Average pH Values Research Articles

Research on a New Method of Water Recovery from Biogas Plant Digestate

Digestate is a product with valuable fertilizing properties, remaining after the anaerobic fermentation process. An essential feature of the substance in question is its high water content of up to 97%. To improve the fertilizer value of the digestate, it is necessary to dehydrate it to produce a concentrated product. This paper determined the possibility of dewatering the digestate using an innovative reactor design. The study, conducted on a laboratory scale, used digestate from a Polish biogas plant. The dewatering technique described in the paper is based on the evaporation and condensation of water vapor on the inner surface of the reactor dome. The condensate accumulated on the leach trough and was directed to a storage tank. During the weeks of testing, 11.5 kg of condensate was separated from the initial weight of the digestate (32 kg), with a dry weight of 6.11%. The resulting condensate from dehydration had an average pH value of 9.0 and an average ammonium nitrogen content of 2.07 g∙kg−1. The economic calculations made in the paper allowed for estimating the expected savings associated with the management of digestate in Poland. The research showed the proposed technology’s high potential for dewatering digestate under laboratory conditions.

Analysis of the water quality of the Wiringtasi River, Barru Regency, Indonesia, in relation to fish cultivation

Objective: This research aims to determine the quality of water along the Wiringtasi River, Barru Regency, Indonesia in relation to the development of fish cultivation. Material and method: Sampling was carried out by random sampling by selecting three research locations, namely location 1 is a river location close to rice fields, location 2 is a location close to pond areas and beaches, and location 3 is a location around the mouth of the Wiringtasi River. The data collected is water quality parameter data, which includes temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and salinity. The data obtained is then processed and linked to fish cultivation needs. The data was then analyzed using descriptive analysis. Results: The research results show that the water temperature in the Wiringtasi river is in the average range of 29.4–30.4 oC. The average dissolved oxygen at the research location is in the range of 4.31–5.08 ppm. The average value of water pH at the research location is in the range of 6.33-7.17, while the average value of water salinity at the research location is in the range of 12.67-36.83 ppt. Conclusion: All water quality parameters measured in the Wiringtasi River, Barru Regency, Indonesia, are still in accordance with the growth and survival needs of fish.

Improving Nutrient Uptake Efficiency in Hydroponic Systems With Phytoremediation of Nitrate‐Nitrogen Contaminated Wastewater

ABSTRACTThis study evaluates the efficacy of a nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponic system in phytoremediation of nitrate‐nitrogen contaminated wastewater using six plant species: vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides), golden pothos (Epiprennum aureum), crotons (Codiaeum variegatum), arrowhead plant (Syngonium podophyllum), spinach (Spinacia oleracea), and brinjal (Solanum melongena). This study examines how well different plant species remove nitrate‐nitrogen from wastewater in an NFT hydroponic system. It finds that all plants, but especially money plant and arrowhead plant, successfully lower nitrate levels at influent concentrations of 30 and 90 mg/L. The wastewater had average pH values of 5–6.5, temperature values of 24°C–25°C, electrical conductivity values (EC) of 1.5–2 mS/cm, and total dissolved solids (TDS) between 1062 ± 199.3 and 1400 ± 124.16 mg/L. The system for golden pothos (70.94%–90.3%), crotons (62.5%–83.1%), arrowhead plant (67.25%–90.03%), vetiver grass (45.42%–83.1%), spinach (47.15%–81.71%), and brinjal (59.52%–83.38%) has shown excellent biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) elimination efficiency. These results suggest that nitrate‐nitrogen contaminated wastewater can be effectively cleaned up by NFT hydroponic systems, which employ certain plant species.

Evaluation of Some Potentially Toxic Elements and Associated Ecological and Health Risks in Topsoil Samples Adjacent to an Industrial Zone in Turkey.

