Natural Climatic Conditions Research Articles

Study of functioning of heat exchanger in soils with different thermal diffusivity

It was found with the help of mathematical model of the process of heat exchange between the air moving in vertical heat exchanger and the massif of soil, which connects energetic factors of the soil heat exchanger with its parameters as well as natural-climatic conditions that effective thermal energy during the term of heat exchanger functioning depends linearly on thermal diffusivity of soil both for separate heat exchanger and for two heat exchangers located at 4m between axes. Calculative experiment was conducted with application of the packet of calculative hydrodynamics ANSYS Fluent. Temperature field of the air being cooled and of the massif of soil has been detected for the soils with different thermal diffusivity. It has been found that temperature diffusivity of the soil is a determinative factor of energy potential of soil and has a dramatic effect on the effective thermal capacity especially for long-term functioning of soil heat exchanger. From the soil with temperature diffusivity 2,68 m 2 /s we can obtain approximately 3,6 times as more effective thermal energy while heat exchanger is functioning than from the soil with temperature diffusivity 0,83 m 2 /s.

Using river sediments to analyze the driving force difference for non-point source pollution dynamics between two scales of watersheds

The formation and transportation processes of non-point source (NPS) pollution varied among the studied watersheds in the Northeastern China, so we hypothesized that the driving force behind NPS pollution followed the spatial scale effect. With a watershed outlet sedimentary flux analysis and a distributed NPS pollution loading model, we investigated the temporal dynamics of NPS and the differences in driving forces. Sediment core samples were collected from two adjacent watersheds, the smaller Abujiao watershed and the larger Naoli watershed. The natural climatic conditions, long-term variations in the distribution of land use, soil properties and tillage practices were the same in the two watersheds. The vertical distributions of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, Zn and As at 1-cm intervals in the section showed clear differences between the watersheds. There were higher concentrations of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in the larger watershed, but the heavy metals were more concentrated in the smaller watershed. Lead-210 (210Pb) analyses and the constant rate of supply model provided a dated sedimentary flux, which was correlated with the corresponding yearly loading of NPS total nitrogen and total phosphorus in the two watersheds. The total phosphorus showed a stable relationship in both watersheds with an R2 value that ranged from 0.503 to 0.682. A rose figure comparison also demonstrated that the pollutant flux in the sediment was very different in the two watersheds, which had similar territorial conditions and different hydrological patterns. Redundancy analysis further indicated that expanding paddy areas had a large impact on the sedimentary flux of nitrogen and phosphorus in the smaller watershed, but precipitation had a direct impact on NPS loading in the larger watershed. We concluded that the spatial scale effect affected the NPS pollution via the transport processes in the waterway, which was mainly influenced by branch length and drainage density.

STATE AND PROSPECTS OF VEGETABLE GROWING DEVELOPMENT IN SIBERIAN FEDERAL DISTRICT

The paper considers the current state of the vegetable growing industry in Siberian Federal District over last quarter of a century. In the Siberian Federal District, 1.5 million tons of vegetables are produced annually, and according to rational food standards, 2.8-3 million tons are needed for the district population, i.e. 1.5 million tons should be brought in. Vegetable producing was rather stable in Siberian Federal District over 1990–2015. Novosibirsk, Omsk and Kemerovo regions and Altai and Krasnoyarsk territories are the main district suppliers of vegetable production for their own needs and other regions as well. Republics of Altai and Tuva do not produce vegetable cultures due to unfavorable nature-climatic conditions; they take the 11th and 12th places among Siberian regions. On the database of the Federal State Statistic Service over 25 years, there was analyzed use of land sown to vegetables, dynamics of vegetables croppage and productivity in the Russia Federation and Siberian Federal District. Vegetable crops productivity was influenced by advanced technologies of vegetable growing on covered soil such as hydroponics, drip irrigation and vertical vegetable growing. In modern greenhouse enterprises, productivity can reach up to 180 kg/m2. A series of factors limiting vegetable growing development is pointed out. Indicators of the industry development up to 2025 are calculated and measures for their achievement are suggested.

