Search

Due to low costs, pipelines are commonly used for transporting hazardous substances such as combustible liquids and gasses. Currently, chemical industrial parks and gas production stations have dense pipeline networks. In the case of a pipeline leakage and subsequent fire accident, the adjacent pipelines could be directly impinged by the flame or engulfed in hot smoke, with the potential to result in a chain of accidents and catastrophic consequences. It is thus of practical importance to develop an efficient thermal protection material for pipelines. In this study, a new type of bio-based gel material was prepared for pipeline thermal protection, using guar gum (GG) as the gelling agent, sodium tetraborate (B) as the crosslinking agent and magnesium chloride (MgCl2) as the fire retardant. Firstly, orthogonal experiments were conducted to examine the gelling time of the gel and determine the optimal formulations that meet the protection requirements. Subsequently, water retention, thermal stability and the microstructure of these formulations were analyzed. Finally, the thermal protection performance of the gel formulations was evaluated under the direct impingement of flames or high-temperature smoke. The results indicated that the best performance was achieved by the formulation with GG, B and MgCl2 mass fractions of 2.5, 0.6 and 0.5 wt%, respectively. This formulation also exhibited the best water retention capacity and thermal stability. In the pipeline thermal protection experiments, this formulation achieved effective protection times of 216 s (for a 90 mm diameter) and 312 s (for a 120 mm diameter) for the lower part of the pipeline under direct flame impingement. Under high-temperature smoke impingement, this formulation also showed excellent performance. These research and findings can provide an important foundation for the further development of thermal protection materials for pipelines under fire conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landsat is a series of Earth-observation satellites jointly managed by NASA and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) that capture multispectral images of the Earth’s surface dating back to the 1970s, providing a valuable tool for tracking changes in land cover over time. In this study, Landsat satellite data were combined with remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies to monitor land cover changes in the Oued Lakhdar watershed, which covers an area of 1,638 km2. Landsat satellite data for the years 1987, 1994, 2004, 2014, and 2021 were used, and the maximum likelihood method was applied in ArcGIS software version 10.4.1 to classify land components. The classification was validated using total accuracy, the kappa index, Google Earth, and terrain knowledge. The results show remarkable changes in land cover, with an increase in bare soil and irrigated crops between 1987 and 2021, especially in the last six years, totaling 0.672 km2/yr and 15.028 km2/yr of the study area, respectively, and a decrease in water bodies and dense forests, totaling −0.941 km2/yr and −30.046 km2/yr, respectively. Water retention coefficient analysis indicates that the watershed is anthropized and has a low retention capacity. This study provides valuable information for land use planning and management in the Oued Lakhdar watershed (Morocco).

The mechanism for improving soil with high-performance ester material is not yet clear, especially changes in soil moisture under dry–wet cycling conditions. Soil moisture is closely related to its ecological performance, which also leads to a lack of scientific bases for the application range, climate conditions, and long-term performance evolution evaluation of high-performance ester materials in ecological restoration. Our research revealed an optimal ratio for the amount of high-performance ester materials that can improve soil moisture and ecological performance under multiple dry–wet cycling conditions. Dry–wet cycling experiments and planting tests were conducted to study the soil moisture improvement mechanism and the changes caused by high-performance ester materials. Changes in the soil's moisture, EC, and ecological performance were explored. The results indicate that ester materials can effectively improve soil moisture and EC. Even after multiple dry–wet cycles, ester materials can still play an effective role in improving soil moisture and ecological performance. An optimal ratio for the amount of high-performance ester materials was also found. This research reveals the improvement mechanism for ester materials on soil moisture and ecological performance under dry–wet cycling conditions. Our results provide new data and technical guidance for the improvement of soil moisture and ecological restoration by high-performance ester materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The increasing vulnerability of forests in the temperate zone due to climate change has led to modification in the forest structure to secure woody raw materials and ecosystem benefits. Such changes will influence hydrological processes both at the stand and catchment scale. Soil hydraulic properties (SHP) play an important role in assessing the water cycle in these ecosystems. Yet, knowledge regarding the effect of forest‐ and site‐specific conditions on SHP in temperate climates is scarce. Aims: This work addresses this research gap by assessing the variation of SHP under two common European forest stands, Fagus sylvatica and Picea abies (1) with comparable site conditions, and (2) across differing site conditions. Methods: We determined the soil water retention curve (WRC) and the hydraulic conductivity curve (HCC) in several plots with the bimodal Kosugi–Mualem's hydraulic model. These functions were determined using combined field and laboratory measurements, including hydraulic conductivity and water content from soil samples. Results: (1) We observed distinct variations in SHP between beech and spruce forest stands with comparable site conditions; however, no clear pattern in the variation was discernible. (2) A noticeable effect of the site‐specific characteristics on the SHP was detected. Moreover, SHP in each analysed forest type presented individual variations. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that SHP present a wide range of variations in terms of both forest‐ and site‐specific conditions. Hence, due to its heterogeneity, we emphasise the need for more research to better characterise SHP in temperate zone forests. Moreover, this study underlines the urgent use of a minimum set of parameters in studies when addressing SHP (e.g., tree age, soil texture). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: This research was conducted in order to compare conservation tillage methods compared to conventional tillage on the moisture retention, organic matter and bulk density of the soil. Materials and Methods: Experiments were conducted on permanent raised bed (PRB), no-till with SFOGGIA (NT) and Jab Planter (JP) equipments, in a wheat- rapeseed-corn cropping system, during 2018-2020, as a randomized complete block design with three replicates in Yazd. Barzegar and Neptune cultivars and SC704 hybrid were used for wheat, rapeseed and corn, respectively. The examined characteristics included levels of soil moisture, bulk density and amount of soil organic matter. Results: Average of organic matter in 0-30 cm soil depth was increased from 0.23% at the beginning of experiment to 0.53%, 0.67% and 0.48% at the end of experiment in PRB, NT and JP treatments, respectively. The amount of soil organic matter in CT treatment was about 0.49% at the end of the experiment. The highest amount of available water was observed in PRB (0.207 %), CT (0.193 %) and JP (0.163 %) treatments, respectively. The lowest value of this parameter was observed in NT treatment (0.143%). The lowest value of the average bulk density of soil was observed in the CT treatment (1.47 g.cm³ ) and the highest value was observed in the NT treatment (1.60 g.cm³ ). Results showed significant differences among different tillage treatments in terms of wheat grain yield. Wheat grain yield in PRB treatment was significantly higher than the other treatments. The lowest wheat grain yield was obtained at NTs and NTj treatments. Wheat grain yield in CT, PRB and NTs and NTj treatments, were 4422, 5186,3762 and3547 kg.ha-1, respectively. The highest grain yield for rapeseed was obtained at CT and PRB treatments with no significant differences. The lowest grain yield was also observed for NTj treatment. The highest fresh weight of corn forage (71021 kg.ha-1 ) was observed in PRB treatment which was not statistically different from fresh weight in NTs and NTj treatments. The fresh weight of corn forage in CT treatment was 29% lower than fresh weight in PRB treatment. Conclusion: The use of conservation tillage methods and preservation of residues in the field can help to improve soil organic matter. Also, the average bulk density, water holding capacity, saturated moisture and field capacity moisture of the soil are strongly affected by the application of tillage methods and also the type of equipment used in tillage operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Lightweight aggregates are a material used in many industries. A huge amount of this material is used in construction and architecture. For the most part, lightweight construction aggregates are obtained from natural resources such as clay raw materials that have the ability to swell at high temperatures. Resources of these clays are limited and not available everywhere. Therefore, opportunities are being sought to produce lightweight artificial aggregates that have interesting performance characteristics due to their properties. For example, special preparation techniques can reduce or increase the water absorption of such an aggregate depending on the needs and application. The production of artificial lightweight aggregate using various types of waste materials is environmentally friendly as it reduces the depletion of natural resources. Therefore, this article proposes a method of obtaining artificial lightweight aggregate consolidated using two methods: drum and dynamic granulation. Hardening was achieved using combined methods: sintering and hydration, trying to maintain the highest possible porosity. Waste materials were used, such as dust from construction rubble and residues from the processing of PET bottles, as well as clay from the Bełchatów mine as a raw material accompanying the lignite overburden. High open porosity of the aggregates was achieved, above 30%, low apparent density of 1.23 g/cm3, low leachability of approximately 250 µS. The produced lightweight aggregates could ultimately be used in green roofs.

