[Mission 2024] STATIC QUIZ, 13 November 2023 – Environment

Solution: b)

Statement 3 is incorrect.

Zero tillage is the process where the crop seed will be sown through drillers without prior land preparation and disturbing the soil where previous crop stubbles are present.

Zero tillage not only reduce the cost of cultivation it also reduces the soil erosion, crop duration and irrigation requirement and weed effect which is better than tillage. Zero Tillage (ZT) also called No Tillage or Nil Tillage. Adopting no-tillage in agro-ecosystems has been widely recommended as a means of enhancing carbon (C) sequestration in soils.

Vertical farming is the practice of growing produce in vertically stacked layers. The practice can use soil, hydroponic or aeroponic growing methods. Vertical farms attempt to produce food in challenging environments, like where arable land is rare or unavailable.

Solution: d)

When coal is burned it releases a number of airborne toxins and pollutants. They include Carbon dioxide, mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates, and various other heavy metals. Health impacts can range from asthma and breathing difficulties, to brain damage, heart problems, cancer, neurological disorders, and premature death.

Solution: b)

Statement 2 is incorrect.

Miyawaki model to increase the green cover:

Pioneered by Japanese botanist and ecologist Akira Miyawaki, the technique allows for growing dense forests comprising native trees on small patches of land. One of the ways this is done is by ensuring that tree growth is faster than traditional afforestation methods.

They help lower temperatures in concrete heat islands, reduce air and noise pollution, attract local birds and insects, and create carbon sinks.

Solution: c)

Statement 3 is incorrect.

The sources of arsenic are natural or may partly stem from anthropogenic activities like intense exploitation of groundwater, application of fertilizers, burning of coal and leaching of metals from coal-ash tailings.

Arsenic is introduced into soil and groundwater during weathering of rocks and minerals followed by subsequent leaching and runoff.

Among the various arsenic removal technologies, lime softening and iron coprecipitation have been reported to be the most effective.

Solution: c)

Coalbed methane (CBM) is an unconventional form of natural gas found in coal deposits or coal seams.

CMB is formed during the process of coalification, the transformation of plant material into coal.

CBM can be used

• In Power generation.
• As Compressed natural gas (CNG) auto fuel.
• As feedstock for fertilisers.
• Industrial uses such as in cement production, rolling mills, steel plants, and for methanol production.

CBM production behaviour is complex and difficult to predict in the early stages of recovery.

Another concern is the effect water discharges from CBM development could potentially have on downstream water sources.

Disposal of the highly salinized water that must be removed in order to release the methane creates a challenge, as its introduction into freshwater ecosystems could have adverse effects.