UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 1
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which one of the following is the largest source of sulphur dioxide emissions ?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: D
Correct Option: D (Power plants using fossil fuels)
Explanation: Fossil-fuel power stations, especially coal-fired plants, are major stationary sources of SO₂ because sulphur in fuel oxidises during combustion.
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Incorrect-Locomotives emit SO₂, but contribute less than large fossil-fuel power plants.
B. Incorrect-Marine fuel combustion emits SO₂, but is not the largest among these EPA source categories.
C. Incorrect-Smelting sulphide ores releases SO₂, but is smaller than fossil-fuel power generation.
D. Correct-power plants burning sulphur-containing fossil fuels dominate this comparison.