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1. Identify the region which is often referred to as the ‘Third Pole’, on earth?
Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) mountain ranges. According to UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) mountain ranges could lose up to two-third of its ice by 2100. The HKH Region is often referred to as the ‘Third Pole’, on earth, is spread over 3,500 square kms across eight countries including India, Nepal and China. It contains the world’s third-largest storage of frozen water after Antarctica and the Arctic.
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2. The ‘Baihetan Dam’ recently seen in the news is located in?
China. Recently, China has put into operation the Baihetan Dam, world’s Second Biggest Hydropower Dam. The Three Gorges Dam is the largest hydropower dam in the world and is also along China’s Yangtze River. It began operations in 2003. It is on the Jinsha River, a tributary of the Yangtze (the longest river in Asia).
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3. Locate the water body surrounded by the Pontic, Caucasus, and Crimean Mountains, which is also known as the Euxine Sea?
Black Sea. The Black Sea, also known as the Euxine Sea, is one of the major water bodies and a famous inland sea of the world. This marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, located between Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is surrounded by the Pontic, Caucasus, and Crimean Mountains in the south, east and north respectively. The Turkish straits system - the Dardanelles, Bosporus and Marmara Sea - forms a transitional zone between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. The Black Sea is also connected to the Sea of Azov by the Strait of Kerch. The bordering countries of Black Sea are: Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania. There is a significant absence of oxygen in the water. The anoxic condition is also caused due to the presence of the process of Eutrophication in the sea.
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4. Identify the site which is recommended by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to be added in a list of “in danger” World Heritage Sites?
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Recently, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee has recommended that the Australia’s Great Barrier Reef should be added to a list of “in danger” World Heritage Sites. Placement on the ‘‘in-danger list’’ is not considered a sanction. Some nations have their sites added to gain international attention and help to save them.
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5. Locate the water body which has witnessed the largest outbreak of ‘sea snot’?
Sea of Marmara (Turkey). Recently, Turkey’s Sea of Marmara, which connects the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea, has witnessed the largest outbreak of ‘sea snot’. A ‘sea snot’ outbreak was first recorded in the country in 2007. It is marine mucilage that is formed when algae are overloaded with nutrients as a result of water pollution combined with the effects of climate change. The nutrient overload occurs when algae feast on warm weather caused by global warming. It looks like a viscous, brown and foamy substance.