Potentially toxic element (PTE) pollution as a result of industrial activities remains a global problem that poses serious threats to human and ecological health. PTEs (Al, Fe, Ti, Mn, V, Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Co, and As) are metals or metalloids with biological toxicity. This study analyzed the concentrations of these PTEs and the physicochemical properties of topsoil samples collected from areas near industrial districts in the Samsun province of Turkey to evaluate ecological and health risks, estimating various indexes. The average concentrations of Al, Fe, Ti, Mn, V, Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Co, and As analyzed in 23 topsoil samples by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry were found as 93,822, 82,410, 6623, 1642, 406, 278, 207, 149, 78, 68, 32, and 10 mg/kg dry weight, respectively. Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Co levels exceed the maximum contaminant levels in the Turkish Regulation on the Control of Soil Pollution. The average pH values, organic matter, total organic carbon, and nitrogen measured in soil samples were 7.14, 6.11, 0.96, and 0.04%, respectively. The ecological and health evaluation reveals that the studied area is polluted with V, Cu, Zn, As, Ni, and Pb, which may pose a risk to people living in settlements near the industrial district.

Physico-chemical characteristics and quality assessment of soil in parts of the Banganga Basin in northeastern Rajasthan, NW India.

Soil is a vital natural resource that has a bearing on any developmental activity. A database comprising primary physicochemical characteristics and soil suitability would assist the planners in devising an appropriate land use policy and any intervention strategy for soil quality improvement. The physicochemical characteristics of soils in parts of the Banganga Basin, located in the semi-arid terrain of NW India were evaluated mainly through surface samples and sub-surface ones wherever sections were exposed in stream banks. The soil in the studied terrain is a Quaternary age, pale brown to dark brown and occasionally red, alluvial soil. Sandy loam is the dominant soil type, while sandy soil and loamy sand types also occur. The soil maintains a depth-wise consistency in physicochemical characteristics. The average soil pH value is 8.55, indicating a slightly alkaline and healthy soil. The soil has a high available nitrogen content (0.53 to 2.24%), adequate available phosphorus (23.58 and 62.18mg/kg), and low potassium (22.5 and 200mg/kg) contents. The organic carbon, Mg, and Ca levels are generally on the lower side. A consistency in overall soil characteristics is evident in the narrow range of the Soil Quality Index, varying between 10 and 14, and soil can be categorized into three categories with overlapping soil qualities.

Assessment of spatial variability of agrochemical properties of agro-gray soil when planning a feld experiment with mineral fertilizers

The purpose of the work is to investigate the statistical parameters and patterns of variability of agrochemical indicators of agro–gray soil, elements of the structure of the spring wheat crop within the plots of the experimental field. Experimental data were obtained on the basis of observations conducted on agricultural landscapes Sukhobuzimskoye land areas in the Krasnoyarsk forest-steppe of the Krasnoyarsk geomorphological district, located borders the Chulym-Yenisei denudation plateau in the southwestern outskirts of Central Siberia. The results of the intra-field heterogeneity of the agrochemical properties of the agro-gray soil and the elements of the structure of the spring wheat crop on the site intended for field experiment are presented. The key statistical and geostatistical values of the intrafield heterogeneity are determined. The statistics of agrochemical indicators and the results of crop data from the plots intended for the placement of repetitions are analyzed. The materials of the agrochemical survey of the agro-gray soil revealed a low humus content. The level of spatial variation of the indicator corresponded to the average. The scope of variation is represented by values covering only one gradation of the evaluation scale. The entire studied area was characterized by a slightly acidic reaction of the medium according to the average pH values. Its variation in the 0-20 cm soil layer indicated uniformity of distribution in space. The level of variability of agrochemical indicators decreased in the following series: yield (40 %) > humus (19 %) > P2O5 (13 %) > K2O (10 %) > pH2O (4 %). According to the generalization of geostatistical information, the analyzed site is classified as unaligned in terms of soil fertility. In general, the soil fertility of the studied area had a significant variation, which determined the choice of elements of the field experience methodology. When laying out field experience, it is necessary to choose the appropriate elements of the methodology: a randomized method of placing repetitions, rectangular or elongated forms of plots.

