New Delhi: The Supreme Court has directed the Central Pollution Control Board and state pollution control boards to conduct surprise inspections at brick kilns in the National Capital Region (NCR) to ensure that the production is carried out in terms of the notification issued by the Environment Ministry. A bench comprising Justices K M Joseph and Justice Hrishikesh Roy passed a slew of directions for operation of brick kilns in NCR.The top court directed that those units, located in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, which have the consent to operate and have also declared the production capacity are permitted to operate subject to certain conditions."The officers of both Central Pollution Control Board and the State Pollution Control Boards shall conduct surprise inspections without any notice and warning to the persons running the units from time to time to ensure that the production is being carried out in terms of the aforesaid notification. "Production will be further subject to the condition that it will be limited to the production capacity as per the consent granted by the respective state pollution control boards," the bench said.The apex court also directed that persons running the units shall report at the end of every cycle, the actual total production which has been carried out in their units (arising out of each cycle) to the respective state pollution control boards."The state pollution control boards shall promptly intimate the Central Pollution Control Board, the said figures and on the date of the next hearing, the Central Pollution Control Board will produce a chart showing the production so that the Court may analyse as to whether there is a violation of this Court's order."The Central Pollution Control Board and the state pollution control board will monitor the impact of the pollution which is generated as a result of the units being permitted to operate, and actually carrying out the production in such form as is measurable," the bench said while posting the matter for hearing on May 6. The top court mandated adoption of zigzag technology, vertical shaft or use of piped natural gas as fuel in brick kilns."All brick kilns shall use only approved fuel such as piped natural gas, coal, fire wood and/or agricultural residues. Use of pet coke, tyres, plastic, hazardous waste shall not be allowed in brick kilns," it said. The apex court was hearing a batch of appeals filed by various brick kiln associations challenging the National Green Tribunal's order on use of zigzag technology in brick kilns.In zigzag kilns, bricks are arranged to allow hot air to travel in a zigzag path which results in better mixing of air and fuel, allowing complete combustion and reducing coal consumption by about 20 per cent. —PTI

The Supreme Court has directed the Central Pollution Control Board and state pollution control boards to conduct surprise 

SC Directs CPCB To Conduct Surprise Inspections At Brick Kilns In NCR

New York: Researchers have identified a lesser-known form of ozone playing a big role in heating the Southern Ocean—one of Earth’s main cooling systems.Ozone is a gas composed of three oxygen atoms. Many studies have described ozone in the stratosphere, and its role in shielding people from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. Closer to ground level, in the troposphere, ozone is harmful to humans.In the study led by University of California-Riverside scientists revealed that lower level ozone is adding a great deal of heat to the Southern Ocean—more than scientists previously understood.“People haven’t paid much attention in the past to tropospheric ozone in terms of ocean heat uptake. Based on our models, they should be,” said lead author Wei Liu, climate scientist at the varsity. The finding has been published in the journal Nature Climate Change.Oceans remove a majority of the carbon and heat that enter the atmosphere when humans burn fossil fuels.The Southern Ocean, also called the Antarctic Ocean, collects a third of all excess carbon in the world’s atmosphere, and an estimated 75 per cent of the excess heat collected by the world’s oceans.It is important to understand this heating so it can be controlled. Increased ocean warming is contributing to well-documented issues of sea levels rising.To further this understanding, Liu and an international team of scientists explored climate model simulations with changes in ozone levels between 1955 and 2000.These model simulations isolated both stratospheric and tropospheric ozone from other influences on Southern Ocean temperatures, allowing them to see how each factor contributes.While both stratospheric and tropospheric ozone contribute to the Southern Ocean warming, the team found that the latter contributes more. “Historically, about a third of the ocean’s warming is attributable to ozone. For this third, about 40 per cent is from the stratosphere, and the rest is troposphere,” Liu said.Liu believes the results of this study are useful for showing where people can make further changes that will improve the environment.Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, from products like pesticides, tobacco smoke and automobiles are gases that form the building blocks of tropospheric ozone. The same is true for nitrogen oxides produced by combustion, or carbon monoxide from furnaces, gas stoves, and automobile exhaust. Many of these products can be modified to produce fewer VOCs.“Tropospheric ozone is an air pollutant,” Liu said. “If we reduce our production of this, we get the dual benefits of less air pollution and most likely, less Southern Ocean warming as well.”—IANS

 Researchers have identified a lesser-known form of ozone playing a big role in heating the Southern Ocean—one of Earth’s main cooling systems.

How Air Pollution Is Heating Up Southern Ocean

Researchers have identified a lesser-known form of ozone playing a big role in heating the Southern Ocean—one of Earth’s main cooling systems.

Chennai (The Hawk):&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iitm.ac.in/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">Indian Institute of Technology Madras</a>&nbsp;Researchers collaborated with International Researchers to find possible solutions to the productivity and pollution problems of manufacturing firms in India. They studied the manufacturing sector of the Indian economy using data from the ‘Prowess IQ’ database of the Centre for Monitoring the Indian Economy from 2001 to 2015.Based on the econometric analysis, this research suggests a green domestic policy mapped with FDI and trade to increase productivity and energy efficiency for the manufacturing sector in India.Other Key Findings include:Ø&nbsp;&nbsp;One-to-one correspondence and linkages between tax and energy intensity will promote renewable energy.Ø&nbsp;&nbsp;Firms that are improving energy efficiency can be either given tax credit or tax exemption as rewards.Ø&nbsp;&nbsp;There is an urgent need to replace vintage capital and adopt new technology.The study also has important policy implications with regard to global climate change regulations&nbsp;as an increasing number of cap-and-trade emission trading systems are also being implemented around the globe (Ex: in California in the U.S. and China).As pollution-intensive industries and firms are more likely to be attracted by lax environmental policy, ‘Performance, Achievement and Trade’ policies need to focus on these firms. Additionally, as firms in pollution-intensive industries seem to prefer to relocate to pollution havens rather than innovate, assisting these firms in improving their energy efficiency and reducing their pollution can help them gain legitimacy and maintain their business.The researchers further conclude that the positive spillovers from export participation and foreign direct investments could help the Indian economy and increase energy efficiency in the manufacturing sector.&nbsp;A sustainable energy policy targeting the manufacturing industry is essential for the Indian economy to contribute to green and sustainable development.This research was led by&nbsp;<a href="https://sites.google.com/view/sksahuiitm/home" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">Dr. Santosh Kumar Sahu</a>, Assistant Professor of Economics, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Madras, and included Mr. Prantik Bagchi, Research Scholar, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Madras, Chennai. The International research partners include Prof. Ajay Kumar from EMLYON Business School, Ecully, France, and Prof. Kim Hua Tan from Nottingham University Business School, U.K.The findings of this study were published in the reputed, peer-reviewed journal&nbsp;<a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10479-021-04295-7#citeas" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">Annals of Operations Research</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10479-021-04295-7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">https://doi.org/10.1007/s10479-021-04295-7</a>)Explaining the key findings of this research, Dr Santosh Kumar Sahu, Assistant Professor of Economics, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Madras, said,&nbsp;“Economic profit maximization is one of the main objectives of any industry or firm. But with global climate change, does a firm look towards reducing carbon emissions and pollution at the cost of lower productivity? Is it right to levy more taxes on firms to reduce greenhouse emissions? Does one target economic development or become more eco-friendly? These are questions we set out to find answers to.”Highlighting the key applications of this research, Dr Santosh Kumar Sahu said,&nbsp;“In this research, we focused on linking existing energy policies with productivity and energy intensity. This research can be used as the basis for redesigning future PAT schemes and energy policies for pollution-intensive firms to achieve energy efficiency. We are also now working on estimating carbon productivity for the firms in India's manufacturing sector to link innovation, R&amp;D, energy efficiency and carbon productivity. These results will be beneficial for better energy and climate policy for India.&nbsp;”The researchers feel that more recent data, including information on the stages of research and development, patents, and environmental expenses at the firm level for manufacturing industries, would be highly beneficial to explain India’s energy consumption and emission structure.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Two factors were considered in this study: energy intensity and energy efficiency. Energy intensity can be used as a proxy for energy efficiency. Their data analysis from 2001 to 2015 concluded a decreasing trend for energy intensity, implying energy efficiency has increased. An increase in energy efficiency for the firms in the manufacturing sector indicates technological advancement at the firm level.Price instruments and technology are instrumental in increasing energy efficiency. There is ample evidence suggesting that technology plays a significant role in reducing energy intensity, which is in line with this study.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Indian Institute of Technology Madras Researchers collaborated with International Researchers to find possible solutions to the productivity and pollution problems of manufacturing firms in India.

