Electrical Conductivity Values Research Articles

Mitigating salt stress in “Friariello Napoletano” (Brassica rapa subsp. sylvestris L. Janch. var. esculenta Hort.): The potential of biochar for sustainable agriculture

The agricultural sector is therefore called upon to seek efficient and sustainable strategies to improve plant resilience and tolerance to sub-optimal growth conditions. In many coastal areas of the Mediterranean, saline stress causes serious problems to vegetable crops. In this scenario, the use of upgraded agrochemicals such as plant biostimulants, biochar and plant nutrition regulators could be beneficial. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of amending the soil with different concentrations of poplar-derived biochar (0 %, 1 % and 2 % by volume), on the productive and qualitative response of an ecotype of “Friariello Napoletano” (Brassica rapa subsp. sylvestris L. Janch. var. esculenta Hort.) under different levels of saline irrigation (0, 30, 60 and 120 mM NaCl, giving an electrical conductivity values of 0.05, 2.09, 6.09 and 9.70 dS m–1). The experiment was conducted in an unheated greenhouse, using pot plants grown in soil with a randomized complete-block experimental design arranged in a 4 × 3 factorial scheme with three replications. Productive and physiological results (ACO2, gs, E, SPAD index) highlighted a highly glycophytic response of Friariello. Biochar integration, besides increasing total production and glucosinolate content, led to a significant reduction in toxic ion content (Na+and Cl−) under saline conditions compared to control plants. Regardless of salinity effect, the application of biochar resulted in an increase in fresh yield and photosynthetic activity (ACO2) of 12.8 % and 29.3 % respectively. The promising results underscore the potential role of biochar as a sustainable strategy for mitigating salt stress in Friariello Napoletano and potentially other vegetable crops in salt-affected regions. However, it needs to be clarified which adaptive mechanisms triggered by biochar improves production performance even and especially under sub-optimal growing conditions.

An Innovative Approach in Oat Milk Production: Ohmic Heating

This study aimed to produce oat-milk by using the ohmic heating (OH) system and to compare some quality properties of this milk with the milk produced by conventional methods. The solution containing oats was heated from 20 °C to 75 °C using 3 different voltage-gradients, and then oat-milk was obtained by applying a series of processes. It has been determined that as the voltage gradient increased during heating in oat milk production, the processing time shortens, and this time was 482seconds in the conventional heating process. The effective electrical conductivity values increased as the temperature increased in the OH process during the production of oat-milk and these values vary between 0.13-0.41S/m. Also, some quality characteristics of oat milk such as color and total phenolic content were better preserved in milk obtained by the OH process than conventional heating process. In addition, oat milk obtained by OH process had higher apparent viscosity at all temperatures.

Critical factors influencing electron and phonon thermal conductivity in metallic materials using first-principles calculations

Understanding the thermal transport of various metals is crucial for many energy-transfer applications. However, due to the complex transport mechanisms varying among different metals, current research on metallic thermal transport has been focusing on case studies of specific types of metallic materials. A general understanding of the transport mechanisms across a broad spectrum of metallic materials is still lacking. In this work, we perform first-principles calculations to determine the thermal conductivity of 40 representative metallic materials, within a range of 8-456 W mK-1. Our predicted values of electrical and thermal conductivity are in good agreement with available experimental results. Based on the data of separated electron and phonon thermal conductivity, we employ a statistical approach to examine nine factors derived from previous understandings and identify the critical factors determining these properties. For electrons, although a high electron density of states around the Fermi level implies more conductive electrons, we find it counterintuitively correlates with low electron thermal conductivity. This is attributed to the enlarged electron-phonon scattering channels induced by substantial electrons around the Fermi level. Regarding phonons, we demonstrate that among all the studied factors, Debye temperature plays the most significant role in determining the phonon thermal conductivity, despite the phonon-electron scattering being non-negligible in some transition metals. Correlation analysis suggests that Debye temperature has the highest positive correlation coefficient with phonon thermal conductivity, as it corresponds to a large phonon group velocity. Additionally, Young's modulus is found to be closely correlated with high phonon thermal conductivity and contribution. Our findings of simple factors that closely correlate with the electron and phonon thermal conductivity provide a general understanding of various metallic materials. They may facilitate the discovery of novel materials with extremely high or low thermal conductivity, or be used as descriptors in machine learning to accurately predict the thermal conductivity of metals in the future.

