Environment In Zones Research Articles

The evaluation of adaptation of Eragrostis minor Host. (Poaceae) coenopopulations to the conditions of transformed environment.

Structural and functional features of E. minor, using morphometric traits and phytomass fractions of model coenopopulations are studied to determine adaptive capacity of species in different environments transformed the environment of forest, forest-steppe and steppe zones. Depending on edaphic conditions plants and organs of plants may increase several times in size and weight. The index of morphological integration of model coenopopulations indicates the uniformity of vegetative and generative organs of plants at different environmental conditions. In various conditions significant value to coenopopulations differentiation contribute signs of individual length as well as length and number of generative organs. Formation of the maximum number of spikelets (feature with the highest contribute to dispersion of data) corresponds to extreme edaphic conditions of growth combined with a high degree of recreation. However, decreasing environmental transformation is accompanied by double fulfillment of breeding potential of E. minor coenopopulations, while setting density of individuals reduce in almost 5-15 times. Thus, E. minor has mixed competitive Stress-tolerant Ruderal type as adaptation to condition of secondary areal.

Comparison of Clustering Algorithms to Design New Clustering Approach

Abstract Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is a multi-hop sensor network system in which sensor nodes are deployed in monitoring area to sense some environmental parameters. WSN is used to bridge the gap between physical world of humans and virtual world of electronics. WSNs have number of applications in daily life such as remote monitoring of environment, habitat, agriculture, health care, automobiles, and disaster prone zones. WSNs have characteristics such as limited resources, multi-hop routing and dynamic network topology. Clustering is introduced in WSN because it has proven to be an effective approach to provide better data aggregation and scalability for large WSNs. Clustering also conserves the limited energy resources of the sensors. This paper does comparative study of existing clustering algorithms in WSNs based on centralized, distributed or hybrid method and highlights the challenges in clustering. In addition we proposed a new clustering system which uses at most two-hop for intra-cluster communication. Reduction in number of clusters and CHs prolongs network lifetime.

Reacting flow in an industrial gas turbine combustor: LES and experimental analysis

In this investigation the physics of the reacting swirling flow of a commercial industrial gas turbine burner (SGT-100) was researched using combustion Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and experiments. In the experimental studies the flow field, temperature and major species concentrations were measured using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), OH Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence (OH-PLIF), one-dimensional laser Raman scattering and OH chemiluminescence imaging. For the finite-rate chemistry LES, two global and two skeletal reaction mechanisms were utilized to evaluate the accuracy and tradeoffs of global and skeletal reaction mechanisms. This type of assessments has previously been carried out for simple flames but not for industrial flames at laboratory conditions with detailed measurement data. The LES predictions generally show very good agreement with the experimental data for the flow field, temperature and major species. Different reaction mechanisms do not affect the flow field as much as the temperature and species profiles, which show clear imprints of the selected reaction mechanism. The results further indicate that the industrial flame is best captured with the skeletal reaction mechanisms, whilst the global mechanisms predict too compact flames. The results from the skeletal reaction mechanisms are then used in conjunction with the experimental data to assess the flame characteristics which best can be described as interacting flamelets embedded in an environment of distributed reaction zones.

Early Holocene environment at a key location of the northwest boundary of the Asian summer monsoon: a synthesis on chronologies of Zhuye Lake, Northwest China

The intensified monsoon increases summer rainfall and creates wet conditions in the Asian summer monsoon region during the early Holocene. Along with millennial-scale changes of the monsoon intensity, it is still unclear whether the boundary of the monsoon region changes according to monsoon variability. Investigations into the early Holocene environment in monsoon marginal zones are crucial for understanding the monsoon boundary changes. Zhuye Lake is located at the northwest edge of the Asian summer monsoon, the northern Qilian Mountains, which are less affected by modern summer monsoon water vapor. Previous studies have reached different conclusions regarding the early Holocene climatic and environmental changes based on different dating methods (14C and OSL (optically stimulated luminescence)) and materials (shells, carbonate, pollen concentrates and bulk organic carbon). In this study, we synthesized 102 14C dates and 35 OSL dates from ten Holocene sedimentary sections and ten paleo-shorelines in the lake basin. A comparison between ages from different dating methods and materials generally shows that carbon reservoir effects are relatively slight in Zhuye Lake while the disordered chronologies are mainly related to the erosion processes and reworking effects. In addition, proxy data, including lithology, pollen, total organic carbon and carbonate, were collected from different sites of Zhuye Lake. According to the new synthesis, the early Holocene environment was relatively humid, associated with high runoff and lake water levels. The result indicates that the monsoon boundary moves to the north during the period of the intensified monsoon. A typical arid-area lake was formed during the mid-Holocene when carbonate accumulation and high organic matter contents were the main features of this period. The lake retreated strongly during the late Holocene, showing a drought trend. Overall, the lake evolution is generally consistent with the Holocene Asian summer monsoon change, showing the monsoon influence to monsoon marginal zones.

