Environment & Ecology › Biogeochemical Cycles & Earth Systems – UPSC Prelims PYQs

8 questions · 2002–2025 · answers as per the UPSC key

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With reference to the planet Earth, consider the following statements : I. Rain forests produce more oxygen than that produced by oceans. II. Marine phytoplankton and photosynthetic bacteria produce about 50% of world's oxygen. III. Well-oxygenated surface water contains several folds higher oxygen than that in atmospheric air.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) I and II
(b) II only
(c) I and III
(d) None of the above statements is correct
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Answer: (b) II only

In case of which one of the following biogeochemical cycles, the weathering of rocks is the main source of release of nutrient to enter the cycle?

(a) Carbon cycle
(b) Nitrogen cycle
(c) Phosphorus cycle
(d) Sulphur cycle
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Answer: (c) Phosphorus cycle

Which of the following adds/add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on the planet Earth?

  1. Volcanic action
  2. Respiration
  3. Photosynthesis
  4. Decay of organic matter

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answer
Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 4 only

Which of the following adds/add nitrogen to the soil?

  1. Excretion of urea by animals
  2. Burning of coal by man
  3. Death of vegetation

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only

Human activities in the recent past have caused the increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but a lot of it does not remain in the lower atmosphere because of

  1. Its escape into the outer stratosphere,
  2. The photosynthesis by phytoplankton in the oceans,
  3. The trapping of air in the polar ice caps.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 3 only
Show answer
Answer: (b) 2 only

Consider the following :

  1. Photosynthesis
  2. Respiration
  3. Decay of organic matter
  4. Volcanic action

Which of the above add carbon dioxide to the carbon cycle on Earth ?

(a) 1 and 4 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answer
Answer: (c) 2, 3 and 4 only

Which one of the following reflects back more sunlight as compared to the other three?

(a) Sand desert
(b) Paddy crop land
(c) Land covered with fresh snow
(d) Prairie land
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Answer: (c) Land covered with fresh snow

Consider the following ecosystems:

  1. Taiga
  2. Tropical evergreen
  3. Tropical deciduous
  4. Tundra The correct sequence in decreasing order of the albedo values of these ecosystems is
(a) 1, 4, 3, 2
(b) 4, 1, 2, 3
(c) 4, 1, 3, 2
(d) 1, 4, 2, 3
Show answer
Answer: (c) 4, 1, 3, 2