Model for Estimating Soil Chemical Properties with RGB Drone Images

Precision agriculture optimizes crop management by providing accurate data on soil chemical properties, thereby improving agricultural productivity and sustainability. This study aims to develop models to estimate soil chemical properties, such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and organic matter (OM), by analyzing drone-captured RGB images. The methodology included photogrammetric flights with a DJI Phantom 4 Pro drone equipped with a 20 Mpx camera and simultaneous sampling, laboratory analysis and on-site measurements, with Royal Eijkelkamp EC meter set voor grond multiparameter sensors and pH meter set for soil and water. The aerial images were processed with the PIX4Dmapper software, to generate the orthophoto and spectral bands. With the resulting orthophoto of 1.6 cm/pixel, eight spectral indices were calculated, using the spatial analysis tools of ArcGIS software. The in situ results showed an average pH value of 5.83, indicating a slightly acidic soil, and an EC of 1.09 dS/m, suggesting a soil with a low concentration of dissolved salts. Laboratory analyses showed a medium-high content of OM, with an average of 5.19 %. A strong correlation was found between OM and pH_index with coefficients of determination R2=0.55, while moderate correlations were also observed between pH with pH_index and EC with sal_index6 with coefficients of determination R2=-0.39 and R2=0.42 respectively. The aforementioned results allowed the generation of two models for the estimation of these variables from RGB images.

Effect of Three Commercial Feeds on the Growth and Survival of Juvenile Jawfish (Chrysichthys Nigrodigitatus) Rered in Happas at the Layo Experimental Aquaculture Station (Dabou, Côte d’Ivoire)

A six-week study was carried out at the Layo experimental station (Dabou) to investigate the effect of three commercial feeds on the growth and survival of Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus juveniles in happas. To this purpose, 225 fish with an initial average weight of 22.80 ± 4.05 g and an initial average length of 141.00 ± 11.00 mm were used to form three batches (batch 1, batch 2, batch 3) in triplicate, in 50-liter happas, at a density of 0.5 individuals per liter. The fish were fed at 10% of their biomass with Biomar inicio plus (batch 1), Alimpoi (batch 2) and Koudijs (batch 3). Ten individuals, randomly sampled per week, were weighed and measured individually. The average values for temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH were 28.20 ±1.80°C, 5.80 ± 0.60 mg/L and 6.10 ± 0.30 respectively. At the end of the experiment, the results show that the highest values for weight growth, total average length, ADG and CI were recorded in individuals fed with Alimpoi feed, at 35.43 ± 0.98 g, 156.67 ± 0.76 mm, 0.30 ± 0.06 g/d and 3.00 ± 26.96 respectively. Survival rate and biomass were higher in individuals fed with Biomar. The respective values obtained were 69.33 ± 4.98% and 624.17 ± 36.52 g. It would be desirable to include the economic aspect in the study, in order to assess the production costs for each feed.

Characterizing and tracing the heavy metals' spatial distribution in karst surface river affected by acid mine drainage

A series of pollution problems have been caused by the drainage of closed coal mines. This study focuses on the XZ River in Guizhou Province, employing a comprehensive approach involving hydrochemical analysis, mathematical statistics, and one-dimensional water quality modeling to investigate the spatial evolution and source apportionment of heavy metals in karst surface rivers affected by AMD. The average pH, EC, and Eh values of groundwater and surface water in the XZ river basin were 6.27, 331 <i>μ</i>s/cm, 230 mV and 3.86, 1671.57 <i>μ</i>s/cm, 412.71 mV, respectively, indicating severe pollution of surface water by AMD. The study reveals that groundwater in the XZ River Basin is predominantly of the HCO<sub>3</sub>-Ca-Mg type, shifting to HCO<sub>3</sub>-SO<sub>4</sub>-Ca-Mg type with the influx of acid mine wastewater. Utilizing statistical methods for source apportionment analysis indicated that downstream concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, As, and Sr most likely originate from tributaries. Further analysis through one-dimensional water quality simulation confirmed that downstream concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, As, and Sr are attributed to tributaries. This suggests that XZ River is affected by pollution from different coal mines, primarily from coal mine M4, followed by coal mine M1.

