Irrigation Ditches Research Articles

Effect of Vermicompost Amendment on the Accumulation and Chemical Forms of Trace Metals in Leafy Vegetables Grown in Contaminated Soils.

(1) Background: Trace metal (TM) contamination of farmland soil in Taiwan occurs because factories dump wastewater into irrigation ditches. Since vermicompost affects the bioavailability of TMs, the objective of this study was to evaluate its effects on the accumulation of growth of TMs in leafy vegetables. (2) Methods: Two TM-contaminated soils and different types of pak choi and lettuce were used and amended with vermicompost. Besides soil properties, the study assessed vermicompost’s influence on the growth, accumulation, and chemical forms of TMs and on the health risks posed by oral intake. (3) Results: Vermicompost could increase the content of soil organic matter, available phosphorus, exchangeable magnesium, and exchangeable potassium, thus promoting the growth of leafy vegetables. The accumulation of four TMs in crops under vermicompost was reduced compared to the control, especially for the concentration of cadmium, which decreased by 60–75%. The vermicompost’s influence on changing the chemical form of TMs depended on the TM concentrations, type of TM, and crop species; moreover, blanching effectively reduced the concentrations of TMs in high-mobility chemical forms. Although vermicompost mostly reduced the amount of cadmium consumed via oral intake, cadmium still posed the highest health risk compared to the other three TMs.

Mercury vertical and horizontal concentrations in agricultural soils of a historically contaminated site: Role of soil properties, chemical loading, and cultivated plant species in driving its mobility

The long term vertical and horizontal mobility of mercury (Hg) in soils of agricultural areas of a historically contaminated Italian National Relevance Site (SIN Brescia-Caffaro) was investigated. The contamination resulted from the continuous discharge of Hg in irrigation waters by an industrial plant (Caffaro S.p.A), equipped with a mercury-cell chlor-alkali process. The contamination levels with depth ranged from about 20 mg/kg dry weight (d.w.) of soil in the top (plow) layer to less than 0.1 mg/kg d.w. at 1 m depth. The concentrations varied also spatially, up to one order of magnitude within the same field and showing a decreasing trend from the Hg source (i.e., irrigation ditches). The concentration profiles and gradients measured were explained considering Hg loading, soil properties, such as the texture, organic carbon content, pH and cation exchange capacity. A Selective Sequential Extraction (SSE) was also applied on soil samples from an ad hoc greenhouse experiment to investigate the role of different plant species in influencing Hg speciation in soils. Although most of the extracted Hg was included in scarcely mobile or immobile forms, some plant species (i.e., alfalfa) showed to importantly increase the soluble and exchangeable fractions with respect to the unplanted control soils, thus affecting mobility and potential bioavailability of Hg.

Disinfection of Irrigation Water Using Titanium Electrodes

This work reports on the electrochemical disinfection of natural irrigation water collected from the Waiahole Ditch Irrigation System in Hawaii using a batch cell assembled with titanium electrodes as both anode and cathode. Disinfection experiments were performed by applying a polarity-reversing direct current between the two titanium electrodes. The naturally occurring concentration of chloride in the water was 1.84 mg l−1 and no other chemicals were added. The applied current density was varied between 0 mA cm−2 and 2 mA cm−2, and the half-period (T/2) of the polarity-reversing direct current was varied between 5 s and 60 s. The best disinfection performance was achieved at 2 mA cm−2 and T/2 = 10 s, requiring only 5 min of treatment for the complete disinfection of E. coli (4-log reduction). E. coli was inactivated by free chlorine species electrogenerated at the titanium electrodes. Hydrogen peroxide, short-lived oxidants, and direct electron transfer most likely had minor contributions to the disinfection process. During the disinfection experiments, the concentrations of disinfection byproducts (ClO3 −, CHCl3, CHBrCl2, CHBr2Cl, and CHBr3) were significantly lower than recommendations for drinking water. The titanium electrodes consumed less electrical energy than platinum-coated titanium electrodes because they needed a lower current density to achieve similar disinfection efficiency.

