BIG ANIMALS POISONED BY SMALL MEN

ARMY TO GUARD TUSKERS FROM POACHERS

DEFENCE Minister Sydney Sekeramayi says poachers killing animals on Zimbabwe's wildlife reserves could soon have to contend with soldiers.

Sekeramayi says he is weighing up the option of sending troops to the parks after poachers used cyanide to poison water sources, killing at least 90 elephants at Hwange National Park - the third largest wildlife sanctuary in Africa.

"This is an emergency, and we have to take all the necessary measures to respond to it. If it becomes necessary we might consider deploying the military to protect the animals," Sekeramayi told reporters during a tour of the national park by six ministers.

The six ministers were briefed by Edson Chidziya, the director general of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority of Zimbabwe who said conservation efforts had been affected by sanctions imposed by Western countries.

"The World Bank wanted to come in with US$67 million for aerial surveys and other activities but politics set in and the funds were denied. Our funders are dancing to the tune of their capitals and funding has dried up," he said.

"Some of the areas that were supported include aerial surveys, borehole drilling transport, fuel and so on."

Information Minister Jonathan Moyo told reporters: "If those countries that imposed sanctions would remove them it would become unnecessary to deploy the army."

The ministerial task team, which flew by helicopter around the national park, comprised Sekeramayi, Moyo, Savior Kasukuwere (Environment and Water), Ignatius Chombo (Local Government), David Parirenyatwa (Health), Joseph Made (Agriculture) and Walter Chidhakwa (Mines).

Parirenyatwa said health experts, in collaboration with the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), were taking samples of the affected soil to determine the levels of cyanide concentration before detoxication.

He said they had no reports of human deaths, but awareness programmes were underway. Villagers had also been asked to surrender all cyanide they were keeping, and so far 4kg of the substance had been handed over.

Made said detoxicating the affected areas should be completed before the rainy season to avoid the spread of the cyanide.

Three poachers have been jailed for 16 years each and fined US$200,000 each after being convicted for their role in the cyanide poisoning. At least eight others are still to stand trial.

Environment Minister Kasukuwere said the government would double its efforts to protect the animals, including recruiting more rangers.

"We are determined to protect our wildlife at all cost. We will drill more boreholes in the park because we have realised that these criminals target areas where there is a shortage of water. Hwange should have 700 workers including rangers, but at the moment it only has 145 and we will change this," he said.

"We take this as transnational crime because it is done by locals who are connected to outside traders hence we intercepted 447kg of ivory in Dubai.

"We are engaging Interpol to ensure that we get to the root of this thing. Ivory is in demand and as stakeholders, we need to fight together and stop poaching of our animals."

AN ISLAND, OFF LAND

After a major earthquake in the coastal town of Gwadar in Pakistan that killed hundreds of people, residents were again shocked to find a new island rising from the sea just more than 1 kilometre from the shore.

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People walk on an island that rose from the sea following an earthquake, off Pakistan's Gwadar coastline in the Arabian Sea.

A local journalist, Bahram Baloch, received a text message from a friend about the sudden appearance of a new island. When he stepped out, he was surprised to see a grey and dome-shaped land mass on the water.

Mr Baloch said Pakistan's new island was like a giant whale rising. Hundreds of people also watched in disbelief from the shore. He and some his friends went to the island on Sept 25 to explore the island and take pictures.

He said the island was around 250 to 300 feet in length and shaped like an oval. It was also 60 to 70 feet above the water. The island had a rough and muddy surface with some areas made of sand. One part of the island appeared to be solid rock.

The island may have emerged due to the strong earthquake in Pakistan. Mr Baloch said he could see dead fish on the island's surface. On the other side of the island, he and his friends could hear the hissing sound of gas escaping.

Reports said that about 60 to 70 years ago, a similar island had emerged from the sea. The elders of named the island Quake Hill or the Zalzala Koh. Locals said the earthquake in Pakistan on Sept 24 had brought the island back to the surface.

