Q.13627·Miscellaneous·2013·EasyThe law in many parts of the world increasingly restricts the discharge of agricultural slurry into watercourses. The simplest and most economically sound practice returns the material to the land as semisolid manure or as sprayed slurry. This dilutes its concentration in the environment to what might have occurred in a more primitive and sustainable type of agriculture and converts pollutant into fertilizer. Soil microorganisms decompose the organic components of sewage and slurry and most of the mineral nutrients become available to be absorbed again by the vegetation. The excess input of nutrients, both nitrogen and phosphorus — based, from agricultural runoff (and human sewage) has caused many ‘healthy’ oligotrophic lakes (low nutrient concentrations, low plant productivity with abundant water weeds, and clear water) to change to eutrophic condition where high nutrient inputs lead to high phytoplankton productivity (sometimes including bloom-forming toxic species). This makes the water turbid, eliminates large plants and, in the worst situations, leads to anoxia and fish kills; so called cultural eutrophication . Thus, important ecosystem services are lost, including the provisioning service of wild-caught fish and the cultural services associated with recreation. The process of cultural eutrophication of lakes has been understood for some time. But only recently did scientists notice huge ‘dead zones’ in the oceans near river outlets, particularly those draining large catchment areas such as the Mississippi in North America and the Yangtze in China. The nutrient-enriched water flows through streams, rivers and lakes, and eventually to the estuary and ocean where the ecological impact may be huge, killing virtually all invertebrates and fish in areas up to 70,000 km² in extent. More than 150 sea areas worldwide are now regularly starved of oxygen as a result of decomposition of algal blooms, fuelled particularly by nitrogen from agricultural runoff of fertilizers and sewage from large cities. Oceanic dead zones are typically associated with industrialized nations and usually lie off countries that subsidize their agriculture, encouraging farmers to increase productivity and use more fertilizer. According to the passage, why should the discharge of agricultural slurry into watercourses be restricted? 1. Losing nutrients in this way is not a good practice economically. 2. Watercourses do not contain the microorganisms that can decompose organic components of agricultural slurry. 3. The discharge may lead to the eutrophication of water bodies. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:View question
Q.13628·Miscellaneous·2013·EasyThe law in many parts of the world increasingly restricts the discharge of agricultural slurry into watercourses. The simplest and most economically sound practice returns the material to the land as semisolid manure or as sprayed slurry. This dilutes its concentration in the environment to what might have occurred in a more primitive and sustainable type of agriculture and converts pollutant into fertilizer. Soil microorganisms decompose the organic components of sewage and slurry and most of the mineral nutrients become available to be absorbed again by the vegetation. The excess input of nutrients, both nitrogen and phosphorus — based, from agricultural runoff (and human sewage) has caused many ‘healthy’ oligotrophic lakes (low nutrient concentrations, low plant productivity with abundant water weeds, and clear water) to change to eutrophic condition where high nutrient inputs lead to high phytoplankton productivity (sometimes including bloom-forming toxic species). This makes the water turbid, eliminates large plants and, in the worst situations, leads to anoxia and fish kills; so called cultural eutrophication . Thus, important ecosystem services are lost, including the provisioning service of wild-caught fish and the cultural services associated with recreation. The process of cultural eutrophication of lakes has been understood for some time. But only recently did scientists notice huge ‘dead zones’ in the oceans near river outlets, particularly those draining large catchment areas such as the Mississippi in North America and the Yangtze in China. The nutrient-enriched water flows through streams, rivers and lakes, and eventually to the estuary and ocean where the ecological impact may be huge, killing virtually all invertebrates and fish in areas up to 70,000 km² in extent. More than 150 sea areas worldwide are now regularly starved of oxygen as a result of decomposition of algal blooms, fuelled particularly by nitrogen from agricultural runoff of fertilizers and sewage from large cities. Oceanic dead zones are typically associated with industrialized nations and usually lie off countries that subsidize their agriculture, encouraging farmers to increase productivity and use more fertilizer. The passage refers to the conversion of “pollutant to fertilizer”. What is pollutant and what is fertilizer in this context?
