Question

Major air pollutants in in Mumbai in Kolkata are:
A)Hydrocarbons and hot air
B)Ozone
C)CO and oxides of sulphur
D)Marsh gas and algal spores

Answer 1

Hint: Oxides of various compounds are the main contributors of pollution in large cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai.

Complete answer:
Major air pollutants in Mumbai and Kolkata are CO and the oxides of sulphur. The major carbon air pollutants are carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. The former is produced by combustion of fossil fuel and later by automobile exhaust or factory residue. Carbon monoxide accounts for more than 50 percent of the total weight of pollutants added to the atmosphere. Oxides of sulphur are the next most common pollutant formed by combustion of sulphur containing fossil fuels. Now let's see the options:

1)Hydrocarbons and hot air: the incomplete combustion of the fossil fuels can cause hydrocarbons to react with nitrogen oxides and when the resultant gases hit the sunlight they form ground level ozone which is smog thus this option is incorrect.

2)Ozone: Ozone is the layer which saves us from the ultraviolet rays of the Sun. It's not a pollutant hence this is incorrect.

3)CO and oxides of sulphur: the carbon monoxide and sulphur oxides are the main contributors to pollution in the big cities of India hence this option is correct.

4)Marsh gas and algal spores: these are found in geographical marshes or where water is standing hence this is an incorrect option.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C)

Note: The air quality index of these big cities has been deteriorating day by day and the health conditions of the people living in the cities is poor. Government needs to focus on controlling pollution in order to ensure a healthy and livable environment.