1
|
Kasirajan S, Parthipan T, Elamathy S, Kumar GS, Rajavel M, Veeramani P. Dynamics of soil penetration resistance, moisture depletion pattern and crop productivity determined by mechanized cultivation and lifesaving irrigation in zero till blackgram. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28625. [PMID: 38571608 PMCID: PMC10988059 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Rice fallow black gram is grown under the residual moisture situation as a relay crop in heavy texture montmorillonite clay soil under zero till condition. Since the crop is raised during post monsoon season, the crop often experiences terminal stress due to limited water availability and no rainfall. Surface irrigation in montmorillonite clay soil is determent to pulse crop as inundation causes wilting. Therefore, zero tilled rice fallow black gram has to be supplemented with micro irrigation at flowering stage (35 days after sowing) to alleviate moisture stress and to increase the productivity as well. Hence micro farm pond in a corner of one ha field was created to harvest the rain water during monsoon season and the same was utilized to supplement the crop with lifesaving irrigation through mobile sprinkler at flowering stage for the crop grown under conservation agriculture. Soil cracking is also the common phenomena of montmorillonite clay soil where evaporations losses would be more through crack surfaces. The present study was therefore conducted to study the changes in the soil physical properties, crop establishment and productivity in conjunction with mechanized sowing and harvest and supplemental mobile sprinkler irrigation. Sowing of black gram by broadcasting 10 days prior to the manual harvest of rice, manual drawn single row seed drill after the machine harvest of rice and sowing by broadcasting at 4 days prior to machine harvest of rice was experimented separately and in combination with lifesaving irrigation. Results indicated that the number of wheel passes and lifesaving irrigation had a very strong impact on soil penetration resistance and soil moisture. Combined harvester followed by no till seed drill increased the soil penetration resistance in all the layers (0-5 cm, 5-10 cm and 10-15 cm). Two passes of wheel increased the mean soil penetration resistance from 407 KPa to 502 KPa. The soil penetration resistance (0-5 cm) at harvest shown that black gram sown by manual broadcasting 10 days prior to manual harvest of paddy supplemented with life irrigation on 30 DAS reduced the soil penetration resistance from 690 Kpa to 500 Kpa, 740 Kpa to 600 Kpa and 760 Kpa to 620 Kpa respectively at 0-5 cm, 5-10 cm and 10-15 cm layer. In general, moisture depletion rate was rapid in the surface layer of 0-5 cm as compared to other layers of 5-10 cm and 10-15 cm up to 30 DAS (Flowering stage). The moisture content and the soil penetration resistance had an inverse relationship. The soil penetration resistance also had an inverse relationship with the root length in which the root length lowers as the soil penetration resistance increases. The soil crack measured at 60 DAS was deeper with no till seed drill (width of 3.94 cm and depth of 13.67 cm) which was mainly due to surface layer compaction. The relative water content, specific leaf weight and chlorophyll content were significantly improved through the supplemental irrigation given on 30 DAS irrespective of crop establishment methods. The results further indicated that compaction of ploughed layer in the moist soil due to combined harvester and no till seed drill had a negative impact on yield (457 kg ha-1), which was improved by 19.03 per cent due to increased soil moisture with supplemental irrigation. The mean yield increase across different treatments due to supplemental lifesaving irrigation through mobile sprinkler was 20.4 per cent.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Subrahmaniyan Kasirajan
- Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Aduthurai, 612101, India
| | - T. Parthipan
- Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Aduthurai, 612101, India
| | - S. Elamathy
- Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Aduthurai, 612101, India
| | - G. Senthil Kumar
- Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Aduthurai, 612101, India
| | - M. Rajavel
- Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Aduthurai, 612101, India
| | - P. Veeramani
- Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Aduthurai, 612101, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Taufik M, Santikaysa IP, Haikal M, Widyastuti MT, Arif C. Dataset of physical properties of histosols topsoils effected by wildfire in Indonesia. Data Brief 2024; 53:110257. [PMID: 38533113 PMCID: PMC10964053 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2024.110257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Physical properties of peat are widely applied to detect the quality of peatland ecosystem. A comprehensive dataset on the peat properties is the foundation for the development tool and model of peat ecosystem, especially in region with frequent wildfire. Here we established a tabular dataset for physical properties of lowland tropical peatland in Indonesia. The data were obtained in dry season 2019 and 2023, respectively, at Jambi and Central Kalimantan peatlands. The dataset comprises of 66 peat samples from two land-uses namely secondary forest and ex-burned lowly vegetation. The physical properties are bulk density, porosity, water retention at four pressures (-1, -10, -25, and -1500 kPa), and water holding capacity. In addition, a set parameter of van Genuchten for water retention curve is available. The field-observed dataset provides a solid base for a better understanding of physical peat properties and can be used as a first step to develop peat water retention database in lowland tropical peatlands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muh Taufik
- Department of Geophysics and Meteorology, Kampus IPB Darmaga, IPB University, Bogor, 16680, Indonesia
- Centre for Environmental Research, Kampus IPB Dramaga, IPB University, Bogor, 16680, Indonesia
| | - I. Putu Santikaysa
- Department of Geophysics and Meteorology, Kampus IPB Darmaga, IPB University, Bogor, 16680, Indonesia
| | - Mudrik Haikal
- Department of Geophysics and Meteorology, Kampus IPB Darmaga, IPB University, Bogor, 16680, Indonesia
| | - Marliana Tri Widyastuti
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Chusnul Arif
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Kampus IPB Dramaga, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chakravarty KH, Sadi M, Chakravarty H, Andersen J, Choudhury B, Howard TJ, Arabkoohsar A. Pyrolysis kinetics and potential utilization analysis of cereal biomass by-products; an experimental analysis for cleaner energy productions in India. Chemosphere 2024; 353:141420. [PMID: 38378051 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
The optimal utilization of biomass relies heavily on the specific material and individual needs. Cereal biomass by-products can potentially be employed in thermochemical processes such as pyrolysis and gasification. To compare biomass sources, ultimate analysis, biochar potential, proximate analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis, price per megajoule generated heat, surface texture, and availability are used. A global survey of biomass wastes and opportunities for heat generation is presented in the current article. Here, nine different cereal-based agricultural waste products (barley, wheat, millet, oats, rice, rye straw, sorghum straw/stalk, and maize cob) are studied. Cereal wastes are compared based on calorific value, water content, volatile matter, ash content and ash chemical composition, bulk density, charring properties, availability, and transportation. According to the estimate, 156 million metric tonnes per year, or 6% of India's total emissions, could be eliminated by rice husk alone. Wheat straws, on the other hand, can cut emissions by 2%. Additionally, processing these nine feedstocks might result in the production of 40 GW of electrical energy, which would increase the installed capacity of India's national electric grid by 9%.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Meisam Sadi
- Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | | | | | | | - Ahmad Arabkoohsar
- Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Raffeld AM, Bradford MA, Jackson RD, Rath D, Sanford GR, Tautges N, Oldfield EE. The importance of accounting method and sampling depth to estimate changes in soil carbon stocks. Carbon Balance Manag 2024; 19:2. [PMID: 38277090 PMCID: PMC10811869 DOI: 10.1186/s13021-024-00249-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As interest in the voluntary soil carbon market surges, carbon registries have been developing new soil carbon measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) protocols. These protocols are inconsistent in their approaches to measuring soil organic carbon (SOC). Two areas of concern include the type of SOC stock accounting method (fixed-depth (FD) vs. equivalent soil mass (ESM)) and sampling depth requirement. Despite evidence that fixed-depth measurements can result in error because of changes in soil bulk density and that sampling to 30 cm neglects a significant portion of the soil profile's SOC stock, most MRV protocols do not specify which sampling method to use and only require sampling to 30 cm. Using data from UC Davis's Century Experiment ("Century") and UW Madison's Wisconsin Integrated Cropping Systems Trial (WICST), we quantify differences in SOC stock changes estimated by FD and ESM over 20 years, investigate how sampling at-depth (> 30 cm) affects SOC stock change estimates, and estimate how crediting outcomes taking an empirical sampling-only crediting approach differ when stocks are calculated using ESM or FD at different depths. RESULTS We find that FD and ESM estimates of stock change can differ by over 100 percent and that, as expected, much of this difference is associated with changes in bulk density in surface soils (e.g., r = 0.90 for Century maize treatments). This led to substantial differences in crediting outcomes between ESM and FD-based stocks, although many treatments did not receive credits due to declines in SOC stocks over time. While increased variability of soils at depth makes it challenging to accurately quantify stocks across the profile, sampling to 60 cm can capture changes in bulk density, potential SOC redistribution, and a larger proportion of the overall SOC stock. CONCLUSIONS ESM accounting and sampling to 60 cm (using multiple depth increments) should be considered best practice when quantifying change in SOC stocks in annual, row crop agroecosystems. For carbon markets, the cost of achieving an accurate estimate of SOC stocks that reflect management impacts on soils at-depth should be reflected in the price of carbon credits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Raffeld
- Environmental Defense Fund, 555 12th Street, Suite 400, Washington, DC, 20004 , USA.