The ultraviolet radiation environment in the habitable zones around low-mass exoplanet host stars

The EUV (200–911 A), FUV (912–1750 A), and NUV (1750–3200 A) spectral energy distribution of exoplanet host stars has a profound influence on the atmospheres of Earth-like planets in the habitable zone. The stellar EUV radiation drives atmospheric heating, while the FUV (in particular, Lyα) and NUV radiation fields regulate the atmospheric chemistry: the dissociation of H2O and CO2, the production of O2 and O3, and may determine the ultimate habitability of these worlds. Despite the importance of this information for atmospheric modeling of exoplanetary systems, the EUV/FUV/NUV radiation fields of cool (K and M dwarf) exoplanet host stars are almost completely unconstrained by observation or theory. We present observational results from a Hubble Space Telescope survey of M dwarf exoplanet host stars, highlighting the importance of realistic UV radiation fields for the formation of potential biomarker molecules, O2 and O3. We conclude by describing preliminary results on the characterization of the UV time variability of these sources.

C3 photosynthesis in the desert plant Rhazya stricta is fully functional at high temperatures and light intensities

The C3 plant Rhazya stricta is native to arid desert environment zones, where it experiences daily extremes of heat, light intensity (PAR) and high vapour pressure deficit (VPD). We measured the photosynthetic parameters in R.stricta in its native environment to assess the mechanisms that permit it to survive in these extreme conditions. Infrared gas exchange analysis examined diel changes in assimilation (A), stomatal conductance (gs ) and transpiration (E) on mature leaves of R.stricta. A/ci analysis was used to determine the effect of temperature on carboxylation capacity (Vc,max ) and the light- and CO2 -saturated rate of photosynthesis (Amax ). Combined chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange light response curve analysis at ambient and low oxygen showed that both carboxylation and oxygenation of Rubisco acted as the major sinks for the end products of electron transport. Physiological analysis in conjunction with gene expression analysis suggested that there are two isoforms of Rubisco activase which may provide an explanation for the ability of R.stricta to maintain Rubisco function at high temperatures. The potential to exploit this ability to cope with extreme temperatures is discussed in the context of future crop improvement.

Intelligent Control System for Intertidal Benthos Research Based on Internet of Things

A simulation system for intertidal zone environment that can be remotely monitored is proposed. The system is divided into the two parts of remote control center and environment simulator, which are interconnected through wireless network technology. The remote control center performs remote monitoring through upper machine software, while the environment simulator can simulate natural environments such as ocean tides, water temperature and light illumination in different types of intertidal zones. Users can change and access the environmental parameters and data of the environment simulator by making instructions at the remote control center. A stable system is realized in accordance with the design requirements, and actual tests show that main features of the simulated natural environment in intertidal zones are very close to actual environment.

