Daily Prelims Notes 15 December 2024

Daily Prelims Notes

15 December 2024

Table Of Contents

1. World Liquid Gas Association launches roadmap to expand access to clean cooking solutions across Africa
2. US EPA announces final bans on manufacture, processing, & use of trichloroethylene & perchloroethylene
3. India’s Progress in Quantum Satellite Technology
4. Caught in the Vortex of the Golden Triangle
5. Transforming Metal Scrap into High-Value Alloys through Solid Phase Alloying
6. Varkala Cliff: A Geo-Heritage Site at Risk
7. Where is La Niña? And why did global models err in their predictions?
8. How a distant galaxy gave a glimpse of Milky Way in its infancy

1. World Liquid Gas Association launches roadmap to expand access to clean cooking solutions across Africa

Sub : Env

Sec :Int Conventions

Context:

• The World Liquid Gas Association (WLGA) has launched a roadmap to improve access to clean cooking solutions in Africa by increasing the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
• WLGA promotes LPG globally to foster a safer, cleaner, and more prosperous world.

LPG Roadmap for Africa:

• Aims for full access to clean cooking in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.
• Focuses on three calls to action for the public and private sectors:
  1. Regulatory Frameworks: Establish clear and enforceable regulations to scale the LPG market.
  2. Consumer Financing: Implement payment plans to address economic barriers.
  3. Infrastructure Investment: Improve storage, distribution, and delivery networks, especially in remote areas.

Significance of the Roadmap:

• Offers solutions to:
  • Improve public health by reducing household air pollution.
  • Address environmental issues like deforestation and carbon emissions.
  • Drive economic development and enhance living standards.

Challenges in Clean Cooking Access:

• Global Impact: Nearly 2.5 billion people lack access to clean cooking solutions, including 900 million in Africa.
• Consequences of Traditional Fuels:
  • Solid fuels like firewood contribute to deforestation, climate change, and severe health issues.

Role of LPG in Addressing the Crisis:

• LPG is identified by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and WLGA as a critical clean cooking solution.
• IEA’s Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa (May 14, 2024) highlighted that:
  • LPG outshines alternatives in affordability and reliability.
  • Explored innovative solutions like electric cooking and small-scale biofuel production.

WLGA’s Commitment:

• Partnered with S&P Global Commodity Insights (SPGCI) to:
  • Review the clean cooking crisis.
  • Analyse LPG’s role as an immediate solution.
  • Provide recommendations for expanding LPG access in sub-Saharan Africa.
• CFLA Task Force: Guides stakeholders on countries with high potential to expand LPG consumption by 2030.

Benefits of Switching to LPG:

• Health Benefits: Reduces indoor air pollution by 98% when replacing wood-burning stoves with LPG stoves.
• Environmental Impact:
  • Saves 260–312 million trees annually (400,000 hectares of forestland).
  • Reduces black carbon emissions by 130,000 tons in 2030 (equivalent to 117 million tons of CO₂).
  • Each household switching to LPG averts 490 kg of CO₂ annually.
• Economic Opportunities: Boosts rural living standards and empowers marginalized communities.

LPG-led Regulatory and Infrastructure Solutions:

• Key Priorities:
  • Build partnerships between governments, market players, and industry associations.
  • Promote regulatory models like the Cylinder Recirculation Model (CRM).
  • Implement fiscal policies to encourage LPG adoption.
• Government Example:
  • Angola controls LPG prices through subsidies, making it one of the cheapest in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Investment Needs:
  • Large-scale infrastructure investments require significant foreign funding to scale LPG distribution across Africa.

About World Liquid Gas Association (WLGA):

• WLGA is the only global body representing the LPG industry worldwide.
• It was established in 1987 and granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 1989.
• It has also developed long standing partnerships with other international bodies such as various departments of the UN, the World Health Organization (WHO), Regional Development Banks and a number of well-respected international NGOs such as the Partnership on Clean Indoor Air (PCIA) and E+Co.
• The WLGA brings together over 300 private and public companies operating in more than 125 countries involved in one, several or all activities of the industry; develops long-term partnerships with international organisations; and implements projects on local and global scales.
• The WLGA works on a Three Year Strategic Review which outlines WLGA activities over a three year period and ensures maximum value for the WLGA membership. The current Strategic Review covers 2023-2025 under the theme ‘Solutions for Sustainable Energy Transitions’.
• The WLGA mission statement forms the four principal goals of the WLGA in this period, namely: Advocacy (ADV); Safety and Business Improvement (SBI); Sustainable Growth & Innovation (SGI); and Communications & Awareness (COM).

