Have you read about this recently? Studies conducted by the National Geological Survey and the Environmental Protection Agency have detected drugs in drinking water. It isn’t enough that we have to worry about industrial pollution fouling our water. Now, every time we pour ourselves a glass of water from our tap, we have to wonder if we’re getting unwanted doses of antibiotics, anti depressants, and contraceptives. The topic of drugs found in drinking water was raised as far back as 2000. USA Today reported on the medical community’s uneasiness about the possible effects of antibiotics in drinking water. The concern was that even low levels of antibiotics could contribute to the creation of micro organisms…super bugs…that could be resistant to antibiotic treatment. The story implied that medical science might not be able to fight these super bugs, putting many lives at risk. If you stop to think about it, it really isn’t that surprising that these drugs have turned up in our drinking water. Pharmaceutical drugs make up a major component of what we take into our bodies on a regular basis. As these substances pass through our bodies, they end up in our water supplies. This water is then recycled and reused. Unfortunately, removing drugs in drinking water is currently beyond the capabilities of our municipal treatment facilities.At the present time, because there isn’t enough hard data available, we just don’t know how drugs found in drinking water can effect our health. But sitting around, waiting for the results of scientific studies doesn’t make sense. Its possible to take action and declare war on drugs in drinking water today! There are many quality home water filtration solutions that are specifically designed to remove the synthetic organic chemicals (SOCs) that make up these pharmaceutical drugs.In addition to protecting you and your family from drugs in drinking water, these water filtration systems are effective at filtering out other common toxic contaminants found in most drinking water supplies. If you do a little research you can even find systems that are certified for the reduction of VOCs (volatile organic chemicals) and THMs.You may be surprised to find out, like I did, that a quality home water filtration system is quite affordable. They are also fairly simple to install and are low maintenance.I don’t know about you, but living with even the possibility of drugs in drinking water just isn’t an option.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/declare-war-on-drugs-in-drinking-water-500198.html
About the Author:
Olivia Romero is a life-long water drinking enthusiast who has devoted much time to finding the best water purification systems. Visit Clean Cool Water to discover the recommendations that resulted from her extensive research.
]]>By negligently discarding plastic items, especially plastic water bottles, fishing gear and plastic bags, people are unknowingly causing the deaths of millions of mammals, fish, birds and reptiles each and every year. We defile the face of the earth with plastic refuse creating waterway contamination.
Since the invention of plastic earlier this century, it has become a popular material used in a wide variety of unique and innovative applications. Plastic is used to make, or wrap around, many of the items we buy or use. The problem comes when we no longer want these items and how we dispose of them, particularly the throwaway plastic material used in wrapping or packaging. Plastic is handy, lightweight and easily discarded. Too easily discarded.
Plastics are utilized because they are easy and inexpensive to manufacture, strong and durable. Regrettably these same useful characteristics make plastic an overwhelming pollution problem. Inferior quality and low cost means plastic is readily discarded. Plastics take around 300 years to photo degrade. Its long life assures it survives in the environment for extended periods where it can do great harm. Because plastic does not easily decompose and requires high energy ultra-violet light to break down, the volume of plastic waste in the world’s oceans is steadily increasing. Plastic is now found in virtually all the oceans and rivers of the world, even the most remote and once pristine.
American oceanographer Charles Moore says the amount of plastic pollution in the worlds oceans is so extensive it’s beyond cleaning up. A toxic plastic ‘graveyard’ double the size of Texas swirls in the waters of the Pacific between San Francisco and Hawaii. There his crew found that the water contained six parts of plastic for every part plankton, with a fivefold increase in the amount of plastic between 1997 and 2007.
Annually approximately 500 billion plastic bags are used worldwide. That is an unconscionable amount of waste, so much that more than one million bags are used every minute and their impact on the planet is devastating. Plastic bags are only part of the problem. America alone, yearly produces in excess of 800,000 tons of plastic bottle pollution. World-wide our precious planet is defaced and poisoned with more than 100 million tons of plastic pollution annually.
According to California Costal Commission, over 80% of refuse within waterways, most of it being plastic, originates on land rather than coming from boats.
Fish, shellfish, sea birds and all other forms of aquatic life require a delicate balance of oxygen, nutrients and clean water to survive. Even small quantities of toxic products in the water can disrupt this balance, with long-lasting effects. Plastic pollution affects marine wildlife in deadly ways: entangling creatures and by being consumed.
