Uniformity Coefficient Research Articles

基于实时光谱信息的小麦变量施肥效率分析与评价

Studying the effect of variable fertilization during the jointing stage on winter wheat production in the rice-wheat rotation area is critical for evaluating the application effect and economic benefits of variable fertilization technology. The variable fertilization experiment of wheat was carried out in Jiangsu province by using the self-developed fertilizer applicator. Three fertilization methods were used to conduct a comparative analysis of the fertilization amount, population structure, and yield of winter wheat during the jointing stage. On this basis, the economic feasibility of variable fertilization during the jointing stage was evaluated. The experimental results showed that the control accuracy of variable-rate fertilization with fertilization equipment was greater than 95%. After variable fertilization, the coefficient of variation of NDVI values in the winter wheat canopy spectral data remained between 0.076 and 0.125, and the Christensen uniformity coefficient remained between 0.901 and 0.940. Compared with the traditional empirical balance method for quantitative fertilization of plots, the real-time variable fertilization plot used 13.6 kg/hm2 less fertilizer during the jointing stage. The findings validate that implementing variable fertilization can help reduce nitrogen fertilizer input, improve nitrogen fertilizer utilization efficiency, reduce environmental pollution, and enhance the sustainability of agricultural production.

The cocoon shell-inspired packaging for Mongolian cheese preservation

Biomimetic and bioinspiration have grown as burgeoning research frontier in many fields. But few studies have introduced such ideas into food preservation area. Herein, inspired by the cocoon shell, silk fibroin (SF), Poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were respectively mixed and prepared into biomimetic nanofibers on the surface of Mongolian cheese via electrospinning technology. The morphology, mechanical property and water vapour permeability of prepared biomimetic nanofibers were characterized. The acquired results revealed that the addition of SF promoted the uniformity coefficient, and flexibility of composite nanofibers. The influence of biomimetic nanofibers coated Mongolian cheese on physicochemical and microbiological properties was evaluated during 8 d storage at (25 °C ± 1 °C). Mongolian cheese with PVA/SF(in)/PLLA/SF(out) nanofibers performed well in retarding proteolysis and fat precipitation, and exhibited the lowest total viable counts (5.9 log CFU/g) on the 8th day. Thus, this work provides a novel design to construct biomimetic packaging for Mongolian cheese preservation.

Numerical and experimental study on the performance of a stabilising turbine inside a seed distribution device

A design was proposed for a seed turbine installed within the distribution device to reduce the influence of surface slope variations on the uniformity of seeding mass at each row. Through a comparative analysis based on the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) 6 degrees of freedom (DOF) dynamic mesh model simulation and the bench test, the influence of five different stabilising turbines on airflow distribution performance was investigated. The type Ⅰ stabilising turbine, characterised by acute inlet and outlet angles, exhibited a smaller vortex region at the blade inlet and improved the conveying and mixing performance of the seed. A CFD 6DOF simulation experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of the type I stabilising turbine on the airflow field distribution. As the number of blades increased from 4 to 10, the stability and uniformity of the conveying airflow distribution were enhanced at the turbine outlet. Simulations using a comprehensive performance test platform of the planter evaluated the influence of stabilising turbines with different numbers of blades on uniformity during field operations at varying surface slopes. When the angles of the front-rear and lateral one-way oscillation combination, and the front-rear and lateral reciprocating oscillation combination varied within the range of −5°–5°, the stabilising turbine with 8 blades exhibited the smallest uniformity coefficient of variation of the seeding mass at each row. The values ranged from 4.1 % to 5.8 % for rapeseeds and from 3.8 % to 5.0 % for wheat seeds.

The improved cyclic resistance of bio-treated sands with various gradations for liquefaction mitigation: Density increase and/or cementation?