Gas emission

Director-General Rashid Tabrez from the Karachi-based National Institute of Oceanography said the island's gas emissions are due to the energy released from the seismic activities of fault lines. The seismic movements activated the inflammable gases in the seabed.

Mr Tabrez said the seabed located near the coast of Makran contains vast deposits of gas hydrates. These are frozen gas that contains large deposits of methane.He explained that when the plates along the fault lines move, they produce heat. As the gas expands, it pushes its way in the fissures of the earth's crust which causes the sea floor to emerge.

A team of the National Institute of Oceanography arrived at a new island that was found yesterday at the coast of Gwadar on Wednesday.According to Geologist Dr Danish, there are stones and mud on the island.There are also traces of methane gas there. Tuesday evening's earthquake , measuring 7.7 on the Richter Scale, was so violent, that it has created a new small island from the sea floor. 

People walk on an island that rose from the sea following an earthquake, off Pakistan's Gwadar coastline in the Arabian Sea.

DESALINATION PLANTS: IT IS NOT THE WORTH THE SALT

In search of  potable water now man is desalinating sea water. As the rivers are dry and the wells of open or deep bore wells too getting deeper, there is no other alternative. But sucking sea water through pipes at great speed cause lot of harm to the marine life. Up to the 200 feet level , the sunlight can penetrate and sea life is vibrant. But all these go as waste as the high pressure tubes kill all marine life in the various processes in desalination.

DUBAI // The UAE’s largest power and desalination plant was officially opened yesterday  and, according to a senior official, customers will benefit from the improved efficiency it provides.

The Dh10 billion gas-fired M Station joins the other plants operated by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) at Jebel Ali.

The complex’s rows of red-and-white stacks are a familiar landmark to the thousands of drivers who pass by on Sheikh Zayed Road every day.

Power and water bills include a fuel surcharge that is linked to the price Dewa pays for the fuel it uses at its plants.

Increased efficiency means less fuel is needed to produce a given amount of power, so the amount of surcharge paid by customers each month will be kept down.

“The surcharge is connected with the fuel [costs],” said Saeed Al Tayer, Dewa’s managing director and chief executive.

“Once you have an efficient plant it means you have more megawatts with very efficient production, and it will contribute positively [with regard] to the surcharge.

“If you compare it with Europe, efficiency there is 45 per cent, here it’s 82 per cent.”

The plant has a capacity of 2,060 megawatts and 140 million gallons of water a day.

It has six gas turbines that generate power and the hot exhaust gases are fed through boilers that heat seawater to produce steam.

The steam is either used to drive steam turbines, producing more power, or fed through the eight desalination units to produce drinkable water.

The plant’s flexible design means the amount used for each purpose can be adjusted to meet their demands. The desalination units are the largest individual ones of their kind in the world.

“We are utilising the waste heat in order to produce either water or power,” said Mr Al Tayer. “The technology is very reliable and advanced.”

The plant was opened by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and president of Dewa.

The authority said the facility’s advanced technologies have reduced greenhouse gas emissions and generate power and water with a minimal carbon footprint.

“The inauguration of M Station is in line with our efforts to increase electricity and water production capacity to meet the economic growth in Dubai,” said Yahya Alzafin, vice president for generation.

Huge pipes draw in up to a billion gallons of water from the adjoining Arabian Gulf every day.

The pipes that feed the other Jebel Ali stations stretch one kilometre out to sea, but those serving the M Station are just offshore.

This is a precautionary arrangement to prevent operations being affected by spills from oil tankers out in the Arabian Gulf.

In the event of a spill, booms would be placed around the intakes to shield them from floating oil and enable the M Station to continue to operate, while some of the other plants might have to shut down.

There are other fail-safe features designed to ensure the lights keep shining and taps keep flowing in Dubai.

The gas turbines are able to burn diesel and, if the principal and back-up natural gas lines fail, there is enough diesel stored at the plant to keep the blades turning for 10 days.

Power plants, like everything, are affected by the blazing heat of the summer.

The operation of the gas turbines varies according to the ambient temperature – they produce more power during the cooler months of winter.

