Soil Water Stable Isotopes Reveal Surface Soil Evaporation Loss Dynamics in a Subtropical Forest Plantation

Line-conditioned excess (lc-excess), the deviation of the relationship between δD and δ18O in soil water from that of precipitation, is often used to indicate soil evaporation loss, but the conditions of using lc-excess under the influences of precipitation infiltration or percolation had not been identified. The interaction effects of climate, soil and vegetation on soil evaporation in forests are not well known. We collected soil water at 0–5, 15–20 and 40–45 cm depths and event-based precipitation from 2011 to 2015 in a subtropical forest plantation and calculated the lc-excess. Precipitation on the sampling day and percolation of upper soil water with low lc-excess affected the capacity of the lc-excess to indicate the soil evaporation fractionation signals. Lc-excess of soil water at 0–5 cm depth indicated a reliable soil evaporation loss estimate over 30 days prior to the sampling day. Soil evaporation loss was dominated by the cumulative soil temperature (Tss) during drought periods and was dominated by the relative soil water content (RSWC) during non-drought periods. High Tss decreased soil evaporation loss by increasing transpiration and relative humidity. Our results emphasize the importance of sampling the upper-most soil layer when there is no rain and vegetation during drought periods in forests when studying soil evaporation loss dynamics.

Gross pathological conditions in eviscerated organs of cattle in Nsukka Slaughter Slab, Enugu State: The economic and public health implications

Gross lesions in cattle viscera result in loss of meat quality and condemnation during inspection. However, data on gross pathological conditions in cattle viscera are scarce in Nigeria. This study therefore was undertaken to determine the occurrence of gross lesions in cattle viscera during post mortem inspection at Ikpa Slaughter slab Nsukka and its economic and public health implications. Gross pathological lesions were found in all of the 545 cattle carcasses examined from May to August 2017. Lesions of fasciolosis, liver tuberculosis, Liver cirrhosis, lung tuberculosis, pneumonic lung, congested lung, blood retention in the heart, pimply gut and paramphistomosis were observed in 1 (0.18%), 33 (6.06%), 11 (2.02%), 216 (39.63%), 38 (6.97%), 501 (91.93%), 200 (39.69%), 545 (100%) and 545 (100%) of the slaughtered cattle, respectively. The rejection and condemnation of affected visceral organs loss estimate was N1,532,300.00. This unavoidable loss reduces profit and the absence of compensation policy encourages unwholesome practices by butchers and further exposes consumers to zoonotic disease infections. In the study, the eviscerated organs of cattle were unwholesome and unsafe due to some pathological and zoonotic conditions observed. There is need for government to make and implement zoonotic and economic disease control policies in livestock Nigeria.

The Sensitivity Study of a Mechanical Loss Model in Turbocharger System

3D modelling can be a very useful tool for optimising the design of turbocharger turbines. However, it is difficult to achieve high levels of correlation with experimental data which can undermine confidence in the 3D model results. A key difference between modelling and experiments is the way turbine efficiency is estimated: in CFD this is estimated directly from the shaft torque created by the turbine, however in experiments this is usually estimated based on the enthalpy rise measured at the compressor. This means that there is an inherent offset between the two which is the mechanical losses of the bearing system used to support the connecting shaft. The accuracy of the mechanical loss estimate can therefore play a critical role in the correlation of 3D modelling with experiments. A 3D CFD model of a turbocharger turbine of a 1.5L gasoline engine has been coupled with a 0D mechanical losses model. The model comprises of seven parameters that characterise the bearing losses such as oil film thickness, bearing surface finish and clearances. A sensitivity study is conducted on these parameters to understand which are the critical aspects that should be parameterised and what relationship these parameters may have with the operating state of the turbocharger (shaft speed, shaft torque etc.). Experimental measurements were conducted for the same turbocharger to provide a baseline for assessing the impact of the mechanical losses model. These provide the boundary conditions to the CFD by ignoring the effects of heat transfer, and the results were compared to the 3D simulation results.

Uso de Técnicas de Geoprocessamento para Estudo da Erosão Hídrica Laminar em Bacia Hidrográfica do Sudoeste do Paraná.

Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a erosão hídrica laminar do solo, por meio da Equação Universal de Perdas de Solos Revisada (RUSLE) na bacia hidrográfica do rio São José, localizada no município de Francisco Beltrão (PR). A perda de solo média anual (A) foi determinada através da RUSLE para os anos 2000, 2005, 2009, 2015 e 2017 utilizando-se técnicas de geoprocessamento com o auxílio do software ArcGis 10.0. O fator erosividade da chuva (R) foi determinado utilizando-se dados pluviométricos correspondentes ao período de 1974 a 2016. O fator erodibilidade do solo (K) foi obtido através da análise de amostras de solo coletadas in loco. O fator topográfico (LS) foi estimado por meio dos dados altimétricos e hidrográficos da bacia. Os fatores de uso e manejo do solo (C) e de práticas conservacionistas do solo (P) foram determinados por meio da caracterização multitemporal do uso e ocupação do solo, através de imagens de satélite. O potencial natural de erosão (PNE) foi determinado pela multiplicação dos fatores R, K e LS.A estimativa de perda de solo (A) foi determinada pela multiplicação do PNE pelos fatores C e P. Use of Geoprocessing Techniques to Study Laminar Water Erosion in Watershed of Southwest Paraná A B S T R A C TThe objective of this work is evaluate the soil erosion by the Universal Equation of Soil Losses Revised (RUSLE) in the São José river basin, located in the municipality of Francisco Beltrão (PR). The average annual soil loss (A) was determined through RUSLE for the years 2000, 2005, 2009, 2015 and 2017 using geoprocessing techniques with ArcGis 10.0 software. Rainfallerosivity (R) was determined using rainfall data from 1974 to 2016, being determined at 11521.26 11521,26 MJ.mm.ha-1.h-1.year-1. The soil erodibility factor (K) was obtained through the analysis of soil samples collected on the spot (0,03018 t.ha.h/ha.MJ.mm, 0,02771 t.ha.h/ha.MJ.mm e 0,02342 t.ha.h/ha.MJ.mm). The topographic factor (LS) was estimated by the altimetric and hydrographic data of the basin. Soil use and management (C) and soil conservation (P) were determined through multitemporal characterization of land use and occupation, using satellite images. The natural erosion potential (NEP) was determined by multiplying the R, K and LS factors, with more than half of the total area of the watershed with very strong PNE. The soil loss estimate (A) was determined by multiplying the NEP by factors C and P with predominance of the class called low (0 to 10 t/ha/year) denoting the reduction of erosion rates through factors C and P, helping to protect the soil from the erosion process.Key words: Soil Erosion; Watershed, Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, Geoprocessing, Software.

Near-Real-Time Loss Estimates for Future Italian Earthquakes Based on the M6.9 Irpinia Example

The number of fatalities and injured was calculated, using the computer code QLARM and its data set and assuming information about the Irpinia 1980 earthquake became available in near-real-time. The casualties calculated for a point source, an approximate line source and a well-defined line source would have become available about 30 min, 60 min and years after the main shock, respectively. The first estimate would have been satisfactory, indicating the seriousness of the disaster. The subsequent loss estimate after 60 min would have defined the human losses accurately, and the ultimate estimate was most accurate. In 2009, QLARM issued a correct estimate of the number of fatalities within 22 min of the M6.3 L’Aquila main shock. These two results show that the number of casualties and injuries in large and major earthquakes in Italy can be estimated correctly within less than an hour by using QLARM.

Large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) and Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) intraspecific and interspecific interference in soybean