MICP (microbial induced calcium carbonate precipitation) method shows a huge potential in solving geological and geo-environmental engineering problems, such as liquefaction mitigation, soil remediation, erosion control, slope stabilization and dust control., due to its low-carbon, sustainable and undisturbing character. For the liquefaction mitigation, previous studies showed the remarkable enhancement in cyclic behavior of bio-cemented soils. Little attention has been paid to how soil gradation affects the effectiveness of MICP method in enhancing soil properties, which is one of the key factors of soil mechanical behavior. MICP method has been mainly used in fine sands (mostly <1 mm) with narrow gradation and a certain number of particles smaller than 75 μm. As a result, few papers discussed the application of bio-cementation to soils with larger grains. In addition, the respective contributions of density increase and cementation on cyclic resistance enhancement is still not clear. In this study, a fine sand (0.1–1 mm), a coarser sand (1–5 mm), and a mixture of both, were used, featuring a larger mean size (d50 mm) and uniformity coefficient (Cu) than in most previous studies. In this study, cyclic undrained triaxial tests were performed to analyze the liquefaction potential of loose and dense untreated specimens, and initially loose treated specimens. Results show that sand gradation has a great influence on the cyclic behavior and MICP effectiveness. For all the sands, the MICP treatment gives rise to a significant increase in cyclic resistance and mitigates liquefaction. This enhancement is due to the formation of cementitious precipitates in the pores or on the surface of particles, which creates (1) bridges between particles and/or change in grain characteristics (i.e., size, roughness, angularity), and (2) an increase in density. For sands with various gradations, these two effects differ in magnitude: in the coarsest sand, the effect of density increase appears to be predominant whereas, in the finest and medium sands, the formation of bonds seems to play the major part. These results are important to evaluate the possibility of using this method to improve cyclic resistance in various sands, and to compare the treatment effect with other techniques.

Experimental Investigations and MD Simulation on Nanoparticle-Enhanced CO2-Responsive Foam (NECRF): Implications on CO2-EOR.

CO2-responsive foam (CRF) is a highly promising candidate for CO2-enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR) because it displays higher stability than the surfactant-stabilized foam owing to the formation of robust wormlike micelles (WLMs) upon exposure to CO2. In this work, the nanoparticle-enhanced CO2-responsive foam (NECRF) was properly prepared using lauryl ether sulfate sodium (LES)/diethylenetriamine/nano-SiO2, and its interfacial properties and EOR potential were experimentally and numerically assessed, aiming to explore the feasibility and effectiveness of NECRF as a novel CO2-EOR technique. It was found that the interfacial expansion elastic modulus increased 6-fold after CO2 stimulation. The modulus continued to increase with the introduction of nano-SiO2 owing to the pronounced synergistic effect of WLMs and nanoparticles. In addition to increasing the viscosity of the foaming liquid, WLMs and nano-SiO2 enhanced the shearing resistance of the NECRF as well. Calculations demonstrated that both the coarsening rate and the size distribution uniformity coefficient of NECRF were markedly lower than that of the LES foam, which subsequently inhibited NECRF decay and greatly improved its dynamic stability. Besides, molecular dynamics simulation revealed that adding inorganic salts to NECRF could notably enhance the foaming performance due to the intensified hydration of surfactant head groups and reduced binding energy of neighboring molecules. Nuclear magnetic resonance-assisted core flooding experiments validated the exceptional capacity of NECRF to sweep the low-permeability region and improve the conformance profile. Overall, these findings may provide valuable insights into the development and application of novel materials and strategies for the CO2-EOR.

Performance optimization of an air-assisted electrostatic spraying unit using response surface methodology

An air-assisted electrostatic spraying unit along with a set-up to measure the spray current was developed. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the performance of the developed electrostatic spraying unit. The optimum parameters such as electrode diameter, electrode voltage, electrode position and target distance for maximizing charge-to-mass ratio (CMR) were determined to be 30 mm, 2000 V, 0 mm and 400 mm, respectively Predicted CMR under optimal conditions was experimentally validated. Furthermore, charged spray demonstrated 1.5 to 4.6 times higher droplet deposition with lower uniformity coefficient (2.13–2.14) and relative span factor (0.84–0.9) compared to uncharged spray.

