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A total of 300 freshwater mussels Lamellidens marginalis were sampled from the Ratargul Freshwater Swamp between December 2020 and November 2021 to investigate the relationships between length, weight, soft tissue wet parameters, sex ratio, condition indices, gonadal histology, and hydrological features of swamp forest habitat. The shell length and shell weight varied between 5.00 and 9.50 cm and 12.26–78.96 g respectively. The length at maturity Lm was recorded as 5.98 cm and the calculated value of χ2 suggested a dominant female stock at the study site (P

A total of 300 freshwater mussels Lamellidens marginalis were sampled from the Ratargul Freshwater Swamp between December 2020 and November 2021 to investigate the relationships between length, weight, soft tissue wet parameters, sex ratio, condition indices, gonadal histology, and hydrological features of swamp forest habitat. The shell length and shell weight varied between 5.00 and 9.50 cm and 12.26–78.96 g respectively. The length at maturity L m was recorded as 5.98 cm and the calculated value of χ2 suggested a dominant female stock at the study site (P < 0.05). The relationship between different morphometrics of Lamellidens marginalis and environmental parameters exhibits a very weak regression coefficient value (P < 0.05), suggesting a weak effect of seasonality on the growth metrics. Previtellogenic and vitellogenic oocytes were observed in the ovary, and mature spermatids were found in the testes in samples collected in the rainy season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Litter and soil play an important role in influencing hydrological processes and the global water cycle. Artificial afforestation, as a part of vegetation restoration, was constructed in the gully erosion areas of latosol with the objective to prevent erosion. Variations in the hydrological properties in soils that have undergone vegetation restoration from gully erosion are not well understood. In this study, we examine the variations in the litter thickness and mass, soil structure and porosity, and hydrological properties of four forest types (eucalyptus–grass forest, bamboo–grass forest, acacia–grass forest, and shrub–grass forest). The results show that the total litter thickness varied from 1.71 to 3.74 cm and was highest in the acacia–grass forest. The total litter mass for the acacia–grass forest, 3.49 ± 0.06 t·ha−1, was significantly higher than that for the other forest types. The mass of the undecomposed litter (UL) layer was significantly lower than that of the semi-decomposed litter (SL). (2) The maximum water-retention capacity (Wmax) and effective water-retention capacity (Weff) of the SL layer were greater than those of the UL layer. The Wmax and Weff for the acacia–grass forest were markedly larger than those of the eucalyptus–grass, bamboo–grass, and shrub–grass forests. The water absorption rates of the SL and UL layers were highest during the onset of the immersion experiment, declined exponentially with time, and declined rapidly in the first 2 h. (4) The soil bulk density ranged from 1.46 g·cm−3 to 1.54 g·cm−3, and the total porosity ranged from 32.06% to 37.13%. The soil bulk density increased with the increasing soil depth, while the total porosity decreased gradually. The soil water-holding capacity of the soil layer of 0–60 cm in the acacia–grass forest (301.76 t·ha−1) was greater than that of the other forest types. A comprehensive evaluation of the water conservation capacity by the entropy weight method showed that the water conservation capacity was greatest in the acacia–grass forest. The higher water-holding capacity of the acacia–grass forest may be more effective in enhancing rainfall interception, minimizing splash erosion, and decreasing surface runoff. Here, the results indicate that acacia–grass forest restoration can mitigate soil erosion by favoring soil and water conservation, improving the environment in the gully erosion area of latosol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Litter is one of the key components of the forest ecosystem and plays a role as the second active layer influencing hydrological processes, which has affected the global water cycle. Soil- and water-conservation forests were constructed by artificial afforestation as a part of vegetation restoration in the eroded area of Latosol, and little is known about the differences in the hydrological properties of vegetation restoration in the eroded area of Latosol in the tropical region. We investigated the litter thickness, mass, and hydrological properties in three soil- and water-conservation forests (Eucalyptus robusta, Hevea brasiliensis, and Acacia mangium) through in situ surveys and laboratory experiments. The results showed that (1) the total litter thickness varied from 2.16 to 5.53 cm and was highest in the A. mangium forest. The total litter mass for A. mangium, 14.66 ± 1.09 t·ha−1, was significantly higher than that for E. robusta (5.45 ± 0.59 t·ha−1) and H. brasiliensis (3.01 ± 0.14 t·ha−1). The mass of the semi-decomposed litter (SDL) layer was markedly higher than that of the un-decomposed litter (UDL) layer. (2) The maximum water-retention capacity (Wmax) and effective