Modern Advances in Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences Vol. 7

It has been considered that mass extinction of dinosaurs – a complex problem of geology – has happened due to impact of a huge stone on earth as suggested by the father and son team of Alvarez who in 1980 proposed the view. Despite some criticisms, the view of Alvarez and Alvarez has been overwhelmingly supported by a large section of geologists, including paleontologists and other branches of sciences.

Here the author presents a substantially dissimilar view on extinction of dinosaurs for which it has been considered prerequisite to comprehend the cause of growth of the huge animals. From the extensive coal deposits of the Permian and Carboniferous era, it can be assumed that due to widespread photosynthesis of glossopteris-rich forests, oxygen content of the atmosphere of the Triassic period - that immediately followed - became significantly high. From this view possible reason for rapid growth of some animals can be assumed to be due to favorable oxygen-enriched environment with plenty of food material that prevailed during the Triassic period. In consequence, the animals that roamed in oxygen-enriched environment of that time where plenty of food was also available, naturally grew up to large size. Nevertheless, a completely contrasting situation prevailed during the K-T boundary stage when extensive volcanism took place in various parts of the globe for which oxygen content of the atmosphere was substantially reduced. This selectively caused extinction of the large animals which required higher amount of oxygen for sustenance, whereas the smaller animals remained unaffected.

Mining effect is expected to increase the radioactivity level in the environmental matrices at the mine areas. Presence of a river nearby the mine areas contributes to a chance of spreading of the enhanced level of radioactive contamination considerably into the areas. Our previous work already showed that alpha radioactivity of water of Subarnarekha River is enhanced due to the effect of Jaduguda uranium mine. The question that consequently pops up is whether the associated materials like soil, sand and gravel along the river path of Subarnarekha will also be contaminated with radionuclides. Such contamination will cause severe harm to public health because these objects are often used as building materials. For this, a large number of samples of soil, sand, stone and gravel have been collected from different locations along the Subarnarekha river path starting from the area near Jaduguda upto the river mouth and measured their alpha radioactivity using LR-115 SSNTDs. The measured alpha radioactivity ranges from 55 to 2116 Bq. Kg^-1, 283 to 760 Bq. Kg^-1, 933 to 2075 Bq. Kg^-1, and  979 to 1924 Bq. Kg^-1, for gravel, stone, sand and soil samples, respectively. In majority of the sites the soil samples show highest radioactivity among all the samples, and the average radioactivities of the soil & the sand samples are greater than those of gravel & stone samples. It is seen that the alpha radioactivity of soil and sand samples are correlated with the distance from Jaduguda along Subarnarekha river, but that for the samples of gravel and stone it is not so. The present study is the first ever attempt to measure and analyse the radioactivity patterns of soil, sand, stone & gravel along the Subarnarekha river path. This study reveals some noticeable facts that are not only important from the academic point of view but also crucial for the health of the local people.

Surface ozone is considered as a risk factor for crop production in the territory of central Russia. The known mechanisms of the effect of ozone on plants are given, and the levels of ozone in the surface atmosphere that are dangerous for various groups of plants are discussed. The data of long-term monitoring of ground-level ozone in central Russia (Vyatskiye Polyany town) are given, which indicate that due to the ongoing climate change and the increase in atmospheric pollution with nitrogen oxides, volatile hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, even in central Russia with a moderate non-hot climate there is a significant increase in the ozone content of the surface atmosphere. Moreover, the doses of exposure to ground-level ozone, which can be exposed to plants in central Russia, are comparable and even exceed the levels considered safe. This paper discusses the mechanisms of ozone influence on plants, levels of ozone in the surface atmosphere that are dangerous for different groups of plants, and provides monitoring data on tropospheric ozone in central regions of Russia.

The purpose of this work was a comparative analysis of the peak values of surface ozone content recorded at the Vyatskiye Polyany monitoring station during summer heat waves in July-August 2010 and 2016, when wavy and abnormally high air temperatures were observed for quite a long time. The analysis of the continuous monitoring data is presented. The values of the maximum short-term (peak) recorded values, obtained at 20-minute, 1-hour and 8-hour averaging, were analyzed. Under close temperature conditions, the amplitudes and durations of peak ozone concentrations in 2016 significantly exceeded the values observed in 2010. One of the possible reasons for this difference may be associated with an increase in the concentration of ozone precursors in the region’s atmosphere.

Aim: To estimate the Carbon sequestration potential of trees in Urban green spaces of Pune city.

Study Design: The methods suggested by Ravindranath and Ostwald were used for measuring the above and belowground biomass and estimation of carbon pool. Random sampling technique was used to collect soil samples. As the study area was one acre and above, each and every tree was sampled for various parameters. The GPS instrument was used for measuring latitude and longitude of each and every tree.

Objective of Study: To assess the carbon sequestration potential of garden vegetation developed by Pune Municipal Corporation and to check the potential of native and exotic species. Also, to take the mitigation measures and framing a policy for carbon credits based on the results

Place and Duration of Study: The gardens developed by Pune Municipal Corporation (total 66 having an area one acre and above) Pune, Three years (from January 2015 to December 2015, January 2016 to December 2016, January 2017 to December 2017)

Methodology: The gardens having an area one acre and above were selected for the work. Each calculated as per the standard methods given by Ravindranath and Ostwald [1] Soil samples were collected randomly from a depth of 30 cm as it is a zone of highest microbial activity. Walkley \(\gamma\) Black Wet Oxidation method was used to find out soil organic carbon.

