Modeling macropore flow effects on pesticide leaching: inverse parameter estimation using microlysimeters

Macropore flow is a key factor determining pesticide fate, but models accounting for this process need parameters that cannot be easily measured. This study was conducted to investigate the use of inverse techniques to estimate parameters controlling macropore flow and pesticide fate in the dual-permeability model MACRO. Undisturbed columns were sampled at three landscape positions (hilltop, slope, hollow) with contrasting texture and organic carbon content. Transient leaching experiments were performed for an anionic tracer and the herbicide MCPA (4-chloro-2methylphenoxy acetic acid) during a 4-mo period, first under natural rainfall, and then under controlled irrigation in the laboratory. The tracer breakthrough for the liner-textured soil from the hilltop showed strong evidence of macropore flow, resulting in a rapid leaching of MCPA, while leaching was minimal from the organic-rich hollow soil, since macropore flow was weaker and adsorption stronger. The MACRO model was linked to the inverse modeling program SUFI (Sequential Uncertainty Fitting) to enable calibration of nine key model parameters. Based on calculated model efficiencies, MACRO-SUFI gave generally good predictions of water movement and tracer and pesticide transport, although some errors were attributed to difficulties in simulating the effects of soil moisture on degradation and the timing of water outflows. Even after calibration, significant uncertainties remained for some key parameters controlling macropore flow. Nevertheless, the parameter estimates were significantly different between landscape positions and could also be related to basic soil properties. The posterior uncertainty ranges could probably be reduced with a more exhaustive sampling of the parameter space and improved experimental designs.     

Controlled-release system for the insect growth regulator cyromazine

An encapsulation system designed to give long-lasting effectiveness of the insect growth regulator (IGR) cyromazine (Neporex) against Culex pipiens (Culicidae) mosquito larvae was developed. The main thrust of the research was to develop a simple method for preparing controlled-release formulations by means of an extrusion technique in combination with a supplementary coating and to study the release characteristics and effectiveness of the formulations. A series of formulations were prepared with low-density polyethylene (LDPE 600) for the matrix and with polyurea or one of four types of polyurethane for the coating. The rate of release of the active material from the controlled-release formulations was determined in an in vitro dissolution system. The biological activity of the controlled-release formulations was tested in vivo against C. pipiens larvae.     

The Ecological and Environmental Characteristics and Conservation of the Wetlands in the Changjiang Estuary, China

The natural wetlands in the Changjiang Estuary, China are important ecologically. The total area of the wetlands in the Changjiang Estuary amounts to 215000 ha. The wetlands consist of littoral and sandy estuarine island areas, and are rich in biological resources. There are 136 species of vascular plant, 150 species of bird, and 68 species of benthic macro-invertebrate in the wetlands. However, the wetland in the Changjiang Estuary is a vulnerable ecosystem. Development of the wetland is mainly influenced by intensive human reclamation, pollution, movement of sediments in the Changjiang River, and the effects of tides and waves. Investigations have shown that maintaining biodiversity, providing resources for the living organisms, purifying environments and resisting natural hazards could be regarded as important functions for the protection of the wetlands. It is proposed that sustainable principles should be supported in developing the wetlands in the future.     

CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND FLOOD FREQUENCY ESTIMATION FOR THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI AND LOWER MISSOURI RIVERS1

ABSTRACT: This paper considers the distribution of flood flows in the Upper Mississippi, Lower Missouri, and Illinois Rivers and their relationship to climatic indices. Global climate patterns including El Niño/Southern Oscillation, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, and the North Atlantic Oscillation explained very little of the variations in flow peaks. However, large and statistically significant upward trends were found in many gauge records along the Upper Mississippi and Missouri Rivers: at Hermann on the Missouri River above the confluence with the Mississippi (p = 2 percent), at Hannibal on the Mississippi River (p < 0.1 percent), at Meredosia on the Illinois River (p = 0.7 percent), and at St. Louis on the Mississippi below the confluence of all three rivers (p = 1 percent). This challenges the traditional assumption that flood series are independent and identically distributed random variables and suggests that flood risk changes over time.     

Stochastic modeling of diffuse pesticide losses from a small agricultural catchment

The objective of this study was to identify the main sources of variation in pesticide losses at field and catchment scales using the dual permeability model MACRO. Stochastic simulations of the leaching of the herbicide MCPA (4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid) were compared with seven years of measured concentrations in a stream draining a small agricultural catchment and one year of measured concentrations at the outlet of a field located within the catchment. MACRO was parameterized from measured probability distributions accounting for spatial variability of soil properties and local pedotransfer functions derived from information gathered in field- and catchment-scale soil surveys. At the field scale, a single deterministic simulation using the means of the input distributions was also performed. The deterministic run failed to reproduce the summer outflows when most leaching occurred, and greatly underestimated pesticide leaching. In contrast, the stochastic simulations successfully predicted the hydrologic response of the field and catchment and there was a good resemblance between the simulations and measured MCPA concentrations at the field outlet. At the catchment scale, the stochastic approach underestimated the concentrations of MCPA in the stream, probably mostly due to point sources, but perhaps also because the distributions used for the input variables did not accurately reflect conditions in the catchment. Sensitivity analyses showed that the most important factors affecting MACRO modeled diffuse MCPA losses from this catchment were soil properties controlling macropore flow, precipitation following application, and organic carbon content.     