IIT Madras, International Researchers, propose solutions to Productivity & Pollution problems of Indian manufacturing firms

Davis (California): According to the University of California, switching to low-carbon fuels for transportation, cooking, heating, electricity generation and other needs will help combat climate change and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in exposure to air pollution.The findings of the research were published in the journal 'Science of The Total Environment.'The study found that differences in exposure to fine and ultrafine particle pollution could be reduced between 20 and 40 per cent in 2050 if solar, wind and electric sources were used rather than fossil fuels.The findings factor in California's ban on the sale of new gas-powered passenger vehicles beginning in 2035 and illustrate the need to focus beyond transportation pollution, which has been a significant source of climate-damaging emissions. "Even though transportation pollution has been largely decreased by 2050, the other sectors will still be important," said Yiting Li, a PhD candidate in atmospheric sciences who is the first author of the journal article.Energy, climate and emissionsThe UC Davis researchers analyzed future energy use and emissions scenarios in four regions - the San Francisco Bay area including Sacramento, San Joaquin Valley, Los Angeles and San Diego. The energy scenarios ranged from business as usual to strict reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.All California residents benefitted from improved air quality when low-carbon fuels, carbon capture or other actions were adopted, the analysis showed.The analysis also showed that adopting low-carbon fuels can help address some of the historical imbalances in air pollution exposure. For example, Black residents experience higher levels of pollution than white residents in Los Angeles, but the detailed analysis carried out in the study showed that using larger quantities of low-carbon fuels reduced those exposure disparities. Similar results were found in other regions, with the groups living closest to the urban cores benefitting the most."Not only does it improve air quality, but it also shrinks the disparity among different groups," said Michael Kleeman, the study's senior author and professor of civil and environmental engineering who is also a member of the Atmospheric Science Graduate Group and the Institute for Transportation Studies. "It levels the playing field for all California residents."Environmental justice and low carbon fuelsKnowing this information can help round out policy discussions about cutting pollution levels by incorporating environmental justice aspects, the researchers said."We often talk about low carbon fuels and greenhouse gas reductions, but there's not a lot of talk about public health," Kleeman said. "The public health benefits associated with low carbon fuels should be a part of these conversations."The study also estimated that adopting low-carbon fuels would prevent thousands of deaths in California each year through improved air quality. In economic terms, the total public health benefits were estimated to be approximately $20 billion annual.Anikender Kumar and Yin Li from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering also contributed to the analysis.&nbsp;—ANI

According to the University of California, switching to low-carbon fuels for transportation, cooking, heating, electricity generation and other needs will help combat climate change and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in exposure to air pollution.

Research Finds Switching To Low-Carbon Energy Could Reduce Racial Disparities In Air Pollution

New Delhi: India saw over 23.5 lakh premature deaths due to pollution of all types -- including 16.7 lakh fatalities caused by air pollution -- in 2019, the highest among all countries globally, according to a new study published in&nbsp;The Lancet Planetary Health&nbsp;journal. The majority of air pollution related deaths -- 9.8 lakh -- in India were caused by ambient PM2.5 pollution -- tiny pollution particles in the air that are two and one half microns or less in width, the researchers said. Another 6.1 lakh were due to household air pollution, they said. Globally, pollution of any kind was responsible for nine million deaths in 2019 -- equivalent to one in six deaths worldwide.Air pollution -- both household and ambient -- was responsible for the greatest number of deaths at 6.67 million worldwide. "The health impacts of pollution remain enormous, and low- and middle-income countries bear the brunt of this burden. Despite its enormous health, social and economic impacts, pollution prevention is largely overlooked in the international development agenda,” said study lead author Richard Fuller, from Global Alliance on Health and Pollution, Geneva, Switzerland. "Attention and funding has only minimally increased since 2015, despite well-documented increases in public concern about pollution and its health effects," Fuller said in a statement.In India, air pollution is most severe in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (northern India), where topography and meteorology concentrate pollution from energy, mobility, industry, agriculture, and other activities, the researchers said. According to the study, burning of biomass in households was the single largest cause of air pollution deaths in India, followed by coal combustion and crop burning. Population-weighted mean exposure to ambient air pollution peaked nationally in India at 95 milligrammes per cubic metre (mg/m3) in 2014, was reduced to 82mg/m3 by 2017, but more recently has been rising slowly again, the researchers said."India has developed a range of instruments for tackling air pollution, including a National Clean Air Program, and in 2019 launched a Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region. State Pollution Control Boards have regulatory powers to impose and enforce emissions standards on pollution sources,” the authors of the study noted. "However, India does not have a strong centralised administrative system to drive its air pollution control efforts and consequently improvements in overall air quality have been limited and uneven," they said. The report noted that India's PM2.5 pollution remains well above World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines of 10 microgram per cubic metre in 93 per cent area of the country. The WHO had recently tightened its health-based global air quality guidelines, lowering the guideline value for PM2·5 from 10 microgram per cubic metre to 5 microgram per cubic metre. Deaths due to traditional pollution (household air pollution from solid fuels and unsafe water, sanitation, and hand washing) in India have reduced by more than 50 per cent since 2000, the report said.Excess deaths due to pollution have led to economic losses totalling USD 4·6 trillion in 2019 globally, which is 6.2 per cent of global economic output, it said.Economic losses due to modern forms of pollution -- ambient particulate matter air pollution, ozone pollution, lead exposure, occupational carcinogens, gases, fumes -- have increased between 2000 and 2019 in India and are now approximately 1 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP), it said. The new report is an update to The Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health. It states that although the number of deaths from pollution sources associated with extreme poverty -- such as indoor air pollution and water pollution -- have decreased, these reductions are offset by increased deaths attributable to industrial pollution such as ambient air pollution and chemical pollution. "Pollution is still the largest existential threat to human and planetary health and jeopardises the sustainability of modern societies," said study co-author Professor Philip Landrigan, Director, Global Public Health Program and Global Pollution Observatory at Boston College, US."Preventing pollution can also slow climate change -- achieving a double benefit for planetary health -- and our report calls for a massive, rapid transition away from all fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy," Landrigan said. The new report provides updated estimates for the health effects of pollution based on the most recently available 2019 GBD data and methodological updates, as well as an assessment of trends since 2000.The researchers said water pollution was responsible for 1.36 million premature deaths globally. Lead contributed 900,000 premature deaths, followed by toxic occupational hazards at 870,000 deaths.—PTI

India saw over 23.5 lakh premature deaths due to pollution of all types -- including 16.7 lakh fatalities caused by air pollution -- in 2019, the highest among all countries globally, according to a new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health journal.

India saw 23.5 lakh pollution deaths in 2019, highest in world

Cincinnati (Ohio): Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have found that light pollution can disorient monarch butterflies, which travel as far as Canada to Mexico and back during their multigenerational migration.The research was published in the journal, 'iScience'.Researchers found that butterflies roosting at night near artificial illumination such as a porch or streetlight can become disoriented the next day because the light interferes with their circadian rhythms. Artificial light can impede the molecular processes responsible for the butterfly's remarkable navigational ability and trigger the butterfly to take wing when it should be resting. "We found that even with a single work light that you find at a construction site, monarch butterflies treat that like it's the sun," UC assistant professor Patrick Guerra said.With their erratic, circuitous movements taking them to and fro across your garden, it might be hard to imagine monarch butterflies sticking to a rigid flight plan. But their migrations take some monarch populations thousands of miles to the same forests in Mexico where they spend the winter. Now researchers want to know whether light pollution is impeding this amazing cross-country trek."It's an important question given that many migrants fly through urban areas," co-author and UC master's graduate Samuel Stratton said. "Getting some ecological data would be really helpful to seeing what impacts light pollution can have on orientation and migratory outcomes," he added.Monarchs rely on the darkness of night to process proteins key to their internal compass. These help the insects tell which direction to fly to reach their southern wintering grounds and return."The animal keeps track of day and night from this molecular system of production and degradation of proteins," Guerra said.Light pollution can disrupt normal circadian rhythms and sleep-wake cycles of wildlife and people alike. City lights have been shown to disrupt the navigation of animals like baby sea turtles, which mistake them for the glow of the moon on the ocean and head away from the water when they hatch. Researchers have examined the effects of light pollution on birds and other animals that migrate at night."We wanted to focus on animals that migrate during the day," Guerra said. Millions of monarch butterflies living east of the Rocky Mountains leave their summer breeding grounds in southern Canada and the northern United States, travelling as much as 2,500 miles (or 4,000 kilometres) to overwintering sites in Mexico. Monarchs can take up to five generations during this cross-continent trek and back. Along the way, they use an internal clock that tells them where to orient themselves in relation to the changing position of the sun in the sky.But monarchs exposed to nighttime light pollution, like a street lamp above their chosen roost in a cedar tree, can experience a phase shift, making their body think it's either earlier or later than it really is. That can throw off their sense of time, UC researchers found."It's like jet lag," Guerra said. "Essentially, their sense of time is disturbed," he added.UC researchers demonstrated this effect by conducting controlled laboratory studies. They simulated and isolated the effects of light trespass perturbation on migratory animals normally active in the day."We found that you're messing with their day-night cycle. Light pollution can make them think that the day is longer or that the day starts sooner," he said.So if you want to be hospitable to monarchs, Guerra said, maybe don't keep the light on for them. "It's something to think about if you're making a pollinator garden or if you want to be eco-friendly," Guerra said. —ANI

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have found that light pollution can disorient monarch butterflies, which travel as far as Canada to Mexico and back during their multigenerational migration.

Light Pollution Can Interfere With Navigational Abilities Of Monarch Butterflies: Research

Brussels: Arrhythmias are life-threatening and occur very commonly on days with highly polluted air (ESC), according to new research by the scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology.The study was carried out on patients who had an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), allowing the researchers to track the occurrence of arrhythmias and the delivery of life-saving therapy."Our study suggests that people at high risk of ventricular arrhythmias, such as those with an ICD, should check daily pollution levels," said study author Dr Alessia Zanni, now working at Maggiore Hospital, Bologna and previously at Piacenza Hospital, Italy."When particular matter (PM) 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations are high (above 35 mg/m3 and 50 mg/m3, respectively), it would be sensible to stay indoors as much as possible and wear an N95 mask outside, particularly in areas of heavy traffic. An air purifier can be used at home."Outdoor air pollution kills an estimated 4.2 million people every year, according to the World Health Organization. Nearly one in five cardiovascular disease deaths are due to dirty air, which was ranked the fourth-highest risk factor for mortality after high blood pressure, tobacco use and poor diet.This study investigated the relationship between air pollution and ventricular arrhythmias in Piacenza, Northern Italy. The European Environment Agency graded the city 307 worst out of 323 cities for annual mean PM2.5 concentrations in 2019 and 2020, with a figure of 20.8 mg/m3."We had observed that emergency room visits for arrhythmias in patients with ICDs tended to cluster on days with particularly high air pollution," noted Dr Zanni. "We, therefore, decided to compare the concentration of air pollutants on days when patients had an arrhythmia versus pollution levels on days without an arrhythmia."The study included 146 consecutive patients who received an ICD between January 2013 and December 2017. Of those, 93 received an ICD because of heart failure after a heart attack while 53 had a genetic or inflammatory heart condition. Just over half (79 patients) had never experienced a ventricular arrhythmia, and 67 patients had previously had a ventricular arrhythmia.Data on ventricular arrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation) were collected remotely from the ICD until study completion at the end of 2017. The researchers also recorded the therapy delivered by the device. This included anti-tachycardia pacing for ventricular tachycardia (fast heartbeat), which delivers electrical impulses to the heart muscle to restore a normal heart rate and rhythm. The second therapy was an electric shock to reset the heartbeat during ventricular fibrillation.Daily levels of PM10, PM 2.5, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) were obtained from Regional Environmental Protection Agency (ARPA) monitoring stations. Patients were assigned exposures based on their home addresses.The researchers analysed the association between pollutant concentrations and the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias. A total of 440 ventricular arrhythmias were recorded during the study period, of which 322 were treated with anti-tachycardia pacing and 118 were treated with a shock. The researchers found a significant association between PM2.5 levels and ventricular arrhythmias treated with shocks, corresponding to a 1.5 per cent increased risk for each 1 mg/m3 rise in PM2.5.They also found that when PM2.5 concentrations were elevated by 1 mg/m3 for an entire week, compared to average levels, there was a 2.4 per cent higher likelihood of ventricular arrhythmias regardless of the temperature. When PM10 was 1 mg/m3 above average for a week there was a 2.1 per cent raised risk of arrhythmias.Dr Zanni said: "Particulate matter may cause acute inflammation of the heart muscle which could act as a trigger for cardiac arrhythmias. As these toxic particles are emitted from power plants, industries and cars, green projects are needed to protect the health, on top of the actions individuals can take to protect themselves."She concluded: "These data confirm that environmental pollution is not only a climate emergency but also a public health problem. The study suggests that the survival of patients with heart disease is affected not only by pharmacological therapies and advances in cardiology but also by the air that they breathe. This battle can be won by an alliance between scientific societies and politicians to protect not only the environment but also the health of the human population."&nbsp;—ANI

Arrhythmias are life-threatening and occur very commonly on days with highly polluted air (ESC), according to new research by the scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology.

