Q1. What is Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) used for?
(a) To assess the economic feasibility of a construction project.
(b) To evaluate the social impact of a proposed development.
(c) To identify and assess the potential environmental effects of a project.
(d) To determine the tax implications of a business expansion.
Ans: (c)
Explanation:
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process used to identify and evaluate the potential environmental effects of a proposed project, plan, or development. Its purpose is to ensure that decision-makers have a thorough understanding of how a project may impact the environment, enabling them to make informed decisions and take steps to mitigate or minimize any adverse effects.
Q2. Consider the following statements about Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA):
- EIA is a process of identifying, predicting, and evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development.
- EIA is mandatory for all projects in India.
- EIA is conducted by the government.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct. EIA is a process of identifying, predicting, and evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development.
- Statement 2 is incorrect. EIA is not mandatory for all projects in India. It is only mandatory for certain categories of projects, as listed in the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006.
- Statement 3 is incorrect. EIA can be conducted by the government, but it can also be conducted by private consultants.
Q3. Consider the following statement regarding Coral reefs:
- Coral reefs provide a substrate for mangroves.
- Fringing reefs are linear offshore reef structures that run parallel to coastlines and arise from submerged shelf platforms.
- Both low and high sea temperature can induce coral bleaching.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Ans: (b)
Explanation:
- Statement 2 is incorrect.
- Coral has a symbiotic relationship with ‘zooxanthellae’ microscopic algae which live on coral
Types of reefs:
- Fringing reef / Patch reefs are isolated and discontinuous patches, lying shoreward of offshore reef structures as seen in the Palk bay, Gulf of Mannar and Gulf of Kutch.
- Barrier reefs are linear offshore reef structures that run parallel to coastlines and arise from submerged shelf platforms. Barrier reefs are seen in Nicobar and Lakshadweep.
- Atolls are circular or semicircular reefs that arise from subsiding sea floor platforms as coral reef building keeps ahead of subsidence. The examples are the atolls of Lakshadweep and Nicobar.
Functions of Coral Reefs:
- Coral reefs are natural protective barriers against erosion and storm surge.
- The coral animals are highly adapted for capturing plankton from the water, thereby capturing nutrients
- Largest biogenic calcium carbonate producer
- They provide substrate for mangroves.
Causes of coral bleaching:
- Temperature (Major Cause): Coral species live within a relatively narrow temperature margin, and anomalously low and high sea temperatures can induce coral bleaching. Bleaching is much more frequently reported from elevated sea water temperature.
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding Coral reefs:
- Coral reefs cover more than 25% of the earth’s surface.
- Coral reefs help in substantially reducing coastal flooding and erosion.
- Increased ocean temperature causes reefs to expel the symbiotic algae responsible for their colour.
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Ans: (b)
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is incorrect.
- Coral reefs are essentially just big limestone structures built by thousands of tiny coral creatures called polyps.
- Increased ocean temperature caused by climate change is the main cause of coral bleaching events. That’s when reefs expel the symbiotic algae responsible for their colour. If that happens over longer periods, the corals can eventually die.
- Coral reefs act like low-crested breakwaters and absorb 97% of wave energy. This substantially reduces coastal flooding and erosion.
- Coral reefs cover less than 0.5% of the earth’s surface, but they are home to about 25% of all marine species.
Q5. Consider the following statements:
- When water gets too warm, Corals expel the algae known as zooxanthellae living in their tissues.
- Corals cannot survive a bleaching event.
- Coral bleaching threatens the existence of marine animals.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Ans: (b)
Explanation:
Statement 2 is incorrect.
- Corals are very sensitive to the temperature of the water in which they live. When water gets too warm, they expel the algae known as zooxanthellae, living in their tissues, causing them to turn entirely white. This is called coral bleaching.
- When a coral bleaches, it is not dead. Corals can survive a bleaching event, but they are under more stress and are subject to mortality.
- Coral bleaching has severe consequences as it reduces the reproductivity of corals and makes them more vulnerable to fatal diseases. Not only this, thousands of marine animals depend on coral reefs for survival and damage to corals could, in turn, threaten their existence.