Применение эволюционных и роевых методов для оптимизации многопараметрического управления процессом нанесения гальванического покрытия

One of the key parameters of the quality of ceramic coatings is its thickness, which must meet technical requirements and provide the necessary degree of corrosion protection, wear resistance and appearance of the coating. Ensuring the uniformity of the galvanic coating is one of the most important and complex tasks of high-tech machine-building production, for which a number of methods have been proposed, such as controlling current modes, the location of electrodes in the bath, and the electrolyte flow rate. However, in most cases, these methods require solving the problem of optimal multiparametric control. Prompt and accurate optimization when changing the conditions of electrolysis (electrode potentials, composition and properties of the electrolyte), as well as, if necessary, taking into account the multi-extreme nature of the dependence of the uniformity coefficient on the process parameters (current density, interelectrode distance, electrolyte flow rate) is a rather complex and ambiguous multifactorial task that limits the use of classical methods for- the claim of a global extreme. The article explores the possibility and expediency of using intelligent heuristic methods, such as evolutionary and swarm methods, to solve this problem. Objective. The objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of using genetic algorithms and the particle swarm method to solve the problem of optimizing the multiparametric control of the electroplating process. Materials and methods. Methods of mathematical modeling, methods and software environment of numerical modeling and optimization were used to conduct the study. Results. The article investigates the effectiveness of the application of evolutionary and swarm optimization methods in relation to the process of applying chrome plating in a galvanic bath with many anodes with multiparametric control of current density, interelectrode distance and electrolyte flow rate. The best approximation to the extreme of the uniformity coefficient can be achieved by genetic algorithms using the mutation operation and the particle swarm method, while achieving the extreme using the particle swarm method is achieved in fewer iterations. Conclusion. The results of the study substantiate the expediency of using evolutionary and swarm methods to solve the problem of optimizing the multiparametric control of the electroplating process, while it is possible to increase the efficiency of these methods due to additional tuning.

Assessment of sensor-based automatic smart watering unit for paddy nurseries under Indian perspective

A sensor-based automatic watering unit was developed to irrigate the paddy seedling trays. The watering unit comprised six flat spray nozzles with a direct current (DC) water pump and flow sensor, and these were kept at the top of the conveyor frame, which was actuated by a DC water pump with a solenoid valve to drop the water in trays. The actuation of the DC solenoid valve was controlled by a limit switch fitted to the conveyor frame, which sensed the moving trays on the conveyor. The performance of the developed unit was evaluated, and process optimization was performed using the Inscribed Central Composite Design in Response Surface Methodology. The effect of main operating parameters- chain conveyor speed (0.123, 0.196, and 0.27 m/s), spray operating pressure (1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 kg/cm2), and spray height (10,30 and 50 cm) on the performance of the sensor-based automatic watering unit was studied in terms of the amount of water spray requirement and coefficient of water spray uniformity in trays. The responses of the unit at its optimal parameter operation (spray operating pressure 4.5 kg/cm2, spray height 10 cm, and chain conveyor speed 0.14 m/s) were found to be 1.31 L/tray as the amount of water spray requirement and 92.41 % as the coefficient of water spray uniformity of the unit. Hence, it can be an efficient substitute with significantly less power consumption 41 W with a higher working capacity of 780 trays/h for watering into the paddy tray nursery. The developed sensor-based automatic smart watering unit saves irrigation water per square area of 68.90 %, 76.13 %, and 82.31 % compared to existing drip, sprinkler, and flood irrigation methods in mat-type paddy nurseries. The developed sensor-based automatic smart watering unit saves the watering cost INR 11,567.16 (140.02 USD) per hectare, reducing cost by 63.7 % compared to manual watering in the mat-type nursery preparation. Thus, an automatic smart watering unit in a paddy tray nursery offers consistent and uniform watering from an Indian perspective, promoting uniform germination, crop growth, and establishment. It conserves water by ensuring the right amount of water is applied at the right time, avoiding overwatering or under-watering.