| | - Mark A Bradford
- The Forest School, Yale School of the Environment, Yale University, 360 Prospect St., New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Randall D Jackson
- Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1575 Linden Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Daniel Rath
- Natural Resources Defense Council, 1152 15th St NW, Washington, DC, 20005, USA
| | - Gregg R Sanford
- Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1575 Linden Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Nicole Tautges
- Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, East Troy, WI, PO Box 990, 53120, USA
| | - Emily E Oldfield
- Environmental Defense Fund, 555 12th Street, Suite 400, Washington, DC, 20004 , USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bansal S, Creed IF, Tangen BA, Bridgham SD, Desai AR, Krauss KW, Neubauer SC, Noe GB, Rosenberry DO, Trettin C, Wickland KP, Allen ST, Arias-Ortiz A, Armitage AR, Baldocchi D, Banerjee K, Bastviken D, Berg P, Bogard MJ, Chow AT, Conner WH, Craft C, Creamer C, DelSontro T, Duberstein JA, Eagle M, Fennessy MS, Finkelstein SA, Göckede M, Grunwald S, Halabisky M, Herbert E, Jahangir MMR, Johnson OF, Jones MC, Kelleway JJ, Knox S, Kroeger KD, Kuehn KA, Lobb D, Loder AL, Ma S, Maher DT, McNicol G, Meier J, Middleton BA, Mills C, Mistry P, Mitra A, Mobilian C, Nahlik AM, Newman S, O’Connell JL, Oikawa P, van der Burg MP, Schutte CA, Song C, Stagg CL, Turner J, Vargas R, Waldrop MP, Wallin MB, Wang ZA, Ward EJ, Willard DA, Yarwood S, Zhu X. Practical Guide to Measuring Wetland Carbon Pools and Fluxes. Wetlands (Wilmington) 2023; 43:105. [PMID: 38037553 PMCID: PMC10684704 DOI: 10.1007/s13157-023-01722-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Wetlands cover a small portion of the world, but have disproportionate influence on global carbon (C) sequestration, carbon dioxide and methane emissions, and aquatic C fluxes. However, the underlying biogeochemical processes that affect wetland C pools and fluxes are complex and dynamic, making measurements of wetland C challenging. Over decades of research, many observational, experimental, and analytical approaches have been developed to understand and quantify pools and fluxes of wetland C. Sampling approaches range in their representation of wetland C from short to long timeframes and local to landscape spatial scales. This review summarizes common and cutting-edge methodological approaches for quantifying wetland C pools and fluxes. We first define each of the major C pools and fluxes and provide rationale for their importance to wetland C dynamics. For each approach, we clarify what component of wetland C is measured and its spatial and temporal representativeness and constraints. We describe practical considerations for each approach, such as where and when an approach is typically used, who can conduct the measurements (expertise, training requirements), and how approaches are conducted, including considerations on equipment complexity and costs. Finally, we review key covariates and ancillary measurements that enhance the interpretation of findings and facilitate model development. The protocols that we describe to measure soil, water, vegetation, and gases are also relevant for related disciplines such as ecology. Improved quality and consistency of data collection and reporting across studies will help reduce global uncertainties and develop management strategies to use wetlands as nature-based climate solutions. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13157-023-01722-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sheel Bansal
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, ND USA
| | - Irena F. Creed
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Brian A. Tangen
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, ND USA
| | - Scott D. Bridgham
- Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR USA
| | - Ankur R. Desai
- Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA
| | - Ken W. Krauss
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Lafayette, LA USA
| | - Scott C. Neubauer
- Department of Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA USA
| | - Gregory B. Noe
- U.S. Geological Survey, Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, Reston, VA USA
| | | | - Carl Trettin
- U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Davis, CA USA
| | - Kimberly P. Wickland
- U.S. Geological Survey, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Denver, CO USA
| | - Scott T. Allen
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV USA
| | - Ariane Arias-Ortiz
- Ecosystem Science Division, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Anna R. Armitage
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX USA
| | - Dennis Baldocchi
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Kakoli Banerjee
- Department of Biodiversity and Conservation of Natural Resources, Central University of Odisha, Koraput, Odisha India
| | - David Bastviken
- Department of Thematic Studies – Environmental Change, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Peter Berg
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA USA
| | - Matthew J. Bogard
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB Canada
| | - Alex T. Chow
- Earth and Environmental Sciences Programme, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR China
| | - William H. Conner
- Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science, Clemson University, Georgetown, SC USA
| | - Christopher Craft
- O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN USA
| | - Courtney Creamer
- U.S. Geological Survey, Geology, Minerals, Energy and Geophysics Science Center, Menlo Park, CA USA
| | - Tonya DelSontro
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON Canada
| | - Jamie A. Duberstein
- Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science, Clemson University, Georgetown, SC USA
| | - Meagan Eagle
- U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Coastal & Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA USA
| | | | | | - Mathias Göckede
- Department for Biogeochemical Signals, Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena, Germany
| | - Sabine Grunwald
- Soil, Water and Ecosystem Sciences Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Meghan Halabisky
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | | | | | - Olivia F. Johnson
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, ND USA
- Departments of Biology and Environmental Studies, Kent State University, Kent, OH USA
| | - Miriam C. Jones
- U.S. Geological Survey, Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, Reston, VA USA
| | - Jeffrey J. Kelleway
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences and Environmental Futures Research Centre, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW Australia
| | - Sara Knox
- Department of Geography, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Kevin D. Kroeger
- U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Coastal & Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA USA
| | - Kevin A. Kuehn
- School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS USA
| | - David Lobb
- Department of Soil Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB Canada
| | - Amanda L. Loder
- Department of Geography, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Shizhou Ma
- School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK Canada
| | - Damien T. Maher
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW Australia
| | - Gavin McNicol
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Jacob Meier
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, ND USA
| | - Beth A. Middleton
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Lafayette, LA USA
| | - Christopher Mills
- U.S. Geological Survey, Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center, Denver, CO USA
| | - Purbasha Mistry
- School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK Canada
| | - Abhijit Mitra
- Department of Marine Science, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, West Bengal India
| | - Courtney Mobilian
- O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN USA
| | - Amanda M. Nahlik
- Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessments, Pacific Ecological Systems Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, OR USA
| | - Sue Newman
- South Florida Water Management District, Everglades Systems Assessment Section, West Palm Beach, FL USA
| | - Jessica L. O’Connell
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO USA
| | - Patty Oikawa
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA USA
| | - Max Post van der Burg
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, ND USA
| | - Charles A. Schutte
- Department of Environmental Science, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ USA
| | - Changchun Song
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Camille L. Stagg
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Lafayette, LA USA
| | - Jessica Turner
- Freshwater and Marine Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA
| | - Rodrigo Vargas
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE USA
| | - Mark P. Waldrop
- U.S. Geological Survey, Geology, Minerals, Energy and Geophysics Science Center, Menlo Park, CA USA
| | - Marcus B. Wallin
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Zhaohui Aleck Wang
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA USA
| | - Eric J. Ward
- U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Lafayette, LA USA
| | - Debra A. Willard
- U.S. Geological Survey, Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, Reston, VA USA
| | - Stephanie Yarwood
- Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD USA
| | - Xiaoyan Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Songliao Aquatic Environment, Ministry of Education, Jilin Jianzhu University, Changchun, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Amin AEEAZ. Effects of saline water on soil properties and red radish growth in saline soil as a function of co-applying wood chips biochar with chemical fertilizers. BMC Plant Biol 2023; 23:382. [PMID: 37550615 PMCID: PMC10405371 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-023-04397-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, using unconventional water sources in agriculture has become necessary to face overpopulation worldwide. Therefore, a pot experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of irrigation with saline water in the presence of co-applied wood chips biochar (WCB) with chemical fertilizers on physicochemical properties and nutrient availability as well as growth parameters, and yield of red radish (Raphanus sativus L.) grown in the saline sandy soil. METHODS The WCB was added to the saline sandy soil at levels of 0 (control), 2.5, and 5% w/w. Then, this soil was cultivated by red radish plants and irrigated with saline water (5 dS m- 1). This experiment was performed in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. RESULTS Compared with the control treatment, WCB treatments increased significantly soil water holding capacity by 34.8% and 73.2% for levels of 2.5 and 5%, respectively. Soil pH decreased significantly in all WCB treatments. The relative increase in the total available nitrogen over the control was 30.1 and 103.5% for 2.5 and 5% wood chips biochar, respectively. Compared to the control, applying WCB at 2.5% led to an increase in the fresh root weight of red radish plants by 142.7%, while 5% caused a decrease in the fresh root weight of red radish plants by 29.4%. CONCLUSION Recently, WCB represents an interesting approach to the rehabilitation of saline soils and the management of using saline water sources. It is recommended that combined application of WCB at a level of 2.5% with chemical fertilizers in order to improve red radish growth and nutrient retention in the saline sandy soil which preserves the ecosystem as well as increases productivity leading to the reduction of costs.
Collapse
|
7
|
Feeney CJ, Robinson DA, Keith AM, Vigier A, Bentley L, Smith RP, Garbutt A, Maskell LC, Norton L, Wood CM, Cosby BJ, Emmett BA. Development of soil health benchmarks for managed and semi-natural landscapes. Sci Total Environ 2023; 886:163973. [PMID: 37164075 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Efforts to improve soil health require that target values of key soil properties are established. No agreed targets exist but providing population data as benchmarks is a useful step to standardise soil health comparison between landscapes. We exploited nationally representative topsoil (0-15 cm) measurements to derive soil health benchmarks for managed and semi-natural environments across Great Britain. In total, 4587 soil organic matter (SOM), 3860 pH, 2908 bulk density (BD), and 465 earthworm abundance (EA) datapoints were used. As soil properties are sensitive to site-specific characteristics, data were stratified by habitat, soil type, and mean annual precipitation, with benchmarks defined as the middle 80 % of values in each distribution - yielding 135 benchmarks. BD and pH decreased with land management intensity (agriculture > semi-natural grasslands > woodlands > heathlands > wetlands), and vice versa for SOM and EA. Normalising benchmark ranges by medians revealed soil health indicator benchmark widths increased in the order: pH < BD < SOM < EA, while width increased with decreasing land management intensity. Arable and horticulture and improved grassland exhibited narrow benchmarks for SOM, pH and BD, yet the widest EA benchmark, suggesting additional drivers impact EA patterns. Upland wetlands had the widest BD benchmarks, important when determining carbon stocks. East Anglia currently possesses the largest proportions of atypical soils, including below typical SOM (19.2 %), above typical BD (17.4 %) and pH (39.1 %), and the smallest proportions of above typical SOM (2.4 %), and below typical BD (5.8 %) and pH (2.3 %). This is found even after land use, soil type and rainfall have been considered, underscoring how urgently soil health should be addressed here. Our benchmarking framework allows landowners to compare where their measured soil health indicators fall within expected ranges and is applicable to other biomes, national and multinational contexts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Feeney
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK.
| | - David A Robinson
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Aidan M Keith
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, UK
| | - Audric Vigier
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 OQB, UK
| | - Laura Bentley
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Richard P Smith
- Environment Agency, Manley House, Kestrel Way, Exeter EX2 7LQ, UK
| | - Angus Garbutt
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Lindsay C Maskell
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, UK
| | - Lisa Norton
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, UK
| | - Claire M Wood
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, UK
| | - B Jack Cosby
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Bridget A Emmett
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2UW, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Sahu A, Mishra DP. Effects of intrinsic properties, particle size, bulk density, and specific gravity on thermal properties of coal dusts. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2023; 30:41236-41252. [PMID: 36627428 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-25035-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Thermal properties of pulverized coal govern the heat transfer and greatly influence the coal dust explosion and spontaneous combustion processes. This study measures the thermal properties of five coal samples at six distinct particle sizes using an advanced thermal property analyzer. The thermo-physical properties of coal dust positively correlated with the particle size. Thermal conductivity, diffusivity, and specific heat capacity increased with the ash percentage, bulk density, and specific gravity of coal dust. In contrast, they negatively correlated with the fixed carbon and volatile content of coal. Empirical relations between the thermo-physical properties were developed. The thermal conductivity, diffusivity, and specific heat capacity of coal dusts varied in the range of 0.091-0.147 W/mK, 0.125-0.164 mm2/s, and 0.715-0.945 MJ/m3K, respectively. With increase in particle size from < 38 to 500-1000 µm, thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat capacity increased in the range of 25.60-32.89%, 9.76-22.11%, and 9.57-20.80%, respectively, for different coal samples.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aashish Sahu
- Department of Mining Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, 826 004, India
| | - Devi Prasad Mishra
- Department of Mining Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, 826 004, India.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Ahmed J, Thomas L, Mulla MZ, Al-Attar H, Maniruzzaman M. Dry granulation of vitamin D3 and iron in corn starch matrix: Powder flow and structural properties. Food Res Int 2023; 165:112497. [PMID: 36869503 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.112497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
In this work, a twin-screw dry granulation (TSDG) was adopted to produce vitamin D3 (VD3) and iron blended dry granules using corn starch as an excipient. Response surface methodology was applied to determine the effect of the formulation compositions (VD3 and iron) on granule properties [tapped bulk density, oil holding capacity, and volumetric mean particle size (Dv50)]. Results indicated that the model fitted well, and responses, in particular flow properties, were significantly affected by the composition. The Dv50 was only influenced by the addition of VD3. The flow properties were characterized by the Carr index and Hausner ratio, which indicated very poor flow of the granules. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy confirm the presence and distribution of Fe++ and VD3 in the granules. Overall, TSDG was proven to be a simple alternative method for the preparation of dry granules of VD3 and iron in a blend.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jasim Ahmed
- Environment & Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885, Safat 13109, Kuwait.