Анализ распространения фасциолеза крупного рогатого скота в Тюменской области

<p>Fasciolosis of cattle leads to significant economic losses in agriculture. This paper reports results of studying of the prevalence of cattle fascioliasis on the Tyumen region depending on natural subzones and climatic conditions in the period from 2004 to 2014. The influence of such parameters as the hydrothermal coefficient, the sum of precipitation and average temperatures during the years of the study (for May, June, July) are analyzed. Coprological studies (n 7838) were conducted by the methods of sequential washing and ether-acetic sedimentation to determine the prevalence of fasciolae in cattle. During the study period, the fascioliasis prevalence decreased from 15.97% in 2004 to 2.19% in 2014. The prevalence rate (PR) was 4.76 ± 1.42% in the forest-steppe subarea, 4.89 ± 2.04% in the northern forest-steppe, and 5.63 ± 3.0% in small-leaved aspen-birch forests. Increasing of the prevalence of the cattle fascioliasis was registered along the south-north gradient, from the subzone of the southern forest-steppe (PR 10.14%) to small-leaved aspen-birch forests (PR 22.22%) only in 2004. Decreasing of the prevalence of the cattle fascioliasis from 2004 to 2014 is associated with the dehelminthization of animals. From 2004 to 2010, the correlation coefficient between the fascioliasis prevalence in cattle and the hydrothermal coefficient, the sum of precipitation and average monthly temperatures was 0.49 (P = 0.91), 0.10 (P = 0.83), 0.76 (P = 0.05), respectively. The received data show the expressed positive connection of the fascioliasis prevalence and the sum of average temperatures for the period of 2004-2010. An analysis of the impact of climatic conditions on the fascioliasis prevalence in cattle should be considered considering the type and direction of antiparasitic measures in the farms.</p>

Влияние природно-климатических условий на качество воздуха в районах размещения открытых спортивных объектов (на примере г. Казани)

Влияние природно-климатических условий на качество воздуха в районах размещения открытых спортивных объектов (на примере г. Казани)

Changes in river channel pattern as a result of the construction, operation and decommissioning of watermills – the case of the middle reach of the River Liswarta near Krzepice, Poland

Abstract Changes in river channel pattern in the middle reach of the River Liswarta and in the lower reaches of its tributaries near Krzepice were analysed, and were related to the construction, operation and decommissioning of watermills. For this purpose, old maps which covered the period from the beginning of the 18th century until the 20th century were used alongside written historical sources. Maps from the first half of the 19th century provided valuable source material. Traces of old mill water systems in the valley floor were analysed on the basis of a numerical terrain model and aerial photographs as well as on the basis of detailed geomorphological mapping. The research made it possible to determine the locations of former mills mentioned in written historical sources and also changes in the course of river channels related to mill construction. It was found that some reaches of the River Liswarta channel and the estuary reach of its tributary River Bieszcza were in fact old mill races. These mill races account for around 31% of the length of the river channel reaches analysed. Analysis of old maps indicated that in the 19th century, the River Liswarta near Krzepice had multiple channels. This development of the River Liswarta channel was not only the result of natural geological, geomorphological and climate conditions, but also the product of watermill construction, since some channels within this network were artificial canals, including mill races. As a result of the construction of mill races, river channel reaches ranging from 1 to 2.5 km in length were shifted. Of the mills studied, as many as 80% ceased to exist in different parts of the period covered by the research. Traces of some of them can still be found in the form of ruins of foundations or of a water system with the remains of hydraulic structures, while some have only left their mark on the river channel pattern.

Ensilage of oats and wheatgrass under natural alpine climatic conditions by indigenous lactic acid bacteria species isolated from high-cold areas.