Abstract In areas where loess is distributed, landslides represent a significant geohazard with severe implications. Among these events, loess-mudstone landslides are particularly prevalent, posing substantial risks to the safety and property of local residents, and moisture plays a pivotal role as a key factor in causing these disasters. In this study, the hydraulic properties of the soils along the longitudinal section of an ongoing loess-mudstone landslide are investigated through the variation of soil water characteristic curves, which are subsequently fitted by utilizing van Genuchten model. Moreover, a comprehensive experimental investigation was conducted on the loess, mudstone, and loess-mudstone mixtures to facilitate analysis, including X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation, particle size distribution (PSD) analysis, along with fundamental geotechnical tests for parameter determination. It is found that mudstone and loess have distinct SWCC distribution. The SWCC of loess at various depths exhibits a similar distribution pattern due to the occurrence of landslide. The SWCC distribution of loess-mudstone mixture displays a transitional trend between the SWCC of mudstone and that of loess, and the water retention capacity increases as the mudstone content increases. The experimental findings have demonstrated notable agreement between each other and exhibited a satisfactory level of concurrence with the observed phenomena in geological surveys.

Background. The results of a study on the drought resistance of cherry plum hybrid forms are presented. Water retention capacity of leaves and chlorophyll fluorescence were measured under the simulated conditions close to the dry wind season.Materials and methods. The water regime parameters were studied for five cherry plum genotypes in 2021 and 2022. Leaves of four hybrid forms developed at the Nikita Botanical Gardens and the reference cherry plum hybrid cultivar ‘Rumyanaya Zorka’ (Prunus rossica Erem.) were taken into the experiments. Using the guidelines by G. N. Eremeev and A. I. Lishchuk, a series of experiments on controlled leaf wilt at the air temperature of +27°C and relative humidity of 30% were conducted on cherry plum to assess the functional state of the photosynthetic apparatus during the development of water stress under dry wind conditions. The experiments were carried out in a Binder climate chamber. Chlorophyll fluorescence was measured using a portable Floratest fluorometer. The measurements were based on the parameters of the chlorophyll fluorescence induction curve (CFI) obtained on native leaves. The leaves of cv. ‘Rumyanaya Zorka’ in the state of complete watering served as the reference.Results and discussion. Dependence was identified between chlorophyll fluorescence and moisture content in the leaves of the studied samples. The hybrids were found to respond to drought in different ways. A relatively increased ability to retain moisture during dehydration was observed in form 12/26 whose leaves gave off moisture more slowly and restored their turgor better. It is promising for cultivation in areas with insufficient water supply. Form 99/36 had the lowest potential drought resistance. Forms 99/14 and 9/28 occupied an intermediate position.

Lightweight aggregates are a material used in many industries. A huge amount of this material is used in construction and architecture. For the most part, lightweight construction aggregates are obtained from natural resources such as clay raw materials that have the ability to swell at high temperatures. Resources of these clays are limited and not available everywhere. Therefore, opportunities are being sought to produce lightweight artificial aggregates that have interesting performance characteristics due to their properties. For example, special preparation techniques can reduce or increase the water absorption of such an aggregate depending on the needs and application. The production of artificial lightweight aggregate using various types of waste materials is environmentally friendly as it reduces the depletion of natural resources. Therefore, this article proposes a method of obtaining artificial lightweight aggregate consolidated using two methods: drum and dynamic granulation. Hardening was achieved using combined methods: sintering and hydration, trying to maintain the highest possible porosity. Waste materials were used, such as dust from construction rubble and residues from the processing of PET bottles, as well as clay from the Bełchatów mine as a raw material accompanying the lignite overburden. High open porosity of the aggregates was achieved, above 30%, low apparent density of 1.23 g/cm3, low leachability of approximately 250 µS. The produced lightweight aggregates could ultimately be used in green roofs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In areas where loess is distributed, landslides represent a significant geohazard with severe implications. Among these events, loess-mudstone landslides are particularly prevalent, posing substantial risks to the safety and property of local residents, and moisture plays a pivotal role as a key factor in causing these disasters. In this study, the hydraulic properties of the soils along the longitudinal section of an ongoing loess-mudstone landslide are investigated through the variation of soil water characteristic curves, which are subsequently fitted by utilizing van Genuchten model. Moreover, a comprehensive experimental investigation was conducted on the loess, mudstone, and loess-mudstone mixtures to facilitate analysis, including X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation, particle size distribution (PSD) analysis, along with fundamental geotechnical tests for parameter determination. It is found that mudstone and loess have distinct SWCC distribution. The SWCC of loess at various depths exhibits a similar distribution pattern due to the occurrence of landslide. The SWCC distribution of loess-mudstone mixture displays a transitional trend between the SWCC of mudstone and that of loess, and the water retention capacity increases as the mudstone content increases. The experimental findings have demonstrated notable agreement between each other and exhibited a satisfactory level of concurrence with the observed phenomena in geological surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Starch is the main component of quinoa seeds. However, quinoa starch has poor solubility in cold water and poor mechanical resistance and is easily aged, which limit its application. Therefore, modification of its structure to improve its functional properties is necessary. RESULTS: This research used acetic anhydride and sodium trimetaphosphate to modify the structure of starch molecules and investigated their influence on bread quality. The results showed that both esterification and crosslinking prevented the aggregation behavior of starch molecules. Moreover, they both decreased the gelatinization enthalpy change and relative crystallinity of the starch. Compared with native starch, modification significantly decreased the gelatinization temperature from 57.01 to 52.01 °C and the esterified starch exhibited the lowest enthalpy change with a 44.2% decrease. Modified starch increased the specific volume and decreased the hardness and chewiness of bread. Modification did not influence the moisture content in bread but impacted the water retention capacity, depending on the degree of modification. Low and medium degrees of modification improved the water retention capacity during storage. By contrast, a high degree of modification (10 g kg−1 crosslinking agent) decreased the water retention capacity. The dually modified quinoa starch (esterified and crosslinked) showed no influence on the textural properties of bread. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that both esterification and crosslinking significantly improved the functional properties of quinoa starch. Crosslinked or esterified quinoa starches have the potential to improve the textural properties of bakery products. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burning biomass on sugarcane plantations can lead to pollution (CO₂ emissions) and degradation in soil properties. Adopting non-burning technology can increase the value of biomass by applying it directly to the soil, although this may result in nutrient immobilization, which can hinder optimal plant growth due to high lignin and cellulose content or high CN ratio. On the contrary, composting waste with a decomposer will boost plant nutrient availability and enhance other soil characteristics. This research was aimed to assess the effect of several types of sugarcane organic matter on improving soil characteristics, growth of sugarcane and the CO₂ emissions. The study was conducted using a Completely Randomized Factorial Design with two factors: type of organic matter (control, fresh litter and compost of sugarcane biomass) and level of drought stress (100, 75, 50 and 25%). Incubation occurred over 16 weeks, divided into two phases of 8 weeks each. The results showed that the application of organic materials in the form of compost could reduce water loss caused by environmental heat and sugarcane growing process. Furthermore, compost application improved soil chemical and biological properties by increasing soil pH, total nitrogen (N), total phosphate (P), total potassium (K), and the total microbial population, although differences were not significant compared to the control. Additionally, applying organic matter in the form of compost or litter helped suppress or reduce emissions, with compost treatment proving more effective than litter in reducing CO₂ emissions.

