Context
The Union Minister of State for Forest, Environment, and Climate Change launched ‘Nano Bubble Technology’ at the National Zoological Park in Delhi.
About Nano Bubble Technology:
- Involves improving water quality by using extremely small bubbles (nanobubbles), which are less than 200 nanometers in diameter and invisible to the naked eye.
- Working Principle
- Unlike regular bubbles that rise and pop, nanobubbles remain suspended in water for extended periods.
- These bubbles interact with pollutants (e.g., algae, organic waste, oil, grease) to break them down.
- Nanobubbles have a strong negative charge, helping attract and decompose impurities.
- Properties of Nanobubbles
- Size: Less than 200 nm in diameter, invisible to the naked eye.
- Surface Charge: Strong negative charge enhances interactions with pollutants and improves processes like wastewater treatment.
- Hydrophobic Nature: Repels water, helping lift organic/inorganic materials from surfaces, similar to surfactants.
- Brownian Motion: Nanobubbles remain suspended in water, ensuring uniform oxygen distribution and maintaining dissolved oxygen levels.
- Advantages over Traditional Water Purification
- Chemical-Free: Environmentally friendly and safe for aquatic life.
- Energy-Efficient: Reduces operational costs.
- Versatile Application: Can be applied in various water bodies (e.g., lakes, ponds, aquariums) and wastewater treatment plants.
Applications Beyond Water Purification
- Agriculture and Aquaculture:
- Boosts plant and aquatic organism growth by improving oxygen delivery to roots and increasing nutrient uptake.
- Reduces the need for pesticides and chemicals.
- Increases crop yields.
- Medical Applications:
- Research on using nanobubbles for drug delivery, medical imaging, and potentially cancer treatment.
- Industrial Cleaning:
- Used for cleaning industrial equipment and improving fermentation processes.
- Oil and Gas Recovery:
- Increases efficiency of oil and gas recovery by improving fluid flow and reducing the need for chemicals.
Benefits of Nanobubbles
- Improved Water Treatment:
- Effectively removes pollutants, bacteria, and contaminants, making water cleaner and safer.
- Enhanced Agriculture and Aquaculture:
- Oxygen nanobubbles improve growth, health, and resilience of plants and aquatic organisms.
- Improves nutrient absorption and reduces pesticide use.
- Efficient Cleaning:
- Nanobubbles penetrate surface pores for more thorough cleaning, reducing cleaning time, water use, and need for harsh chemicals.
- Enhanced Oil and Gas Recovery:
- Increases oil and gas recovery efficiency by improving fluid flow and reducing chemicals.
- Improved Skin and Hair Health:
- Enhances the absorption of skincare products and improves hair texture, helping in dandruff reduction.
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
Why does the Government of India promote the use of ‘Neem Coated Urea’ in agriculture?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2016 Prelims]
(a) Release of Neem oil in the soil increases nitrogen fixation by the soil microorganisms.
(b) Neem coating slows down the rate of dissolution of urea in the soil.
(c) Nitrous oxide, which is a greenhouse gas, is not at all released into the atmosphere by crop fields.
(d) It is a combination of a weedicide and a fertiliser for particular crops
Answer: (b)
