World Physical Aspects

Geography (CDS)

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Indian Economy - Understanding the basics of Indian economic system

Understanding Karst topography is important because

1. Nearly ten percent of the Earth's surface is occupied by karst landscape

2. Such topography occurs only in tropical and alpine environments.

3. Nearly a quarter of the world's population depends upon water supplied from karst areas

1 and 2 only

2 and 3 only

1 and 3 only

None of the above

The term karst describes a distinctive topography that indicates dissolution (also called chemical solution) of underlying soluble rocks by surface water or ground water. Although commonly associated with carbonate rocks (limestone and dolomite) other highly soluble rocks such as evaporates (gypsum and rock salt) can be sculpted into karst terrain.
Statement 2: Though most abundant in humid regions where carbonate rock is present, karst terrain occurs in temperate, tropical, alpine and polar environments. Karst features range in scale from microscopic (chemical precipitates) to entire drainage systems and ecosystems which cover hundreds of square miles, and broad karst plateaus. Although karst processes sculpt beautiful landscapes, karst systems are very vulnerable to ground water pollution due to the relatively rapid rate of water flow and the lack of a natural filtration system. This puts local drinking water supplies at risk of being contaminated