Burning biomass on sugarcane plantations can lead to pollution (CO2 emissions) and degradation in soil properties. Adopting non-burning technology can increase the value of biomass by applying it directly to the soil, although this may result in nutrient immobilization, which can hinder optimal plant growth due to high lignin and cellulose content or high CN ratio. On the contrary, composting waste with a decomposer will boost plant nutrient availability and enhance other soil characteristics. This research was aimed to assess the effect of several types of sugarcane organic matter on improving soil characteristics, growth of sugarcane and the CO2 emissions. The study was conducted using a Completely Randomized Factorial Design with two factors: type of organic matter (control, fresh litter and compost of sugarcane biomass) and level of drought stress (100, 75, 50 and 25%). Incubation occurred over 16 weeks, divided into two phases of 8 weeks each. The results showed that the application of organic materials in the form of compost could reduce water loss caused by environmental heat and sugarcane growing process. Furthermore, compost application improved soil chemical and biological properties by increasing soil pH, total nitrogen (N), total phosphate (P), total potassium (K), and the total microbial population, although differences were not significant compared to the control. Additionally, applying organic matter in the form of compost or litter helped suppress or reduce emissions, with compost treatment proving more effective than litter in reducing CO2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to low costs, pipelines are commonly used for transporting hazardous substances such as combustible liquids and gasses. Currently, chemical industrial parks and gas production stations have dense pipeline networks. In the case of a pipeline leakage and subsequent fire accident, the adjacent pipelines could be directly impinged by the flame or engulfed in hot smoke, with the potential to result in a chain of accidents and catastrophic consequences. It is thus of practical importance to develop an efficient thermal protection material for pipelines. In this study, a new type of bio-based gel material was prepared for pipeline thermal protection, using guar gum (GG) as the gelling agent, sodium tetraborate (B) as the crosslinking agent and magnesium chloride (MgCl2) as the fire retardant. Firstly, orthogonal experiments were conducted to examine the gelling time of the gel and determine the optimal formulations that meet the protection requirements. Subsequently, water retention, thermal stability and the microstructure of these formulations were analyzed. Finally, the thermal protection performance of the gel formulations was evaluated under the direct impingement of flames or high-temperature smoke. The results indicated that the best performance was achieved by the formulation with GG, B and MgCl2 mass fractions of 2.5, 0.6 and 0.5 wt%, respectively. This formulation also exhibited the best water retention capacity and thermal stability. In the pipeline thermal protection experiments, this formulation achieved effective protection times of 216 s (for a 90 mm diameter) and 312 s (for a 120 mm diameter) for the lower part of the pipeline under direct flame impingement. Under high-temperature smoke impingement, this formulation also showed excellent performance. These research and findings can provide an important foundation for the further development of thermal protection materials for pipelines under fire conditions.

The mechanism for improving soil with high-performance ester material is not yet clear, especially changes in soil moisture under dry–wet cycling conditions. Soil moisture is closely related to its ecological performance, which also leads to a lack of scientific bases for the application range, climate conditions, and long-term performance evolution evaluation of high-performance ester materials in ecological restoration. Our research revealed an optimal ratio for the amount of high-performance ester materials that can improve soil moisture and ecological performance under multiple dry–wet cycling conditions. Dry–wet cycling experiments and planting tests were conducted to study the soil moisture improvement mechanism and the changes caused by high-performance ester materials. Changes in the soil’s moisture, EC, and ecological performance were explored. The results indicate that ester materials can effectively improve soil moisture and EC. Even after multiple dry–wet cycles, ester materials can still play an effective role in improving soil moisture and ecological performance. An optimal ratio for the amount of high-performance ester materials was also found. This research reveals the improvement mechanism for ester materials on soil moisture and ecological performance under dry–wet cycling conditions. Our results provide new data and technical guidance for the improvement of soil moisture and ecological restoration by high-performance ester materials.

Abstract Biochar has the potential to provide a multitude of benefits when used in soil remediation and increasing soil organic matter enrichment. Nevertheless, the intricated, hydrophobic pores and groups weaken its water-holding capacity in dry, sandy soils in arid lands. In order to combat this issue, starch-carbon-based material (SB), sodium alginate-carbon-based material (SAB), and chitosan-carbon-based material (CB) have been successfully synthesized through the graft-polymerization of biochar (BC). A series of soil column simulations were used to scrutinize the microstructure of the carbon-based material and explore its water absorption properties and its effects on sandy soil water infiltration, water retention, and aggregation. The results indicated that SB, SAB, and CB achieved water maximum absorption rates of 155, 188, and 172 g g−1, respectively. Considering their impact on sandy soils, SB, SAB, and CB lengthened infiltration times by 1920, 3330, and 3880 min, respectively, whilst enhancing the water retention capabilities of the soil by 18%, 25%, and 23% in comparison to solely adding BC. The utilization of these innovative materials notably encouraged the formation of sandy soil aggregates ranging from 2.0 to 0.25 mm, endowing the aggregates with enhanced structural stability. Findings from potting experiments suggested that all three carbon-based materials were conducive to the growth of soybean seeds. Thus, it is evident that the carbon-based materials have been fabricated with success, and they have great potential not only to significantly augment the water retention capacities and structural robustness of sandy soils in arid areas, but also to bolster the development of soil aggregates and crop growth. These materials possess significant application potential for enhancing the quality of sandy soils in arid and semi-arid regions. Graphical Abstract