Wood Tar Properties in Morocco: Yield, pH, and Density Analysis

This research examines the properties of wood tars in Morocco, including yield, pH, and density. The investigation involved pyrolysis processes using 1200 grams of wood. Cedar wood yielded 65% tar, while juniper yielded 38%. pH analyses revealed acidity levels in the tar. Commercial liquid wood tar had pH values ranging from 2.507±0.259 to 4.403±0.256, and commercial thick wood tar ranged from 2.963±0.441 to 4.393±0.121. Cedrus atlantica exhibited average pH values of 1.280±0.020 for artisanal wood tar samples and 2.297±0.025 for laboratory samples. Juniperus oxycedrus displayed pH values of 3.500±0.072 for artisanal samples and 1.913±0.042 for laboratory samples. Density variations were observed in liquid wood tar samples, which ranged from 0.775±0.019 to 1.069±0.084, and in thick wood tar samples, which ranged from 0.837±0.167 to 1.195±0. Artisanal cedar tar had a density of 0.906±0.023, while laboratory cedar tar had a density of 0.966±0.002. For Juniperus oxycedrus, artisanal wood tar exhibited a density of 1.179±0.017, and laboratory wood tar had a density of 1.081±0.004. Despite the insights gained from this study, it emphasizes the necessity for further investigation into the properties of wood tar to enhance our understanding of this natural product, which has been integral to human practices for centuries.

Aerobic Composting of Organic Waste, Alternative and an Efficient Solid Waste Management Solution

The process of composting which involves the treatment of organic wastes to obtain a stable clean product, has become an increasingly desirable choice, at any scale from home to large waste treatment plants. Composting serves as an alternative to landfilling for managing biodegradable waste while also increasing or preserving soil organic matter, decreasing solid waste, and reducing disposal costs. The compost product improves the condition of the soil, reduces erosion, and helps reduce plant diseases without having adverse impacts on the environment. This study aims to manufacture high-quality compost as a solid waste management method by converting organic waste into a useful resource for the community in a financially and ecologically sustainable manner. We investigated the potential of aerobic composting by controlling the operation process parameters, including monitoring the pH value, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N), and moisture content during the composting. We studied the physiochemical and biological changes of composting using a 60-liter bioreactor. The composting process determined an average pH value between 6.9 and 7.8, and it revealed a decrease in TOC from 26.18 to 22.19. Additionally, compost process monitoring indicated a maximum temperature rise of 69 °C over the first three days, and then a decrease after 20 days of air temperature. Total nitrogen in the NH4+/NO3-ratio nitrification decreased to less than 1.4, and the compost in the C/N ratio decreased from 20.75 to 10.035 and setting quality criteria by comparing the final product quality produced through the in-vessel composting.

Times series record of water quality analysis during flood time in Cauvery River basin, Tamil Nadu, India

We determine the spatial and temporal changes in the physicochemical and nutritional parameters of water quality in the Cauvery River basin. We also analyze the effects of anthropogenic and natural factors on the physicochemical and nutritional parameters. The river water samples were collected over a time series record of 6-h intervals for 6 days during and after flooding time. The combination of physicochemical and nutritional parameters generated a large dataset, which was processed using statistical analysis. In addition, statistical analysis was used to calculate the correlation coefficients and plot the regression equations relating various parameters to electrical conductivity (EC). The resulting average values of pH, EC, and total dissolved solids (TDS) showed significant differences in the time series record of the study period (i.e., pH = 8.24, EC = 220 S/m, and TDS = 157.1 mg/L). The values of the following nutritional parameters in floodwater were also determined: orthophosphate = 0.13 mg/L, phosphate = 0.1 mg/L, nitrite = 2.11 mg/L, nitrate = 0.79 mg/L, and ammonia = 4.47 mg/L. Our findings indicates that flooding can deteriorate the groundwater quality, resulting in a decrease in water quality and an increase in contamination levels, which can have detrimental effects on both the environment and human health. This information is crucial to decision making in flood risk management, water resource planning, and conservation efforts to protect both human and ecological systems.

