Q.40. Water could be the source of the world’s
next big conflict. Explain.
(AKTU. - 2013-14)
Ans. Conflicts over water: -
The
world does not consider water the scarce resource that is. Unless this changes,
the world may be faced with another polarizing force to replace the cold war.
Water plays a central role in assuring an adequate
food supply. Agriculture is the largest consumer of water, using an average of
80 percent of total water consumption in developing countries. As population
swells and incomes grow, demand for water residential and industrial purposes
increases rapidly. With water becoming increasingly scarce and development of
new sources of water becoming very costly for many already capital-short
countries, more national conflicts are expected to arise, pitting industry
urban centres and agriculture against each other. To solve these national water
tensions countries tend to look beyond their borders for wider region over
water basins they share with other countries. Hence national water scarcity
could escalate existing tensions between nations and to flare-ups of
long-standing international water conflict.
Conflicts may stem from the drive to possess or
control another nation’s water resources, thus making water system and
resources a political or military goal. Inequitable distribution and of water
resources, sometimes arising from a water development may lead to development
disputes heighten the importance of water as a strategic goal or may lead to a
degradation of another’s source of water. Conflicts may also arise when water
system are used as instruments of war, either as targets or tools.
Conflicts are brewing now over rivers and river
basins shared by many countries around the world. This is not unexpected given
the fact that than 200 bodies are shared by two or more countries.
Q.41. What is primary and secondary air
pollutants? (AKTU. 2013 - 14)
Ans. Pollutants
are classified as primary or secondary. Primary pollutants are usually produced
from a process, such as ash from a volcanic eruption. Other examples include
carbon monoxide gas from motor vehicle exhaust, or the sulfur dioxide released
from factories. Secondary pollutants are not emitted directly. Rather, they
form in the air when primary pollutants react or interact. Ground level ozone
is a prominent example of a secondary pollutant. Some pollutants may be both
primary and secondary: they are both emitted directly and formed from other
primary pollutants.
Q.42. Write about earthquake disaster. (AKTU. - 2013-14)
Ans. Earthquake:-
An earthquake is the shaking of the earth caused by pieces of the crust
of the Earth that suddenly shift. The crust, the thin outer layer, is mostly
cold and brittle rock compared to the hot rock deeper inside. This crust is
full of large and small cracks called faults. Although these faults can be
hundreds of miles long. Usually you cannot see the cracks because they are
buried deep under-ground and because the pieces of crust are compressed
together very tightly.
Earthquakes occur because of a sudden release of stored
energy. This energy has built up over long periods of time as a result of
tectonic forces within the earth. Most earthquakes take place along faults in
the upper 25 miles of the earth’s surface when one side rapidly moves relative
to the other side of the fault. This sudden motion causes shock waves (seismic
waves) to radiate from their point of origin called the focus and travel
through the earth. It is these seismic waves that can produce ground motion
which people call an earthquake. Every year there are thousnds of eartquakes
that can be felt by people and over one million that are strong enough to be
recorded by instruments. Strong seismic waves can cause great local damage and
they can travel large distances. But even weaker seismic waves can travel far
and can be detected by sensimic waves can cause great local damage and they can
travel large distances. But even weaker seismic waves can travel far and
can be detected by sensitive scientific instruments called seismographs.
Effects of Earthquakes:-
Ground Shaking -
Violent
ground shaking could last for up to a minute in a large earthquake. It may be
very difficult to remain standing during the earthquake. Several hundred
aftershocks could ge felt in the weeks following the main quake.
Slope Failure
(landslides) -
Damage from
earthquake-induced landslides can ring range from severely weakened foundations
and structural failure, to total destruction.
Liquefication -
Ground -
shaking causes some soils to behave like a liquid, causing structures to sink,
tilt or topple over.
Fault Movement -
A rupture
of the fault could involve horizontal and/or vertical movement of several
metres. This could cause buildings, roads, water mains, gas lines and power
cables that cross the faultline to be displaced.
Earthquake Safety Tips:-
1. Prepare for an Earthquake
Just Like You Prepare for Stroms:
A. Look for hazards in your
home, workplace, and/or school.
B. Secure all objects
capable from falling during an earthquake.
C. Put all breakables in
fastened cabinets.
D. Buy flashlights,
batteries, and battary powered radios and televisions.
E . Have a fire
extinguisher and first aid kit available.
F. Have several gallons of
bottled water on hand.
G. Have charcoal and / or
propane in order to cook in case of loss of electricity.
H. Have canned foods
available.
I. Have an Earthquake
Family Plan outlining where to go in the house (Safe spots) as well as meeting
places after the quake.
J. Have Earthquake Drills
to practice the Family Earthquake Plan.
2. During an Earthquake:-
A.
Stay Calm.
B. Follow the Earthquake Family Plan.
C. Duch and Cover.
D. Do not try to enter or leave any
building.
3. After an
Earthquake:-
A.
Check for injuries.
B. Listen to the water until told that
it is safe.
C. Do not drink the water until told
that it is safe.
D. Check your location for possible
damage and safeness.
E
. Relocate if necessary.
F. Call out -
of - town friends and family to update them on your safety and location.