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Question 30

Why is there a great concern about the 'microbeads' that are released into environment?

AOptions

A) They are considered harmful to marine ecosystems.

B) They are considered to cause skin cancer in children.

C) They are small enough to be absorbed by crop plants in irrigated fields.

D) They are often found to be used as food adulterants.

BSolution

Microbeads are tiny plastic particles, typically less than 5 millimeters in size, found in various personal care products (like exfoliants, toothpaste, and cleansers) and industrial applications. When these products are used, microbeads are washed down drains and, due to their small size, often pass through wastewater treatment plants into rivers, lakes, and oceans. Once in aquatic environments, they become a significant source of plastic pollution. Marine animals, including fish, filter feeders, and birds, often mistake these plastic particles for food and ingest them. This ingestion can lead to physical harm (like blockages in digestive tracts), starvation, and exposure to toxic chemicals that the microbeads absorb from the water. Therefore, the primary concern about microbeads is their detrimental impact on marine ecosystems and the broader aquatic food web.

CStrategy

For questions related to environmental concerns, identify the core problem associated with the given term. Microbeads have been a widely discussed topic globally due to their direct link to plastic pollution and its impact on aquatic life. Look for the most direct and significant environmental consequence.

DSyllabus Analysis

This question falls under the Environment & Ecology section of the UPSC Prelims syllabus, specifically addressing pollution and its impact on ecosystems.

EQuestion Analysis

Easy to Medium. The issue of microbeads and their harm to marine life has received considerable media attention and is a well-known environmental concern.