Daily Quiz – 01st May 2024

Uranium contamination of groundwater occurs when uranium, a naturally occurring heavy metal, leaches into underground water sources. This contamination poses a serious threat to human health, as prolonged exposure to elevated levels of uranium may lead to kidney damage and other health concerns.

Statement 1 is correct: The over-extraction of groundwater from aquifers can intensify uranium contamination. Over-extraction of groundwater lowers the water levels. This leads to increased concentrations of dissolved minerals in the groundwater, including uranium.

Statement 2 is correct: Reverse osmosis can remove uranium from water very effectively. Reverse osmosis works by applying pressure to push water through a semipermeable membrane, which effectively filters out contaminants including uranium ions, heavy metals, and other impurities. The membrane's fine pores are small enough to trap uranium particles, preventing them from passing through with the purified water.

Statement 3 is correct: According to the „Groundwater yearbook 2021-2022‟, Punjab is the worstaffected state in terms of the percentage of wells found to have uranium concentrations of more than 30 ppb. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have prescribed the concentration of uranium more than 30ppb as unsafe. Haryana is the second state in terms of uranium prevalence in groundwater. Groundwater in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi was also found to have a toxic concentration of uranium.

Exp) Option b is the correct answer.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, commonly referred to as the Sendai Framework, is related to disaster management. The Sendai Framework was adopted in the 2015 UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR).

Statement 2 is correct: India is a signatory to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. India is committed to achieving the 7 goals set under the framework through systematic and sustainable efforts.

Statement 3 is correct: The Sendai Framework spans the period 2015-2030, emphasizing a 15-year commitment to work towards the substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses. UNDRR is tasked to support the implementation, follow-up and review of the Sendai Framework.

Statement 1 is incorrect: Central Ground Water Board was established in 1970 by renaming the Exploratory Tube Wells Organization under the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India.

Statement 2 is correct: The primary objectives of the CGWB are:

1) To develop groundwater policies, programmes and practices to monitor and enable effective use of the country‟s ground water resources in a sustainable manner with active involvement of all stakeholders.

2) To put into place scientific system and practices, which would result in sustained increase in ground water use efficiency.

3) To disseminate information, skills and knowledge, which would help in capacity building and mass awareness in the ground water sector.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The National Program Management Unit (NPMU) established in the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD&GR), Ministry of Jal Shakti is responsible for the overall management and implementation of Atal Bhujal Yojana.

Exp) Option d is the correct answer.

Fly ash is primarily composed of fine particles that are carried away in the flue gas during the combustion of coal. It is generally composed of components like aluminum silicate, silicon dioxide, calcium oxide, and other trace elements.

Statement 1 is correct: Dusting vegetables and rice with fly ash provides effective protection against chewing and sucking pests and insects. It is especially useful in managing serious rice pests such as leaf folder, yellow caterpillar, spiny beetle, ear head bug, brown bug, black bug, and grasshoppers. Additionally, fly ash helps eliminate sucking pests like brown plant hopper (BPH) and green leafhopper (GLH) when incorporated into their diet in liquid form.

Statement 2 is correct: Fly ash bricks are desirable because of their lightweight as compared to the traditionally manufactured bricks. Apart from being lightweight, these bricks possess high strength. Statement 3 is correct: Fly ash is commonly used as a raw material in the production of geopolymers, which are cement-like materials. Geopolymers have applications in construction, serving as alternatives to traditional Portland cement.

Statement 4 is correct: Fly ash can be used as a photocatalyst for the removal of dyes and other pollutants from wastewater. The porous structure of fly ash can enhance its photocatalytic properties.

Exp) Option c is the correct answer.

Torrefaction is a newly emerging technique for biochar production. The oxygen, moisture, and carbon dioxide present in the biomass are removed to produce biochar.

Statement 1 is correct: Torrefaction is a thermal treatment process applied to biomass in the absence of oxygen. It involves heating the biomass material at a moderate temperature (typically between 200-300°C) to remove moisture and volatile organic compounds. The goal is to enhance the physical and energy properties of biomass, making it more suitable for various applications, including energy production.

Statement 2 is correct: Torrefaction can be used to convert various types of biomasses, including rice stubble, into a form often referred to as 'bio-coal' or torrefied biomass. The process not only reduces moisture content but also increases the energy density of the biomass.