothermal).

Many freshwater animals cannot live for long in sea water and vice versa because of the osmotic problems, they would face.

Solution: d)

Bioremediation refers to the use of specific microorganisms or plants to metabolize and remove harmful substances. These organisms are known for their biochemical and physical affinity to hydrocarbons among other pollutants. Various types of bacteria, archaea, algae, fungi, and some species of plants are all able to break down specific toxic waste products into safer constituents.