Q36 · UPSC Prelims 2025 · Set A · Environment and Ecology

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With reference to 'Direct Air Capture', an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct?I.It can be used as a way of carbon sequestration.II.It can be a valuable approach for plastic production and in food processing.III.In aviation, it can be a source of carbon for combining with hydrogen to create synthetic low-carbon fuel.Select the correct answer using the code given below

A I and II only
B III only
C I, II and III
D None of the above statements is correct

Correct answer: (c) I, II and III

Explanation

  1. A

    I and II only

    I and II only. That drops aviation e-fuels. DAC carbon plus hydrogen is a standard Power-to-Liquid route.

  2. B

    III only

    III only. Sequestration and use in plastics/food are also correct, not only aviation.

  3. C

    I, II and III

    I, II and III. DAC pulls CO2 from ambient air. That CO2 can be stored (sequestration), used as a carbon feedstock in plastics and in food-grade carbonation, or combined with hydrogen to make synthetic aviation fuel.

  4. D

    None of the above statements is correct

    None. All three uses are on the technology tree.

Summary. Official key is (c): Direct Air Capture can sequester CO2, feed plastics and food processing, and supply carbon for aviation e-fuels. (a) drops aviation; (b) keeps only aviation; (d) empties a technology that does all three.

Same topic · past papers

UPSC has asked this before

These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.

  1. 2023 · Q68 · General Studies · 2 marks

    Consider the following activities : 1. Spreading finely ground basalt rock on farmlands extensively 2. Increasing the alkalinity of oceans by adding lime 3. Capturing carbon dioxide released by various industries and pumping it into abandoned subterranean mines in the form of carbonated waters How many of the above activities are often considered and discussed for carbon capture and sequestration?

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