Fatal Heart Rhythm Disorder Linked To Air-Pollution: Study

Agra:&nbsp;Even after 20 years of judicial activism, major policy pronouncements and projects worth millions of rupees, this Taj city remains pock-marked with mounds of garbage. Air and water pollution threaten the health of people and the world famous monuments that is visited by millions of tourists every year.In 1993, disposing of a public suit filed by eco-lawyer M.C. Mehta, a Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Kuldip Singh ordered far-reaching structural changes to make the 10,000 sq km eco-sensitive Taj Trapezium Zone safe for the Taj Mahal. The measures to be taken were based on the 20-odd recommendations of a high-powered committee headed by eminent scientist S. Varadarajan.Twenty years later, newspaper headlines frequently read: "Taj tilting" or "Taj yellowing," NGO functionary Vinay Paliwal pointed out to IANS.D.K. Joshi, a member of the Supreme Court monitoring committee, says: "The top officials of various departments have collectively played a crude joke on Agra. We neither have water, nor power; the sewage system does not work, community ponds have disappeared; trees have been chopped up; and the Yamuna river continues to wail and scream. Nothing has changed, conditions have worsened."The chemical laboratories of the Archaeological Survey of India in Agra suggest that the suspended particulate matter (SPM) level annually averages around 400 micrograms per cubic metre, against the safe level of 100.The SPM rises as the river bed runs dry and the Rajasthan desert gradually expands into Uttar Pradesh. In recent years, there has also been large-scale mining in the Aravali ranges, pushing up particulate matter in the air.Agra Water Works uses more chemicals and gases than the stipulated safe limits prescribed by WHO. This is because there is not enough raw water to process in the Yamuna. "When there is no fresh water in the river, what we process is really sewage and effluents that flow down to Agra," an official of the city Jal Sansthan said, seeking anonymity for obvious reasons.Community ponds have run dry and even wells have no water in them. B.B. Awasthi, regional officer of the UP State Pollution Control Board, told IANS that the sulphur dioxide levels in city air had reduced: "Against 15 micrograms earlier, it is now below five micrograms. The large-scale use of CNG has been helpful."Awasthi said if the city was assured of regular power supply, the use of more than 100,000 diesel generators would automatically come down, bringing down the nitrogen oxide levels.As for water, the situation is not very different from 1996, he said."Against an installed capacity of 154 million litres daily, the three Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) treat not more than 80 MLD (million litres per day) and that too, not sewage but nullah (drain) water."When the Supreme Court bench in 1996 ordered a series of restrictions and projects to cut down environmental pollution in the Taj Trapezium, there were people who worried that labour would be displaced and economic growth affected.Mohan Khandelwal, former president of the Taj Trapezium Udhyog Sangharsh Samiti, which led the movement against the shifting of industries from Agra, told IANS: "Local industries had no role in adding to the pollution load, but were victimised, while the Mathura Oil Refinery was spared."Two decades after the judgment, Khandelwal says, "the situation is actually worse, going by pollution control board data. The Yamuna is a sewage canal, and increased traffic means heightened air pollution. The recommendations of the S. Varadarajan committee have been forgotten."The apex court wanted several rows of trees on the western periphery of the city to filter the dust-laden westerlies that blow in from from Rajasthan. That has not happened and greenery here has all but vanished as tall buildings now stand where community ponds once were.District Forest Officer N.K. Janoo, however, says that the green cover has increased by nearly two percent."Green coverage in the district has increased by 0.5 percent, while in the city it has gone up to 14 percent. The SPM level has come down in the vicinity of the Taj Mahal by a good 19 percent, as broad-leaved trees line the roads and habitations. Agra Cantonment has the largest green belt. The Yamuna Kinara road is lined with saplings."Activists like Surendra Sharma, however, say the war on pollution here is as good as lost. Given that authorities are still to even acknowledge the problem, the question, perhaps, is whether that war ever began. —IANS

Even after 20 years of judicial activism, major policy pronouncements and projects worth millions of rupees, this Taj city remains pock-marked with mounds of garbage. Air and water pollution threaten the health of people and the world famous monuments that is visited by millions of tourists every year.

Has Agra Lost The Battle To Pollution?

London: Increased air pollution has been linked with rise in risk of autoimmune diseases, according to a twin study.Two abstracts presented by Dr Giovanni Adami at the 2022 EULAR Congress looked at the issue of environmental exposures and their role in disease development.Particulate matter (PM) is defined as everything in the air that is not a gas, and includes a variety of chemicals and materials, some of which can be toxic.Data from over 80,000 people in a retrospective observational study in Italy found a positive association between PM levels measured at local air-quality stations and the risk of autoimmune diseases.In fact, every 10 micrograms per cubic metre increase in PM10 concentration was associated with an incremental 7 per cent risk of having autoimmune disease.Exposure to PM10 above 30 micrograms per cubic metre and PM2.5 above 20 micrograms per cubic metre was associated with 12 per cent and 13 per cent higher risks of autoimmune disease, respectively.When broken down by individual diseases, exposure to PM10 was associated with an increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but no other autoimmune diseases, whereas exposure to high levels of PM2.5 was associated with an increased risk of RA and inflammatory bowel disease.Overall, chronic exposure to particulate air pollution above the threshold for human protection was associated with a 10 per cent higher risk of developing immune-mediated diseases.In a separate study, the same team looked at the association between long-term exposure to PM and osteoporosis in almost 60,000 women at high risk of fracture. The results showed that exposure to PM2.5 was negatively associated with low bone mass at the top of the thigh bone and lumbar spine. Chronic exposure above 25 micrograms per cubic metre for PM2.5 and 30 micrograms per cubic metre for PM10 was associated with a 16 per cent and 15 per cent higher risk of having osteoporotic bone mass scores at any site.The researchers concluded that long-term exposure to air pollution was associated with higher risk of osteoporosis.Further, among the RA patients, high silica exposure was independently associated with lung abnormalities such as interstitial lung disease and mediastinal lymphadenopathy.&nbsp;—IANS

Increased air pollution has been linked with rise in risk of autoimmune diseases, according to a twin study.