Source: DTE

2. US EPA announces final bans on manufacture, processing, & use of trichloroethylene & perchloroethylene

Sub : Env

Sec :Pollution

Context:

• On December 9, 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new risk management rules for trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE) under the 2016 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
• These rules are considered a significant step toward chemical safety after decades of inadequate regulations.

Key Provisions of the Rules:

• Complete Ban:
  • All uses of trichloroethylene (TCE).
  • All consumer uses and many commercial uses of perchloroethylene (PCE).
• Worker Protections:
  • Strict safeguards for all remaining industrial uses under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) framework.

Background on TCE and PCE Risk:

• In January 2023, the EPA released a revised risk determination for TCE, identifying 52 out of 54 uses as posing an unreasonable risk to human health.
• American Chemistry Council (ACC): Expressed concerns over banning valuable industrial uses of TCE.
• Environmental and Legal Issues: June 2024 Lawsuit: EnPro Industries and others were accused of discharging TCE into the environment in Water Valley, Mississippi, contaminating soil, air, and groundwater, resulting in a cancer cluster.

Trichloroethylene (TCE) and Perchloroethylene (PCE):

• Trichloroethylene (TCE) and Perchloroethylene (PCE) are industrial solvents widely used in manufacturing and cleaning processes.
• Both chemicals are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) known for their effectiveness in dissolving oils, grease, and other substances.
• Despite their utility, they pose significant risks to human health and the environment.

Applications

Trichloroethylene (TCE)

• Used primarily as:
  • A degreasing agent for metal parts in manufacturing.
  • A solvent in adhesives, paints, and coatings.
• Historically used in dry cleaning, though this use has decreased due to health concerns.

Perchloroethylene (PCE)

• Predominantly used in:
  • Dry cleaning of fabrics.
  • Metal degreasing processes.
  • Manufacturing of fluorinated compounds and other chemicals.
• Found in consumer products like stain removers and cleaning agents.

Health Hazards

Both TCE and PCE have been classified as hazardous chemicals with severe health effects.

Trichloroethylene (TCE):

• Carcinogenic: Strongly linked to kidney cancer and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
• Other health effects: Liver damage, Immune system suppression, Developmental and reproductive toxicity, Neurological effects, including dizziness, headaches, and long-term cognitive impairment.

Perchloroethylene (PCE):

• Carcinogenic: Associated with bladder cancer and potential links to other cancers.
• Other health effects: Liver and kidney toxicity, Neurological effects, such as confusion, memory loss, and mood changes, Adverse impacts on reproductive health.

Environmental Impacts:

• Persistence: Both TCE and PCE are highly persistent in the environment, contaminating soil, air, and groundwater for decades.
• Groundwater Contamination: Often found in drinking water supplies due to improper disposal or accidental spills.
• Volatility: Release into the air can contribute to smog and indoor air pollution in enclosed spaces.

Source: DTE

3. India’s Progress in Quantum Satellite Technology

Sub : Sci

Sec: Awareness in IT and Computer

Why in News

• India is advancing rapidly in the field of quantum communication by preparing to launch its first quantum satellite. This move will place the country among an elite group capable of creating a hack-proof communication network. Concurrently, Google’s new quantum processor, Willow, has garnered attention for its groundbreaking advancements in quantum computing, offering insights into the future of technology.

National Quantum Mission (NQM):

• The National Quantum Mission (NQM) aims to foster the development of quantum computing, communication, measurement, and sensing technologies.
• Implementation: By the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology.
• Timeline: 2023–2031.
• Focus Areas: Development of Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing, and Quantum Materials.
• Building infrastructure for high-performance quantum computers (up to 1,000 qubits) and satellite-based secure quantum communications across India.

Satellite-Based Quantum Communication:

• A quantum satellite is expected to be launched within 2–3 years by the Department of Space.
• Enables secure communication over large distances using quantum principles.
• Quantum Satellites for transmitting entangled photons to ground stations.
• Integration of QKD for secure global communication.
• Applications: National security, secure diplomatic exchanges, and encrypted data transmission​
• Acts as a complementary medium to optical fibre networks, enabling long-distance quantum data transmission.
• Optical fibre transmission is limited to 100–250 km due to photon energy loss. In contrast, satellites offer a wider footprint.

