Environment Notes for UPSC CSE GS3 by Pmfias.

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Contents

Solved Environment Prelims Questions (2011-15) .............................................................. 4

Environment ...................................................................................................................58 Page
Habitat .............................................................................................................................58 | 1
Biosphere .........................................................................................................................59
Ecosystem ........................................................................................................................60
Components of an Ecosystem ...........................................................................................62
Ecology ............................................................................................................................67
Ecotone ............................................................................................................................75
Ecological Niche ...............................................................................................................76
Functions Of Ecosystem ...................................................................................................78
Ecological Succession .......................................................................................................79
Homeostasis .....................................................................................................................84
Homeostasis in Ecosystem ...............................................................................................86
Functions Of Ecosystem ...................................................................................................86
Energy Flow Through an Ecosystem Trophic Levels ........................................................87
Food Chain.......................................................................................................................88
Food Web .........................................................................................................................91
Biotic Interaction ..............................................................................................................92
Ecological Pyramids..........................................................................................................96
Pollutants And Trophic Level ..........................................................................................101
Biogeo Chemical Cycling or Nutrient Cycling .............................................................104
Nutrient Cycles...............................................................................................................105
Carbon Cycle [Gaseous Cycle].........................................................................................105
Nitrogen Cycle [Gaseous Cycle] .......................................................................................107
Phosphorus Cycle [Sedimentary cycle] ............................................................................114
Sulphur Cycle [Sedimentary cycle] ..................................................................................116
Natural Ecosystem........................................................................................................117
Biomes or Terrestrial Ecosystems ...................................................................................118
Eutrophication Algal Bloom .........................................................................................133
Harmful Algal Blooms .....................................................................................................135
Aquatic Ecosystems........................................................................................................136
Wetland Ecosystem ........................................................................................................140
Measures to Protect Wetlands .........................................................................................143
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands ....................................................................................143
 c. The leaf extract of this plant has the properties of anti-histamines
d. It is a source of high quality biodiesel

Gaur is used to make water viscous before pumping into ground for hydraulic franking
used to extract shale gas. Page
| 41
[Explained in Economic Geography Notes http://imojo.in/7rxa1g]

Q18. With reference to technologies for solar power production, consider the
following statements:

1. Photovoltaics is a technology that generates electricity by direct conversion of light

into electricity, while Solar Thermal is a technology that utilizes the Suns rays to
generate heat which is further used in electricity generation process.
2. Photovoltaics generates Alternating Current (AC), while Solar Thermal generates
Direct Current (DC).
3. India has manufacturing base for Solar Thermal technology, but not for
Photovoltaics.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct?

a. 1 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1, 2 and 3
d. None

Explanation:

Photoelectric effect = When light strikes on a material, electrons are dislodged [photons
dislodge electrons].

Photovoltaic = The dislodged electrons if channeled through a conductor will create electric
current (voltage Or potential difference) = Solar Panels. [Electric current is nothing but
movement of electrons from high potential to low potential area (more electrons to less
electrons region)]

Solar thermal = converting light into heat = solar cooker, solar water heater.

Photovoltaics generate direct current (DC). [Rotating = AC, Stationary = DC. Electric
generator, wind turbine generate AC while solar panels generate DC]
Solar thermal is mostly used for water heating purposes. Electricity can be generated by
using hot water steam to rotate turbine = AC current.

In India both solar panels and solar cookers are manufactured. [Remember India USA
WTO domestic content dispute?] Page

Answer: a) 1 only | 42

Q19. There is some concern regarding the nanoparticles of some chemical elements
that are used by the industry in the manufacture of various products. Why?

1. They can accumulate in the environment, and contaminate water and soil.
2. They can enter the food chains.
3. They can trigger the production of free radicals.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

a. 1 and 2 only
b. 3 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. 1, 2 and 3

Explained under Air Pollution

Q20. Which of the following are some important pollutants released by steel industry
in India?

1. Oxides of sulphur
2. Oxides of nitrogen
3. Carbon monoxide
4. Carbon dioxide

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

a. 1, 3 and 4 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1 and 4 only
d. 1,2, 3 and 4

Explanation:

Coke is used as fuel in blast furnace. Combustion of coke releases both CO and CO2.
 The quick devastating and immediate effects of nuclear radiations are well known as
witnessed following Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan during world war II.
Continued small dose exposure to nuclear radiation can cause childhood leukemia,
miscarriage, underweight babies, infant deaths, increased susceptibility to AIDS
and other immune disorders and increased criminalities. Page
Underground bomb testing releases radiations in very small doses of radicals that | 254
pollutes water and soil.
This radioactive water is taken by plants through roots. The radioactivity enters food
chain when such plants are eaten by animals and humans. Such radioactivity has
been detected even in the milk.
Radiation, that is given off by nuclear waste is extremely damaging to biological
organisms, because it causes mutations to occur at a very high rate.
At high doses, nuclear radiation is lethal but at lower doses, it creates various
disorders, the most frequent of all being cancer.

Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation

Radioactivity is a phenomenon of spontaneous emission of proton (alpha-

particles), electrons (beta-particles) and gamma rays (short wave
electromagnetic waves) due to disintegration of atomic nuclei of some elements.
These cause radioactive pollution.
Radiations can be categorized into two groups namely the non-ionizing radiations
and the ionizing radiations.

Non-ionizing radiations