Air Pollution Exposure Drives Risk Of Inflammatory Arthritis

Dehradun: The central government has sanctioned 36 sewage treatment infrastructure projects in Uttarakhand so far to rejuvenate River Ganga.According to National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), through its flagship 'Namami Gange' project, the Centre is working on a mission mode in a multi-layered effort to ensure that every section of Ganga in the state receives clean water. The key projects include intercepting major drains falling into the river and diverting them to sewage treatment plants (STP).In Uttarakhand, as of the date, a total of 36 sewage infrastructure projects costing Rs 1,373 crore were sanctioned to create 195 MLD (millions of litre per day) STP capacities and to lay/rehabilitate a 184-km sewer network. Out of which 34 projects have been completed and the remaining 2 projects will be completed soon."We have now attained a very high quality of purification of water so there is no sewage going into the Uttarakhand sector and it is much beyond standards in Uttarakhand. We intend to keep the pristine river flow continuously as a part of 'aviraldhara'. And, the government of India has also been very sensitive to eco-sensitive zones in those areas. We as are committed to ensuring that pristine water flows in Uttarakhand and to a large extent we have achieved it also," said NMCG director G Asok Kumar. The Chamoli district, which recorded a spike in untreated waste in the past few years now has a 1.12 MLD STP in Gopeshwar. It successfully intercepts and treats water before it meets the river. This plant is based on electric coagulation where 7 MLD is currently being treated."Sewage which was earlier flowing directly into the river is now being treated with the help of 1.12 MLD STP as Deendayal Park STP at Gopeshwar. This plant is based on electro-coagulation where with the help of anodine and cathodine process," said Uttarakhand Pey Jal Nigam Nodal Officer Jagdish Kanderi.To prevent waste from falling into Ganga, six STPs have also been installed in Rudraprayag.These STPs are based on an electro-coagulation system where with the help of anodyne and cathodyne processes, the wastewater is separated and later treated as fresh water.Further, under the Namami Gange programme, NMCG has installed a 26 MLD STP in Rishikesh. "Under the Namami Gange programme, this 26 MLD STP has been constructed. Along with this STP, three sewage pumping stations have also been developed and two old SPS are renovated. Two more STPs have been developed that is five MLD STP and seven MLD STP," said Uttarakhand Pey Jal Nigam Nodal Officer Dharmendra Prasad.Kasawan Nallah, one of the biggest drains in Haridwar that used to contaminate the river severely, has been tapped entirely and diverted to 14 MLD STP in Sarai.NMCG has also constructed several new ghats and crematoria to keep the holy river clean.Shiv Ghat and Chandi Ghat in Haridwar and Nandprayag Sangam Ghat at the confluence of the Alaknanda and Nandakini have been developed. To keep the ghats clean and lively, dustbins, solar lights, and drinking water facilities have been installed. The NMCG with state authorities has also launched an extensive people's awareness campaign to keep the river pollution-free.&nbsp;—ANI

The central government has sanctioned 36 sewage treatment infrastructure projects in Uttarakhand so far to rejuvenate River Ganga.

Uttarakhand: 36 Sewage Treatment Plants To Make Ganga Pollution-Free

Dehradun: The central government has sanctioned 36 sewage treatment infrastructure projects in Uttarakhand so far to rejuvenate River Ganga. According to National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), through its flagship '<a href="https://www.aninews.in/topic/namami-gange" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Namami Gange</a>' project, the Centre is working on a mission mode in a multi-layered effort to ensure that every section of Ganga in the state receives clean water. The key projects include intercepting major drains falling into the river and diverting them to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/topic/sewage-treatment-plants" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">sewage treatment plants</a>&nbsp;(STP).<img src="https://aniportalimages.s3.amazonaws.com/media/details/eef79f96-e630-45b6-a761-015dce272dc1.jpg">In Uttarakhand, as of the date, a total of 36 sewage infrastructure projects costing Rs 1,373 crore were sanctioned to create 195 MLD (millions of litre per day) STP capacities and to lay/rehabilitate a 184-km sewer network. Out of which 34 projects have been completed and the remaining 2 projects will be completed soon. "We have now attained a very high quality of purification of water so there is no sewage going into the Uttarakhand sector and it is much beyond standards in Uttarakhand. We intend to keep the pristine river flow continuously as a part of 'aviraldhara'. And, the government of India has also been very sensitive to eco-sensitive zones in those areas. We as are committed to ensuring that pristine water flows in Uttarakhand and to a large extent we have achieved it also," said NMCG director G Asok Kumar. The Chamoli district, which recorded a spike in untreated waste in the past few years now has a 1.12 MLD STP in Gopeshwar. It successfully intercepts and treats water before it meets the river. This plant is based on electric coagulation where 7 MLD is currently being treated. "Sewage which was earlier flowing directly into the river is now being treated with the help of 1.12 MLD STP as Deendayal Park STP at Gopeshwar. This plant is based on electro-coagulation where with the help of anodine and cathodine process," said Uttarakhand Pey Jal Nigam Nodal Officer Jagdish Kanderi. To prevent waste from falling into Ganga, six STPs have also been installed in Rudraprayag. These STPs are based on an electro-coagulation system where with the help of anodyne and cathodyne processes, the wastewater is separated and later treated as fresh water.Further, under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/topic/namami-gange" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Namami Gange</a>&nbsp;programme, NMCG has installed a 26 MLD STP in Rishikesh. "Under the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/topic/namami-gange" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Namami Gange</a>&nbsp;programme, this 26 MLD STP has been constructed. Along with this STP, three sewage pumping stations have also been developed and two old SPS are renovated. Two more STPs have been developed that is five MLD STP and seven MLD STP," said Uttarakhand Pey Jal Nigam Nodal Officer Dharmendra Prasad. Kasawan Nallah, one of the biggest drains in Haridwar that used to contaminate the river severely, has been tapped entirely and diverted to 14 MLD STP in Sarai. NMCG has also constructed several new ghats and crematoria to keep the holy river clean. Shiv Ghat and Chandi Ghat in Haridwar and Nandprayag Sangam Ghat at the confluence of the Alaknanda and Nandakini have been developed. To keep the ghats clean and lively, dustbins, solar lights, and drinking water facilities have been installed. The NMCG with state authorities has also launched an extensive people's awareness campaign to keep the river pollution-free.—ANI

The central government has sanctioned 36 sewage treatment infrastructure projects in Uttarakhand so far to rejuvenate River Ganga. According to National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), through its flagship 'Namami Gange' project, the Centre is working on a mission mode in a multi-layered effort to ensure that every section of Ganga in the state receives clean water. 

Uttarakhand: 36 sewage treatment plants to make Ganga pollution-free

Chicago: Air pollution can shorten lives by almost 10 years in Delhi, the world's most polluted city, says a report by a US research group.The Air Quality Life Index by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) notes that some 510 million people who live in northern India, nearly 40 per cent of India's population, are "on track" to lose 7.6 years of their lives on average, given the current pollution levels, the BBC reported.The study adds that the average Indian life expectancy is shortened by five years at current air quality levels.India's 1.3 billion people live in areas where the "annual average particulate pollution level" exceeds the WHO safe limit of 5g/m, it says.Bad air kills millions in India every year.The smog-filled air, which usually covers Indian cities during the winter months, contains dangerously high levels of fine particulate matter called PM2.5, tiny particles that can clog lungs and cause a host of diseases.However, reducing pollution levels to WHO standards would mean that an estimated 240 million people in Uttar Pradesh would gain 10 years in life expectancy. EPIC says that since 2013, about 44 per cent of the global pollution has come from India, currently the second most polluted country in the world, the BBC reported.The report says that more than 63 per cent Indians live in areas that exceed the country's own air quality standard, which says that 40g/m is safe.But in 2019, India's average particulate matter concentration was 70.3g/m, the highest in the world."It would be a global emergency if Martians came to Earth and sprayed a substance that caused the average person on the planet to lose more than two years of life expectancy," the BBC quoted Michael Greenstone, one of the authors of the report, as saying."This is similar to that situation that prevails in many parts of the world, except we are spraying the substance, not some invaders from outer space," he added. EPIC says that particulate pollution is the "greatest threat to human life" in India in terms of life expectancy and since 1998, this particulate pollution has increased by 61.4 per cent.This makes it more lethal than smoking which reduces life expectancy by about 2.5 years, BBC reported. The increase in air pollution over the past two decades in India has been primarily due to industrialisation, economic development and the skyrocketing use of fossil fuel.The number of vehicles on the country's roads has increased about four-fold, the report added. —IANS

Air pollution can shorten lives by almost 10 years in Delhi, the world's most polluted city, says a report by a US research group.