Lemon peel represents an interesting by-product owing to its content of dietary fibre (DF) and (poly)phenols, which is of great importance for its valorisation. Hence, the objective of this study was to characterise the DF, total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant capacity of two lemon-peel-derived ingredients using two different methods (drying with warm air and enzymatic hydrolysis with pectinesterase). The analysis included a DF assessment, followed by neutral sugars characterisation through GC-FID and uronic acids determination via colorimetry. Subsequently, TPC and antioxidant capacity using the FRAP method were quantified through spectrophotometry. The swelling capacity (SWC), water retention capacity (WRC), and fat absorption capacity (FAC) were also determined as functional properties. It was observed that pectinesterase treatment led to a reduction in soluble DF and an increase in insoluble DF. This treatment also affected the pectin structure, thereby diminishing its ability to absorb water and fat within its matrix. The TPC was also reduced, resulting in a decrease in antioxidant capacity. Conversely, employing warm air exhibited a noteworthy increase in antioxidant capacity. This underscores its crucial contribution to the valorisation of lemon peel, not only by diminishing the environmental impact but also by enabling the acquisition of fibre ingredients with a noteworthy antioxidant capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cracks in coal goaf provide air leakage pathways and therefore increase the likelihood of coal spontaneous combustion, thus strongly affecting the safety of mining operations. Herein, an inorganic thixotropic gel (ITG) was proposed for inhibiting coal spontaneous combustion by blocking this leakage. The orthogonal experiments were designed to examine the effects of gel composition on gelation time and rheological/thixotropic properties. The three interval thixotropy test of the optimal-composition gel (4 wt% sodium bentonite, 3 wt% laponite, and 0.46 wt% silicate cement) revealed its good thixotropic recovery. The viscoelasticity test indicated that this gel retained elasticity-dominated behavior before being completely transformed into a sol and was not easy to break into pieces under pressure. By testing the characteristics of the ITG, it was proven that the ITG had an excellent water retention capacity, and high-temperature resistance and the apparent effects on blocking air leakage and extinguishing coal fire. By the thermogravimetric test, the influence of ITG on coal activation energy was calculated based on the ignition activation energy theory. FTIR was also introduced to analyze the effect of ITG on active groups of coal. In addition, structural characterization showed that ITG featured a tight surface and a stable overall structure, which further agreed with its prominent ability to block air leakage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successful rooting of grape microclones in uncontrolled environmental conditions (in vivo) depends on the level of resistance, which is formed at the stage of their passage and growth in vitro. An important role in this case is played by indicators of the water regime of the vegetative mass. The purpose of this study was to get acquainted with the results of determining the water-holding capacity, the intensity of transpiration of grape microclones in vitro and to establish the share of their influence on the adaptation potential in vivo. Biotechnological, laboratory, vegetation, and mathematical and statistical research methods were used in this study. The obtained results showed that to optimize the physiological processes in the tissues of the leaves and shoots of grape microclones, to increase their viability under in vivo conditions, it is advisable to cultivate them in vitro on structured nutrient media (MS + agroperlite, MS + vermiculite, MS + agroperlite + vermiculite) with the content of phytohormones IAA – 0.2 mg/l, and 6-BAP – 0.3 mg/l. Structured nutrient media contributed to an increase in water retention capacity and a decrease in the intensity of transpiration of tissues of leaves and shoots of microclones of both technical and rootstock varieties. During 60 minutes of research, from 0.006 g to 0.034 g of water evaporated from microclones of technical varieties, from 0.003 g to 0.053 g from microclones of rootstock varieties, respectively. Transpiration intensity (after 10 min) decreased by 1.7-1.8 times. On the control Murashige and Skoog nutrient medium, plants evaporated a larger amount of water during the corresponding period of time: from 0.006 g to 0.079 g (technical varieties) and from 0.008 g to 0.086 g (rootstock varieties); the intensity of transpiration was higher. After cultivation of grape microclones on structured nutrient media, they were characterized by a higher content of dry matter in the tissues of leaves and shoots (14.6-15.0%) and better survival rates in vivo (76.3-98.5%, at 58.5-65.2% in control). The reliability of the results obtained is confirmed by the results of multivariate analysis of variance. The obtained results expand the understanding of dynamic changes in the indicators of the water regime of the vegetative mass of grape microclones in vitro, their influence on plant survival under in vivo conditions

Biochar has the potential to provide a multitude of benefits when used in soil remediation and increasing soil organic matter enrichment. Nevertheless, the intricated, hydrophobic pores and groups weaken its water-holding capacity in dry, sandy soils in arid lands. In order to combat this issue, starch-carbon-based material (SB), sodium alginate-carbon-based material (SAB), and chitosan-carbon-based material (CB) have been successfully synthesized through the graft-polymerization of biochar (BC). A series of soil column simulations were used to scrutinize the microstructure of the carbon-based material and explore its water absorption properties and its effects on sandy soil water infiltration, water retention, and aggregation. The results indicated that SB, SAB, and CB achieved water maximum absorption rates of 155, 188, and 172 g g−1, respectively. Considering their impact on sandy soils, SB, SAB, and CB lengthened infiltration times by 1920, 3330, and 3880 min, respectively, whilst enhancing the water retention capabilities of the soil by 18%, 25%, and 23% in comparison to solely adding BC. The utilization of these innovative materials notably encouraged the formation of sandy soil aggregates ranging from 2.0 to 0.25 mm, endowing the aggregates with enhanced structural stability. Findings from potting experiments suggested that all three carbon-based materials were conducive to the growth of soybean seeds. Thus, it is evident that the carbon-based materials have been fabricated with success, and they have great potential not only to significantly augment the water retention capacities and structural robustness of sandy soils in arid areas, but also to bolster the development of soil aggregates and crop growth. These materials possess significant application potential for enhancing the quality of sandy soils in arid and semi-arid regions. Highlights: Novel carbon-based materials were prepared using biochar and biodegradable organic matter. The novel materials exhibited excellent water absorption capacity. The novel materials greatly decreased the water infiltration capacity of sandy soil. The novel materials increased the water retention capacity and aggregate size of sandy soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Water retention capacity (WRC) is crucial for assessing the hydro-physical behavior of unsaturated soils. Dispersive soil, erodible and found mainly in arid regions, lacks sufficient WRC knowledge, hindering its stability evaluation in unsaturated state. This study aimed to explore the WRC of dispersive soil by measuring its matric suction (ψ) under coupling effects of dry density (ρd) and soluble salt content (η). Materials and method: Compacted specimens with different ρd and η were prepared. For each ρd-η case, six levels of soil mass water content were considered and the ψ was measured via filter paper method. Soil water characteristic curves (SWCCs) were fitted by van Genuchten model. Results and discussion: The WRC of dispersive soil enhances as ρd increases. Increasing η first weakens then strengthens the WRC, showing suction dependence. The air-entry value and residual state suction range within 0.95–17.8 kPa and 15.7–98.4 MPa, respectively. As for the air-entry value, increasing η from 0.3% to 2.0% decreases it from 36.0% to 58.7% when ρd increases, and its average growth rate changes from 174.5% to 265.3% when ρd exceeds 1.53 g/cm3. Increasing ρd reduces the average water loss rate of SWCC transition stage, while the impact of η is nonmonotonic, with an inflection point at 1.0%. Conclusions: The ρd and η influenced the WRC of dispersive soil individually and interactively. The effect of ρd links to the water release sequence from pores of different sizes, whereas that of η, rather complex and non-monotonic, relates to clay electrochemistry and salt phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bryophytes play a crucial role in the ecosystem's water compartment due to their unique ability to retain water. However, their role within temperate native ecosystems is mostly unknown. To address this knowledge gap, a study was conducted on Terceira Island (Azores), focusing on 14 bryophyte species found at different altitudes (40 m, 683 m, and 1012 m); five samples were collected monthly, per species and location, and their fresh, saturated, and dry weights were examined in the laboratory; four species were collected from more than one site. Generalized linear models (GLM) were used to assert the influence of climate factors (temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity) and environmental variables on two water indicators: field water content (FWC) and relative water content (RWC). None of the examined factors, per se, were able to explain all cases. Species appear to respond to climate according to a limiting factor effect: at lower elevations, precipitation was determinant, while at medium elevations, FWC was influenced by a combination of precipitation and relative humidity. At higher elevations, temperature was retained for seven of the nine studied species. The RWC values indicated that the 14 bryophyte species remained hydrated throughout the year but rarely reached their maximum water-holding capacity, even at the highest altitude. Understanding the mechanisms by which native bryophytes acquire, store, and release water is crucial for comprehending the resilience of native vegetation in the face of climate change. This knowledge can also enable the development of strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect vital water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, acrylic super absorbent polymer (SAP) was synthesizes by the free radical water copolymerization method at room temperature with acrylic acid (AA), acrylamide (AM), 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS) as the monomer, N, N’-methylene bisacrylamide (NMBA) as the cross-linking agent, ammonium persulfate ( (NH4) 2S2O8) and sodium thionosulfate (Na2S2O3) as the redox initiator, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as the neutralizing agent.The as-prepared products were analyzed and characterized by FI-IR, GPC, TG and SEM, and the effect of the crosslinker on properties for SAP was also investigated.The result shows that the undecomposed SAP has good thermal stability under 240 ℃.When the content of crosslinker is 0.01%, the water absorption rate could reach the maximum value (625.21 g/g). After drying at 60 ℃ for 24 hours, the water holding rate reachs 19.06%, which is higher than that of free evaporation of water.After five cycles of water absorption, the water absorption rate could still reach more than 600 g/g stably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the emergence of various hydrogels with excellent functions, the air‐drying of hydrogels has attracted extensive attention. Improving the water retention capacity is critical in the application of hydrogels. Herein, inspired by the dense aggregation structure of natural hydrophilic macromolecules, hydrophilic substances (gelatin and glycerol) are first applied to enhance the water retention capacity of hydrogels by constructing a quenched double‐hydrophilic coating. The weight retention ratio of the modified hydrogels is increased to 72.5% at 25 °C and 40 RH% after 5 days. Furthermore, the construction of hydrophilic coating on the surface does not affect the mechanical properties, and the modified hydrogels still retain strong water retention capacity after loading. In addition, this approach is applicable to hydrogels with different shapes and types, and various materials can be selected. Therefore, the proposed method provides new insights for expanding the application scope and service life of hydrogels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oxidation of sulfide minerals in mine wastes is a possible threat to the environment as it might have potential to generate acid rock drainage (ARD). A common method to reduce ARD is to apply a dry cover on the mine waste deposit. Considering the massive amounts of mine waste produced in Sweden (104-million-ton in year 2018) there is a great need for suitable dry cover materials. Using non-hazardous industrial residues in the dry cover would be beneficial for both the mining industry and the providing industry as stricter waste management legislation incentivizes them to develop their waste management strategies. The objective of this study was to investigate if an addition of Green Liquor Dregs (GLD), a residue from pulp production, can decrease the hydraulic conductivity and increase the water retention capacity (WRC) of three different tills, with the purpose of improving the performance of a dry cover material on a mine waste deposit. Another objective was to investigate how the hydraulic conductivity and WRC are affected by the contents of fines and clays in the tills. The study concludes that the water retention capacity of the tills improves with GLD addition, however, the hydraulic conductivity did not decrease enough to reach the in Sweden required < 10−8 m/s. Even though, GLD could still successfully be used in the reclamation of mine sites as the high WRC can be seen as the most important factor in deterring acid rock drainage by keeping the sealing layer close to saturation. This study further indicates that there are other factors than the particle size distribution of the materials that controls the hydraulic conductivity of the mixtures, such as initial water content, dry density, and compaction effort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, Fluvisol from the area of Stari Beĉej (Serbia) was investigated with the aim of evaluating selected chemical and physical indicators of soil quality affter its long-term use in crop production. Ten bulk soil samples (soil depth: 0-210 cm) were collected to analyze soil chemical properties (humus, CaCO3, pH, P2O5, K2O), texture (six samples, soil depth: 0-130 cm), dry-stable aggregate distribution and stability of soil aggregates (four samples, soil depth: 0-80 cm). Additional undisturbed core samples (100 cm3 volume) were also collected to determine soil bulk density, total porosity, field air capacity, and field water capacity. Water infiltration capacity was also measured in the field using a double ring infiltrometer. The results indicated that the soil had a two-layer profile and a silty loam texture (with a physical clay content of 41-42% and a colloidal clay content of 27-28%). The humus horizon has quite favorable chemical properties up to a depth of 60 cm, and at a depth of 60-80 cm it is alkalized under the influence of saline groundwater. From an agronomic point of view, the structure of this soil is favorable. The results of determining the stabillity soil aggregates show that the soil structure in the Ahp and Ah horizons at depth (0-40 cm) with a content of 41% of water-stable aggregates < 0.25 mm is significantly worse (less favorable) than in the surface part of the AhBca horizon (40-60 cm) with a content of ~58% of waterstable aggregates < 0.25 mm. The main physical properties are not particularly favorable in the Ah and AhBca horizons to a depth of 80 cm. The Ah horizon is very compact (bulk density: 1.33-1.38 g/cm3 ), and the air-filled porosity is very low (less than 5%) and small (5-10%) at all depths up to 80 cm, and it is lowest in the surface 0-20 cm layer, only 3.8%. Infiltration capacity is low. The reserves of soil moisture available for plant growth in the soil layer 0-100 cm are very good (> 160 mm water depth). In summary, the results of this study show that perennial tillage can lead to a loss of soil productivity and serious soil degradation.