But the demand for power in winter drops by 50 per cent or more. Demand for water falls by between 10 to 15 per cent in winter.

The liquid produced by the desalination units lacks the essential minerals required in drinking water and these are added at the end of the process.

This is achieved by placing limestone from the mountains of Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah in vessels containing the water, which absorbs the necessary salts.

 13  

Stop Stopping Waters

Mail News Service Imphal, April 5 : The Centre for Organisation Research and Education (CORE), Forum for Indigenous Perspectives and Action (FIPA) and United Peoples Front Manipur (UPFM) expressed deep distress regarding the current trend of governance failure in the state and police high handedness towards the indigenous communities of Manipur in the name of development. After a joint fact-finding mission to Chadong Village in Ukhrul District, conducted on 4th April 2013, certain facts and issues have been validated that government ineptitude, controversy and human suffering are the dominant features of the Thoubal River Valley Multipurpose Project, which was first proposed in the early part of 1970s. The project is implemented in Mapithel area in Phungyar subdivision of Ukhrul district targeting to irrigate 21,000 hectares of cultivable land besides giving 10 million gallons of drinking water every day and supply 7.5 MW of power. The present imbroglio only serves to highlight once again the highly contentious and prickly issues that have plagued this project, promoted as a prestigious and beneficial one for the people of Manipur. In fact, after more than three decades of troubled construction period with the work having changed hands several times, it is obvious that the dam affected people and communities are facing multiple jeopardy regarding their lives and future. 

Thoubal Multipurpose Project home

The project is located at village Maphou, which is 38 Kms. from Imphal city at Thoubal River. Irrigation & Flood Control Deptt (IFCD) Govt. of Manipur, Imphal award the project to Ansal considering the expertise & competence in this field. Thoubal Multipurpose Project i.e. Construction of Spillway, Intakes & Water Conductor System consists of construction of a RCC gated spillway about 464 mtr. long and 49 mtr. wide. Besides it envisages construction of one or two RCC tower type intake for Water Supply and Hydro Power Generation together, with the water conductor system upto the toe of the dam. The extension of the water conductor system beyond the body of the dam and construction of Power House. The work is being executed by fully mechanized technique by the utilization of Heavy Earth moving machinery for soft and hard rock cutting, shotcreting, anchoring, drainage holes, drilling and grouting and gateway etc. A team of experts has been deployed for the monitoring of the same. The total cost of the project is Rs, 125.00 crores. News- The Project is Stopped.

CHEMISTRY IS A MYSTERY

TOXICITY OF SOME COMMON CONTAMINANTS

RADIONUCLIDES

Caesium

Regardless of the mode of exposure, 137Cs is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and distributes throughout the active tissues of the body. Metabolically, 137Cs behaves as an analogue of potassium. Distribution of caesium throughout the body and energetic b and c radiation from the decay progeny, 137mBa, result in essentially whole body irradiation.

Radium

Radium,  as a metabolic analogue of calcium, is readily absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract or the lungs into the bloodstream and subsequently is deposited in the bones. Values for fractional absorption through the gastrointestinal tract have been observed in the range from 0.15 to 0.21. During the first few days after intake, radium becomes heavily concentrated on bone surfaces, and then gradually shifts its primary deposition site to bone volume. A large percentage of subjects exposed to high doses of radium have developed bone cancer. 

                                                                            Lead

                                                                   Lead is a chemical element in the carbon group with symbol Pb (from Latin: plumbum) and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft and malleable metal, which is regarded as a heavy metal and poor metal. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed to air. Lead has a shiny chrome-silver luster when it is melted into a liquid.

Lead is used in building construction, lead-acid batteries, bullets and shot, weights, as part of solders, pewters, fusible alloys, and as a radiation shield. Lead has the highestatomic number of all of the stable elements, although the next higher element, bismuth, has a half-life that is so long (much longer than the age of the universe) that it can be considered stable. Its four stable isotopes have 82 protons, a magic number in thenuclear shell model of atomic nuclei.