Turtles are particularly vulnerable to plastic pollution. All seven of the world’s turtle species are already endangered or threatened for a multitude of reasons. Turtles become entangled in fishing nets, and many sea turtles have been found dead with plastic garbage bags in their stomachs. Studies indicate turtles mistake these floating semi-transparent bags for jellyfish and eat them. The turtles die an inhumane death from choking or from being unable to eat. A turtle carcass found off the coast Hawaii had more than 1000 pieces of plastic in its stomach including part a toy truck wheel, a broken comb and lank of nylon rope.
There is great environmental concern about the effect of plastic trash on all marine mammals. These elegant creatures are already under threat for a variety of other reasons: e.g. seal and whale populations have been decimated by unregulated hunting. A recent study concluded that in excess of 100,000 marine mammals die needlessly each year from the deadly effects of plastic pollution.
World-wide over 100 bird species are known to ingest plastic particles. This includes 36 species found off the coast of South Africa. A recent study of blue petrel hatchlings at South Africa’s remote Marion Island showed that 90% of the hatchlings examined had plastic in their digestive systems, apparently fed to them accidentally by their parents. South African seabirds are among the worst affected in the world. Plastics remain in the bird’s digestive systems, impeding digestion and causing starvation.
Scientific studies are not conclusive about how much plastic birds and fish are consuming, however scientist agree that plastic in seafood is likely to be harmful for people. Plastic is compared with better understood toxic materials such as mercury.
Plastic acts like an absorbent sponge when in contact with poisons such as PCBs, concentrating them at levels that are millions of time more than that found in uncontaminated in seawater.
The ingredients in plastic have been linked to cancer and reproductive abnormalities. Bisphenol A, found in plastic water bottles, has been shown to produce cancer in lab rats, to disrupt hormone levels and is associated with diabetes and obesity.
Scientists also voice concerns that these massive swirls of floating plastic could contribute to global warming by creating a dense shade canopy that makes it difficult for plankton to grow.
Let’s look at a few ways where “Together We Can Make A Difference”.
The crisis of plastic pollution demands urgent study and action. Business should be encouraged to reduce the amount of plastic used in packaging and to re-cycle.
Plastic wrapping and bags should be required to carry a warning label advising of the dangers of plastic pollution and shoppers should be encouraged to use eco-friendly shopping bags of organic, natural materials or recycled plastic fibers. Tell this to our law makers. The situation only continues to worsen. We must act now!
Support re-cycling programs and promote environmental awareness in your local community. Be pro-active in asking governments to make changes and consumers to re-think their attitudes.
Purchase products requiring less plastic packaging and inform store management why we are doing so. We can speak with a loud voice when we speak with our “dollars”.
Choose to drink tap or carbon filtered water from a glass lined reusable container. If you do purchase plastic bottled, dispose to the container properly. Recycle.
With the increase in environmental awareness, it has become obvious that there is more that we can do to create a sustainable society. If everyone of us would take a few tiny steps, make a few different choices and consciously consider our impact on the planet, there might be a way to restore the world to its original beauty and resources
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/plastic-pollution-and-the-plight-of-the-planet-497191.html
About the Author:
M. Affeld is part of the Nandu Green team and writes of her love of the environment and all things natural. http://nandugreen.com
Eco-Products From Nandu Green Eco-Friendly options to balance our dreams with the needs of the environment and our desire for luxury with the need for sustainability. http://nandugreen.com/index.php/Green-Lifestyle/EcoProducts.html
Green house gas’s , are they as big of a problem as people say? . People who know little about green house gas’s , truley are not aware how its effecting our earth , so hopefully this information clears some of this up , and will show you how serious this problem is actually is.
For 2.5 million years , the earths climate constantley been changing , from our iceages to warmer years , but in the last century our climates temperature has been rising unusually fast , from about 1.3 to 1.5 degrees fareinghnheight . Scientists beleive that it is our own human activity , thats driving the temperture up , and this process is called ” global warming”.
Dating back to the times when the industrial revelution began , factorys , trains , and eventually cars , have burned fossil fuels such as oil and coal , which were and still are , releasing hudge amounts of carbon dioxide , and other gas’s into our earths atmosphere . These green house gas’s , or trapped heat near the surface of the earth , are formed by a natural process of the sun , and this is called the ” greenhouse effect” . The green house effect , begins with the sun and the imagery it radiates to the earth. The Earth and the atmosphere absorb some of this energy , and the rest is radiated back into space. Now with that being said , these Natuarlly occuring gas’s , in the atmosphere trap some of this energy and reflect it back, thus , warming the earth . Scientists now believe that the green house effect is getting intensified by all the extra green house gas’s that humans are releasing .