Infrasonic and low frequency environment in the shadow zones of noise barriers

Infrasonic and low frequency environment in the shadow zones of noise barriers

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Mapping Potential Urban Development Zones in Sinai Peninsula, Egypt Using Remote Sensing and GIS

One of the main concerns of physical planning is the proper designation of suitable sites for feasible and sustainable land use. A main importance of such issue is that it withdraws attention to the necessity of adopting a multidisciplinary approach to the zoning and site selection problem. Egypt has a top priority objective to develop Sinai Peninsula and to create new sustainable and attracting communities that should ensure a stable, economic and sustainable environment in vast desert zones. Due to the difficulty in solving a zoning problem in a desert, the use of remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) was to explore the desert potentials in the region. Five sub-models were created for five themes using Spatial Multicriteria Analysis (SMCA) and used as inputs to the final suitability model. These themes are: land resources, land stability, accessibility, cost of construction and land protection. A GIS-based model was designed following a sustainable development approach. Economic, social and environmental factors were introduced in the model to identify and map land suitable zones for urban development using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The suitability index map for urban development was produced by weighted overlay of the five sub-models themes. The most suitable zones for urban development in Sinai Peninsula amounted to 5327 square kilometers representing 17% of total area, whereas high suitable zones reached 40% indicating a high suitability of Sinai Peninsula lands for residing new urban communities.

Assessing the economic wind power potential in Austria

In the European Union, electricity production from wind energy is projected to increase by approximately 16% until 2020. The Austrian energy plan aims at increasing the currently installed wind power capacity from approximately 1GW to 3GW until 2020 including an additional capacity of 700MW until 2015. The aim of this analysis is to assess economically viable wind turbine sites under current feed-in tariffs considering constraints imposed by infrastructure, the natural environment and ecological preservation zones in Austria. We analyze whether the policy target of installing an additional wind power capacity of 700MW until 2015 is attainable under current legislation and developed a GIS based decision system for wind turbine site selection.Results show that the current feed-in tariff of 9.7 ct kWh−1 may trigger an additional installation of 3544MW. The current feed-in tariff can therefore be considered too high as wind power deployment would exceed the target by far. Our results indicate that the targets may be attained more cost-effectively by applying a lower feed-in tariff of 9.1 ct kWh−1. Thus, windfall profits at favorable sites and deadweight losses of policy intervention can be minimized while still guaranteeing the deployment of additional wind power capacities.

A beam radiation monitor based on CVD diamonds for SuperB

Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) diamond particle detectors are in use in the CERN experiments at LHC and at particle accelerator laboratories in Europe, USA and Japan mainly as beam monitors. Nowadays it is considered a proven technology with a very fast signal read-out and a very high radiation tolerance suitable for measurements in high radiation environment zones i.e. near the accelerators beam pipes. The specific properties of CVD diamonds make them a prime candidate for measuring single particles as well as high-intensity particle cascades, for timing measurements on the sub-nanosecond scale and for beam protection systems in hostile environments.A single-crystalline CVD (scCVD) diamond sensor, read out with a new generation of fast and high transition frequency SiGe bipolar transistor amplifiers, has been tested for an application as radiation monitor to safeguard the silicon vertex tracker in the SuperB detector from excessive radiation damage, cumulative dose and instantaneous dose rates. Test results with 5.5MeV alpha particles from a 241Am radioactive source and from electrons from a 90Sr radioactive source are presented in this paper.

Numerical Simulation of Vertical Ground Stress Distribution along Fault Trend Direction in a Metal Mine

The fault breaks continuous ground stress distribution. The rock mass in fault zone is weak and broken, it becomes stress decreasing zone. The paper, which is combined with engineering practice and rock mechanics test, numerically simulates geological environment of fault zones and analyzes faults trend direction influence on ground stress distribution in the metal mine. The results demonstrates that deep faults breaks down the continuity of ground stress distribution, principle stresses in lower wall of faults are smaller than it in hanging wall while high deep ground stresses are in cross district of hanging-wall of fault-zone and ore bed

Isotopic paleoecology of mammals and the Middle Miocene Cooling event in the Madrid Basin (Spain)