If ingested, lead is poisonous to animals, including humans. It damages the nervous system and causes brain disorders. Excessive lead also causes blood disorders in mammals. Like the element mercury, another heavy metal, lead is a neurotoxin that accumulates both in soft tissues and the bones. 

                                                                Mercury

Mercury is a chemical element. Mercury occurs in deposits throughout the world mostly as cinnabar (mercuric sulfide). The red pigment vermilion, a pure form of mercuric sulfide, is mostly obtained by reaction of mercury (produced by reduction from cinnabar) with sulfur. Cinnabar is highly toxic by ingestion or inhalation of the dust. Mercury poisoning can also result from exposure to water-soluble forms of mercury (such as mercuric chloride ormethylmercury), inhalation of mercury vapor, or eating seafood contaminated with mercury.

                                                                 Arcenic 

Arsenic is a heavy metal that exists in three metallic forms, alpha or yellow, beta or black and gamma or grey. It also exists in compounds that may be organic or inorganic. Poisoning can occur by ingestion, inhalation and dermal absorption. Inorganic compounds are much more toxic than organic compounds. Elemental arsenic is least toxic. Trivalent arsenic is well absorbed through the skin and is 60 times more toxic than pentavalent arsenic, which is well absorbed by the gut.^[1] Arsine gas is highly toxic.

Toxicity is due to arsenic's effect on many cell enzymes, which affect metabolism and DNA repair. Arsenic is excreted in urine, but can also accumulate in many body tissues.^[2]

Arsenic has been used in medicines, as a pigment, a pesticide, and as a weapon of murder. It shares many toxic features with the other heavy metals like mercury and lead. It is used in the production of glass and semiconductors. It is found in some water supplies and seafood, and is used in various industries.

                                   Cyanide 

Cyanide
Systematic name[hide] Cyanide
Properties
Molecular formula	CN−
Molar mass	26.007 g mol-1
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

A cyanide is any chemical compound that contains monovalent combining group CN. This group, known as the cyano group, consists of a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogenatom.^[1]

In inorganic cyanides, such as sodium cyanide, NaCN, this group is present as the negatively-charged polyatomic cyanide ion (CN^-); these compounds, which are regarded as salts of hydrocyanic acid, are highly toxic. The cyanide ion is isoelectronic with carbon monoxide and with molecular nitrogen.^[2][3] Most cyanides are highly toxic.^[4]

Organic cyanides are usually called nitriles; in these, the CN group is linked by a covalent bond to a carbon-containing group, such as methyl (CH₃) in methyl cyanide (acetonitrile).

Hydrocyanic acid, also known as hydrogen cyanide, or HCN, is a highly volatile liquid used to prepare acrylonitrile, which is used in the production of acrylic fibers, synthetic rubber, and plastics. Cyanides are employed in a number of chemical processes, includingfumigation, case hardening of iron and steel, electroplating, and the concentration of ores. 

Thanks Wikipedia

Elements that threaten us

Radon has affected human health throughout history although it wasn't until 1988 that it was officially declared a human carcinogen. Radon originates as a part of the natural decay process of uranium and thorium. These elements are ubiquitous in the earth's crust, therefore radon is found in varying concentrations on most of the planet. However, it isn't until radon is concentrated in buildings, or in underground workplaces, that it poses a health risk to humans.

Radon has been found to be the primary cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, while contributing to an increased number of lung cancer victims among smokers and ex-smokers. The World Health Organization (WHO) has calculated that radon causes between three and 16 percent of all lung cancer deaths and is second only to smoking as the leading cause of lung cancer.

So how does exposure occur?

Radon from the soil seeps through cracks in buildings' foundations, floors and walls. In some instances, the building materials can be an important source of indoor radon. If the building is not well ventilated, then the gas will concentrate in the lower floors where it is breathed in by occupants. The gas concentrations can vary significantly from place to place and indoor concentrations are affected by climate and temperature changes. This variability makes testing challenging. Additionally, studies have shown that there is no minimum threshold below which radon levels do not pose a risk to human health. Therefore, any level represents an increased risk of lung cancer.