Electrical Conductivity of (Mg, Fe)CO3 at the Spin Crossover and Its Implication for Mid‐Mantle Geomagnetic Heterogeneities

Abstract(Mg, Fe)CO3 is an important deep carbon carrier and plays a vital role in our understanding of lower‐mantle carbon reservoirs. The electrical conductivity (EC) of FeCO3 was measured at 126−2000 K up to 83 GPa in diamond‐anvil cells using a standard four‐probe van der Pauw method. Moreover, the EC of FeCO3 increases by ∼6 orders of magnitude from 300 to 1500 K at 10−20 GPa, indicating a strong effect of high temperature. The EC of Fe0.65Mg0.35CO3 was measured up to 60 GPa at 300 K, the EC values of (Mg, Fe)CO3 are proportional to iron content and increase by 2–3 orders of magnitude at 300 K across the spin crossover. The EC values of (Mg, Fe)CO3 and FeCO3 + Fe3O4 ± C mixtures surpass that of bridgmanite, ferropericlase and davemaoite by ∼1–4 orders of magnitude at depths of 800–2,000 km. This result sheds insights into the genesis of local geomagnetic heterogeneities in the mid‐lower mantle.

Spatial heterogeneity response of soil salinization inversion cotton field expansion based on deep learning

Soil salinization represents a significant challenge to the ecological environment in arid areas, and digital mapping of soil salinization as well as exploration of its spatial heterogeneity with crop growth have important implications for national food security and salinization management. However, the machine learning models currently used are deficient in mining local information on salinity and do not explore the spatial heterogeneity of salinity impacts on crops. This study developed soil salinization inversion models using CNN (Convolutional Neural Network), LSTM (Long Short-Term Memory Network), and RF (Random Forest) models based on 97 field samples and feature variables extracted from Landsat-8 imagery. By evaluating the accuracy, the best-performing model was selected to map soil salinity at a 30m resolution for the years 2013 and 2022, and to explore the relationship between soil electrical conductivity (EC) values and the expansion of cotton fields as well as their spatial correlation. The results indicate that:(1) The CNN performs best in prediction, with an R2 of 0.84 for the training set and 0.73 for the test set, capable of capturing more local salinity information. (2) The expansion of cotton fields has reduced the level of soil salinization, with the area of severely salinized and saline soils in newly added cotton fields decreasing from 177.91 km2 and 381.46 km2 to 19.49 km2 and 1.12 km2, respectively. (3) Regions with long-term cotton cultivation and newly reclaimed cotton fields exhibit high sensitivity and vulnerability to soil salinity. This study explores the excellent performance of deep learning in salinity mapping and visualizes the spatial distribution of cotton fields that are highly sensitive to soil salinity, providing a scientific theoretical basis for accurate salinity management.

Investigating the Effects of Elevation on Microbial Communities and Soil Properties at Fanjing Mountain, China

