Tag: Food

Introduction

Algae are photosynthetic eukaryotes with one or more cells that live in watery environments. They serve as the foundation of aquatic food chains that supply nutrients to a variety of aquatic herbivores. An algal bloom occurs when the population of algae suddenly increases, usually as a result of changed environmental conditions. A bloom of algae resembles foam or scum floating over the water. Some algal blooms emit a foul stench as a result of the overgrowth of bacteria. A distinguishing characteristic of an algal bloom is the physical colouring of the water.

What is an Algal Bloom?

Algal blooms occur either in freshwater or marine water systems, resulting in the rapid growth of algae. As a result of the pigments, water appears red, brown, reddish-brown, or green. The size of algae may vary from unicellular organisms to macroscopic multicellular organisms. In contrast to multicellular entities, algal blooms are characterised by microscopic organisms. In stagnant water, an algal mat forms when the population size is elevated. As a result, aquatic organisms have less oxygen available to them.

Improving your Science concepts. Study Science Lesson for classes 6th, 7th, and 8th.

What are the causes of Algal Bloom?

Climate: 

• During the time of summer, ponds and lakes experience a marked increase in temperature and light intensity, both of which may lead to algal blooms.
• The stillness of stagnant water, such as ponds and lakes, causes the top layers of water to heat up while the deeper layers of water remain relatively cool. 
• As a result of low wind speeds, surface water tends to be still, allowing thermal stratification to occur. 
• Extended drought due to poor rainfall and reduced water flow into freshwater systems make them stagnant. This is an added advantage for algae to multiply their numbers.

Nutrient load:

• Dissolved minerals provide nutrients to aquatic species. When water is overloaded with nutrients (excess nitrogen and phosphorus), algae are fertilized and grow rapidly. The process of loading nutrients into the water body is known as eutrophication.
• Nitrogen and phosphorus-rich fertilizers are sprayed on farmlands and crops. Water streams drain fertilizer into lakes and reservoirs after heavy rains. Water bodies are polluted by urban wastes carried by stormwater runoff.
• Algal blooms on shorelines are caused by nutrients carried by rivers and deposited into oceans.

United effect:

• Algal bloom cannot be solely caused by nutrient enrichment. Several factors must come together to produce an unusual environmental condition for algae to bloom. 
• It is possible for algae not to bloom in muddy ponds, even though the water is nutrient-rich, warm, and stagnant.
• Due to the turbidity of muddy waters, and lack of sunlight needed for photosynthesis they cannot grow.

Importance of Algal Bloom   

• Algal blooms render water unsafe for consumption by both animals and humans. 
• Some algal blooms have a slimy appearance and a bad odour. 
• They cause serious economic losses by making the water unfit for leisure activities like swimming, boating, and fishing. 
• In the water, some algal blooms release poisons or compounds that can seriously ill human beings. They are referred to as harmful algal blooms (HAB).

Effects of Algal Bloom

Effect on the ecosystem:

• Algal bloom can be thought of as a disturbance to the natural environment because of its impact on it. Any species’ population fluctuations can have a direct or indirect impact on other creatures living in the particular ecosystem. A single algae species’ overpopulation stunts the development of other organisms, which has clear implications for the food chain. 
• Dead zone: The lifespan of algae is brief. After the life cycle is complete, a fast rise in population causes dead biomass to accumulate. It creates a need for extensive breakdown. Dissolved oxygen is depleted by decomposers, which reduces its availability to other life forms. Aquatic organisms have a difficult time surviving and exhibit significant mortality in a habitat with little dissolved oxygen. A dead zone results from this. Dead zones result in significant economic losses for the fishing and shellfish industries.
• The dead, rotting algae float as floating particles that block fish gills and kill them. 
• When algae create poisons that are detrimental to people and other living things, then they are known as harmful algal bloom (HAB). Direct contact with HAB can result in a deadly disease and severe sickness, fever, diarrhea, and skin rashes.
• Water that has algal blooms is unsafe for drinking and other recreational uses.

How does Algal Bloom affect the Quality of Water?

• Depending on the species, algal blooms can look like scum, froth, or paint. 
• They could tint the water and emit a foul, pungent stench. 
• Algal pigments give water its reddish, pinkish, yellowish, brownish, or golden appearance. 
• Water becomes unsafe for drinking when algae develop. Drinking water that contains dangerous algal blooms poses serious health hazards. 
• The neurological system, liver, and gastroenterological system are all negatively impacted by toxins. 
• Toxins in HAB water cannot be eliminated by boiling or cooking.

Summary

Algal blooms occur either in freshwater or marine water systems, resulting in the rapid growth of algae.  During the summer, ponds and lakes experience a marked increase in temperature and light intensity, both of which may lead to algal blooms. Algae are fertilized and grow rapidly when water is overloaded with nutrients (excess nitrogen and phosphorus). Algal blooms render water unsafe for consumption by both animals and humans.  The dead, rotting algae float as floating particles that block fish gills and kill them.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1.How Long does an Algal Bloom Last?
Ans. Algal blooms are a transient phenomenon that continues for a maximum of five months. While apparent algal blooms fade away as a result of cleaning and restoration efforts, toxins cannot disappear unless the water goes through an effective treatment procedure.

2. How can Algal blooms be Stopped in Lakes and Reservoirs?
Ans. Aerators are installed in lakes to prevent immobility. Aerators continuously circulate water to avoid stagnation since motionless water causes thermal stratification.

3. Describe Red Tide.
Ans. Algal bloom in oceans is frequently referred to as “red tide.” When ocean waters are physically discoloured, it is more acceptable. Red tides are not always dangerous algal blooms.

Introduction

One of the earliest Upanishads, the Chhandogya Upanishad, has eight chapters. This Upanishad stressed several philosophical ideas, including awareness of virtue and evil, a connection to space, the cosmos as a whole, and unity with parmataman, among others. The lives of individuals started to alter at that point. 

In parallel, Buddhism was developing in ancient India, where Gautam Buddha was available to respond to their inquiries. He imparted knowledge about life’s secrets. He explained that difficulties and suffering are a natural part of life. The people’s unchecked desires are to blame for these issues. With time and the passage of life, this can be overcome. Man must show compassion and deference to all living things, including animals. There are numerous stories of individuals realising the truths that the Buddha wanted to impart to us. These tales are referred to as the Buddha’s Tale. One of the most well-known tales is about the wise beggar. We shall go into great detail about the story and its effects in this tutorial.

History in The Story

Shaunaka and Abhipratarin were two saints who lived in the distant past. Both of them have practised meditation there before. They worshipped a divinity called Vāyu or a spirit god. He is also considered the god of the universe. People used to think that all living things are connected by a common deity. The saints bowed before the god and then sat down for their meal. Unexpectedly, a beggar approached the saints. He requested food from the saints. However, the saints weren’t ready to provide the beggar with food. The saint Shaunaka then instructed him to depart after declaring that they would not give him their food.

The beggar then enquired as to whom they were worshipping. The saint Abhipratarin then told the beggar that they revered Vāyu, a spirit god. According to the beggar, if they were worshipping a god of spirits, they should be aware that he was present throughout the entire universe. The saints responded by stating that they were aware that God’s spirit existed throughout the cosmos, and that this was why he was referred to as the universe’s creator. The beggar said, “If the god Vāyu is full of the entire world, then he is likewise full of the world. Thus, I am also a part of the universe.”  The saints claimed that the beggar told the truth. The beggar then asked the saints whether they were having a meal with him, implying that they were depriving the universe’s creator god of sustenance. The beggar’s message was clear to the saints. They understood that their choice was unwise. The two sages, Shaunaka and Abhipratarin, then decided to give the beggar some of their food.

The beggar organised his food with wisdom and confidence. With this conviction, the beggar persuaded two learned sages that their acts and sermonising were not the same. The lesson here is that words and actions must match when it comes to giving to the less fortunate. Everyone should practise kindness and share their food. Furthermore, personality is defined by traits like generosity, kindness, serving others, etc.

Learnings from Story

People began exploring information through theses, or statements of opinion, in the ancient world. Second, an objection is a response that disputes or challenges the argument. Third, the synthesis is referred to as the dialectical approach to information assessment. This chapter has shown us that a book cannot be used to locate information. The book also incorporates concepts from the human brain in its writing. Our brain’s knowledge and thoughts can help us deal with any scenario we face in life. The more you learn for yourself, the more you may discover about the world. A person with minimal education ages like a plough ox. His intelligence does not grow, but his flesh does. He was able to get food for the wise by acting like a clever beggar and using his cleverness.

Summary

From this story, we can conclude that it is better to put things into action in which we believe, rather than just merely believing and not practising. The beggar similarly taught two saints that if they trusted in the universal soul, the universal soul would assist the beggar in obtaining food.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.What are Upanishads?
Ans. Hindus have ancient religious works known as the Upanishads, which are a subset of the later Vedic literature. The name “Upanishad” literally translates to “sitting down,” alluding to the fact that during the Vedic period, students would sit next to their enlightened gurus under a tree to get an education.

2.What was the main Belief of these Upanishads?
Ans. The Upanishads include the ideas of thinkers who looked for solutions to philosophical problems. They believed the Universe to be made up of something enduring that even death could not destroy. This “permanence” was created by the union of the individual soul (atman) and the universal soul (Brahman).

3.Write a note on Chhandogya Upanishad.
Ans. One of the biggest Upanishadic compounds is the Chhandogya Upanishad, which comprises eight Prapathakas and several volumes and verses in each. The volumes contain a jumble of tales and subjects. Om’s melody, the substance of everything, language structure, and cosmic literature are all present in the first prapathaka.

4.What is Atma and Paramatma?
Ans. While Paramatma alludes to the absolute, Atma refers to the human soul. Atma is used to refer to the human soul in Vedantic philosophies, while Paramatma or Brahma is used to refer to the Absolute.

5.When were the Upanishads Written? Which is the First Upanishad?
Ans. From the fifth century BCE to the second century BCE, the Upanishads were written. Brihadaranyaka wrote the original Upanishad.