The feasibility of endoscopic autogenous fat transplantation in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease: An animal pilot study

ObjectiveEndoscopic injection is one of the simplest minimally invasive methods for the treatment of gastroesophageal diseases. However, the safety of injection material limits its clinical application. We investigated the feasibility, safety and efficacy of endoscopic autogenous fat transplantation (EAFT) in the lower part of esophagus in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease in New Zealand albino rabbits. MethodsEight New Zealand albino rabbits were used for autogenous fat transplantation. The dynamic pH value of the lower esophagus was monitored before and one week after fat transplantation in two rabbits. The local retention of fat was observed by endoscopy, and the pathological analysis was made at the junction of esophagus and stomach after two weeks of fat transplantation in six albino rabbits. During the experiment, the weight, dietary habit and infection of albino rabbits were monitored. ResultsEndoscopic autogenous fat transplantation of the lower esophagus was successfully performed in 8 albino rabbits. The average pH value of the esophagus increased from 5.6 to 7.5 and 7.4 to 7.9, respectively in two rabbits one week after transplantation. The fat barrier of the lower esophagus was remained locally and observed by endoscopy two weeks after transplantation in six rabbits. Pathology showed that the adipocytes survived in the submucosa with neovascularization. No complications of bleeding, perforation and infection occurred. All albino rabbits kept normal dietary habit. No significant changes in weight were observed. ConclusionEndoscopic autogenous fat transplantation in lower esophagus is considered as a safe and feasible method by preliminary animal experiments, which can provide a new option in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and is worth further study.

SOIL ORGANIC CARBON CONTENT ACROSS VARIOUS GEOMORPHIC UNITS IN MANGROVE FOREST: A CASE OF DUBLAR CHAR, SUNDARBANS

Lying at the tidally active region of the Bengal Delta, the Sundarbans act as a terrestrial carbon sink and play a crucial role in climate change mitigation. However, this forest is underrepresented in term of soil organic carbon research. The purpose of this study was to investigate the Soil Organic Carbon dynamics across various geomorphic units within a small area of mangrove forest ecosystem of Dublar char of Sundarbans. Salinity and pH trends were also examined across geomorphic units to understand their interplay with soil organic carbon dynamics. Soil samples from 25 locations across various geomorphic units were collected and analyzed to determine soil organic carbon, salinity and pH levels. The Walkley-Black wet oxidation method was employed to determine the organic carbon content. Results indicate varying degree of organic carbon concentration across geomorphic units with Highland areas having high level of soil organic carbon concentrations with average concentration level of 2.05%, followed by Creeks with 1.55%. Salinity levels also varied across different geomorphic units with values ranging from 4.8 ppt to 12.7 ppt, with creek area having high level of salinity due to its close proximity to seawater. Fringe forest areas had the highest pH levels with average value of 7.4 and the lowest average pH value (6.86) was observed in Beach areas of the study area. The study holds immense significance in understanding the organic carbon dynamics of mangrove ecosystem in the Sundarbans, providing essential insights for long term climate resilient land management and biodiversity conservation efforts.

Spatial and Temporal Variations of Soil pH in Farmland in Xinjiang, China over the Past Decade

Soil pH is crucial for the quality of the farmland and crop growth. The objective of this study is to analyze the spatial and temporal variations of farmland soil pH in Xinjiang (XJ), and to provide a scientific basis for soil improvement and agricultural production optimization. Based on soil pH data from XJ farmland in two periods, 2008~2010 and 2019~2021, geostatistical methods and kriging spatial interpolation techniques were employed to analyze the spatiotemporal changes in soil pH and to investigate the relationship between relevant influencing factors and pH over more than a decade. The results indicate that the spatiotemporal distribution of soil pH in XJ farmlands is uneven. Between 2019 and 2021, the average soil pH was 8.11, generally being on the higher side, with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 3.85%, indicating minimal spatial variability. In the farmland soil of Southern Xinjiang (S-XJ), the average pH value was 8.17, significantly higher than that of Northern Xinjiang (N-XJ), which was 8.10, demonstrating a spatial pattern of “higher in the south, lower in the north”. Over the past decade, soil pH in XJ has significantly increased from 8.11 to 8.13, with a 0.05 unit increase in the north and a 0.01 unit increase in the south (p < 0.05). Regionally, Altay saw the largest increase of 0.22 units, while Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture (Bortala) experienced the most significant decrease, dropping by 0.59 units. Furthermore, this study found that factors such as topography, nutrients, and irrigation methods all have certain influences on the spatial distribution of soil pH in XJ farmland, while variations in climate factors and fertilization levels may affect its long-term temporal changes. These research findings will provide new insights for adjusting and updating agricultural management measures related to soil pH regulation in XJ.

