Dye removal from aqueous solutions using novel nanocomposite hydrogel derived from sodium montmorillonite nanoclay and modified starch

A novel nanocomposite hydrogels (NCHs)-based polysaccharide was synthesized by incorporating Na-montmorillonite (NaMMT) nanoparticles (NPs) into poly acrylic acid and polyacrylamide grafted onto starch [P(AA–AAm)-g-starch] hydrogel. The conditions applied in this synthesis were optimized using the Taguchi orthogonal experimental design method. The characterization of NaMMT NPs/P(AA–AAm)-g-starch NCH was performed by Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray, and atomic force microscopy analyses. The resulting optimized NCH showed improved pH-dependent swelling and enhanced safranin adsorption capacity compared to pure hydrogel and NaMMT NPs. Its adsorption process could be described very well by pseudo-second-order and Elovich kinetic models. The adsorption isotherm was followed by Freundlich isotherm models. The conclusion confirms the prospect of NCH as an effective adsorbent for the adsorption of dyes from aqueous solutions.     

Capturing Hidden Geochemical Anomalies in Scarce Data by Fractal Analysis and Stochastic Modeling

Natural Resources Research - Fractal/multifractal modeling is a widely used geomathematical approach to capturing different populations in geochemical mapping. The rationale of this methodology is...     

Mutually interacting tachyon dark energy with variable G and Λ

We consider a tachyonic scalar field as a model of dark energy with interaction between components in the case of variable G and Λ. We assume a flat Universe with a specific form of scale factor and study cosmological parameters numerically and graphically. Statefinder analysis is also performed. For a particular choice of interaction parameters we succeed in obtaining an analytical expression of densities. We find that our model will be stable at the late stage but there is an instability in the early Universe, so we propose this model as a realistic model of our Universe.     

On the efficiency and predictability of strain energy for the evaluation of liquefaction potential: A numerical study

Strain energy concept has been employed by the researchers for the assessment of liquefaction phenomenon which is a disastrous type of earthquake-induced failure in saturated soils. The efficiency and predictability conditions of strain energy concept for liquefaction potential assessment are investigated herein using effective stress numerical analyses. Several earthquake ground motions were introduced to the base of a calibrated numerical model using an advanced fully coupled constitutive model. Results of the numerical analyses indicate that earthquake-induced excess pore pressure is more rigorously proportional to strain energy compared with the other examined intensity measures. Subsequently, a simple relationship was derived using the results of dynamic analyses to predict cumulative strain energy density in terms of magnitude, source to site distance, and effective overburden pressure. This relationship, which tries to guarantee the predictability condition of strain energy demand, has demonstrated a successful capability in discrimination between the liquefied and non-liquefied case histories recorded after several well-known earthquakes. This study has provided a practical linkage between numerical analysis and field observations. Finally, it is concluded that although strain energy approach possesses a great conceptual efficiency in liquefaction potential assessment, its precise prediction in actual field conditions involves some difficulties.     

A review of the application of the MUSLE model worldwide

Abstract

The sediment yield model of the MUSLE (modified universal soil loss equation) is applied extensively throughout the world, but different performances have been reported of its success relative to measured data. A review of all the available literature is presented to assess the application of the model under different conditions and, ultimately, make a comprehensive judgement on the different aspects to allow readers to adjust their further research. A review of 49 papers showed the variable accuracy of the model, which depends on the manner of calculation and determination of the input and output, and the study time and space scales. There were differences in land use, in correspondence of the physiographic characteristics with those of the original conditions of model development, and even in the experience of researchers in applying the model. The results also show the need to consider the original application of the model, as proposed by its developers, to achieve comparable results.

Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz

Citation Sadeghi, S.H.R., et al., 2014. A review of the application of the MUSLE model worldwide. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 59 (2), 365–375.     