Results: Total amount of above and belowground carbon sequestered was estimated to be 7,00,507.83 tonnes; litter and deadwood 24,904.05, and soil organic carbon 1879.905; and the sum of all were 7,27,291.785 tonnes. The exotic species sequester 2,69,287.4 tonnes and native sequester 80,966.55 tonnes of carbon. The rates of carbon in active markets are US\(\$\) 30 (Thirty dollars) per tonne.

Conclusion: Putting a conservative value of US\(\$\)30 per tonne of CO₂ locked in these sampled gardens, this carbon sink of about 7,27,291.785 tonnes of CO₂ is worth of US \(\$\) 21818753.55 or Indian Rs. 1606733011.422/-It will help in Climate mitigation and reducing the carbon footprints of Pune city. Our results are based on one two-time field measurement. However, long-term measurement of biomass is necessary for more accurate and precise results.

Background: In agro-ecosystems, the success of the crops has a strong connection to biodiversity in the landscape. In the face of climate change, it is important to understand the response to environmental variation of weed species by means of their distribution. In the last century, biodiversity has been impacted due to a variety of stresses related to climate change. Although composition of vegetation tends to change at a slower rate than climate change, we hypothesize species present in weed communities are distributed in diverse patterns as a response to the climate. The objectives of this study were: 1) to implement a novel methodology; 2) to analyze the distribution pattern of weed species with respect to climate gradients and identify weed species as potential indicator of climate changes; and 3) to provide data regarding expected weed distribution changes due to global warmer for agricultural managers, in order to maximize yield parameters by maintaining biodiversity.

Methods: Weeds were monitored in georeferenced cereal fields which spanned south and central Spanish regions. The graphic representation according to latitude allowed us to identify groups of weeds and associate them to a temperature range. We classified weeds as generalist, regional or local according to the range of distribution.

Results: The monitoring of species led to the classification of weeds as generalist, regional or local species according to latitude and associated temperature ranges. Three weed species that were present in all latitude/temperature regions, were classified as generalist (Linaria micrantha (Cav) Hoffmanns & Link., Sonchus oleraceous L. and Sysimbrium irium L.). The species were classified as regional or local when their presence was limited to restricted latitude/temperature ranges. One weed, Stellaria media (L.) Vill., was considered a local species and its distribution dynamics can be considered an indicator of temperature.

Conclusions: The novel methodology used in this study to assign weed distribution as an indicator of climatic conditions could be applied to evaluate climate gradients around the world.

Currently, the measurement of cadastral maps which serves for the land management is very important in Vietnam. Formerly, the measurement of cadastral maps in Vietnam is mostly done manually by measuring optical theodolite, and afterwards the map is drawn on the paper. Today with the development of new technologies, many technological applications are used for the measurement of cadastral maps in Vietnam. However, the measure of the cadastral map done by the electronic total station technology is the most popular because it is suitable for Vietnamese topographical conditions. The government of the state in regards to the land and the area needs to improve clearance, inspection and land dispute resolution.  In this method, the cadastral surveying is primarily used by the total station to measure direct in the field, then we use the specialized softwares such as MicroStation, FAMIS and Pronet to handle the measurement data and edit the map. In this study, cadastral mapping and measurement method for a particular area has found its conclusion. It is Cat Trinh Commune, Phu Cat District, Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam. The final result was the survey network diagram with 425 points including 24 high level cadastral points and the completed cadastral map with the total area of 4865.20 ha. There are 63 sheets in the cadastral map of Cat Trinh Commune which consists of 45 map sheets in scale 1: 2000, 18 map sheets in scale 1: 1000. All of them were stored as the digital files on the computer and the printed papers. Beside the cadastral maps, there are the statistical tables of the land area of each object and the purpose of the land use. This is an important document to help the State agencies to manage the land correctly, handy and consistently.

Direct discharge of municipal and industrial waste waters and leachate (originating from the illegal landfills) into recipients without prior purification is unfortunately very common practice in the region of northern Kosovo. In addition, irresponsible and incorrect selection of sites for industrial and municipal dumps, which are often located in vicinity or on the very river banks, contributes significantly to environmental pollution. Analysis of the leachate from such sites was done by direct sampling and by using TCLP (Toxicity Characteristic Leashing Procedures) method. Based on the analysis of physicochemical parameters of the filtrated water from the sites Zitkovac, Grabovac and Balaban and analysis of the samples of surface water and groundwater from the site Grabovac, possible steps for removal and reduction of the existing pollution were proposed. Potential permanent solution in form of purification of municipal and industrial waste waters as well as leachate from illegal landfills was suggested. The potential implementation of remediation with a unified system for water purification, by using Membrane Bio Reactor (MBR), which includes the process of stabilization/solidification of a residual sludge, would have as an end product a neutral powder material completely safe for the environment, suitable for a variety of applications. The aim of this study is to monitor the impact of leachate landfill water on surface and groundwater near landfills and to prevent and remediate pollution, by applying cleaner technologies in landfill water treatment.