Effects of biochar and bio-fertilizer on yield and qualitative properties of soybean and some chemical properties of soil

This study attempted to examine the effects of biochar amendment together with bio-fertilizer on soybean yield and its qualitative properties, as well as a few chemical properties of soil through a factorial randomized complete block design at three replications in east of Golestan Province (Iran) during 2014. The two factors under study included the following: (1) biochar amendment (in four levels of 0, 2.5, 8, and 16 tons per hectare), (2) bio-fertilizer containing phosphorus and sulfur growth-promoting rhizobacteria (in two levels of inoculation and non-inoculation) applied through foliar feeding. The results of analysis of variance indicated that interactions of biochar amendment and bio-fertilizer on harvest index and grain yield were significant (p ≤?0.01). According to the results of this study, the highest harvest index and oil content were 56.9, and 17.7%, respectively, in the treatment of 8 tons per hectare biochar and inoculation with bio-fertilizer. The lowest harvest index and the lowest oil content were in the control treatment. The interaction of biochar and bio-fertilizer on bulk density and cation exchange capacity was significant (p ≤?0.01). The results of this study demonstrated that biochar affected the amount of residual nitrogen in the soil after harvest, cation exchange capacity (CEC), acidity (pH), and electrical conductivity (EC). The highest grain yield (3440 kg/ha) was in the 8-ton biochar treatment with inoculated bio-fertilizer. Our study concludes that the biochar and bio-fertilizers can improve grain yield of soybean till 51% relative to the control.     

Optimization of Flue Gas Composition to Maximize Base Gas Replacement During UGS Process

Natural Resources Research - Base gas replacement by a cheap gas is one of the approved methods to reduce the cost of investment in underground gas storage process. Maximizing the amount of...     

Microbiostratigraphy of Kazhdumi Formation in the Northwestern Shiraz (Southwest Iran) on the Basis of Foraminifera and Calcareous Algae

The middle Cretaceous Kazhdumi Formation,with a thickness of 222 m,belongs to the Bangestan Group and occurs in the Zagros folded zone in southwest Iran.The lower boundary with the Dariyan Formation is disconformable,which is recognized by iron oxides and glauconite.The recognized microfossils are Valvulammina sp.,Scandonea sp.,Daxia cenomana,Choffatela sp., Pseudolituonella reicheli and calcareous algae-Lithocodium aggregation(which belongs to the Sarvak Formation),representing the beginning of Cenomani...     

A hybrid computational approach to formulate soil deformation moduli obtained from PLT

In this study, new empirical equations were developed to predict the soil deformation moduli utilizing a hybrid method coupling genetic programming and simulated annealing, called GP/SA. The proposed models relate secant (E_s), unloading (E_u) and reloading (E_r) moduli obtained from plate load–settlement curves to the basic soil physical properties. Several models with different combinations of the influencing parameters were developed and checked to select the best GP/SA models. The database used for developing the models was established upon a series of plate load tests (PLT) conducted on different soil types at various depths. The validity of the models was tested using parts of the test results that were not included in the analysis. The validation of the models was further verified using several statistical criteria. A traditional GP analysis was performed to benchmark the GP/SA models. The contributions of the parameters affecting E_s, E_u and E_r were analyzed through a sensitivity analysis. The proposed models are able to estimate the soil deformation moduli with an acceptable degree of accuracy. The E_s prediction model has a remarkably better performance than the models developed for predicting E_u and E_r. The simplified formulations for E_s, E_u and E_r provide significantly better results than the GP-based models and empirical models found in the literature.     

The latest Carboniferous–Early Permian Dorud Group of the eastern Alborz (Iran): biostratigraphy and taxonomy of smaller foraminifers

The latest Carboniferous–Early Permian Dorud Group in the Chaman‐Saver area of eastern Alborz, Iran is more than 222 m thick and includes thick sequences of oncolitic limestone, sandy limestone, sandstones and shales. The Emarat and Ghosnavi formations of this Group are dated here as latest Gzhelian to early Sakmarian Stages. During the Asselian Stage, the sea level fell abruptly and epeirogenic episodes occurred. These events generated a broad, shallow carbonate platform suitable for the growth and diversity of smaller foraminifers in the Chaman‐Saver area which, consequently, displays faunal differences with the rest of the Alborz Mountains. Three foraminiferal biozones are proposed: Nodosinelloides potievskayae–Vervilleina bradyi Zone (latest Gzhelian), Calcitornella heathi–Nodosinelloides sp. Zone (latest Gzhelian–Asselian), and Rectogordius iranicus n. gen. n. sp.–Hemigordius schlumbergeri Zone (early Sakmarian). The new taxa described herein include: Pseudovidalina iranica n. sp., P. damghanica n. sp., Rectogordius iranicus n. gen. n. sp. and Tezaquina sp. 1. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Age, growth and reproduction of the sand smelt Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810 in the Gomishan wetland – southeast Caspian Sea