Measuring sheet erosion using synthetic color‐contrast aggregates

The bulk of eroded soils measured at the outlets of plots, slopes and watersheds are suspended sediments, splash‐induced sheet erosion. It is depending on rainfall intensity and antecedent soil moisture contents and contributes to a significant proportion of soil loss that usually is ignored in soil erosion and sediment studies. A digital image processing method for tracing and measuring non‐suspended soil particles detached/transported by splash/runoff was therefore used in the present study. Accordingly, fine mineral pumice grains aggregated with white cement and coloured with yellow pigment powder, with the same size, shape and specific gravity as those of natural soil aggregates, called synthetic color‐contrast aggregates, were used as tracers for detecting soil particle movement. Subsequently, the amount of non‐suspended soil particles detached and moved downward the slope was inferred with the help of digital image processing techniques using MATLAB R2010B software (Mathworks, Natick, Massachusetts, USA). The present study was conducted under laboratory conditions with four simulated rainfall intensities between 30–90 mm h^‐1, five antecedent soil moisture contents between 12–44 % v v^‐1 and a slope of 30%, using sandy loam soils taken from a summer rangeland in the Alborz Mountains, Northern Iran. A range of total transported soil between 90.34 and 1360.93 g m^‐2 and net splash erosion between 36.82 and 295.78 g m^‐2were observed. The results also showed the sediment redeposition ratio ranging from 87.27% [sediment delivery ratio (SDR) = 12.73%] to 96.39% (SDR = 3.61%) in various antecedent soil moisture contents of rainfall intensity of 30 mm h^‐1 and from 80.55% (SDR = 19.45%) to 89.42% (SDR = 10.58%) in rainfall intensity of 90 mm h^‐1. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Germination and growth of six plant species on contaminated soil with spent oil

Effects of contaminated soil with spent oil on germination, above ground height and biomass of six herbaceous plant species were investigated by conducting a general phytotoxicity test and growth inhibition assessment. Six local plant species were used in order to investigate plant’s ability to germinate and survive in a gradient of contaminated soil with spent oil. The species selected for this experiment include one species of Fabaceae (Medicago truncatular), four species of Gramineae (Bromous mermis, Secal seral, Triticum sativa and A gropyron deserterum) and one species of Linaceae (Linum ussitasimum). Inhibitory effect of contaminated soil on germination, height of young seedling and dry weight were measured. In this study an artificial soil with a light texture included 85% sand, 10% silt and 5% clay was used. The exposure to the contaminated soil carried out using four consecutive concentrations (25, 50, 75, 100 g/kg). Results obtained from the current investigation indicate that all species perform dose-dependent responses to the contaminated soils. Reduction in germination, above ground height and biomass for all species were significantly (P < 0.05) different when compared to their controls, however, Medicago truncatular performed the highest and Linum ussitatisimum the lowest inhibitory effect for germination, above ground height and dry weight of seedling.     

Probabilistic correlation between laboratory and field liquefaction potentials using relative state parameter index (ξR)

Cyclic triaxial tests on reconstituted sand samples are broadly employed in practice while they ignore the inherent characteristics of soil in field condition such as aging, fabric, and prior strain history. Relative state parameter index, ξ_R, is utilized in a probabilistic framework to adjust the cyclic triaxial resistance ratio of sands at 15 uniform cycles (CRR_tx,15) to field condition. A wide-ranging database containing the results of cyclic triaxial tests conducted on reconstituted samples has been compiled to derive a correlation between relative state parameter index (ξ_R) and triaxial cyclic resistance ratio. The adjustment coefficients proposed by researchers are employed to correct CRR_tx,15−ξ_R relationship for actual field condition. The adjusted CRR_tx,15−ξ_R relationships are applied to a database of field liquefaction case histories composed of both SPT and CPT based data and their performances in field condition are evaluated. It is demonstrated that constant triaxial-to-field adjusting coefficients cannot ever predict conservative results. Logistic regression method is employed to derive a field probabilistic criterion that obtains the likelihood of liquefaction initiation in terms of ξ_R. The ξ_R-based boundary curve standing for 20% likelihood of liquefaction initiation is found to be the most conservative limit state boundary to be used in field conditions. Finally, the triaxial and field CRR−ξ_R relationships are composed and a probabilistic triaxial-to-field adjustment coefficient is proposed in terms of ξ_R and a given liquefaction probability. It is anticipated that the proposed relationship could reasonably correct the results of cyclic triaxial testing on freshly reconstituted sand samples.     

Reduced transition probabilities for 4~He radiative capture reactions at astrophysical energies

The reduced transition probabilities from an electric quadrupole B(E2) and reduced transition probabilities from a magnetic dipole B(M1) between the ground state and the first excited state have been calculated for the3He(α,γ)7Be,8Be(α,γ)12C and12C(α,γ)16O radiative capture reactions with the M3Y potential.These reactions are important in stellar evolution.The calculated B(M1) and B(E2) for7Be nuclei are found to be 1.082×10-3e2fm2and 1.921 e2fm4from transitions 3/2-to 1/2-,respectively.The obtained values for reduced transition probabilities B(E2) for the12C and16O nuclei from transitions 0+to 2+are 12.54 e2fm4and 14.18 e2fm4,respectively.The results are in satisfactory agreement with available experimental data.