NEWS :UN Environment Programme (UNEP) led initiative focuses on biodiversity conservation, sustainable land management and enhanced water security in Lake Tanganyika Basin.

Lake Tanganyika Basin:
1️⃣ Shared by four countries: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Zambia.
2️⃣ One of Africa's Great Lakes and the world's second-largest freshwater lake by volume.
3️⃣ Internationally recognised as a Global biodiversity hotspot.

#environment #prelims

Biodiversity Hotspot #prelims #environment

🔆 Ozone Depleting Substances (ODSs)
📍 Definition:
✅ Chlorine, bromine, CFCs, carbon tetrachloride, halons, etc.

📍 Potential Drivers of Ozone Hole over Antarctica:
1. Changes in Antarctic polar vortex
2. Changes in solar cycle
3. Increased atmospheric abundance of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

📍 Polar Vortex
✅ Stratospheric wind patterns with vast low-pressure areas and very cold air, more pronounced over the South Poles.
✅ Leads to formation of Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs).

📍 Impact of Volcanic Eruptions on Ozone Layer:
✅ Triggers massive stratospheric water vapor plume.
✅ Injects large quantities of sulphur dioxide (facilitates chemical conversion of chlorine making it more reactive).
✅ Contributes atmospheric bromine and hydrogen chloride.
✅ Eruption particles provide surfaces for chemical reactions for ODSs.

📍 PSCs (Polar Stratospheric Clouds):
✅ Also known as nacreous clouds or mother of pearl.
✅ Formed below -78°C and trap outgoing longwave radiation.

📍 Location:
✅ Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai, a submarine volcano in the Tongan archipelago located in the Southern Pacific Ocean, erupted in January 2022.

📍 Ozone Layer Depletion Process (Infographic):
✅ 1st step: UV rays split chlorine atom from CFC molecule.
✅ 2nd step: Chlorine atom breaks up ozone molecule.
✅ 3rd step: The chlorine molecule left behind creates chlorine monoxide and oxygen (O2).

#environment

🔆What is PBAT?

✅Kamalpur Nagar Panchayat in Tripura has introduced compostable bags made from PBAT as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic (SUP).

📍What is PBAT?

✅PBAT (Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate) is a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer used as an eco-friendly substitute for traditional plastics.
✅It is a copolymer of adipic acid, 1,4-butanediol, and terephthalic acid and can be processed using conventional plastic manufacturing methods.
✅PBAT is often blended with other biopolymers to enhance its mechanical and barrier properties

📍Properties of PBAT
✅100% compostable – breaks down into water, CO₂, and biomass under industrial composting conditions within 180 days.
✅Flexible and tough, making it ideal for bags, films, and packaging.
✅It is moisture-resistant, chemically inert, and offers good barrier properties.

#gs3
#environment

🔆 Marine Microplastics Tied to Higher Diabetes Risk

📍 New U.S. study finds health impact correlation with ocean microplastic exposure
✅ Microplastic pollution (within 370 km of U.S. coast) linked to:
 – 18% ↑ in Type-2 diabetes
 – 7% ↑ in coronary artery disease
 – 9% ↑ in stroke incidents
✅ Study used data from 152 coastal counties.
✅ Pattern holds even after controlling for age, sex, race, ethnicity, income, healthcare access, etc.
✅ Suggests microplastics as a potential new risk factor in chronic disease burden.

📝 Prelims Question:
Which of the following diseases has NOT been associated with microplastic exposure in recent studies?
A. Type-2 Diabetes
B. Coronary Artery Disease
C. Stroke
D. Asthma
Answer: D

📝 Mains Question (GS3 – Environment/Health):

#GS3 #Environment #Microplastics #PublicHealth #Diabetes #Prelims2025 #Mains2025

Every year, the shores of Costa Rica host the largest sea turtle gathering on Earth, an extraordinary event known as an arribada (Spanish for "arrival").

#prelims #environment