A total of 2256 specimens of Atherina boyeri caught in Gomishan wetland (a marsh lagoon located at the southeast Caspian Sea) during spawning season from February to August 2007 were examined for life-history attributes. The population has a 4-year life cycle. Length–weight relationship was estimated as W = 0.0053TL^3.0181 for males and W = 0.0050TL^3.063 for females, being allometrically positive for both sexes. The von Bertalanffy growth function fitted to back-calculated size at age data was: Lt = 155.17[1 − exp − 0.28(t + 0.738)] and Lt = 162.77[1 − exp − 0.27(t + 0.727)] for males and females respectively. The sex ratio was 1:1.30 in favor of females. The reproductive season, evaluated from GSI, extended from March to July, with a peak in March. The average absolute and relative fecundities were 2976 eggs and 874 eggs g⁻¹ of body weight respectively. The diameter of oocytes ranged from 0.03 to 0.20 mm with a mean value of 0.68. The life-history patterns of A. boyeri in the population under study imply that the population of this species in the southeast Caspian Sea differs markedly from those of other localities of its range distribution. The differences were thought to be due to differences in geographical locations.     

Harmonic wave diffraction by two circular cavities in a poroelastic formation

This study investigates the dynamic interaction of time harmonic plane waves with a pair of parallel circular cylindrical cavities of infinite length buried in a boundless porous elastic fluid-saturated medium. The novel features of Biot dynamic theory of poroelasticity along with the appropriate wave field expansions, the pertinent boundary conditions, and the translational addition theorems for cylindrical wave functions are employed to develop a closed-form solution in the form of infinite series. The analytical results are illustrated with numerical examples in which two empty cavities are insonified by a fast compressional or a shear wave at end-on incidence. The basic dynamic field quantities such as the hoop stress amplitude and the radial displacement of the elastic frame are evaluated and discussed for representative values of the parameters characterizing the system. The effects of the proximity of the two cavities, the incident wave frequency and type are examined. Particular attention has been focused on multiple scattering interactions in addition to the slow wave coupling effects which is known to be the primary distinction of the scattering phenomenon in poroelasticity from the classical elastic case. Limiting case involving two empty cylindrical cavities in an elastic solid is considered and excellent agreement with a well-known solution is established.     

Effect of anti-slosh baffles on free liquid oscillations in partially filled horizontal circular tanks

An exact two dimensional hydrodynamic analysis based on the linear potential theory is introduced to study the free liquid sloshing characteristics of transverse oscillation modes in a non-deformable horizontal circular cylindrical baffled container which is filled to an arbitrary depth with an inviscid incompressible liquid. Three common baffle configurations are considered: a pair of internal rigid horizontal side baffles of arbitrary extension installed at the free liquid surface, and a surface-piercing or a bottom-mounted vertical rigid baffle of arbitrary extension positioned along the tank vertical axis of symmetry. The problem solution is obtained by the method of successive conformal coordinate transformations, leading to standard truncated matrix eigenvalue problems on simple (rectangular) regions which are then solved numerically for the resonance eigen-frequencies. The effects of liquid fill level, baffle arrangement and length upon the three lowest antisymmetric and symmetric sloshing frequencies and the associated hydrodynamic pressure mode shapes are examined. Also, convergence of the adopted approach with respect to the fill condition, and baffle type/extension is discussed. Limiting cases are considered and the validity of results is established in comparison with the data in the existing literature.     

Experimental study of bed topography variations due to placement of a triad series of vertical piers at different positions in a 180° bend

In this study, scouring around piers perpendicular to flow (PPF) and piers toward the flow (PTF) under clear-water condition was examined by placing a set of triad cylindrical piers with a 5-cm diameter and a 15-cm center to center distance at the positions of 60, 90, and 120° of the bend at a constant flow rate of 70 l per second. Natural sand of uniform grain size and average diameter of 1 mm with a uniformity coefficient of 1.3 was used as bed material of the flume. According to the results of this study, the maximum scouring depth occurred in the PPF test situated at the position of 90° of the bend. In such a position, the maximum depth of scouring hole was equal to 1.1 times the depth of the flow at the beginning of the bend. Also, where the piers were positioned in PTF and PPF modes in a 60° angle, the maximum area of scouring hole was observed around piers and sediment piles at the downstream side of the piers. The maximum height of sedimentation occurred in the PPF test situated at the 90° position of the bend. Such a stack was as high as 0.7 times the flow depth at the beginning of the bend and was observed at the 156° position of the bend, at a 20% distance of the flume width from the inner bank. Further results as well as discussion and analysis are among other points presented in the article.