| | - Linu Thomas
- Environment & Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885, Safat 13109, Kuwait
| | - Mehrajfatema Z Mulla
- Environment & Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885, Safat 13109, Kuwait
| | - Hasan Al-Attar
- Environment & Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885, Safat 13109, Kuwait
| | - M Maniruzzaman
- Pharmaceutical Engineering and 3D Printing Lab (PharmE3D) The Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Rippke C, Renkamp CK, Stahl-Arnsberger C, Miltner A, Buchele C, Hörner-Rieber J, Ristau J, Debus J, Alber M, Klüter S. A body mass index-based method for "MR-only" abdominal MR-guided adaptive radiotherapy. Z Med Phys 2023:S0939-3889(22)00134-9. [PMID: 36759229 DOI: 10.1016/j.zemedi.2022.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Dose calculation for MR-guided radiotherapy (MRgRT) at the 0.35 T MR-Linac is currently based on deformation of planning CTs (defCT) acquired for each patient. We present a simple and robust bulk density overwrite synthetic CT (sCT) method for abdominal treatments in order to streamline clinical workflows. METHOD Fifty-six abdominal patient treatment plans were retrospectively evaluated. All patients had been treated at the MR-Linac using MR datasets for treatment planning and plan adaption and defCT for dose calculation. Bulk density CTs (4M-sCT) were generated from MR images with four material compartments (bone, lung, air, soft tissue). The relative electron densities (RED) for bone and lung were extracted from contoured CT structure average REDs. For soft tissue, a correlation between BMI and RED was evaluated. Dose was recalculated on 4M-sCT and compared to dose distributions on defCTs assessing dose differences in the PTV and organs at risk (OAR). RESULTS Mean RED of bone was 1.17 ± 0.02, mean RED of lung 0.17 ± 0.05. The correlation between BMI and RED for soft tissue was statistically significant (p < 0.01). PTV dose differences between 4M-sCT and defCT were Dmean: -0.4 ± 1.0%, D1%: -0.3 ± 1.1% and D95%: -0.5 ± 1.0%. OARs showed D2%: -0.3 ± 1.9% and Dmean: -0.1 ± 1.4% differences. Local 3D gamma index pass rates (2%/2mm) between dose calculated using 4M-sCT and defCT were 96.8 ± 2.6% (range 89.9-99.6%). CONCLUSION The presented method for sCT generation enables precise dose calculation for MR-only abdominal MRgRT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Rippke
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Oncology (NCRO), Heidelberg, Germany; Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 672, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - C Katharina Renkamp
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Oncology (NCRO), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christiane Stahl-Arnsberger
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Annette Miltner
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Carolin Buchele
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Oncology (NCRO), Heidelberg, Germany; Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 672, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Juliane Hörner-Rieber
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Oncology (NCRO), Heidelberg, Germany; Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 672, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Core-center Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jonas Ristau
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Oncology (NCRO), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Debus
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Oncology (NCRO), Heidelberg, Germany; Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 672, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Im Neuenheimer Feld 450, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Core-center Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Markus Alber
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Oncology (NCRO), Heidelberg, Germany; Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 672, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Klüter
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), National Center for Radiation Oncology (NCRO), Heidelberg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Anchang MM, Okafor GI. Some physical, functional and antinutrients of breakfast cereals from blends of guinea corn, pigeon pea and mango flour using mixture-process design. J Food Sci Technol 2022; 59:2972-2982. [PMID: 35872722 PMCID: PMC9304536 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-022-05407-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Some functional, physical and anti-nutritional factors of breakfast cereals from blends of sorghum (X1), pigeon pea (X2) and mango (X3) flours were evaluated using mixture-process design. The flours were blended in ratios of 1:0:0, 0:1:0, 0:0:1, 05:0.5:0, 0.5:0:0.5, 0:0.5:0.5, and 1/3:1/3:1/3, for sorghum, pigeon pea, and mango flour, respectively. Twenty-eight samples were generated from a multiplicative (23-1) simplex centroid mixture design and a (2, 2) full factorial design. The samples were roasted at varying temperatures (Z1) (250 and 270 °C) and times (Z2) (4 and 7 min). The water absorption capacity (WAC), pH, bulk density (BD), foam capacity (FC), haemagglutinin, phytates, and tannins were evaluated. Significant (p < 0.05) regression models were generated to explain these responses. The temperature time-combination did not significantly (p > 0.05) affect pH changes. For WAC, BD, FC, and the antinutrients, there was no clear trend to describe the effect of mixture components and process variables. Experimental runs with the same mixture formulation, processed at different temperature-time combinations had different values for these attributes with the degree of reduction of antinutrients being a simultaneous effect of these variables. Cross interactions between the mixture and process variables showed that the selected properties were dependent both on the mixture and processing conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mumukom Maximus Anchang
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State Nigeria
| | - Gabriel Ifeanyi Okafor
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State Nigeria
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Dong J, Wang L, Quan Q, Zhang J, Li X, Zhao D, Fang J, Cao Q, Liu J. Factors controlling soil organic carbon content in wetlands at multiple scales and assessment of the universality of estimation equations: A mega-data study. Sci Total Environ 2022; 827:154380. [PMID: 35271929 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The factors controlling soil organic carbon (SOC) content in wetlands need to be identified to estimate the global stores of SOC. Although there have been a large number of small-scale studies of the local patterns of SOC content, global studies are still required. We used a random forest algorithm and other statistical approaches to determine the controls on the SOC content in wetlands at global, continental, and national scales based on the Harmonized World Soil Database and field data. The results showed that, at the three scales explored, the soil cation exchange capacity and bulk density were the main controls on the SOC content in wetlands. Moreover, equations for estimating global SOC content were established. To assess the universality of SOC content estimation equations, the soil properties were considered as a "community" and the normalized stochasticity ratio (NST) was used to assess the stochasticity in the assembly of soil "communities". The results showed that, globally, the interaction of these factors was stochastic in the "community" composed of the controllers and SOC. The reason for this result might be that microbes were not considered in the equation. Therefore, the weighted abundance of related microbes (WARM) was therefore recommended in the estimation of SOC. With NST and WARM factors, we found that microbes play a key role in increasing the determinacy of SOC estimation equations in wetlands with less anthropogenic contamination. Our findings show that when microbial impacts are taken into account, the patterns of SOC content in pristine wetlands are more universal. Our newly established equations for estimating global SOC content are crucial in projecting changes in wetland SOC, and the two factors indicated in this study favor the universality for SOC content estimation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junyu Dong
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Lifei Wang
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Quan Quan
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, China
| | - Jianguo Zhang
- Jinan Environmental Research Academy, Jinan 100875, China
| | - Xin Li
- Jinan Environmental Research Academy, Jinan 100875, China
| | - Di Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Jiaohui Fang
- School of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273100, China
| | - Qingqing Cao
- School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, China
| | - Jian Liu
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
da Silva RB, Rosa JS, Packer AP, Bento CB, de Melo Silva FA. A soil quality physical-chemical approach 30 years after land-use change from forest to banana plantation. Environ Monit Assess 2022; 194:482. [PMID: 35668330 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10167-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Bananas are a worldwide cultivated crop and one of the main agricultural activities in Brazil. The banana orchards cultivated in the region of São Paulo State are under native areas of the Atlantic Forest biome. The Atlantic Forest has suffered agricultural and urban pressure for many years. Banana crops require soil management and superficial vegetation removal in the first cycles. We conducted a study aiming to understand the impact of long-standing banana cultivation in the Atlantic forest region. Soil samples in banana plantations (EBP) and forest remnants (FR) were collected from trenches with 0- to 100-cm layers. The soil bulk density in EBP until 30-cm depth was 12.76% higher than that in FR. Quantifications of macropores and micropores in FR reached values higher than those in EBP. The results showed that carbon stocks decreased from the top to the deeper layers. Thirty years after the conversion, the FR treatment accumulated 28.23% more carbon than EBP. Considering our results, it was evident that changes in physical and chemical properties reflected the negative impacts of the banana plantations, cropped through conventional management, when converted from forest even in regard to a remnant one. These findings, showed for the first time, lead us to understand the soil management of banana plantations, following conventional agriculture systems, as a potential carbon stock reducer and a factor resulting in the loss of soil quality in the region. Additionally, our data can be used by environmentalists and government policymakers to promote environmental sustainability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reginaldo Barboza da Silva
- Department of Agronomy, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Campus of Registro, Street Nelson Brihi Badur, 430, Postal code 11.900-000, Registro, SP, Brazil.
| | - Jéssica Silva Rosa
- Department of Agronomy, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Campus of Registro, Street Nelson Brihi Badur, 430, Postal code 11.900-000, Registro, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Packer
- Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), EMBRAPA Environment, Km 127.5, Tanquinho Velho, Postal code 13.918-110, Jaguariuna, SP, SP-340, Brazil
| | - Camila Bolfarini Bento
- Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), EMBRAPA Environment, Km 127.5, Tanquinho Velho, Postal code 13.918-110, Jaguariuna, SP, SP-340, Brazil
| | - Francisca Alcivânia de Melo Silva
- Department of Agronomy, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Campus of Registro, Street Nelson Brihi Badur, 430, Postal code 11.900-000, Registro, SP, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Groult S, Buwalda S, Budtova T. Tuning bio-aerogel properties for controlling drug delivery. Part 2: Cellulose-pectin composite aerogels. Biomater Adv 2022; 135:212732. [PMID: 35929208 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2022.212732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The release of the model drug theophylline from cellulose-pectin composite aerogels was investigated. Cellulose and pectin formed an interpenetrated network, and the goal was to study and understand the influence of each component and its solubility in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids on the kinetics of release. Cellulose was dissolved, coagulated in water, followed by impregnation with pectin solution, crosslinking of pectin with calcium (in some cases this step was omitted), solvent exchange and supercritical CO2 drying. Theophylline was loaded via impregnation and its release into simulated gastric fluid was monitored for 1 h followed by release into simulated intestinal fluid. The properties of the composite aerogels were varied via the cellulose and pectin concentrations as well as the calcium content in the precursor solutions. The release kinetics was correlated with aerogel specific surface area, bulk density as well as network swelling and erosion. The Korsmeyer-Peppas model was employed to identify the dominant release mechanisms during the various stages of the release.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Groult
- MINES ParisTech, PSL Research University, Center for Materials Forming (CEMEF), UMR CNRS 7635, CS 10207, 06904 Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Sytze Buwalda
- MINES ParisTech, PSL Research University, Center for Materials Forming (CEMEF), UMR CNRS 7635, CS 10207, 06904 Sophia Antipolis, France
| | - Tatiana Budtova
- MINES ParisTech, PSL Research University, Center for Materials Forming (CEMEF), UMR CNRS 7635, CS 10207, 06904 Sophia Antipolis, France.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Mishra DP. Physico-chemical characteristics of pulverized coals and their interrelations-a spontaneous combustion and explosion perspective. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2022; 29:24849-24862. [PMID: 34825337 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17626-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Characteristics of pulverized coals have significant influence on the spontaneous combustion and explosion processes. This paper presents an experimental and theoretical framework on physico-chemical characteristics of coal and their interrelations from spontaneous combustion and explosion perspectives. The chemical properties, morphology, bulk density, particle size, and specific surface area of pulverized coals from nine different coal subsidiaries of India are vividly investigated in five distinct sizes. Moreover, the effects of particle size on bulk density, specific surface area, and N2 adsorption capacity of pulverized coals are critically analyzed. With decrease in particle size, the bulk density of pulverized coals decreased, and the specific surface area and N2 adsorption capacity increased. The relationships of bulk density and specific surface area of pulverized coals with particle size are established. Moreover, the specific surface areas determined by both the particle sizing and BET methods are compared, and correlation factors between them are determined. This study generated insightful coal characteristic data, which can be useful for furthering research on spontaneous combustion and explosion involving pulverized coals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Devi Prasad Mishra
- Department of Mining Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad-826 004, Jharkhand, India.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Liao W, Drake J, Thomas SC. Biochar granulation enhances plant performance on a green roof substrate. Sci Total Environ 2022; 813:152638. [PMID: 34968588 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Green roofs have been widely promoted as a means to enhance ecosystem services in cities, but roofs present a harsh growing environment for plants. Biochar is suggested to be a highly beneficial substrate additive for green roof systems due to its low weight, high nutrient and water retention capacity, and recalcitrance. However, biochar is susceptible to wind and water erosion, which may result in biochar loss and negative environmental impacts. Applications of biochar as large particles or in granulated form may mitigate biochar erosion potential, but relevant data on plant performance and substrate properties are lacking. We examined the effects of granulated and conventional biochars at a range of particle sizes on plant performance of the drought-tolerant forb Agastache foeniculum. We found that granulated biochar strongly enhanced plant growth, reproduction, and physiological status, acting to neutralize pH and enhance water retention capacity of the substrate. In contrast, although conventional biochar reduced substrate bulk density and enhanced substrate total porosity and water retention capacity, it suppressed plant growth. Our results also suggest that granulated biochar at intermediate particle sizes (2-2.8 mm) best enhanced plant performance. We conclude that use of granulated biochars on green roofs can strongly promote plant performance while increasing water infiltration and retention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenxi Liao
- Institute of Forestry and Conservation, John H Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks St., Toronto, ON M5S 3B3, Canada.
| | - Jennifer Drake
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, 35 St. George St., Toronto, ON M5S 1A4, Canada
| | - Sean C Thomas
- Institute of Forestry and Conservation, John H Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design, University of Toronto, 33 Willcocks St., Toronto, ON M5S 3B3, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Rashad AM. Possibility of producing thermal insulation materials from cementitious materials without foaming agent or lightweight aggregate. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2022; 29:3784-3793. [PMID: 34389957 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15873-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Due to the high increase in the consumption of building energy in the world, it is urgent to develop and use thermal insulation materials to limit the demand of energy. In this article, the possibility of producing thermal insulation plasters from common cementitious materials such as fly ash (FA), metakaolin (MK), and silica fume (SF) without employing any foaming agent or lightweight aggregate was investigated. Either cement or gypsum was used as a binder material. Eight different types of plaster based on different pozzolanic materials were investigated and compared with the traditional cement mortar plaster (TC). The compressive strength, bulk density, total porosity, thermal conductivity, and thermal resistance were measured. The results showed that it is possible to produce thermal insulation plasters based on pozzolanic materials without including foaming agent or lightweight aggregate. The obtained insulating plasters exhibited low density (888.75-1575.63 kg/m3), high porosity (39.5-57.75%), low thermal conductivity (0.30-0.48 W/mK) and suitable compressive strength. Using gypsum as a binder material was better than cement for insulation purposes. SF showed the highest insulation efficiency followed by FA and MK.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alaa M Rashad
- Building Materials Research and Quality Control Institute, Housing & Building National Research Center (HBRC), Cairo, Egypt.
- Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Shaqra University, Al-Dawadmi, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Ramadhan MN. Yield and yield components of maize and soil physical properties as affected by tillage practices and organic mulching. Saudi J Biol Sci 2021; 28:7152-7159. [PMID: 34867018 PMCID: PMC8626335 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important grains cereal crop. Lots of farmers using tillage and mulching practices influence the final yield, to maintain up with the growing demand for food, fuel and feed. Field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of tillage practices (i.e. conventional tillage CT, reduced tillage RT, deep tillage DT) and wheat straw mulching (i.e. no mulch and wheat straw mulch of 4, 8 and 12 Mg ha−1, SM0, SM1, SM2 and SM3 respectively) on the growth, yield and yield components of maize and some of soil physical properties. The results showed that compared with RT, DT and CT decreased soil bulk density, as well as led to increase soil water content. Application of mulch treatments increased soil water content. DT and CT have been associated with greater plant height, yield components, grain and biomass yield than RT treatment. Plant height, yield components, grain and biomass yield as well as soil water content increased following mulching treatments. Mulching treatment of SM2 had the largest positive effects on maize yield. DT and CT that have potential to break the compacted zone in soil leading to a better soil environment and crop yield. The application of wheat straw mulch could be an efficient soil management practice for corn production in arid subtropical climate region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marwan Noori Ramadhan
- Department of Agric. Machines and Equipment, College of Agriculture, University of Basrah, Iraq
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Ansari S, Sadeghi H. Carbon storage assessment in soil and plant organs: the role of Prosopis spp. on mitigate soil degradation. Environ Monit Assess 2021; 194:1. [PMID: 34862577 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-021-09612-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Carbon sequestration is a process for stable storage of carbon dioxide. In this process, excess atmospheric carbon dioxide is stored by the aerial and underground organs of rangeland plants to reduce global warming. The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between some chemical properties of soil and ability of carbon storage in two plants, namely Prosopis cineraria and Prosopis juliflora in soil depth ranging between 0-15 and 15-30 cm. This research was carried out in Anbarabad region which is located at 258 km in the southeast of Kerman during 2016-2018. The present research was performed as a factorial experiment so that the first factor was the plant species and the control treatment and the second component was soil depth. Sampling was done from the shady soil of plants and the control area. Soil properties including organic carbon, bulk density, acidity, electrical conductivity and organic matter were analysed. The results indicated that the carbon stored at depths of 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm in the shade soil of P. cineraria was 21.39 and 24.36 t/ha, and in P. juliflora was 23.70 and 24.85 t/ha, and in control area is 19.83 and 21.31 t/ha. Also, the results of stepwise regression study showed that organic carbon percentage and bulk density are the most important factors affecting soil carbon sequestration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ansari
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Engineering, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Hossein Sadeghi
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Engineering, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Tanguay-Rioux F, Héroux M, Legros R. Physical properties of recyclable materials and implications for resource recovery. Waste Manag 2021; 136:195-203. [PMID: 34695726 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2021.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical sorting plays a pivotal role in current municipal solid waste management systems for resource recovery. However, material recovery facilities, generally face several challenges in meeting quality standards for multiple waste fractions. Improving these facilities requires a better understanding of municipal solid waste physical characteristics, since they are directly targeted by mechanical sorting unit operations. Three waste physical properties (bulk density, particle size and shape factor) were characterized for several recyclable materials. Narrow ranges of densities were observed for similar waste materials, while the particle size distributions were found to vary widely. Statistical parameters were determined for these two properties. A novel approach, based on the void fraction of a waste item, is proposed to quantify the shape factor. Potential applications of the characterization results for improving mechanical sorting are demonstrated through the analysis of the recovery of corrugated cardboards and multilayer cardboards in a material recovery facility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabrice Tanguay-Rioux
- Chaire de Recherche sur la Valorisation des Matières Résiduelles (CRVMR), Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Robert Legros
- Chaire de Recherche sur la Valorisation des Matières Résiduelles (CRVMR), Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Schillaci C, Perego A, Valkama E, Märker M, Saia S, Veronesi F, Lipani A, Lombardo L, Tadiello T, Gamper HA, Tedone L, Moss C, Pareja-Serrano E, Amato G, Kühl K, Dămătîrcă C, Cogato A, Mzid N, Eeswaran R, Rabelo M, Sperandio G, Bosino A, Bufalini M, Tunçay T, Ding J, Fiorentini M, Tiscornia G, Conradt S, Botta M, Acutis M. New pedotransfer approaches to predict soil bulk density using WoSIS soil data and environmental covariates in Mediterranean agro-ecosystems. Sci Total Environ 2021; 780:146609. [PMID: 34030315 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
For the estimation of the soil organic carbon stocks, bulk density (BD) is a fundamental parameter but measured data are usually not available especially when dealing with legacy soil data. It is possible to estimate BD by applying pedotransfer function (PTF). We applied different estimation methods with the aim to define a suitable PTF for BD of arable land for the Mediterranean Basin, which has peculiar climate features that may influence the soil carbon sequestration. To improve the existing BD estimation methods, we used a set of public climatic and topographic data along with the soil texture and organic carbon data. The present work consisted of the following steps: i) development of three PTFs models separately for top (0-0.4 m) and subsoil (0.4-1.2 m), ii) a 10-fold cross-validation, iii) model transferability using an external dataset derived from published data. The development of the new PTFs was based on the training dataset consisting of World Soil Information Service (WoSIS) soil profile data, climatic data from WorldClim at 1 km spatial resolution and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) digital elevation model at 30 m spatial resolution. The three PTFs models were developed using: Multiple Linear Regression stepwise (MLR-S), Multiple Linear Regression backward stepwise (MLR-BS), and Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The predictions of the newly developed PTFs were compared with the BD calculated using the PTF proposed by Manrique and Jones (MJ) and the modelled BD derived from the global SoilGrids dataset. For the topsoil training dataset (N = 129), MLR-S, MLR-BS and ANN had a R2 0.35, 0.58 and 0.86, respectively. For the model transferability, the three PTFs applied to the external topsoil dataset (N = 59), achieved R2 values of 0.06, 0.03 and 0.41. For the subsoil training dataset (N = 180), MLR-S, MLR-BS and ANN the R2 values were 0.36, 0.46 and 0.83, respectively. When applied to the external subsoil dataset (N = 29), the R2 values were 0.05, 0.06 and 0.41. The cross-validation for both top and subsoil dataset, resulted in an intermediate performance compared to calibration and validation with the external dataset. The new ANN PTF outperformed MLR-S, MLR-BS, MJ and SoilGrids approaches for estimating BD. Further improvements may be achieved by additionally considering the time of sampling, agricultural soil management and cultivation practices in predictive models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Calogero Schillaci
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Perego
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, Milan, Italy.
| | - Elena Valkama
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Bioeconomy and Environment, FI-31600, Tietotie 4, Jokioinen, Finland
| | - Michael Märker
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata, 1, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Sergio Saia
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Via delle Piagge 2, Pisa 56129, Italy
| | - Fabio Veronesi
- Water Research Centre Limited, Frankland Road, Blagrove, Swindon, Wiltshire SN56 8YF, England, UK
| | - Aldo Lipani
- Department of Web Intelligence Group, University College London (UCL), 90 High Holborn, London, England, UK
| | - Luigi Lombardo
- Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), University of Twente, PO Box 217, Enschede AE 7500, the Netherlands
| | - Tommaso Tadiello
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, Milan, Italy
| | - Hannes A Gamper
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Piazza Università, 5 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Luigi Tedone
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/A-, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Cami Moss
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | | | - Gabriele Amato
- Applied Physics Institute, Nello Carrara - National Research Council of Italy (IFAC-CNR), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Kersten Kühl
- Department of Geography, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), Germany
| | - Claudia Dămătîrcă
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Torino, largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Alessia Cogato
- Department of Land, Environmental, Agriculture and Forestry, University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Nada Mzid
- Department of Agriculture Forestry and Nature (DAFNE), University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Rasu Eeswaran
- Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing MI48824, USA
| | - Marya Rabelo
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giorgio Sperandio
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa, 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alberto Bosino
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata, 1, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Margherita Bufalini
- University of Camerino, School of Science and Technology-Geology Division, Via Gentile III da Varano, Camerino 62032, Italy
| | - Tülay Tunçay
- Soil Fertilizer and Water Resources Central Research Institute, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Jianqi Ding
- Department of Biological and Ecological Sciences DEB, Università della Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Marco Fiorentini
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences (D3A), Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Guadalupe Tiscornia
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), Unidad Agroclima y Sistemas de Información (GRAS), Ruta 48 KM10, Canelones 90200, Uruguay
| | | | - Marco Botta
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Acutis
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Science, University of Milan, Via Celoria 2, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Mazumder P, Pm A, Khwairakpam M, Mishra U, Kalamdhad AS. Enhancement of soil physico-chemical properties post compost application: Optimization using Response Surface Methodology comprehending Central Composite Design. J Environ Manage 2021; 289:112461. [PMID: 33831758 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The application of compost has been recognized as one of the most promising approaches for preserving soil quality and crop production. The present study exhaustively investigates the impact of Water Hyacinth Compost (WHC), Hydrilla verticillata Compost (HVC) and Vegetable Waste Compost (VWC) on soil nutrient quality and engineering properties [Bulk Density (BD), water retention and specific gravity]. For the study, six different proportions constituting 5, 10, 15, 25, 35 and 45% of the composts by weight of the soil were taken. The soil compost mixtures were evaluated at different periods (0, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 120 days) for various nutrients [Na, Mg, P, K, Ca, Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN)], BD, water retention capacity, change in specific gravity and Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) values. It was observed that when the percentage of compost was increased to 15-45%, it resulted in enhanced nutrient value of the soil. Also, for WHC, HVC and VWC 60 days was sufficient to improve the soil quality to its maximum extend. Based on the optimized physico-chemical properties generated from the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) model, it was found that compared to WHC and HVC, the VWC performed better results viz., generating low BD (0.87 g/cm3), high water retention capacity (45.63%) and degree of saturation (77.49%) of the soil. While WHC, HVC and VWC can be used to improve soil nutrient content and overall physico-chemical parameters in long terms, VWC could be more efficient and beneficial to degraded soil for restoring soil health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Payal Mazumder
- Centre for the Environment, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India.
| | - Akhil Pm
- Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Agartala, Tripura, 799046, India
| | - Meena Khwairakpam
- Centre for Rural Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| | - Umesh Mishra
- Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Agartala, Tripura, 799046, India
| | - Ajay S Kalamdhad
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam, 781039, India
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Nyirenda H, Balaka V. Conservation agriculture-related practices contribute to maize ( Zea mays L.) yield and soil improvement in Central Malawi. Heliyon 2021; 7:e06636. [PMID: 33869856 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Conservation agriculture-related practices (CARP) improve soil fertility, maize yield, and profitability. A study was conducted to generate evidence on the benefits of CARP in the long-term (nine years) in Salima District, Central Malawi. The objectives of the study were 1) to compare the maize yields between farmer practice and CARP interventions in the long-term, 2) to compare soil fertility changes between farmer practice and CARP interventions in the long-term, and 3) to verify the intercropping efficiency of maize with groundnut using the land equivalent ratio (LER) and land equivalent coefficient (LEC). A guiding hypothesis was that the application of CARP improves soil condition and maize yield. Farmer practice (FP) and three CARP [Pit planting + mulching (PPM), Intercropping + mulching (INM), and Mulching (MC)] treatments were tested in the study. INM was also tested for intercropping efficiency. Maize yields in CARP (3.98-4.43 Mg ha-1) were significantly higher (p < 0.018) than in FP (1.84 Mg ha-1). Soil pH, soil organic carbon, soil organic matter, nitrogen, and bulk density were acceptable for the Malawian soil in CARP compared to FP, suggesting that CARP improved soil fertility properties. There was no significant difference in soil potassium concentration across the treatments (p < 0.0642). The land equivalent ratio for maize and groundnut intercropping in INM was 1.77, indicating beneficial intercropping efficiency. The benefit-cost ratios (BCR) for PPM, INM, and MC were 1.55, 1.90, and 2.26, respectively, indicating that CARP interventions were more profitable than FP (BCR = 0.15). It is concluded that CARP interventions contribute to increased crop yield, income, and soil fertility restoration in the agricultural land. The selection of a CARP intervention should depend on the farmer's main intention, either to maximize yield, soil fertility, income, or a combination.
