Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Mercury Contamination In Selected Edible Plants And Soil From Artisanal And Small-Scale Gold Mining In Sukabumi Regency, Indonesia, Grace Serepina Saragih, Ely Rahmi Tapriziah, Yunesfi Syofyan, Siti Masitoh, Yohana Sari Hotmatua Pandiangan, Andriantoro Andriantoro

Makara Journal of Science

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) activities often pollute soil, water, and air, thereby achieving widespread proliferation, and contaminating the surrounding biota including plants. Mercury contamination on agricultural land around ASGM areas has been widely reported. This study aims to determine the total mercury contamination in plants and soil around active ASGM sites in Sukabumi Regency, Indonesia, namely, Waluran, Lengkong, and Ciemas Districts. Total mercury (Hg) content was measured from 27 plant samples (including cassava [Manihot utilisima], rice [Oryza sativa], and papaya [Carica papaya]), 7 rhizosphere soil samples, and 7 non-rhizosphere soil samples. Data …

Physical And Chemical Properties Of Soil, Water And Air Around Ukawu Pb-Zn Mine, Southeastern Nigeria, Nwachukwu Arthur Nwachukwu, Sikakwe Gregory Udie, Eluwa Ndidiamaka Nchedo, Uwa Clementina Ukamaka, Oluwatoyin Oluwatosin Olaosebikan

Makara Journal of Science

In this study, analysis of water, and soil samples, air quality, and noise levels in Ukawu Pb-Zn mine were examined. The pH of the water samples, at 6.7, exceeded permissible levels for potable water established by the National Environmental Standard Regulatory Agency (NESREA), European Union, and World Health Organization (i.e., 7.0-8.5). The soil pH was 5.2, which indicates acidity due to acid mine drainage. Low soil pH is evidence of acid mine drainage. All cations detected in water and soil were below standard limits considered harmful by the NESREA. Measurements of precursor gases, such as O₃, NO_{2 …}

Assessment Of Soil Properties Under Different Land Use Types In Olokemeji Forest Reserves In Ogun State Southwestern Nigeria, Oluwatoyin Opeyemi Akintola, Adewunmi Idayat Bodede, Michael Smart, Ayodeji Gideon Adebayo, Olawale Nurean Sulaiman

Journal of Bioresource Management

Knowledge of soil properties is essential for environmental sustainability for any forest reserve or plantation. The physical and chemical properties of soil under three different land uses was investigated to assess the nutrient and fertility status of the soils. Fifteen soil samples, each collected from different locations within the natural forest, plantation and farm land were analyzed for soil texture, bulk density, porosity, pH, organic carbon, organic matter content, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn. Texturally, the soils were loamy, loamy sand and sandy loamy in the natural forest, plantation and farmland respectively. …

Physical And Chemical Properties Of Soils In Gambari Forest Reserve Near Ibadan, South Western Nigeria., Akintola O. Opeyemi Dr, Bodede Idayat Adewunmi Dr, Abiola Isaac Oluwaseyi Dr

Journal of Bioresource Management

The different features of soil greatly affect the flora and vegetative diversity of a forest. The physical and chemical characteristics of soils in Onigambari Forest Reserve were evaluated to assess the fertility and productivity status of the soils. Fifteen soil samples collected from different sample locations were analyzed for soil texture (sand, silt and clay), bulk density, porosity, pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable bases (Na, K, Ca and Mg) and available micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn). Texturally, the studied soils were loamy sand and sandy loam with percentage of sands (71.2-84.2 %), silts (7.4-10.4 %) and …

The Relationship Of Soils Developed On Different Parent Materials In Niğde Province With Lithological Units And Determination Of Their Suitability For Usage Agricultural Purposes, Harun Torunlar, Abdurrahman Lermi̇, Emin Çi̇ftçi̇

