Dwindling Freshwater
Published: May 31, 2013
Selep: A rivulet of Lake Tamze, Ratey Chu is the source of Gangtok’s freshwater. It is treated and reserved in 20 million litre reservoirs at Selep, 7 km uphill from the main city.
Abstract: Unfavourable changes are underway in the hydrology and ecology of freshwater systems globally—both on the surface and under the ground. It is true that freshwater sources are limited and unevenly distributed over both time and space but, importantly it is vulnerable to human abuse—overexploited, polluted, fought over and squandered.
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These are minute solid or liquid particles suspended in the air. Aerosols interact directly and indirectly with the earth’s heat budget and scatter sunlight, causing haze.
These pollutants are emitted directly into the air from their source, in their present form. Sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides are all primary pollutants. Primary air pollutants chemically react to form secondary air pollutants.
Occurs due to concentration of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide in the atmosphere, which react with water molecules in the atmosphere too produce acids which fall to the earth as acid rain.
Are also called halocarbons which are nontoxic nonflammable chemicals used in refrigerants, propellants and solvents. Though stable when released they break apart and release chlorine atoms in the stratosphere destroying the ozone layer.
A term given to clouds formed over developing nations which appear brown due to scattering of aerosols and other pollutants, predominant in Asian countries.
Which are found in higher concentration in indoor environments are emitted gasses from certain solids or liquids and have long term health effects.
Is a type of suspended particulate matter which is smaller than 2.5 micrometers in diameter and penetrates the lungs causing health problems.
Is a gas predominantly forming the ozone layer which protects the earths surface from harmful ultraviolet rays in the stratosphere. In the troposphere it is a pollutant and acts as a green house gas causing photochemical smog.