Radon levels in Ireland are higher than the international average and thus Ireland has extensive experience in developing action plans to deal with the challenge. David Polland, of the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, explained that educating stakeholders and governmental agencies on the health risk posed by radon is key to any State's action plan on reducing radon.

The necessary technology exists to reduce radon concentrations in existing homes. However, householders are often reluctant to measure and to spend money on corrective actions. Cost-benefit analysis has shown that prevention strategies are the most cost effective way to reduce radon exposure. Architects and building contractors are key stakeholders and need to be educated on the need to design buildings to prevent accumulation of radon.

For its part, the IAEA has prepared a new Safety Guide - in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) - describing how to develop a national action plan to assess and, if necessary, reduce exposures due to radon (and also gamma radiation) in homes. The Safety Guide includes advice on the provision of information, conducting radon surveys, defining measurement protocols, developing national policies and evaluating effectiveness. Many Member States already have a national plan in place to protect their population from radon and all others are urged to consider establishing such a programme.

Courtesy:  Joe Brazda, IAEA 

Pollution goes beyond the smoke

NEW DELHI, September 25, 2013

Updated: September 25, 2013 02:01 IST

A severe blow to democracy, says Kejriwal

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal has termed the ordinance undoing to negate the Supreme Court order on convicted MPs and MLAs a “severe blow to democracy.”

“The passing of this ordinance is not only a severe blow to democracy but also exposes the intentions of the political class which has stooped to a new low to protect the corrupt,” said Mr. Kejriwal on Tuesday while adding that as per the data available with Association for Democratic Reforms , there were 161 (30 per cent) MPs in Lok Sabha today at present with a tainted track record, of which 78 MPs faced serious charges.

“In Delhi Assembly, there are around 32 [46 per cent] MLAs with criminal cases, of which eight MLAs have serious cases against them. In fact, the Congress and the BJP fielded 19 candidates each in the last Assembly elections with criminal charges against them,” he added.

Posing a question to the political class and the general public, he said: “The Opposition parties have also kept quiet, only proving that all parties are together in this decision. The AAP wants to ask, if most of those who pass laws and ordinances in the country are themselves corrupt and have criminal record, can we expect strong laws against rapists, criminals and the corrupt?”

Courtesy: THE HINDU

Sustainable Chemistry

Sustainable Chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances, both to humans and the environment. Sustainable chemistry is an evolving field as science and customer expectations evolve. To minimize the negative environmental and social impact,we have to  develop a policy on sustainable chemistry for its consumables/Health & Wellness business.

To help ensure that household cleaning, personal care, beauty and cosmetic products minimize hazards to people or the environment, we have to advance the development of sustainable chemistry practices.

How Walmart is going to practice Sustainable Chemistry.

Walmart will work with suppliers on continuous performance improvement on The Sustainability Index to address chemical disclosure, risk assessment and hazard avoidance. Beginning in January 2015, Walmart will require suppliers to provide online public ingredient disclosure for items sold at Walmart. Walmart has prioritized a list of approximately ten chemical ingredients, as its initial list of high priority chemicals, for continuous reduction, restriction, and elimination, using informed substitution principles, and will regularly review if additional chemicals should be prioritized. Priority Chemicals will be shared with suppliers. Walmart will begin to label private brand cleaning products in accordance with the U.S. EPA’s Design for the Environment Safer Product Labeling program, to the extent possible, and will continue to assess the applicability of DfE as it expands to broader product areas.
3. Implementation
This policy applies to the Walmart and Sam’s Club U.S. consumables business, including household cleaners, personal care, beauty and cosmetics categories. For further details, suppliers should reference the Chemical Policy Implementation Guidebook. Walmart will utilize The Sustainability Index twice annually, in spring and fall, to measure continuous improvement. Suppliers are currently sharing ingredient information with the WERCS. Beginning in January 2014, Walmart will monitor progress on high priority chemical reduction, restriction, and elimination and will begin to publicly report on progress in January 2016. Beginning in January 2018, items still containing these high priority chemicals must disclose these ingredients on pack and in accordance with any legal requirements. Beginning in January 2014, Walmart will identify private brand products for Design for the Environment labeling.