Elevation is one of the most influential factors affecting soil characteristics and microbial communities in forest ecosystems. Nevertheless, there is no consensus on how soil characteristics, soil microbials, and their relationships response to the elevation of the mountain ecosystem. We investigated the soil physicochemical characteristics, the activity of soil enzymes, and the microbial community at elevational sites from 600 to 2400 m above sea level (asl) in the western slopes of the Fanjing Mountain ecosystem, China. The soil microbial communities were determined by high throughput 16S rRNA and ITS amplicon sequencing. The results demonstrated that soil total nitrogen (TN) showed a slight decrease, whereas total phosphorus (TP) and total potassium (TK) gradually tended to increase with increasing elevation. The large macroaggregates (>2 mm) accounted for the largest proportion of the aggregate fraction (66.23%–76.13%) in the 0–10 cm soil layer with elevation. The average values of the soil electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic carbon (SOC), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) concentration in the 0–60 cm layer undulated with increasing elevation, and the highest values were observed at 1500–1800 m asl and 1800–2100 m asl, respectively. The activities of soil urease, sucrase, acid phosphatase, and catalase clearly differed (p < 0.05) with increasing elevation, and the minimum values were found at 2100–2400 m asl. Interesting, with increasing soil depth, the values of these factors tended to decrease, indicating surface aggregation. In addition, the soil microbial (bacterial and fungal) community diversity exhibited a single-peak pattern with elevation. Our results also revealed that the soil bacterial and fungal communities varied significantly at different elevation sites. The bacterial communities were dominated by the phyla Acidobacteria, Pseudomonadota, and Chloroflexi, and the phyla Basidiomycota and Ascomycota dominated the fungal communities. The Pearson and redundancy analyses revealed that the SOC, TP, four soil enzymes, and soil aggregates were significant factors influencing the soil microbial community. In conclusion, soil properties and enzyme activities jointly explained the elevational pattern of the soil microbial community in the Fanjing Mountain. The results of this study provide insights into the influence of elevation on soil characteristics, microbial communities, and their relationships in the Fanjing Mountain ecosystem.

Assessment of groundwater quality for agricultural purposes in Qazvin Province, northwestern Iran: A fuzzy inference and indicator Kriging approach

This study addresses the challenge of assessing groundwater quality for agriculture in Qazvin Province, northwestern Iran. In this region, over-extraction has led to significant degradation of groundwater resources. Traditional assessment methods often overlook uncertainties and spatial variability in groundwater quality. To address this, our study aimed to integrate fuzzy inference and geostatistical methods to assess groundwater quality under uncertain conditions. The research was conducted in two stages. First, a fuzzy inference system classified six key water quality parameters: Electrical Conductivity (EC), Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC), Total Hardness (TH), sodium ion concentration (Na⁺), and chloride concentration (Cl⁻), into three categories: “desirable,” “acceptable,” and “unacceptable,” using 54 fuzzy rules. In the second stage, we applied ordinary Kriging and indicator Kriging to spatially interpolate these classifications and produce probabilistic maps of groundwater quality risk across the study area. In ordinary Kriging, the average Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values for EC, SAR, RSC, TH, Na⁺, and Cl⁻ were 0.94 dS/m, 1.54, 1.42 meq/L, 3.13 mg/L, 3.03 mg/L, and 2.62 mg/L, respectively, indicating reliable assessments of groundwater quality parameters. Results also suggest that by 2023, areas classified as “unacceptable” increased by 142.0% since 2009, with an additional 25.2% of the region facing a 40–80% probability of further degradation. These findings highlight important trends in groundwater quality, assisting local authorities in prioritizing areas for preventive interventions. This supports sustainable agricultural practices and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 for water resource management.

Conductive Biocomposite Made by Two-Photon Polymerization of Hydrogels Based on BSA and Carbon Nanotubes with Eosin-Y

Currently, tissue engineering technologies are promising for the restoration of damaged organs and tissues. For regeneration of electrically conductive tissues or neural interfaces, it is necessary to provide electrical conductivity for the transmission of electrophysiological signals. The developed biocomposite structures presented in this article possess such properties. Their composition includes bovine serum albumin (BSA), gelatin, eosin-Y and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). For the first time, a biocomposite structure was formed from the proposed hydrogel using a nanosecond laser, and a two-photon absorption cross section value of 580 GM was achieved. Increased viscosity over 3 mPa∙s and self-focusing with a nonlinear refractive index of 42 × 10−12 cm2/W make it possible to create a biocomposite structure over the entire specified area. The obtained electrical conductivity value was 19 mS∙cm−1, due to the formation of effective electrically conductive networks. For a biocomposite with a concentration of gelatin 3 wt. %, formed by low-energy near-IR pulses, the survival of Neuro 2A nerve tissue cells was confirmed. The obtained results are important for the creation of new tissue engineering structures and neural interfaces from a biopolymer hydrogel based on the organic dye eosin-Y and carbon nanotubes by two-photon polymerization.