Air Pollution Can Shorten Lives By Almost 10 Yrs In Delhi: Study

Washington: According to a new study, plastic pollution may serve as a source for novel antibiotics in oceans.The study was published in the journal, 'American Society for Microbiology'. Scientists estimate between 5 and 13 million metric tons of plastic pollution enter the oceans each year, ranging from large floating debris to microplastics onto which microbes can form entire ecosystems. Plastic debris is rich in biomass, and therefore could be a good candidate for antibiotic production which tends to occur in highly competitive natural environments.To explore the potential of the plastisphere to be a source of novel antibiotics, the researchers modified the Tiny Earth citizen science approach (developed by Dr Jo Handelsman) to marine conditions. The researchers incubated high and low-density polyethene plastic (the type commonly seen in grocery bags) in the water near Scripps Pier in La Jolla, Calif. for 90 days. The researchers isolated 5 antibiotic-producing bacteria from ocean plastic, including strains of Bacillus, Phaeobacter and Vibrio. They tested the bacterial isolates against a variety of Gram-positive and negative targets, finding the isolates to be effective against commonly used bacteria as well as 2 antibiotic-resistant strains."Considering the current antibiotic crisis and the rise of superbugs, it is essential to look for alternative sources of novel antibiotics," said study lead author Andrea Price of National University."We hope to expand this project and further characterize the microbes and the antibiotics they produce," Andrea concluded. —ANI

According to a new study, plastic pollution may serve as a source for novel antibiotics in oceans.

Study Reveals Plastic Pollution In Ocean May Serve As Source For Antibiotics

Toronto: Having a portable air cleaner in the home can reduce the negative impacts of air pollution on brain development in children, says a new study.The study, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, found that the children born to mothers who had used the air cleaners had an average full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) that was 2.8-points higher than the group that did not use an air cleaner during pregnancy."These results, combined with evidence from previous studies, strongly implicate air pollution as a threat to brain development," said researcher Ryan Allen from Simon Fraser University, in Canada. The team recruited 540 pregnant women in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to participate in the study.Ulaanbaatar has some of the worst air quality in the world, well-exceeding guidelines set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).The women were less than 18 weeks into their pregnancies and non-smokers who had not previously used air filtering devices in their homes. They were randomly assigned to either the control or intervention group.The intervention group was provided with one or two HEPA filter air cleaners and encouraged to run the air cleaners continuously for the duration of their pregnancies. The air cleaners were removed from the home once the child was born.The researchers later measured the children's FSIQ at four years of age. Children in the intervention group also had significantly greater average verbal comprehension index scores, which is consistent with results from previous observational studies.The research suggests that a child's verbal skills may be particularly sensitive to air pollution exposure. —IANS

Having a portable air cleaner in the home can reduce the negative impacts of air pollution on brain development in children, says a new study.

Reducing Air Pollution May Improve Brain Development In Children

Washington: The University of York researchers have discovered why reducing particle pollution is actually increasing surface ozone pollution in some emerging economies, negatively impacting health, ecosystems and agriculture.The findings, published in Nature Geoscience, challenge established methods for tackling air pollution, the researchers say.Surface ozone is the main component of "smog" and is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). This happens when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, and other sources react in the presence of sunlight.In the last decade, when countries such as China improved air quality by reducing particle pollution - which is emitted from the burning of coal, steel making, vehicles, and fires - the scientific community was surprised to see ozone pollution increase. Now, the study has shed new light on the relationship between these two pollutants. Policymakers have historically considered ozone and particles as separate problems; however, researchers have shown that in some regions they are closely linked. Some short-lived components necessary to make ozone (peroxy radicals) stick to particle pollution, preventing them from going on to form ozone. As the number of particles decreases, the peroxy radicals become available for reactions and ozone increases.The study modeled the effects of reducing particle pollution and found that it could cause an increase in the ozone of 20-30 per cent in some highly populated areas of India and China. If left unmanaged, this would have a significant negative impact on ecosystems and crop yield.The researchers are calling for new strategies that take this interaction between pollutants into account. The problem can be overcome by targeting reductions in a wider range of pollutants, particularly (VOCs) from chemicals and fuels and NOx from combustion.Co-lead author of the study, Professor Mathew Evans from the Department of Chemistry at the University of York said: "Particle pollution and ozone pollution have been viewed by policymakers around the world as separate issues, but our study emphasizes the need to look at them together. For 40 years we have thought that ozone depended only on volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides and it's only now that we are putting the pieces of the puzzle together and seeing this relationship with particle pollution. The policy now needs to be adapted to this new knowledge."Tackling particulate matter in the atmosphere is rightly a priority because of the serious risk it poses to human health. However, this study highlights the complex choices facing governments in how they invest to manage air pollution. Solutions are not straightforward and there can be hidden connections between different pollutants."The WHO estimates that 4.2 million die prematurely every year as a result of exposure to outdoor air pollution. Developing countries such as India, China and Africa are among the worst affected. The modeling study estimated that significant reductions in particle pollution in these areas would lead to the need to make dramatic reductions in the emissions of the NOx and VOCs - up to 50% in - order to keep ozone pollution in check.Co-lead author of the study, Professor Alastair Lewis from the National Centre for Atmospheric Science added "this study shows that there can be risks in focusing too narrowly on just one pollutant. There has been a dramatic improvement in particle pollution in China over recent years, but emphasis only on particles can lead to unintended consequences. Action to accelerate the reduction in emissions of NOx and VOCs is now essential." —ANI

The University of York researchers have discovered why reducing particle pollution is actually increasing surface ozone pollution in some emerging economies, negatively impacting health, ecosystems and agriculture.

Study Finds Why Tackling Particle Pollution Results In Photochemical Smog

Washington: The answer for why reducing particle pollution is actually increasing surface ozone pollution in some emerging economies, hence, negatively impacting health, ecosystems and agriculture, has been found by the University of York researchers.The findings, published in Nature Geoscience, challenge established methods for tackling air pollution, the researchers say.Surface ozone is the main component of "smog" and is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). This happens when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, and other sources react in the presence of sunlight.In the last decade, when countries such as China improved air quality by reducing particle pollution - which is emitted from the burning of coal, steel making, vehicles, and fires - the scientific community was surprised to see ozone pollution increase. Now, the study has shed new light on the relationship between these two pollutants. Policymakers have historically considered ozone and particles as separate problems; however, researchers have shown that in some regions they are closely linked. Some short-lived components necessary to make ozone (peroxy radicals) stick to particle pollution, preventing them from going on to form ozone. As the number of particles decreases, the peroxy radicals become available for reactions and ozone increases.The study modeled the effects of reducing particle pollution and found that it could cause an increase in the ozone by 20-30 per cent in some highly populated areas of India and China. If left unmanaged, this would have a significant negative impact on ecosystems and crop yield.The researchers are calling for new strategies that take this interaction between pollutants into account. The problem can be overcome by targeting reductions in a wider range of pollutants, particularly (VOCs) from chemicals and fuels and NOx from combustion.Co-lead author of the study, Professor Mathew Evans from the Department of Chemistry at the University of York said: "Particle pollution and ozone pollution have been viewed by policymakers around the world as separate issues, but our study emphasizes the need to look at them together. For 40 years we have thought that ozone depended only on volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides and it's only now that we are putting the pieces of the puzzle together and seeing this relationship with particle pollution. The policy now needs to be adapted to this new knowledge.""Tackling particulate matter in the atmosphere is rightly a priority because of the serious risk it poses to human health. However, this study highlights the complex choices facing governments in how they invest to manage air pollution. Solutions are not straightforward and there can be hidden connections between different pollutants."The WHO estimates that 4.2 million die prematurely every year as a result of exposure to outdoor air pollution. Developing countries such as India, China and Africa are among the worst affected.The modeling study estimated that significant reductions in particle pollution in these areas would lead to the need to make dramatic reductions in the emissions of the NOx and VOCs - up to 50 per cent in - order to keep ozone pollution in check.Co-lead author of the study, Professor Alastair Lewis from the National Centre for Atmospheric Science added "this study shows that there can be risks in focusing too narrowly on just one pollutant. There has been a dramatic improvement in particle pollution in China over recent years, but emphasis only on particles can lead to unintended consequences. Action to accelerate the reduction in emissions of NOx and VOCs is now essential." —ANI