Bulletin of the Mineral Research and Exploration

In this study, general characteristics of soils formed on different parent materials in three different regions of Niğde province, their relationship with lithological units and the extent to which they are suitable for agricultural purposes were determined. Physical and chemical analysis values of rock and soil samples were used to reveal the relationship between lithological units and soils formed in the study area and correlation analysis was applied among the parameters. Multi Criteria Decision Making method was used to determine the suitability of these soils which are formed depending on the parent materials for agricultural use. In order to determine …

Change In The Physical And Chemical Properties Of Oil-Contaminated Soil In The Steppe Zone, Zafarjon Jabbarov, Tokhtasin Abdrakhmanov, Shavkat Akhmedov, Urol Nomozov, Muqaddas Abdurahmonova

Bulletin of National University of Uzbekistan: Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Today, around the world as a result of the activities of industrial enterprises, mining, their use, as well as other anthropogenic factors, there is a chemical pollution of the soil cover, a change in soil properties and fertility. Pollution of soils of various types leads to the formation of problems such as soil degradation, a decrease in the qualitative and quantitative level of fertility, as well as other problems associated with the ecosystem. Today, the urgent task is to create remediation measures for soils contaminated to varying degrees with oil and oil products, corresponding to the climatic conditions of the …

Using Paleosols To Reconstruct Past Environments Before, During And After Periods Of Anatomically Human Migration At Gona, Ethiopia, Kevin Takashita-Bynum

Steeplechase: An ORCA Student Journal

Environmental change is thought to have driven dispersals of Anatomically Modern Humans (AMH) out of Africa, yet the precise landscape context of these migrations remains unclear. Furthermore, river-based archives of paleoenvironment during periods of dispersal are scarce. Gona, an area in northeastern Ethiopia with one of the most continuous records of East African Paleolithic and Neolithic archaeology, contains abundant Middle to Late Pleistocene river deposits interbedded with volcanic ash. This study examines the physical and chemical changes of 11 fossilized soils (paleosols) extracted from Gona’s paleoanthropological sites that range in age from the Middle to the Late Pleistocene (~380-11 ka). …

Local Foods, Fall/Winter 2013, Issue 27

Sustain Magazine

No abstract provided.

Hydrogeology Of Salt Karst Under Different Cap Soils And Climates (Persian Gulf And Zagros Mts., Iran), Jiri Bruthans, Jiri Kamas, Michal Filippi, Mohammad Zare, Alan L. Mayo

International Journal of Speleology

Southern Iran hosts abundant salt karst phenomena in numerous salt diapirs. This paper provides a new insight into the relationships among climate, cap soil and salt karst hydrogeology. Cave systems were documented and mapped. Soil, drip, stream, and flood waters from different environments were studied at several diapirs. It was revealed that the soil water chemistry depends on both the climate and cap soil thickness. In semi-arid climates, a thick cap soil forms (>3 m) and water has very low TDS values (0.15 g/l). In arid climates, a shallow cap soil forms, and soil water is gypsum-saturated with low …

The Importance Of Amount Of Settlement In Determining The Bearing Capacity Of Soils, Selçuk Alemdağ, Aslıhan Ci̇noğlu, Elif Gacener

Bulletin of the Mineral Research and Exploration

In this study, it is aimed to determine safe bearing capacity of soils, which are out cropped around Tamzi and Akcakale villages located in Gumushane, providing allowable settlement conditions for an optimum foundation design. To define the geotechnical properties of soils, three trenches were dug and two seismic refraction with two Multichannel Spectral Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) were carried out in each research area. Sieve analyses, shear box tests, triaxial compression tests were carried out on disturbed and undisturbed samples taken from the trenches. Seismic velocities of the soils are determined by seismic refraction and MASW methods. While determining …

Advancement Of A Soil Parameters Geodatabase For The Modeling Assessment Of Conservation Practice Outcomes In The United States, Mauro Di Luzio, Mike J. White, Jeffrey G. Arnold, Jimmy R. Williams, James R. Kiniry