Structure and Properties of the Electroexplosive Coating of the TiB2-Ag System after Electron Beam Treatment

A coating of the TiB2-Ag system was formed through the use of sequential operations of electroexplosive spraying and electron beam processing. The values of electrical conductivity (62.0 MS/m), Vickers microhardness (0.251-0.265 GPa at the point of measurement on a silver matrix and 25-32 GPa at the point of measurement at inclusions of boride phases), nanohardness (4.48 ± 0.76 GPa) were determined), Young’s modulus (116±29 GPa), wear parameter under dry friction-sliding conditions (1.2 mm3/N • m) and friction coefficient (0.5). Switching wear resistance during accelerated tests was 7000 on and off cycles with an electrical resistance of 10.01 - 11.76 LiOhm. The thickness of the coatings is 100 microns. The coatings are formed by a silver matrix with inclusions of titanium borides located in it with three types of sizes: nanocrystalline, submicrocrystalline and microcrystalline. Quantitatively, in the structural composition among titanium borides, titanium diboride and silver (56 wt. %) are formed predominantly (41 wt. %), while other titanium borides account for 3 wt. %. Structural transformations are described using complementary methods of X-ray phase analysis, scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

Cinética de secagem e qualidade fisiológica de sementes de jiló

ABSTRACT The drying process is paramount for maintaining seed quality, where the temperature during this process directly influences germination and vigor, especially for vegetable species harvested with high moisture content. This research aimed to determine and model the drying curves of S. aethiopicum (cultivar Tinguá-verde-claro) seeds at temperatures of 35, 38, 41, and 44 ºC, as well as to evaluate the physiological quality of the seeds after drying. A completely randomized design was used, with four drying temperatures (35, 38, 41, and 44 ºC) and four replicates. Nine mathematical models were fitted using the non-linear regression analysis by the Gauss-Newton method, and the goodness of fit was assessed based on the magnitude of the coefficient of determination (R2), chi-square test (χ2), relative mean error (P), and estimated mean error (SE). Seed quality was evaluated by germination test (G), electrical conductivity (EC), and accelerated aging (AA). The Modified Midilli model best represents the drying curves of S. aethiopicum seeds at the studied temperatures. Seeds with higher germination and vigor, meaning lower electrical conductivity values and higher germination rates after accelerated aging, are achieved through drying at 35 and 38 ºC.

Using Soil Sensors to Assess Soil Salinity

AbstractThis article is reproduced from Chapter 6 of the new book, Salinity and Sodicity: A Growing Global Challenge to Food Security, Environmental Quality and Soil Resilience, in a slightly modified form. The book is available for purchase from Wiley.com or Amazon.com. The article covers the use of electromagnetic (EM) sensors for measuring apparent electrical conductivity (ECa). In the field, electrical conductivity (EC) can be measured by two primary approaches: physical contact and electromagnetic (EM) induction. With physical contact, a current is injected into the soil, and the detector measures the resulting voltage. An EM meter does not make direct contact but uses a coil to produce an EM field. A sensor then measures the soil‐induced changes to the original EM field. Both types of sensors measure the ECa, which is different from laboratory‐derived EC values. When using ECa sensors, it is important to remember that they are sensitive to many factors, including salinity, soil moisture, bulk density, soil texture, and temperature. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview on the use of EM sensors to provide examples on the use of these sensors in the field. Earn 1.5 CEUs in Soil & Water Management by reading this article and taking the quiz at https://web.sciencesocieties.org/Learning‐Center/Courses.