Assessment of drinking water quality using Water Quality Index and synthetic pollution index in urban areas of mega city Lahore: a GIS-based approach

The aim of the present study was to assess the drinking water quality in the selected urban areas of Lahore and to comprehend the public health status by addressing the basic drinking water quality parameters. Total 50 tap water samples were collected from groundwater in the two selected areas of district Lahore i.e., Gulshan-e-Ravi (site 1) and Samanabad (site 2). Water samples were analyzed in the laboratory to elucidate physico-chemical parameters including pH, turbidity, temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), total hardness, magnesium hardness, and calcium hardness. These physico-chemical parameters were used to examine the Water Quality Index (WQI) and Synthetic Pollution Index (SPI) in order to characterize the water quality. Results of th selected physico-chemical parameters were compared with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines to determine the quality of drinking water. A GIS-based approach was used for mapping water quality, WQI, and SPI. Results of the present study revealed that the average value of temperature, pH, and DO of both study sites were within the WHO guidelines of 23.5 °C, 7.7, and 6.9 mg/L, respectively. The TDS level of site 1 was 192.56 mg/L (within WHO guidelines) and whereas, in site 2 it was found 612.84 mg/L (higher than WHO guidelines), respectively. Calcium hardness of site 1 and site 2 was observed within the range from 25.04 to 65.732 mg/L but, magnesium hardness values were higher than WHO guidelines. The major reason for poor water quality is old, worn-out water supply pipelines and improper waste disposal in the selected areas. The average WQI was found as 59.66 for site 1 and 77.30 for site 2. Results showed that the quality of the water was classified as “poor” for site 1 and “very poor “ for site 2. There is a need to address the problem of poor water quality and also raise the public awareness about the quality of drinking water and its associated health impacts.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-assisted mechanistic study: pH-driven compressive strength and setting time behavior in geopolymer concrete

This research study investigates the influence of pH on the setting time, compressive strength (CS), and surface roughness of different waste materials, namely fly ash, rice husk ash (RHA), red mud, and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS). The average pH values for these waste materials were found to be 8.77, 9.3, 8.3, and 11, respectively. The initial setting time (IST) and final setting time (FST) varied among the materials, with red mud having maximum IST and FST with a value of 180 min and 24 h. CS (MPa) measurements revealed that GGBS exhibited the highest value of 36 MPa, followed by RHA (28 MPa), red mud (22 MPa), and fly ash (24 MPa). Surface roughness analysis showed that red mud had the highest roughness value of 69.71, followed by fly ash (62.81), RHA (53.14), and GGBS (49.08). The findings indicate a positive correlation between pH levels and CS of 97%, and setting time surface roughness has a negative correlation with CS when analyzed with a heatmap. Higher pH values were associated with increased CS, particularly after 28 days of curing which is shown by the heatmap and sub-plots. Additionally, microscopic analysis provided insights into particle size, orientation, and clustering, aiding in understanding the bonding and reactivity patterns contributing to the observed variations in CS.