Empirical relationship between vadose zone properties and diesel attenuation capacity: A complement for intrinsic vulnerability models

Evaluating and predicting the natural attenuation capacity (AC) of a vadose zone is essential for determining groundwater vulnerability to contamination from upper sources. However, it remains unclear how the physicochemical properties of vadose zone soils affect AC owing to their complexity and spatial heterogeneity. In this study, we developed a regression model for estimating the AC of a vadose zone against diesel using datasets from different soils with a wide range of physicochemical properties. Among the 17 properties, six (i.e., organic matter (OM), total phosphorous (TP), coefficient of uniformity, particle size (D30), van Genuchten’s n, saturation degree (SD)) were selected as primary regressors. The results indicate that biogeochemical factors, including OM and TP, have decisive effects on the AC. Finally, the regression model was expanded to a GIS-based spatial model and applied to Namyangju, Korea using the index-overlay method. The produced AC map showed a nonmonotonic decrease along the depth, and the areas closer to the water bodies generally represented low AC values, most likely due to the lower OM, TP, and higher SD. This study provides an empirical basis for future research initiatives for spatial and temporal AC dynamics, which complements conventional intrinsic groundwater vulnerability models such as DRASTIC.

Impact of sediment uniformity from steep tributary on transport in main Channels: A CFD-DEM study

During flash flood events, a prominent size segregation phenomenon often occurs in the mixture of sediment particles of varying diameters moving with the floodwaters. However, the impact of the inherent inhomogeneity of the sediment on its transport process continues to be unclear. This study evaluates the sorting phenomenon in the transport behavior of flood-impacted, loosely deposited sediment particles originating from steep tributary feeders in mountain channels. To achieve this objective, a computational framework integrating Computational Fluid Dynamics and Discrete Element Method (CFD-DEM) was utilized to directly simulate the detailed paths of all particles. After validating the CFD-DEM model, we investigated the influence of the sediment particles’ coefficient of uniformity (Cu) on sediment transport characteristics. The results suggest that under different Cu values, coarse particles initially accelerate rapidly but later slow down and converge to a consistent speed, whereas fine particles demonstrate a more uniform speed increase and eventually maintain a constant velocity. With rising Cu, the peak degree of sorting between coarse and fine particles first increases and then stabilizes. The temporal variation of the dimensionless sediment transport rate of any sediment component at a given section can be represented using a modified dual-branch Weibull function. The overall transport process can be determined through linear superposition based on mass proportion. Additionally, we found that the heterogeneous characteristics of the sediment provide a mode of overall sediment transport where fine particles roll at the bottom, while coarse particles slide and saltate at the top, leading to reduced frictional dissipation in the movement of coarse particles. This phenomenon is commonly observed in mountain flood channels with slopes less than 60 degrees. These findings bolster the explanation for the poor application of existing sediment transport rate formulas in flash flood channels.

Simulation analysis and optimization of containerized energy storage battery thermal management system

The air-cooling system is of great significance in the battery thermal management system because of its simple structure and low cost. This study analyses the thermal performance and optimizes the thermal management system of a 1540 kWh containerized energy storage battery system using CFD techniques. The study first explores the effects of different air supply angles on the heat transfer characteristics. Second, the evaluation indexes of heat removal efficiency, air exchange efficiency, temperature and velocity uniformity coefficient are used to select the optimal air supply angle by the Topsis method. Then, the return air vent position is optimized based on the optimal air supply angle, and the optimal solution is obtained. Research indicates that increasing the air supply angle enhances air mixing within the container and simultaneously decreases the battery pack surface temperature. With a 90° air supply angle, the maximum temperature reduces to 33.58 °C, a 19.52 % reduction compared to 30°. The temperature difference across each battery surface also drops by 16.02 % to 3.46 °C. Adjusting the position of the return air vent further improves temperature uniformity and air flow distribution within the battery compartment. When the air supply angle is 90° and the return air vent evenly distributed at Z = 0.85 m next to the fire door, an optimal uniform temperature distribution is achieved. This reduces the maximum surface temperature by 16.47 %, from 36.67 °C to 30.63 °C and decreases the average temperature difference to 3.0 °C, 21.4 % lower. Thus, the present method effectively enhances the performance of the containerized energy storage battery thermal management system.