The Middle Miocene underwent profound climatic perturbations detected in worldwide marine and continental records. The Miocene Climatic Optimum (~17 to 14Ma), a warm and humid period, was followed by the Middle Miocene Cooling (~14–13.8Ma) characterized by a sharp drop in temperatures and an increase in aridity triggered by the reestablishment of the Eastern Antarctica ice sheet. The Madrid Basin, located in the central Iberian Peninsula, has furnished a considerable number of Miocene fossil sites with a very complete succession of localities from the Lower Middle Miocene to the Upper Middle Miocene (Middle and Upper Aragonian, MN5 and MN6, local zones Db to G). Mammalian fossil tooth enamel of different taxa including rhinoceros, equids, gomphothere, suids and ruminants from 16 fossil sites spanning from ~15.9Ma to ~13.2Ma were analyzed for δ13C, δ18OCO3 and δ18OPO4 values with the aim of determining regional paleoecological, paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic changes across this important climate transition. The δ13C values vary between −11.9‰ and −6.4‰ (VPDB), indicating a C3 environment ranging from woodlands to more open conditions. The rhinoceros Alicornops simorrense and Hoploaceratherium tetradactylum, the gomphothere Gomphotherium angustidens, the cervid Heteroprox moralesi and the paleomerycid Triceromeryx pachecoi may be regarded as browsers inhabiting more closed environments, whereas the equid Anchitherium, the rhinoceros Hispanotherium matritense and the bovid Tethytragus langai show a mixed feeding diet related to more open conditions. Furthermore, the variation in δ13C values across the fossil sites and local zones indicates drier conditions in local zones Db and Dc (~15.9–14.8Ma), a more humid period in local zone Dd (~14.8–14.1Ma), before a return to a drier environment in local zones E, F and G (~14.1–13.2Ma). The δ18OCO3 and δ18OPO4 values and calculated δ18Ow values all track a declining trend from local zones Db to Dd (~15.9–14.1Ma), with minimum values in local zone E (δ18OCO3=26.5±2.1‰, δ18OPO4=18.4±2.4‰, and δ18Ow=−5.3±2.9‰). The minimum in δ18O values in local zone E (~14.1–13.7Ma) appears to coincide with a drop in temperature at the time of the Middle Miocene Cooling (~14–13.8Ma). After this minimum, δ18OCO3, δ18OPO4 and δ18Ow values recover in local zones F and G (13.7–13.2Ma). The calculation of Δ13Cleaf values allowed us to determine plausible biomes that might have existed in the Madrid Basin during the Middle Miocene (i.e., a tropical rain forest, a tropical deciduous forest, a temperate evergreen forest and a xeric woodland–scrubland), although this method was not able to detect more savanna-like environments. Finally, δ13Cdiet, meq values were used to infer mean annual precipitation, with values ranging from ~250mm/yr (local zone Dc) to ~670mm/yr (local zone Dd) which are in accordance with the proposed biomes suggested by the Δ13Cleaf values and fossil mammal assemblages.

Assessment of soil pollution in Belgrade

The aim of our study was analyzing data on concentrations of hazardous and noxious substances in the soil in Belgrade, identifying the most common pollutants, as well as proposing measures for reducing pollution of the soil in Belgrade. 60 soil samples from 30 locations were sampled and tested. The samples were taken in locations in the zone of sanitary protection Belgrade waterworks, near the roads, land within the municipal environment and land in the industrial zones. Deviations are primarily related to the presence of increased concentrations of nickel in the soil, while increased values of other parameters were registered in individual samples at specific locations. In order to improve the current state of soil pollution in Belgrade and prevent further degradation, it is necessary to continue with the systematic monitoring of soil contamination, and implement measures to minimize pollution of land and measures aimed at rehabilitation of existing pollution.