Five different species of selected broad-spectrum antibiotic lactic acid bacteria isolated from extremely high–cold areas were used as starters to ferment indigenous forage oats and wheatgrass under rigid alpine climatic conditions. The five isolates were Lactobacillus plantarum QZ227, Enterococcus mundtii QZ251, Pediococcus cellicola QZ311, Leuconostoc mesenteroides QZ1137 and Lactococcus lactis QZ613, and commercial Lactobacillus plantarum FG1 was used as the positive control and sterile water as the negative control. The minimum and maximum temperatures were −22°C and 23°C during the fermentation process, respectively. The pH of wheatgrass silage fermented by the QZ227 and FG1 inocula reached the expected values (≤4.15) although the pathogens detected in the silage should be further investigated. All of the inocula additives used in this study were effective in improving the fermentation quality of oat silage as indicated by the higher content of lactic acid, lower pH values (≤4.17) and significant inhibition of pathogens. QZ227 exhibited a fermentation ability that was comparable with the commercial inoculum FG1 for the whole process, and the deterioration rate was significantly lower than for FG1 after storage for 7 months. The pathogens Escherichia coli, mold and yeast were counted and isolated from the deteriorated silage. E. coli were the main NH3-N producer while F. fungi and yeast produced very little.

Theoretical aspects of substantiating the efficiency of economic decisions aimed at development of high-rise housing construction

The article is devoted to theoretical aspects of substantiation of efficiency of economic decisions in the field of high-rise housing construction. It presents stratification of population according to various parameters and on this basis a target audience of solvent consumers is identified, at which government and developers should aim during design and implementation of high-rise housing construction projects. The currently growing interest of investors and developers in high-rise housing construction in the large cities of Russia is substantiated. Mixed feelings of solvent citizens, that are willing to improve their housing conditions, to living and working in tall buildings is figured out. When substantiating the efficiency of economic decisions aimed at the development of high-rise housing construction, it is suggested to take into account qualimetricly not only local economic and natural climatic conditions, but also the specifics of constructional and space-planning decisions of the project.

The effect of soil physical amendments on reclamation of a saline-sodic soil: simulation of salt leaching using HYDRUS-1D

Poor soil physical conditions such as low hydraulic conductivity can limit salt depletion from surface soil. Altering the pore system by addition of organic and inorganic amendments may improve salt leaching as a reclamation strategy. Column studies were conducted to investigate salt leaching in amended and non-amended soil profiles. A one-dimensional water and solute transport model (HYDRUS-1D) was also assessed for its applicability to simulate salt leaching for amendment strategy. Columns of length 300mm were filled with saline-sodic soil at the lower end (100–300mm) and then covered with soil amended with 40% (wt/wt) fine sand and 20% (wt/wt) wood chips, separately. A control column was filled with saline-sodic soil only. One rainfall scenario typical for a location in south-west Queensland (Australia) was applied to the columns. Water potentials were monitored using tensiometers installed at three depths: 35, 120 and 250mm. The concentrations of individual cations (Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+), electrical conductivity and sodium adsorption ratio of the soil solutions were also monitored for the investigated depths. A reduction in surface salinity (up to 28.5%) was observed in the amended soil profiles. This study indicated that the addition of wood chips to surface soil improved salt leaching under the tested conditions. The simulation successfully predicted both hydrology and chemistry of the columns. This study also concluded that HYDRUS-1D is a powerful tool to simulate salt leaching in the amended soil profiles, and can be applied to predict the success of amendment strategy under natural climatic conditions.

Influence exerted by natural-climatic conditions on air quality on areas where open-air sport facilities are located (on the example of Kazan)

Influence exerted by natural-climatic conditions on air quality on areas where open-air sport facilities are located (on the example of Kazan)

Aspects of economic feasibility for the transport integrated use in favor of environmental security

The transport system in Russia and the transport support issues of national security differ completely from the Occident and other developed countries due to geostrategic and natural climatic conditions of our country. The integrated transport system, where in a sufficiently coherent manner used are the roads and railways, domestic water and air ways, pipeline transport, is more developed in the European area of the country. However, there is no assessment of economic feasibility for the integrated transport lines system. Firstly, assessment criteria for the transport support efficiency in favor of environmental security; secondly, mathematical economic models of various transport types integrated use in favor of environmental security; thirdly, economic feasibility methods for transport integrated use in favor of environmental security, that unavoidably leads to unreasonable transport operations using the existing rail and water ways at little distances, and increases their base cost by several times versus the transport by road. High dynamics of transport support for economic, demographic and environmental security within a market economy require the development of approach for the transport integrated use in favor of Russia national security. This article describes some practical recommendations for transport systems control bodies regarding the efficiency improvement of their use in favor of environmental security.