Signs of global warming , include a recent pattern of very warm years . 1998 was one of the warmest years in history , with 2005 , a quick runner up .Futher more , readings taken from ice core samples , Show that green house gas’s , C02 , and methane , have hit there highest levels in 420,000 years , and our sea ice is also shrinking .Our sea ice has declined 10% in the last 30 years .
As long as our nations around the globe , consume these energy’s , and increase their feul consumption , the overall mass of green house gas’s will continue to rise . Researchers predict that our temperature will increase by 2 - 10 degrees farenheight by the end of the century . What is uncertain is what rising temperatures ,will mean for our planet . Some focast rising sea levels which of coarse would mean floods , along coastal areas around the world . Weather patterns are changing also , making huricanes more frequent , severe drought is more common in warm areas , and species which are unable to adapt to this change will face a hudge drop in numbers and inevitably , extinction .
You can read more about glboal warming at http://bigeasyclub.com/index.html
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/green-house-gass-and-its-effects-on-our-planet-497231.html
About the Author:
I am a retired construction superintendant , who enjoys writing and reading.
]]>Has a friend, colleague or someone from your family retired from work? If you are a nodding to a ‘YES’, then gifting him or her something could be a perfect idea for making retirement enjoyable. These gifts can be given to a person when he or she has attained retirement so that they could enjoy their life ahead. These bequests could be anything from new glass-frames, rocking chair, or any other thing that could make their life ahead more comfortable. It is to be noted that the choice of retirement gifts should be taken in consideration of the interests as well as hobbies of an individual.
To locate retirement gifts, you can look around in the shops nearby your home or even go online to pick gifts. In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, wherein hardly anyone has enough time to spend ample time in the shops shuffling from one to the other, online accessibility does offer a perfect approach to avail these gifts. Retirement gifts are usually given in the farewell parties that are thrown in order to mark the departure from the hustle-bustle of work into the life wherein you could live life as per your choice.
In fact, in the recent years the emergence of online services providers for retirement gifts has seen a drastic increase. The huge number of online services providers on one hand gives a tough time to the customers in selecting one, and on the other offers a wide range of variety to choose from. Go online, and search through the internet for options of retirement gifts, wherein you would get a long list of services providers. It is advisable to scan through the various options presented by them, and then make your decisions. These gifts can be personalized as well as unique in accordance to your particular tastes.
Yet another advantage of making a purchase online for these gifts is ‘cost-effectiveness’. This is possible owing to the fact, that there is an on-going competition amongst the online services providers to out-do the other, which can lead you find affordable prices for gifts.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/retirement-gifts-marking-the-departure-from-work-schedule-498057.html
About the Author:
Rays Smith is a prolific writer who writes useful articles on a wide range of subjects. He has been providing great thoughts and insights. To find more about Retirement Gifts, Anniversary Gifts, Spiritual Gifts, Romantic Gifts, Baby Gifts please visit http://www.onlineperfectgifts.net/
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Why we should reject the current agri practices and what should we do to meet the ever increasing global hunger sustainably.
Dr. Ashok Kumar Panigrahi & Mrs. Kusum Misra.
1. Green revolution practices are based on synthetic chemicals and biocides.
2. Genetically modified crop varieties (such as Bt cotton) have all failed in the long run. 3. Soil has become hard, without pores, lost water retaining ability and full of resistant pest eggs. 4. The crop field ecosystem at present is composed of seral community (that has least species diversity, input oriented productivity leading to instability), hence, nonsustainable. 5.
The crop field ecosystem is neither visited by pollinating bees and predatory birds (because they are all dead and gone) nor its soil contains the beneficial microbes such as mycorrhizae or VAM.
6.
The so called food is devoid of vitamins A and C (due to excess use of MOP), copper and zinc (due to application of DAP/Super phosphate) and manganese, nickel and cobalt (through the use of paper mill sludge at places where there are paper mills, such as Balasore).
7.
The so called food contains more carbohydrate and less protein because of the applications of
artificial synthetic fertilizers.
8.
According to several environmentalists and soil chemists, modern agriculture yields two crops one is disease and the other one is pest. Besides the so called food is toxic due to excess presence of nitrates and nitrites that cause methaemoglobinaemia which resulted in a cattle epidemic in Rajasthan in the recent past.
9.
