Carbon and nitrogen mineralization in Vertisol as mediated by type and placement method of residue

Selection of appropriate residue application method is essential for better use of biomass for soil and environmental health improvement. A laboratory incubation experiment was conducted for 75 days to investigate C and N mineralization of residues of soybean (Glycine max L.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), maize (Zea mays L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) placed on the soil surface and incorporated into the soil. The residue of soybean and chickpea had a greater decomposition rate than that of maize and wheat, despite of their placements. Higher rate of decomposition of the residue of soybean and chickpea was recorded when it was kept on the soil surface while soil incorporation of residue of wheat and maize resulted in faster decomposition. Therefore, these findings could be used as guidelines for management of crop residue application in farmland to improve soil and environmental quality.     

基于探索性数据分析的汉丰湖富营养化驱动因子研究

为了探究汉丰湖富营养化驱动因子和营养状况，基于2014年水质监测数据，应用探索性数据分析方法初步研究了汉丰湖水动力条件与环境因子的相关性、水质主成分、相关环境因子熵权和营养健康指数。回归分析结果表明：水位与透明度呈正相关，流量与DO呈负相关，与流速呈负相关的因子为Chla、CODMn、NH+4-N和DTP；主成分分析提取的3个主成分分别反映了营养盐、有机污染以及藻类信息；DO、TN和TP的熵权表明汉丰湖水体的富营养状况受制于耗氧有机污染和氮、磷营养盐；营养健康指数S1>S3>S6（湖心）>S7（湖尾）>S5（湖首）>S4>S2。汉丰湖水体营养状况介于中营养到轻富营养，其中南河营养状态较高，湖心营养程度高于湖首和湖尾。减少有机污染物、营养盐的输入和改善局部水域的水动力条件可抑制藻类生长，有利于防治富营养化。 关键词： 探索性数据分析；汉丰湖；富营养化；驱动因子；水动力条件；主成分；熵权；营养健康指数     

Traditional agriculture in transition: examining the impacts of agricultural modernization on smallholder farming in Ghana under the new Green Revolution

Following the renewed effort at achieving a new green revolution for Africa, emphasis has been placed on modernizing smallholder agriculture through the deployment of improved inputs especially mechanized technologies. In Ghana, the government has in the last decade emphasized the provision of subsidized mechanized ploughing services to farmers alongside a rapidly growing private sector tractor service market. While mechanized technology adoption rates have increased rapidly, the deployment of these technologies has been without critical analysis of the impacts on production patterns and local agrarian systems. This paper examines the distributional impacts of agriculture mechanization on cropping patterns and farm sizes of smallholder farmers in northern Ghana using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques, and semi-structured interviews with smallholder farmers (n=60). Specifically, comparative analysis of the field sizes and cropping patterns of participant farmers prior to and after the adoption of mechanized technologies was conducted. In-depth interviews were used to contextualize the experiences of smallholder farmers toward understanding how mechanization may be impacting traditional agriculture. Our findings reveal a mechanization paradox in which farm sizes are expanding, while cropping patterns are shifting away from traditional staple crops (pearl millet and sorghum bicolor) to market-oriented crops (maize, rice and groundnuts). This transition we argue, has adverse implications on the cultural dimension of food security, the organization of social life, and climate change adaptation. We recommend a retooling of the current agricultural policy focus to ensure context sensitivity for a more robust battle against food insecurity.     

Comparative effects of zinc oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticle as feed additives on growth,feed choice test,tissue residues,and histopathological changes in broiler chickens

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Zinc is an essential nutritional trace mineral required for growth and health. The aim of the current work is to compare the effects of bulk zinc...     