Regarding some aspects of economic feasibility for the transport integrated use in favor of environmental security

The transport system in Russia and the transport support issues of national security differ completely from the Occident and other developed countries due to geostrategic and natural climatic conditions of our country. The integrated transport system, where in a sufficiently coherent manner used are the roads and railways, domestic water and air ways, pipeline transport, is more developed in the European area of the country. However there is no assessment of economic feasibility for the integrated transport lines. Firstly, assessment criteria for the transport support efficiency in favor of environmental security; secondly, mathematical economic models of various transport types integrated use in favor of environmental security; thirdly, economic feasibility methods for transport integrated use in favor of environmental security, that unavoidably leads to unreasonable transport operations using the existing rail and water ways at little distances, and increases their base cost by several times versus the transport by road. High dynamics of transport support for economic, demographic and environmental security within a market economy require the development of approach for the transport integrated use in favor of Russia national security. This article describes some practical recommendations for transport systems control bodies.

Experimental Evaluation of the Effect of Inclination and Dust Deposition on Production Capacity of Photovoltaic Installations in West African Nations: Case Studyin Mali Drame

The development of solar photovoltaic faces some difficulties in West African countries; such as: high cost of kW/h produced and long duration of return on investment. To that, there are some installation and operation aspects of Photovoltaic(PV) modules. In terms of installation, the incline plays a predominant role in the efficiency of a field photovoltaic. Indeed, the modules being fixed, it is, therefore, necessary to find the right incline so that they can capture the most solar energy every day. In terms of operation, PV modules need to be exposed to outside in order to operate under the most possibility of direct sunlight. Such equipment is therefore subjected to a natural climatic condition causing a great impact on its performance. This article deals with the influence of the operating parameters (optimal tilt and dust deposits) of PV modules in view of their improvement in West African countries such as Mali. After the choice of the cleaning by cloth and the different inclines of the modules were studied; the experiments were developed during the months of April-May-June, 2017. The results showed a reduction of PV modules from 4 to 14% of their efficiency was due to the accumulation of dirt on their capture surface. In addition, this study reveals an impressive result: a simple cleaning can save us energy about 140 FCFA/m2/month. Similarly, comparing with the outputs of the PV modules for different inclinations; it emerged that the optimal angle of inclination of the modules is slightly higher than the latitude of the study’ s place (about 15 °).

Constructive systems, load-bearing and enclosing structures of high-rise buildings

As the height of the building increases, loads on load-carrying structures increase dramatically, and as a result of the development of high-rise construction, several structural systems of such buildings have been developed: frame, frame-frame, cross-wall, barrel, box-type, box-to-wall ("pipe in pipe", "Trumpet in the farm"), etc. In turn, the barrel systems have their own versions: cantilever support of the ceilings on the trunk, suspension of the outer part of the overlap to the upper carrying console "hanging house" or its support by means of the walls on the lower bearing cantilever, intermediate position of the supporting cantilevers in height to the floor, from a part of floors. The object of the study are the structural solutions of high-rise buildings. The subject of the study is the layout of structural schemes of high-rise buildings, taking into account the main parameters - altitude (height), natural climatic conditions of construction, materials of structural elements and their physical and mechanical characteristics. The purpose of the study is to identify the features and systematization of structural systems of high-rise buildings and the corresponding structural elements. The results of the research make it possible, at the stage of making design decisions, to establish rational parameters for the correspondence between the structural systems of high-rise buildings and their individual elements.

Формирование товарного ассортимента садоводческих предприятий Республики Крым на основе маркетингового подхода

