Using GIS tools to detect the land use/land cover changes during forty years in Lodhran District of Pakistan

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Land use/land cover (LULC) change has serious implications for environment as LULC is directly related to land degradation over a period of time and...     

Numerical simulation of non-breaking solitary wave run-up using exponential basis functions

A meshless method based on exponential basis functions (EBFs) is developed to simulate the propagation of solitary waves and run-up on the slope. The presented method is a boundary-type meshless method applying the exponential basis functions with complex exponents. The solution of governing equations is considered as a series of these basis functions. Boundary conditions are satisfied through a point-wise collocation approach. Based on the presented EBF meshless method, a new formula is introduced for the maximum run-up height on different slopes, valuable for engineering applications. The results obtained through the numerical method in the prediction of solitary wave propagation and estimation of run-up are verified through the comparison with experimental data. The comparison with 159 experimental data indicates that this new formula is more accurate than the preceding formulas in predicting the maximum run-up of non-breaking solitary waves. Minimum calculation time and convenient performances are the other advantages of this method.     

Sorption of 17β-estradiol to pig slurry separates and soil in the soil-slurry environment

Contamination of freshwater by estrogens from manure applied to agricultural land is of grave concern because of the potentially harmful effects on aquatic life and human health. Recent developments in liquid manure (slurry) management include partial removal of particulate slurry dry matter (PSDM) by separation technologies, which may also remove parts of the estrogens and enhance infiltration of the slurry on field application and hence the interaction between estrogens and the soil matrix. This study investigated how 17β-estradiol (E2), a natural estrogen commonly found in pig manure, sorbs to agricultural soils, to different size fractions of pig slurry separates, and to soils amended with each size fraction to simulate conditions in the soil-slurry environment. A crude fiber fraction (SS1) was prepared by sieving (<500 μm) the solids removed by an on-farm separation process. Three other size fractions (SS2 > SS3 > SS4) were prepared from the liquid fraction of the separated slurry by sedimentation and centrifugation. Sorption experiments were conducted in 0.01 mol L(-1) CaCl(2) and in natural pig urine matrix. Sorption in 0.01 mol L(-1) CaCl(2) was higher than that in pig urine for all solids used. Sorption of E2 to soil increased with its organic carbon content for both liquid phases. The solid-liquid partition coefficients of slurry separates were 10 to 30 times higher than those of soils, but the organoic carbon normalized partition coefficient values, reflecting sorption per unit organic carbon, were lower for slurry separates. Mixing slurry separates with soil increased the sorption of E2 to the solid phase significantly in the order: SS1 < SS3 < SS2 for both liquid phases. In contrast, SS4 reduced the sorption of E2 to the solid phase by increasing the sorption to suspended or dissolved organic matter. The study suggested that potentially 50 to 75% of E2 in slurry can be removed from the liquid fraction of slurry by physical separation.     

Monitoring structural assets of bi-species groves according to land use types: a case study from arid plains

This paper provides a framework for the managers to devise means to protect, restore, and maintain the remaining bi-species groves for sustainable management of fragile arid land ecosystem. At the moment, there is no information available about the structural and functional ecology of these dwindling remnants. The selection criteria for the classification of the groves are based on understanding the positive association between the two species, Prosopis cineraria and Salvadora oleoides, in terms of spatial pattern and morphological features. It was achieved by highlighting the attributes of the benchmark grove and classification of other groves in reference to it. The results clearly show that positive association in the groves is due to differences in the growth strategies of the two species in terms of above- and belowground biomass allocation and architecture. Most of the groves are in various stages of degradation, and anthropogenic interferences are the major determinant linked with the declining status of the groves. These activities affect the complimentary attributes of the bi-species groves, thus disturbing the characteristic structural features which contributed to the stability of this fragile landscape.     

Experimental and Numerical Analysis of CO Concentration Dispersion of Vehicular Exhaust Emissions in Isolated Environment

Numerical and experimental analyses were applied to carbon monoxide (CO) concentration dispersion to monitor air quality in an enclosed residential complex parking area in Tehran. Firstly, the parking area was preliminary assessed through verifying the characteristics of the problem including the geometry and boundary conditions. Then, proportion of vehicular exhaust emissions was estimated and eventually experimental and numerical analyses were performed. In order to perform numerical calculation, a three-dimensional model was created to numerically simulate the enclosed residential complex parking area by FLUENT software that solves flow governing equations with finite volume method. In FLUENT, species model was selected to assess the dispersion of CO in flow domain. In experimental analysis, CO concentration was measured using sampling bags with a volume of 10 l in 4 min at 6 different points. The sample air was drawn into sampling bags by electric pumps. The findings show that the maximum amount of CO concentration is above the permissible standard recommended by the World Health Organization. Pollutant accumulation was significant in confined areas. In the place where openings exist, the level of accumulation was lower than other areas. The findings obtained from numerical simulation are in complete accord with experimental results.     

Study of MoO3-γAl2O3 catalysts behavior in selective catalytic reduction of SO2 toxic gas to sulfur with CH4

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In the present study, a detailed investigation was carried out on MoO3 alumina-supported catalysts behavior in selective catalytic reduction of SO2 to...     

Transfer factors of Polonium from soil to parsley and mint

Transfer factors of ²¹⁰Po from soil to parsley and mint have been determined. Artificial polonium isotope (²⁰⁸Po) was used as a tracer to determine transfer factor of Po from soil to plant in pot experiments. Two plant growing systems were used for this study namely, an outdoor system and a sheltered system by a polyethylene tent. ²⁰⁸Po and ²¹⁰Po were determined in soil and different parts of the studied plants (stem and leaf), using alpha spectroscopy. The results have shown that there was a clear uptake of ²⁰⁸Po by roots to leaves and stems of both plants. Higher values of transfer factors using the ²¹⁰Po activity concentrations than the ²⁰⁸Po activity concentration were observed. Transfer factors of ²¹⁰Po from soil to parsley varied between 20 × 10⁻² and 50 × 10⁻² and 22 × 10⁻³ and 67 × 10⁻³ in mint, while ²⁰⁸Po transfer factors varied between 4 × 10⁻² and 12 × 10⁻² for parsley and 10 × 10⁻² and 22 × 10⁻² in mint. Transfer factors of Po were higher in those plants grown in the sheltered system than in the open system; about 75% of Po was transferred from atmosphere to parsley parts using the two systems. Ratios of transferred Po from soil to mint stem and leaf in the sheltered system were higher by 2 times from those in the open system.     

Cash and voucher assistance along humanitarian supply chains: a literature review and directions for future research

This study reviews research on cash and voucher assistance (CVA) by applying a humanitarian supply chain management perspective. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify, analyse, and synthesise past academic research. The content, context, and process framework was used to structure the content analysis. The findings reveal that the outcomes of CVA programmes are dependent on critical context-specific variables that influence feasibility and operability. Humanitarian actors must consider factors that are external (the nature of disaster, politics, economy, and infrastructure) and internal (local market availability and accessibility, supplier/donor interest, supplier/vendor selection and contracting, and beneficiary preference) to the supply chain. The delivery process is influenced by them, impacting on programme responsiveness and cost-efficiency. The results provide insights that humanitarian practitioners can utilise to reconsider their supply chain strategies when deciding on the selection and implementation of CVA programmes. Potential literature gaps are identified, and recommendations for further research are provided.     

Senna alexandrina extract supplementation reverses hepatic oxidative,inflammatory, and apoptotic effects of cadmium chloride administration in rats

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Senna alexandrina is traditionally used for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but little information is available concerning its...