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD):

• A secure communication method using quantum mechanics to encrypt and exchange keys between two parties.
• Immune to traditional hacking techniques.
• Detection of any eavesdropping attempts.

• Quantum satellites use QKD to securely transfer encrypted information over vast distances.
• India plans to establish secure quantum communication links between ground stations over a range of 2,000 km domestically and internationally.

About Qubit:

• The basic unit of quantum information, analogous to a bit in classical computing but capable of existing in a superposition of states (0 and 1 simultaneously).
• Exploits phenomena like entanglement and superposition for superior computational power.

About Google’s Willow Chip:

• Willow marks a significant leap towards achieving practical quantum supremacy.
• Can perform calculations in under five minutes that would take the fastest classical supercomputers approximately ten septillion years.
• Incorporates 105 qubits, nearly double its predecessor (Sycamore).
• Willow’s design significantly reduces errors, addressing one of the primary challenges in quantum computing.
• The retention time (T1) of qubits has increased by five times, enhancing stability and accuracy.
• Willow lays the groundwork for building larger, fault-tolerant quantum systems capable of addressing real-world problems.

4. Caught in the Vortex of the Golden Triangle

Sub : IR

Sec: Places in news

Why in News

• Recent reports highlight a surge in human trafficking and forced cybercrime activities in Southeast Asia, particularly in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Victims, including many from India, Pakistan, and Myanmar, are lured by fake job offers and subsequently exploited.

About Golden Triangle:

• The Golden Triangle is a major region of opium production located in Southeast Asia.
• It encompasses parts of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, and historically has been a significant area for the production and trafficking of illicit drugs, particularly heroin.
• Myanmar: The largest contributor to opium production, particularly in the Shan State. Political instability and insurgencies facilitate drug cultivation.
• Laos: Opium farming is concentrated in the northern regions, though production is less than in Myanmar.
• Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Laos: Located in Bokeo Province, the SEZ houses Chinese-owned casinos, luxury hotels, and other commercial establishments. It lacks regulatory oversight, making it a hotspot for illegal activities like phishing, crypto scams, and online gambling fraud.
• Thailand: Formerly a major opium producer; successful government initiatives have largely eradicated cultivation, but the country remains a transit hub for narcotics.
• With Afghanistan’s reduced opium production due to the Taliban’s 2022 drug ban, Myanmar has become the leading producer globally, increasing its land dedicated to opium cultivation to around 47,000 hectares in 2023.

About Golden Crescent:

• The Golden Crescent is another major region for opium production, encompassing Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan. It has been a critical area in the global narcotics trade.
• Afghanistan: Previously the largest opium producer, accounting for a significant portion of global heroin supply. Following the Taliban’s 2022 ban, production has dropped drastically, shifting global supply chains.
• Iran and Pakistan: Function as transit countries for narcotics produced in Afghanistan. Both face domestic challenges from drug trafficking and addiction.
• The opium bans in Afghanistan led to a 95% reduction in production, but alternative smuggling routes and synthetic drug production have risen in response.

About Cybercrime:

• It is unlawful acts wherein the computer is either a tool or a target or both.
• Cybercrimes can involve criminal activities that are traditional in nature, such as theft, fraud, forgery, defamation and mischief, all of which are subject to the Indian Penal Code.
• Cybercrimes:
  • Computer as a Target: using a computer to attack other computers–e.g. Hacking, Virus/Worm attacks, DOS attack etc.
  • Computer as a weapon: using a computer to commit real world crimes–e.g. Cyber Terrorism, IPR violations, Credit card frauds, EFT frauds, Pornography etc.

Cybercrime control regime in India:

• Information Technology Act 2000 (IT Act 2000) is the main law connected with cyber security in India.
  • Section 65 – Tampering with computer Source Document
  • Section 66 – Using password of another person
  • Section 66D – Cheating Using computer resource
  • Section 66E – Publishing private Images of Others
  • Section 66F – Acts of cyber-Terrorism
  • Section 67 – Publishing Child Porn or predating children online
  • Section 69 – Govt.’s Power to block websites
  • Section 43A – Data protection at corporate level
• A cybercrime complaint can be filed using the National Crime Reporting Portal of India-This portal is an initiative of the Government of India to facilitate victims/ complainants to report cybercrime complaints online.