Рассмотрена проблема трансформации сельского хозяйства Республики Крым на основе формирования конкурентоспособной маркетинговой стратегии развития садоводческих предприятий региона. Приведены данные маркетинговых исследований и на их основе авторами предложен проект непрерывной поставки на рынок продуктов садоводства. Проанализирована отраслевая структура сельского хозяйства Республики Крым, проведен поиск механизмов сглаживания агроклиматических условий сельского хозяйства за счет сортового подбора товарного ассортимента садоводческих предприятий. В качестве исследовательской задачи авторами была определена попытка оценить, как наиболее эффективно использовать природный биопотенциал полуострова и развивать, таким образом, конкурентоспособное сельское хозяйство. Обосновывается идея о том, что необходимо реформировать систему хозяйствования в садоводстве и переходить к капельному орошению. Основное содержание исследования составляет предложенная в работе экономическая оценка иммунных сортов яблони по сравнению с районированными и перспективными сортами (контроль) в шпалерно-карликовом саду. Рассчитана экономическая рентабельность таких сортов яблок, как Прима, Гевин, Редфри. Обобщен практический опыт развития сельского хозяйства в Республике Крым, что позволило констатировать сильный уровень деградации сельхозпроизводства на полуострове. Приведены расчеты породно-сортового состава плодовых и ягодных насаждений для садоводческих хозяйств, размещенных в пригородных зонах Крыма на основе эффективной внутриотраслевой сочетаемости пород и сортов и максимального выравнивания затрат труда. Приведены рекомендации по совершенствованию территориального размещения насаждений, углублению зональной специализации производства плодово-ягодной продукции для максимального использования разных природо-климатических условий.

Proximate, Crude Fiber and Starch Content of Maize Hybrids Developed in Indonesia in Natural Climatic Condition

Corn is one of strategic commodities becoming the main priorities to be developed in Indonesia. Aside from being a strategic foodstuffs, corn contains starch which is used for an excipient in pharmaceutical raw materials of "filler" or filler material for tablets. However, until now local starch production cannot meet the needs of the pharmaceutical industry in Indonesia, and still relies on imported starch. The purpose of this research was to develop maize hybrids from Universitas Padjadjaran which has high of starch and meet the quality for an excipient of pharmaceutical preparations. This research was conducted to determine a formation of a single cross hybrid based on the diallel crosses. Evaluation of fused power was determined by proximate analysis and starch analysis. The selection of hybrid high yield power was done in monocropping and agroforestry systems. The results retrieved 28 types of hybrid corn that comes from 7 different types of strains of mutant reproduction results. The lowest moisture content was the corn M7DR 7.4.1 (9.45%), whereas the highest moisture content of corn was DR. 8 (16.03%). Low starch content was obtained from maize hybrid code 4.8.8 while the highest was obtained from maize hybrid code 18.5.1 ranging from 30-40%. Therefore, corn hybrid 18.5.1 has a potential to be developed as an excipient of various raw materials in the field of pharmacy. Keywords: corn, a hybrid, starch, excipient pharmacy

A 14.7 Ka record of earth surface processes from the arid‐monsoon transitional zone of China

AbstractThe stability of Earth's critical zone is intimately linked with erosion, weathering and vegetation type and density. Therefore, it affects global biogeochemical processes which in turn affect the global climate by absorbing and reflecting solar radiation, and by altering fluxes of heat, water vapour, carbon dioxide and other trace gases through various feedback mechanisms. However, there is a lack of knowledge about how Earth's critical zone processes have changed over time and their link with past monsoon variability, especially in Asia. The study of lake sediments, which contain a suite of inorganic elemental and isotopic proxies, may facilitate the understanding of the Earth's critical zone processes on millennial timescales. Here we reconstruct the history of erosion–weathering–vegetation interactions since ~14.7 ka using geochemical records from a radiocarbon‐dated sediment core from Lake Gonghai in the monsoon‐arid transitional zone of north China. Detrital (Al, Ti, K, Rb) and authigenic (Ca, Sr) elemental records reveal distinct, millennial‐scale, late deglacial‐Holocene erosion and weathering patterns and transitions with the former (latter) elements showing higher (lower) values in warm intervals and vice versa. Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) molar, a humidity proxy, suggests low humidity during the late deglacial ~11.5–14.7 ka, high humidity during the early‐mid Holocene ~11.5–3.2 ka, and intermediate humidity during the late Holocene interval since ~3.2 ka. The results of cross‐spectral analysis and comparison of our records with other climate reconstructions also suggest a pattern of orbitally‐phased humidity changes in north China. Overall, our results provide evidence for the solar‐forcing of Earth's surface processes in mid‐latitude China under natural climatic conditions. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