The Effect of Eco-Friendly Deicing Agents Containing Humic Acid on Plant Growth

Objectives:In this experiment, we used an environmentally friendly snow removal agent containing calcium chloride (CaCl2) and humic acid (HA) to alleviate salt stress on chili pepper seedlings, and analyzed its effect on plant growth. As an alternative to minimize the negative effects of existing chloride-based snow removal agents on plants and soil, we investigated whether humic acids contribute to improving plant physiological responses and soil electrical conductivity (EC). Evaluated.Methods:For 21 days, we set up a control group (Count.), a calcium chloride treatment group (CaCl2), a humic acid treatment group (HA), and a mixed treatment group (HUA2, HUA5, HUA10) in which humic acid and calcium chloride were mixed. The growth of stems and roots was measured. In addition, the high mortality rate of leaves and changes in soil electrical conductivity (EC) were measured to evaluate the effect of alleviating salt stress.Results and Discussion:As a result of the experiment, stem length increased in the control group, humic acid treatment group (HA), and humic acid and calcium chloride mixed treatment groups (HUA2, HUA5, HUA10), and the greatest growth was observed in HUA5 among the mixed treatment groups. On the other hand, in the calcium chloride treatment group (CaCl2), stem growth did not occur and the high leaf mortality rate was 66.7%, which had a negative effect on growth. The soil EC value was lowest at 0.21mS/cm in the humic acid only treatment group (HA) and highest at 1.25mS/cm in the calcium chloride treatment group (CaCl2). In the mixed treatment group, the EC value tended to decrease as the humic acid concentration increased. This indicates that humic acid can play a role in reducing salt stress and promoting plant growth.

Effects of microbial communities during the cultivation of three salt-tolerant plants in saline-alkali land improvement.

Planting vegetation on saline-alkaline land enhances soil fertility and sustainability by improving salt-alkali tolerance. Different salt-tolerant plant species interact with soil microorganisms, enriching bacterial communities and promoting nutrient availability. In this study, mechanisms affecting microbial communities in severely saline-alkaline soils planted with salt-tolerant plants are investigated. Over 4 years, the potential to cultivate three salt-tolerant plant species (tall wheatgrass Agropyron elongatum, chicory Chicorium intybus, and alfalfa Medicago sativa) in severely saline-alkaline soils is compared with a non-cultivated control. Bacterial and fungal communities were characterized through high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene V3-V4 region and the V4 region, respectively. Cultivating these three plant species significantly reduces soil electrical conductivity values. Chicory cultivation notably increased soil nutrients, bacterial alpha richness, and fungal alpha diversity and richness. Microbial community structures vary considerably between the control and treatments, significantly correlating with the soil quality index. This index enables an assessment of soil health and fertility by integrating variables such as nutrient content, microbial diversity, and salinity levels. In each plant treatment, particularly alfalfa, the relative abundances of fungal pathogens like Neocosmospora and Gibellulopsis increase, which may pose risks to subsequent crops such as tomatoes, requiring careful consideration in future planting decisions. Conversely, in alfalfa and tall wheatgrass treatments, there was an increase in the relative abundances of fungal genera (e.g., Alternaria and Podospora) that antagonize fungal pathogens, while Paraphoma increased in the chicory treatment. The strong relationship between microorganisms and the rise in pathogen-resistant fungi across different plant treatments highlights robust and beneficial structural characteristics. According to soil quality index scores, each treatment, but especially that of chicory, improved the severely saline-alkaline soil environment.

Effects of Fire on Physical and Chemical Properties of Soil in Fwangnin Bokkos District, Nigeria

