UPSC Prelims 2015 Analysis

Explanation

When pure hydrogen reacts with oxygen in a fuel cell, the only byproducts are water and heat. This is an advantage of hydrogen fuel cells, making them a clean energy source with minimal emissions.

Fuel cells can be used for various applications, including powering small devices like laptops. Portable fuel cells are being developed for this purpose. While currently less common, they hold promise for the future.

Fuel cells actually produce electricity in the form of Direct Current (DC). In some applications, an inverter might be needed to convert the DC output to AC for compatibility with the electrical grid.

Therefore, the only correct answer is 1 only.

Explanation

The Rio20 Conference, also formally known as the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), was a significant event held in 2012.

Key objectives of the Rio20 Conference was to assess progress made since the 1992 Earth Summit (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro.

The Future We Want document outlining a vision for sustainable development in the future, including commitments to a green economy and poverty reduction was an outcome of the summit.

Explanation

The BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustainable Forest Landscapes (ISFL) is managed by the World Bank.

The World Bank's Carbon Finance Unit handles the day-to-day operations of the BioCarbon Fund, which includes ISFL. ISFL itself acknowledges the World Bank as the permanent trustee and a key supporter

Explanation

The British biologist Norman Myers coined the term biodiversity hotspot in 1988 as a biogeographic region characterized both by exceptional levels of plant endemism and by serious levels of habitat loss. Thus, statement 2 is incorrect.

BirdLife's Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) Programme aims to identify, monitor and protect a global network of IBAs for the conservation of the world's birds and other wildlife.

One of their key activities involves identifying and designating Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) critical sites for bird conservation that also contribute significantly to overall biodiversity.

Explanation

Keibul Lamjao National Park is a national park in the Bishnupur district of the state of Manipur in India. It is 40 km2 in the area, the only floating park in the world, located in North East India, and an integral part of Loktak Lake.

The national park is characterized by many floating decomposed plant materials locally called phumdis. To preserve the natural refuge of the endangered Manipur Eld's deer or brow-antlered deer (Cervus eldi eldi), or sangai also called the dancing deer, listed as an endangered species by IUCN.

The park which was initially declared to be a sanctuary in 1966, was subsequently declared to be a national park in 1977 through a gazette notification.

Explanation

Fly ash finds various applications in construction, including brick manufacturing. Its pozzolanic properties improve the strength and durability of bricks. Fly ash can partially replace Portland cement in concrete mixes. It reacts with the hydration byproducts of cement to form additional cementitious materials, leading to benefits like improved workability, reduced heat of hydration, and enhanced concrete performance.

Fly ash primarily consists of silicon dioxide (SiO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), and calcium oxide (CaO). However, it may also contain trace amounts of heavy metals like arsenic, mercury, and chromium. Thus, statement 3 is incorrect.

Explanation

An ecosystem encompasses both living organisms (biotic factors) like plants and animals, and non-living components (abiotic factors) like sunlight, water, and rocks.

It highlights the interconnectedness between these elements. Living organisms depend on the environment for survival, while the environment is shaped by the activities of these organisms.

Thus ecosystem is a community of organisms together with the environment in which they live.

Explanation

The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) is a Non-Banking Financial Institution under the administrative control of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for providing term loans for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

IREDA is a Public Limited Government Company established under the Companies Act, 1956. IREDA is also registered as a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Explanation

The National Aquatic animal of India is the Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica). The Ministry of Environment and Forests notified the Ganges River Dolphin as the National Aquatic Animal on 18th May 2010.

The dolphin is blind and faces a severe threat from the heavy pollution and habitat destruction in the waters where it lives. It has been declared Endangered in the IUCN red list and it is assumed that less than 2000 individuals remain. This dolphin, called susu or susuk in India, is thought to represent the purity of The Ganga.

Explanation

The Dugong is a herbivorous marine animal. Dugongs are marine mammals that feed on seagrass meadows. It is given legal protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

While once more widespread, dugong populations are now concentrated in specific areas. They are primarily found in -The Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay off the coast of Tamil Nadu -The Andaman and Nicobar Islands -The Gulf of Kutch Thus, statement 2 is incorrect.

Explanation

The bio-toilets actually utilize bacteria, not fungi, to decompose human waste. These bacteria are anaerobic, meaning they function in an oxygen-free environment within the bio-digester tank.

The end products of decomposition in the bio-toilets are not just ammonia and water vapor. The process generates a combination of Treated water This water undergoes chlorination before being released. Methane This gas is released in small amounts and vents into the atmosphere. Sludge A minimal amount of solid residue remains after decomposition.

Therefore, the correct answer is None of the above.

Explanation

Namdapha National Park is located in Arunachal Pradesh, India, in the eastern Himalayas.

Due to its significant elevation range, the park experiences a diverse range of climates.

The southern regions have a tropical to subtropical climate, while the higher elevations transition to temperate and even Arctic conditions.

Explanation

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (a protocol to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer) is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion .

Bretton woods conference is related to establishment of World Bank and IMF in 1945. Kyoyo protocol is related to Climate Change conference. Nagoya protocol is related to Convention on BIological Diversity.

Explanation

The Green Climate Fund was established specifically to support developing countries in their efforts to address climate change. It provides funding for projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions (mitigation) and adapting to the impacts of climate change (adaptation).

The GCF is worked under the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). Thus statement 2 is incorrect.

Explanation

IndARC stands for India's first underwater observatory deployed in the Arctic region. Here's a breakdown of its key aspects

It's location in Kongsfjorden fjord, Svalbard, Norway (situated midway between Norway and the North Pole) and deployment in the year 2014 for studies the Arctic climate and its influence on the Indian monsoon system.

Explanation

IUCN is an independent membership organization, not a UN body. Governments, NGOs, and scientific institutions can all be members. Thus, statement 1 is incorrect.

IUCN does runs thousands of field projects around the world to better manage natural environments. Thus statement 2 is correct.

CITES is a legally binding international agreement for countries that have ratified it. However, each member nation implements the regulations through its own domestic laws. Thus statement 3 is also correct.

Explanation

The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility is a global partnership of governments, businesses, civil society, and Indigenous Peoples focused on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, forest carbon stock conservation, the sustainable management of forests, and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries (activities commonly referred to as REDD).

To assist countries in their REDD efforts by providing them with financial and technical assistance in building their capacity to benefit from possible future systems of positive incentives for REDD.

The FCPF focuses on assisting developing countries with REDD initiatives, not funding individual scientific research. Thus, statement two is incorrect.

Explanation

Excessive use of nitrogen fertilizers actually reduces the need for nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in the soil. Plants can readily utilize the added nitrogen, so these microbes wouldn't need to fix atmospheric nitrogen for the plants' benefit. Thus, statment 1 is incorrect.

Nitrogenous fertilizers can release acidic compounds as they break down in the soil, leading to increased soil acidity.

When applied in excess, nitrogen fertilizers (especially nitrates) can be easily washed away by rain or irrigation water. This can contaminate groundwater sources.