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THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY

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 Unfortunately it has to say that main threats to biodiversity are Humans. Humans are fully depended on the natural resources but it is possible to use all these resource without harming the nature, without disrupting the biodiversity, without harming the habitat and the most important thing is not to waste natural resources. We should consume the resources till a limited amount and conserve the resources for our future generation and for other species too; by doing this it is possible that we can keep our climate safe, we can prevent our biodiversity by being threat. By destroying habitat, we eliminate not only prominent species but also many obscure ones of which we may not even be aware. Over harvesting of food species is probably the most obvious way in which humans directly destroy biological resources. There are many, ancient examples of human disturbances of natural systems. Once-fertile areas have become deserts because of frail forestry, grazing, and agricultural practices...

HOTSPOTS OF BIODIVERSITY

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Hotspots of biodiversity are areas that have an exceptionally high concentration of unique and threatened species. These regions are considered crucial for conservation efforts, as they harbor a significant proportion of the world's biodiversity. Characteristics of hotspots: 1. High endemism: Many species found in these areas are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else on Earth. 2. High species diversity: Hotspots have a large number of different species, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. 3. Threatened species: Many species in hotspots are threatened or endangered due to habitat loss, climate change, and other human activities. Examples of hotspots: 1. Madagascar: Known for its unique lemurs, fossa (Madagascar's top predator), and a variety of bird species. 2. Amazon Rainforest: Spanning across nine countries in South America, it's home to an estimated 10% of all known plant and animal species. 3. Congo Basin: Second-largest tropical rainforest in the w...

BIODIVERSITY

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  Biodiversity encompasses the complexity and richness of life on our planet, from the tiniest microbe to the mightiest tree, and from the simplest ecosystem to the most intricate web of relationships. The United Nations Environment Programme  (UNEP) defines biodiversity as "the variability among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are part". Biodiversity is the vast array of all the species of plants, animals, insects and the microorganisms inhabiting the earth either in the aquatic or the terrestrial habitats. The human civilization depends directly or indirectly upon this biodiversity for their very basic needs of survival–food, fodder, fuel, fertilizer, timber, liquor, rubber, leather, medicines and several raw materials. This diversity’s the condition for the long-term sustainability of the environment, continuity of life on earth and the maintenance of its integrity....

BIOLOGICAL RHYTHM

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  A behavior that occur in any organism after specific interval of time is known as Biological rhythm. eg; Wake and sleep cycle, Migration, Hibernation etc.   Biological clock   is self maintained physiological clock which regulate both external behavior and endogenous activity. It is an innate clock in our body which is so useful for biological rhythm. Types of Biological Rhythm: Circadian Rhythm: These are the rhythm with a period of 24hours(about a day). eg;   Sleep and wake cycle, Migration of organism to the top of sea at night. Types of  Circadian Rhythm Diurnal Rhythm: Organisms are active at day time. eg; Human, be. Nocturnal Rhythm: Organisms are active at night. eg; Bat, Owl. Crepuscular Rhythm: Organisms are active during dawn and dusk hours. eg; Rats. Vespertine Rhythm: Organisms are active at evening. eg; Mosquito. Arhythmic: No regular daily pattern of organisms.   2. Circannual Rhythm: It occurs over a period of approximately an ann...

TREATMENT OF HAZARDOUS WASTE

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  HAZARDOUS WASTE TREATMENT   Hazardous waste treatment involves various processes to reduce the toxicity, volume, or concentration of hazardous substances to minimize their impact on human health and the environment.  Different treatment method include:   Physical method: The physical method involves the separation or removal of hazardous components from waste streams through the process of sedimentation or filtration.    Chemical treatment: Chemical processes to treat hazardous waste include some of the processes like neutralize, oxidize, reduce, or otherwise change the composition of hazardous waste.   Biological method: Microorganisms break down organic hazardous wastes during aerobic or anaerobic conditions. Some of the methods are composting, aerobic and anaerobic decomposition, activated sludge, enzyme treatment, etc.   Thermal method: High temperatures are used to destroy hazardous waste. Incineration, boiling, auto...

CHARACTERISTICS OF HAZARDOUS WASTES

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  CHARACTERISTICS OF HAZARDOUS WASTES   The Environmental Protection Agency of America (EPA) defines the characteristics of hazardous waste as:     1. IGNITABILITY: The waste that explodes with the application of fire, electricity spark, or any source of heat; wastes with high ignitable potential or which burn vigorously and persistently. Such waste has a flash point of less than 600C. Examples of these types of wastes are :- solvent washes, waste oil, alcohols, aldehydes, paint wastes, petroleum wastes, cleaning solvents, etc.  2.CORROSIVITY: It is the ability of the waste to cause skin and mucosal membrane damage, burns and erosions and dissolve or corrode metallic surfaces. Such wastes have pH value of 2.512.5 at normal room temperatures (250 C). The corrosion rate for material damage is at 0.625 meters per year at 550 C.   Examples: acid sludge, battery acid wastes, caustic wastewater, alkaline cleaning wastes, rust remover waste, etc. 3.REA...

Hazardous Waste

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  Hazardous waste is any waste material with properties that make it dangerous or capable of having harmful effects on human health or the environment. Hazardous wastes are those that may contain harmful and toxic substances like heavy metals that are generated from Industries, hospitals and even some types of domestic waste. The concern towards hazardous waste management was stimulated by undesired massive health effects that were noticed in the neighborhood of Niagara Falls in New York State in the United States in the 1970s. These wastes could be corrosive, inflammable, explosive, or react when exposed to other materials. Some hazardous wastes are highly toxic to the environment including humans, animals, and plants. It comprises the waste generated during the manufacturing processes of the commercial products such as industries involved in petroleum refining, production of pharmaceuticals, petroleum, paint, aluminum, electronic products etc. Hazardous Waste managem...