About how was gestated the sewerage in Santiago de Chile

It is possible to estimate as the skeleton for the body of one future sewerage in Santiago (Chile) the web of irrigation ditches designed for the "alarife" (a primitive architect) Gamboa in 1541. Along the three centuries of the colonial period, the ditches not only distributed water for the familial cultures, but also got away from the houses all kind of residues, not only organic, being a fountain of conflicts and fights between the neighbors, that multiple laws and warnings could not ever resolve. The water for drink was taken from the dirty Mapocho River, full of enteric bacteria, with the consequences of Salmonella and Shigella infections, being better but more expensive the water from the ravines near the city, transported on mules or horses. With the arrival of the Republic in 1810, the idea of a sewerage for Santiago similar to the Europeans was growing, and after one discussion and another, and after one project and another, its building started on 1905.

Hepatotoxicity in Cattle Associated with Salvia reflexa Diterpenes, including 7-Hydroxyrhyacophiline, a New Seco-Clerodane Diterpene.

A case of baled alfalfa hay contaminated with multiple weeds induced hepatotoxicity and death in cattle. The hepatotoxic compounds were isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation using a mouse model and identified as salviarin, salvianduline D, rhyacophiline, and 7-hydroxyrhyacophiline. The structure of 7-hydroxyrhyacophiline has not been previously reported. All compounds were found to induce severe acute hepatic necrosis within 24-48 h after a single oral dosage (260-280 mg/kg). The identified diterpenes are known to be found among different Salvia species which led to finding dried plant parts of Salvia reflexa within bales of weedy hay and subsequently a population of S. reflexa was found along the field edges and irrigation ditch banks of the alfalfa hay field. It was thus determined that S. reflexa was responsible for the hepatotoxicity observed in cattle fed the contaminated hay.

Simulation of irrigation-induced groundwater recharge in an arid area of China

Accurate estimation of irrigation return flow plays an important role in the effective management of groundwater, especially in arid and semiarid irrigation regions. However, there is a lack of sufficient research to clarify hydrological process dynamics associated with irrigation return flow. In this study, first, a two-dimensional/three-dimensional model, HYDRUS-2D/3D, was adopted to analyze two different irrigation types in the Delingha Depression, which is located at the northeastern margin of the Qaidam Basin, China. Then, a 3D saturated flow model was established. This study determined the effect of agricultural water application on the dynamics of irrigation return flow. A large difference in the irrigation return-flow coefficient (IRFC) was seen during the growing season; an IRFC of 0.3 was obtained using flood irrigation, whereas ditch irrigation resulted in an IRFC of only 0.1. The lag time of recharge was approximately 150 days. It was necessary to consider the lag time for the 3D numerical model to obtain satisfactory results. Flood irrigation led to a groundwater recharge rate of 90 mm/year. These results indicate that the lag time should be considered when groundwater recharge is estimated or modeled.

“Innumeras praetera sumptuosissimas domos”: le residenze di casa Borromeo. Vivere nel Ducato di Milano tra XV e XVI secolo

«Innumeras praetera sumptuosissimas domos»: Urban and Suburban Residences of Borromeo’s Family Members in the Ducato of Milan (XV- XVI century) From the beginning of the 15th century, the Borromeo’s family members (bankers and merchants coming from Tuscany and established in Milan), began to restore and build many residences for family use. Scattered throughout the Ducato of Milan, mansions were located inside feuds or countryside properties, devoted to crop production. Fortresses in Arona, Angera, Camairago and Bissone could guarantee the control of their domains; the abodes in Lainate, Robecco, Origgio ensured a relaxing stay, a pleasant hospitality and hunting grounds as well as the leisure activities of otio. In the city, the three districts of Porta Vercellina, Porta Tosa and Porta Romana/Ticinese were representative of the high social status achieved by the family. In the suburbs, there were the profitable lands of Peschiera and Longhignana with their castle-shaped farmsteads surrounded by irrigation ditches and gardens to witness the economic success and entrepreneurial skills. The urban and suburban houses were constantly enlarged and reorganized in terms of planimetry as well as interior layouts. The exterior walls of each buildings were also decorated with rich paintings full of different colours, based on geometric shapes and family crests, of which, however, only a small residual trace remains today. Living these mansions over seasons, the Borromeo family spent its time moving from place to place for safety needs, economic reasons and social visibility. This way of life, which we could actually consider as “Late Gothic”, was probably not only a typical feature of the family of the Counts of Arona, but perhaps it was shared with other peers having similar roles in the ducal society of Milan between the 15th and 16th centuries. However, it was so a distinctive feature that it became the most consolidated memory of the family’s way of life in the following centuries.

