Syllabus- Bio-diversity: Environmental Pollution.
Number of questions- Mains: 02, Prelims – 10
Mains Questions of the day-
1.The World Health Organisation (WHO) has tightened Global Air Pollution Standards. Explain the components of Air pollution and importance of measuring Air pollution.
Introduction:
Mention the recent statics related to air pollution in India.
Body:
- Mention the components of Air Pollution
- Mention the importance of measuring the Air Pollution.
Conclusion:
Fighting air pollution is a public issue and it is everybody’s responsibility. Therefore, the need is for concerted and coordinated efforts with active involvement of all the stakeholders. This should include the Government (national, state and local governments), cities, community at large and individuals.
Content:
Air Pollution:
- Pollution is defined as the addition or excessive addition of certain materials to the physical environment thereby making it less fit or unfit for living. These materials are called pollutants
- Air pollution is the presence of substances in the atmosphere that are harmful to the health of humans and other living beings, or cause damage to the climate or to materials.
- Both human activity and natural processes can generate air pollution.
Statistics-
Of the 30 most polluted cities in the world, 21 were in India in 2019. As per a study based on 2016 data, at least 140 million people in India breathe air that is 10 times or more over the WHO safe limit and 13 of the world’s 20 cities with the highest annual levels of air pollution are in India.
Components of Air Pollution:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2):
- Its role as a greenhouse gas it has been described as “the leading pollutant” and “the worst climate pollutant”.
- It currently forms about 410 parts per million (ppm) of earth’s atmosphere, compared to about 280 ppm in pre-industrial times, and billions of metric tons of CO2 are emitted annually by burning of fossil fuels.
- Sulfur oxides (SOx) –
- It is particularly sulfur dioxide, a chemical compound with the formula SO2.
- SO2 is produced by volcanoes and in various industrial processes.
- Coal and petroleum often contain sulfur compounds, and their combustion generates sulfur dioxide.
- Further oxidation of SO2, usually in the presence of a catalyst such as NO2, forms H2SO4, and thus acid rain is formed.
- India is the largest emitter of Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) in the world, contributing more than 15% of global anthropogenic emissions.
- The primary reason for India’s high emission output is the expansion of coal-based electricity generation over the past decade.
- According to the Report, five of the top ten SO2 emission hotspots from coal/power generation industry across the world are in India.
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx) –
- Nitrogen oxides, particularly nitrogen dioxide, are expelled from high temperature combustion, and are also produced during thunderstorms by electric discharge.
- The substantial increase in global N2O emissions that is primarily driven by anthropogenic sources, as natural sources remained relatively steady throughout the study period.
- Agricultural soils contributed to over 70% of N2O emissions from India in 2010, followed by wastewater (12%), and residential and commercial activities (6%) and since 2002, N2O has replaced methane as the second-largest greenhouse gas from Indian agriculture.
- Chemical fertilizers (over 82% of it is urea) account for over 77% of all agricultural N2O emissions in India, while manure, compost and so on make up the rest and most of the fertilizers consumed (over 70%) go into the production of cereals, especially rice and wheat, which account for the bulk of N2O emissions from India.
- Particulate matter / particles:
- It is referred to as particulate matter (PM) or fine particles, are tiny particles of solid or liquid suspended in a gas.
- Construction industry major contributor of PM Emissions.
- Ozone:
- Ozone (O3) is a gas that can form and react under the action of light and that is present in two layers of the atmosphere.
- High up in the atmosphere, ozone forms a layer that shields the Earth from ultraviolet rays.
- However, at ground level, ozone is considered a major air pollutant.
- Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) –
- It is harmful to the ozone layer
- These are gases which are released from air conditioners, refrigerators, aerosol sprays, etc.
- On release into the air, CFCs rise to the stratosphere.
- Here they come in contact with other gases and damage the ozone layer.
- This allows harmful ultraviolet rays to reach the earth’s surface.
- This can lead to skin cancer, eye disease and can even cause damage to plants.
Importance of measuring air pollution:
- Assessing the level of pollutants:
Measurements helps in assessing the level of pollution in relation to the ambient air quality standards.
- Devising effective strategies:
- It helps in targeting the areas with the worst air pollution, and focusing on the most polluting sources.
- It also helps in forecasting of air quality (i.e., tracking the behaviour of pollutants in air) and enables evaluation of trade-offs involved in alternative air pollution control strategies.
- Enforcement of Standards:
- It helps in determining the extent to which the legislative standards and existing criteria are being adhered.
- It also helps in identifying faulty standards and inadequate monitoring programs.
- Impact assessment of policies/schemes:
Vigorous air pollution measurement can help analysts and other stakeholders to understand the impact of policy changes and make suitable changes, if required.
- To alert people:
- Air pollution measurement improves the abilities to inform the public about the hazards of air pollution.
- Thus development of new and more efficient air pollution measuring devices can help in enhancing health and safety of the public and the environment.