Background: Vegetation burning, a common agricultural practice, has both positive and negative effects on soil fertility. Soil quality, which is critical for ecosystems, shapes biodiversity and productivity, while increased temperatures from vegetation burning can alter conditions for seed germination by reducing nutrient availability. Objectives: The study aims to assess the impacts of vegetation burning on soil fertility in Fwangnin, Bokkos, Nigeria, through experimental investigation of the effects of burning on both the chemical and physical properties of soil. The results are expected to contribute to the development of adaptive fire management strategies in land use, and the results will also help monitor soil changes in order to maintain long-term soil fertility. Methods: Using purposive sampling, four 500-gram soil samples were taken from 0 – 15 cm depth in burned and unburned areas. The samples were analysed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Traditional well-proven methods were used for the analysis. Results: It was found that the pH of the burnt soil samples ranged from 6.10 to 5.90, while that of the unburnt samples ranged from 5.73 to 5.81; a significant increase in pH occurs at higher combustion temperatures, which increases the alkalinity of the soil due to the alkaline properties of ash. The electrical conductivity value for the samples in the burnt areas was significantly higher (0.08 mS/cm and 0.10 mS/cm) compared to the healthy soil (0.07 mS/cm and 0.09 mS/cm), which can be explained by the release of mineral ions due to the combustion of organic matter. The study found a decrease in organic carbon content in the burnt soil, a significant deficiency of nitrogen and a decrease in the cation exchange capacity, which contributes to the depletion of the fertile layer and a decrease in the ability of the soil to retain essential nutrients. Increased levels of organic phosphorus were also found in burnt soils, which contributes to improved crop growth and increased yields in the short term. Conclusion: The current study has filled the gap in deep understanding of the impact of vegetation burning on the fertile properties of agricultural soils. Namely, it has been experimentally established and confirmed by the results of similar studies and statistical analysis that while vegetation burning remains a common agricultural practice in Fwangnin, the long-term implications for soil fertility, structure, and ecosystem health are significant. The soil degradation observed in this study suggests that continued reliance on burning as a land-clearing method may undermine agricultural productivity and environmental integrity over time.

Analysis of Groundwater Salinity Distribution Based on Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Hydrochemical Approaches to Deep Wells in Sayung Subdistrict, Demak Central Java

In coastal areas, obtaining groundwater is not easy due to the lack of geological support conditions that cause water in the area to have poor quality such as groundwater that becomes salty. The coastal area of Sayung Subdistrict has geomorphological conditions whose surface tends to be flat with elevations 0-5 m higher than sea level and is dominated by alluvial material so that it can cause seawater infiltration to increase. The purpose of this research was to determine the distribution of salinity of groundwater in the coastal area of Sayung Subdistrict and to determine the cause of groundwater becoming salty. The method used in this research is the electrical conductivity (DHL) approach which is then classified based on the level of saltiness of groundwater. And then, well water from the sample points was tested using a hydrochemical test with the parameters used, namely the content of cations (Na, K, Mg, Ca) and anions (Cl, CO3, HCO3, SO4, NO3). This research was conducted at 33 well points spread across Sayung sub-district. The results of this study show that the electrical conductivity value obtained is between the range of 928-7,199 μS/cm which is divided into 3 classifications namely fresh water, fresh-brackish water, and brackish water. The analysis of the Trilinier Piper diagram shows that the saltiness of the groundwater is due to indications of seawater mixing characterized by a chloride (Cl) content that is increasingly greater towards the sea.

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.

PERFORMANCE OF FREE WATER SURFACE FLOW CONSTRUCTED WETLAND FOR LEAD AND CADMIUM IONS REMOVAL USING AZOLLA PINNATA PLANT

Phytoremediation is the ability of some plants to bio accumulate, decompose, or transformation of pollutants in soils, water, or air. In the current study, an effort is made to study the effectiveness of free-floating plants to treat simulated industrial wastewater polluted with Lead and Cadmium ions using Azolla Pinnata plant in a lab condition. Free water surface flow constructed wetland were fed with simulated Cd and Pb ions in different concentrations (5, 10 and 20) mgl-1. Different operating conditions were studied such as; pH, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, temperature, and sodium adsorption ratio to find out the possibility of using treated wastewater for irrigation. Results showed that, Azolla plant had a higher removal efficiency to extract Lead ions (90.1%, 86.67%, and 81.3%) than Cadmium (79.3%, 78.4%, and 69.7%) when the initial concentration is (5, 10, 20) mgl-1 respectively, during 5 days. A slight reducing in pH (8.3 to 7.4) and dissolved oxygen (8.7 to 7.2) mgl-1 observed, all these values mentioned satisfied with the Iraqi standards and World Health Organization. From values of electrical conductivities (250- 750) (µScm-1) and the sodium adsorption ratios (0- 10) it was found that treated wastewater falls into class C2S1 which mean that water has good quality and can be used to irrigate moderately salt-tolerant crops on soils with good permeability.