5. Transforming Metal Scrap into High-Value Alloys through Solid Phase Alloying

Sub :Sci

Sec: Msc

Why in News

• A groundbreaking study published in Nature Communications highlights a new method for converting metal scrap into high-performance, high-value alloys without relying on traditional energy-intensive melting processes.

About Solid Phase Alloying:

• Industrial aluminium scrap can be transformed into high-performance alloys, reducing dependency on primary aluminium.
• The recycled alloys match the quality and properties of those produced using conventional processes.
• Eliminates the need for melting, leading to lower energy consumption and reduced carbon footprint.

The Solid Phase Alloying Technique

• This process blends aluminium scrap with elements like copper, zinc, and magnesium to create high-strength alloys.
• Unlike traditional melting, casting, and extrusion methods, which can take days, the new process achieves the same results in minutes.

About ShAPE Technology:

• The method leverages a Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE) technique, patented by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL).
• How It Works: A high-speed rotating die generates friction and heat, dispersing the metal components into a uniform alloy without melting.

Advantages

• Eliminates the energy-intensive bulk melting step.
• Utilizes low-cost scrap feedstocks, making high-performance alloys more affordable.
• Products manufactured using this technique exhibit better durability and enhanced performance.

Applications

• Automotive Components: Enhancing vehicle efficiency and durability.
• Construction Materials: Offering cost-effective and sustainable solutions for infrastructure.
• Household Appliances: Providing high-quality materials at lower prices.
• The technique can be used to design custom metal wire alloys for 3D printing technologies.
• Opens up possibilities for developing new alloy combinations previously unachievable due to traditional manufacturing limitations.

6. Varkala Cliff: A Geo-Heritage Site at Risk

Sub: Env

Sec: Climate Change

Why in News

• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently called for a status report from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and other authorities on the deteriorating condition of Varkala Cliff, a geo-heritage site in Kerala. Concerns have arisen due to the impact of unregulated tourism and climate change on the sensitive geological formation.

About Varkala Cliff:

• Varkala Cliff, located near Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, is the largest geo-heritage site in the state.
• It was designated as India’s 27th National Geological Monument in 2014 by the GSI.
• The cliff offers stunning views of Varkala Beach and serves as a unique feature in Kerala’s otherwise flat coastline.
• The cliff is part of the Warkalli Formation, dating back to the Mio-Pliocene epoch (5.3 million years ago).
• Layers of laterite, sandstone, and carbonaceous clay form its structure, creating a rich ecosystem with diverse microhabitats.
• The sandstone beneath acts as an aquifer, supplying high-quality water to nearby areas.
• The cliff is a hub for tourism, often called a ‘mini-Goa’ for its unpolluted and serene environment.
• It is also significant historically, as Sri Narayana Guru promoted his inclusive religious philosophy here.

Factors Leading to Degradation:

• Unregulated Tourism: Unplanned development on the cliff has led to extensive unauthorized construction, including resorts, cafes, and parking spaces.
• Coastal Erosion and Climate Change: Large-scale port constructions at Kovalam and Vizhinjam have worsened coastal erosion, making Varkala a refuge for displaced tourists.
• Waste Mismanagement: Many eateries lack proper waste disposal systems, leading to wastewater seepage that erodes the cliff base.
• Violation of Regulations: Varkala is part of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) 3B, restricting construction within 200 meters of the High Tide Line.

What Are Geo-Heritage Sites?

• Geo-heritage sites are locations of geological significance that provide insights into the Earth’s evolutionary history, natural processes, and cultural connections.
• These sites are invaluable for scientific research, education, and tourism. They often feature unique geological formations, fossil beds, mineral deposits, and other significant landforms.
• The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is the primary authority for identifying and safeguarding these sites to preserve them for future generations.

Geo-Heritage Sites in India:

7. Where is La Niña? And why did global models err in their predictions?

Sub : Geo

Sec :Climatology

Context:

• This year, predictions for La Niña have been off. Initially, weather models predicted its emergence between August and December, but instead, ENSO-neutral conditions prevailed, with sea temperatures near normal.
• A weak, brief La Niña may still develop from December to February, but its impact is expected to be minimal.
• La Niña last occurred in 2020-2023, and El Niño in 2023-24.

