Alternate wet and dry irrigation technology as a sustainable water management and disease vector control tool

Rising population and demands for rice as a staple food have created severe stress on freshwater availability for paddy cultivation. The literature suggests that conventional irrigation techniques are inadequate to overcome the water constraints arising from drought and extreme weather conditions. In the past few decades, there is an upsurge of scientific exploration of agricultural techniques in reinventing traditional methods of irrigation. Recently, alternate wet and dry irrigation (AWDI) method has shown great promise regarding profitable rice cultivation with limited water supply. The AWDI method is a trending water management system, which inundates rice fields with intermittent wet conditions followed by a dry period. This not only ensures adequate water supply but increases crop yield and water productivity index (WPI). The AWDI also helps in reducing parasitic mosquito population in the rice fields by minimizing the field flooding period and curtailing a major part of their life cycles. This review proposes a novel approach of emphasizing AWDI method as an important agricultural tool for supplementing rice fields with limited freshwater, increasing crop yield, and monitoring parasitic mosquito populations. The major objective of this study is to report the state-of-the-art scenario of AWDI method, critically analyze the research gaps related to conventional methods of irrigation and appreciate the futuristic long-term benefits of AWDI method. Literature survey was performed using search engines like Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, Research Gate, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. Comprehensive appraisal of resources (both offline and online) and critical evaluation of AWDI technicalities revealed that the AWDI reduced water usage by 45%, enhanced crop yield and improved WPI in paddy fields in the Asian sub-continent. The AWDI also curtailed the propagation of lethal mosquito species (Cx. tritaenorhynchus, Cx. vishnui, and Cx pseudovishnui) in rice fields. Therefore, the current study endorses AWDI as a promising substitute of conventional irrigation and a novel approach towards fulfilling water constraints that may be practiced anywhere in the world.     

滇池人工湿地的植物群落学特征研究

用植物群落生态学方法,研究了滇池小河口的天然湿地以及表流和潜流两种人工湿地的植被群落学特征。研究区内调查发现有12种植物群落,包含有植物17种。结果表明：表流人工湿地的群落多样性大于潜流人工湿地,甚至也大于天然湿地;在两种人工湿地中,植物群落中的层次数比较接近;从植被群落结构来看,在物种多样性和shannon wiener指数方面表现为潜流人工湿地大于表流人工湿地,天然湿地居中。从天然湿地到表流湿地,再到潜流湿地,随着湿地环境水文条件的变化,植物群落组成与分布状况也在变化,表现出从湿地植物向陆生植物演替的趋势。研究表明两种人工湿地中的芦苇（Phragmites australis）群落长势不同。在人工湿地中适宜构建芦苇群落,在表面流人工湿地植物选择中可以考虑水芹菜（Oenanthe stolonifera）和慈菇（Sagittaria sagittifolia）。人工湿地的水文条件与湿地植物之间的相互关系是人工湿地进一步研究的重要方面。     

城市污水回用于山地绿化灌溉土壤重金属的空间变异性

新疆乌鲁木齐市雅玛里克山国家级绿化示范基地的灌溉用水为雅玛里克山污水厂一级出水(乌鲁木齐生活污水出水). 在面积为59 hm2的污灌区布设了61个采样点,测定了表土(0～20 cm)中Cu,Zn,Ni,Cr,Pb,Cd的含量和pH,有机质(OM)含量,阳离子交换量(CEC)等土壤理化参数,并在此基础上进行了尼梅罗综合污染指数评价和基于地理信息系统(GIS)及地统计学的研究. 结果表明,6种重金属的平均含量均低于国家二级标准(GB15168-1995)限值;采样区的土壤重金属总体上属于轻度污染. Zn,Cr,Pb和Cd含量变异函数曲线的理论模型符合指数模型;Ni和OM含量及CEC的理论模型表现为高斯模型;Cu含量和pH的理论模型为球状模型. Pb,Ni,Cr,OM含量和pH,CEC表现为中等强度的空间自相关,Cu,Zn和Cd含量均表现出强烈的空间自相关. 重金属a值最大的是Pb (450 m),而其他重金属的a值多集中在100～200　m,采用普通克立格最优内插法对未测点重金属,pH,OM含量和CEC进行最优估计,绘制了空间分布图,更直观地反映出了重金属元素及土壤理化参数的空间变异特征.      