Eutrophication in water bodies that lead to fish death is due to excess use of nitrogenous
fertilizers.
10
According to Pearson, there occurs on an average over 10,000 pesticide related human deaths and nearly 10 times of that figure get hospitalized for the agricultural pesticides in developing countries every year.
Genetically Modified Crops in Perspective
Lessons learned from 5 decades of insecticide based cotton pest management are relevant in assessing the likely longer-run impacts of GM crops on pesticide use.3 major families of chemistry have accounted for most cotton insecticide use from the 1960s through 1680s –the organochlorines,or chlorinated hydrocarbons (DDT,aldrin/dialdrin,toxaphene,chlordane/heptachlor);the organophosphates (parathion,malathion,chlorpyriphos etc. among many others) ; and carbamates (aldicarb,carbofuran, oxamyl,carbaryl etc.). In the mid 1980s the synthetic pyrethroids (permethrin, cypermethrin etc.) came in to use. Changes in reliance across the families of Chemistry are shown in the Table next.
Table: Changes in cotton insecticide use by family of chemistry (million pounds a.i. ),USDA Data.
Compounds 1964 1966 1971 1976 1982 1992 1998 2000
Organochlorines 54.6 45.4 33 18.6 1.2 1.2 0.3 0.5 Organophosphates 15.6 14.3 28.6 31.4 12.9 13.4 11.3 36.1 Carbamates 6.2 4.5 10.3 12.2 3.5 4 2.7 3.5 Syn.Pyrethroids 0 0 0 0 0.8 0.9 0.4 0.3 Others 1.6 0.7 1.5 2 1 0.3 0.1 0.1 —————————————————————————————————————– Total poundsApplied- 78 64.9 73.4 64.2 19.4 19.8 14.8 40.5 (Source- Agrobios n l November, 2002.)
Comparison of Organic farming vrs Chemical farming in terms of Gross input, Gross return, Net return & BC ratio.
Farmer – S N Patra (Balasore,Orissa) , Soil - Deltaic alluvial (clay) Season - Rabi, 2003-04, Crop - Rice, Variety - Lalat (HYV) Treatment Grain Yield Straw Yld. Gross Gross Net B C ratio (Qtl./Acre ) (Qtl./Acre) Input Return Return ( GrossReturn/ (in Rs.) (in Rs.) (in Rs.) GrossInput)
——————- ————– ————- ——— ———– ——— ————–
* Control (+ compost.) 12.7 15.85 4,740/- 7,872/- 3,132/- 1.66 * Azolla (2T) +Fresh Cow dung(10q) 19.4 24.03 5,090/- 12,010/- 6,920/- 2.359 * Pongam Oil cake(2.5q) 21.6 26.7 6,490/- 13,368/- 6,878/- 2.059 * Fresh cow dung 18.3 23.74 5,090/- 11,415/- 6,325/- 2.242 * Pong.cake(1.5q)+Azolla+ Cow urine(500L) 23.5 29.47 5,690/- 14,577/- 8,887/- 2.561 * Chemical(with N:P:K-32:16:16) 20.2 25.27 6,855/- 12,259/- 5,404/- 1.788
Farmer: R N Barik ( Bhimpur pahi, Balasore, Orissa ) Soil: Coastal alluvial (sandy loam); Season: Kharif,2004-05. Crop: Rice, Variety: Pooja (HYV)
Treatment Grain yield Straw yield Gross Input Gross Return Net Return B C Ratio
( Qtl/Acre ) ( Qtl/Acre ) ( in Rs. ) ( in Rs. ) ( in Rs. ) ( GR/GI )
* Control (+compost) 16.5 22.1 4,640/- 10,348/- 5,708/- 2.23 * Compost+Biofertilr. 18.8 23.5 4,990/- 11,656/- 6,666/- 2.336 * Comp.+BF+Azolla 20.1 25.02 4,990/- 12,453/- 7,463/- 2.496 * Poultry manure+BF` 20.4 26.5 5,290/- 12,728/- 7,438/- 2.406
*
Sesbania+BF 20.9 27 5,100/- 13,028/- 7,928/- 2.555
*
NeemOC(1Q)+
Compost+BF 21.2 27.7 5,590/- 13,240/- 7,650/- 2.369
* Sesbania+Compost+
Pong.OC(1Q)+BF 21.9 28.52 5,500/- 13,670/- 8,170/- 2.485
* Sesbania+Compost+
NeemOC (1Q) +BF 22.1 29.4 5,700/- 13,844/- 8,144/- 2.429
* Chemical( with
N P K @32:16:16) 21.9 27.5 6,755/- 13,313/- 6,558/- 1.971
Study of Rice productivity under different applications in captive (potted) conditions conducted at FM (Auto.)College, Balasore,Orissa.