Seepage rate and uniformity of the stalk composite pipe for subsurface irrigation

AbstractAn orthogonal experiment with three factors and three levels was conducted to study the seepage rate and uniformity of stalk composite pipe (SCP) under subsurface SCP irrigation (SSI). Furthermore, to determine the best application mode for SSI, the pipeline length, irrigation volume and inner–outer diameter of the SCP were considered at a 0.4 m working pressure. The three levels corresponding to each factor were 20, 40 and 60 m; 30, 45 and 60 L m⁻¹; and 28–60, 40–80 and 50–100 mm, respectively. The results indicated that the seepage rate gradually decreased with increasing pipeline length. The pattern of the change in the seepage rate with irrigation volume was not obvious. There was a positive correlation between the seepage rate and the inner–outer diameter of the SCP. The irrigation uniformity coefficient, which was calculated based on the width of the surface wetting front, gradually decreased with increasing pipeline length. The impact patterns of irrigation volume and inner–outer diameter on irrigation uniformity were ambiguous. The seepage rate reached its maximum at the pipeline length, irrigation volume and inner–outer diameter, which were 20 m, 30 L m⁻¹ and 50–100 mm, respectively. There was the highest irrigation uniformity, with a pipeline length, irrigation volume and inner–outer diameter of the SCP of 20 m, 60 L m⁻¹ and 40–80 mm, respectively.

Revealing irrigation uniformity with remote sensing: A comparative analysis of satellite-derived uniformity coefficient

This study investigates the use of satellite-derived Christiansen Uniformity Coefficient (SDCUC) values for evaluating irrigation uniformity. In the context of global water scarcity and the imperative for sustainable water management, we explore the potential of remote sensing methods to evaluate irrigation uniformity across large agricultural areas. The findings reveal a consistent tendency for SDCUC to overestimate irrigation uniformity, with an average overestimation rate of 7.83 %. However, accuracy improved with the appropriate method, vegetation index, or spectral band selection. Employing the entire satellite image for SDCUC (SDCUCTOT) assessment improved accuracy. For Sentinel-1 (S1), using the dual-band cross-polarization horizontal transmit/vertical receive band (VH), the bias confidence interval was −0.39–0.69 %, while for Sentinel-2 (S2), using the normalized difference red edge 3 index (NDRE3), it was −1.47–0.66 %, and for Landsat 8 (L8) and Landsat 9 (L9) using the shortwave infrared water stress index (SIWSI) it ranged from 0.36 % to 2.28 %. Improved results were also observed when the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) ranged between 0.4 and 0.8 or the evapotranspiration and potential evapotranspiration ratio (ET/PET) ranged between 0.30 and 0.55. In these conditions, SDCUCTOT for the S2, L8, and L9 using the simple ratio index (SR) ranged from 1.00 % to 2.33 %, 0.00–1.83 %, 0.23–2.00 %, respectively, and for S2, the normalized difference water index (NDWI) and NDRE3 ranged from −1.39–0.71 %, and −1.43–2.31 % respectively. These findings underscore the potential of remote sensing techniques to revolutionize water resource management and promote sustainable agriculture, emphasizing the synergistic role of ground-based measurements and the need for continued methodological refinements to improve accuracy. Further advancements and research are warranted to refine the methodology and enhance the accuracy and reliability of remote sensing-based irrigation uniformity assessment, ultimately contributing to more sustainable agricultural irrigation practices.

Optimising the hydraulic performance of a jet impingement sprinkler by varying elevation angle: A Comparative study with a non-impingement sprinkler

A novel jet impingement sprinkler was designed to replace the additional water-dispersing devices usually used in rotating sprinklers to adapt performance for low-pressure conditions. Utilising the asymmetric impingement mode of primary and secondary jets, the design prioritises the secondary nozzle elevation angle. Theoretical expressions were establish between the primary and secondary jet momentum rates. Hydraulic performance experiments, were conducted under intermediate and low-pressure conditions, examining water application rate, wetted radius, and Christiansen's uniformity coefficient at various elevation angles. High-speed photography (HSP) experiments elucidate differences in hydraulic performance, revealing that the impingement jet generally featured a lower maximum water application rate but a smoother distribution compared to its non-impingement counterpart. Using the CRiteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) method, comprehensive scores highlight an optimal arrangement with a 34.5° secondary nozzle elevation angle, illustrating superior performance under low pressure. Comparative analyses between the wetted radius and Christiansen's uniformity coefficient uncover a trade-off, with jet impingement sacrificing wetted radius for increased uniformity. However, this efficiency diminished as jet impingement effects intensify. HSP experiments validate theoretical calculations, with a relative error of less than 4% for jet deflection angle and jet breakup length. Non-linear curve fitting establishes relationships between jet breakup length, mean observed jet deflection angle, operating pressure, and wetted radius. Calculated and measured values exhibited a relative error within 5%, affirming the applicability of the developed equation for predicting wetted radius in jet impingement sprinklers.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF ACTIVATED CARBON PRODUCED FROM CORNCOB, COW BONE, AND COCONUT SHELL AS A FILTER MEDIUM

