Du Pyq Evs Questrion with answer

Aec evs pyq du

Aec pyq du, Du Pyq Evs Questrion with answe

evs pyq du , du pyq sem 1 , du aec pyq

Sr. No. of Question Paper :1501A

 Unique Paper Code 2181001001

Student ; regular course

 Name of the Paper;  Environmental Science: Theory into Practice (I)

 Name of the Course; AEC

 Semester  I

 Duration  ;lh 45 min (Part A: lh; Part B: 45 min)

 Maximum Marks ;50 (Part A: 30; Part B: 20)

INSTRUCTION FOR CANDIDATES ;-

1 Write your Roll No. on the top immediately on receipt of this question paper.

2  For regular students, the question paper is divided into two sections, Part A (30 marks) and B (20 marks). Attempt three questions from Part A and any two from PART b

3 Question number 1 from Part A is compulsory.

4 Answers may be written either in English or Hindi; but the same medium should be used throughout the paper.

PART A

Q  1 (a) Define the following (in not more than 25 words)  

1*5marks

soil erosion , lithosphere, primary productivity, geothermal energy, verrmicomposting, wetlands

1. Soil Erosion:
   The removal of the topsoil layer by wind, water, or human activity, leading to reduced fertility and land degradation.

2. Lithosphere:
   The rigid outer layer of Earth, comprising the crust and upper mantle, responsible for tectonic activities and surface landforms.

3. Primary Productivity:
   The rate at which plants synthesize organic compounds through photosynthesis, forming the base of the food chain in an ecosystem.

4. Geothermal Energy:
   Renewable energy derived from Earth's internal heat, used for electricity generation and heating through steam or hot water reservoirs.

5. Vermicomposting:
   The process of using earthworms to decompose organic waste into nutrient-rich compost for soil enrichment and sustainable farming.

6. Wetlands:
   Ecosystems where land is saturated with water, such as marshes or swamps, supporting diverse biodiversity and natural water purification 

Q b State whether True or False (1x5=5)

1. Energy flow in an ecosystem is unidirectional.
2.  Tundra ecosystem has trees as the dominant producer community.
3.  Renewable energy resources are also called as conventional energy resources
4.   PM,10 has larger diameter as compared to PM,2.5
5.  Mangrove forests are highly productive ecosystems.

Ans...     -

1. true
2. false
3. false
4. true
5. true 

Q2 Write short notes on any two of the following :

 (a) Ganga Action Plan (b) Harmful impacts of mining on environment (c) Ecosystem services(5x2=10) 

.(a) Ganga Action Plan (GAP)

Launched in 1986, the Ganga Action Plan aimed to reduce pollution levels in the Ganga River by controlling industrial discharge, treating sewage, and promoting awareness. Despite some successes, the plan faced criticism due to inadequate implementation, corruption, and increased pollution.

(b) Harmful Impacts of Mining on Environment Mining causes deforestation, habitat destruction, and soil erosion. It leads to air and water pollution from toxic chemicals and dust, disturbing local ecosystems and harming biodiversity. Overburden disposal and acid mine drainage further degrade land and water quality.

(c) Ecosystem Services ;Ecosystem services are benefits provided by nature, such as air and water purification, climate regulation, pollination, soil fertility, and cultural or recreational value. They support human well-being and sustainable development.

Q3( a) What is land degradation? Briefly explain its causes? 5M

 (b) Discuss the social, economic, and environmental impacts of desertification 5M

A Land degradation refers to the decline in the quality and productivity of land due to natural or human-induced processes, leading to reduced ecosystem services and biodiversity.

Causes of Land Degradation:

1. Deforestation: Removal of trees reduces soil stability, increases erosion, and depletes nutrients.
2. Overgrazing: Excessive grazing by livestock leads to soil compaction, erosion, and vegetation loss.
3. Agricultural Practices: Overuse of chemical fertilizers, monocropping, and poor irrigation lead to soil salinity, waterlogging, and nutrient depletion.
4. Urbanization: Construction and industrial activities convert fertile land into non-productive areas.
5. Climate Change: Increased temperatures and erratic rainfall exacerbate soil erosion and loss of organic matter.
6. Mining Activities: Extraction processes damage topsoil and release toxic chemicals, degrading land quality.

(b) Social, Economic, and Environmental Impacts of Desertification

Social Impacts:

1. Displacement of Communities: Desertification forces people to migrate due to loss of livelihood and resources.
2. Food Insecurity: Reduced agricultural productivity leads to hunger and malnutrition.
3. Conflict: Competition for limited resources like water and arable land may lead to social unrest.

Economic Impacts:

1. Loss of Livelihoods: Farmers and pastoralists suffer economic losses as land becomes unproductive.
2. Increased Costs: Governments spend more on mitigation, rehabilitation, and disaster relief.
3. Reduction in GDP: Countries reliant on agriculture face economic downturns due to declining productivity.