Field studies were conducted in 2016 and 2017 at Clinton, NC, to quantify the effects of season-long interference of large crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.] and Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) on ‘AG6536’ soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Weed density treatments consisted of 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 plants m−2 for A. palmeri and 0, 1, 2, 4, and 16 plants m−2 for D. sanguinalis with (interspecific interference) and without (intraspecific interference) soybean to determine the impacts on weed biomass, soybean biomass, and seed yield. Biomass per square meter increased with increasing weed density for both weed species with and without soybean present. Biomass per square meter of D. sanguinalis was 617% and 37% greater when grown without soybean than with soybean, for 1 and 16 plants m−2 respectively. Biomass per square meter of A. palmeri was 272% and 115% greater when grown without soybean than with soybean for 1 and 8 plants m−2, respectively. Biomass per plant for D. sanguinalis and A. palmeri grown without soybean was greatest at the 1 plant m−2 density. Biomass per plant of D. sanguinalis plants across measured densities was 33% to 83% greater when grown without soybean compared with biomass per plant when soybean was present for 1 and 16 plants m−2, respectively. Similarly, biomass per plant for A. palmeri was 56% to 74% greater when grown without soybean for 1 and 8 plants m−2, respectively. Biomass per plant of either weed species was not affected by weed density when grown with soybean due to interspecific competition with soybean. Yield loss for soybean grown with A. palmeri ranged from 14% to 37% for densities of 1 to 8 plants m−2, respectively, with a maximum yield loss estimate of 49%. Similarly, predicted loss for soybean grown with D. sanguinalis was 0 % to 37% for densities of 1 to 16 m−2 with a maximum yield loss estimate of 50%. Soybean biomass was not affected by weed species or density. Results from these studies indicate that A. palmeri is more competitive than D. sanguinalis at lower densities, but that similar yield loss can occur when densities greater than 4 plants m−2 of either weed are present.

ANALISIS EFISIENSI PENYALURAN AIR IRIGASI KAWASAN KEMUMU KABUPATEN BENGKULU UTARA (Tinjauan saluran sekunder)

Irrigation efficiency is a major determinant in the system of scheme irrigation . Irrigation efficiency is assumed as part of water would be lost either in the channel or at the rice terraces. Water loss estimate in efficiency include loss of water efficiency tertiary and secondary level, water loss is influenced by the length of the channel, the surface area of the channel, the wet cross section and the position of groundwater. The analysis in this study is to calculate thevalue of the efficiency the secondary and the tertiary canals of irrigation of Kemumu, North Bengkulu. Efficiency is accounted based on the length of the channel, sectional area of wet channel, water velocity, water loss, evaporation and seepage channel. The water loss average of secondary channel is 26,12 mm3/sec. seepage average for secondary channel is 5,06 x 10 mm/day. Evaporation in one year is 0,05 mm/day. The results of this study stated that the efficiency of the secondary channel efficiently deliver water from the primary channel to channel tertiary the average of efficiency is about 11,92%. The result of this analysis is expected that not efficient channels in Kemumu North Bengkulu can be fixed, so thewater that rice field needed can be fulfilled. The channels can be fixed with some ways, such as making theconcrete irrigation and doing the rutine maintenance.

Predicting plot soil loss by empirical and process-oriented approaches. A review

Soil erosion directly affects the quality of the soil, its agricultural productivity and its biological diversity. Many mathematical models have been developed to estimate plot soil erosion at different temporal scales. At present, empirical soil loss equations and process-oriented models are considered as constituting a complementary suite of models to be chosen to meet the specific user need. In this paper, the Universal Soil Loss Equation and its revised versions are first reviewed. Selected methodologies developed to estimate the factors of the model with the aim to improve the soil loss estimate are described. Then the Water Erosion Prediction Project which represents a process-oriented technology for soil erosion prediction at different spatial scales, is presented. The available criteria to discriminate between acceptable and unacceptable soil loss estimates are subsequently introduced. Finally, some research needs, concerning tests of both empirical and process-oriented models, estimates of the soil loss of given return periods, reliability of soil loss measurements, measurements of rill and gully erosion, and physical models are delineated.

Using satellite laser ranging to measure ice mass change in Greenland and Antarctica

A least squares inversion of satellite laser ranging (SLR) data over Greenland and Antarctica could extend gravimetry-based estimates of mass loss back to the early 1990s and fill any future gap between the current Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and the future GRACE Follow-On mission. The results of a simulation suggest that, while separating the mass change between Greenland and Antarctica is not possible at the limited spatial resolution of the SLR data, estimating the total combined mass change of the two areas is feasible. When the method is applied to real SLR and GRACE gravity series, we find significantly different estimates of inverted mass loss. There are large, unpredictable, interannual differences between the two inverted data types, making us conclude that the current 5×5 spherical harmonic SLR series cannot be used to stand in for GRACE. However, a comparison with the longer IMBIE time series suggests that on a 20-year time frame, the inverted SLR series' interannual excursions may average out, and the long-term mass loss estimate may be reasonable.