Comprehending hydrochemical fingerprint, spatial patterns, and driving forces of groundwater in a topical coastal plain of Northern China based on hydrochemical and isotopic evaluations

To comprehensively comprehend the hydrochemical features, spatial patterns, and controlling mechanisms of groundwater in the Longkou coastal plain (LCP), a prime coastal plain in northern China, a detailed study utilizing statistical analyses, Piper diagram, Gibbs model diagram, ion ratio methods, and reverse hydrogeochemical simulation was performed on 76 groundwater samples collected in 2021. The findings of this study reveal that the groundwater in the LCP has an average pH value of 7.6, indicating weak alkalinity. The groundwater types are predominantly mixed, followed by Cl–Ca. The NO3− concentration in groundwater is relatively high, with a mean value of 326 mg/L, originating mainly from agricultural production activities. In addition to NO3−, the spatial distribution analysis of the principal chemical constituents in the groundwater demonstrated a subtle north-south gradient. The chemical signatures of groundwater are primarily influenced by the process of rock weathering, resulting from the dissolution of silicates and carbonates minerals as well as gypsum. Indeed, cation exchange represents a pivotal hydrogeochemical reaction within the groundwater system of the region. The intrusion of seawater into groundwater primarily exhibits a mild nature, mostly in the form of mixing intrusion in the initial stage, affecting the western and northern regions of the LCP to a greater extent. The primary source of groundwater recharge is attributed to atmospheric precipitation; however, it is partially affected by evaporation. In addition, LCP groundwater is also being recharged by seawater intrusion, mainly in the western and northern parts of the study area. Overall, the findings of this research hold significant implications for the strategic management of groundwater resources and the implementation of measures to prevent and mitigate seawater intrusion not only in the LCP but also in analogous coastal regions across the globe.

Assessment of Plant Diversity and Soil Quality Management in Forest Land of West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, India

The field experiment was set in home-garden areas under forest land of eight small towns viz. Borampalem, Venkatapuram, Gundugolanukunta, Ramannapalem, Abdullapuram, Tirumaladevpeta, Venkatakrishnapuram, Appalarajugudem in West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh during November to March in 2021–22 assess the Plant and Tree Diversity and Soil quality parameters. The plant/tree species Phoenix sylvestris, reported the highest frequency (245.00), dominance (3.27), and basal area (7542.96 cm2). Plumbago zeylanica had the highest relative density (6.96) and relative abundance (6.81) among all the shrub species. Plumbago zeylanica reported the highest Important value index (IVI) 17.10 while Herb species with highest density was found in Centella asiatica (0.95), frequency (35), and highest Important value index (IVI) 14.60. Soil quality parameters reflects that at the depth 0-15cm the average value of pH is found to be7.52, organic carbon is 0.56%, the amount of available nitrogen is 213.78 kg/ha, amount of available of phosphorus is 41.25 kg/ha and available potassium is 38.22 kg/ha. At the depth of 15-30 cm the Average value of pH is found to be 6.61, organic carbon is 0.39%, the amount of available nitrogen is 189.51 kg/ha, amount of available of phosphorus is 34.75 kg/ha and available potassium is 31.37 kg/h.

Assessment of Selected Physical and Chemical Soil Properties and Organic Carbon Stock, Under Different Land-Uses in Melka Gura Subwatershed of North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

A study conducted in Melka Gura Subwatershed to assess soil properties across three types of land uses plantation forest, grazing land, and cultivated land from 2022 to 2023 found that all land uses had loam soil, except for the plantation forest, which had sandy loam. The mean soil BD in the study area ranged from 1.06 to 1.39 g/cm3. Conversely, plantation forest soil and grazing land had the highest mean AWC (194.8 mm/m) at 0–20 cm depth. The highest mean values of sand, silt, TP, pH, AP, exchangeable basic cations, CEC, SOC, TN, and SOC stock (68.62-ton ha-1) were registered in the soil of plantation forest land. The highest mean values of BD (1.39 g/cm3), clay content (19%), Ex. A, and Ex. Al were recorded in the soil of cultivated land. The average values of clay, BD, FC, PWP, pH, PBS, and exchangeable bases all indicated an increasing trend from the surface toward the subsurface. The highest mean value of SOCS (68.62 tons’ ha-1) was discovered in plantation forest land and the lowest in cultivated land. The differences in soil management practices could be the major reasons for variations in soil properties across land-use types. Further studies are needed on the effects of land-use change on fertility-related soil properties in relation to integrated soil and water conservation practices to reduce further land degradation.