Editorial

Ecology is the study of the interrelationship among the units of the whole of the earth, water, air, atmosphere, and the interaction of the sun, the earth and the planets on the oceans.

According to Indians we believe that the rivers and water sources are alive, sleeping at night and they are not to be disturbed. Now let us come to the scientific reality. Water sources like lakes and rivers have also to breathe. Water during day time absorb oxygen. During night when the temperature falls, due to the "anomalous density" of water, the water at cooler temperature goes down and the water from the deeper levels comes up. They contain carbon dioxide. They expel carbon dioxide at night and breathe in oxygen from the air.

In rivers, there is always constant motion. However, in very deep lakes, particularly in rain forests, water at great depths are not warmed by sun-light. They go on accumulating carbon dioxide till they come up with an explosion. The lakes "sneeze", although it could be rare. When they do 'sneeze' it could be disastrous. But two lakes in Cameroons, both in 1982 and 1984 had such explosions of carbon dioxide killing thousands of people and cattle. These are real natural calamities.

But now since last century, man is in a position to intervene. Setting up breeder reactors that can use the water as a coolant and moderator, the temperature of the deep waters could be kept higher and in addition the power production will go up resulting in the development of the country. Constant monitoring of not only normal pollution but also the carbon dioxide level should be performed for all sources of water. Fish and aquatic animals and plants need the oxygen from water.

By man made pollution, one could be making our water resources lose the power to sustain life. It is never too late to take positive action from our side. Ecology is not for the elite alone. It is the minimum civic responsibility of every person not to pollute nor permit pollution.