In this study, using potassium polyacrylate (KPA), polyvinylalcohol (PVA), and zinc chloride as cross-linking agents, successfully synthesized novel superabsorbent polymers. Different weight ratios of KPA and PVA were used to prepare the polymers using polymerization solution. So, polymers with different weight ratios made from PVA and KPA. Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) were produced using a simple approach at ambient temperature. By comparing absorption peaks, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV analysis were utilized to investigate the molecular interactions. The morphology of superabsorbent polymers was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). According to FT-IR, UV, and SEM results, the superabsorbent polymers (Zn-KPA and Zn-PVA) were prepared successfully. A comparison of Zn-KPA and Zn-PVA SAPs was conducted. The effects of cross-linking on water absorption were investigated. The Zn-PVA superabsorbent polymer has a maximum swelling capacity of 407%, while the swelling ratio of the Zn-KPA was 304%. Thus, these prepared superabsorbent polymers could be used for agricultural applications such as water storage. With increasing zinc chloride content and time, superabsorbent polymers’ swelling capacity has considerably improved.

The examination of plant resistance to drought is becoming increasingly relevant due to global warming. All species of the genus Aristolochia L. possess high decorative qualities and play an important role in natural ecosystems. However, under conditions of temperature imbalance, their ornamental value may decrease due to leaf turgor loss and even leaf shedding. The purpose of the paper is to highlight the results of studies on the drought resistance assessment of Aristolochia L. plant species to identify the most promising taxa suitable for cultivation in the city of Kyiv. The study was conducted in 2022 on three species of vines: Aristolochia macrophylla Lam., A. tomentosa Sims., A. manshuriensis Kom., which grow in the M.M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden (Kyiv). The study presented results on leaf hydration parameters, water deficit, water-holding capacity of leaves, electrical conductivity, and specific leaf area conducted in the Plant Physiology and Microbiology Laboratory of the Institute of Horticulture, National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine. Field assessment of Aristolochia L. plant drought resistance was also conducted. It was established that Aristolochia macrophylla Lam. is the most drought-resistant species, exhibiting low transpiration rates and high water-holding capacity. Aristolochia tomentosa Sims. it is the least drought-resistant species, which therefore needs additional care. In field conditions, significant signs of wilting were not observed, indicating that leaves reduce turgor during the day and recover at night. It is also important to preserve the environment in which these plants grow, as its changes affect the drought tolerance and life cycle of lianas. The results of the drought resistance research on Aristolochia L. plants point to the potential of these species. They can be used for selecting plant assortments for creating various types of plantations in urban environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The water retention capacity of forest leaf litter was estimated through lysimeter measurements under field conditions. Six lysimeters were placed in Pinus koraiensis and Quercus acutissima forests and filled with the surrounding leaf litter to represent the effects of litter type on the water retention capacity. Two years of measurements for rainfall and litter weight have been conducted in all lysimeters at 30 min intervals. Field measurements showed that P. koraiensis litter stored more water during rainfall periods than did Q. acutissima litter. As a result, immediately after the cessation of rainfall, 1.82 mm and 3.00 mm of water were retained per unit mass of Q. acutissima and P. koraiensis litter, respectively. Following rainfall, after the gravitational flow had entirely drained, the remaining water adhered to the litter was estimated to be 1.66 ± 1.72 mm and 2.72 ± 2.82 mm per unit mass per rainfall event for Q. acutissima and P. koraiensis litter, respectively. During the study period, approximately 83.7% of incident rainfall drained into the uppermost soil layer below the Q. acutissima litter, whereas 84.5% of rainfall percolated through the P. koraiensis litter. The moisture depletion curves indicated that 50% of the water retained in the Q. acutissima and P. koraiensis litter was lost via evaporation within 27 h and 90 h after the cessation of rainfall, respectively. This study demonstrated the water retention storage of leaf litter and its contribution to the water balance over floor litter according to litter and rainfall characteristics. The results also proved that lysimetry is a reliable method to quantify the variation of litter moisture under natural conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) were created by solution polymerization at ambient temperature using potassium polyacrylate (KPA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and magnesium chloride as a cross-linking agent with different weights of 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, and 1 g for KPA and 0.33, 0.44, 0.55, 0.733, and 1.1 g for PVA. Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) and UV-Vis spectroscopy were used to determine the chemical composition of the SAP complexes. The outcomes revealed that the KPA and PVA successfully interacted with the magnesium chloride. The morphology of the surfaces shows a uniform porous interconnected microstructure as revealed by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The effective preparation was confirmed by thermal characterization (thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry) of the SAPs. The influence of the cross-linker agent on the SAPs’ water absorbency was examined. The magnesium polyacrylate (Mg-PA) (0.6 g of MgCl2) SAP has a maximum swelling capacity of 650%, while that of magnesium polyvinyl alcohol (Mg-PVA) (0.55 g of MgCl2) was 244%. The findings confirmed that the SAPs have excellent swelling and water-retaining capabilities. The strategy used in this investigation may function as a model for developing and widespread usage of SAPs in agriculture and horticulture.