국립공원 집단시설지구 자연경관관리를 위한 층고규제 합리화 방안

본 연구는 국립공원 내부 혹은 경계에 연접하고 있는 집단시설지구 내의 건축물 층고 규제 기준을 정량화 된 합리적 높이 기준으로 개선하는데 목표를 두고 진행되었다. 전국 국립공원의 집단시설지구 건축물의 높이를 시뮬레이션함으로써 주요 조망점으로부터 건축물 상단을 지나는 조망선이 배후산지의 몇 부 능선까지 도달하는지를 분석하는 과정을 거쳤다. 분석 결과로 내륙의 산악형 국립공원 내부 혹은 경계에 입지하는 시설지구와 배후 산지가 있는 해안형 국립공원내의 시설지구의 경우, 3부 능선 보전을 목표로 하게 될 때 최대 허용 건축물 높이를 8.82m로 산정하는 것이 합리적이라는 결론을 얻을 수 있었다. 층수로 환산하면 3~3.5층 정도라고 할 수 있다. 이는 건축물 최대 허용 높이를 규정하는 것으로 랏지, 코티지 등을 제외한 호텔 등의 숙박시설에 적용하는 것이 바람직할 것으로 사료된다. 다만 해안해상형 중에서 배후 산지가 존재하지 않는 경우는 별도의 기준을 적용할 필요가 있다. 모든 집단시설지구에 동등한 일률적 기준을 적용하게 되면 지역 특성을 고려한 경관관리가 어렵다는 점과 조망점의 위치, 조망점 선정방법의 차이, 조망각도 차이 등의 변수에 따라 기준 적용 편차가 있을 수 있음을 고려하여야 한다. 향후 높이규정과 함께 각 지구별 경관계획에 의해 해당 지구의 자연환경에 적합한 차별화된 경관관리 전략이 필요하다. The objective of this study is to develop quantitative criteria for setting reasonable standards and regulations for building heights in collective facility districts inside national parks or those connected to their borders. Heights of all building sin collective facility districts were simulated in order to determine heights of ridge lines of sight passing the upper parts of buildings from a main view point. Where a facility's zone is located at the inside or boundary of inland mountainous national parks, and there are coastal type national parks with mountains in the background, the study recommended assigning the maximum allowable height of a building as 8.82m if national park authorities intend to preserve the ridges at three-tenths the height of a mountain. It amounts to 3 or 3.5 stories when it is converted into the number of floors. It is desirable to apply this standard to accommodations like a hotel except lodge or cottage as the maximum allowable height of a building. Nevertheless, when there aren't back mountainous areas among coastal-type national parks, there is a need for applying a separate standard. If an equal and uniform standard is applied to all collective facility districts, it becomes difficult to address local differences when managing landscape. There must be flexibility when applying a standard, depending on variables such as location of view points, differences in the methods of selection of view points, and differences in view angles, etc. Thus, there is a need for different landscape management strategies that address the unique natural environment of different zones.

Odor Emission Rate Estimation of Indoor Industrial Sources Using a Modified Inverse Modeling Method

ABSTRACT Odor emission rates are commonly measured in the laboratory or occasionally estimated with inverse modeling techniques. A modified inverse modeling approach is used to estimate source emission rates inside of a postdigestion centrifuge building of a water reclamation plant. Conventionally, inverse modeling methods divide an indoor environment in zones on the basis of structural design and estimate source emission rates using models that assume homogeneous distribution of agent concentrations within a zone and experimentally determined link functions to simulate airflows among zones. The modified approach segregates zones as a function of agent distribution rather than building design and identifies near and far fields. Near-field agent concentrations do not satisfy the assumption of homogeneous odor concentrations; far-field concentrations satisfy this assumption and are the only ones used to estimate emission rates. The predictive ability of the modified inverse modeling approach was validated with measured emission rate values; the difference between corresponding estimated and measured odor emission rates is not statistically significant. Similarly, the difference between measured and estimated hydrogen sulfide emission rates is also not statistically significant. The modified inverse modeling approach is easy to perform because it uses odor and odorant field measurements instead of complex chamber emission rate measurements. IMPLICATIONS Emission rates of odor and odorant sources are used to assess and predict indoor environmental quality. The modified inverse modeling approach is an efficient, effective, and validated method for estimating emission rates using only odor and odorant concentrations measured indoors in the postdigestion centrifuge building of a water reclamation plant. The modified inverse modeling approach provides an easier method to predict odor and odorant emission rates in an indoor industrial environment than the conventional complex approach that simulates field conditions and then measures odor and odorant concentrations in the laboratory.

