23rd-24th April Important Events By Kandela IAS

Rare-Earth Elements Discovered in Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh

Introduction

Scientists at the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) in Hyderabad have discovered the presence of rare-earth elements (REEs) in the Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh. The discovery was part of a study funded by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under a project called ‘Shallow subsurface imaging Of India for Resource Exploration’ (SHORE).

What are Rare-Earth Elements?

Rare-earth elements (REEs) are a group of 17 elements, including lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, yttrium, hafnium, tantalum, niobium, zirconium, and scandium. These elements are widely used in modern electronics, such as smartphones, computers, jet aircraft, and other products, due to their unique magnetic, optical, and catalytic properties. These elements are crucial components in various electronic devices and have industrial applications in sectors like imaging, aerospace, and defense.

SHORE Project and Discovery of REEs

NGRI scientists found enriched quantities of REEs in “whole rock analyses”. Drilling for at least a kilometer deep will help ascertain the consistency of the elements’ presence underground. The discovery is significant as these elements are in high demand worldwide, and their supply is limited. China is currently the world’s largest producer and exporter of rare-earth elements (REEs), accounting for more than 80% of global production. The country has significant reserves of REEs and has invested heavily in mining and processing infrastructure.

Significance of the Discovery

The discovery of REEs in the Anantapur district is significant as it opens up new opportunities for India to become self-reliant in the production of these elements. The dependence on China for the supply of REEs can be reduced, and it can also create new job opportunities in the region. Furthermore, this discovery can boost the country’s economy and increase India’s competitiveness in the global market. The discovery of REEs in India is a step towards achieving the goal of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ or ‘Self-Reliant India’ in the field of rare-earth production.

Jal Shakti Ministry to establish a network of groundwater sensors for monitoring contamination levels and quality

Introduction:

The Jal Shakti Ministry, which oversees water resources in India, has launched an ambitious plan to deploy a vast network of groundwater sensors to continuously monitor groundwater quality and contamination levels down to the taluk level. Here are some key points about the plan:

Continuous monitoring:
Currently, groundwater levels and contamination are measured only a few times a year and communicated through reports of the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB). Under the new plan, around 16,000-17,000 digital water level recorders will be connected to piezometers in wells to continuously measure groundwater quality and contamination levels. This information will be fed into a centralised network, such as that of the National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC), and be available for monitoring.
Greater visibility: Establishing a network of sensors will make groundwater visible in the same way as air quality and meteorological variables such as air pressure, moisture, and precipitation. This will enable the Jal Shakti Ministry to provide groundwater forecasts to farmers, which will be useful for sowing, and updated advisories that can influence groundwater extraction policies by states. Most of this information will be publicly accessible.
Network expansion: The CGWB currently relies on a network of about 26,000 groundwater observation wells that require technicians to manually measure the state of groundwater in a region. In the next three years, the CGWB aims to increase its network to about 40,000. When combined with similar networks possessed by other institutions – state bodies, agriculture and meteorology departments – India will have about 67,000 digitally recordable units to monitor groundwater dynamics.
National Aquifer Mapping Program: The CGWB is in charge of the National Aquifer Mapping Program (NAQUIM), which has mapped the country’s aquifers at a resolution of 1:50000 as of March. Under the second phase of the program, the resolution is expected to improve by five times in the country. So far, an area of 25.15 lakh square km has been covered under the NAQUIM studies.
Extraction and contamination: The Ground Water Resource Assessment-2022 shows that the total annual groundwater recharge in the country is 437.60 billion cubic meters (BCM). The annual extractable groundwater resource has been assessed as 398.08 BCM, with actual extraction of 239.16 BCM. The average stage of groundwater extraction for the country as a whole is about 60.08%, and anything above 70% is considered “critical.” Some regions in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan have groundwater blocks with over 100% extraction. Groundwater contamination, mostly natural, hasn’t significantly changed over the years. Nitrate contamination, a result of nitrogenous fertilisers, has been observed, and some regions have fluoride and arsenic contamination.
Intensive monitoring: Those regions and states that are known to have groundwater contamination, such as coastal salinity or excessive depletion, will be monitored more intensely for action by states.

the Jal Shakti Ministry’s plan to deploy a vast network of groundwater sensors will provide critical information on groundwater quality and contamination levels. This information will be crucial for decision-making by farmers, states, and other institutions. Continuous monitoring will make groundwater visible and publicly accessible, and intensive monitoring of contaminated regions will enable prompt action by states.

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