Q.13629·Miscellaneous·2013·EasyConsider the following animals 1). Sea cow 2). Sea horse 3). Sea lion Which of the above is/are mammal/mammals?View question
Q.13630·Miscellaneous·2013·EasyWhich one of the following pairs is correctly matched? Geographical Feature : RegionView question
Q.13631·Miscellaneous·2013·EasyThe law in many parts of the world increasingly restricts the discharge of agricultural slurry into watercourses. The simplest and most economically sound practice returns the material to the land as semisolid manure or as sprayed slurry. This dilutes its concentration in the environment to what might have occurred in a more primitive and sustainable type of agriculture and converts pollutant into fertilizer. Soil microorganisms decompose the organic components of sewage and slurry and most of the mineral nutrients become available to be absorbed again by the vegetation. The excess input of nutrients, both nitrogen and phosphorus — based, from agricultural runoff (and human sewage) has caused many ‘healthy’ oligotrophic lakes (low nutrient concentrations, low plant productivity with abundant water weeds, and clear water) to change to eutrophic condition where high nutrient inputs lead to high phytoplankton productivity (sometimes including bloom-forming toxic species). This makes the water turbid, eliminates large plants and, in the worst situations, leads to anoxia and fish kills; so called cultural eutrophication . Thus, important ecosystem services are lost, including the provisioning service of wild-caught fish and the cultural services associated with recreation. The process of cultural eutrophication of lakes has been understood for some time. But only recently did scientists notice huge ‘dead zones’ in the oceans near river outlets, particularly those draining large catchment areas such as the Mississippi in North America and the Yangtze in China. The nutrient-enriched water flows through streams, rivers and lakes, and eventually to the estuary and ocean where the ecological impact may be huge, killing virtually all invertebrates and fish in areas up to 70,000 km² in extent. More than 150 sea areas worldwide are now regularly starved of oxygen as a result of decomposition of algal blooms, fuelled particularly by nitrogen from agricultural runoff of fertilizers and sewage from large cities. Oceanic dead zones are typically associated with industrialized nations and usually lie off countries that subsidize their agriculture, encouraging farmers to increase productivity and use more fertilizer. According to the passage, what are the effects of indiscriminate use of fertilizers? 1. Addition of pollutants to the soil and water. 2. Destruction of decomposer microorganisms in soil. 3. Nutrient enrichment of water bodies. 4. Creation of algal blooms. Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Q.13632·Miscellaneous·2013·EasyA gardener has 1000 plants. He wants to plant them in such a way that the number of rows and the number of columns remains the same. What is the minimum number of plants that he needs more for this purpose?View question
Q.13633·Miscellaneous·2013·EasyThe Narmada river flows to the west, while most other large peninsular rivers flow to the east. Why? 1. It occupies a linear rift valley. 2. It flows between the Vindhyas and the Satpuras. 3. The land slopes to the west from central India. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.View question
Q.13634·Miscellaneous·2013·EasyConsider the following matrix: 3 370 7 2 224 6 1 730 X What is the number at ‘X’ in the above matrix?View question
Q.13635·Miscellaneous·2013·EasyEcological research over the last quarter of the century has established the deleterious effects of habitat fragmentation due to mining, highways and such other intrusions on forests. When a large block of forests gets fragmented into smaller bits, the edges of all these bits come into contact with human activities resulting in the degradation of the entire forests. Continuity of forested landscapes and corridors gets disrupted affecting several extinction-prone species of wildlife. Habitat fragmentation is therefore considered as the most serious threat to biodiversity conservation. Ad hoc grants of forest lands to mining companies coupled with rampant illegal mining is aggravating this threat. What is the purpose of maintaining the continuity of forested landscapes and corridors? 1. Preservation of biodiversity 2. Management of mineral resources 3. Grant of forest lands for human activities Select the correct answer using the codes given below:View question
Q.13636·Miscellaneous·2013·EasyIn a rare coin collection, there is one gold coin for every three non-gold coins. 10 more gold coins are added to the collection and the ratio of gold coins to non-gold coins would be 1:2. Based on the information, the total number of coins in the collection now becomesView question
Q.13637·Miscellaneous·2013·EasyIf Psychology professors = 2% of all professors in the University, what is the total number of professors in the University?View question
Q.13639·Miscellaneous·2013·EasyWith reference to the history of Indian rock-cut architecture, consider the following statements: 1). The canvas at Badami are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India. 2). The Barabar rock-cut caves were originally made for Ajivikas by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. 3). At Ellora, caves were made for different faiths. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?View question
Q.13640·Miscellaneous·2013·EasyRecombinant DNA technology (Genetic Engineering) allows genes to be transferred 1). across different species of plants 2). from animals to plants 3). from microorganisms to higher organisms Select the correct answer using the codes given below.View question
Q.13641·Miscellaneous·2013·EasyWith reference to the usefulness of the by-products of sugar industry, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Bagasse can be used as biomass fuel for the generation of energy. 2. Molasses can be used as one of the feed stocks for the production of synthetic chemical fertilizers. 3. Molasses can be used for the production of ethanol. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.View question
Q.13642·Miscellaneous·2013·EasyThe Chinese traveler Yuan Chwang (Hiuen Tsang) who visited India recorded the general conditions and culture of India at that time. In this context, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1). The roads and river-routes were completely immune from robbery. 2). As regards punishment for offences, ordeals by fire, water and poison were the instruments for determining the innocence or guilt of a person. 3). The tradesmen had to pay duties at ferries and barrier stations. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.View question
Q.13643·Miscellaneous·2013·EasyConsider the following: 1). Star tortoise 2). Monitor lizard 3). Pygmy hog 4). Spider monkey Which of the above are naturally found in India?View question
Q.13644·Miscellaneous·2013·EasyWhich of the following can be found as pollutants in the drinking water in some parts of India? 1). Arsenic 2). Sorbitol 3). Fluoride 4). Formaldehyde 5). Uranium Select the correct answer using the codes given below.View question