Inaccessibility of safe drinking water coupled with poor sanitation and hygiene and its attendance effect is estimated to cost Nigeria about 1.3 billion dollars. The rural communities adopted different methods to filter their water however these methods have proven ineffective in removing certain impurities. The use of fabric cannot remove the microorganisms and chemicals present in water. It is given that activated carbon filters are applied in the removal of these chemicals to test the performance of activated carbon made from corncob, cow bone, and coconut shell as a filter medium, activated carbons were used separately, and combined in a model filter. Raw water samples from Kubanni River and the borehole in 55 apartment Dogon Itche Samaru, Zaria were filtered by the model without pretreatment. The sieve analysis carried out on the activated corncob, cow bone, and coconut shell shows effective sizes of 0.27mm, 0.08mm, and 0.21mm; and uniformity coefficients of 2.11, 5.38, and 2.33 respectively. The analysis showed that the combined media has the highest turbidity removal, 92% for the river sample and 89% for the borehole sample. In terms of acidity and chloride removal, the activated corncob gave better filtrate quality: 19% and 13% removal respectively. In the case of alkalinity, the activated cow bone and coconut shell showed a gradual removal in alkalinity from the borehole sample. The combined media showed more tendency to remove hardness compared to the other activated carbons

Evaluation of empirical and machine learning models for predicting shear wave velocity of granular soils based on laboratory element tests

Shear wave velocity (Vs) is crucial for designing geotechnical systems subjected to dynamic loads, especially in seismically active regions. The shear wave velocity of geomaterials can be determined using in situ and laboratory tests. However, due to time and cost limitations, the Vs is not easily available in most projects. Various empirical models have been developed by researchers for predicting the shear wave velocity of geomaterials. However, most of these models have been developed for specific soil types and loading characteristics. In this work, for predicting the shear wave velocity of granular soils using various combinations of input parameters, various empirical models were proposed. Furthermore, machine learning (ML) methods were utilized to predict the Vs. The suggested models consider the impact of grading characteristics such as fine content (FC), gravel content (GC), median particle size (D50), uniformity coefficient (Cu), and coefficient of curvature (Cc), as well as void ratio (e), mean effective confining pressure (σm′), consolidation stress ratio (KC), and specimen preparation techniques for reconstitution of specimens. To achieve this, a series of bender element tests were performed on various sand and gravel mixtures. Furthermore, data from previous studies were also used. So, the study utilized 513 data points from laboratory element experiments conducted on granular soils. For predicting the Vs of granular soils, four empirical models and three ML models, namely Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Support Vector Regression (SVR), and Gradient Boosting Regression (GBR), were developed in this study. The findings showed that the ANN model outperforms the other comparative models in terms of accuracy and error. While the empirical models may serve as useful tools for initial Vs estimation in construction projects, the study primarily highlights the significance of using ML methods to enhance the prediction accuracy of Vs based on the available soil properties.

Optimization of guide plates and orifice plates on thermal management of battery energy storage system

The performance, state of health and lifetime of the battery energy storage system (BESS) depend heavily on the temperature uniformity between batteries. The BESS is more prone to uneven temperature distribution due to the inclusion of more battery modules. Improving the air supply uniformity of each battery module is the key to ensure the temperature uniformity of the system. In order to solve the problem of uneven air supply in traditional duct, the present study proposes a composite duct structure with optimized L-type guide plates and orifice plates. Based on the orthogonal analysis method, the optimization of guide plate structures in the sub duct and the main duct is completed. Combined with power consumption analysis, the porosity of orifice plates in the ducts is determined. The results show that when guide plates and orifice plates are in the best design condition, compared with the initial scheme, the air supply uniformity coefficient of the BESS is reduced from 75.07 % to 6.29 %. The air supply uniformity of the system is increased by 91.62 %. The maximum temperature difference of the BESS is reduced from 17.36 K to 4.35 K. The temperature uniformity of the system is increased by 74.94 %. This study is helpful to the design and optimization of the duct for the thermal management system of BESS in the future.