Azotobacter chroococcum is a universally accepted plant growth-promoting rhizospheric bacterium, which, as a biofertilizer, helps to increase the nitrogen level, solubilize the unavailable form of phosphorus, ensure growth-promoting metabolites, and control pathogenic microbes in the soil. A good strain of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) needs to be produced, formulated, transported, stored, and distributed to the agriculture field. During all these operations, bacterial inoculants are transferred via a carrier material. One of the important challenges in biofertilizer technology is to ensure stability of the bacteria in the carrier. The study aimed to assess a novel carrier Lantana charcoal (LC; obtained from Lantana camara biomass), as compared to some currently available carriers. LC exhibited higher carbon content, low N2 content, neutral pH, and, above all, higher water-holding capacity, making it a suitable carrier material for A. chroococcum and possibly other PGPR. As a carrier, it showed no contamination during storage, exhibited the highest moisture content and moderate culture holding coefficient, and supported the highest colony-forming units per gram at the end of the storage period. Thus, LC cannot only serve as a better carrier, but its large-scale application would also ensure a reasonable use of this weed.

Lemon peel represents an interesting by-product owing to its content of dietary fibre (DF) and (poly)phenols, which is of great importance for its valorisation. Hence, the objective of this study was to characterise the DF, total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant capacity of two lemon-peel-derived ingredients using two different methods (drying with warm air and enzymatic hydrolysis with pectinesterase). The analysis included a DF assessment, followed by neutral sugars characterisation through GC-FID and uronic acids determination via colorimetry. Subsequently, TPC and antioxidant capacity using the FRAP method were quantified through spectrophotometry. The swelling capacity (SWC), water retention capacity (WRC), and fat absorption capacity (FAC) were also determined as functional properties. It was observed that pectinesterase treatment led to a reduction in soluble DF and an increase in insoluble DF. This treatment also affected the pectin structure, thereby diminishing its ability to absorb water and fat within its matrix. The TPC was also reduced, resulting in a decrease in antioxidant capacity. Conversely, employing warm air exhibited a noteworthy increase in antioxidant capacity. This underscores its crucial contribution to the valorisation of lemon peel, not only by diminishing the environmental impact but also by enabling the acquisition of fibre ingredients with a noteworthy antioxidant capacity.

【Objective】To understand the characteristics of coal slime and its impact on the physical properties of sandy soil,and to explore the utilization of coal slime in agriculture.【Methods】On the basis of examining the features of coal slime,using unplanted simulation culture experiments with varying application rates of 0 (CK),15 t/hm2 (L-1),45 t/hm2 (L-2),75 t/hm2 (L-3) and 135 t/hm² (L-4),the changes in physical properties of sandy soil following the application of coal slime were examined.【Results】The content of cadmium,mercury,lead,chromium,and arsenic in coal slime was low,accounting for only 0.32% to 11.55% of the standard values,with up to 73.43% of clay and powder particles. It was rich in plant growth promoting beneficial elements,SiO2 and Al2O3 (with a relative content of 71.17%),contained essential macroelements K2O and P2O5 (with a relative content of 2.02%),essential medium elements CaO,SO3,MgO (with a relative content of 18.00%),and essential trace elements Fe2O3,MnO,ZnO,CuO,NiO (with a relative content of 6.73%),all of which were beneficial for plant growth. At 240.5 g/kg,the content of total organic carbon was high. The ratio of light and heavy fraction organic carbon was around 1 ∶ 4. Applying coal slime optimized the particle size composition of sandy soil and increased the content of clay particles (d<2 μm) and powder particles (2~50 μm) with increases of 1.01-4.95 percentage points and 0.21-0.71 percentage points respectively. The proportion of capillary pores in sandy soil increased by 2.29% to 16.46%. The non capillary pore ratio of sandy soil reduced by 1.12% to 45.42%. The available water content of sandy soil increased by 1.04% to 18.89%. Compared with CK,both L-3 and L-4 treatments significantly (P<0.05) increased the content of clay and powder particles in sandy soil and significantly reduced the bulk density of sandy soil. L-3 treatment had the highest proportion of soil capillary pores of 24.90%,lowest proportion of non capillary pores of 6.31% and the highest proportion of soil available water to water loss of 75.27%.【Conclusion】Coal slime had low levels of heavy metals and met the safety index criteria of Soil Quality for Land Improvement of Urban Sewage Treatment Plant Sludge Disposal, with high water retention capacity, rich in various elements,and could provide sufficient organic carbon. It had good improvement effects on the physical properties of sandy soil. Within the scope of the experiment,the best effect achieved when the amount of coal slime applied at 75 t/hm². [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar has emerged as a promising soil amendment material, offering the potential to enhance mechanical and water retention properties. Geo-environmental structures constructed with biochar-amended soils (BAS) might experience a change in strength and water retention capacity due to extreme climactic changes, resulting in structural failures. The existing literature lacks a comprehensive study on the strength of BAS under prolonged curing, freeze-thaw cycles, and water retention behaviour for varying compaction conditions. The current study focused on addressing this research gap. Bamboo biochar (BB) was mixed with lean clay (CL) and silty sand (SM) in five different percentages (0%, 1%, 2%, 3.5% and 5% w/w) to prepare BAS specimens for unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and water retention tests. Results showed that UCS of CL soil increased up to 2% BB content but decreased thereafter, whereas it consistently decreased for SM soil with increasing BB content. Irrespective of the BB content, both soils consistently showed an increase in UCS with the curing period, which can be attributed to the enhanced bonding between the soil and BB, as well as the formation of stable aggregates. In contrast, the strength of both biochar-amended soils (BAS) decreased with the increase in freeze-thaw cycles, due to the expansion and contraction of ice within the specimen. The porous and hydrophilic nature of biochar (BB) increased the water retention capacity of both soils, with a more significant improvement observed in CL soil compared to SM soil, under both compacted and slurry conditions. Specimen compaction significantly decreased the gravimetric water content at the permanent wilting point in both soils. These variations were also evident in the microstructural analysis., Competing Interests: Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Biochars, depending on the types of feedstocks and technological conditions of pyrolysis, can vary significantly in their properties and, therefore, it is difficult to predict biochar-induced effects on nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from various soils, their physical properties and water availability. The objectives of this study were (1) to quantify effects of slow pyrolysis biochar (BC) and fast pyrolysis biochar (PYRO) on physical and hydro-physical properties of sandy soil (Haplic Arenosol) and clayey loam soil (Gleyic Fluvisol), and (2) to assess corresponding N2O emissions from these two soils. The study included a 63-day long laboratory investigation. Two doses of BC or PYRO (15 t ha−1 and 30 t ha−1) were applied to the soils in combination or without nitrogen fertilizer (NH4NO3, 90 kg N ha−1). The obtained results have shown a significant decrease in the bulk density of sandy soil after it was amended with either rate of BC or PYRO. Water retention capacity of the soils in all the treatments with BC or PYRO increased considerably although no changes was found in the soil water-filled pore space (WFPS) which was higher than 60%. BC was increasing N2O emission rates from the sandy soil treated with N fertilizer, and reducing N2O emission rates from the clayey loam soil treated with N fertilizer. PYRO was more efficient and was reducing N2O emissions from both fertilized soils, but for the sandy soil the reduction was statistically significant only at higher dose (30 t ha−1) of the biochar.