- Scientific research:
Reducing a large set of data to a comprehendible form gives better insight to the researcher while conducting a study of some environmental phenomena.
2.The Ministry has extended fly ash utilization deadline for thermal power plants. Explain what is fly ash? Analyze the issues in the implementation of new Fly Ash Utilisation Rules.
Introduction:
What is fly ash?
Body:
Write briefly about new Fly Ash Utilisation Guidelines
Mention the issues in implementation of new Fly Ash Utilisation Rules.
Conclusion:
Write the way forward.
Content:
Fly Ash:
- Fly ash is a by-product of coal based power generation.
- It is a fine powder with substantial amounts of oxides of silica, aluminum and calcium.
- It also contains traces of Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, lead etc. which leads to air and water pollution if disposed on land.
Provisions of New Fly Ash utilisation Notification:
- First fly ash notification was issued in 1999 to ensure 100% fly ash utilization in India by 2009.
- This was followed by a similar notification in 2016.
- The current notification aims to achieve the objective of 100% utilization in 3 to 5 years.
- Legacy Fly Ash Utilization:
The progressive utilization of legacy fly ash has been extended by another 10 years. Fly ash which remains unutilized and consequently gets accumulated over the years is referred to as legacy ash.
- Introduction of Polluter Pays Principle:
A fine of Rs 1,000 per tonne of unutilized ash has been introduced if the thermal plant does not achieve at least 80% ash utilization annually or in three years.
- Construction and Transportation:
The non-complying power plants will provide ash free-of-cost to agencies engaged in construction activities within a 300 km radius with all transportation cost to be borne by Thermal power plants.
- Role of Central Pollution Control Board:
A committee under the chairmanship of CPCB chairman will examine, review and recommend eco-friendly ways on fly ash utilization. Also, CPCB will have real-time data on ash availability.
Issues in Implementation:
- Prolonging the legacy-ash issue:
With 1.6 billion tonnes of legacy ash as of March 2019, the 10-year extension will further lead to piling up of ash.
- Technological limitations in current Thermal power plants:
- Majority of the Coal and Lignite based Thermal power plants do not possess dry fly ash collection and storage technology.
- This also leads to increased risks of unsafe disposal and hiding of ash generated due to increased compliance cost and penalties.
- Penalty amount is lesser than compliance cost:
As the most Thermal power plants cannot afford increasing compliance cost due to market competition and also penalty amount lesser than the compliance cost.
- Limited data provided by the Thermal power plants:
Although the number of Thermal power plants that are providing data has been increasing, but still it is not up to the mark.
Way forward-
- Ensure compliance through innovative monitoring like use of drones and satellites with stronger penalty regime.
- Promote scientific fly ash disposal methods, i.e., use of Dry Fly Ash Disposal system and Wet Fly Ash Disposal System.
- Standardization with identification of prospective users and bringing them on ASHTRACK (a mobile app to link fly ash users and power plant executives), helping to increase the overall utilization of fly ash.
- Encouraging Industry-Academia Partnership with induction of ‘Fly Ash’ as a subject in academic curriculum for identifying innovative uses of Fly Ash.
- Thermal Power Stations have to explore and promote all possible modes of fly ash utilization at their respective thermal power station for increasing the fly ash utilization.
Prelims of the day:
1.In which of the following emissions, India is the top emitter in the world?
- SO2
- NOx
- PM2.5
- PM10
Answer: A
Explanation:
- 22 of the world’s 30 most polluted cities are in India, with Delhi being ranked as the most polluted capital city globally (‘World Air Quality Report, 2020’).
- Globally, India is the top emitter of SO2.
- India emitted 21% of global anthropogenic (human-made) SO2 emissions.
- 1·67 million deaths were attributable to air pollution in India in 2019, accounting for 17·8% of the total deaths in the country
2.Which of the following sector is the major contributor of S02 Emission in India?
- Industrial sector
- Power sector
- Transport sector
- Manufacturing sector
Answer: B
Explanation:
- India is the largest emitter of Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) in the world, contributing more than 15% of global anthropogenic emissions.
- The primary reason for India’s high emission output is the expansion of coal-based electricity generation over the past decade.
- According to the Report, five of the top ten SO2 emission hotspots from coal/power generation industry across the world are in India.
3.Which of the following sector is the major contributor of NOx emissions in India?
- Power sector
- Industrial sector
- Manufacturing sector
- Agriculture sector
Answer: D
Explanation:
- The substantial increase in global N2O emissions that is primarily driven by anthropogenic sources, as natural sources remained relatively steady throughout the study period.
- Agricultural soils contributed to over 70% of N2O emissions from India in 2010, followed by wastewater (12%), and residential and commercial activities (6%) and since 2002, N2O has replaced methane as the second-largest greenhouse gas from Indian agriculture.
