Description

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Context

Union Minister of State for Forest, Environment and Climate Change launched 'Nano Bubble Technology' for cleaning and purifying water of National Zoological Park, Delhi to promote the health of aquatic animals.

About Nano Bubbles

Nano bubbles, also known as ultra-fine bubbles, are gas-filled cavities within liquids that have diameters smaller than 200 nanometers.

These bubbles are invisible to the naked eye and exhibit unique properties due to their small size and high surface energy.

Characteristics of Nano Bubbles

Feature	Details
Stability	Highly stable due to their neutral buoyancy and large surface charge.
Surface Charge	Negative zeta potential helps maintain stability and prevents coalescence.
Behavior in Liquids	Do not rise to the surface like larger bubbles; instead remain suspended.
Gas Dissolution	Enhance gas solubility in liquids due to high surface area-to-volume ratio.
Collapse	Collapse under specific conditions releasing energy and generating radicals.

How Nano Bubbles Work

Formation: Created using specialized equipment such as ultrasonic generators or venturi nozzles.

Stability: Electrostatic charges prevent them from coalescing or bursting easily.

Behavior: They penetrate deep into liquid systems due to their minute size and neutral buoyancy.

Energy Release: Burst or collapse releases hydroxyl radicals and other reactive species.

Applications of Nano Bubbles

Water Treatment

Effective in breaking down organic pollutants.

Generate reactive oxygen species for sterilization.

Enhance oxygen transfer efficiency in wastewater treatment.

Agriculture

Improve nutrient absorption and oxygen availability in irrigation systems.

Detoxify contaminated soils by enhancing microbial activity.

Healthcare and Medicine

Facilitate precise delivery of therapeutic agents to targeted areas.

Used in ultrasonic treatments for localized tumor destruction.

Promote cell growth and disinfection in wound management.

Industrial Applications

Ultra-fine bubbles help in removing dirt and contaminants from surfaces.

Enhance cooling efficiency by improving heat exchange.

Aquaculture

Improve water quality and oxygenation for healthier aquatic life.

Benefits of Nano Bubbles

Advantage	Description
Eco-Friendly	Reduce the need for harmful chemicals.
Cost-Effective	Lower energy requirements for gas dissolution and aeration.
Scalable	Suitable for applications from small-scale to industrial-scale.
Improved Efficiency	Enhance reaction rates in various chemical and biological processes.
Sustainability	Promote sustainable practices in agriculture, aquaculture and industries.

Challenges

Challenge	Details
High Initial Cost	Equipment for generating nano bubbles can be expensive.
Complex Maintenance	Sensitive to operational conditions and require regular calibration.
Standardization Issues	Lack of universally accepted methods for measuring and characterizing nano bubbles.
Knowledge Gaps	Limited understanding of long-term effects in certain applications.

Sources:

PIB

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Examine the role of nano bubble technology in enhancing agricultural productivity through improved irrigation and nutrient absorption. What challenges hinder its large-scale adoption in India? (250 Words)