Spatial assessment of climate change effects on crop suitability for major plantation crops in Sri Lanka

Climate change is the main global challenge of this century; it is therefore imperative to identify its effects on agriculture in developing countries. This research makes spatial assessment of climate change effect on major plantation crops in Sri Lanka, with emphasis on crop suitability of tea, rubber, and coconut. Geo-referenced maps of spatial and temporal changes in crop suitability and production potentials are generated and compared. Data pertaining to six agro-ecological zones under the study area are analyzed for a period of 1980–2007. Crop suitability maps are generated amalgamating yield maps and climatic factors maps using AHP in multi-criteria analysis under two time frames of 1980–1992 and 1993–2007. Percent change in crop suitability and crop yield classes is calculated based on five crop suitability and five crop yield classes during two time frames. Dynamics of climatic parameters and crop yield are recognized using geo-referenced maps. The suitability maps of the two time frames are compared to identify the changes with each crop in conjunction with changes in the prevailing climate and yield. Geographic shift of suitability, yield, and climate classes are examined. Net gain or loss in crop production is quantified. Long-term annual rainfall significantly decreased in mid-country wet zone, whereas the mean temperature of the study area increased by 1.4°C. Results clearly showed that the climate and yield can be meaningfully related to the crop suitability and management.     

The Development of a Condenser for Odor Control from Dry Rendering Plants

A new surface condenser and carbon adsorber has been developed which provides arc economic solution to the problem of odours from dry rendering plants.     

Odor Control in Cattle Feed Yards

Commercial cattle-feeding is a large industry in the United States. In California, for instance, there are more than 500 commercial feedlots. Each of these lots handles from less than 500 to more than 50,000 head of cattle at one time. With the urban and suburban explosion, feedlots that were at one time many miles from residential centers are now “just across the street.” Naturally the high odor level from improperly operated yards gives rise to considerable complaint and citizen indignation.

A variety of methods to reduce odor to an acceptable level have been tried with varying results. A highly satisfactory procedure is based on “good housekeeping” practices, frequent removal of fecal material, and abatement of residual odor by spraying the lots at designated intervals with a solution of potassium permanganate. Details of the method are discussed.     

Analysis for Exhaust Gas Hydrocarbons—Nondispersive Infrared Versus Flame-lonizaticn

An investigation has been made of the suitability of a nondispersive infrared analyzer and two flame-ionization analyzers for measuring the total hydrocarbon concentrations of automobile exhaust gas. The investigation consisted of measuring relative responses of various hydrocarbons, checking for possible exhaust gas interferences and finally comparing exhaust hydrocarbon concentrations indicated by the flame-ionization analyzer to those indicated by the infrared analyzer. The infrared analyzer has high relative responses for parraffins and low responses for olefins, acetylenes, and aromatics. Also, the infrared indicated hydrocarbon concentrations must be corrected for exhaust water vapor interference. When the flameionization analyzers are operated at conditions that result in approximately uniform response to hydrocarbons and low oxygen interference, the exhaust hydrocarbon concentrations indicated by either flameionization analyzer are better approximations of the total hydrocarbon concentration than those indicated by the infrared analyzer.     

The Effects Of Ozone On Tobacco And Pinto Bean as Conditioned by Several Ecological Factors

The sensitivity of tobacco and/or pinto bean to ozone, as an air pollutant, is increased by growing plants in a shortened photoperiod under reduced light intensity and in a light potting mix. Sensitivity also is influenced by carbon dioxide concentration, time of day, and age of plant at time of exposure. Plants are more severely injured by a given dose under continuous exposure than when the exposure is split into two time periods. Tobacco shows cumulative development of injury when exposed to low concentrations intermittently over several days.     

APM-3 Recommended Standard Methods for Continuing Air Monitoring for Gaseous Contaminants

The purpose of Manual APM-3 is to provide a guide which will help increase the uniformity between various surveys, and thereby increase the useability of the data by others.     

Flame Temperature in Oil-Fired Fuel-Burning Equipment and its Relationship to Carbonaceous Particulate Emissions

Field tests were conducted on 82 fuel-burning installations ranging from 50 to 500 hp, fired with residual fuel oils. A flame pyrometer was used to measure peak flame temperatures. Coarse particulates were measured by impingement on adhesive paper strips inserted at right angles to the gas flow and fine particulates by filtration of the gas sample through filter paper. Both were evaluated using a standard Bacharach Scale. The tests clearly established that both coarse and fine particulate matter invariably occurred with low flame temperatures but decreased appreciably when peak flame temperatures reached approximately 2650°F; Minimum values were observed at temperatures somewhere between 2750 and 2850°F. This research was conducted as a result of the problem of acid smut and carbonaceous (ceno-sphere) fallout which appears to have increased with the advent of modern high-efficiency low-temperature heating installations and taller, cooler operating chimneys; sudden deluges of particles from the chimney serving large oil-burning plants soil clothing, pit car finishes, and damage nylon stockings and other materials.     

Interactions of Environmental Factors on the Sensitivity of Plants to Air Pollution

Before potential damage to vegetation can be adequately forecast, even after an air pollution alert has been placed in effect, a clear understanding of the interactions of environment on plant sensitivity must be ascertained. This involves detailed study of single factors and then multiple factors using the phytotoxicants in question. Factors studied or suggested include light (quality, intensity, and duration), temperature, carbon dioxide concentration, humidity, wind, soil moisture, soil aeration, nutrient levels, and soil texture. This paper presents a review of the work relating plant injury to specific air pollutants as conditioned by several environmental conditions supported by research on the interactions of ozone with these environmental conditions.