MCQ 1. Uranium mobility in groundwater increases due to:
1. High pH
2. High bicarbonate concentration
3. Reducing conditions
Choose the correct option:
A) 1 and 2
B) 2 and 3
C) 1 and 3
D) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
• High pH + bicarbonate = more solubility.
• Reducing conditions immobilise uranium.
• High pH + bicarbonate = more solubility.
• Reducing conditions immobilise uranium.
MCQ 2. In India, uranium contamination in groundwater is monitored by:
1. Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)
2. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
3. Geological Survey of India (GSI)
A) 1 only
B) 1 and 2
C) 1 and 3
D) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
• All conduct groundwater quality and radiological studies.
• All conduct groundwater quality and radiological studies.
MCQ 3. Which of the following districts has historically reported uranium contamination in groundwater?
A) Malda
B) Muzaffarpur
C) Nawada
D) Birbhum
Explanation:
• Studies have repeatedly reported contamination in Nawada, Gaya, Jamui..
• Studies have repeatedly reported contamination in Nawada, Gaya, Jamui..
MCQ 4. Uranium-238 is dangerous for infants primarily because:
A) It causes immediate radiation burns
B) Infants have underdeveloped kidneys
C) It accumulates in lungs
D) It is converted to uranium-233 inside the body
MCQ 5. Consider the following isotopes:
1. Uranium-238
2. Uranium-235
3. Uranium-234
Which of the above are naturally occurring?
A) 1 and 2
B) 1 and 3
C) 1, 2 and 3
D) 2 and 3
MCQ 6. Lake Urmia is located in which country?
A) Turkey
B) Iran
C) Iraq
D) Azerbaijan
Explanation:
• Lake Urmia (also spelled Urmiyeh) is in northwestern Iran, between the provinces of East Azerbaijan and West Azerbaijan.
• Lake Urmia (also spelled Urmiyeh) is in northwestern Iran, between the provinces of East Azerbaijan and West Azerbaijan.
MCQ 7. What type of lake is Lake Urmia?
A) Freshwater glacial lake
B) Rift valley lake
C) Endorheic (closed-basin) salt lake
D) Oxbow lake
Explanation:
• Lake Urmia is a closed-basin lake (no outlet), making it endorheic, leading to high salinity because water leaves only via evaporation.
• Lake Urmia is a closed-basin lake (no outlet), making it endorheic, leading to high salinity because water leaves only via evaporation.
MCQ 8. Which of the following rivers is NOT a major tributary of Lake Urmia?
A) Zarrineh River
B) Simineh River
C) Aji Chay
D) Karun River
Explanation:
• The Karun River is in southwestern Iran, not part of the Urmia basin. The Zarrineh, Simineh, and Aji Chay rivers all feed into Lake Urmia.
• The Karun River is in southwestern Iran, not part of the Urmia basin. The Zarrineh, Simineh, and Aji Chay rivers all feed into Lake Urmia.
MCQ 9. What major environmental problem is Lake Urmia currently facing?
A) Acidification
B) Desertification of its basin and drying up
C) Oil pollution
D) Eutrophication
Explanation:
• The lake is shrinking significantly due to reduced inflows (dams, over-extraction), drought, and climate change, which leads to salt flats and desertification risks.
• The lake is shrinking significantly due to reduced inflows (dams, over-extraction), drought, and climate change, which leads to salt flats and desertification risks.
MCQ 10. Due to shrinkage, Lake Urmia’s salinity has:
A) Decreased
B) Remained constant
C) Increased to very high levels
D) Fluctuated but not in any trend
Explanation:
• As water volume declines, salinity rises sharply. Studies show salinity exceeding very high concentrations.
• As water volume declines, salinity rises sharply. Studies show salinity exceeding very high concentrations.