ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

 

1. Stratospheric Aerosol Injections can be used:

(a) To cause rainfall in rain deficit areas.

(b) To limit increasing temperatures.

(c) To clean and filter air by removing pollutants.

(d) None of the above.

 

2. Which of the given statement(s) is/are correct about the Meghalayan Age?

1. It is the most recent unit of the Geologic Time Scale in the 4.6 billion-year history of the Earth.

2. Key data for the timing of the new age was derived from a stalagmite growing in Mawmluh Cave in the state of Meghalaya, northern India.

3. It began 4,200 years ago and experienced an abrupt mega- drought and cooling around the globe.

(a) 1 and 2          (b) 2 and 3       (c) 1 and 3      (d) All

 

3. What is Arria Formula often seen in NEWS?

(a) Formula to manage disputes amongst members of WTO.

(b)  Iran Nuclear programme Code.

(c) Informal arrangement involving civil society & independent non state actors by UNSC.

(d) African Union new agriculture policy.

 

ANSWERS 

1. ANS B

The geo-engineering technique known as Stratospheric Aerosol Injection could limit rising temperatures that are causing climate change.

  • Under Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) delivery of precursor sulfide gases such as sulfuric acid, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) or sulfur dioxide (SO2) are sprayed by artillery, aircraft and balloons.
  • Scientists have found that spraying sun-dimming chemicals high above the earth to slow global warming could be remarkably inexpensive costing about $2.25 billion a year over a 15-year period.
  • Stratospheric sulfur aerosols are sulfur-rich particles exist in the stratosphere region of the Earth’s atmosphere. These particles consist of a mixture of sulfuric acid and water.
  • They are created naturally, such as by photochemical decomposition of sulfur containing gases, e.g. carbonyl sulfide. Sulfur aerosols are common in the troposphere as a result of pollution with sulfur dioxide from burning coal, and from natural processes.
  • Volcanoes are a major source of particles in the stratosphere as the force of the volcanic eruption propels sulfur-containing gases into the stratosphere.

2. ANS. D

Geologists have introduced new age classifications:

  • Greenlandian Age (11,700 - 8,326 years ago): began when the last ice age ended and the world began to warm up.
  • Northgrippian Age (8,326 – 4,200 years ago): began after an abrupt global cooling started following the Greenlandian Age. and finally, the Meghalayan Age which runs from 4,200 years ago to present.
  • Together, these three stages stretch across the Holocene Epoch, which is the current geological time unit - having started 11,700 years ago. The Holocene epoch falls under Cenozoic Era and is the time after Ice Age.
  • Mawmluh Cave, Meghalaya: Located at an elevation of 1,290 metres, it is one of the longest and deepest caves in India. The caves provide important record of Holocene palaeoclimate and palaeomonsoon since they are not subjected to diagenesis, erosion and terrestrial deposits. The conditions here were suitable for preserving chemical signs of oxygen transition in ages.

3. ANS. C