Chemistry project work
Natural Resources of
Arunachal Pradesh:
Exploring the
Chemistry Within
Introduction:
Arunachal Pradesh, located in the eastern Himalayas of India, is home
to a wide array of natural resources. In this project, we delve into the
chemistry behind the natural resources found in Arunachal Pradesh.
By understanding the chemical composition and properties of these
resources, we can gain insights into their significance and potential
applications.
I. Forests: Nature's Chemical Storehouses
A. There are 8715 species of plant life within Arunachal's
forests, which contributes to the importance of wildlife
reserves. Arunachal is a very rural state, most of the state being
covered in forests, forest and wildlife protection is extremely
important to the people living in Arunachal Pradesh.
B. Chemical compounds in plants:
1. Medicinal plants and their chemical
constituent
Medicinal Plants There are over 500 species of medicinal plants
reported so far from Arunachal Pradesh.
Acorus calamus (Boch, Vacha, Vayambu)
Andrographis paniculate (Kalmegh, Chiraita teeta)
Aquilatia agalloch (Agar, Sassi, Indian eagle wood)
2. Tannins and their role in traditional
practices
The study reveals about the vast diversity of herbal
medicinal plants used by the various tribes of Arunachal
Pradesh. The potential of ethnobotanical research and need
for documentation of traditional knowledge pertaining to the
medicinal plant utilization for the greater benefit of mankind
is carried out.
C.Sustainable extraction and utilization of forest
resources
Sustainable forest development, therefore, means recognizing
the limits of forests to withstand environmental change,
individually and collectively, and in managing human activities
to produce the maximum level of benefits obtainable within
these limits.
II. Minerals: Unveiling the Hidden Chemical Wealth
A.Overview of Arunachal Pradesh's mineral
reserves
The State is having variety of minerals like coal,
Petroleum and Natural Gas, Dolomite, Limestone,
Graphite, Asbestos, Placer gold, Iron, Marble, Ferro-
Silicon, Grade, Quartzite, Lead Zinc, Minor Minerals
(Sand, Gravel, Boulders, soil, etc.)
B.Geological composition and chemical
properties of key minerals:
1. Coal: Formation and its chemical makeup
Coal is formed when dead plant matter submerged in
swamp environments is subjected to the geological
forces of heat and pressure over hundreds of millions
of years.
Tertiary coals can be found in the northeaster states of
Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and
Nagaland.
2. Limestone and dolomite: Industrial
applications and chemical properties -
Powdered limestone is used in the textile, paint,
paper, rubber, glass and plastic industries amongst
others. Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed
principally of calcium carbonate (calcite)
Dolomite is majorly used in the manufacturing of
steel and iron as slag flux for the removal of
impurities
Dolomite is a common rock-forming mineral. It is
a calcium magnesium carbonate with a chemical
composition of CaMg (CO3)2.
3. Quartz and feldspar: Role in construction
materials and chemical properties
Today quartz is used in many products as a raw
material for huge amounts of construction materials,
such as glass, concrete, or mortar, and quartz is
refined to yield silicon which is critical for computers
and other high technology mainstay of modern life
C. Environmental concerns and sustainable
mining practices
Environmental impacts of mining include climate
change, deforestation/habitat destruction, pollution, soil
erosion, human-wildlife conflict, and the loss of
biodiversity.
Ways to Make Mining More Sustainable
i. Lower-Impact Mining Techniques.
ii. Reusing Mining Waste.
iii. Eco-Friendly Equipment.
iv. Rehabilitating Mining Sites.
v. Shutting Down Illegal Mining.
III. Water Resources: Chemistry in Motion
A. Abundance of rivers and water bodies in Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh has an abundance of water resources but lacks
infrastructural development
Arunachal Pradesh is home to five major river basins, starting from the
west of the state with the Kamanga, followed by the Subansiri, Siang,
Lohit, and Tirap.
B.Chemistry of water:
1. Physical and chemical properties of river water
The physical parameters included: temperature, turbidity and
electrical conductivity. The chemical parameters included:
pH, alkalinity dissolved oxygen, total hardness and the
concentrations of nitrite, nitrate, phosphate and sulphate.
2. Water quality analysis and importance for human
consumption
The major rivers of Arunachal Pradesh are free from pollution and
the ground water is of excellent quality with all the parameters
within permissible limits, according to an investigation carried
out by the Central Ground Water Board and Central Water
3. Commission.
Drinking water can prevent dehydration, a condition that can
cause unclear thinking, result in mood change, cause your
body to overheat, and lead to constipation and kidney stones.
C.Hydropower generation:
A.Chemical principles behind hydroelectric power
Hydroelectric Power Plant: Hydroelectric power is produced by
the gravity of falling water.
B.Environmental impact and sustainable practice
Hydroelectric generation is not 100% emission-free. Studies
have shown that reservoirs created by dammed rivers emit
greenhouse gases. Dead plants and other organic materials in the
reservoir water decompose and release methane (a strong
greenhouse gas) and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
IV. Traditional Knowledge and Chemistry
A.Indigenous communities and their relationship with
natural resources
Nature is an essential part of many Indigenous communities and
their laws.” Indigenous Peoples place Mother Earth at the centre of
cultural, judicial, and social systems.
B.Traditional knowledge of plants and their chemical
applications:
1. Herbal remedies and medicinal plants
Whereas conventional medicine now tries to use only the active
ingredient of a plant, herbal remedies use the whole plant.
Herbalists argue that the mixture of chemicals in the whole plant
work together to give a better effect (called synergy) than a single
active ingredient.
2. Natural dyes and pigments
Natural dyes are dyes or colorants derived from plants,
invertebrates, or minerals. The majority of natural dyes are
vegetable dyes from plant sources—roots, berries, bark, leaves, and
wood—and other biological sources such as fungi.
Plant pigments are classified into four main
categories: chlorophylls, anthocyanins, carotenoids, and Betalains.
C.Preserving traditional knowledge and sustainable
utilization of resources
This indigenous knowledge of soil management, agricultural
practices, animal husbandry, irrigation system, crop breeding,
harvesting, storage have been traditionally used successfully and in
a sustainable manner.
Conclusion:
Through this project, we have explored the rich chemistry behind the natural
resources of Arunachal Pradesh. From the chemical compounds found in plants
and their potential applications to the geological composition of minerals and
the chemistry of water resources, understanding these aspects provides a deeper
appreciation for the importance of responsible and sustainable utilization of
natural resources.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arunachal_Pradesh
https://unacademy.com