New data on the natural environment of the Middle and Late Neopleistocene interglacial periods in the east of the European Subarctic Region of Russia

The data obtained from investigation of the Middle and Late Neopleistocene lake sediments in the European Subarctic Region of Russia are reported. Chirva, Rodionovo (Scklov), Sula (Mikulino), and Byzovaya (Leningrad) sediments were subject to palynological analysis and investigation of particle size distribution and mineral composition. The spore–pollen spectra of the Chirva sediments demonstrate two climatic optima: the lower optimum is dominated by the pollen of Pinus sylvestris and broad-leaved species (up to 10%); the upper optimum is dominated by Picea sp. and Pinus sylvestris, while the pollen of Picea sect. Omorica and broad-leaved species are sporadic. The Rodionovo flora is characterized by a more xerophilous composition relative to the Chirva flora and a higher pollen content of pine, birch, wormseed plants, and wormwood. The climatic optimum of the Sula interglacial is distinguished by boreal vegetation, including spruce, birch, and birch–spruce forests with sparse broad-leaved species. The Byzovaya interstadial is marked by seven stages of changes in the vegetation: from tundra and forest-tundra communities to taiga forests with some broad-leaved species. The natural climatic sedimentation conditions in the Middle and Late Neopleistocene interglacial periods are reconstructed. The mineral composition of sediments was largely formed owing to underlying deposits.

Field measurements of water storage capacity in a loess–gravel capillary barrier cover using rainfall simulation tests

A 30 m long × 20 m wide capillary barrier cover (CBC) test site was constructed at the Jiangcungou landfill in Xi’an, China. The cover consisted of a compacted loess layer with a thickness of 0.9 m underlain by a gravel layer. After the cover surface was kept bare and exposed to natural climate conditions for nearly 5 months, one artificial rainfall event was implemented at the site. Vegetation was established at the test site after the first rainfall event. Four months later, a second artificial rainfall event was applied to the surface of the vegetated site. The pore-water pressures (PWPs) and volumetric water contents (VWCs) of the cover were monitored using jet-filled tensiometers and time-domain reflectometry moisture probes, respectively. Surface runoff and percolation were measured using field collection devices. The field measurements demonstrated a more rapid response of PWPs to the rainfall compared to the response of the VWCs. Percolation was observed when the PWPs near the interface reached the water-entry value of the gravel at local points. At that moment, the measured VWC near the interface was less than the VWC according to the water-entry value. The observation indicated that preferential flows took place in the compacted loess during the rainfall. As a result, the maximum water storage capacity was not reached at the onset of percolation. When percolation ceased, the average PWP near the interface decreased below the water-entry value, while the VWC near the interface was higher than that at the onset of percolation. Water storage at the completion of percolation was approximately 5% greater than that at the onset of percolation. Compared with the monolithic loess cover, the loess–gravel CBC increased the available water storage capacity by 41% at the completion of percolation. Vegetation had an insignificant influence on water storage capacity.

Emissivity peculiarities of the inland salt marshes in the south of Western Siberia

ABSTRACTThe presence of water-dissoluble salts in soils leads to a wide variation in soil microwave radiation that makes precise determination of water-physical characteristics of soil using satellite data hardly possible. To assess the effect of soil salinization, the emissivity of salt-affected soils in the Kulunda plain located in the south of Western Siberia was studied. Steppe site and an inland salt marsh (ISM) formed at the bottom of depressions of dried-up salt lakes were the main objects of the research. Both sites are situated in the same natural-climatic conditions and have similar relief. The spatial distribution of the underlying surface brightness temperature was obtained from L1C product of Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission. The diurnal temperature variations of ISM were measured in the course of a daily ground-based experiment to determine the temperature gradients. During the laboratory experiment, we defined the dielectric properties of soil and calculated its emissivity. The comprehensive studies are evidence of great diurnal variation in ISM microwave radiation. The joint use of satellite and laboratory data allows us to specify the contribution of salt-affected soils into total microwave radiation of the underlying surface. The brightness temperature obtained from SMOS and the one calculated from the laboratory dependencies of ISM emissivity on temperature and moisture are in fairly well correlation.