The present study sought to detect the difference in physicochemical properties and the proximate compositions of common calcareous red seaweeds ''Corallina officinalis, Jania rubens, and Amphiroa rigida''. J. rubens was recorded highly water (WHC), and oil holding capacity (OHC) (1.619 ± 0.08 g g−1 DW, 3.1 ± 0.50 g g−1 DW, respectively) than those other species relating to the hydrophilic nature of polysaccharides, whereas swelling water capacity (SWC) was higher in A. rigida (5.25 ± 0.38 mL g−1 DW). A higher value of carbohydrates (49.88 ± 2.56% DW) was observed in J. rubens, Contrariwise, protein (36.99 ± 1.36% DW) and lipid contents (5.85 ± 0.49% DW) were higher in C. officinalis. Albumin and protamine protein fractions were higher in J. rubens specimens (45.11 ± 2.29 mg g−1 & 0.0014 ± 0.0007 mg g−1 DW, respectively) than other species. While globulin and glutilin (31.70 ± 1.90 mg g−1 DW & 41.93 ± 2.20 mg g−1 DW, respectively) were high in A. rigida. Contrariwise, insoluble protein fraction was high in C. officinalis (9.50 ± 0.50 mg g−1 DW). J. rubens specimens were recorded maximum values of the photosynthetic pigments. The different surface types and elemental analysis of three species were examined by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). From fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy the S–S stretching peak of disulfides group at 462 cm−1 was the fingerprint of J. rubens. From GC-MS data A.rigida possesses 16 bioactive components with biological properties. As a result, J. rubens and A. rigida could be employed as an ingredient in functional foods and drug manufacture.

Bryophytes play a crucial role in the ecosystem’s water compartment due to their unique ability to retain water. However, their role within temperate native ecosystems is mostly unknown. To address this knowledge gap, a study was conducted on Terceira Island (Azores), focusing on 14 bryophyte species found at different altitudes (40 m, 683 m, and 1012 m); five samples were collected monthly, per species and location, and their fresh, saturated, and dry weights were examined in the laboratory; four species were collected from more than one site. Generalized linear models (GLM) were used to assert the influence of climate factors (temperature, precipitation, and relative humidity) and environmental variables on two water indicators: field water content (FWC) and relative water content (RWC). None of the examined factors, per se, were able to explain all cases. Species appear to respond to climate according to a limiting factor effect: at lower elevations, precipitation was determinant, while at medium elevations, FWC was influenced by a combination of precipitation and relative humidity. At higher elevations, temperature was retained for seven of the nine studied species. The RWC values indicated that the 14 bryophyte species remained hydrated throughout the year but rarely reached their maximum water-holding capacity, even at the highest altitude. Understanding the mechanisms by which native bryophytes acquire, store, and release water is crucial for comprehending the resilience of native vegetation in the face of climate change. This knowledge can also enable the development of strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change and protect vital water resources.

The leachate drainage volume (LDV) of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills is crucial to the operation of leachate treatment plant and development at the leachate level, but there is still a lack of reasonable evaluation methods. In this study, the evaluation methods, including both field measurements and numerical simulations, are proposed and applied in the case study of a MSW landfill in Southeastern China. For field measurements, 23 boreholes were drilled to test the leachate level distribution, and thus to determine the saturated volume (SV) of the landfill. The water retention capacity of the drilled samples was tested in a compression cell for a calculation of the undrainage volume (UV) of the landfill, and total LDV was obtained as SV-UV. The total LDV and SV were measured to be 2.31 × 105 m3 and 1.08 × 106 m3, respectively, which indicated a total leachate drainage percentage (LDV/SV) of 22%. For numerical simulations, a hydro-mechanical model is established to predict the daily LDV during layered landfilling. The model couples leachate flow and MSW compression, which are two fundamental processes determining daily LDV. As the model takes into account the leachate generation caused by the compression of MSW, the prediction has a good agreement with the measurement. If ignoring compression, the daily LDV will be underestimated by a percentage of 35%–50%. This study provides basic information and an assessment framework of leachate drainage volume and contributes to leachate management in landfills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology / Yingyong Shengtai Xuebao is the property of Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology 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.)

A permanent collapsing gully, locally called Benggang, formed on slopes with deep granite red soil and is a type of unique gully erosion widely prevalent in southern China. Three different soil configurations (SC), ie, red-transition-sandy (SC Ⅰ, the transition is the soil layer between the red soil and the sandy soil layer), transition-sandy (SC Ⅱ) or sandy (SC Ⅲ) are usually present in the soil profile of the Benggang slope. However, little attention has been paid to impacts of SCs on the triggering of Benggang erosion. In this study, we aimed to explore the relationships between soil water content (SWC) and triggering of Benggang erosion under different SC conditions. The soil properties of different soil layers were measured and the SWC at depths of 20, 40, 60, and 80 cm were monitored at 5-min intervals along a typical Benggang (SC Ⅰ) during 2016–2018. The SWC of Benggang slopes with different SCs were simulated by VADOSE/W model. Results showed that the red soil layer had a higher water retention capacity and shear strength than the sandy soil layer. Even if the SWC is higher (e.g., 0.42 cm3/cm3) at red soil layer or transition layer, the corresponding shear strength is greater than that of sandy soil layer with a lower SWC (e.g., 0.32 cm3/cm3). Relationships between shear strength and SWC of different soil layers indicate that Benggang erosion is triggered by an increase in the SWC in the deep sandy layer. Results also showed that differences exist in the SWC distribution among the different SCs. The SWC is higher in topsoil than in deeper soil in SC Ⅰ and SC Ⅱ, while in SC Ⅲ, the opposite trend is observed. These results revealed that the presence of the red soil or transition layer can reduce the infiltration of rainwater into the deep sandy layer, thus can reduce the possibility of collapse. Our results show that the SC affects the stability of the headwall, and results provide great significances to guide the mitigation of Benggang erosion.

Introduction: The high protein content has made legumes a raw material of interest in the formulation of different agro-industrial products; the trupillo (Prosopis juliflora) tree is an easily accessible, multipurpose, wild legume that can be used in all its composition, has a high protein value and little commercial level, which is currently being wasted as it is mistakenly considered a weed and that It could be seen as a new alternative that helps in the potentialization of the food sector. Objective: This research aims to functionally characterize trupillo flour (Prosopis juliflora), obtained from leaves and seeds, to include it in a food matrix as a protein extender. Methodology: The experimental design for this research required three phases, i) obtaining, bromatological and functional characterization of leaf flour and trupillo seeds, ii) standardization of formulations for artisan sausages using trupillo flour as a protein source, and iii) bromatological and sensory characterization of the processed sausages. Results: It was found that the flours obtained preserved the characteristic odor and color of each raw material. Particularly, the seed flour presented bromatologically and functionally better protein contents (27.7%), ash (8.04%), swelling capacity (16.7 ml water / g sample), water absorption (7.89 g water / g sample) and water retention capacity (27.9 g water/g sample), for which it was selected to be included in the sausages. In the three formulations made (C, CT and T), there were variations in the color and texture of the sausages, with Formulation T standing out for presenting higher protein content (13.7%). However, consumers preferred Formulation C. Conclusions: These results allow to propose the inclusion of sausage with trupillo flour in the human diet as an alternative to traditional products.

