UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Carbonate Compensation Depth (CCD) is a specific depth in the ocean below which calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) dissolves faster than it accumulates, meaning no calcium carbonate sediments can build up on the seafloor.

In the recent report titled “The Arctic’s Plastic Crisis: Toxic Threats to Health, Human Rights, and Indigenous Lands from the Petrochemical Industry,” two major environmental organizations have raised serious concerns.

Aquatic Deoxygenation (AD) is gaining global attention as scientists and environmental experts call for its recognition as a new planetary boundary. 

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are toxic chemicals that persist in the environment, bio-accumulate through the food web, and pose a risk to human health and the ecosystem. 

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has launched a $134-million initiative aimed at phasing out mercury-based medical devices in healthcare settings. 

Plastic pollution has become one of the most significant and urgent environmental challenges faced by the world today.

Recently, researchers made a concerning discovery microplastics have been found in human and canine testes, indicating the deep penetration of plastic pollution into biological systems.

Dredging is emerging as a common technique in efforts to restore the ecology of lakes. However, according to a recent study conducted on Lake Manjala, this process can lead to unpredictable and sometimes irreversible changes in the micro-ecology of the lake.

The Global E-Waste Monitor 2024, released by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and Fondation Carmignac, provides an in-depth analysis of the escalating global e-waste crisis. 

On August 22, 2022, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022, superseding the previous Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001.