Collapse
|
24
|
Mounir S, Ghandour A, Mustafa R, Allaf K. Can hydro-thermo-mechanical treatment by instant controlled pressure-drop (DIC) be used as short time roasting process? Effect of processing parameters on sensory, physical, functional, and color attributes of Egyptian carob powder. J Food Sci Technol 2021; 58:451-464. [PMID: 33568839 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-020-04553-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This study deals with the manufacture of a specific cocoa-like powder from Egyptian carob. The crucial unit operation consists of texturing/roasting unseeded carob kibbles, with the aim being to ensure perfect control of the chemical transformations that generate the desired flavor, drying to remove excess moisture, deodorizing to eliminate the undesirable flavor, and texturing to favor the physical/micro-mechanical changes that regulate the microstructure of the end product, in order to obtain an expanded-granule powder that can be used in many food formulations. The effect of saturated steam pressure of 0.30-0.60 MPa (133.5-158.8 °C) and processing time of 40-70 s, on the sensory attributes, physical and functional properties, and color characteristics were evaluated and optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). DIC-texturing/roasting could be used to improve the sensory and color characteristics, increase the expansion ratio and oil holding capacity, and decrease the bulk density of DIC-textured/roasted carob powder. The desired quality of textured/roasted carob powder was obtained at 0.60 MPa (158.8 °C) for 55 s (experimental conditions) with water holding capacity close to those of non-textured/unroasted sample. DIC can be used as a coupled process of texturing and roasting at 0.60 MPa for 68 s as predicted by RSM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabah Mounir
- Food Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519 Egypt.,Laboratory of Engineering Science for Environment LaSIEUMR7356, CNRS, La Rochelle University, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Atef Ghandour
- Agricultural Engineering Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - Rana Mustafa
- College of Agriculture and Bioresources, Department Plant Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, S7N 5A8 Canada
| | - Karim Allaf
- Laboratory of Engineering Science for Environment LaSIEUMR7356, CNRS, La Rochelle University, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Ben Ghawar BM, Zairi M, Bouaziz S. Verification of Gardner's equation and derivation of an empirical equation for anhydrite rocks in Sirte basin, Libya: case study. Heliyon 2021; 7:e06017. [PMID: 33553735 PMCID: PMC7848651 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Bulk density is a physical property of rocks measured in the laboratory on rock samples or obtained from oil field logging tools. When bulk density is not measured, a synthetic bulk density log can be calculated, for which Gardner's equation is the most widely used. However, Gardner's equation might not be appropriate for regions in which the density–velocity relationship does not conform to Gardner's curves. Here, we verified the applicability of Gardner's equation to calculation of synthetic bulk density of anhydrite rocks in the Sirte Basin (Libya) and compared the results to those obtained from an equation derived from the available measured bulk density and sonic logs. We used fifteen wells to calibrate Gardner's equation and three wells to derive an equation for the anhydrite rocks. The anhydrite rocks were 10–510 feet thick. The bulk density calculated by Gardner's equation differed only slightly from the measured log values, with the exception of the eastern part of the Sirte Basin. The average of the differences in bulk density between the measured values and Gardner's equation results were 0.022–0.040 g/cm3, and between the measured values and the derived equation results 0.002–0.045 g/cm3, both with a standard error of about 0.01 of the bulk density estimated results. We conclude that while Gardner's equation is more appropriate for estimating the bulk density of anhydrite rocks in the eastern part of the basin, the derived equation could be more appropriate for the western region.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bahia M. Ben Ghawar
- Département De Génie Géoressources Et Environnement, National School of Engineers of Sfax, Tunisia
- Corresponding author.
| | - Moncef Zairi
- Department of Civil Engineering, National School of Engineers of Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Samir Bouaziz
- Geology Department, National School of Engineers of Sfax, University of Sfax, Tunisia
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Abstract
Reclamation of degraded land using revegetation is one way of sequestering carbon into the soil. In this study an assessment was done to estimate the status of soil carbon amounts after revegetation with trees and grass in South West Iceland (Hafnarmelar). Natural woodland and eroded plots were part of the assessed plots as controls making four treatments. Soil samples were analysed for bulk density, carbon content and soil texture. Total % carbon (C) was analysed using vario MAX CN analyser (measured % C) and Loss on Ignition (calculated % C). The results showed that natural woodland had higher (9.32%) C than the tree treatment (4.91%), and both had significantly higher C than the grass (1.12%) and the eroded (0.76%) treatments (p < 0.0001). The amount of C in the grass and the eroded treatments were not statistically different (p > 0.0566). Notably, the grass treatment had carbon below the minimum expected level of 1.5% in Icelandic Andosol under vegetation. The natural woodland and the tree treatment had fine soil texture than the grass and eroded plots. Results suggest that where land has been properly restored or kept in natural condition, soil properties improve significantly especially when trees are part of the restored vegetation. The natural woodland had possibly not lost the old carbon-rich soil, as was the case with the tree, grass and eroded plots hence more time for development of various soil properties. Moreover, more litter deposits in natural woodlands and partly in the tree treatments might have contributed to higher carbon than in the grass and eroded treatments. Furthermore clay content variations (natural woodlands and the tree treatments had finer soil texture) might also be responsible for C limitations in the grass and the eroded treatments. Therefore, more restoration efforts are encouraged. The results also showed that LOI is a good method for C estimation but not very accurate estimator of soil organic carbon unless equations are developed with respect to known carbon content of particular soil type.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harrington Nyirenda
- Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Salima Agricultural Development, Division, Private Bag 1, Salima, Malawi
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Li Z, Wang Q, Zhang T, Wang H, Chen T. A novel bulk density-based recognition method for kitchen and dry waste: A case study in Beijing, China. Waste Manag 2020; 114:89-95. [PMID: 32659691 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2020.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Identification technology of household kitchen and dry solid waste has played a major part in improving the accuracy of residents' separation by intelligent outdoor trashcan, which is an effective integral solid waste management tool for growing household solid waste (HSW). Our study aims to present a novel and simple recognition method for kitchen and dry waste based on bulk density. In three communities in Beijing, 270 bagged waste samples were collected, and their moisture content, separation accuracy, and bulk density, characterized. Then a bulk density index was developed to straightforwardly express residents' waste source separation accuracy by linear regression analysis above physical properties. In the 3 Beijing communities, we demonstrated a clear distinction in the bulk density index, for dry, mixed, and kitchen waste of <115, 115-211, >211 kg/m3, respectively. Our results provide a theoretical basis for the establishment of an intelligent waste supervision system, which is of great significance for waste management in developing countries like China.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhonglei Li
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Qingwei Wang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
| | - Tao Zhang
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, PR China
| | - Hongtao Wang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China.
| | - Tan Chen
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Ikeagwuani CC, Nwonu DC, Ugwu CK, Agu CC. Process parameters optimization for eco-friendly high strength sandcrete block using Taguchi method. Heliyon 2020; 6:e04276. [PMID: 32613130 PMCID: PMC7322058 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The need for developing sustainable cement-based materials is crucial for the prevention of environmental degradation and promotion of sustainable technologies. In the present study, a sustainable cement-based material was developed for sandcrete block production using coconut shell ash (CSA). The product development was executed using the Taguchi robust design approach, in which an L18 mixed level orthogonal array was adopted. The process parameters investigated were the end-web to center-web (E/C) ratio of the sandcrete block, water-cement (W/C) ratio and CSA content. The evaluated responses include the compressive strength (CS), bulk density (BD) and water absorption (WA). The result obtained showed that for the CS, all the process parameters had a statistically significant effect at 0.05 alpha level, while only the W/C ratio had a statistically significant effect on the BD and WA. The optimal settings of the process parameters for CS and BD were obtained at E/C ratio of 1:2, W/C ratio of 0.65 and CSA content of 5% while that for WA was obtained at E/C ratio of 1:1, W/C ratio of 0.65 and CSA content of 20%. The developed sandcrete blocks are suitable for load-bearing masonry units and areas with moisture exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Donald Chimobi Nwonu
- Civil Engineering Department, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Khan S, Anwar S, Shaobo Y, Gao Z, Sun M, Ashraf MY, Ren A, Yang Z. Soil water consumption, water use efficiency and winter wheat production in response to nitrogen fertilizer and tillage. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8892. [PMID: 32391196 PMCID: PMC7196327 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Sustainability of winter wheat yield under dryland conditions depends on improving soil water stored during fallow and its efficient use. A 3-year field experiment was conducted in Loess Plateau to access the effect of tillage and N (nitrogen) rates on soil water, N distribution and water- and nitrogen-use efficiency of winter wheat. Deep tillage (DT, 25–30 cm depth) and no-tillage (NT) were operated during fallow season, whereas four N rates (0, 90, 150 and 210 kg ha−1) were applied before sowing. Rates of N and variable rainfall during summer fallow period led to the difference of soil water storage. Soil water storage at anthesis and maturity was decreased with increasing N rate especially in the year with high precipitation (2014–2015). DT has increased the soil water storage at sowing, N content, numbers of spike, grain number, 1,000 grain weight, grain yield, and water and N use efficiency as compared to NT. Grain yield was significantly and positively related to soil water consumption at sowing to anthesis and anthesis to maturity, total plant N, and water-use efficiency. Our study implies that optimum N rate and deep tillage during the fallow season could improve dryland wheat production by balancing the water consumption and biomass production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shahbaz Khan
- College of Agriculture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, China
| | - Sumera Anwar
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Yu Shaobo
- College of Agriculture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, China
| | - Zhiqiang Gao
- College of Agriculture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, China
| | - Min Sun
- College of Agriculture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, China
| | - M Yasin Ashraf
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Aixia Ren
- College of Agriculture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, China
| | - Zhenping Yang
- College of Agriculture, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, China
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Kranz CN, McLaughlin RA, Johnson A, Miller G, Heitman JL. The effects of compost incorporation on soil physical properties in urban soils - A concise review. J Environ Manage 2020; 261:110209. [PMID: 32148279 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Incorporation of compost into soil can significantly alter soil physical properties, nutrient dynamics, and vegetation establishment. Strategic compost application to disturbed, degraded urban soil may provide benefits to soil properties. This review compared twenty-five peer-reviewed studies that evaluated changes in soil bulk density, infiltration rate, hydraulic conductivity, and water retention where compost was incorporated into urban soils. A wide range of compost rates and incorporation depths were evaluated in these studies across many soil types. Compost incorporation generally reduced bulk density, enhanced infiltration and hydraulic conductivity, and increased water content and plant available water, compared to unamended controls. In the four studies on runoff water quality, compost incorporation often resulted in higher initial nutrient content in runoff water, but also enhanced grass growth and reduced sediment loss. Few studies evaluated multiple compost application rates or incorporation depths, and the ways in which compost application rates were reported varied widely between studies making it difficult to directly compare them. Four studies investigated the long-term effects of compost incorporation, and there was no clear pattern of why some soils display enhanced physical properties over time and others do not. Compost was largely reported to have a positive effect on degraded urban soils. Little research has focused on the longevity of compost in urban soils after one application, and thus, this would be a valuable topic of further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina N Kranz
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7620, USA
| | - Richard A McLaughlin
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7620, USA
| | - Amy Johnson
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7620, USA
| | - Grady Miller
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7620, USA
| | - Joshua L Heitman
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7620, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Jain MS, Paul S, Kalamdhad AS. Interplay of physical and chemical properties during in-vessel degradation of sewage sludge. Waste Manag 2019; 98:58-68. [PMID: 31430701 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2019.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Sewage sludge produced is either applied to land or used as fertilizer for crops or disposed of in landfills, causing several environmental problems. Recent studies revealed that composting is a proven technology in reducing organic content, heavy metals, and harmful pathogens, improving the nutritional value of sewage sludge, which is useful for crops. But studies on variation in physical properties are rare. Composting physics or physical properties during composting plays a vital role from handling, management, and utilization of end product, i.e., compost. This study mainly deals with the detailed information on physics involved during the degradation process, which is crucial for land and geotechnical applications. In the present study, sewage sludge was used as a composting substrate in 550 L in-vessel rotary drum composter. Emphasis was given in deciphering the changes in physical parameters such as bulk density, porosity, and air-filled porosity and few chemical parameters during the composting process. Besides, a relationship between different physical properties during rotary drum composting was investigated statistically. Bulk density was observed to have increased from 643 to 707 kg m-3 as a result of volume reduction of compost matrix. Moreover, the gravimetric moisture content was found to be less than 45% in the end product, which is recommended for compost.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mayur Shirish Jain