ABSTRACT Water availability is one of the most important factors for the growth of tree seedlings in forestry-related regions. We hypothesized that under different water regimes, a water-retaining polymer (hydrogel) can positively contribute to chlorophyll- a fluorescence and growth in Campomanesia xanthocarpa (Mart.) O. Berg. Four water retention capacities (WRC) were evaluated: 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%, depending on the presence or absence of hydrogel at the substrate. The lowest WRCs, particularly those under 25% without hydrogel, reduced chlorophyll index and negatively affected the photochemical activities of photosystem II. However, under low water availability the hydrogel mitigated the damage inflicted on the reaction centers and chlorophyll synthesis. The greatest growth effects occurred at 100% WRC in the presence of the hydrogel. Physiological indices were higher under 100% WRC without hydrogel and 50% with hydrogel. The increase in biomass and Dickson quality were more pronounced in the seedlings produced under 50% WRC and hydrogel, and the addition of these parameters to the substrate contributed to more viable morphophysiological indicators for the production of C. xanthocarpa seedlings.

Biomass-based slow-release fertilizers (SRFs) are a sustainable solution for addressing food scarcity, improving fertilizer efficiency, and reducing pollution, whereas they still face complex preparation, high costs, and low release characteristics. This study introduces a simple and innovative approach to producing bifunctional green SRFs with controlled release and conditioning properties for saline soils and harsh environments. The method involves a one-pot preparation of microsphere-structured amine-modified lignin slow-release fertilizer (L-U X) using biomass lignin as the starting material. The L-U X demonstrates an exceptional fertilizer loading rate (66.2 %) and extended slow-release performance (288 h), effectively enhancing the fertilizer's release ability. Compared to traditional fertilizers, the bifunctional L-U X significantly improves soil water retention capacity (824.3 %), plant growth, and germination percentage in challenging soil conditions (133 %). These findings highlight the potential of L-U X as a large-scale controlled-release fertilizer in harsh environments. A life cycle assessment (LCA) was also conducted to evaluate the environmental impact of L-U X from its production to disposal. This revealed that L-U X has a minimal environmental footprint compared to conventional inorganic fertilizers. This study further supports the widespread application of L-U X as an environmentally friendly alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase change hydrogel (PCH) combines the heat storage characteristics of phase change material with the water retention capacity of hydrogel, showing great potential in cooling pavement applications. This study aims to investigate the water retention and heat storage properties of PCH in cooling pavement, providing new insights for mitigating the urban heat island effect. Based on the principle of osmotic pressure, polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution was actively absorbed by superabsorbent polymers (SAP) to form stable PCH. By infusing the asphalt mixture skeleton with PCH-containing phase change grouting material (PCGM), a temperature-regulating phase change grouting pavement (PCGP) can be obtained. Morphological characterization showed that PCH was uniformly distributed in PCGM and effectively locked PEG during high temperature and water absorption/release processes without leakage. PCH imparted excellent water retention properties to PCGM, with a saturation water absorption rate of 44.1 %, which is 6.2 times higher than the control group, and a water retention rate of 34.31 % after heating at 60 °C for 12 hours. Furthermore, PCGM exhibited considerable heat storage performance, with a melting enthalpy of 15.74 J/g and a crystallization enthalpy of 12.07 J/g. Based on these, PCGP demonstrated outstanding temperature-regulating ability, reducing surface temperatures by 9.3 °C and 11.6 °C under dry and saturated conditions, respectively, compared to control pavement. In conclusion, this study provides a theoretical basis for the development of novel cooling pavement materials and shows great potential for its wide application in urban infrastructure construction. • A novel phase change hydrogel is developed based on the principle of osmotic pressure. • PCH endows pavement with excellent heat storage and water retention capabilities. • Phase change grouting pavement exhibits exceptional temperature-regulating ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Biochar produced from peapod peel by pyrolysis at 350 °C has beneficial properties for agricultural practices. • A lower fraction of biochar application improved the qualitative properties of desert infertile sand and microbial activity. • Biochar application was found to be beneficial for mung bean growth and enhancing soil water retention. • The optimization by RSM showed that a low fraction of biochar application has potential for agriculture applications. Valorization of food waste to biochar offers economic and environmental opportunities for sustainable agriculture production. Peapod (Pisum sativum) peel is a high-content lignocellulose vegetable waste and was used in this study to produce biochar through pyrolysis temperatures of 350, 450, and 550 °C, with a heating rate of 5 °C/min for 30 min and thereafter characterized for its various properties. The biochar produced at 350 °C, exhibiting the best soil amendment properties was used for pot testing with mung bean (Vigna radiata). The optimization of plant growth, soil water retention capacity, and microbial activity were determined using response surface methodology (RSM) with three design factors: (a) biochar loading rates (0 %, 0.5 %, and 1 %), (b) temperature (30–40 °C), and (c) quantity of water supplied (50–60 mL/day). The results showed that applying 0.5 % biochar with a water supply of 55 mL/day at 35 °C resulted in optimal responses for seed germination, plant height, and leaf development. Applying 1 % biochar with a water supply of 55 mL/day at 35 °C showed optimal responses for leaf area and leaf chlorophyll content. Stomatal conductance and catalase activity showed optimal responses for 1 % biochar applied with a water supply of 60 mL/day at 40 °C. Urease activity and water retention capacity showed optimal responses when 1 % biochar was applied with a water supply of 60 mL/day at 30 °C, respectively. This study demonstrates the potential use of peapod peel biochar in water-food-environment nexus, with a lower dose and lesser volume of water demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although a number of works present biochar as a promising material for improving the quality of degraded soils, only a few show the effect of this material in soils from the Andean highlands. The objective of this work was twofold: (a) to study the effect of two types of biochars on two agricultural soils commonly found in the Andean highlands (Andisol and Inceptisol) and the corresponding soil–biochar–fertilizer interactions, and, (b) to assess the response to biochar of two vegetable crops (lettuce and radish) grown in succession in a simulated double-cropping system. Biochar was produced at 400 °C and 500 °C, for 1 h (B400 and B500, respectively), using hardwood residues. Properties of biochar that could potentially affect its interaction with soil and water (e.g., functional groups, surface area, elemental composition) were assessed. Experiments were conducted to test for main and interaction effects of biochar type, soil type, and the addition of NPK fertilizer on the soils' characteristics. Bulk density and water content at field capacity and permanent wilting point were affected by two-way interactions between biochar and soil type. Biochar impacted bulk density and water retention capacity of soils. Higher available water content was found in soils amended with B400 than with B500, which is a consequence of the higher hydrophilicity of B400 compared to B500. After the lettuce crop was planted and harvested, the soil pH was unaffected by the biochar addition. However, after the second crop, the pH in the Inceptisol slightly decreased, whereas the opposite was detected in the Andisol. The CEC of the Inceptisol decreased (e.g., from 36.62 to 34.04 and from 41.16 to 39.11 in the control and in the Inceptisol amended with B400 only) and the CEC of the Andisol increased (e.g., from 74.25 to 90.41 in the control and from 79.61 to 90.80 in the Andisol amended with B400 only). Inceptisol amended only with biochar showed decrease of radish weight, while a large increase was found in B400 + fertilizer Inceptisol (i.e., from 22.9 g to 40.4 g). In Andisol, the weight of radish after the second crop increased in less proportion (i.e., from 43 g in the control to 59.7 g in the B400 + fertilizer Andisol), showing a visible positive impact of B400. The results suggest that biochar produced at 400 °C performs better than biochar produced at 500 °C because B400 apparently promotes a better environment for bacteria growth in the soils, as a consequence of more OH available groups in B400 and its better interaction with water and the fertilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]