Prediction of arsenic retention in vadose zone based on empirical relationship between soil properties and segmented retardation factors

Arsenic (As) is a widespread environmental contaminant that poses a significant threat to ecosystems and human health. Although previous studies have qualitatively revealed the effects of individual soil properties on the transport and fate of As in the vadose zone, their integrated impacts remain obscure. Moreover, studies investigating the retardation factor therein, which is a key parameter for comprehending As transport in the vadose zone, are extremely limited. In this study, we investigated the interplay of soil properties with As transport and retention within the vadose zone, while focusing on the retardation factor of As. We employed steady-state unsaturated water-flow soil column experiments coupled with a mobile–immobile model and multiple linear regression analysis to elucidate the dependence of As retardation factors on the soil properties. In the mobile water zone, iron and organic matter contents emerged as the two most influential properties that impedes As mobility. Whereas, in the immobile water zone, the coefficient of uniformity and bulk density were the most influential factors that enhanced As retention. Finally, we derived an empirical equation for calculating the As retardation factors in each zone, offering a valuable tool for describing and predicting As behavior to protect the groundwater resources underneath.

Particle and bulk media characteristics of food waste compost-based biomedia by dynamic high-temperature aerobic composting process

The dynamic high-temperature aerobic composting (DHAC) process, as a decentralized system, is considered a sustainable strategy for renewable resource-based raw materials. The food waste compost-based biomedia (BMFWCs) produced within five days of the DHAC process exhibited the physical properties of peaty topsoil with acceptable maturity under the meso-thermophilic phase. To understand the particle and bulk media characteristics of the BMFWCs, organic matter (OM) fraction–density–porosity parameters, particle size distribution, and uniformity coefficient were considered. Operating the DHAC process produced end products characteristics of relatively high total porosity (φb,T) and low dry bulk density (ρb) compared to the conservative mixture theory due to binary mixing and shape effects. A significant change in total porosity was estimated as an increase in non-spherical fibrous particles within the OM fraction of 0.4. Appropriate organic–mineral additives led to the effective arrangement of the variable porosity structure and improvement of aggregate stability (fom,spent coffee grounds≥0.2, fm,oyster shell powder≤0.4). The Forced aeration supply contributed to the expansion of the open space and macropore structures that serve as gas passages in the BMFWCs, while the introduction of microbes (Bacillus subtilis) promoted the biodegradation of medium and small macroaggregates (0.25–2 mm). The BMFWCs produced by the DHAC process was expected to have application potential in sustainable nature-based solution technology, due to appropriate particle properties, uniformity, and maturity.

Образовательная миграция из арктических регионов России, не имеющих самостоятельных вузов

One of the main reasons for young people to change their place of residence is the desire to get higher education. In the Arctic zone, where there is a lack of or insufficient level of development of the network of higher education organizations, young people are forced to leave for other regions. The relevance of the study is also conditioned by the fact that educational migration is often irrevocable, which strengthens negative migration processes. The study of educational migration with the help of traditional statistical sources is possible at the regional level, but does not reveal the spatial characteristics of migra-tion processes at the level of municipalities. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to approbate the methodology of studying migration from municipalities on the example of regions where there are no independent higher education institutions. The object of the study is the Arctic regions: Nenets, Chukotka, Yamalo-Nemets Autonomous okrugs. The scientific novelty of the study is determined by the use of new data sources and the application of the method of big data analysis to study migration processes at the municipal level. The database for the study was formed on the basis of the results of uploading data from the digital footprint of users of the social network “VKontakte”. The study regions included 15,186 users, the vast majority of whom indicated receiving higher education in other constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Based on the obtained data, the trajectories of educational migration at the municipal level were identified, the coefficients of concentration and uniformity of migration flow were calculated, and a typology of municipalities in the Arctic regions of Russia was carried out. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of using the results obtained to adjust migration policy in the Arctic regions, including at the municipal level.