NESTING BEHAVIOUR AND CURRENT THREATS TO THE INDIAN SARUS CRANE AROUND ALWARA LAKE OF DISTRICT KAUSHAMBI (U.P.), INDIA

The Indian Sarus crane (Grus antigone antigone) is a monogamous, graceful water bird, well known as an eternal symbol of unconditional love, devotion and good fortune with a high degree of marital fidelity. Its occurrence represents a healthy wetland ecosystem. A systematic study was conducted from June 2019 to May 2020 in the villages adjoining the Alwara Lake of district Kaushambi (Uttar Pradesh), India to explore the nesting behavior and current threats to the Sarus crane. During the study, a total number of 43 nests were encountered in the study area. The nests were seen on large wetlands, uplands, paddy fields, scattered irrigation ditches, adjoining areas of Lake etc. around the human settlements. These birds preferred to use local flora in constructing the nests, many of them with medicinal values. The main threats include the egg destruction by predator animals and indirect anthropogenic activities; however farmers tolerate the cranes nesting in their productive sites, despite the considerable crop damage.

CULICINE MOSQUITOES (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE) COMMUNITIES AND THEIR RELATION TO PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THREE BREEDING SITES IN EGYPT

Mosquitoes have diverse species and global distribution. Most freshwater bodies support different mosquito species breeding. The physicochemical characteristics of mosquito breeding sites may influence culicine species distribution and their abundance. This study aimed to determine culicine species communities and their abundance in two rural sites and one urban breeding site in Egypt considering physicochemical characteristics of breeding places. These areas were Al-Beshlawy drainage canal (Giza), El-Khartoum irrigation ditch (Beheira), and Tanta man-made ground hole (Gharbia), respectively. The measured physicochemical parameters were temperature, pH, salinity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and nitrite. Diversity indices (recorded number of species, diversity, equitability, and concentration of dominance) of mosquitoes were also calculated. The results showed that six culicine species were identified in the tested three breeding sites. These were Culex pipiens, Cx. univittatus, Cx. antennatus, Cx. quinqueifasciatus, Cx. perexiguus, and Culiseta longiareolata. All species are native to the Egyptian fauna. In all tested urban and rural breeding sites, Cx. pipiens was considered eudominant. Bray-Curtis dissimilarity in the culicine community between the tested sites ranged between 0.03 and 0.12. This dissimilarity may be attributed to the absence of certain species in some sites, as well as the significant difference in the abundance of Cx. pipiens and Cs. longiareolata among the sites. Water salinity and dissolved nitrite content differed significantly among the breeding sites. The multiple regression analysis between the identified culicine species and the physicochemical parameters showed that salinity, nitrite content, turbidity, and pH are considered key factors to predict some culicine species in water bodies.

CULICINE MOSQUITOES (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE) COMMUNITIES AND THEIR RELATION TO PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THREE BREEDING SITES IN EGYPT

