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Time of India
08-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
‘Wonder worms' clean up water samples from dirtiest lakes in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad: A microscopic worm has done what chemicals and machines couldn't — clean up water samples from Ahmedabad's most polluted lakes in just a week. Researchers at Gujarat University's department of environmental science deployed Acrobeloides maximus, a soil-dwelling, bacteria-feeding nematode (a microscopic roundworm), to restore the health of three severely contaminated lakes — Kankaria, Malav Talav, and Virat Sarovar — plagued for years by sewage, industrial waste and rampant algal blooms. Before treatment, the lakes were choking with pollutants. Virat Sarovar, in particular, recorded a water quality index (WQI) of over 500 — rendering it "unfit for drinking". Enter Acrobeloides maximus, immobilized in biodegradable alginate beads, and deployed to feed on harmful bacteria and organic waste. Seven days later, the results were surprising. Turbidity levels plummeted, dissolved oxygen levels surged and most notably, WQI scores improved so significantly that Virat Sarovar leapt from "dangerous" to "good" water quality. The WQI of samples from Malav Talav dropped from 94.02 (good) to 36.30 (excellent), Kankaria Lake's WQI improved from 199.19 (poor) to 51.46 (good), and Virat Sarovar's from 504.42 (not suitable for drinking) to 72.85 (good). Nematodes like Acrobeloides maximus live in dry, sandy soil and eat bacteria. This helps break down different microbes and protects against harmful ones. In this study, scientists grew the Acrobeloides maximus population in a special nutrient mix. To keep them from spreading in water, they trapped the nematodes in biodegradable sodium alginate beads. "Nematodes react to pollutants. Research has shown that Acrobeloides maximus can break down more than 99% of pesticides in wastewater. They also improve water aeration," states the preprint research paper by Mercy Anne Chiphaso, Sunita Chauhan and Hiteshkumar Solanki. This kept them stable, active and alive longer, while making them more effective at cleaning organic waste. The technique worked well, with over 90% of the nematodes staying alive inside the beads, showing promise for improving wastewater treatment naturally and safely. The paper was published in Elsevier's SSRN journal.
Saba Yemen
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Study: Emissions from War on Gaza Exceed Those of 102 Individual Countries Annually
New York – Saba: Researchers have concluded that greenhouse gas emissions resulting from Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip over the past year and a half exceed the annual emissions of 102 individual countries. Researchers from the UK, the US, Ghana, Ukraine, and Austria submitted a study on the environmental impacts of Israel's attacks on Gaza, covering 15 months, to the Social Science Research Network (SSRN), based in New York, according to Anadolu Agency. The study found that the greenhouse gas emissions caused by Israel's assault on Gaza—when factoring in both pre-war and post-war construction activities—surpass the annual emissions of 102 countries. It stated that the long-term climate cost of destroying Gaza, clearing rubble, and rebuilding the region will amount to 31 million tons of carbon dioxide. About 20% of this amount is attributed to carbon emissions during Israel's surveillance and bombing operations, as well as fuel consumed by tanks and military vehicles, and the manufacturing and detonation of bombs. The study noted that approximately 30% of the emissions came from the United States, which shipped 50,000 tons of weapons and other military supplies to Israel, mostly via cargo planes and ships from European stockpiles. The largest climate cost will come from reconstructing Gaza, with researchers estimating that clearing the debris and rebuilding around 436,000 housing units, 700 schools, mosques, government offices, and infrastructure such as roads will generate around 29.4 million tons of greenhouse gases—equivalent to Afghanistan's total carbon emissions in 2023. Researchers estimate that the long-term climate cost of Israeli attacks on Gaza, Yemen, Iran, and Lebanon is equivalent to operating 84 natural gas power plants for a year. Supported by the U.S. and Europe, the Israeli military has been committing acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, resulting in 54,321 deaths, mostly among women and children, and 123,770 injuries as of Friday. Thousands more remain under rubble or on roads inaccessible to rescue teams. Israel has imposed an 18-year blockade on Gaza, and about 1.5 million Palestinians out of 2.4 million have been left homeless. The population faces extreme famine due to Israel's near-total closure of crossings and the severe restriction of humanitarian aid. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