International Journal of Geospatial and Environmental Research

US-ModSoilParms-TEMPLE is a database composed of a set of geographic databases functionally storing soil-spatial units and soil hydraulic, physical, and chemical parameters for three agriculture management simulation models, SWAT, APEX, and ALMANAC. This paper introduces the updated US-ModSoilParms-TEMPLE, which covers the entire United States and is organized as a framework of 22 nested and hydrologically-ordered regional geographic databases with internal spatial segmentation drainage-defined at a conveniently manageable tile (Watershed Boundary Dataset’s, WBD, 8-digit Subbasin) level. Spatial features are stored in multiple formats (raster and vector) and resolutions (10-meter and 30-meter), while being in direct relationship with the table of attributes …

Development Of A Sample Preparation Strategy For The Determination Of Tungsten In Soil Samples By Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry Using A Response Surface Methodology, Ümran Seven Erdemi̇r

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

An alternative rapid digestion method has been developed for the determination of tungsten (W) in soil samples using fractionation studies and response surface methodology. The digestion method using the Kjeldahl instrument was applied to samples, and soluble tungsten was determined via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Digestion parameters were selected depending on the results of fractionation studies and optimized using a four-factor and five-level central composite design. The contributions of the phosphoric acid concentration (X$_{1})$, digestion temperature (X$_{2})$, digestion time (X$_{3})$, and hydrochloric acid concentration (X$_{4})$ were evaluated for the determination of W from samples in which its levels were …

A Survey Of Weed Varieties In Samanabad, Lahore, Sadaf Nazir, Beenish Zia Butt, Anjum Navid

Journal of Bioresource Management

A weed is an herbaceous plant that grows as a wild plant, and is considered a hindrance in the growth of preferred vegetation or cumbering the ground, and has no value for beauty or use. However, some weeds have roles in medicine, ecology and many other fields. A survey was conducted in Lahore to observe the weed varieties present in the area of Samanabad. The present study was carried out in May and June 2014.The primary purpose of the study was to gain knowledge about the availability of the total number of species present in this area. We also assessed …

Determination Of Hexavalent Chromium In Aqueous And Alkaline Soil Extracts, Tsvetomil Voyslavov, Stefan Tsakovski, Sonya Ganeva

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

A fast, simple, and reliable method for determination of hexavalent chromium species in soil aqueous and alkaline extracts has been developed. The procedure is based on the ion-pair extraction of Cr(VI) with methyltrioctylammonium chloride (Aliquat 336) into xylene. The extract is analyzed by flame (FAAS) or electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). The method allows the detection of up to 2 mg kg$^{-1}$ Cr(VI) by FAAS and up to 25 $\mu $g kg$^{-1}$ Cr(VI) by ETAAS. The relative standard deviation varied in the range 2%-12% depending on the Cr(VI) levels in the samples. The analysis of certified reference material CRM041-30G Chromium …

A Soil Parameters Geodatabase For The Modeling Assessment Of Agricultural Conservation Practices Effects In The United States, Mauro Di Luzio, Martin L. Norfleet, Jeffrey G. Arnold, Jimmy R. Williams, James R. Kiniry

International Journal of Geospatial and Environmental Research

Soil parameters for hydrology modeling in cropland dominated areas, from the regional to local scale, are part of critical biophysical information whose deficiency may increase the uncertainty of simulated conservation effects and predicting potential. Despite this importance, soil physical and hydraulic parameters lack common, wide-coverage repositories combined to digital maps as required by various hydrology-based agricultural water quality models.

This paper describes the construction of a geoprocessing workflow and the resultant hydrology-structured soil hydraulic, physical, and chemical parameters geographic database for the entire United States, named US-SOILM-CEAP. This database is designed to store a-priori values for a suit of models, …

Vehicle Multi-Pass Rut Volume And Mobility Power Study, William W. Barbour

Pursuit - The Journal of Undergraduate Research at The University of Tennessee

This paper presents the relationship between applied power by a wheeled vehicle to soil and the rutting effects. Specifically, a strong positive relationship was found between cumulative applied power and total rut volume across multiple passes by the vehicle over the same tracks. Field-testing was conducted using a high-mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicle (HMMWV) and two distinct soil types. Sensors on the vehicle measured torque and angular velocity of each of the four wheels, from which applied power was calculated. A rut profile meter was used to document the shape of the rut after set numbers of passes and this profile …