Mosquitoes have diverse species and global distribution. Most freshwater bodies support different mosquito species breeding. The physicochemical characteristics of mosquito breeding sites may influence culicine species distribution and their abundance. This study aimed to determine culicine species communities and their abundance in two rural sites and one urban breeding site in Egypt considering physicochemical characteristics of breeding places. These areas were Al-Beshlawy drainage canal (Giza), El-Khartoum irrigation ditch (Beheira), and Tanta man-made ground hole (Gharbia), respectively. The measured physicochemical parameters were temperature, pH, salinity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and nitrite. Diversity indices (recorded number of species, diversity, equitability, and concentration of dominance) of mosquitoes were also calculated. The results showed that six culicine species were identified in the tested three breeding sites. These were Culex pipiens, Cx. univittatus, Cx. antennatus, Cx. quinqueifasciatus, Cx. perexiguus, and Culiseta longiareolata. All species are native to the Egyptian fauna. In all tested urban and rural breeding sites, Cx. pipiens was considered eudominant. Bray-Curtis dissimilarity in the culicine community between the tested sites ranged between 0.03 and 0.12. This dissimilarity may be attributed to the absence of certain species in some sites, as well as the significant difference in the abundance of Cx. pipiens and Cs. longiareolata among the sites. Water salinity and dissolved nitrite content differed significantly among the breeding sites. The multiple regression analysis between the identified culicine species and the physicochemical parameters showed that salinity, nitrite content, turbidity, and pH are considered key factors to predict some culicine species in water bodies.

BAKTI SOSIAL PEMBERSIHAN LINGKUNGAN MASJID JAMI’ AT-TAQWA ONEKORE DALAM RANGKA PANCA WINDU UNIVERSITAS FLORES KE-40 TAHUN 2020

The implementation of this community service activity is motivated by a global issue that is currently developing, namely the spread of the COVID 19 virus. The spread of the virus, which also occurs in Ende district, has awakened various parties to implement a clean lifestyle, make efforts to prevent and break the chain of spread of the COVID 19 virus. One of these efforts is realized through this community service activity, namely by cleaning, socializing and spraying disinfectants in public areas. One of the areas that became the target of this dedication was the Jami At'Taqwa Onekore Ende Mosque. To achieve the goal of this Community Service activity is carried out through several approaches, including; 1) Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) Model which emphasizes community involvement in all activities starting from planning, implementing and evaluating activity programs, 2) Participatory Technological Development Model which utilizes appropriate technology based on local knowledge and wisdom, 3) Model Community development is an approach that involves the community directly as the subject and object of implementation of community service activities, 4) Persuasive, namely an approach that is appeal and support without coercion for the community to take an active role in this activity, 5) Educative, namely the socialization, training and mentoring as a means of transferring knowledge and education. The results of the Social Service Activities for cleaning the environment of the Jami 'At-Taqwa Onekore Mosque can run well in accordance with the activity plan, namely cleaning the mosque environment, cleaning irrigation ditches, transporting garbage and spraying disinfectants. This is shown from the following conclusions; 1) All residents become enthusiastic training participants and have a good commitment to all the programs discussed before the activity for the sake of creating a sense of security and peace in worship in the midst of the Covid 19 pandemic, 2) There has been an increased understanding of the knowledge of the Covid 19 outbreak and how to maintain security self in minimizing outbreaks. Namely by means of 3M (Keeping Distance, Washing Hands and Wearing Masks), 3) A place of worship that is clean, safe and comfortable and has a safe distance limit mark in worship.

The relative economic merits of alternative water right systems

How natural resources are measured and bounded within a property right system can influence their development and productivity. This is especially true for surface water given its fluid, fungible, and stochastic nature. Two quantifications have emerged: The prior appropriation doctrine provides absolute quantities to water allocated based on first use while proportional water rights distribute a set percentage of total water to owners. While theoretical differences have been identified, empirical tests are scarce due to the endogenous choice of water rights. I identify and utilize a natural experiment where acequias (Hispanic-rooted irrigation ditches) developed in Territorial New Mexico are later divided by the formation of Colorado, exogenously compelling that subset to be subject to the priority system while those in New Mexico continue to practice proportional division. Drawing on a broad compilation of archival, administrative, satellite, hydrological, and survey data, I find priority rights curtail investment for later irrigators, but that the marginal product of water is generally lower under that right system. This research advances our understanding of how distinct property right systems affect resource development and use. The results can guide stakeholders devising or reforming rights to a resource, particularly ones with stochastic flows.

