Modeling plant density and ponding water effects on flooded rice evapotranspiration and crop coefficients: critical discussion about the concepts used in current methods

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - The aim of the study is to propose new modeling approaches for daily estimations of crop coefficient K c for flooded rice (Oryza sativa L., ssp. indica) under...     

On the mechanical and physical properties of ten hellenic marbles

In the present work the most characteristic mechanical and physical properties of ten Hellenic marbles were investigated. The marbles, five of which were white and the other five coloured, are the most representative ones found in Greece. Among those studied are the famous marbles of Paros and Penteli, the latter being the basic material of the Parthenon. After a rough classification and the determination of their composition, the following properties of each marble were determined: specific gravity; apparent density; behaviour in water; coefficient of thermal conductivity; coefficient of linear thermal expansion and its variation with temperature; strength in various loading forms; and dynamic modulus of elasticity as well as the resistance to frost and corrosion. All the results obtained are given in diagrammatic and tabular forms. On the basis of these results, useful conclusions regarding the utility of each marble for various applications are derived.     

Optimization of water resources management using SWOT analysis: the case of Zakynthos Island, Ionian Sea, Greece

Zakynthos, an island of 408 km² in the Ionian Sea, is completely dependent on its groundwater resources for fulfilling the demands of the water supplies. The use of groundwater resources has become particularly intensive during the last decades because of the intense urbanization, the tourist development and the irrigated land expansion that took place. The main aquifers are developed in limestones (karstic), sandstones of neogene deposits (confined) and alluvial deposits (phreatic). This paper focuses on the assessment of their hydrogeological characteristics and the groundwater quality. For this investigation, groundwater level measurements, drilling data, pumping tests and chemical analyses of groundwater samples were used. The average annual consumption that is abstracted from the aquifer systems, is 4.9 × 10⁶ m³ year⁻¹. The exploitable groundwater reserves were estimated to be 3.3 × 10⁶ m³ year⁻¹. In the last decades, the total abstractions exceed the natural recharge, due to the tourist development; therefore the aquifer systems are not used safely. The results of chemical analyses showed a deterioration of the groundwater quality. According to the analyses the shallow alluvial aquifer and the confined aquifer are polluted by nitrates at concentrations in excess of 25 mg L⁻¹. High sulphate concentrations might be related to the dissolution of gypsum. Seawater intrusion phenomena are recorded in coastal parts of aquifer systems. The increased Cl⁻ concentrations in karstic aquifer indicate signs of overexploitation. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis was applied in order to evaluate the SWOT of the groundwater resources. Moreover, some recommendations are made to assist the rational management that aim at improving the sustainability of the groundwater resources of Zakynthos Island.