Question

Which state in India is the leading producer of sulfur?
A. Uttar Pradesh
B. Tamilnadu
C. Assam
D. Punjab

Answer 1

Hint: We need to know that, In India, there are no mineable sulfur reserves. Pyrites are used as a substitute for sulfur. The sulfide ores are used to extract sulfur and during the production of metal from these ores, sulfur is released

Complete step by step answer:
1. Uttar Pradesh produces around \[11%\] of the total Sulfur produced in India. Sulfur dioxide emitted from petroleum products used in vehicles or the burning of coal adds to the total production of sulfur dioxide. Almost all elemental sulfur is produced as the by-product of sulfur-containing contaminants.
2. Neyveli and Chennai in Tamilnadu are two major SO2 emitters in India. Though the state contributes the least in the production of elemental sulfur, the maximum sulfur produced is due to the emission of sulfur dioxide from factories, vehicles, and burning of coal.
3. In\[2010\], Assam produced around \[6000\] tonnes of sulfur contributing to around \[4%\] of the total sulfur produced in India. Golaghat in Assam is the leading producer of byproduct Sulphur. Coal mining and coal industries contribute the largest amount of the total sulfur produced.
4. Punjab is a leading producer of agricultural goods in India and fertilizer requirements in the State are also high. Though the requirement of sulfur is increasing, production of Sulphur in the State is negligible. Punjab doesn’t contribute majorly to the production of sulfur today.
As a by-product, it is obtained from ferrous and non-ferrous metal smelting in the form of sulphuric acid. A smaller quantity is produced as sulfur dioxide is emitted from petroleum products used in vehicles and power plants. Sulfur is also absorbed by the plants from the soil.
So, the correct answer is Option A.

Note: We need to remember that Sulphur in India is not derived from mineral ores or sulfur reserves. It is either produced as a by-product of the SO2 emissions or emitted from factories, burning of coal, or extraction of metals.