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Topic Bioremediation
Asked 7 times across 3 UPSC exams over 32 years (1990–2022), peaking in 2016.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 5 of 7 PYQs
- Most asked in 2016
- Recurs across 6 years (1990–2022)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 1990 → CAPF 2016 → EPFO 2016
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (4 of 7) are since 2016.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
CSE2022
"If rainforests and tropical forests are the lungs of the Earth, then surely wetlands function as its kidneys." Which one of the following functions of wetlands best reflects the above statement?
- A The water cycle in wetlands involves surface runoff, subsoil percolation and evaporation.
- B Algae form the nutrient base upon which fish, crustaceans, molluscs, birds, reptiles and mammals thrive.
- C Wetlands play a vital role in maintaining sedimentation balance and soil stabilization.
- D Aquatic plants absorb heavy metals and excess nutrients. ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Environment & Ecology › Ecology & Ecosystems
CSE2017
In the context of solving pollution problems, what is/are the advantage/advantages of bioremediation technique ?
- It is a technique for cleaning up pollution by enhancing the same biodegradation process that occurs in nature
- Any contaminant with heavy metals such as cadmium and lead can be readily and completely treated by bioremediation using microorganisms
- Genetic engineering can be used to create microorganisms specifically designed for bioremediation
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
- A 1 only
- B 2 and 3 only
- C 1 and 3 only ✓
- D 1, 2 and 3
✓ Correct answer: (C)
Environment & Ecology › Pollution & Waste
CAPF2016
The process of using microbes to treat areas of land or sea that have been contaminated by pesticides, oil or solvents is known as:
- A Eutrophication
- B Nitrification
- C Ammonification
- D Bioremediation ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Environment & Ecology › Pollution & Waste
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