Initial soil fertility index :- N = 269.7, P = 61.9, K = 561.25 ( all in kg/ha.)
Applications
Soil Fertility at 30 DAT (in Kg/ha.)
Soil Fertility after harvest (in Kg/ha.) Grain Yield per pot(Gm)
Straw Yield per pot(Gm)
N P K
N P K
Control
266.56 79.8 538.9
175.6 39.75 405.8
16
36
Chem.(32:16:16)
379.45 75.66 567.1
213.24 40.39 478.4
10
24
Vermi compost
279.1 85.9 553.7
181.8 50.01 405.8
28
42
FYM+BF
285.3 83.3 552.3
185 48.09 404.5
22
33
Azolla(4.5gm)
288.5 85.9 525.5
178.75 50.2 419.3
25
36
Pou.Man(2.25gm)
285.3 88.4 525.5
191.2 35.25 409.9
24
36
Sesbania(100gm)
271.2 75 526.8
141.12 40.13 411.2
20
43
Pong.OC(1gm)
274.4 76.9 528.1
169.3 32.44 424.7
29
37
Pong.OC(2gm)
285.3 80.7 540.2
169.3 45.2 404.5
32
34
NeemOC(1.5gm)
285.37 83.3 567.1
216.3 48.9 413.95
24
38
Sesbania+BF
266.5 93.6 533.5
163.07 42.57 413.9
23
35
NeemOC+BF
279.1 88.5 557.7
213.2 42.7 419.3
24
38
Verm.Com+BF+ POC(2.5gm) =
344 83.3 565.8
225.7 42.9 423.36
31
39
Sesbania+VC+NOC+ BF+CowUrine
376.3 82.07 557.7
254 42.3 427.3
29
47
Sesbania+VC+NOC+ BF+CU+Azolla
398.2 81.43 553.7
257.1 41.6 421.4
40
49
Sesbania+VC+POC+ BF+CU+Azolla
392 88.48 552.3
258.7 48.2 440.8
32
38
Sesbania+VC+POC+ BF+CU+NOC
388.8 89.2 557.7
254 47.4 442.1
33
56
Sesbania+PM+POC+ BF+CU+NOC
401.4 91.05 540.2
260.2 45.14 419.3
19
22
Type of worm cast
Nitrogen ( kg / ha )
Phosphorus
( kg / ha )
Potash
( kg / ha )
Road side cast under shade ( Metaphire posthuma )
610.2
47.7
781
Worm cast collected from a cultured pot with both, Perionyx excavatus &Eisenia; foetida
573.88
70.65
825.85
Worm cast of P.excavatus
558.2
52.2
611.52
Worm cast of mixed species(collected from vegetable cultivated field of ribbed gourd)*
698.92
90.36
161*
Comparison of Nutrient availability in soil sample with worm cast
Available Nutrient
( in Kg / ha )
Soil sample from the site
(control)
Worm cast of
M.posthuma
, giant
tropical earthworm
Soil sample from the site
(control)
Worm cast of
(mixed species)
P.excavatus
E.foetida
(1:1)
(1:1) &
Nitrogen
340.2
610.2
269.7
573.88
Phosphorus
40.8
46.7
61.9
70.65
Potash
380.7
781
561.25
825.85
AN EXAMPLE OF ORGANIC FARMING CONVERTED TO SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE (IN RICE) IN THREE YEARS TIME
Farmer: - Pitambar Jena Village: - MangalpurDistrict: - Mayurbhanj (Orissa)
Soil type: - Sandy loam, Period of organic management – since 2001
Crop:-Rice Variety: - Kasturi (HYV), Cultivation under study: -kharif 2004 – 05
Area under cultivation: - 1214 sq.mts.(30dec.,approximately- 1 bigha)
Ingredients applied (@ as below since 2001)
Farm yard manure – 3 qntls.( @ 10 qntls/acre) applied at the time sowing of dhanicha seeds(after 2nd ploughing)
with reference to Jersey and native cow respectively ).
