General Science Questions

Epicentre of Earthquakes can be over both oceanic and continental surface. Epicentres above oceanic surface are cause of tsunamisof large intensity. Anearthquake's hypocentreis the position where the strain energy stored in the rockis first released, marking thepointwhere the fault begins to rupture.

Excessive use of nitrate including manure may be responsible forthe presence of toxic substance in groundwater. Phosphate can also enter the groundwater via excessive use of fertilizers. High application rates of nitrogen containing fertilizers combined with the high-water solubility of nitrate, leads to increased runoff into surface water as well as leaching into groundwater, thereby causing groundwater pollution.

Only a fraction of the nitrogen-based fertilizers, is converted to produce and other plant matter. Nitrate pollution in groundwater comes from pit latrines, it can cause blue baby syndrome.

Dolomite is a limestone compound that contains calcium and magnesium. It provides valuable nutrients to plants and helpschange the pH of the soil by raising it to match the plants' needs. It evenprovides more nutrients than straight lime. It is often used in addition to balanced fertilizers, particularly with seeding fruit.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is very dangerous because it binds with the haemoglobin more efficiently than oxygen does. It "hogs the seats" so that oxygen can't get a ride. And those CO molecules keep riding around, never giving their seats up to the oxygen. This means there is no way to get oxygen to the brain, heart, or other cells and those cells start to die. And finally, it leads to suffocation and even death of a person.

The    HIV    virus    continuously    invades    and destroys  T-cells  (lymphocytes).  Eventually  the body can't replace the T-cells fast enough, and the  immune  system  deteriorates.  When  the immune  system has deteriorated to the point that it is unable to fight off diseases, a person is diagnosed with AIDS.

Amphibians are one of the most sensitive groups to change, whether that is caused by habitat loss, invasive species, disease, trade or climate change. Their sensitivity to environmental threats has been generally linked to the observation that amphibians are characterized by a rather permeable skin. Given their complex life cycles and other traits, amphibians are often recognized as indicators of ecosystem health.

Decomposing waste in the landfills, by the action of microorganisms, produce methane and carbon dioxide. Landfill gas consists of 40-60% of methane and rest is carbon dioxide. Trace amount of volatile organic compounds (<1) are also present which mainly comprise of hydrocarbons.

Limonite is one of the two principal iron ores, the other being hematite, and has been mined for the production of iron.