HYDROCHEMICAL STUDY OF BALAK RIVER, ERBIL-IRAQ

This study was aimed to assess the water quality of different water resources (Surface water, subsurface in water, and groundwater) across the Balak river basin. Twenty two different water resource samples were collected and subjecting to a comprehensive physicochemical analysis. Balak river basin, situated in Erbil governorate, Iraq, it is located 10 km to the east from Bekhal Waterfall. Five attributers combine with Balak River within the basin areas which are: Rezanok Sub River, Balakiyan Sub River, Basan Sub River, Roste Sub River, and Alana Sub River. The hydro chemical study of all water resources during the investigated period revealed that the spring waters are relatively higher in electrical conductivity value compared to other sources. Some surface water samples were recorded high turbidity value. Values recorded for physicochemical parameters were within WHO and Iraqi standards guideline values except for some samples of turbidity. According to water classification, all samples have a very similar composition, and can be classified as Ca-HCO3 water. This indicated that they correspond to different sampling points along different rivers, and different samples along the same river.

Evaluating the efficiency of oil waste treatment plant in AL- Qayyarah Refinery - Iraq

The study included an evaluation of the efficiency of AL-Qayyarah refinery oil waste treatment plant. For this purpose, monthly samples were collected for a period of six months from October 2023 until March 2024, the first station (before treatment) represents the water coming out of the crude oil filter units. As for the second station (after treatment) it is located in the refinery waste treatment unit, the site represents the treated water. many physical and chemical tests were conducted on water, they ranged of temperature values ​​before the treatment ranged between (17-33) compared to its value after the treatment (15-31), and the electrical conductivity values ​​before the treatment ranged between (295-405)µS/cm, while after the treatment it was (349-471)µS/cm. As for total dissolved solids, their average before the treatment was(182.5)mg/L, while their average after the treatment was(194.6)mg/L as for salinity, its values ​​ranged between(0.7-0.75) mg/L before the treatment and between (0.6 -0.8) mg/L after the treatment ,pH value before the treatment was between)6.12- 7.91( compared to its value after the treatment as it ranged between (6.81-7.95), while the values ​​of the chemical requirement for oxygen before the treatment were (85108)mg/L, Their concentrations values ​​after the treatment amounted to(73_125) mg/L, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (73.46-155.17) mg/L before the treatment, and after the treatment it reached (35.53-52.53) mg/L, while oils and greases reached values ​​that ranged between (26.16-165.68) mg/L before the treatment compared to their results after the treatment which ranged between (94.15-23.18)mg/L. Finally, the total organic carbon had an average value before treatment (134.1) mg/L, while after treatment their average values ​​reached (120.8) mg/L

Invertebrate composting quality of the invasive alga Rugulopteryx okamurae, prospects for its bio-recycling, management and circular economy.

In recent decades, the invasive seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae has had a huge environmental impact on marine biodiversity, fisheries, GHG emissions and public health along much of the Iberian Peninsula and islands coastline. Due to the enormous amount of algae biomass that is expelled to the beaches where it slowly rots, some circular economy business initiatives, such as composting, are emerging. In the present study, we compared the quality of compost obtained from earthworms (Dendrobaena veneta), cockroaches (Eublaberus sp.), mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) and black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens). Batches fed with 100% organic kitchen waste (control group) were compared with batches fed with 50% algae and 50% kitchen waste (treatment group). Our results show that the most sensitive species (D. veneta and T. molitor) to R. okamurae toxins compost adequately. The C/N ratio, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, total organic matter (TOM), C, K, K2O, Mg, MgO, N, P, P2O5, B, Cu, Ni and Zn of the compost obtained were determined. A high quality compost was obtained in which only the EC values are slightly elevated. Particularly good was the compost obtained with H. illucens and Eublaberus sp. This quality is in agreement with previous research on the mass balance of composting. Therefore, both species offer, in the field of circular economy, encouraging prospects for the development of composting enterprises.