What is La Niña?

• La Niña is a phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a climate phenomenon that involves variations in sea surface temperatures and atmospheric pressure in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
• It can influence weather patterns globally, affecting rainfall, temperatures, and storm systems.
• The ENSO has three phases, which occur in irregular cycles of two to seven years.:
  • El Niño (warm phase),
  • La Niña (cool phase),
  • Neutral phase.

What happens during La Nina:

• In La Niña, the trade winds (winds blowing from east to west across the Pacific) are stronger than usual, pushing warm surface waters to the western Pacific.
• This allows cooler waters from below the surface to upwell along the eastern Pacific, leading to lower-than-normal sea surface temperatures in this region.
• In India, El Niño is associated with decreased rainfall and higher temperatures, while La Niña is associated with increased rainfall and hence lower temperatures.

El Niño:

• In the El Niño phase, the trade winds weaken, leading to lesser displacement of warmer waters off the South American coast.
• Consequently, the eastern Pacific becomes warmer than usual.

Neutral phase:

• In the neutral phase, the eastern side of the Pacific Ocean (near the northwestern coast of South America) is cooler than the western side (near the Philippines and Indonesia).
• This is due to the prevailing wind systems that move from east to west, sweeping the warmer surface waters towards the Indonesian coast.
• The relatively cooler waters from below come up to replace the displaced water.

Why Did La Niña predictions fail this year?

• Ocean-atmosphere coupling: The expected interactions between ocean temperatures and atmospheric conditions didn’t occur as expected, likely influenced by lingering El Niño effects.
• Westerly wind anomalies: Winds that typically hinder La Niña development dominated, delaying its onset.
• Monsoons: There was above normal rainfall over India this year. Monsoon and ENSO interact with each other. A good monsoon can influence the westerly wind anomalies, which in turn can delay the onset of La Niña.

8. How a distant galaxy gave a glimpse of Milky Way in its infancy

Sub : Sci

Sec : Space sector

Context:

• NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has observed a distant galaxy named Firefly Sparkle, located around 13 billion light-years away.
• This galaxy, named for its star clusters that resemble bioluminescent fireflies, offers a glimpse into what the Milky Way might have looked like in its early stages.
• The galaxy is an infant, formed within the first few hundred million years after the Big Bang.

Significance of Firefly Sparkle:

• Firefly Sparkle is observed as it was formed just a few hundred million years after the Big Bang (~13.8 billion years ago).
• Its distance of 13 billion light-years means the light from this galaxy took 13 billion years to reach the JWST, offering a snapshot of the universe in its infancy.
• Firefly Sparkle is still in the process of assembly, with star formation occurring at an early stage.
• Researchers believe it formed about 100-400 million years before the stage observed by the JWST.

Key Characteristics of Firefly Sparkle:

• The galaxy has a mass equivalent to 10 million stars the size of our Sun and contains 10 densely packed star clusters. These clusters are embedded within a diffuse arc of stars, spanning about 1,000 light-years
• Firefly Sparkle is accompanied by two smaller galaxies, Firefly-Best Friend and Firefly-New Best Friend, indicating its early-stage formation.

Insights into the Milky Way’s formation:

• Astronomers highlighted that the Milky Way likely began forming around the same time as Firefly Sparkle.
• This galaxy serves as a direct observation of what the Milky Way might have looked like in its infancy, at 10,000 times less mass than its current state.
• Over billions of years, the Milky Way grew and evolved through mergers with other galaxies and continued star formation.

Role of Gravitational Lensing:

• Firefly Sparkle is so far away and small that it would have been impossible to observe directly. However, a cluster of galaxies between the JWST and Firefly Sparkle caused a phenomenon called gravitational lensing.
• Gravitational lensing distorts spacetime, bending and amplifying the light coming from distant objects. In this case, the light from Firefly Sparkle was magnified 16-26 times, allowing astronomers to observe the galaxy in exceptional detail.
• The galaxy cluster acted as a magnifying glass, making it possible to study the distant Firefly Sparkle despite its tiny size and immense distance from Earth.

Gravitational Lensing:

• Gravitational lensing occurs when a large amount of matter, like a massive galaxy, galaxy cluster, or black hole, creates a gravitational field that bends and magnifies the light from objects located behind it.