Study On The Diagenetic Calcareous Accumulations In A Soil Profile From Floresti (Cluj County, Romania), Horea Bedelean

Studia UBB Geologia

The studied calcretes developed in two different levels (horizons) in the soil profile from Floreşti (Cluj County). The deposits outcropping in the area are represented by Bartonian-Priabonian sedimentary rocks (Ciuleni Member, Viştea Limestone) and the Quaternary horizon (terrace of Someşul Mic River, consisting of pebbles of different origin), which represent the parent rock of the soil. A detailed petrographical and mineralogical description of the calcretes is given below, based on macroscopic, microscopic and X-ray diffraction analysis. It led to the conclusion that the calcretes from the studied profile have a pedogenic origin. The calcretes consist of distinctive subhorizons within the …

Considerations On The Parent Material In The Soil Developed On The Evaporite Deposits From Stana (Cluj District), Horea Bedelean

Studia UBB Geologia

This research concerned three profiles developed on Eocene (Priabonian) gypsum parent material from Stana (Cluj district) in order to investigate their properties. The soil and parent material samples were collected from individual horizons in each profile. Both the mineralogical and structural-textural features of the parent material (evaporitic deposits) reflect the depositional context. From a mineralogical point of view, the deposits are represented by gypsum, and anhydrite. Typical sulfate facies are present: laminitic, nodular, gypscretic, and entherolitic. Physical and mineralogical properties of the soil layers were determined in the laboratory. The field observations and the results of the analyses allowed us …

Estimation Of Radiological Risk Due To Concentration Of ^{238}U, ^{226}Ra, ^{232}Th And ^{40}K In Soils Of Different Geological Origins In Northern India, Rohit Mehra, Manmohan Singh

Turkish Journal of Physics

Radioactivity of nuclides ^{238}U, ^{226}Ra, ^{232}Th and ^{40}K was measured in soil by \gamma-ray spectrometry using a HPGe detector. A criterion was set in order to analyse soil samples from plain, semi-hilly and hilly areas in northern India. More than three \gamma-ray energy peaks were used for the determination of ^{226}Ra and ^{232}Th activity concentrations to obtain more accurate results. Some of these peaks have interfering energies, which was caused by the limited resolution of the detector, but they were resolved theoretically and used in the analysis because of their significance in reducing the random error to its minimum level. …

Relationship Between Carbon Dioxide In Balcarka Cave And Adjacent Soils In The Moravian Karst Region Of The Czech Republic, Jiří Faimon, Monika Ličbinská, Petr Zajíček

International Journal of Speleology

Carbon dioxide concentration, air temperature, and humidity were monitored at (1) two cave sites and (2) three adjacent karst soils. The data over a one-year period are supported by dripwater chemistry and cave visiting frequency. The results indicate that the sources of cave CO2 are anthropogenic and epikarstic ones in addition to ordinary soils. Epikarstic CO2 produced under almost stationary conditions probably control dripwater chemistry and cave’s CO2 maxima. Based on breathing and door opening, anthropogenic activity affects instantaneous cave CO2 levels, depending on site volume/position and visitor number. A conceptual model of the CO2 dynamics of the soil-cave system …

Land-Use Effects On Soil-Water Retention Characteristic, Naomi Colton, Kristofor Brye

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Tillage can negatively affect soil physical properties such as bulk density, organic matter content, and soil hydraulic properties, which in turn affect how plants grow. The objective of this study was to evaluate water retention characteristics of a Jay silt loam soil under cultivated agriculture and native tallgrass prairie in northwest Arkansas. Air-dry soil samples collected from 0-10 cm depth were re-wet with varying amounts of distilled water to create a range of water contents. After overnight equilibration, the water potential was measured on the re-wet soil samples using a dewpoint potentiameter. The relationship between water potential (Ψ) and water …

Trace Element Accumulation In Selected Bioindicators Exposed To Emissions Along The Industrial Facilities Of Danube Lowland, Heide Spiegel