- School of Construction Management, National Institute of Construction Management and Research, Pune 411035, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Siddhartha Paul
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| | - Ajay S Kalamdhad
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Heinemeyer A, Berry R, Sloan TJ. Assessing soil compaction and micro-topography impacts of alternative heather cutting as compared to burning as part of grouse moor management on blanket bog. PeerJ 2019; 7:e7298. [PMID: 31346497 PMCID: PMC6642791 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Over 25% of the UK land area is covered by uplands, the bulk of which are comprised of blanket bog. This not only contains most of the UK’s terrestrial carbon stocks, but also represents 15% of this globally rare habitat. About 30% of UK blanket bog is managed for red grouse by encouraging ling heather (Calluna vulgaris) with rotational burning, which has been linked to habitat degradation, with reduced carbon storage and negative impacts on water storage and quality. Alternative cutting is currently being pursued as a potential restoration management. However, the often used heavy cutting machinery could cause considerable compaction and damage to the peat surface. Two particular issues are (i) a potential increase in bulk density reducing water storage capacity (i.e., less pore volume and peat depth), and (ii) a possible reduction of the micro-topography due to cutting off the tops of hummocks (i.e., protruding clumps or tussocks of sedges). Methods We set up a fully replicated field experiment assessing cutting versus burn management impacts on peat physical and surface properties. Both managements reflected commonly used grouse moor management practice with cutting using heavy tractors fitted with load distributing double wheel and tracks (lowering ground pressure), whilst burning was done manually (setting heather areas alight with flame torches). We assessed management impacts on peat depth, bulk density and peat surface micro-topography which either included pre-management measurements or plot-level data for uncut plots. Total peat depth and bulk density in four 5 cm sections within the top 50 cm was assessed. Micro-topography was determined as the standard deviation of the height offsets measured over several plot transects in relation to the plot peat surface level at the start and end points of each transect. Results Despite an anticipated compaction from the heavy machinery used for cutting, the peat showed resilience and there was no lasting plot-level impact on either peat depth or bulk density. Notably, bulk density showed differences prior to, and thus unrelated to, management, and an overall increasing bulk density, even in uncut plots. However, cutting did reduce the plot micro-topography by about 2 cm, mostly due to removing the tops of hummocks, whereas burnt plots did not differ from uncut plots. Discussion Cutting is suggested as a suitable alternative to burning on grouse moors, although compaction issues might be site specific, depending on the nature of the peat, the machinery used and impacts at resting and turning points (which were not assessed). However, any observed bulk density differences could reflect natural changes in relation to changes in peat moisture, requiring adequate experimental comparisons. Moreover, where micro-topography is a priority, cutting equipment might need to consider the specific ground conditions, which could involve adjusting cutting height and the type of cutting machinery used.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Heinemeyer
- Stockholm Environment Institute at the Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Berry
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, York, United Kingdom.,Current affiliation: Bibury Road, Aldsworth, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK
| | - Thomas J Sloan
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Chang R, Guo Q, Chen Q, Bernal MP, Wang Q, Li Y. Effect of initial material bulk density and easily-degraded organic matter content on temperature changes during composting of cucumber stalk. J Environ Sci (China) 2019; 80:306-315. [PMID: 30952348 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2017.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
To inactivate the potentially pathogenic microorganisms and safely utilize vegetable waste compost, ultra-high temperatures (>70°C) should be maintained during the composting without having an inhibitory effect on maturity. This study investigated the influence of bulk density (part 1) and easily-degraded organic matter content (EDOMC, part 2) on temperature evolution during vegetable waste composting: Part 1: corn straw with different particle sizes was used to achieve different bulk densities in the composting material (BD1-BD3); Part 2: partial or total substitution of the corn straw by corn starch was carried out to obtain different EDOMC (ED1-ED4). The composting experiments were conducted in a lab-scale reactor (1.75kg material) and lasted for 30d. Temperature and CO2 emission were recorded daily, and the organic matter, lignocellulose, microbial activity, germination index (GI) and C/N of the samples were measured at different stages. The highest temperature (65.7°C) in part 1 occurred in the treatment with the bulk density of 0.35g/cm3, which also had the longest thermophilic phase. Bulk density was found to seriously influence the utilization efficiency of O2 and heat transfer through materials, rather than heat production from organic matter degradation. In experiment part 2, the highest temperature was obtained with EDOMC of 45% (71.4°C). Therefore, adjusting the bulk density to 0.35g/cm3 and the easily-degraded organic matter content of the initial material to 45% was the best combination for reaching temperatures above 70°C during composting, with no inhibitory effect on the maturity of the compost product.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruixue Chang
- College of Resource and Environmental Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, China.
| | - Qiuyue Guo
- College of Resource and Environmental Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, China
| | - Qing Chen
- College of Resource and Environmental Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, China
| | - Maria Pilar Bernal
- Department of Soil and Water Conservation and Organic Waste Management, Centro Edafologia y Biologia Applicada del Segura, CSIC, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Qian Wang
- College of Resource and Environmental Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, China
| | - Yanming Li
- College of Resource and Environmental Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, China.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Wang H, Wu W, Wang R, Ge Y. Neutron transport correction and density calculation in the neutron-gamma density logging. Appl Radiat Isot 2019; 150:110-119. [PMID: 31129487 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2019.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Formation density is one of the most important parameters in formation evaluation. The radioisotope chemical sources are widely used in conventional nuclear logging tools. Considering security and environmental risks, the pulsed neutron generators have successfully replaced the Am-Be source in neutron porosity logging tools. However, the Cs-137 is still mainly used for bulk density measurement. Recently, there is a growing interest in measuring bulk density with the pulsed neutron generators. Although the neutron-gamma density (NGD) is also calculated by gamma-ray attenuation, the neutron transport correction is needed for neutron-induced inelastic gamma rays. A new method of NGD calculation is developed based on the coupled-field theory. This new method does not require additional neutron transport correction. Additionally, a structural model of NGD logging tool is designed by Monte Carlo method, which includes two gamma-ray detectors and two epithermal neutron detectors. According to the proposed method, the corrected inelastic gamma-ray count rate response can eliminate the effect of neutron transport and meet the law of gamma-ray attenuation. The Monte Carlo simulation results indicate that the accuracy of NGD measurement is 0.02 g/cm3, which is close to the conventional gamma-gamma density logging (0.015 g/cm3). The NGD measurement is insensitive to porosity and formation fluids in the pore space.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Prospecting, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, 102249, China
| | - Wensheng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Prospecting, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, 102249, China.
| | - Ruigang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Prospecting, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, 102249, China
| | - Yunlong Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Prospecting, China University of Petroleum, Beijing, 102249, China
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Zhu Y, Jia X, Qiao J, Shao M. What is the mass of loess in the Loess Plateau of China? Sci Bull (Beijing) 2019; 64:534-539. [PMID: 36659743 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2019.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The Loess Plateau of China (LP) has the largest and thickest loess deposits in the world. Quantifying the amount of loess in the LP is crucial for investigating the accumulation and erosion of loess, and determining the regional soil and water resource capacity. We used loess thickness data, a pedotransfer function for bulk density (BD), and the clay content data observed in 242 sites across the LP to derive the BD of loess and then estimate the loess mass and its distribution across the LP. The results indicated that the average BD of loess between the surface and bedrock is 1.58 g cm-3, varying from 1.18 to 1.87 g cm-3. The total loess mass is approximately 5.45 × 1013 t, and the average loess mass over an area of 1 m2 is 169 t, ranging from 1.36 to 585 t. The greatest mass of loess is in the south-central of the LP while the lowest mass of loess is in the northwest and river valley areas. Our estimate of loess mass provides key data for calculating water, carbon, and nutrient storages in the LP, which improves our understanding of soil-water processes and ecohydrological systems in this landscape.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanjun Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling 712100, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
| | - Xiaoxu Jia
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Jiangbo Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Ming'an Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling 712100, China; College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Jain MS, Kalamdhad AS. Drum composting of nitrogen-rich Hydrilla Verticillata with carbon-rich agents: Effects on composting physics and kinetics. J Environ Manage 2019; 231:770-779. [PMID: 30415170 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.10.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Composting of the Hydrilla verticillata, an invasive aquatic weed, signifies aquatic waste management as a safe and hygienic method that produces a nutrient-rich end product, i.e., compost. However, its higher moisture content, higher N-losses, and lower degradation rate have shown negative impacts on the composting process. Therefore the primary objective of this study was to assess the composting physics and the degradation kinetics after addition of three different carbon-rich agents with Hydrilla verticillata. To pursue this objective, three carbon-rich agents (viz. dry leaves in Run A, grass clippings in Run B and wood chips in Run C) each were mixed (10% w/w) to the optimized control mixture of Hydrilla verticillata, cow dung and sawdust (8:1:1) as reported in the earlier study. The composting experiments were performed in 550L rotary drum composter for 20 days to evaluate variation in physical, chemical, nutritional properties as well as degradation kinetics. The Run A and Run B were the only two mixtures that attained the temperature (55-70 °C) that indicates standard sterilization capacity in both with maximum moisture reduction (17%) and total Kjeldahl N increment (48%) in the latter. Organic matter losses throughout the process followed a first-order kinetic equation in all the Run (A-C) and control with the higher loss in Run B whereas least in control. Nevertheless, the addition of all carbon-rich agents is found to be beneficial to improve composting physics. Amongst all Runs (A-C), Run B achieved maximum reduction in the initial value of bulk density (64%) and increment in the initial value of free air space (20%). The study also concluded that all the carbon-rich agents have produced compost with the nutritional concentration suitable for agricultural proposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mayur Shirish Jain
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India.
| | - Ajay S Kalamdhad
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam, India
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Hawley CM, Loudermilk EL, Rowell EM, Pokswinski S. A novel approach to fuel biomass sampling for 3D fuel characterization. MethodsX 2018; 5:1597-604. [PMID: 30622922 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2018.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Surface fuels are the critical link between structure and function in frequently burned pine ecosystems, which are found globally (Williamson and Black, 1981; Rebertus et al., 1989; Glitzenstein et al., 1995) [[1], [2], [3]]. We bring fuels to the forefront of fire ecology through the concept of the Ecology of Fuels (Hiers et al. 2009) [4]. This concept describes a cyclic process between fuels, fire behavior, and fire effects, which ultimately affect future fuel distribution (Mitchell et al. 2009) [5]. Low-intensity surface fires are driven by the variability in fine-scale (sub-m level) fuels (Loudermilk et al. 2012) [6]. Traditional fuel measurement approaches do not capture this variability because they are over-generalized, and do not consider the fine-scale architecture of interwoven fuel types. Here, we introduce a new approach, the "3D fuels sampling protocol" that measures fuel biomass at the scale and dimensions useful for characterizing heterogeneous fuels found in low-intensity surface fire regimes. •Traditional fuel measurements are oversimplified, prone to sampling bias, and unrealistic for relating to fire behavior (Van Wagner, 1968; Hardy et al., 2008) [7,8].•We developed a novel field sampling approach to measuring 3D fuels using an adjustable rectangular prism sampling frame. This voxel sampling protocol records fuel biomass, occupied volume, and fuel types at multiple scales.•This method is scalable and versatile across ecosystems, and reduces sampling bias by eliminating the need for ocular estimations.
