Consider the following statements : 1. Agricultural soils release nitrogen oxides into environment. 2. Cattle release ammonia into environment. 3. Poultry industry releases reactive nitrogen compounds into environment. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 and 3 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 2 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3 ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• Reactive nitrogen escapes from agriculture in several forms.
• Fertilised soils release nitrous oxide and nitric oxide through microbial nitrification and denitrification (statement 1); N2O is a potent greenhouse gas.
• Cattle urine and dung release ammonia (statement 2), a major source of PM2.5 precursors and soil acidification.
• Poultry litter, rich in uric acid, gives off ammonia and other reactive nitrogen compounds (statement 3).
• The Indian Nitrogen Assessment (2017) found agriculture the largest source of reactive nitrogen in India.
• Hence 1, 2 and 3, option (d).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 3 only
- Cattle ammonia emissions are also real.
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- Soil nitrogen-oxide emissions are also real.
- (c) 2 only
- Soils and poultry also release reactive nitrogen.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2019, held on 2 June 2019. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.