Environment

Statement 1 is Correct: Desert plants (xerophytes) often have a thick, waxy cuticle on their leaves which acts as a physical barrier to minimize water loss through transpiration. Statement 2 is Correct: Many desert plants have very small leaves or shed them entirely to reduce the surface area exposed to the sun, thereby significantly inhibiting water loss. Statement 3 is Correct: In several arid species, leaves are modified into thorns or spines to minimize the surface area for transpiration and to protect the plant's stored water from herbivores.

Thermal Power: ~88% of annual industrial water consumption Engineering: ~5% of annual industrial water consumption Paper & Pulp: ~2.3% of annual industrial water consumption Textiles: ~2% of annual industrial water consumption

Industrial water consumption does not include water consumption of agriculture sector.

- Fungi and Bacteria are decomposers. They breakdown organic matter into simple inorganic substances.

- Virus represents dormant life. They are metabolically inactive as long as they are outside a host body. They are not decomposers. They invade host cells and use their nucleus (DNA machinery) to carry out their life processes.

Statement 1 is incorrect. India's Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan is the largest solar power park in the world.

Statement 2 is correct. Kerala's Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) is the first airport in the world that would be running fully on solar power.

Statement 3 is incorrect. The Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project in Madhya Pradesh is currently the largest floating solar photovoltaic project in India.

Statement 1 is Correct: Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are used as propellants in aerosol products, such as hairsprays, deodorants, and various cleaning sprays, as they are non-flammable and serve as effective carriers for the product.

Statement 2 is Correct: HFCs are widely used as foam-blowing agents in the manufacture of plastic foams (such as polyurethane and polystyrene) which are used for thermal insulation in buildings, refrigerators, and other appliances.

Statement 3 is Correct: HFCs (such as HFC-227ea) are used as fire suppressants in fire protection systems. They are often referred to as "clean agents" and were developed to replace ozone-depleting Halons in fire extinguishers and total flooding systems.

Statement 4 is Incorrect: HFCs are not used in the making of lubricants. Lubricants are typically formulated from mineral oils, synthetic hydrocarbons (like polyalphaolefins), or esters to reduce friction and wear between moving surfaces.

Statement 1 is incorrect: India does not feature among the top three global manufacturers of silicon wafers used in photovoltaic (PV) units or solar cells. The top three manufacturers of silicon wafers for PV applications are China, Taiwan, and South Korea.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) is a government-owned company that facilitates the implementation of solar energy projects in the country, but it does not determine the solar power tariffs. The solar power tariffs in India are determined through a competitive bidding process conducted by various agencies.

Hence, the correct answer is option (d) Neither 1 nor 2.

Excretion of urea by animals - Correct: Urea (CO(NH₂)₂) contains nitrogen. When animals excrete urea, microbes in the soil convert it into ammonia, and later into nitrates and nitrites — forms usable by plants. Thus, urea adds nitrogen to the soil indirectly.

Burning of coal by man - Incorrect: Burning coal releases nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) into the atmosphere, not into the soil. These contribute to air pollution and acid rain, not direct soil enrichment.

Death of vegetation - Correct: When plants die, their tissues decompose. Decomposers (bacteria and fungi) break down organic matter, releasing nitrogen compounds back into the soil. Hence, this process adds nitrogen to the soil naturally.