- Chemical fertilizers (over 82% of it is urea) account for over 77% of all agricultural N2O emissions in India, while manure, compost and so on make up the rest and most of the fertilizers consumed (over 70%) go into the production of cereals, especially rice and wheat, which account for the bulk of N2O emissions from India.
4.Which of the following State/ UT has implemented the Graded Response Action Plan for control air pollution?
- Telanagana
- Andhra Pradesh
- Delhi-NCR
- Bihar
Answer: C
Explanation:
Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP):
- In pursuant to the Supreme Court’s order in the matter of M. C. Mehta vs. Union of India (2016) regarding air quality in the National Capital Region of Delhi, a Graded Response Action Plan has been prepared for implementation under different Air Quality Index (AQI)
- The Plan was notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change in 2017.
- Till 2020, the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA) used to order States to implement GRAP measures.
- The EPCA was dissolved and replaced by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in 2020.
- CAQM is a statutory mechanism to coordinate and oversee diverse efforts to improve air quality in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and UP, with the underlying remedial approach.
5.Which of the following Ministry has proposed the National Mission on use of Biomass in coal based thermal power plants?
- Ministry of Renewable Energy
- Ministry of Power
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation
Answer: B
Explanation:
National Mission on use of Biomass in coal based thermal power plants
- It has been proposed by the Ministry of Power to address the issue of air pollution due to farm stubble burning and to reduce carbon footprints of thermal power generation.
- it will help in achieving objectives of:
- Increasing the level of co-firing (combustion of two different fuels in the same combustion system) from present 5% to higher levels for carbon neutral power generation by Thermal power plants.
- Taking up R&D activities in boiler design to handle the higher amount of silica, alkalis in the biomass pellets.
- Facilitating overcoming the constraints in supply chain of biomass pellets and agro- residue and its transport up to the power plants.
- Addressing regulatory issues in biomass co-firing.
6.Which of the following international organization is responsible for releasing of Production Gap Report?
- World Bank
- International monetary Fund
- United Nations Environment Programme
- World Economic Forum
Answer: C
Explanation:
Production Gap Report 2021
- Released by: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
- Report measures the gap between governments’ planned production of fossil fuels and the global production levels consistent with meeting the Paris Agreement temperature limits (limiting warming to 1.5°C or 2°C).
7.Which of the following international organisation is responsible to release the Mission 2070?
- World Economic Forum
- World Bank
- World Metrological Organisation
- International Monetary Fund
Answer: A
Explanation:
Mission 2070:
- A Green New Deal for a Net-Zero India
- Released by- World Economic Forum (WEF)
- Paper by WEF argues that India’s transition to a net-zero economy could create over 50 million jobs and contribute more than $1 trillion in economic impact by 2030 and around $15 trillion by 2070.
- It also lists decarbonizing strategies for major sectors that contribute to almost all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in India.
8.Which of the following agency is responsible for mapping India’s Climate Vulnerability Report and Climate Vulnerbilty Index?
- Central water commission
- Central ground water authority
- Council on Energy, Environment and Water
- NITI Aayog
Answer: C
Explanation:
Mapping India’s Climate Vulnerability Report and Climate Vulnerability Index:
- Released by: Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW)
- It analyzed 640 districts in India for their vulnerability to extreme floods, droughts and cyclones.
- It ranks districts on Climate Vulnerability Index, based on its exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity using spatio-temporal analysis.
- Key findings:
- More than 80% of Indians live in districts vulnerable to climate risks, out of which every five Indians live in areas that are extremely vulnerable.
- The most vulnerable districts are Dhemaji and Nagaon (Assam), Khammam (Telangana), Gajapati (Odisha), Vizianagaram (Andhra Pradesh), Sangli (Maharashtra) and Chennai (Tamil Nadu).
9.Which of the following international organisation was responsible for release of “The State of the Climate in Asia 2020 Report”?
- World Meteorological Organisation
- World economic Forum
- World Bank
- IMF
Answer: A
Explanation:
The State of the Climate in Asia 2020 Report:
- Released by: World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and other United Nations agencies.
- It highlights lessons for climate action in Asia and identifies pathways for addressing critical gaps and challenges.
- According to the report, the carbon dioxide levels surged to 413.2 parts per million in 2020, rising more than the average rate over the last decade despite a temporary dip in emissions during COVID-19 lockdowns.
10.Which of the following international organization is responsible for release of “Glaciers of the Himalayas” Report?
- World Bank
- IMF
- World metrological Organisation
- United Nation Environment Programme
Answer: A
Explanation:
Glaciers of the Himalayas: Climate Change, Black Carbon, and Regional Resilience:
- Released by: World Bank
- According to the research paper full implementation of current policies to mitigate Black Carbon (BC) can achieve a 23% reduction but enacting new policies and incorporating them through regional cooperation among countries can achieve enhanced benefits.
- Report covers the Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindu Kush (HKHK) mountain ranges where it says glaciers are melting faster than the global average ice mass.