An Intelligent Water-Saving Irrigation System

With the rapid growth of the world’s population, the shortage of freshwater resources becomes increasingly serious. Farmland irrigation would not survive without fresh water which comes from river nearby. The low irrigation efficiency of the existing irrigation system needs to be tackled for efficient and effective usage of freshwater with low-cost. It is recognised that the water-saving irrigation technologies, such as the drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, micro-irrigation, furrow irrigation in horizontal direction, plastic film mulching, ditch irrigation technology, etc. should be strongly promoted in order to develop water-saving agriculture. However all these measures require cutting-edge technologies and heavy investment, which poses a big problem particularly for the developing countries. On the other hand, if water and nutrients can be applied directly to the crop at root level, the positive effects on yield and water savings can be achieved, thereby increasing the irrigation performance. The water-yield relationship has been investigated using different methods of limited water applications and programs. Therefore, designing and fabricating technological irrigation system of low cost with maximising yield that can reasonably use water for agriculture is an urgent issue to today’s world. The intelligent irrigation system provides a potential solution to solve the water shortage problems. In this study, an intelligent water-saving irrigation system is designed using Solidworks and some parts of the system are fabricated using a home-made fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D Printer. The intelligent irrigation for different plants is successfully achieved and the irrigation efficiency is significantly improved. The employment of the home-made 3D printer not only substantially reduces the manufacture costs, but also makes it possible to fabricate any “ad hoc” irrigation system.

Hematite beads from the Frost Clovis site, Logan County, Colorado

In the early 1890s, Logan County, Colorado farmer John Frost was digging a lateral line from an irrigation ditch to his field when he encountered probable human bones. Associated with these skeletal remains were three large Clovis chipped stone preforms or projectile points, and at minimum five hematite beads. We report on the portion of the private collection that was available for study over a century later in 1999, including four hematite beads and one large projectile point preform. The history and significance of the discovery are outlined, and comparisons are made with other Paleoindian localities containing beads or hematite.

Potential of restored gravel pits to provide suitable habitats for Eurasian otters in anthropogenic landscapes

In anthropogenic landscapes, which are usually characterized by the existence of highly heterogeneous patchworks of habitats with different conservation status, restored gravel pits have the potential to play a conservation role for semiaquatic species such as Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra). Here, we report an otter habitat suitability analysis on a complex fluvial system in an anthropogenic landscape to understand the role of different artificial water bodies (i.e. irrigation channels and ditches) and natural water bodies (i.e. rivers) related to a restored gravel pit lagoon system as providers of suitable habitats for otters. We implemented seven sampling campaigns during 2016 and 2017 consisting of 19 transects across all existing types of water bodies. We integrated 34 environmental variables with otter habitat use, measured by three spraint marking intensity indicators. We found that otter use of water bodies was not related to the natural or artificial origin of the water. Three key factors influenced habitat suitability: riparian vegetation tree cover, forestland use (either natural or planted) within 100 m from the banks, and the level of human disturbance. Our results suggest that otters' tolerance of human activities might be lower in key areas of their territory compared to areas they pass through or explore. We argue that restored gravel pit lagoon systems can potentially play a role in providing suitable habitats for otters in anthropogenic landscapes.

Prehistoric Irrigation in Central Utah: Chronology, Agricultural Economics, and Implications

In 1928, Noel Morss was shown “irrigation ditches” along Pleasant Creek on the Dixie National Forest near Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, by a local guide who contended they were ancient. We relocated the site and mapped the route of an unusual mountain irrigation canal. We conducted excavations and employed OSL and AMS14C showing historic irrigation, and an earlier event between AD 1460 and 1636. Geomorphic evidence indicates that the canal existed prior to this time, but we cannot date its original construction. The canal is 7.2 km long, originating at 2,450 m asl and terminating at 2,170 m asl. Less than half of the system was hand constructed. We cannot ascribe the prehistoric use-event to an archaeological culture, language, or ethnic group, but the 100+ sites nearby are largely Fremont in cultural affiliation. We also report the results of experimental modeling of the capital and maintenance costs of the system, which holds implications for irrigation north of the Colorado River and farming during the Little Ice Age. The age of the prehistoric canal is consistent with a fragmentary abandonment of farming and continuity between ancient and modern tribes in Utah.