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

The scope of this study was to investigate the effects of the atmospheric emissions of two significant industrial centres of the Danube Lowland: the Schwechat and Slovnaft refineries. In this connection the environmental pollution of emission zones by heavy metals on the base of selected bioindicators (soil, lucerne, wheat, earthworms) should be evaluated. The phenomenon of the atmospheric impact of heavy metal aerosols on the food chain and substance transfer for the model studied (soil - plants - terrestrial invertebrates) was quantified by transfer (bioaccumulation) factors. Due to the orographic depression between the Eastern Alps and Western Carpathian Mountains and …

Soil Sampling Made Easier, Mike Bolland, Mike Baker

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

A new rotary blade soil sampler has taken the hard work out of collecting soil samples from Western Australia's hard-setting soils to test for soil phosphorus levels .

Conceived and developed by Department of Agriculture technical officer Mike Baker, it should enable soil testing to be more widely adopted. Fortunately, the soil calibration tests that were developed using pogo samples can also be used for the new sampler.

Improving Sustainable Production From Water Repellent Sands, Paul Blackwell

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The agricultural management of water repellent ( non-wetting) sands is difficult, and production from them is mostly low. However, there are ways to make them more productive.

Furrow sowing and the incorporation of dispersive clay are two likely methods to make these soils easier to manage, more productive and more profitable than they are now.

This article discusses several aspects of our research on water repellent sands. In addition, some of the costs and benefits of alternative management strategies are outlined.

The Soil Phosphorus Store, G S P Ritchie, D. M. Weaver

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The management of the soil phosphorus store, or 'super bank' to minimise phosphorus leaching losses is a vital part of any strategy to reduce algal pollution of the Peel-Harvey estuary.

Phosphorus can exist in the soil in four main 'pools'. it may occur in the soil solution or in one of the three pools that contain phosphorus in solid forms. This phosphorus can be in compounds (fertilisers, dead plant material); adsorbed (attached) to soil particles such as organic matter, clay and iron oxide; or as constituents of micro-organisms.

Molybdenum Deficiency On Lighter Soils, Edgar Noel Fitzpatrick

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

WIDESPREAD occurrences of molybdenum deficiency of subterranean clover have been observed on sandy and gfravelly surfaced soils in recent years, and present indications are that molybdenum will join copper and zinc as a major trace element deficiency of many of these soils.

The Regeneration And Maintenance Of Wimmera Ryegrass Pastures Under Saline Soil Condition, F L. Shier

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Over the past ten years, Wimmera ryegrass pastures at the Salmon Gums Re- VJ search Station have been improved and maintained by periodic cultivation of the soil even without applications of superphosphate. On heavy crab-holey soil affected by high salt content and unsatisfactory for wheat growing, cultivation treatments have produced remarkably uniform stands of Wimmera ryegrass as shown in the accompanying pictures. The bare patches due to salt, have been largely eliminated. If the interval between cultivations is more than three years Wimmera pastures deteriorate badly.

Water Erosion Control, L C. Lightfoot

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Although soil erosion caused by water action is common in our agricultural areas, effective erosion control measures, likely to pay for themselves quickly, can be applied in nearly every case. Plant cover above the soil surface, and fertile soil with good structures are the main factors which enable soils to resist erosion. Dense pasture gives the best cover and at the same time improves the fertility and structure of the soil both effectively and economically, so land management adjusted to the need and capability of soils, slopes and climate is of first importance. Contour practices are of secondary value and …

Kimberley Soils Need Phosphates, W. M. Nunn

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3

Research work carried out at the Kimberley Research Station on the Ord River, and on experimental plots throughout the East and West Kimberleys, indicates that the soils of the Kimberleys are quite as deficient in phosphorus as are the soils of our agricultural areas where superphosphate is essential to the growth of most crops.

This may come as a surprise to many people, for there has been a widespread tendency to assume that the Kimberleys soils, especially those of the Ord and Fitzroy valleys, are highly fertile.

The black earths of Queensland's Darling Downs produce most enviable yields of sorghum …