Environmental Impacts:

1. Loss of Biodiversity: Habitat destruction leads to species extinction and reduced ecosystem diversity.
2. Soil Erosion: Wind and water remove fertile topsoil, making the land barren.
3. Climate Change: Desertification contributes to global warming by reducing vegetation that absorbs carbon dioxide.
4. Water Scarcity: Degradation of watersheds reduces groundwater recharge and surface water availability.

Efforts to combat desertification include sustainable land management, afforestation, water conservation, and global initiatives like the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

Q 4  Critically examine the various reasons due to which rivers in India continue to remain highly polluted despite various government initiatives and legislations. 10M

Despite various government initiatives and legislations, rivers in India continue to face high levels of pollution. The reasons for this are multifaceted, involving governance challenges, industrial practices, population pressures, and socio-economic factors.

1. Inadequate Implementation of Policies

• Poor Enforcement: While laws like the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 exist, enforcement is weak due to corruption, lack of coordination, and inadequate penalties for violations.
• Delayed Projects: Many river-cleaning initiatives, such as the Ganga Action Plan (GAP) and Namami Gange, have suffered from delays, mismanagement, and underutilization of allocated funds.

2. Untreated Sewage and Urbanization

• Inadequate Treatment Facilities: Over 70% of urban wastewater is discharged untreated into rivers due to the lack of sufficient sewage treatment plants (STPs).
• Urban Encroachments: Rapid urbanization along riverbanks has led to encroachment, dumping of solid waste, and overextraction of water.

3. Industrial Pollution

• Unregulated Discharges: Industries such as tanneries, textiles, and paper mills discharge untreated effluents containing hazardous chemicals into rivers.
• Weak Monitoring: Monitoring of industrial compliance with environmental standards is often lax, leading to unchecked pollution.

4. Agricultural Runoff

• Pesticides and Fertilizers: Excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides leads to nutrient runoff, causing eutrophication and harmful algal blooms in rivers.

PART  B

Q5 Given below are three out of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) formulated by the United Nations in 2015.

ANS- 

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• Description: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communitie ,Description: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

6. Consider a country X' which has a vast coastline and is situated near to the equator. Following is the data on the coal consumption of this country, which has huge reserves of coal but where the government has also planned to substantially reduce coal usage to almost zero by year 2050.

 

i) Make a time-series plot of the coal consumption pattern from 2011-2021. (3)

ii) Critically examine the coal consumption trend of the country and discuss its impact on the socio-economic and environnmental conditions. (4)  

Observations from the Trend:

1. Rapid Growth (2011–2019):
   The steady rise in coal usage indicates increased industrialization, urbanization, and electricity generation needs.

2. Temporary Decline (2020):
   A sharp decline in 2020 may be attributed to reduced economic activity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

3. Rebound and Surge (2021):
   The rebound to 300 million tonnes in 2021 reflects renewed economic activity and energy demand post-pandemic.

(iii) Suggest some measures that the country should adopt to substantially reduce greenhouse emissions and air pollution by the year 2050? (3M) 

Measures to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Air Pollution by 2050

To achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, the country should adopt a multi-pronged approach combining clean energy transitions, technology advancements, and policy frameworks:

1. Transition to Renewable Energy Sources

Leverage the country’s vast coastline and equatorial location to expand solar and wind energy generation. Develop tidal energy projects to harness clean energy from coastal areas. Provide subsidies, tax incentives, and investments to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy systems.

2. Improve Energy Efficiency

Implement energy-efficient technologies and cleaner production methods in industries. Promote fuel-efficient vehicles, electrify public transport, and develop urban mass transit systems. Adopt green building codes and retrofitting programs to reduce energy consumption.

3. Phase Out Coal and Fossil Fuels

Replace coal-based power plants with natural gas as a transitional energy source. Invest in Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology to reduce emissions from remaining coal-based systems. 

Q7. Below is the diagranm of a food web found in a particular ecosystem

a ) ldentify the type of ecosystem. 1m

- food web

b) Comment on the biotic and abiotic features of this ecosystem. 3m

ANS . Biotic features include living organisms such as plankton (producers), krill (primary consumers), penguins, squid, and blue whales (secondary consumers), and seals and seagulls (tertiary consumers). These organisms form a complex food web with interdependent relationships for energy transfer and nutrient cycling.

Abiotic features include non-living components like water, temperature, sunlight, and nutrients. Water is essential for the survival and movement of marine organisms. Sunlight supports photosynthesis in plankton, forming the base of the food web. Temperature influences species distribution and metabolic rates, while dissolved nutrients in the water support plankton growth

c) Based on the any food chain shown in the diagram, draw and explain pyramids of number, biomass, and energy. 6m

 ANS . From the food chain Plankton → Krill → Squid → Seal, the pyramids can be explained as follows:

The pyramid of numbers shows the count of individuals at each trophic level. Plankton are extremely abundant at the base, krill are fewer than plankton, squid are fewer than krill, and seals are the least numerous. This pyramid is upright.

The pyramid of biomass represents the total living mass at each trophic level. Plankton have relatively low biomass despite their abundance due to their small size. Krill have higher biomass, squid have lesser biomass than krill, and seals have the lowest biomass. This pyramid is also upright in this ecosystem.

du evs pyq , du pyq sem 1