Modern Farming Practices in Paddy Fields Negatively Affect an Endemic Frog, Glandirana susurra, in Japan

Paddy fields play an important role as alternative habitats for various wetland-dependent species. Agricultural intensification in paddy fields, however, presents serious threats to these species. Here, we examined the environmental factors, including those related to modern farming practices, affecting the distribution of the Sado wrinkled frog (Glandirana susurra) in paddy fields on Sado Island, Japan. We recorded the abundance of frogs at 42 sites in early and late June 2014 and investigated the species’ responses to several local and landscape-scale variables. We found that frog abundances decreased sharply following the drainage of paddy fields in mid-June and were negatively associated with deep concrete irrigation ditches that surrounded the paddies. The addition of conservation ditches built into rice paddy fields, however, was shown to mitigate against the effects of the drainage. Our results suggest that conservation ditches serve as refuges for G. susurra. We propose that decreasing the depth of irrigation ditches or providing structures for frogs to use and traverse the ditches could be useful approaches that help conserve G. susurra. We also suggest the increased use of conservation ditches and implementation of aquatic biotopes in the surrounding landscape might serve to aid this species’ long-term conservation.

River‐Ditch Flow Statistical Relationships in a Traditionally Irrigated Valley Near Taos, New Mexico

AbstractCurrent and predicted drought and population growth challenge the longevity of irrigation systems of northern New Mexico. Irrigation ditches, also known as acequias, draw runoff directly from rivers without use of storage reservoirs, so it is important to understand the effects of changing river flow on irrigation flow. This study sought to examine river‐ditch relationships in an agricultural valley of the region. A first order linear model was used to fit the river‐ditch flow relationship on which daily river flow was the explanatory variable and daily ditch flow the response variable. A strong positive relationship between river and ditch flow was observed for all but one of the ditches. Using a statistical model approach that addressed serial autocorrelation, heteroscedasticity, as well as outlier observations, statistical evidence at 5% significance level was found in all ditches but one. The ditch without a positive relationship was at a downstream location, subject to upstream flow diversion that may have influenced river‐ditch flow relationships. Results from this study can be used to evaluate the potential effects of changing socioeconomic dynamics and climate change projections in the operations of these irrigation systems to better understand and manage their water resources.

The FEM model of groundwater circulation in the vicinity of the Świniarsko intake, near Nowy Sącz (Poland)

Abstract Modern hydrogeological research uses numerical modelling, which is most often based on the finite difference method (FDM) or finite element method (FEM). The present paper discusses an example of application of the less frequently used FEM for simulating groundwater circulation in the vicinity of the intake at Świniarsko near Nowy Sącz. The research area is bordered by rivers and watersheds, and within it, two well-connected aquifers occur (Quaternary gravelly-sandy sediments and Paleogene cracked flysch rocks). The area was discretized using a Triangle generator, taking into account assumptions about the nature and density of the mesh. Rivers, wells, an irrigation ditch and infiltration of precipitation were projected onto boundary conditions. Conditions of groundwater circulation in the aquifer have been assessed based on a calibrated model, using water balance and a groundwater level contour map with flow path lines. Application of the program based on FEM, using smooth local densification of the discretization mesh, has allowed for precise mapping of the location of objects that significantly shape water circulation.

Fluid kinship: Race, power, and the hydrosocial order of water flow along New Mexico’s acequias

In New Mexico, the marketization of water rights, urbanization, and the legacies of colonialism divide neighbors and pit them against one another over water. New Mexico’s acequias (community irrigation ditches) are organized by water flow, and the physical and interpersonal connections that enable it and are enabled by it. I examine the way that the social and material reality of water flow troubles deeply embedded racial and socioeconomic divisions by creating what I call fluid kinship: a social space that flows like an acequia, according to a topography of human relationships. Based on participant observation and in-depth interviews with acequia users in New Mexico, I elucidate how fluid kinship can reshape the terms of water conflict into unexpected configurations. By drawing attention to fluid kinship, I seek to elucidate the potentiality of the acequia as a counter-geography of relatedness and possible reconciliation.