于桥水库周边农业小流域地表径流和亚表层流的磷素流失浓度特征

选择天津市重要饮用水水源地于桥水库周边2个农业小流域,连续5a进行了磷素流失的实验研究.结果表明,地表径流总磷浓度以果园为最高,浓度超过10 mg·L-1;村庄次之;农田最低,浓度在3 mg·L-1左右.降雨后亚表层流中磷浓度以果园为最高,且变幅最大,菜园次之,农田最低.在流域出口处,曹各庄流域地表径流总磷浓度达到10.07 mg·L-1,而桃花寺流域为0.69mg·L-1.土地利用类型格局和迁移廊道性质是造成2个流域磷素浓度差异的主要原因:曹各庄流域中村庄和果园同水库较近的距离(约200 m),以及道路型季节性河流增加了磷素迁移到受纳水体的风险;桃花寺流域中村庄和果园离受纳水体较远(约1500 m),在迁移过程中磷素被小石坝、植被过滤带和干塘等"汇"型结构所持留,从而减少了向受纳水体迁移的风险.     

垂直潜流人工湿地低温净化效果及其与微生物作用关系

人工湿地净化过程受基质、微生物及植物的多重作用,但有关湿地系统水质净化效果与微生物之间的关联及响应机制的认识较为匮乏.本文针对垂直潜流人工湿地,分析了其低温条件下水质净化效果,通过16S rDNA扩增子测序技术,在OTU水平上利用微生物丰度聚类热图和基于Bray-Curtis距离的NMDS分析,揭示了湿地基质微生物群落结构的时空变化及其与主要水质指标之间的相互作用关系.结果表明,湿地对TN、COD的去除效果较好,但对TP的去除效果不佳.基质微生物群落时空变化显著,与湿地净化效果密切相关,革兰氏阴性菌门类众多和假单胞菌属相对丰度较低,分别是TN去除效果较好和TP去除效果不佳的重要原因.COD、DO是影响微生物群落的主要因子,而氮含量在一定程度上影响脱氮微生物的活跃度.基质微生物在湿地运行2周后,对污染物去除的介导作用稳定,建议设立这一关键时间点,并辅以菌群、碳源投入等措施,提升湿地的净化效果.     

云南耿马灌区水环境质量与退水污染负荷分析

为保证灌区及配套工程顺利实施,受退水区域的水污染防治工作应该优先考虑并引起足够重视。按照存在生活供水的灌区工程应遵循的先治污、后通水,先环保、后用水、增水不增污、增水减污等原则,受退水区的水环境质量应作为工程实施效果的主要指标。本文对已有的灌区工程涉及的地表水监测资料进行了整理,分析了灌区主要纳污水体的水环境质量现状。为进一步分析灌区各类退水对区域水环境的影响,针对灌区工程范围内不同的灌溉控制单元,分析其主要退水的类型、水量和水质,分析主要污染物的污染负荷来源和占比。寻找重点污染源和主要水污染问题,提出各类退水污染防治的重点方向、任务和主要建议,对灌区及配套工程的水污染防治工作具有一定的指导意义。     

Effective Efficiency as a Tool for Sustainable Water Resources Management1

Abstract: The sufficiency and usefulness of Effective Efficiency (EE) as a water resources index is shown through conceptual formulation of a generalized EE and practical applications. Two EE models are proposed: one is based on water quantity and the other on quantity and quality, with the possibility of considering water reuse (recycling) in both. These models were developed for two scales: the first is called Project EE and the second Basin EE. The latter gives the influence of the project on the water resources systems of the basin while the former does not make such connection to the whole basin. Such considerations give proper signals as to the adequacy of any intervention to increase efficiency. A crucial distinction is made between depletion and diversion water savings. Classical Efficiency (CE) models are analyzed and compared with the various EE models. CE results in values that are less than EE because of not considering water reuse and water quality in its calculation. Some authors, pointing to these problems – particularly the first problem – have advocated the use of hydrological “fractions” instead of efficiency concepts. This paper defends the use of a proper efficiency model such as EE and suggests putting an end to the use of the CE indicators. To test the models, they are applied to five cases of irrigation and city water use in the United States and Egypt. The analysis of the results demonstrates all the points mentioned above and the potential of the EE models to adequately describe the water resources efficiency and sustainability at a location.     

Concentrations and bioaccessibility of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in wastewater-irrigated soil using in vitro gastrointestinal test