water-retention capacity (Weff) of the SDL layer were larger than the UDL layer for three forest plantations. The Wmax and Weff for the A. mangium stand were significantly higher than those for the E. robusta and H. brasiliensis stand. (3) The water-absorption rate of the SDL and UDL layer were highest at the onset of the immersion experiment, declined exponentially with time, and especially declined rapidly in the first 2 h. A higher water-holding capacity of A. mangium may be more effective in enhancing rainfall interception, minimizing splash erosion, and decreasing surface runoff. These results indicate that planting A. mangium in E. robusta and H. brasiliensis forests and then turning them into mixed forests should improve soil and water conservation and maximize their ecological benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The source, chemical composition, and refining processes of mineral oil are contrasted with that of edible vegetable oil. This study assessed the impacts of mineral and plant-derived oils on physico-chemical and hydrological properties of Haplic Lixisol (HL) and Alfisol soils in granitic areas, southwest Nigeria. Twenty-four (24) cluster top soil samples at a depth of 0–20 cm were collected with the aid of soil auger from Odeda (HL) and Ibadan (Alfisol). A total of twenty-one experimental pots filled with collected soils were set up with three replications using seven treatments: (1) petrol at 50 ml, (2) petrol at 100 ml, (3) diesel at 50 ml, (4) diesel at 100 ml, (5) palm oil at 50 ml, (6) palm oil at 100 ml, and (7) an untreated control. The soil physical and hydrological parameters were determined after 30 days to allow for interaction of the contaminants with the soils. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson's correlation were used on the soil data in order to study the variation of analyzed soil characteristics under the two soil types and treatments as well as the relationship between the studied parameters, respectively. The regression analysis was used to generate models for the prediction of moisture content (MC) at selected suction levels. The obtained soil data showed that treatment with either selected petroleum hydrocarbon or vegetable oil had no noticeable impacts on soil pH and textural class. Results of soil treatments further revealed that palm oil contamination at 50 ml recorded least saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) values relative to control value in each sampling location. Furthermore, the Ksat values in treated HL soils at selected volumes were reduced compared to its control value while Ksat increased over control value in Alfisol soils treated with petrol. Correlation analysis showed strong negative correlation between soil resistivity (SR) and organic matter (OM) at 1% level in both soil types. Two-way ANOVA showed that there were significant differences at 5% level between the two locations with respect to bulk density (BD), total porosity (TP) and soil pH while significant differences in soil pH and % OM occur between soils from the two locations under different treatments at 5% level. There was no significant difference in the MC values at the different suction levels between the two locations and among the various treatments at 5% (p < 0.05) level. The regression analysis shows that all the generated models for predicting MC values at different suction levels under different soil treatments had R-square (R2) values ranging from 33.4 to 100% with significant F-values. The study recommends further investigation on impacts of more organic hydrocarbons and vegetable oils on soil quality properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circulation of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea is characterized by numerous recurrent or permanent anticyclonic structures, which modulate the pathway of the main currents and the exchange of the water masses in the basin. This work aims to describe the main circulation structures and thermohaline properties of the Eastern Mediterranean with particular focus on two anticyclones, the Pelops and the Cyprus gyres, using in-situ (drifters and Argo floats) and satellite (altimetry) data. The Pelops gyre is involved in the circulation and exchange of Levantine origin surface and intermediate waters and in their flow toward the Ionian and the Adriatic Sea. The Cyprus Gyre presents a marked interannual variability related to the presence/absence of waters of Atlantic origin in its interior. These anticyclones are characterized by double diffusive instability and winter mixing phenomena driven by salty surface waters of Levantine origin. Conditions for the salt finger regime occur steadily and dominantly within the Eastern Mediterranean anticyclones. The winter mixing is usually observed in December–January, characterized by instability conditions in the water column, a gradual deepening of the mixed layer depth and the consequent downward doming of the isohalines. The mixing generally involves the first 200 m of the water column (but occasionally can affect also the intermediate layer) forming a water mass with well-defined thermohaline characteristics. Conditions for salt fingers also occur during mixing events in the layer below the mixed layer.