An integrated approach for assessing the migration behavior of chlorpyrifos and carbaryl in the unsaturated soil zone

Chlorpyrifos (O, O-diethyl O-3,5,6-trichloropyridin-2-yl phosphorothioate) and carbaryl (1-naphthyl methylcarbamate) are often applied concurrently as insecticides in food production. The aim of this study was to research their migration behavior in a real environment. We researched the leaching of both pesticides by setting up field lysimeters on a farm with the typical soil used in fruit production today. In order to analyze the variables involved in this process, we performed complementary adsorption studies, we performed complementary adsorption studies using batches and undisturbed soil laboratory columns for both compounds. The results for pesticide transport through the lysimeters showed that less than 1% of chlorpyrifos was recovered in the leachates, while almost 17% was recovered for carbaryl. Having completed the experiment in undisturbed laboratory columns, soil analysis showed that chlorpyrifos mainly remained in the first 5 cm, while carbaryl moved down to the lower sections. These results can be explained in view of the sorption coefficient values (K_D) obtained in horizons A and B for chlorpyrifos (393 and 184 L kg^?1) and carbaryl (3.1 and 4.2 L kg^?1), respectively. By integrating the results obtained in the different approaches, we were able to characterize the percolation modes of these pesticides in the soil matrix, thus contributing to the sustainable use of resources.     

FAHP法在污泥板框调理剂综合评价中的应用

提出了一种新的污泥板框调理剂综合评价方法。传统的CST(毛细吸水时间)、污泥比阻、泥饼含水率等指标只能单一地评价泥饼脱水效果,为了实现对调理效果的综合评价,需要考虑药剂调理费用、运输处置成本、设备处理产能、滤液处理难度等多种因素。通过长期采集中试运行数据,考察了3种污泥板框调理剂对设备、泥饼、滤液和运行4个方面17个指标的影响。引入层次分析法和模糊数学综合评价法相结合的模糊层次分析法(FAHP)对3种污泥板框调理剂进行了综合评价,采用层次分析法确定指标权重;采用隶属函数对指标进行无量纲化处理,确定其隶属度,解决了指标间的可综合性问题;最后用加权平均法得出评价综合值,综合评价值表明,在这3种调理剂中,调理剂1的综合效果最优,更适合作为该厂的污泥板框脱水调理剂。     

Trees,ground vegetation,sidewalks, cycleways: users’ preferences and economic values for different elements of an urban street—a case study in Taipei

Environmental Economics and Policy Studies - Streets are an essential element of cities, and their design has a profound impact on their functionality to the movement of people and their...     

Developing Effective Decision Support for the Application of “Gentle” Remediation Options: The GREENLAND Project

Gentle remediation options (GRO) are risk management strategies/technologies that result in a net gain (or at least no gross reduction) in soil function as well as risk management. They encompass a number of technologies, including the use of plant (phyto‐), fungi (myco‐), and/or bacteria‐based methods, with or without chemical soil additives or amendments, for reducing contaminant transfer to local receptors by in situ stabilization, or extraction, transformation, or degradation of contaminants. Despite offering strong benefits in terms of risk management, deployment costs, and sustainability for a range of site problems, the application of GRO as practical on‐site remedial solutions is still in its relative infancy, particularly for metal(loid)‐contaminated sites. A key barrier to wider adoption of GRO relates to general uncertainties and lack of stakeholder confidence in (and indeed knowledge of) the feasibility or reliability of GRO as practical risk management solutions. The GREENLAND project has therefore developed a simple and transparent decision support framework for promoting the appropriate use of gentle remediation options and encouraging participation of stakeholders, supplemented by a set of specific design aids for use when GRO appear to be a viable option. The framework is presented as a three phased model or Decision Support Tool (DST), in the form of a Microsoft Excel‐based workbook, designed to inform decision‐making and options appraisal during the selection of remedial approaches for contaminated sites. The DST acts as a simple decision support and stakeholder engagement tool for the application of GRO, providing a context for GRO application (particularly where soft end‐use of remediated land is envisaged), quick reference tables (including an economic cost calculator), and supporting information and technical guidance drawing on practical examples of effective GRO application at trace metal(loid) contaminated sites across Europe. This article introduces the decision support framework. ©2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.