Chicxulub asteroid impact: Stunning fossils record dinosaurs'...
Transcript of Chicxulub asteroid impact: Stunning fossils record dinosaurs'...
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Scientists have found an extraordinary snapshot of the fallout from the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. Excavations in North Dakota reveal fossils of fish and trees that were sprayed with rocky glassy fragments that fell from the sky. The deposits show evidence of having been swamped with water - the consequence of the colossal sea surge that was generated by the impact.
Chicxulub asteroid impact:
Stunning fossils record dinosaurs' demise
- Source : BBC Science
Robert DePalma, from the University of Kansas says that the dig site, at a place called Tanis, gives an amazing glimpse into events that probably occurred perhaps in only tens of minutes to a couple of hours after the giant asteroid hit the Earth. When this 12km-wide object slammed into the Gulf of Mexico, it would have hurled billions of tones of molten and vaporized rock into the sky in all directions and across thousands of kilometers. Fish are found with the impact-induced debris embedded in their gills. They would have breathed in the fragments that filled the water around them. There are also particles caught in amber, which is the preserved remnant of tree resin. It is even possible to discern the wake left by these tiny, glassy tektites, to use the technical term, as they entered the resin. From the way the Tanis deposits are arranged, the scientists can see that the area was hit by a massive surge of water. The researchers believe local water could have been displaced quickly by the seismic shockwave - equivalent to a magnitude 10 or 11 earthquake - that would have rippled around the Earth. It is a type of surge described as a “Seiche”, which would have picked up everything in its path and dumped it into the jumbled collection of specimens now being reported by the team.
A tangled mass of freshwater fish, terrestrial vertebrates, trees, branches, logs, marine ammonites and other marine creatures was all packed into this layer by the inland-directed surge rising from the impact.
BURHANI FOUNDATION (INDIA) Amatullah Manzil, 65 Bazargate Street, Fort, Mumbai-1.
VOLUME 109 | ISSUE 115 | APRIL 2019
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Environment Wellness & Lifestyle Monthly Newsletter Established by H.H. Dr. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (RA)
in 1992
ELECTRICITY GENERATION FROM BIOGAS
Biogas technology is the generation of a combustible gas from anaerobic biomass digestion. There are millions of biogas plants in operation throughout the world. Whereas using the gas for direct combustion in household stoves or gas lamps is common, producing electricity from biogas is still relatively rare in most developing countries. In Germany and other industrialized countries, conversion of biogas to electricity has become a standard technology. The biogas yield of a plant depends not only on the type of feedstock, but also on the plant design, fermentation temperature and retention time. Maize silage for example, a common feedstock in Germany, yields about 8 times more biogas per ton than cow manure.
The conversion of biogas to electric power by a generator set is most practical. Biogas is used as fuel for combustion engines, which convert it to mechanical energy, powering an electric generator to produce electricity. Appropriate electric generators are available in virtually all countries and in all sizes. The technology is well known and maintenance is simple. In most cases, even universally available 3-phase electric motors can be converted into generators. Technologically far more challenging is the first stage of the generator set: the combustion engine using the biogas as fuel. In theory, biogas can be used as fuel in all types of combustion engines, such as gas engines (Otto motor), diesel engines and gas turbines.
Main requirements of gas quality for electricity generation are :
♦ The methane content should be high
♦ The water vapor and CO2 content should be low
♦ The sulphur content mainly in form of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) must be low
♦ The water vapor content must be reduced
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This event complements another initiative by Burhani Foundation (India) known as the Reforesta-tion and Environmental Study Drive which aims to resuscitate once thriving eco-systems such as Rajmachi in the western ghats; to restore them to their former state and to spark interest of young minds towards nature conservation.
To celebrate World Sparrow Day, Burhani Foundation (India) distributed bird feeders to those residing near Mithi River and Versova Beach. The activity was done in partnership with Adv. Afroz Shah as a way of supplementing the ongoing ‘Turning the Tide’ initiative with a more diverse and comprehensive approach to conservation and environmental responsibility. Community members and school children also participated in the event.
World Sparrow Day—20th March 2019
The initiative is inspired by the teachings of Islam and various prophetic traditions which instruct Muslims to be mindful not only of the environment in which they live, but also consider and care for the various creatures which inhabit it along with us.
During the 100th birthday celebra-tions of His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA in March 2011, BFI set a Guinness World Record by distributing 52,000 bird feeders in an attempt to save the Sparrow.
The current activity aims to take the initiative further and create much needed awareness about the steadily decreasing number of sparrows the world over.
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In the warmer months, it can be tempting to blast the air conditioner in an effort to
stay cool. But there is a much cheaper, more environmentally friendly way to keep
the temperature down in your house: plants. Plants lose water during transpiration,
which cools the air around the plants, leaving it purified and fresh. If you're looking
for a natural, inexpensive way to keep your house cool, consider getting one of these
five plants, which can help keep temperatures down.
5 Plants To Help Keep Your House Naturally Cool
1. Aloe Vera
Having an aloe vera plant on hand will not only come
in handy if you get any nasty sunburns, but it is also
effective at cooling the air temperature and removing
formaldehyde from the air.
2. Areca Palm Tree
One of the most popular living room plants is the areca palm
tree, a decorative house plant that acts as a natural
humidifier. In addition to cooling off your home, the areca
palm can remove benzene, formaldehyde & trichloroethylene
from the air.
3. Ficus Tree
The Ficus tree, also known as a weeping fig,
helps to keep the air temperature cool as well as
reduce air pollution and improve air quality.
4. Fern
This plant helps to not only cool and humidify the air, but
like aloe vera, it is good for cleaning formaldehyde out of
the air. In fact, scientists at NASA say the fern is one of
the most effective air-purifying plants.
5. Golden Pothos
The golden pothos is a great plant for those who aren’t exactly
garden-savvy, as it’s extremely easy to take care of. It requires
little light and little care, and it will keep your air cool as well as
purified.