Soil fertility Index as observed-
Time of sample collection N(kg/ha) P(kg/ha) K(kg/ha)
——————————– —————– ————— ——————–
Initial soil fertility ——– 283.7 42.6 168.3
45 days after transplantation 458.2 45.8 273.6
75 -do- -do- 462.1 39.9 260.1
After harvesting of crop 393.6 35.2 254.7
Actual Grain Yield
(in quintal)
Grain Yield
(in qntl./Ac)
Actual Straw yield
(in quintal)
Straw yield
(in qntl./Ac)
Gross Input
(in Rupees)
Gross Return
(in Rupees)
B: C Ratio
8.5
28.33
9.9
33
1,317/-
5,892/-
4.47
Observation of pest attack:- No significant pest attack was observed at any stage of cultivation
Sustainable agriculture is advantageous because:-
Organic farming biological farming biodiversity based farming.
It is the method of agriculture which generates comparatively more food in harmony with the nature.
If the current high input oriented chemical agriculture be labelled
“green revolution”, then organic farming supplemented by biodiversity and positive biotechnology (including vermitechnology) easy enough for the farming communities the world over to understand and implement would be labeled as the “evergreen revolution”. However, the global approach to land use planning must be strictly and sustainably addressed to.
AN EXAMPLE OF ORGANIC FARMING CONVERTED TO SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE (IN RICE) IN THREE YEARS TIME
Farmer: - Pitambar Jena Village: - MangalpurDistrict: - Mayurbhanj (Orissa)
Soil type: - Sandy loam, Period of organic management – since 2001
Crop:-Rice Variety: - Kasturi (HYV), Cultivation under study: -kharif 2004 – 05
Area under cultivation: - 1214 sq.mts.(30dec.,approximately- 1 bigha)
Ingredients applied (@ as below since 2001)
Farm yard manure – 3 qntls.( @ 10 qntls/acre) applied at the time sowing of dhanicha seeds(after 2nd ploughing)
with reference to Jersey and native cow respectively ).
Soil fertility Index as observed-
Time of sample collection N(kg/ha) P(kg/ha) K(kg/ha)
——————————– —————– ————— ——————–
Initial soil fertility ——– 283.7 42.6 168.3
45 days after transplantation 458.2 45.8 273.6
75 -do- -do- 462.1 39.9 260.1
After harvesting of crop 393.6 35.2 254.7
Inference on applications of captive conditions:-
CHANGES IN SOIL FERTILITY INDEX WITH REFERENCE TO N P K AFTER INCORPORATION OF DIFFERENT GREEN LEAF MANURES
Study undertaken by a team at FM (Auto.) College, Balasore (Orissa) with UGC assistance.
Nutrient Initial Soil Neem Leaf Moringa Leaf Water Hyacinth Cassia Leaf Pongam Leaf
Name fertility (Azadirachata) (Eichornia) (Pongamia)
——– ———– —————- ————— ——————- ————– —————
Nitrogen
(Kg/ha) 269.7 291.64 310.46 299.48 294.48 303.36
Phosphorus
(Kg/ha) 61.9 62.3 62.5 62 62.7 63
Potash
(Kg/ha) 561.25 591.36 598.08 608.83 596.73 594.04
Methods followed: N= Subiah & Asija, (Kjeldahl Appt.) P= Olsen, (Spectro photometer) &
& Apparatus used: K= Ammonium acetate, (MP based digital flame photometer)
Assessment of Nutrient status of Worm cast soil collected from different sites Conducted by a team at FM (Auto.) College, Balasore, (Orissa) with UGC assistance
About the Author:
Author is an avid natrure analyst,has worked on & written books,research papers and short & large articles on several aspects of the nature such as farming,forest,food and water etc.
]]>Sustainable, luxury beachfront living is no longer just a dream – new Caribbean properties like Oceano Village combine environmentally-friendly development with exotic locations and the latest eco innovations for sustainable living at its finest. From careful planning of land usage to future sustainability, these luxury Caribbean properties bring an entirely new perspective to green living.
Net-Zero Construction
Several years of preparation take place before construction begins on a sustainable luxury village. Extensive planning is involved in the land development, the architecture, the building process, the furnishings and appliances, and even the future environmental impact of the village. To achieve a net-zero impact, everything possible is done to ensure these luxury ocean side villas give back at least as much as they detract from the planet.
From the perfect retirement spot to an elegant second home in the Caribbean, environmentally-friendly, oceanfront living is a dream come true on the lush island of Roatán. Extensive planning and careful construction, along with fine amenities and exquisite structures, are the foundation of sustainable luxury Caribbean properties like Oceano Village and showcase the many possibilities for eco-safe development.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/ecofriendly-homes-in-the-caribbean-5-environmentally-safe-development-practices-498220.html
About the Author:
Oceano Village is sustainable beach side living at its finest. Nestled in the beauty of the Caribbean on the exquisite island of Roatan, this Caribbean real estate community promotes an eco-friendly lifestyle without sacrificing luxury.