Predictions of binary sorption isotherms for the sorption of heavy metals by pine bark using single isotherm data

The adsorption of three heavy metal ions by pine bark was studied. The study was divided into two parts; single component adsorption of the metals Cu2+, Cd2+ and Ni2+ and bisolute adsorption of the three binary systems Cu2+-Cd2+, Cu2+-Ni2+ and Cd2+-Ni2+. Extended Langmuir model, extended Freundlich model. Sips model and ideal adsorption solution theory (IAST) models were used to predict the equilibrium uptake for Cu2+, Cd2+ and Ni2+ in the binary diluted solutions using the single adsorption constants. The experimental data of single isotherm adsorption process were found to follow Langmuir isotherm model with less accuracy than Freundlich and Sips models. Whereas, the predictions of bisolute adsorption isotherms of the mentioned three systems, Cu2+-Cd2+, Cu2+-Ni2+ and Cd2+-Ni2+, showed good agreement with experimental data when using Extended-Langmuir, Extended-Freundlich and IAST. However, the only good fit of the Sips model was with the Cu2+-Cd2+ system.     

Population dynamics of farmland ladybug resources and dominant species in Nyingchi,Tibet, China北大核心CSCD

捕食性瓢虫是重要的天敌昆虫,有利于害虫的生物防治.为查清西藏林芝地区农田瓢虫资源与种群现状,明确优势种类及种群动态和规律,对林芝不同生态区域的青稞、小麦、油菜3种作物农田开展瓢虫资源调查研究,同时选取固定样地定期进行种群动态分析.结果显示:林芝地区农田瓢虫分为2个亚科4个族10个属,共13种,其中11种为捕食性瓢虫.主要优势瓢虫种类为横斑瓢虫、多异瓢虫、二星瓢虫.其中横斑瓢虫在全部调查样地中均有分布,在农田中总体优势度指数、相对多度为最高.3种优势瓢虫在不同作物中种群动态变化规律存在差异,其中横斑瓢虫虫口密度长期高于其余优势瓢虫,且与蚜虫密度曲线有较为明显的重合现象.横斑瓢虫种群密度峰值主要集中在6月中旬至7月上旬,但在不同作物农田中具体峰值时期存在差异.可见,林芝地区农田不同种类瓢虫之间有较大数量差异,在不同生态区域与作物环境下具有不同的种群特征,但是优势瓢虫种类与种群规律较为明确,可用于农田蚜虫生物防治;结果可为保护当地重要昆虫资源及开展生物防治提供基础数据支撑.(图4表6参23)     

Degradation of benzo[a]pyrene in soil with arbuscular mycorrhizal alfalfa

Mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal alfalfa (Medicago sativa) was grown in pots containing soil artificially contaminated with various levels of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) (0, 1, 10 and 100 mg kg(-1)). Soil and plants were sampled after 30, 40, 50, 60 and 90 days and compared with unlanted pots. The percentage of mycorrhizal root length colonized by Glomus caledoniun was not significantly affected by the addition of B[a]P up to 10 mg kg(-1) but was significantly lower at 100 mg kg(-1)B[a]P compared with low concentrations (p < 0.05). There was no difference in soil polyphenol oxidase and dehydrogenase activity among the controls and applications of 1 and 10 mg kg(-1) of B[a]P. However, enzyme activities were significantly higher at 100 mg kg(-1) B[a]P compared with the other three treatments, and there was no mycorrhizal effect. Over a period of 90 days the concentration of B[a]P in soil in which alfalfa was grown was significantly lower than in unplanted soil (p < 0.05). Degradation rates of B[a]P added at 1, 10 and 100 mg kg(-1) without G. caledonium were 76, 78 and 53%, and with mycorrhizal inoculation were 86, 87 and 57%. The degradation rate in unplanted soil was significantly lower than in planted soil, and was significantly higher in medium- and low-B[a]P treatments than in the high B[a]P concentration tested. There is a possibility of enhancement phytoremediation of PAHs in rhizosphere soil with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.     

The Adsorption of Lead and Copper from Aqueous Solution on Modified Peat–Resin Particles

Raw peat was modified with sulfuric acid, then mixed modified with resin to prepare the modified peat–resin particles. Using the batch experimental systems, the removal of heavy metals (copper and lead) on the modified peat–resin particles was investigated. The data of the adsorption isotherm could be fitted by the Langmuir equation well. The adsorption rate of heavy metals on modified peat–resin particles was very swift. The removal processes of heavy metals on modified peat–resin particles could be well described by pseudo-second order model. The adsorption rate of lead was affected by the initial heavy metal concentration, initial pH, particle size, agitation speed and particle mass. In the adsorption of heavy metals (lead and copper) on the modified peat–resin particles, ion exchange was the major reaction mechanism. Desorption data showed that the lead adsorbed by modified peat–resin particle could be desorbed by 0.5 N or 1.0 N HNO₃. The desorption rate was swift. The experiments indicated that the modified peat–resin particles have great potential for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater.