Set A - UPSC Prelims 2025 Solutions

QQuestion

Consider the following statements : Statement I: Activated carbon is a good and an attractive tool to remove pollutants from effluent streams and to remediate contaminants from various industries. Statement II : Activated carbon exhibits a large surface area and a strong potential for adsorbing heavy metals. Statement III : Activated carbon can be easily synthesized from environmental wastes with high carbon content. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

OOptions

A) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I

B) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct but only one of them explains Statement I

C) Only one of the Statements II and III is correct and that explains Statement I

D) Neither Statement II nor Statement III is correct

✓Correct Answer

A) Both Statement II and Statement III are correct and both of them explain Statement I

DDalvoy Solutions

Statement I: Activated carbon is indeed an excellent tool for removing pollutants from effluent streams and remediating industrial contaminants due to its unique properties.

Statement II: Correct and explains Statement I. Activated carbon has an extremely large surface area (500-3000 m²/g) due to its porous structure, and this high surface area combined with chemical properties gives it strong potential for adsorbing heavy metals and other contaminants.

Statement III: Correct and explains Statement I. Activated carbon can be synthesized from various environmental wastes with high carbon content such as coconut shells, wood chips, agricultural residues, and even sewage sludge, making it an environmentally sustainable solution.

Both statements II and III explain why activated carbon is such an attractive and effective tool for pollution control.

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SUPSC Prelims Strategy and Tips

For environmental technology questions, look for cause-and-effect relationships between material properties and applications. Consider both technical effectiveness and sustainability aspects.

SUPSC Prelims 2025 Syllabus Analysis

Environment & Ecology - Pollution control technologies and waste management

AUPSC Prelims 2025 Question Analysis

Medium difficulty - requires understanding of material science and environmental applications

Question 50

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