BACKGROUND, AIM, AND SCOPE: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread environmental contaminants and contribute to the pollution of soil environment. Soil ingestion is of increasing concern for assessing health risk from PAH-contaminated soils because soil ingestion is one of the potentially important pathways of exposure to environmental pollutants, particularly relevant for children playing at contaminated sites due to their hand-to-mouth activities. In vitro gastro-intestinal tests imitate the human digestive tract, based on the physiology of humans, generally more simple, less time-consuming, and especially more reproducible than animal tests. This study was conducted to investigate the level of PAH contamination and oral bioaccessibility in surface soils, using physiologically based in vitro gastro-intestinal tests regarding both gastric and small intestinal conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wastewater-irrigated soils were sampled from the metropolitan areas of Beijing and Tianjin, China, which were highly contaminated with PAHs. Reference soil samples were also collected for comparisons. At each site, four soils were sampled in the upper horizon at the depth of 0-20 cm randomly and were bulked together to form one composite sample. PAH concentrations and origin were investigated and a physiologically based in vitro test was conducted using all analytical grade reagents. Linear regression model was used to assess the relationship between total PAH concentrations in soils and soil organic carbon (SOC). RESULTS: A wide range of total PAH concentrations ranging from 1,304 to 3,369 mug kg(-1) in soils collected from different wastewater-irrigated sites in Tianjin, while ranging from 2,687 to 4,916 mug kg(-1) in soils collected from different wastewater-irrigated sites in Beijing, was detected. In general, total PAH concentrations in soils from Beijing sites were significantly higher than those from Tianjin sites, indicating a dominant contribution from both pyrogenic and petrogenic sources. Results indicated that the oral bioaccessibility of PAHs in small intestinal was significantly higher (from P < 0.05 to P < 0.001) than gastric condition. Similarly, the oral bioaccessibility of PAHs in contaminated sites was significantly higher (from P < or = 0.05 to P < 0.001) than in reference sites. Individual PAH ratios (three to six rings), a more accurate and reliable estimation about the emission sources, were used to distinguish the natural and anthropogenic PAH inputs in the soils. Results indicated that PAHs were both pyrogenic and petrogenic in nature. DISCUSSION: The identification of PAH sources and importance of in vitro test for PAH bioaccessibility were emphasized in this study. The oral bioaccessibility of individual PAHs in soils generally decreased with increasing ring numbers of PAHs in both the gastric and small intestinal conditions. However, the ratio of bioaccessibility of individual PAHs in gastric conditions to that in the small intestinal condition generally increased with increasing ring numbers, indicating the relatively pronounced effect of bile extract on improving the bioaccessibility of PAHs with relatively high ring numbers characterized by their high K ( ow ) values. Similarly, total PAH concentrations in soils were strongly correlated with SOC, indicating that SOC was the key factor determining the retention of PAHs in soils. CONCLUSIONS: Soils were contaminated with PAHs due to long-term wastewater irrigation. PAHs with two to six rings showed high concentrations with a significant increase over reference soils. Based on the molecular indices, it was suggested that PAHs in soils had both pyrogenic and petrogenic sources. It was also concluded that the oral bioaccessibility of total PAHs in the small intestinal condition was significantly higher than that in the gastric condition. Furthermore, the bioaccessibility of individual PAHs in soils generally decreased with the increasing ring numbers in both the gastric and small intestinal conditions. RECOMMENDATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES: It is suggested that more care should be given while establishing reliable soil criteria for PAHs, especially concerning the health of children who may ingest a considerable amount of PAH-contaminated soil via outdoor hand-to-mouth activities.     

SELENIUM BUDGETS FOR LAKE POWELL AND THE UPPER COLORADO RWER BASIN1

ABSTRACT: A selenium budget for Lake Powell, Utah-Arizona was determined based on selenium loads at the principal stream input sites to and the output site from the lake. Based on data collected during 1985-1994, 83 percent of the selenium entering Lake Powell is accounted for at the output site. The rest of the selenium may be incorporated by lake sediment or used by the biota. Considerably more selenium per unit area is produced from the Colorado River Basin above the Colorado River-Green River confluence than from the Green River Basin and the San Juan River Basin combined. The Gunnison River Basin and the Grand Valley in Colorado produce an estimated 31 and 30 percent of the selenium that reaches Lake Powell, respectively. Irrigation-related activities are thought to be responsible for mobilizing 71 percent of the selenium that reaches Lake Powell. Selenium concentrations in water at Imperial Dam on the Colorado River upstream of the United States-Mexico international border are similar to those at the output site of Lake Powell. Therefore, most selenium observed in downstream areas of the Colorado River therefore probably is derived mostly from the Colorado River Basin above Lake Powell.     

OPTIMUM DESIGN OF BORDER IRRIGATION SYSTEM1

ABSTRACT: Border irrigation systems like most of the other surface irrigation systems, do not need too much energy and special equipment. Thus, many farmers have used this system for a long time. On the other hand, design of surface irrigation systems including border irrigation requires many input parameters, and need intensive engineering calculations. The burden of these requirements probably led the users to experimental design of the systems with low efficiencies. However, accurate design and high quality optimization of the border irrigation system that can result in a highly efficient system is possible. In this study, an optimization model for border irrigation system is presented. The Hook Jeev's pattern search optimization method in conjunction with a general mathematical model of border irrigation is used to maximize the irrigation application efficiency. The border irrigation storage and distribution efficiencies, border slope and length, inflow rate, cutoff time, and the Manning's roughness coefficient are selected as constraints. The model is applied to field-measured data. The results show that it is possible to select a suitable combination of the border system's parameters (border's length, inflow rate, and cutoff time) to obtain a maximum application efficiency.