The answer for why reducing particle pollution is actually increasing surface ozone pollution in some emerging economies, hence, negatively impacting health, ecosystems and agriculture, has been found by the University of York researchers.

Researchers Discover Why Tackling Particle Pollution Leads To Photochemical Smog

New Delhi (The Hawk): A number of studies confirm strong correlation between changing local weather patterns and pollution in Urban and Rural areas of the country.Local weather plays an important role on pollution. Stagnant weather conditions (calm wind and lower mixing height) are unfavourable for dispersion of the pollution. Air pollution is causing the global weather to change, and weather pattern causes the air quality to change. Because of global warming, more extreme weather such as extreme rainfall events, heat waves etc. are increasing, which can impact air quality. Heat waves cause an increase in ground-level ozone pollution because the chemical reactions that create ozone in the atmosphere occur more in hot temperatures. In winter, the pollution levels are very high due to low temperatures and stable atmospheric conditions.The extreme weather conditions especially during winter season such as low temperature, calm wind, low mixing height and low ventilation coefficient cause significant increase in level of pollution in India specially in the Indo-Gangetic plains. During severe heatwave conditions, significant increase in ground-level ozone pollution has been observed. Dry, hazy air during summer season increases particulate pollution.This information was given by the Minister of State (I/C) for M/o Earth Sciences and M/o Science &amp; Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

 A number of studies confirm strong correlation between changing local weather patterns and pollution in Urban and Rural areas of the country.

Weather Patterns And Pollution 

New Delhi (The Hawk): Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) monitors water quality of 719 rivers at 2108 monitoring locations across 28 States and 7 Union Territories spread over the country under National Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWMP) in association with the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committees (PCCs). State Wise Water Quality Monitoring locations monitored under NWMP is given at Annexure I.The rivers are monitored on monthly or quarterly basis. Water Quality for various parameters is assessed as per “Guidelines for Water Quality Monitoring, 2017” issued by MoEF&amp;CC. Micro pollutants such as metals and pesticides are monitored twice in a year, before and after monsoon.From analysis of data on water quality of 521 rivers in September 2018 by CPCB, it was revealed that there are 351 polluted river stretches on 323 rivers based on exceedance of Bathing Water Quality Criteria parameter of Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) (3.0 mg/l). Details of identified polluted river stretches are given in&nbsp;Annexure II.&nbsp;Accordingly, for rejuvenation of identified polluted rivers, action plans have been prepared by four-member Committee called “River Rejuvenation Committee’’ (RRC) constituted by the respective State Government/UT Administration, under the overall supervision and coordination of Principal Secretary, Environment of the concerned State/Union Territory. Prepared action plans covers aspects such as Source control (Municipal sewage management, Industrial pollution control, Waste management), River catchment/Basin Management (Adoption of good irrigation practices, Utilization of treated sewage, Ground water recharge aspects), Flood Plain Zone protection and its management (Setting up of bio-diversity parks, Removal of encroachments, Rain water harvesting, Plantation on both sides of the river), Ecological/Environmental Flow (E-Flow) and Watershed management.The Regional Offices of State Pollution Control Board/ Pollution Control Committees monitor the water quality of rivers and other aquatic resources. Upon completion of the monitoring and analysis, the water quality data is submitted to the respective SPCBs/PCCs. Further an online submission of data to CPCB is done through Environmental water quality data entry system (EWQDS) Portal.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment, Forest &amp; Climate Change, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) monitors water quality of 719 rivers at 2108 monitoring locations across 28 States and 7 Union Territories spread over the country under National Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWMP) in association with the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)/Pollution Control Committees

Monitoring water quality of major rivers by cpcb

Washington: Tropical coastal ecosystems are among the most biodiverse areas on Earth. And they're also on the front lines of effects caused by human activity. That's why it's becoming increasingly important, especially as human populations increase, to manage the impacts of runoff and wastewater that flow into the sea."Tropical coastal ecosystems, such as coral reefs, are oligotrophic, meaning they are located in nutrient-poor waters and have therefore adapted to these conditions," said Madeline Berger, a researcher at UC Santa Barbara's National Center for Ecological Analysis &amp; Synthesis (NCEAS). "An increased influx of nutrients can therefore disrupt ecosystem functioning."In a paper that appears in the journal Ocean and Coastal Management, lead author Berger and her colleagues tackle the issue of nutrient pollution through a case study in coastal Central America. The result? Agricultural operations are responsible for the vast majority of nitrogen pollution that flows into the Mesoamerican Reef Region. Knowing where the pollution comes from, the researchers say, will help managers tailor solutions for mitigation."Our study highlights that different management strategies will need to be employed in different watersheds to help reduce nutrient input that can have detrimental impacts on coral reef and seagrass health in this area," Berger said.The Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) is the largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere, second only to Australia's Great Barrier Reef in terms of size. Shared by Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras, it stretches for almost 700 miles and hosts a variety of creatures, including hundreds of fish species, critically endangered marine turtles, as well as mollusks, marine mammals and shorebirds. These habitats and communities, in turn, sustain local fishing as well as tourism. Millions of people flock each year to resorts and ports in Cancun, Cozumel, Belize City and other points along the coast on their Caribbean vacations.But the reef is also in trouble. More than half of it is in poor condition due to various threats that include ocean warming, unsustainable fishing and pollution."Nutrient pollution is a known threat to coral reef and seagrass," Berger said. Too much nitrogen, a common pollutant, results in a chain of events that results in oxygen-free "dead zones," and acidic conditions that can severely weaken or kill fish and other animals. Water quality issues are also among the main reasons for sindrome blanco, a pathogenic disease that leads to white lesions that spread over coral, leading to death in mere weeks. Nutrient pollution in this region, according to the researchers, "comes from four sources: agricultural production, human wastewater, atmospheric deposition and wild animal scat," with agriculture and human wastewater suspected of contributing the majority of the pollution.To tell how much of the pollution came from upstream agriculture or human wastewater, the researchers dove into several models examining the watersheds that feed into the MAR. One was a global wastewater model that estimates the amount of nitrogen pollution based on population maps, protein consumption and known human nitrogen excretion rates, which was adapted to this specific region."Another group at NCEAS was also creating a spatially-explicit global model quantifying the ecological footprint of food production, so we saw an opportunity to synthesize both models to compare nutrient pollution from wastewater to nutrient pollution from crop and livestock production," Berger said.The researchers also modelled impacts from the millions of tourists that roam up and down the coast using hotel location data, cruise ship location data and monthly statistics reported by tourism bureaus in each country. "Basically, we were trying to figure out where tourists were pooping, which turns out to be pretty tricky," she said.The researchers found that agriculture was by far the largest contributor (92%) of nitrogen to the MAR, due to fertilizer and livestock waste runoff that make their way to the ocean via rivers and streams. Two rivers, the Rio Ulua in Honduras and Rio Motagua in Guatemala, contributed more than 50% of the modeled nitrogen pollution, collecting runoff from several upstream tributaries and draining into the ocean. Meanwhile, 90% of the modeled nitrogen pollution was attributed to 20 (out of 430) watersheds, of which 11 are located in Guatemala or Honduras. An estimated 80% of coral reefs and 68% of seagrass beds were exposed to nitrogen pollution from watershed plumes.The results are indicative of the complexity of the pollution issue -- even land use changes and agricultural expansion very far inland can have impacts to marine ecosystems, Berger said. Additionally, the researchers found that high biodiversity habitats were more exposed to plumes originating from smaller, coastal watersheds. And while tourism represented a very small proportion of the overall pollution, the watersheds that contributed the most pollution tended to also have high number of tourists or be near those that did."The exercise also raised the questions of how tourists, or tourist demand, has larger impacts beyond just the physical presence of more people -- such as increased building or expanding agriculture -- that can also exacerbate pollution input," Berger said. The researchers hope that ultimately a granular approach that can be used to track the origins and paths of nitrogen and other nutrient runoff and their impacts will enable coastal managers to develop the sophisticated action plans necessary to mitigate the pollution of some of the world's most biodiverse coastal regions.&nbsp;—ANI

 Tropical coastal ecosystems are among the most biodiverse areas on Earth. And they're also on the front lines of effects caused by human activity. That's why it's becoming increasingly important, especially as human populations increase, to manage the impacts of runoff and wastewater that flow into the sea.

Researchers Trace Source Of Nitrogen Pollution Affecting World's Second-Largest Barrier Reef

Washington: Tropical coastal ecosystems are among the most biodiverse areas on Earth. And they're also on the front lines of effects caused by human activity. That's why it's becoming increasingly important, especially as human populations increase, to manage the impacts of runoff and wastewater that flow into the sea."Tropical coastal ecosystems, such as coral reefs, are oligotrophic, meaning they are located in nutrient-poor waters and have therefore adapted to these conditions," said Madeline Berger, a researcher at UC Santa Barbara's National Center for Ecological Analysis &amp; Synthesis (NCEAS). "An increased influx of nutrients can therefore disrupt ecosystem functioning."In a paper that appears in the journal Ocean and Coastal Management, lead author Berger and her colleagues tackle the issue of nutrient pollution through a case study in coastal Central America. The result? Agricultural operations are responsible for the vast majority of nitrogen pollution that flows into the Mesoamerican Reef Region. Knowing where the pollution comes from, the researchers say, will help managers tailor solutions for mitigation."Our study highlights that different management strategies will need to be employed in different watersheds to help reduce nutrient input that can have detrimental impacts on coral reef and seagrass health in this area," Berger said.The Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) is the largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere, second only to Australia's Great Barrier Reef in terms of size. Shared by Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras, it stretches for almost 700 miles and hosts a variety of creatures, including hundreds of fish species, critically endangered marine turtles, as well as mollusks, marine mammals and shorebirds. These habitats and communities, in turn, sustain local fishing as well as tourism. Millions of people flock each year to resorts and ports in Cancun, Cozumel, Belize City and other points along the coast on their Caribbean vacations.But the reef is also in trouble. More than half of it is in poor condition due to various threats that include ocean warming, unsustainable fishing and pollution."Nutrient pollution is a known threat to coral reef and seagrass," Berger said. Too much nitrogen, a common pollutant, results in a chain of events that results in oxygen-free "dead zones," and acidic conditions that can severely weaken or kill fish and other animals. Water quality issues are also among the main reasons for sindrome blanco, a pathogenic disease that leads to white lesions that spread over coral, leading to death in mere weeks. Nutrient pollution in this region, according to the researchers, "comes from four sources: agricultural production, human wastewater, atmospheric deposition and wild animal scat," with agriculture and human wastewater suspected of contributing the majority of the pollution.To tell how much of the pollution came from upstream agriculture or human wastewater, the researchers dove into several models examining the watersheds that feed into the MAR. One was a global wastewater model that estimates the amount of nitrogen pollution based on population maps, protein consumption and known human nitrogen excretion rates, which was adapted to this specific region."Another group at NCEAS was also creating a spatially-explicit global model quantifying the ecological footprint of food production, so we saw an opportunity to synthesize both models to compare nutrient pollution from wastewater to nutrient pollution from crop and livestock production," Berger said.The researchers also modelled impacts from the millions of tourists that roam up and down the coast using hotel location data, cruise ship location data and monthly statistics reported by tourism bureaus in each country. "Basically, we were trying to figure out where tourists were pooping, which turns out to be pretty tricky," she said.The researchers found that agriculture was by far the largest contributor (92%) of nitrogen to the MAR, due to fertilizer and livestock waste runoff that make their way to the ocean via rivers and streams. Two rivers, the Rio Ulua in Honduras and Rio Motagua in Guatemala, contributed more than 50% of the modeled nitrogen pollution, collecting runoff from several upstream tributaries and draining into the ocean. Meanwhile, 90% of the modeled nitrogen pollution was attributed to 20 (out of 430) watersheds, of which 11 are located in Guatemala or Honduras. An estimated 80% of coral reefs and 68% of seagrass beds were exposed to nitrogen pollution from watershed plumes.The results are indicative of the complexity of the pollution issue -- even land use changes and agricultural expansion very far inland can have impacts to marine ecosystems, Berger said. Additionally, the researchers found that high biodiversity habitats were more exposed to plumes originating from smaller, coastal watersheds. And while tourism represented a very small proportion of the overall pollution, the watersheds that contributed the most pollution tended to also have high number of tourists or be near those that did."The exercise also raised the questions of how tourists, or tourist demand, has larger impacts beyond just the physical presence of more people -- such as increased building or expanding agriculture -- that can also exacerbate pollution input," Berger said. The researchers hope that ultimately a granular approach that can be used to track the origins and paths of nitrogen and other nutrient runoff and their impacts will enable coastal managers to develop the sophisticated action plans necessary to mitigate the pollution of some of the world's most biodiverse coastal regions.&nbsp;—ANI

Tropical coastal ecosystems are among the most biodiverse areas on Earth. And they're also on the front lines of effects caused by human activity. 

The Hawk

Tag : Pollution

SC Directs CPCB To Conduct Surprise Inspections At Brick Kilns In NCR

Sunil Aswal

Tag : Pollution

SC Directs CPCB To Conduct Surprise Inspections At Brick Kilns In NCR

Sunil Aswal

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