Paddy and wheat cropping is a widespread farming practice in northwestern parts of India, primarily in the riverine plains of Haryana and Punjab. These fertile lands are well known for extensive agricultural fields; however, they are equally infamous for the burning of paddy and wheat straw and stubble by farmers after the harvesting season. In India, it is reckoned that 22,289 gigagrams (Gg) of paddy stubble biomass is generated annually, and of this 13,915 Gg (62.42%) is set ablaze in the agricultural fields. Haryana and Punjab alone produce 48% of the whole straw production in India, which is openly burned in situ. Burning of farm residue emits various trace gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH4), nitrogen oxides (NOX), and sulfur oxides (SOX), as well as huge quantities of particulate matter (PM), including PM of 10 microns or less (PM10) and 2.5 microns or less (PM2.5), into the atmosphere, causing negative impacts on human health and exacerbating global warming. It is estimated that the burning of one metric tonne (2,204.6 pounds) of straw releases 3 kilograms (kg) of PM, 60 kg of CO, 1,460 kg of CO2, 199 kg of ash, and 2 kg of SO2, causing significant global warming and acid rain. The major problems faced by the local people are eye irritation, dryness of eyes, lung diseases, and chest congestion. The National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab faced a disastrous smog impact during October 2016, and November 2017. These incidents led to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumoconiosis, bronchitis, cataract, corneal opacity, blindness, and air pollution (smog), especially indoor air pollution, which is also a risk factor for developing pulmonary tuberculosis. Because of severe air pollution, Delhi NCR alone experiences approximately 20,000 premature deaths annually. Cases of road accidents also increase during periods of stubble burning due to poor visibility. The emissions also contribute to haze, global warming, and climate change. In India, the National Green Tribunal prohibited this antediluvian farm practice of straw burning in the pollution‐racked city of New Delhi and the adjacent state of Haryana and, just to the northwest, Punjab. One of the methods that can be used to reduce this menace is incorporation of the straw into the soil, which eventually enhances soil fertility. The crop residue material can also be used for compost formation as a traditional approach. In addition, alternate energy resources can be generated from this agro‐biomass. Further, over the past decades, many conversion processes were developed to produce alternate biofuels in different forms (pellets, briquettes) from crop residues. An integrated crop residue management approach is the need of the hour to control this human‐induced catastrophe.
The elevated levels of fluoride in underground water enhance the prevalence of the fluorosis epidemic in Haryana state. To assess the groundwater geospatial variability of fluoride at different depths in central parts of Haryana, the present study has been explored. The samples at eight sites were collected in triplicate at 3 depth levels viz. a) < 10 m below ground level (bgl), b) 10-40 m bgl, and c) > 40 m bgl. Fluoride levels have been determined by the SPADANS-zirconyl oxychloride method using UV-VIS spectrophotometer (Systronics-118). The fluoride concentration varies from 0.19 mg/L to 2.87 mg/L. More than 38 percent of samples exceed the standard prescribed limit of 1.0 mg/L fluoride in drinking water. Fluoride contamination increases in post-monsoon samples with maximum concentration at 40 bgl depth. Due to geological factors (fluoride-bearing minerals in basement rocks) and human-induced (brick-kiln industries, phosphatic fertilizers) factors, a high concentration of fluoride in groundwater is observed. Sustainable defluoridation techniques and a good diet (calcium & vitamin c enriched) can control the adverse effects of fluorosis.
Potable water requirements for 98% of people in Haryana (India) are accomplished by groundwater resources. Considering the presence of high fluoride content in ground aquifers, and the subsequent problem of dental fluorosis, this study was conducted in the central region of Haryana state. Underground water samples at eight sites at three depths were examined during premonsoon and postmonsoon (2018–2020) to differentiate the impact of water recharging and its interaction with rocks. The SPADANS‐zirconyl oxychloride method (UV–vis spectrophotometer – Systronics 118) was adopted for fluoride‐level detection. The fluoride level in sampling sites varied from 0.19 to 2.87 ppm with a mean of 1.06 ppm in water samples. More than 38% of samples did not meet the optimum permissible limit (1 ppm) of fluoride in potable water. The fluoride level intensifies in postmonsoon samples with the maximum concentration at 40 m bgl depth. Estimated marginal mean statistics illustrate a significant impact of locations, depth of water sample, and monsoon season on fluoride levels. Fluorosis prevalence among school‐going children (N = 1600) was also assessed (Dean's index) to gain implications of fluoride concentration on health. Forty‐nine percent of children suffer from various levels of dental fluorosis with male children had high occurrences. Public health authorities must ensure safe drinking water availability and preventive measures for fluorosis prevalence in this region through defluoridation of water resources and distribution of calcium/ascorbic acid food supplement to school children.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.