My Science School

Researchers from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, have identified a roadside plant that can take up lead from the soil and thus help in removing the toxic metal from the environment. The plant was found to accumulate lead at about 12,000 microgram/g of dry weight in the root and 7,000 microgram/g of dry weight in its shoot.

"These plants grow in soils that are continuously exposed to lead from vehicle exhausts. Though lead additives in petrol and diesel are banned now, some low-quality fuels still have a huge percentage of lead," explained Dr Joseph George Ray from the School of Biosciences at the University.

Eclipta prostrata or Bhringraj (False Daisy) had the highest lead tolerance out of three shortlisted plants. "The plant may be using the lead to protect itself from pests or other predators," said Dr Ray. 

Dr Ray further explained that the plants can be burned after they have taken up the lead. In this way, the metal can be effectively contained and disposed off safely.

Picture Credit : Google 

Hackathon is a competition organized by Eco-Champs for school students to solve environmental problems with on-ground impacts.

 With climate change affecting people, countries and ecosystems, it's time to give serious thought towards making our planet a better place to live in and saving the environment. In this context, Bhumi, an NGO, is organising a unique green Hackathon for school students. This Hack-a-thon is an initiative of Bhumi's Eco-Champs program.

 

Eco-Champs Hackathon will enable young minds to think, innovate and execute solutions to fight climate change. The Hindu In School is the Media Partner for the event.

 

It is designed for students of classes 5-9 and kickstarts in April 2022.

Immediate threat

Climate change poses an immediate threat to our children. It refers to changes in the atmosphere that are thought to be affecting the world's climate, mostly resulting in a warmer world. Plastic worsens climate change releasing harmful greenhouse gases. Natural resources such as clean air and water will slowly but surely become scarce for future generations.

It is now imperative for our children to become action-takers on environmental issues. Eco-Champs Hackathon is an attempt to ignite this green spirit in our children.

Themes

The themes of this Hackathon focus on

  single-use plastic bags

increasing plastic toys in the market

 * chemical-based sanitation products leading to microplastic and pollution in the water bodies.

Who can participate?

Students from classes 5-9 can take part .Students can register for the Hackathon as a team or individually on the website.

It spans over a period of two months, where students will work on their problem

statements and arrive at a solution. The participants will also be provided with an interactive platform to connect with industry experts. These experts will guide them to design frameworks on how to convert their ideas into action and build sustainable alternatives and solutions.

The Hackathon concludes with a final presentation of the 20 shortlisted ideas on the occasion of World Environment Day, June 5, 2022. The winners will be awarded cash prizes up to Rs 10,000.

Picture Credit : Google 

The water cycle shows the continuous movement of water within the Earth and atmosphere. It is a complex system that includes many different processes. Liquid water evaporates into water vapor, condenses to form clouds, and precipitates back to earth in the form of rain and snow. Water cycle follows a cycle of evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection. Earth's water is in the oceans, rivers, lakes, and seas. When the sun heats up water from these sources, it evaporates as vapour and rises into the air. Rising vapour cools and condenses into clouds. The clouds get heavy and water falls back to the ground in the form of rain or snow. The rain replenishes the oceans, rivers, and ground water aquifers. This cycle continues again and again. In essence, we are using and re-using the same water that has been on Earth since the beginning of time.

The water cycle describes how water evaporates from the surface of the earth, rises into the atmosphere, cools and condenses into rain or snow in clouds, and falls again to the surface as precipitation. The water falling on land collects in rivers and lakes, soil, and porous layers of rock, and much of it flows back into the oceans, where it will once more evaporate. The cycling of water in and out of the atmosphere is a significant aspect of the weather patterns on Earth.

Why is water cycle important?

Water is the basis for life. Water cycle ensures the availability of water for all life on Earth and maintenance of most ecosystem on the planet.

The water cycle influences global temperature. When water evaporates, it takes up energy from its surroundings and cools the environment. When it condenses, it releases energy and warms the environment. These heat exchanges influence climate.

It also influences rainfall and related weather changes in an area.

Picture Credit : Google