]]>These days the state of our environment is forcing people and manufacturing companies to do what they can to protect it. There are many ways to protect the environment such as recycling, using less energy, creating less pollution and whatever else you can think of.
There is a Japanese environmental equipment manufacturer and supplier called Fuji Energy Co. who have created a compact processing device used to transform used engine oil or other waste oils into fuel oil. What this device does is it mixes already used engine oil and Type A fuel in a 40 to 60 ratio, heats it up to 60 degrees Celsius and then it takes away the solids using a centrifuge. After this process, the oil goes through a precision filter roughly six or seven times, which breaks it down to micron-sized units. When these units are emulsified, you then get an alternative fuel for boilers with basically the same composition as Type A fuel oil. There has already been a model of this processing device built by the company Fuji Energy and they are testing it at a hot bath facility in Ehime Prefecture. The company states that the device gets rid of exhaust gas regulations. This machine can process around 100 liters of oil a day and costs around US $8.70 a month to operate. The compact version which is priced at $48 000 is 80 x 80 x 130cm and can be installed beside and connected to a Type A fuel oil boiler. Fuji Energy is trying to ship fifty of these a year to transportation companies and food factories, using the selling point that this device has the ability to reduce fuel expenses by 30%.
Companies keep creating new unimaginable ways to help the environment hopefully soon all companies will take part and use these devices to help save the environment and make our planet a better place.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/biodiesel-from-old-motor-oil-498436.html
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If you need more FREE information on biodiesel from old motor oil, please visit our website: www.BiodieselCorner.com
]]>The late, great comedian, George Carlin, used to do a comedy bit about how he saw people, everywhere he turned, carrying a water bottle. He punctuated this hilarious routine with an exasperated question: “Just when did everyone get so thirsty?” As funny as this was, his keen observation about the increase of people carrying their own drinking water containers points to a more serious problem: plastic water bottles have become one of the biggest sources of pollution in the U.S. Plastic bottles have got to go!In recent years bottled water has become one of the giants of the beverage industry. As Americans continue to demand clean drinking water, this industry has gone full-throttle to ensure that each and every person is able to have their own drinking water container, when and where they want it. Unfortunately, “full-throttle” means that over 60,000,000 plastic bottles are produced, transported and disposed of EVERY DAY in the U.S. alone!Don’t get me wrong. I like having the convenience of drinking clean water from my own drinking water container. However, there is no evidence that bottled water is any cleaner than most tap water. The government doesn’t even require bottled water be any safer or purer than tap water. So what you’re buying (and I’ve been guilty of it too) is a slick advertising concept that makes it seem as if this bottled water just bubbled up from a mountain spring. And then you’re stuck with having to dispose of this polluting plastic.So does this mean that personal drinking water containers are a bad idea? Absolutely not! You can still drink clean, filtered water conveniently from your own personal drinking water container. All you have to do is use drinking water containers that have been designed to be used over and over again. The best reusable containers are made from glass.Besides being 100% recyclable, glass containers have other advantages. Glass preserves the taste and purity of filtered water. Water stored in plastic bottles risks becoming contaminated from plastic byproducts, like BPA and phthalate. As these substances leach from the plastic, the water loses its taste and purity. Glass doesn’t have this problem.And let’s not forget that refilling and reusing these drinking water containers is going to mean more money in your pocket. If you are buying bottled water on a regular basis, it can get expensive.There is also a psychological advantage to using glass drinking water containers. When you’re thirsty and looking in the fridge for something good to drink, and you spot a crystal-clear, cold glass container of water, you’re going to instinctively reach for it. Drinking more clean, healthy water is one of the best ways to promote good health.These non-polluting, drinking water containers are readily available from most reputable water filtration system providers. You can find these providers, like I did, with just some simple research. When you drinking filtered water, conveniently, from your own reusable drinking water container you will be doing yourself and our planet a big favor.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/drinking-water-containers-why-plastic-bottles-have-got-to-go-498836.html
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Article authored by Olivia Romero - http://www.cleancoolwater.com - “There are many important reasons why we need clean, healthy water but there’s one which has to rank as the most important of them all…“
]]>You can’t have failed to notice the rising gas prices. Even if you haven’t got a car you’ll have had your ear chewed off by all the people you get rides from about how expensive it is to run a car.