Collapse
|
38
|
Tsafack N, Rebaudo F, Wang H, Nagy DD, Xie Y, Wang X, Fattorini S. Carabid community structure in northern China grassland ecosystems: Effects of local habitat on species richness, species composition and functional diversity. PeerJ 2019; 6:e6197. [PMID: 30643684 PMCID: PMC6330033 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Most carabid beetles are particularly sensitive to local habitat characteristics. Although in China grasslands account for more than 40% of the national land, their biodiversity is still poorly known. The aim of this paper is to identify the main environmental characteristics influencing carabid diversity in different types of grassland in northern China. Methods We investigated the influence of vegetation (plant biomass, cover, density, height and species richness), soil (bulk density, above ground litter, moisture and temperature) and climate (humidity, precipitation and temperature) on carabid community structure (species richness, species composition and functional diversity—measured as body size, movement and total diversity) in three types of grasslands: desert, typical and meadow steppes. We used Canonical correspondence analysis to investigate the role of habitat characteristics on species composition and eigenvector spatial filtering to investigate the responses of species richness and functional diversities. Results We found that carabid community structure was strongly influenced by local habitat characteristics and particularly by climatic factors. Carabids in the desert steppe showed the lowest richness and functional diversities. Climate predictors (temperature, precipitation and humidity) had positive effects on carabid species richness at both regional and ecosystem levels, with difference among ecosystems. Plant diversity had a positive influence on carabid richness at the regional level. Soil compaction and temperature were negatively related to species richness at regional level. Climatic factors positively influenced functional diversities, whereas soil temperature had negative effects. Soil moisture and temperature were the most important drivers of species composition at regional level, whereas the relative importance of the various environmental parameters varied among ecosystems. Discussion Carabid responses to environmental characteristics varied among grassland types, which warns against generalizations and indicates that management programs should be considered at grassland scale. Carabid community structure is strongly influenced by climatic factors, and can therefore be particularly sensitive to ongoing climate change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - François Rebaudo
- UMR EGCE, IRD, University of Paris-Sud, CNRS, University of Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Hui Wang
- School of Agriculture, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Dávid D Nagy
- MTA-DE, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Research Group, Egyetem Sq. 1, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Yingzhong Xie
- School of Agriculture, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Xinpu Wang
- School of Agriculture, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Simone Fattorini
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Contreras CP, Bonilla CA. A comprehensive evaluation of pedotransfer functions for predicting soil water content in environmental modeling and ecosystem management. Sci Total Environ 2018; 644:1580-1590. [PMID: 30743870 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.07.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Many pedotransfer functions (PTFs) have been developed for predicting the soil water content at different matric potentials. The use of these functions has been encouraged because of the time and work typically required for measuring it, while the PTFs require commonly measured soil properties such as sand, silt, clay, organic matter content, or bulk density for predicting water retention. In addition, several environmental and ecosystem management simulation models such as DRAINMOD, HYDRUS, EPIC, SPAW, and WEPP use PTFs for computing soil hydraulic properties. Because of the increasing use of the PTFs and their effect in many soil water simulation and transport models, this study revised and tested 13 different PTFs for predicting soil water content at -33 and -1500 kPa, values usually known as field capacity and wilting point. Three of these PTFs were derived from tropical soils while the rest were developed with soil samples collected across the United States. These PTFs were evaluated in Chilean soils as an independent dataset and their improvement after calibration was assessed with this new data. The results demonstrate that the PTFs performance depends on the soils used for their development as the estimates showed a significant improvement after calibration. When predicting water content, Rawls et al. (2004) was the best function before calibration (RMSE = 0.08 for -33 and -1500 kPa), while Gupta and Larson (1979) was the best after calibration (RMSE of 0.06 and 0.05, and r2 values of 0.69 and 0.66 at -33 and -1500 kPa, respectively). Nonlinear PTFs performed better than linear PTFs when predicting water content at field capacity. Finally, bulk density proved to be the key variable and can be used as footprint for soils changes through time. Organic matter content was also a significant input but improved the estimates for some specific matric potentials and PTFs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina P Contreras
- Departamento de Ingeniería Hidráulica y Ambiental, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Macul, Santiago 7820436, Chile
| | - Carlos A Bonilla
- Departamento de Ingeniería Hidráulica y Ambiental, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Macul, Santiago 7820436, Chile; Centro de Desarrollo Urbano Sustentable CONICYT/FONDAP/15110020, El Comendador 1916, Providencia, Santiago 7520245, Chile.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Cambou A, Shaw RK, Huot H, Vidal-Beaudet L, Hunault G, Cannavo P, Nold F, Schwartz C. Estimation of soil organic carbon stocks of two cities, New York City and Paris. Sci Total Environ 2018; 644:452-464. [PMID: 29981995 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In cities, the strong heterogeneity of soils, added to the lack of standardized assessment methods, serves as a barrier to the estimation of their soil organic carbon content (SOC), soil organic carbon stocks (SOCS; kgC m-2) and soil organic carbon citywide totals (SOCCT; kgC). Are urban soils, even the subsoils and sealed soils, contributing to the global stock of C? To address this question, the SOCS and SOCCT of two cities, New York City (NYC) and Paris, were compared. In NYC, soil samples were collected with a pedological standardized method to 1 m depth. The bulk density (Db) was measured; SOC and SOCS were calculated for 0-30 cm and 30-100 cm depths in open (unsealed) soils and sealed soils. In Paris, the samples were collected for 0-30 cm depth in open soils and sealed soils by different sampling methods. If SOC was measured, Db had to be estimated using pedotransfer functions (PTFs) refitted from the literature on NYC data; hence, SOCS was estimated. Globally, SOCS for open soils were not significantly different between both cities (11.3 ± 11.5 kgC m-2 in NYC; 9.9 ± 3.9 kgC m-2 in Paris). Nevertheless, SOCS was lower in sealed soils (2.9 ± 2.6 kgC m-2 in NYC and 3.4 ± 1.2 kgC m-2 in Paris). The SOCCT was similar between both cities for 0-30 cm (3.8 TgC in NYC and 3.5 TgC in Paris) and was also significant for the 30-100 cm layer in NYC (5.8 TgC). A comparison with estimated SOCCT in agricultural and forest soils demonstrated that the city's open soils represent important pools of organic carbon (respectively 110.4% and 44.5% more C in NYC and Paris than in agricultural soils, for 0-30 cm depth). That was mainly observable for the 1 m depth (146.6% more C in NYC than in agricultural soils). The methodology to assess urban SOCS was also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Cambou
- EPHor, IRSTV, AGROCAMPUS OUEST, 49045 Angers, France; Université de Lorraine, Inra, Laboratoire Sols et Environnement, F-54000 Nancy, France; Agence de l'Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l'Energie (ADEME), 75015 Paris, France
| | - Richard K Shaw
- United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Somerset, NJ 08873, USA
| | - Hermine Huot
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, People's Republic of China; Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Brooklyn College of City University of New York, Brooklyn, NY 11210, USA
| | | | - Gilles Hunault
- Laboratoire HIFIH, UPRES EA 3859, SFR 4208, Université d'Angers, Institut de Biologie en Santé PBH-IRIS CHU, 4, Rue Larrey, 49933 Angers Cedex, France
| | | | - François Nold
- Laboratory of Agronomy of the Paris City, Paris Green Space and Environmental Division (DEVE), Parc Floral - Pavillon 5 - Rond-Point de la Pyramide, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Christophe Schwartz
- Université de Lorraine, Inra, Laboratoire Sols et Environnement, F-54000 Nancy, France
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Mohamad SNH, Muhamad II, Mohd Jusoh YM, Khairuddin N. Dielectric properties for selected wall material in the development of microwave-encapsulation-drying. J Food Sci Technol 2018; 55:5161-5165. [PMID: 30483013 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-018-3327-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Dielectric properties study is important in understanding the interaction between materials within electromagnetic field. By knowing and understanding the dielectric properties of materials, an efficient and effective microwave heating process and products can be designed. In this study, the dielectric properties of several encapsulation wall materials were measured using open-ended coaxial probe method. This method was selected due to its simplicity and high accuracy. All materials exhibited similar behavior. The result inferred that β-cyclodextrin (BC), starch (S), Arabic (GA) and maltodextrin (M) with various dextrose equivalent exhibited effective encapsulation wall materials in microwave encapsulation-drying technique owing to loss tangent values which were higher than 0.1 at general application frequency of 2.45 GHz. Thus, these were found to be suitable as wall material to encapsulate the selected core material in this microwave encapsulation-drying method. On contrary, sodium caseinate showed an ineffective wall material to be used in microwave encapsulation-drying. The differences in the values of dielectric constant, loss factor and loss tangent were found to be contributed by frequency, composition and bulk density.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siti Nur Hidayah Mohamad
- 1Bioprocess and Polymer Engineering Department, Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, UTM Johor Bahru, 81310 Skudai, Johor Malaysia
| | - Ida Idayu Muhamad
- 1Bioprocess and Polymer Engineering Department, Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, UTM Johor Bahru, 81310 Skudai, Johor Malaysia
| | - Yanti Maslina Mohd Jusoh
- 1Bioprocess and Polymer Engineering Department, Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, UTM Johor Bahru, 81310 Skudai, Johor Malaysia
| | - Nozieana Khairuddin
- 2Department of Basic Science and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, UPM Bintulu Sarawak Campus, P.O Box 396, Nyabau Road, 97008 Bintulu, Sarawak Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Ganiyu SA. Evaluation of soil hydraulic properties under different non-agricultural land use patterns in a basement complex area using multivariate statistical analysis. Environ Monit Assess 2018; 190:595. [PMID: 30232620 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-018-6959-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The knowledge about effects of different land use patterns on soil hydraulic properties is essential for best land management practices. This study examined hydraulic properties under different non-agricultural land uses in parts of Abeokuta, Southwest Nigeria. Fifteen clusters surface soil samples at a depth of 0-20 cm were collected from five sites on the same geological setting under the following land uses: grassland (control), dumpsite (DS), animal waste site (AWS), quarry site (QS), and block making site (BMS). The calculated values of associated hydraulic properties and Ksat were used to develop three model equations. Pearson's correlation, coefficient of variation (CV), analysis of variance (ANOVA), cluster analysis (CA), and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to study the variations and correlation of analyzed soil properties under different land uses. Porosity and water holding capacity (WHC) of all the other land uses were increased relative to the control site (CS) while soil bulk density (BD) in control was reduced when compared to soils under other different land use patterns. However, BMS and QS increased Ksat relative to the CS. Soils in all land use patterns belong to sandy loam except CS. Correlation coefficient revealed a strong negative correlation between BD and porosity and strong positive correlation between % clay and WHC. Comparison among the regression models showed that Ksat predicted from semi-log model with R2 = 0.645 estimated better than both linear and double-long models. The use of PCA resulted in four principal factors accounting for 97.24% of the total variance. The result of CA shows groups based on similar soil hydraulic property, distinct soil property value, and erosional indicator. ANOVA showed that there was significant difference at 5% level (P < 0.05) among all selected land use patterns with respect to BD and porosity. This indicates that BD and porosity can be considered as dynamic soil hydraulic indicators that are strongly affected by land use systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S A Ganiyu
- Department of Physics, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Assaeed AM, Al-Rowaily SL, El-Bana MI, Abood AAA, Dar BAM, Hegazy AK. Impact of off-road vehicles on soil and vegetation in a desert rangeland in Saudi Arabia. Saudi J Biol Sci 2018; 26:1187-1193. [PMID: 31516348 PMCID: PMC6733387 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2018.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 04/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Off-road vehicle driving is considered as main contributor to land degradation in arid regions. This study examined the impact of off-road vehicles (ORV) on soil and vegetation in a natural recreational desert meadow of Raudhat Khuraim, Saudi Arabia. Vegetation canopy cover and plant height away from road tracks were assessed. Also, species density and canopy cover, bare ground cover and soil attributes were assessed in four microhabitats; tracks, inter-tracks, verges, and away from vehicle tracks (undisturbed natural areas). Results show that the cover of forbs and grasses was negatively associated with distance from road verges. It was observed that the height of woody species responded negatively to distance away from tracks. Cover of native species decreased under verge, inter-track and track microhabitats giving more opportunity for weeds to flourish. Bare ground was highest (60.7%) in tracks. ORV impact on soil bulk density was clear with an increase of 38% under tracks compared to soils of undisturbed natural vegetation and a similar decrease in porosity was observed. On the other hand, soil electrical conductivity was significantly higher (5.45 mS cm-1) under disturbance compared to 1.32 mS cm-1 in undisturbed natural vegetation. Organic matter and nitrogen were not affected significantly by ORV disturbance. The results emphasize that managing off-road vehicle driving is essential for conserving native vegetation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdulaziz M Assaeed
- Department of Plant Production, King Saud University, PO Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saud L Al-Rowaily
- Department of Plant Production, King Saud University, PO Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Magdy I El-Bana
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Port Said University, Egypt
| | - Abdullah A A Abood
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Basharat A M Dar
- Department of Plant Production, King Saud University, PO Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad K Hegazy
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Oguntunde PE, Adejumo OA, Odetunmibi OA, Okagbue HI, Adejumo AO. Data analysis on physical and mechanical properties of cassava pellets. Data Brief 2017; 16:286-302. [PMID: 29204474 PMCID: PMC5709313 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2017.11.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Revised: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In this data article, laboratory experimental investigation results carried out at National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization (NCAM) on moisture content, machine speed, die diameter of the rig, and the outputs (hardness, durability, bulk density, and unit density of the pellets) at different levels of cassava pellets were observed. Analysis of variance using randomized complete block design with factorial was used to perform analysis for each of the outputs: hardness, durability, bulk density, and unit density of the pellets. A clear description on each of these outputs was considered separately using tables and figures. It was observed that for all the output with the exception of unit density, their main factor effects as well as two and three ways interactions is significant at 5% level. This means that the hardness, bulk density and durability of cassava pellets respectively depend on the moisture content of the cassava dough, the machine speed, the die diameter of the extrusion rig and the combinations of these factors in pairs as well as the three altogether. Higher machine speeds produced more quality pellets at lower die diameters while lower machine speed is recommended for higher die diameter. Also the unit density depends on die diameter and the three-way interaction only. Unit density of cassava pellets is neither affected by machine parameters nor moisture content of the cassava dough. Moisture content of cassava dough, speed of the machine and die diameter of the extrusion rig are significant factors to be considered in pelletizing cassava to produce pellets. Increase in moisture content of cassava dough increase the quality of cassava pellets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Oluyemisi A Adejumo
- AIDE Department, National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Adebowale O Adejumo
- Department of Mathematics, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria.,Department of Statistics, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Jan K, Riar CS, Saxena DC. Engineering and functional properties of biodegradable pellets developed from various agro-industrial wastes using extrusion technology. J Food Sci Technol 2015; 52:7625-39. [PMID: 26604339 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-015-1938-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 07/02/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Different agro-industrial wastes were mixed with different plasticizers and extruded to form the pellets to be used further for development of biodegradable molded pots. Bulk density and macro-porosity are the important engineering properties used to determine the functional characteristics of the biodegradable pellets viz., expansion volume, water solubility, product colour, flowability and compactness. Significant differences in the functional properties of pellets with varying bulk densities (loose and tapped) and macro-porosities (loose, tapped) were observed. The observed mean bulk density of biodegradable pellets made from different formulations ranged between 0.213 and 0.560 g/ml for loose fill conditions and 0.248 to 0.604 g/ml for tapped fill conditions. Biodegradable pellets bear a good compaction for both loose and tapped fill methods. The mean macro-porosity of biodegradable pellets ranged between 1.19 and 54.48 % for loose fill condition and 0.29 to 53.35 % for tapped fill condition. Hausner ratio (HR) for biodegradable pellets varied from 1.026 to 1.328, indicating a good flowability of biodegradable pellets. Pearson's correlation between engineering properties and functional properties of biodegradable pellets revealed that from engineering properties functional properties can be predicted.
