Seafloor Spreading

Seafloor Spreading

Context (TOI): Scientists recorded the first direct in-situ observation of a complete seafloor spreading event beneath the ocean.

• Seafloor spreading occurs as tectonic plates diverge, allowing magma to rise and create new oceanic crust.
• Researchers observed the seabed subside 4 m, widen by over 1 m, and release 160 million m³ of lava in 16 days.
• Findings indicate magma intrusion enabled smooth plate separation with limited major earthquake activity during the event.
• Study suggests seafloor spreading occurs in episodic bursts after prolonged stress accumulation, rather than through continuous gradual movement.

Mercury Levels Found in Cosmetics

Context (IE): A recent study detected mercury concentrations reaching 20 times the permitted 1 ppm limit in certain cosmetic products.

• Mercury suppresses melanin formation, causing rapid skin-lightening; exposure also occurs through contaminated fish, water, and rice.
• Melanin, produced by melanocytes, determines skin, hair, and eye colour while shielding the body from harmful UV radiation.
• Excess mercury harms kidneys, brain, and nervous system, causing neurological disorders, fetal developmental defects, and Minamata Disease.
• The Minamata Convention on Mercury (2013), under UNEP, regulates mercury production, trade, use, emissions, and environmentally safe disposal.

Mugger Crocodile

Context (DTE): An NGT panel linked multiple mugger crocodile deaths in Rajasthan’s Chandraloi River to the banned pesticide Aldrin.

• Aldrin is a persistent organochlorine pesticide and Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP) that bioaccumulates and biomagnifies through food chains.
• The mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) is a broad-snouted freshwater reptile, uniquely known for digging burrows to withstand extreme weather.
• Found across the Indian subcontinent, it is a keystone predator, regulating prey populations and maintaining freshwater ecosystem balance.
• IUCN: Vulnerable; CITES: Appendix I; Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I.

NIDAR 2.0

Context (PIB): MeitY and Drone Federation India (DFI) launched NIDAR 2.0 under the SwaYaan initiative to promote drone innovation.

• NIDAR encourages college graduates to develop autonomous drones addressing real-world challenges through collaborative research and innovation.
• SwaYaan, launched by MeitY in 2022, aims to build skilled manpower and strengthen India’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) ecosystem.
• The programme supports the vision of making India a global drone hub by 2030 through capacity building and advanced drone technologies.
• Implemented via a hub-and-spoke model, it covers Drone Electronics, GNC Algorithms, Aeromechanics, Drone Applications, and allied UAS technologies.