“These things don’t run on water, you know!” they say.
But they’re wrong!
These days, technological advances mean that is perfectly possible to do just that - run your car on water! And it’s not that difficult. Just a quart of water provides over 1800 gallons of HHO gas. That’s enough to run your car for months and months!
And not only that, running your car on hydropower i.e. water will
greatly improve the car’s fuel efficiency
reduce the emissions dramatically
save you a lot of money!
Thousands of people all over their world have converted their vehicles to hydropower. The technology is effective - it works! Some in the industry even think that hydropower will become standard for vehicles in the future - the NEAR future. Why wait when you can start earning money now?
Of course, it takes a well for automobile manufacturers to catch on to any good thing so you can get ahead of the game and for a very reasonable cost convert your own car to run on water.
Hydropower is very safe. People get scared by it because a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing; they find out that hydrogen is involved and they freak out. That’s a bit premature. In hydropower, the combustible gas is extracted only as needed and is burned steadily from the water, unlike in other technologies where larger amounts of combustible gases are burned.
Using water for power makes a lot of sense. You don’t have to go through the risky process of compressing highly flammable hydrogen into tanks when nature has done it for you. Hydrogen is naturally and safely compressed in water - without you having to do anything.
The procedure to convert your car to hydrogen is safe and simple. What’s more, if you want to sell your car on or return it at the end of a lease agreement, this technology is completely reversible. No warranties will be voided. Hydro Water power is an add-on to improve your car’s fuel efficiency.
The major oil companies don’t want you to know all this. Their profits depend upon it. But you can get ahead of the game. Convert your car to hydropower and you reduce your carbon footprint, help the environment - oh and you save money!
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/run-your-car-on-a-quart-of-water-496211.html
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Educational Cell Phone Digital Book by Paul Fitzgerald, EMF expert, graduated from NJIT in Newark, NJ. He has been studying EMF’s for over 15 years.. He has done over 100 radio shows in 2006 and released his book CellPhone”>http://www.CellphoneLies.com”>CellPhone Lies To learn more go to EMF Radiation News.
]]>When you think about consumer electronics, you may think of equipment you use every day; like televisions, mobile phones and personal computers. What you may not even consider is that each year, the United States alone generates almost 3 million tons of commodity and electronic waste (or e-waste) through the disposal of damaged, defective and obsolete devices, such as that cordless phone that quit working for you or those mobile phones you threw away because you wanted the latest models. Let’s look at where that e-waste ends up after it’s tossed away and the effects it has on you and the environment.
Because of the difficulty and cost of recycling electronics, as well as spotty enforcement of legislation regarding e-waste exports, vast amounts of used electronics have been sent to countries such as China, Kenya and India. Lower environmental standards and working conditions make processing e-waste more profitable yet dangerously hazardous in those countries. Being mindful of e-waste disposal is a big concern. There are facilities out there that specifically deal with this hazardous material correctly.
When electronics are handled and sorted properly, e-waste is a valuable source of secondary raw materials. However, they are a major contributor of toxins and carcinogens when clumsily treated.
Fast paced technology changes, low initial cost and actual planned obsolescence have given way to a growing problem around the globe. Uncontrolled burning, disassembly without safety measures in place, and haphazard disposal practices are causing environmental and health problems.
Toxic and carcinogenic substances in waste from consumer electronics include lead, cadmium, mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). When not handled properly, these substances can seep into soil where food is grown. They can be eaten or absorbed by animals in our food chain. Illegal burning of these electronics causes toxic fumes to be emitted, which are inhaled by animals and humans and depletes the ozone.
There are many ways in which these substance cause serious health risks. Lead, cadmium and mercury levels can build up in the body over time causing damage to the central nervous system, renal failure and cell damage. PCBs are known carcinogens.
Think about it the next time you indiscriminately throw away those cordless phone batteries or that camcorder that is older than your parents. Proper disposal through an e-waste recycler helps save our environment. With the potential for mercury, cadmium and lead leaching into the soil and contaminating the food chain, as well as PCB exposure causing cancer, some thoughtful consideration of use, reuse and disposal of consumer electronics is essential.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/proper-disposal-of-consumer-electronics-is-important-496312.html
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Visit Mike Selvon portal to learn more about consumer electronics. Your feedback is much appreciated at our mobile phone reviews blog where a free gift awaits you.
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