April 2019

VOLUME 109 | ISSUE 115 | APRIL 2019 Page 4 Established by H.H. Dr. Syedna Environment Wellness & Lifestyle Monthly Newsletter Mohammed Burhanuddin (RA) Chicxulub asteroid impact: Stunning fossils record dinosaurs' demise in 1992 Scientists have found an extraordinary snapshot of the fallout from the asteroid ELECTRICITY GENERATION FROM BIOGAS impact that wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. Excavations in North Dakota reveal fossils of fish and trees that were sprayed with rocky glassy Biogas technology is the generation of a combustible gas from anaerobic biomass fragments that fell from the sky. The deposits show evidence of having been digestion. There are millions of biogas plants in operation throughout the world. swamped with water - the consequence of the colossal sea surge that was Whereas using the gas for direct combustion in household stoves or gas lamps is generated by the impact. common, producing electricity from biogas is still relatively rare in most developing countries. In Germany and other industrialized countries, conversion of biogas to A tangled mass of freshwater fish, terrestrial electricity has become a standard technology. The biogas yield of a plant depends vertebrates, trees, branches, logs, marine not only on the type of feedstock, but also on the plant design, fermentation ammonites and other marine creatures was all temperature and retention time. Maize silage for example, a common feedstock in packed into this layer by the inland-directed Germany, yields about 8 times more biogas per ton than cow manure. surge rising from the impact. Main requirements of gas quality for Robert DePalma, from the University of Kansas says that the dig site, at a place electricity generation are : called Tanis, gives an amazing glimpse into events that probably occurred perhaps ♦ The methane content should be high in only tens of minutes to a couple of hours after the giant asteroid hit the Earth. ♦ The water vapor and CO2 content When this 12km-wide object slammed into the Gulf of Mexico, it would have hurled should be low billions of tones of molten and vaporized rock into the sky in all directions and ♦ The sulphur content mainly in form of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) must across thousands of kilometers. Fish are found with the impact-induced debris be low embedded in their gills. They would have breathed in the fragments that filled the ♦ The water vapor content must be reduced water around them. There are also particles caught in amber, which is the The conversion of biogas to electric power by a generator set is most practical. preserved remnant of tree resin. It is even possible to discern the wake left by Biogas is used as fuel for combustion engines, which convert it to mechanical energy, powering an electric generator to produce electricity. Appropriate electric these tiny, glassy tektites, to use the technical term, as they entered the resin. generators are available in virtually all countries and in all sizes. The technology is well known and maintenance is simple. In most cases, even universally available 3- From the way the Tanis deposits are arranged, the scientists can see that the area phase electric motors can be converted into generators. Technologically far more challenging is the first stage of the generator set: the combustion engine using the was hit by a massive surge of water. The researchers believe local water could have biogas as fuel. In theory, biogas can be used as fuel in all types of combustion engines, such as gas engines (Otto motor), diesel engines and gas turbines. been displaced quickly by the seismic shockwave - equivalent to a magnitude 10 or 11 earthquake - that would have rippled around the Earth. It is a type of surge described as a “Seiche”, which would have picked up everything in its path and dumped it into the jumbled collection of specimens now being reported by the team. - Source : BBC Science Recycled Paper Used Recycled Paper Used BURHANI FOUNDATION (INDIA) Amatullah Manzil, 65 Bazargate Street, Fort, Mumbai-1. Phone: 22678480 / 22634326 Youtube: Burhani Foundation India Channel Website: burhanifoundationindia.org Facebook: Burhani-Foundation-India Email: [email protected] Twitter: BFI_environment [email protected] Instagram: burhani.foundation

Page 2 Page 3 World Sparrow Day—20th March 2019 5 Plants To Help Keep Your House Naturally Cool To celebrate World Sparrow Day, Burhani Foundation (India) distributed bird feeders In the warmer months, it can be tempting to blast the air conditioner in an effort to to those residing near Mithi River and Versova Beach. The activity was done in stay cool. But there is a much cheaper, more environmentally friendly way to keep partnership with Adv. Afroz Shah as a way of supplementing the ongoing ‘Turning the temperature down in your house: plants. Plants lose water during transpiration, the Tide’ initiative with a more diverse and comprehensive approach to conservation which cools the air around the plants, leaving it purified and fresh. If you're looking and environmental responsibility. Community members and school children also for a natural, inexpensive way to keep your house cool, consider getting one of these participated in the event. five plants, which can help keep temperatures down. 1. Aloe Vera The initiative is inspired by the teachings of Islam and various Having an aloe vera plant on hand will not only come prophetic traditions which instruct in handy if you get any nasty sunburns, but it is also Muslims to be mindful not only of effective at cooling the air temperature and removing the environment in which they formaldehyde from the air. live, but also consider and care for the various creatures which 2. Areca Palm Tree inhabit it along with us. During the 100th birthday celebra- One of the most popular living room plants is the areca palm tions of His Holiness Dr. Syedna tree, a decorative house plant that acts as a natural Mohammed Burhanuddin RA in humidifier. In addition to cooling off your home, the areca March 2011, BFI set a Guinness palm can remove benzene, formaldehyde & trichloroethylene World Record by distributing from the air. 52,000 bird feeders in an attempt to save the Sparrow. 3. Ficus Tree The current activity aims to take the initiative further and create much needed The Ficus tree, also known as a weeping fig, awareness about the steadily decreasing number of sparrows the world over. helps to keep the air temperature cool as well as reduce air pollution and improve air quality. This event complements another initiative by Burhani Foundation 4. Fern (India) known as the Reforesta- tion and Environmental Study This plant helps to not only cool and humidify the air, but Drive which aims to resuscitate like aloe vera, it is good for cleaning formaldehyde out of once thriving eco-systems such the air. In fact, scientists at NASA say the fern is one of as Rajmachi in the western the most effective air-purifying plants. ghats; to restore them to their 5. Golden Pothos former state and to spark interest of young minds towards The golden pothos is a great plant for those who aren’t exactly nature conservation. garden-savvy, as it’s extremely easy to take care of. It requires Recycled Paper Used little light and little care, and it will keep your air cool as well as Recycled Paper Used purified.