Nutrient uptake and water use efficiency as affected by modified rice cultivation methods with reduced irrigation

A field experiment was conducted in 2005 to investigate the effects of modified rice cultivation methods on: water use efficiency, the uptake of nutrients (N, P and K) by plants, and their distribution within plants and their internal use efficiency. The treatments were modified methods of irrigation, transplanting, weeding, and nutrient management, comparing the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) with standard rice-growing methods including traditional flooding (TF). Results showed that the uptake of N, P, and K by rice plants during their growth stages was greater with SRI management compared to TF, except during the tillering stage. At maturity stage, SRI plants had taken up more nutrients in their different major organs (leaves, stems, and sheaths; panicle axis; and seeds), and they translocated greater amount of nutrients to the grain. Under SRI, the ratio of N, P, and K in seed grain to total plant N, P, and K was 4.97, 2.00, and 3.01% higher, respectively, than with TF. Moreover, under SRI management, internal use efficiency of the three macronutrients (N, P, and K) was increased by 21.89, 19.34, and 16.96%, respectively, compared to rice plants under TF management. These measurements calibrate the crop’s physiological response to differences in cultural practices, including the maintenance of aerobic versus anaerobic environment in the root zones. With SRI, irrigation water applications were reduced by 25.6% compared to TF. Also, total water use efficiency and irrigation water use efficiency was increased with SRI by 54.2 and 90.0%, respectively. Thus, SRI offered significantly greater water saving while at the same time producing more grain yield, in these trials 11.5% more compared to TF.

The Remote Sensing Dynamic Monitoring of the Wetlands in Eastern Economic Zones of China

Based on large quantities of remote sensing data as well as topographic and survey data,this paper studied the evolution of the wetlands in eastern economic zones of China from 1975 to 2006.The results show that the wetlands are distributed unequally.The area of the wetlands has been decreased since 1975.The muddy tidal bank,the mangrove tidal bank and the swamp have been especially greatly decreased.The result of the analysis shows that the landscape fragmentation is remarkable,with the human activities being the primary cause.The environment of the eastern economic zones of China has been deteriorating since 1975.

THE EFFECTS OF ALLELIC VARIATION FOR GLUTENIN HMW-GS ON DOUGH QUALITY IN SOME BREAD WHEAT CULTIVARS

The end-use quality of bread wheat is sensitive to cultivar (genotype) and the dominated extreme environmental conditions during the grain filling, as they effect on syntheses and accumulation of storage proteins (gliadin and glutenin) in grain. A field trials were carried out for three bread wheat cultivars (bohoth6, cham4 and cham6) at the four different environment zones in Syria for two seasons 2007 and 2008 to study the effects of the allelic variation in each studied cultivar (genotype) and effect of the dominant environmental conditions at each zone on gluten content and dough quality. Glutenin protein were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis SDS-PAGE that demonstrated presence some allelic variations and the absence (deletion) of some alleles at loci on the chromosomes. Three different allelic were identified at (Glu-A1 and Glu-B1) loci. The gluten content was the best in bohoth6, because there were no any allelic deletion at loci in comparison cham4 and cham6. So, the gluten content reduced when air temperature was raised above 30 oC for long duration coincident with water deficit during the grains filling period. The gluten quality was analyzed by Farinograph test (development time, stability and mixing tolerance), this test confirmed that bohoth6 has the best allelic group for syntheses and accumulation of glutenin in grains. bohoth6 at zone2 and zone4 gave a dough strength ranging from the strongest in season 2007 to the medium grade in season 2008 as a result of effect the unusual extreme climatic conditions. The results indicated that bohoth6 was more tolerant to these extreme environmental conditions than cham4 and cham6.

Nitrogen Removal from Three-stage Oxidation-reduction System by Simulation of the Riparian Environment

Riparian zones (RZ) is area in which sediments typically exhibit strong redox transitions and play a key role in river metabolism. A three-stage oxidation-reduction cores device which perfuse with heterogeneous sediment (gravel and sand) was used in the present study to analyze nitrogen removal in the multiple oxidation-reduction environment of river. The monitoring of oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) on the device confirmed that the system was successfully reproduced three-stage oxidation-reduction gradient environment in riparian zones. The results indicated that ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, total nitrogen (TN) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) can be removed effectively, and the removal rates are 72.05%, 99.28%, 78.17% and 77.64% respectively. And optimum removal efficiency of nitrogen was founded in the first-stage downflow column. The ratio of C/N and ammonia nitrogen load of influent influence the nitrogen removal effect, and maximum removal rate of nitrogen was observed under the condition that C/N is 8 and ammonia nitrogen load is 2.63g d-1 m-3.