UGC NTA NET/JRF Exam, Environmental Sciences, September-2022

Development of biodiesel from karanja tree, mainly found in rural India has been investigated. The biodiesel was developed from oil expelled from the seeds of the tree.

Molecular weight of the oil was determined and found to be 892.7. Both the acid as well as alkaline esterification were subsequently performed to get the final product.

NaOH was found to be a better catalyst than KOH in terms of yield. Maximum yield of 89.5% was achieved at 8:1 molar ratio for acid esterification and 9:1 molar ratio for alkaline esterification, 0.5 wt.% catalyst (NaOH/KOH) using mechanical stirrer.

Anammox, an abbreviation for anaerobic ammonium oxidation, is a globally important microbial process of the nitrogen cycle that takes place in many natural environments.

The bacteria mediating this process were identified in 1999, and were a great surprise for the scientific community. In the anammox reaction, nitrite and ammonium ions are converted directly into diatomic nitrogen and water.

The bacteria that perform the anammox process are genera that belong to the bacterial phylum Planctomycetota.

The anammox bacteria all possess one anammoxosome, a lipid bilayer membrane-bound compartment inside the cytoplasm in which the anammox process takes place. The anammoxosome membranes are rich in ladderane lipids; the presence of these lipids is so far unique in biology.

In this biological process, which is a comproportionation reaction, nitrite and ammonium ions are converted directly into diatomic nitrogen and water.
NH₄⁺ + NO₂⁻ →N₂ +2H₂О

Humus is dark, organic material that forms in soil when plant and animal matter decays. Humus contains cellulose and hemi cellulose. Humic substances invariably carry an electrostatic charge.

They are therefore classified as polyelectrolytes. Although a variety of sites possessing the potential to carry a positive or negative charge can be identified on humic substances, the predominant charge is negative and at most naturally occurring pH values this charge is due to the dissociation of carboxylic, hydroxyl, and phenolic groups.

"Bioremediation is a waste management technique that includes the use of living organisms to eradicate or neutralize pollutants from a contaminated site." "Bioremediation is a 'treatment techniques' that uses naturally occurring organisms to break down harmful materials into less toxic or non-toxic materials.

" The main principle is degrading and converting pollutants to less toxic forms. There are two types of factors these are biotic and abiotic conditions that determine rate of degradation.

For most projects, the environmental review is initiated at this time. There is a trend, however, to establish the scope of the review earlier in the licensing process, often at the time the initial consultation package is released.

The environmental review will consist of preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) unless the project may have significant environmental impacts. In this case, a more comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) may be compiled.

There are three procedure: The local government authority ultimately responsible for licensing development project. Another government agency which can be given responsibility for licensing development project. An independent body having knowledge of the development project.

Two permanent subsidiary bodies to the UNFCCC have been established by the COP: the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA), which supports the work of the parties through the provision of information and advice on scientific and technological matters, and the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI), which supports the assessment and review of the effective implementation of the Convention.

Despite the lack of hard targets or binding mandates, the Framework Convention has thus given rise to multiple formal and informal institutions and networks for study, advocacy, negotiation, action and implementation, which have advanced a coordinated international response to climate.

Forests play a vital role in the global carbon cycle. They act as carbon sinks by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and converting it into biomass.

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation identifies potential carbon credit generation by financially incentivizing local communities to avoid deforestation and degradation.

1. The Polluter - Pays Principle constitutes for Member countries a fundamental principle for allocating costs of pollution prevention and control measures introduced by the public authorities in Member countries.

2. The Polluter - Pays Principle, as defined by the Guiding Principles concerning International Economic Aspects of Environmental Policies [C(72)128], which take account of particular problems possibly arising for developing countries, means that the polluter should bear the expenses of carrying out the measures, to ensure that the environment is in an acceptable state.

In other words, the cost of these measures should be reflected in the cost of goods and services which cause pollution in production and/or consumption.

3. Uniform application of this principle, through the adoption of a common basis for Member countries' environmental policies, would encourage the rational use and the better allocation of scarce environmental resources and prevent the appearance of distortions in international trade and investment.