WATER BENEATH THE EARTH

Nubian Aquifer, Nubian Project

The Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NSAS) is the world´s largest'fossil' water aquifer system meaning that the water is ancient and non-renewable, much like the mineral resources on which countries rely for their prosperity. Lying beneath the four African countries of Chad, Egypt, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (Libya), and Sudan, it covers some two million square kilometers. Groundwater has been identified as the biggest future source of water to meet growing demands and development goals in each country. But can the NSAS meet such demand? Over-abstraction has already started, at times leading to desertification. Other major human pressures include agricultural irrigation and climate change.

For many years, the IAEA has been working with NSAS countries through national, and regional projects to try and understand the complexities of the aquifer. However, there remains a gap in understanding how the NSAS works. Improving the information base is thus the key first step. In response, the ‘IAEA/UNDP/GEF Nubian Project’ is ground-breaking, cutting-edge and challenging. Most likely, it´s also a new frontier for the world. Project partners include UNDP/GEF, IAEA, UNESCO and the four NSAS countries. Its long-term goal is to establish a rational and equitable management of the NSAS for sustainable socio-economic development and the protection of biodiversity and land resources.

Share and Care

Four African Nations Agree to Water Management Programme

18 September 2013 | Seeking to improve their management of water resources, four northeast African nations today agreed at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to establish a long-term framework for utlizing a key underground water system. Chad, Egypt, Libya and Sudan signed a Strategic Action Programme (SAP) that aims to optimize the equitable use of the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System, a huge water resource that lies beneath the four nations. The SAP also commits the countries to strengthen and build upon a previously existing regional coordination mechanism, in part by establishing a new Joint Authority for the Nubian Aquifer System.

The Programme lays the groundwork for improving cooperation among the four arid nations and for strengthening their capacity to monitor and manage the aquifer effectively. With growing populations and decreasing water availability from other sources in the region, the aquifer is under mounting pressure. Removing water without a clear understanding of trans-boundary and other implications threatens water quality and has the potential to harm biodiversity and accelerate land degradation.

The agreement resulted from a joint Technical Cooperation project of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the IAEA.

"I congratulate all involved on this significant achievement," said IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano. "Water is a key resource, and effective management and use of such water resources is essential for the future. The agreement of the Strategic Action Programme is the result of real cooperation between the four States, the Agency and UNDP-GEF. I am confident that this Programme will be a success and will benefit the people of the region. This positive project experience benefits strengthened and expanded cooperation between the IAEA and the UNDP-GEF."

"UNDP would like to congratulate the governments of Egypt, Libya, Chad and Sudan for achieving this important milestone towards the cooperative management of their shared sub-surface waters which will help to ensure maintenance of livelihoods and ecosystems dependent upon the aquifer," said UNDP Administrator Helen Clark.

The Strategic Action Programme was signed by Mr. Ali Mahamat Abdoulaye, Ministry of Urban and Rural Water Supplies, Chad; H.E. Eng. Ahmed Mostafa Emam, Minister of Electricity and Energy, Egypt.; H.E. Eng. Al Hadi Suleiman Henshir, Ministry of Water Resources, Libya; Her Excellency D. Tabita Potros Teia Shokai, State Minister, Ministry of Water Resources and Electricity, Sudan; and Prof. Seifeldin Hamad Abdalla, Chair of the new Joint Authority.

Background

The Nubian aquifer is the world's largest known "fossil" water aquifer system, meaning that the water is ancient and non-renewable.

The joint Technical Cooperation project began in 2006 and has already completed a sophisticated model of the aquifer to assist the four countries in optimizing use of the aquifer to meet human needs, avoid transboundary conflict, and protect ecosystems dependent upon the resource.

The IAEA contributes to the project in part by employing isotopic hydrology techniques to monitor the quantity and quality of groundwater and how it moves underground.