Collapse
|
46
|
Aghilinategh N, Rafiee S, Hosseinpur S, Omid M, Mohtasebi SS. Optimization of intermittent microwave-convective drying using response surface methodology. Food Sci Nutr 2015; 3:331-41. [PMID: 26286706 PMCID: PMC4534160 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2014] [Revised: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, response surface methodology was used for optimization of intermittent microwave–convective air drying (IMWC) parameters with employing desirability function. Optimization factors were air temperature (40–80°C), air velocity (1–2 m/sec), pulse ratio) PR ((2–6), and microwave power (200–600 W) while responses were rehydration ratio, bulk density, total phenol content (TPC), color change, and energy consumption. Minimum color change, bulk density, energy consumption, maximum rehydration ratio, and TPC were assumed as criteria for optimizing drying conditions of apple slices in IMWC. The optimum values of process variables were 1.78 m/sec air velocity, 40°C air temperature, PR 4.48, and 600 W microwave power that characterized by maximum desirability function (0.792) using Design expert 8.0. The air temperature and microwave power had significant effect on total responses, but the role of air velocity can be ignored. Generally, the results indicated that it was possible to obtain a higher desirability value if the microwave power and temperature, respectively, increase and decrease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nahid Aghilinategh
- Department of Agricultural Machinery Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of Tehran Karaj, Iran
| | - Shahin Rafiee
- Department of Agricultural Machinery Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of Tehran Karaj, Iran
| | - Soleiman Hosseinpur
- Department of Agricultural Machinery Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of Tehran Karaj, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Omid
- Department of Agricultural Machinery Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of Tehran Karaj, Iran
| | - Seyed Saeid Mohtasebi
- Department of Agricultural Machinery Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of Tehran Karaj, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Al-Wabel MI, Usman ARA, El-Naggar AH, Aly AA, Ibrahim HM, Elmaghraby S, Al-Omran A. Conocarpus biochar as a soil amendment for reducing heavy metal availability and uptake by maize plants. Saudi J Biol Sci 2014; 22:503-11. [PMID: 26150758 PMCID: PMC4486727 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2014.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2014] [Revised: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 12/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the use of Concarpus biochar as a soil amendment for reducing heavy metal accessibility and uptake by maize plants (Zea mays L.). The impacts of biochar rates (0.0, 1.0, 3.0, and 5.0% w/w) and two soil moisture levels (75% and 100% of field capacity, FC) on immobilization and availability of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd, Cu and Pb to maize plants as well as its application effects on soil pH, EC, bulk density, and moisture content were evaluated using heavy metal-contaminated soil collected from mining area. The biochar addition significantly decreased the bulk density and increased moisture content of soil. Applying biochar significantly reduced NH4OAc- or AB-DTPA-extractable heavy metal concentrations of soils, indicating metal immobilization. Conocarpus biochar increased shoot dry biomass of maize plants by 54.5–102% at 75% FC and 133–266% at 100% FC. Moreover, applying biochar significantly reduced shoot heavy metal concentrations in maize plants (except for Fe at 75% FC) in response to increasing application rates, with a highest decrease of 51.3% and 60.5% for Mn, 28% and 21.2% for Zn, 60% and 29.5% for Cu, 53.2% and 47.2% for Cd at soil moisture levels of 75% FC and 100% FC, respectively. The results suggest that biochar may be effectively used as a soil amendment for heavy metal immobilization and in reducing its phytotoxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad I Al-Wabel
- Department of Soil Sciences, Saudi Biochar Research Group, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adel R A Usman
- Department of Soil Sciences, Saudi Biochar Research Group, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia ; Department of Soils and Water, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University, Assiut 71526, Egypt
| | - Ahmed H El-Naggar
- Department of Soil Sciences, Saudi Biochar Research Group, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia ; Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, 68 Hadayek Shobra, P.O. Box 11241, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Anwar A Aly
- Department of Soil Sciences, Saudi Biochar Research Group, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia ; Soil and Water Science Dept., Alexandria University, Egypt
| | - Hesham M Ibrahim
- Department of Soil Sciences, Saudi Biochar Research Group, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia ; Department of Soil and Water, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Salem Elmaghraby
- Department of Soil Sciences, Saudi Biochar Research Group, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrasoul Al-Omran
- Department of Soil Sciences, Saudi Biochar Research Group, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Yadav DN, Shain TK, Sharma GK. Optimization of process variables for instant preparation of neyyappam like product and extension of shelf-life. J Food Sci Technol 2013; 50:993-9. [PMID: 24426008 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-011-0426-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 05/01/2011] [Accepted: 05/25/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Neyyappam is a very popular traditional sweet of Kerala and Tamilnadu. It is prepared from soaked rice (10-12 h) and had limited shelf-life. Response surface methodology was adopted to optimize, the levels of variables i.e. jaggery, baking powder and holding time based on quantity of rice with selected responses i.e. hardness, bulk density and overall acceptability. All the three variables i.e. jaggery, baking powder and holding time had negative effect (p ≤ 0.05) on hardness at linear level. Bulk density was also negatively affected (p ≤ 0.05) by jaggery and baking powder. However, the overall acceptability was positively affected (p ≤ 0.05) by jaggery and baking powder. It was recommended to use jaggery 90 g/100 g rice flour, baking powder 1.5 g/100 g rice flour and holding time of 13.0 min. Optimized samples were packed in polyethylene pouches, heat treated in a cabinet dryer at 90°C for 2 h, stored under ambient temperature conditions along with control and monitored for peroxide value, free fatty acids and thiobarbutyric acid values as well as microbiological, sensory and textural changes. It was observed that control samples had visible yeast and mould growth at 3rd day, while the treated ones remained highly acceptable up to 30 days with respect to chemical, textural, sensory and microbiological changes.
Collapse
|
49
|
Subba D, Katawal SB. Effect of particle size of rice flour on physical and sensory properties of Sel-roti. J Food Sci Technol 2013; 50:181-5. [PMID: 24425906 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-011-0314-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 01/08/2011] [Accepted: 01/28/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Sel-roti is a delicious, deep-fat fried, puffed, ring shaped spongy doughnut like Nepalese indigenous food prepared from the batter of rice flour, ghee and sugar. A study was conducted to determine the effect of particle size of rice flour on bulk density, oil uptake and texture of Sel-roti. Rice was soaked in water and ground with the help of iron mortar and pestle and the flour was analyzed for particle size distribution by using standard sieves and separated into three particle size categories as coarse (> 890 u), medium (120-890 u) and fine (< 120 u). The rice flour of different particle sizes were mixed in different proportions and Sel-roti was prepared from these flours. Bulk density and oil uptake were determined and sensory test was carried out. The results showed significant good positive correlation between mean particle size and bulk density (r = 0.97, p ≤ 0.05) and a good negative correlation between mean particle size and oil-uptake (r = 0.90, p ≤ 0.05). Good positive correlation of mean particle size with texture attributes like hardness (r = 0.99, p ≤ 0.05) and fracturability (r = 0.96, p ≤ 0.05) and good negative correlation with smoothness (r = -0.97, p ≤ 0.05), cohesiveness (r = -0.92, p ≤ 0.05), stickiness (r = -0.76, p ≤ 0.05) and oily mouth feel (r = -0.85, p ≤ 0.05) and fair positive correlation with chewiness (r = 0.65, p > 0.05) were found.
Collapse
|
50
|
Haritha D, Vijayalakshmi V, Gulla S. Development and evaluation of garlic incorporated ready-to-eat extruded snacks. J Food Sci Technol 2012; 51:3425-31. [PMID: 26396341 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-012-0853-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 08/28/2012] [Accepted: 09/11/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The present study was carried out to develop and evaluate ready to eat extruded snacks incorporated with garlic powder at various levels (5 %, 10 %, 15 %, 20 %). The organoleptic evaluation was conducted for the developed products and the well accepted products were selected for further studies like physical properties and shelf life (stored at room temperature for 2 months). The organoleptic evaluation of the developed snacks revealed that 15 % and 20 % garlic incorporated snacks were not acceptable due to strong garlic flavor, therefore T1 (control), T2 (5 % garlic) and T3 ( 10 % garlic) were selected for further studies. The physical properties showed significant changes with incorporation of garlic powder at 0 %-10 % level. There was an increase in mass flow rate, tap density and bulk density but decrease in the water holding capacity, oil absorption capacity and expansion ratio. The water soluble index and moisture retention of the products showed the same values for all the three selected treatments. The products were packed by ordinary, nitrogen and vacuum packing and stored for 2 months. It was found that there was an increase in moisture content and microbial load, however the increase was within limits. The increase in the moisture content was low in nitrogen packed products where as the microbial load decreased with increase in the percentage of garlic incorporation. The nitrogen and vacuum packed products showed less microbial load than the ordinary packed products. Garlic powder can be incorporated at 5 and 10 % levels in ready-to-eat extruded snacks with well acceptability and can be stored for a period of 2 months with nitrogen packing as an effective packaging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Haritha
- Department of Foods and Nutrition, College of HomeScience, Saifabad, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh India
| | - V Vijayalakshmi
- Department of Foods and Nutrition, College of HomeScience, Saifabad, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh India
| | - S Gulla
- Department of Foods and Nutrition, College of HomeScience, Saifabad, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh India ; Food Technology, University College of Technology, Osmania University, Hyderabad, India 500007
| |
Collapse
|