Abstract
Biomedical waste management refers to the proper handling, treatment, and disposal of waste generated in healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and research centres. It involves segregating different types of biomedical waste, such as infectious, sharp, pharmaceutical, and chemical waste, to minimise the risk of contamination and exposure to hazardous materials. The management process includes safe collection, transportation, and treatment of biomedical waste to prevent its adverse impact on human health, the environment, and public safety. Strict adherence to bio-hazardous waste regulations and guidelines is essential to ensure the effective management and containment of potentially harmful biomedical waste.
Seminar Report
Biomass can play a significant role in carbon sequestration, a process that involves capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere to mitigate climate change. Carbon sequestration using biomass is often referred to as “biosequestration” or “biological carbon sequestration.” This process relies on the ability of plants and trees to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and store it as carbon in their biomass.
Here’s how biomass contributes to carbon sequestration:
- Photosynthesis: Plants, including trees and other vegetation, absorb CO2 from the atmosphere during photosynthesis. They utilize sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce glucose (sugar), and in the process, they release oxygen back into the atmosphere.
- Carbon Storage in Biomass: As plants grow, they incorporate carbon from CO2 into their tissues, including leaves, stems, and roots. This carbon is stored as biomass, which serves as a “carbon sink.” The carbon in biomass can remain stored for extended periods, depending on factors such as the type of vegetation, environmental conditions, and land management practices.
- Terrestrial Biomass: Trees and forests are particularly effective at sequestering carbon. Forests act as large-scale carbon sinks, absorbing significant amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere.
- Agricultural Biomass: Agricultural practices can also contribute to carbon sequestration through the growth of crops and the incorporation of crop residues into the soil. Certain agricultural practices, such as agroforestry and cover cropping, can enhance carbon sequestration potential.
- Soil Carbon: In addition to storing carbon in above-ground biomass, certain practices, such as no-till farming and afforestation, can enhance carbon storage in soils. Soil organic matter, derived from decomposed plant material, can hold significant amounts of carbon.
- Sustainable Biomass Utilization: To maintain the carbon sequestration benefits of biomass, it’s essential to use biomass sustainably. If biomass is harvested for various purposes, such as bioenergy or bio-based products, it’s crucial to ensure that the rate of carbon sequestration in new biomass exceeds or compensates for the carbon released during biomass utilization.
Bio-sequestration using biomass is considered a valuable nature-based solution to combat climate change. However, it is important to note that the effectiveness of carbon sequestration through biomass is subject to factors like land use, land management practices, and the types of vegetation used. Sustainable land management, afforestation, reforestation, and conservation of existing forests are some of the strategies employed to maximise the carbon sequestration potential of biomass and contribute to global efforts in mitigating climate change.