Copyright of Larq Journal for Philosophy, Linguistics & Social Sciences is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The litter layer is an important component of forest ecosystems, although little is known about the differences in litter characteristics and hydrological properties of unmanaged, overgrown broadleaved and coniferous mixed forests in the subtropical and temperate zones. This study was carried out in a naturally generated broadleaved and coniferous mixed forest at the Qinling National Forest Ecosystem Research Station, Shaanxi Province, China. We quantified the litter thickness, mass, and its hydrological properties in evergreen pine (Pinus tabulaeformis) stands and deciduous oak (Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata) stands through in situ surveys and laboratory immersion experiments. The thickness of the litter layer for P. tabulaeformis averaged 9.3 ± 2.8 cm, and it was not significantly different from that detected in the Q. aliena stand (8.3 ± 3.6 cm). The total mass of the litter layer for P. tabulaeformis, 27.94 ± 9.81 Mg ha-1, was significantly higher than the total mass of 16.04 ± 3.60 Mg ha-1 found for Q. aliena. The mass of the semi-decomposed, fermented litter (OF) layer was significantly higher than that of the non-decomposed litter (OL) layer, irrespective of species. The rate of water absorption by dry litter was the highest at the onset of the immersion experiment and decreased exponentially with time. The water-holding capacity (Wm) and water-interception capacity (Wi) of the OF layer were higher than the OL layer for both forest stands. The Wm and Wi for the P. tabulaeformis stand were higher than those for the Q. aliena stand at our study sites. The higher Wm and Wi for P. tabulaeformis may be more effective in ameliorating the splash impact from high-intensity storms to improve water quality, while relatively lower Wm and Wi for Q. aliena may be considered favorable for augmenting water yield. Forest resource managers should consider those differences along with the other components of the water budget when making management decisions.

Copyright of Anadolu Tarım Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of Ondokuz Mayis Universitesi, Ziraat Fakultesi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Bird nests are highly variable structures that represent extended phenotypes, which may have a range of roles during avian reproduction, but all nests serve as the location for incubation of eggs. Nest characteristics should counter any adverse weather conditions that could potentially reduce hatchability or chick survival. Thermal properties of nests are relatively well studied, but the effects of moisture on nest insulation are largely unknown. Wet nests could reduce thermal insulation or deleteriously cool the eggs or nestlings. In this study, a novel method of simulated rainfall was applied to open‐cup nests from nineteen different passerine species. The amount of water absorbed by the nest and the time it took to dry were recorded. To determine the factors affecting these characteristics, nests were deconstructed to provide data on materials used. Compared with smaller nests, larger nests absorbed more water and took longer to dry. The amount of water absorbed was a function of the proportion of grass, moss, roots and hair present in the nest. The time taken for the nest to dry completely was affected by the proportion of grass, moss, and hair in the nest. When tested individually, the materials all had different rates of water absorption and took different times to dry; moss absorbed the most water and took the longest time to dry. We concluded that simulated rainfall was a realistic approach to understanding the hydrological characteristics of nests. Structural considerations for nest construction may affect the hydrological properties of nests, but ex situ studies provide no information about the possible shelter provided to a nest by its immediate surroundings. Further research into nest function should consider the importance of exposure to water to nest construction and function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of tomographic studies of soil pore space in Russian soil science in 2011–2018 is discussed. In several years, these studies have evolved from the qualitative description of pores in some soils from the European part of Russia to the quantitative functional assessment of soil pore space on the bases of 3D tomographic models. Three stages of tomographic studies of soil pores can be distinguished: (1) qualitative analysis of pore space as a spatial-geometric characteristic of soil structure and as a component of the general analysis of soil morphology; (2) the obtaining of quantitative morphometric data on the shape, size, and orientation of soil pores and combined analysis of these tomographic data and data on the physical soil properties; and (3) the use of calculated tomographic parameters in the study of hydrological and physicomechanical properties of soils important for both theoretical and applied aspects of soil science. In recent years, the research has been focused on the assessment of the relationships between tomographic parameters of soil pore space and traditional soil hydrological constants, possibility of calculating the water retention curve and water conductivity function from the tomographic parameters of soil pore space, and on the quantitative assessment and prediction of soil degradation on the basis of tomographic data. The solution to these problems will make it possible to explain the physical phenomena controlling soil hydrological characteristics and to substantiate the use of tomographic data in applied soil science, soil hydrology, and agrophysics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Charcoal production in miombo woodlands negatively affect soil hydrological properties and soil organic carbon. • Large clearings for charcoal production are more detrimental than smaller clearings. • Small clearings showed higher infiltration capacity and soil organic carbon. • Soil infiltration capacity increased with increasing tree basal area. • Control of livestock grazing could minimize the impact of forest disturbance by charcoal production. Charcoal production is a major driver of forest degradation in miombo woodlands. Forests play a crucial role in regulating the hydrological cycle, so it is critical to understand how forest degradation and management practices impact water availability, particularly in drylands. Few studies have examined the effect of forest clearing size on the hydrological functioning of soil, particularly under real-world conditions where, following clearing, forests are subject to multiple and prolonged anthropogenic disturbances, as occurs in miombo woodlands which are cleared for charcoal production and commonly used for livestock grazing. The pilot project Transforming Tanzania's Charcoal Sector was established in 2012 with the aim of establishing a sustainable wood harvesting system for charcoal production based on rotational harvesting cycles that allow for natural forest regeneration. Two clearing sizes were established: large clearings (300 × 300 m) harvested by clear-felling, and small clearings (50 × 50 m) harvested in a checkerboard pattern. We examined the effect of these two clearing sizes on soil hydrological properties and soil organic carbon (SOC) in Kilosa district, Morogoro, Tanzania. Our analysis included four treatments: large clearings, small clearings, small intact plots (unharvested plots within the checkboard pattern), and village land forest reserve. For each treatment we assessed the tree cover and measured soil infiltration capacity, soil bulk density, SOC stock, and texture. We also examined the relationship between these variables and the distance to the closest road to better understand the impact of livestock and human disturbance. Our results show that large clearings had the lowest mean infiltration capacity (121 ± 3 mm h−1) and SOC stock content (12 ± 0.2 tonnes ha−1), and the highest bulk density (1.6 ± 0.005 g cm−3) of all the treatments. We found a positive relationship between infiltration capacity and basal area (R2 = 0.71) across all treatments. We also found that infiltration capacity, SOC stock and tree basal area increased with increasing distance from the closest road, while bulk density decreased. We conclude that, in terms of their impact on soil hydrological functioning and SOC stock, small clearings, while not completely unaffected, are better than larger ones. In small clearings, concurrent reductions in tree cover and a relatively low impact on soil hydrological properties could result in increased soil and groundwater recharge compared to unharvested forest areas. Controlling livestock grazing can further minimize soil degradation, producing additional gains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of thermokarst lakes can degrade alpine meadow ecosystems through changes in soil water and heat properties, which might have an effect on the regional surface water and groundwater processes. In this study, a typical thermokarst lake was selected in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), and the ecological index (S L ) was used to divide the affected areas into extremely affected, severely affected, medium-affected, lightly affected, and non-affected areas, and soil hydrological properties, including saturated hydraulic conductivity and soil water-holding capacity, were investigated. The results showed that the formation of a thermokarst lake can lead to the degradation of alpine meadows, accompanied by a change in the soil physiochemical and hydrological properties. Specifically, the soil structure turned towards loose soil and the soil nutrients decreased from non-affected areas to severely affected areas, but the soil organic matter and available potassium increased slightly in the extremely affected areas. Soil saturated hydraulic conductivity showed a 1.7- to 4.1-fold increase in the lake-surrounding areas, and the highest value (401.9 cm d − 1 ) was detected in the severely affected area. Soil water-holding capacity decreased gradually during the transition from the non-affected areas to the severely affected areas, but it increased slightly in the extremely affected areas. The principal component analysis showed that the plant biomass was vital to the changes in soil hydrological properties. Thus, the vegetation might serve as a link between the thermokarst lake and soil hydrological properties. In this particular case, it was concluded that the thermokarst lake adversely affected the regional hydrological services in the alpine ecosystem. These results would be useful for describing appropriate hydraulic parameters with the purpose of modeling soil water transportation more accurately in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 36 months study was carried out in Nsukka, south-eastern Nigeria to determine the effect of organic amendment on the stability and hydrological properties of a tilled fragile Ultisol. The experiment was of a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three (3) organic amendments and a control replicated thrice. The soil amendments were comprised of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (PE), Palm Bunch Refuse (PR), Cassava Peels (CS) at 12 Mg/ha and No Amendment/control (NA). Results indicated that organic amendment of tilled plots significantly increased the stability of wet and dry soil aggregates compared to soil aggregates in unamended plots. The amendment of tilled soils led to increased saturated hydraulic conductivity, water sorptivity, transmissivity, steady-state infiltration rate, cumulative infiltration after 90 minutes, time to attain steady-state infiltration and water retention. However, the general trend shows that highest values were obtained when soils were under PE and CS amendments, with values in PE treated soils showing relative increment of more than 100 % compared to control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic waste management in environmentally sustainable way is important not only to reduce the negative impacts on ecosystems but also valorizing the waste resources. Herein we evaluated the potential of wood ash (WA) and paper sludge (PS) wastes from a pulp and paper mill as potting media and their effects on the physicochemical properties of podzolic soil. WA, PS and biochar (BC) was mixed in different combinations with a sandy loam podzolic soil. Potting media treatments included: T1–soil (negative control); T2–PromixTM (positive control); T3–50%soil+50%WA; T4–75%soil+25%WA; T5–50%soil+50%PS; T6–75%soil+25%PS; T7–75%soil+25%BC; T8–25%soil+50%WA+25%BC; T9–50%soil+25%WA+25%BC; T10–25%soil+50%PS+25%BC; T11–50%soil+25%PS+25%BC, T12– 25%soil+25%WA+25%PS+25%BC and replicated three times. Potting media treatments expressed significant (p < 0.00) effects on pH, bulk density, total porosity, field capacity, plant available water (PAW) and water retention curves. Potting media amended with WA showed high pH range (8–12) while PS amendments exhibited pH in range where most plant nutrients are available (6.5–7.5). Results depicted significantly lower bulk density, and increased total porosity and water holding capacity of potting media amended with WA and PS. BC addition further enhanced the water retention properties compared to combinations without BC. T6, T10 and T11 produced higher amounts of PAW with desired pH compared to T1 and T2. WA, PS and BC showed high potential for developing podzolic soil-based potting media, but their effects on plant growth and elemental uptake need to be investigated. • Valorization of organic waste is important to improve environmental sustainability through recycling of valuable waste. • Herein we investigated the potential applications of wood ash and paper sludge as a potting media for horticultural crops. • Wood ash and paper sludge improved the physicochemical properties of podzolic soil. • Paper sludge was more effective than wood ash in improving soil hydrological properties for better plant growth. • Furthermore, the incorporation of biochar in the potting media enhanced water holding capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on field survey in the southwestern Yellow Sea (SWYS) during April–September 2017, the spatiotemporal variations in the hydrological characteristics and nutrient conditions were coupled and analyzed; the intra-seasonal variations in the upwelling in the front of the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass (YSCWM) and impacts on nutrient transport were explored. The coastal area was controlled by the low-salinity high-nutrient Lubei Coastal Current, Subei Coastal Current, and Yangtze River Diluted Water from north to south; at bottom, the northeastern SWYS was controlled by the low-temperature high-salinity high-nutrient YSCWM. Temperature, salinity and nutrient fronts formed around YSCWM. The upwelling velocity in the front increased during April to late June and decreased in early September; the upwelled fluxes of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (0.29×103-7.77×103 μmol·m-2d-1), phosphate (0.02×103-0.27×103 μmol·m-2d-1) and silicate (0.98×103-8.75×103 μmol·m-2d-1) showed similar variations during April–September. The upwelled nutrients could potentially contribute to local green tide development and phytoplankton growth during spring–summer. Unlabelled Image • Temperature, salinity and nutrient (NU) fronts form around Yellow Sea Cold Watermass. • Upwelling velocity & NU flux in the front increase during APR–JUN & decline in SEP. • Upwelled NUs may contribute to local green tide development and phytoplankton growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil erosion is affected by rainfall temporal patterns and intensity variability. In vineyards, machine traffic is implemented with particular intensity from late spring to harvest, and it is responsible for soil compaction, which likely affects soil hydraulic properties, runoff, and soil erosion. Additionally, the hydraulic and physical properties of soil are highly influenced by vineyards' inter-rows soil management. The effects on soil compaction and both hydrological and erosional processes of machine traffic were investigated on a sloping vineyard with different inter-row soil managements (tillage and permanent grass cover) in the Alto Monferrato area (Piedmont, NW Italy). During the investigation (November 2016–October 2018), soil water content, rainfall, runoff, and soil erosion were continuously monitored. Field-saturated hydraulic conductivity, soil penetration resistance, and bulk density were recorded periodically in portions of inter-rows affected and not affected by the machine traffic. Very different yearly precipitation characterized the observed period, leading to higher bulk density and lower infiltration rates in the wetter year, especially in the tilled vineyard, whereas soil penetration resistance was generally higher in the grassed plot and in drier conditions. In the wet year, management with grass cover considerably reduced runoff (−76%) and soil loss (−83%) compared to tillage and in the dry season. Those results highlight the need to limit the tractor traffic, in order to reduce negative effects due to soil compaction, especially in tilled inter-rows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]