Soil Chemical Analysis

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides access to information on a variety of topics related to the environment and strives to inform citizens of health risks. The EPA also has an extensive library network that consists of 26 libraries throughout the United States, which provide access to a plethora of information to EPA employees, scientists, and researchers. The EPA implemented a reorganization project to digitize their materials so they would be more accessible to a wider range of users, but this plan was drastically accelerated when the EPA was threatened with a budget cut. It chose to close and reduce the hours and services of some of their libraries. As a result, the agency was accused of denying users the “right to know” by making information unavailable, not providing an adequate strategic plan, and discarding vital materials. This case study explores the background of the digitization project, the practices implemented, and the critiques of the project.

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The Environmental Protection Agency

Statistical Methods For Agricultural Workers

B6nassy, C., 1955. R6marques sur deux Aphelinid6s: Aphelinus mytilaspidis Le Baron et Aphytis proclia Walker. Annls l~piphyt. 6: 11-17. Lord, F. T. & MacPhee, A. W., 1953. The influence of spray programs on the fauna of apple orchards in Nova Scotia II. Oyster shell scale. Can. Ent. 79: 196-209. Pickett, A. D., 1946. A progress report on long term spray programs. Rep. Nova Scotia Fruit Grow. Ass. 83 : 27-31. Pickett, A. D., 1967. The influence of spray programs on the fauna of apple orchards in Nova Scotia XIV. Can. Ent. 97: 816-821. Tothill, J. D., 1918. The predacious mite Hemisarcoptes malus Shimer and its relation to the natural control of the oyster shell scale Lepidosaphes ulmi L. Agric. Gaz. Can. 5 : 234-239.

http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/BF01976688.pdf

Soil enzymes: Kuprevich, V. F. & Shcherbakova, T. A.: Translated from the Russian edition (1966), published by the Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre, New Delhi 1971. 392 pp., offset printing from type script, paper cover. Obtainable from U.S. Department of Commerce, National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Va. 22151

This article introduces the radical approach of applying alkaline anion-exchange membranes (AAEMs) to meet the current challenges with regards to direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). A review of the literature is presented with regards to the testing of fuel cells with alkaline membranes (fuelled with hydrogen or methanol) and also to candidate alkaline anion-exchange membranes for such an application. A brief review of the directly related patent literature is also included. Current and future research challenges are identified along with potential strategies to overcome them. Finally, the advantages and challenges with the direct electrochemical oxidation of alternative fuels are discussed, along with how the application of alkaline membranes in such fuel cells may assist in improving performance and fuel efficiency.

https://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/1696/1/fulltext.pdf

Prospects for Alkaline Anion-Exchange Membranes in Low Temperature Fuel Cells†

Seed germination, one of the most important phase in the life cycle of a plant, is highly responsive to the existing environment. High levels of heavy metals significantly change the structural orientation of leaf, root and shoot. This paper reports on the effect of Cd toxicity on seed germination, seedling growth, photosynthetic pigment content and structural orientation of vascular tissues in chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L) seedlings. Results showed that inhibition of seed germination and root growth started at 0.10 mM cadmium treatment solution and the highest inhibitive effect was found at 50.0 mM concentration. The accumulation of cadmium in plant parts are in the order root > stem > leaf. From the SEM study it was found that normal orientation of the vascular tissues as well as associated tissues are disrupted and the stomatal complexes with guard cells were highly affected in the leaves. Permanent URL: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/d20018674

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Effect of Varying Cadmium Stress on Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L) Seedlings: An Ultrastructural Study

A field trial was conducted during 2009 to 2011 to study the effect of inorganic fertilizer, vermicompost, phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and Azotobacter on the yield of boro rice (winter rice) and its impacts upon soil nutrient status and grain uptake. The highest yield attributes were recorded with full recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer along with vermicompost at 2.5 t ha−1, PSB and Azotobacter, which was at par with 75% of inorganic fertilizer along with vermicompost at 2.5 t ha−1 and PSB and Azotobacter. Application of PSB and Azotobacter significantly increased available phosphorus and nitrogen in soil. Uptake of micronutrients in grain was in the order of Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu. Micronutrient status in soil was also significantly influenced by the different doses of inorganic, organic and biofertilizers.

Evaluation of integrated nutrient management on boro rice in alluvial soil and its impacts upon growth, yield attributes, yield and soil nutrient status

The adsorption capacities of new biomaterials derived
from lemon leaf (Citrus sp.) toward
fluoride ions have been explored by varying different physicochemical
parameters such as pH, initial concentration, adsorbent dose, contact time,
stirring rate and temperature. The entire study was done through batch process.
Maximum fluoride adsorption of 96.9% - 98.8% was achieved with an initial concentration
of 10 mg/L. Langmuir isotherm model well expressed fluoride ad- sorption
onto LLD-1, LLD-2 and LLD-3. According to correlation coefficient, the fluoride
adsorption onto these 3 ad- sorbents was correlated well with
pseudo-second-order kinetic model. From thermodynamic study, the spontaneous
nature and feasibility of the adsorption process with negative enthalpy (&#916H0)
value also supported the exothermic nature were shown. The rate
of fluoride adsorption was mathematically described as a function of
experimental parameters and was modeled through Box-Behnken (Response surface
methodology). The results showed that the responses of fluoride adsorption
were significantly affected by the quadratic term of pH, initial concentration,
contact time and temperature and the statistical analysis was performed by
ANOVA which indicated good correlation of experimental parameters.

/pdf/application-of-response-surface-methodology-for-optimization-1h4jbv03fw.pdf

Application of Response Surface Methodology for Optimization of Fluoride Removal Mechanism by Newely Developed Biomaterial

Assessment of drought tolerance of selected wheat cultivars under laboratory condition.

The present study investigates that physiological response on gram seeds (Cicer arietinum L.) under treatment of different leaf leachate in laboratory conditions. The aqueous leaf leachate of seven variety of selected tree species viz. Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn ex.Benth, Anacardium occidentale L., Albizia lebbeck(L)Benth, Eucalyptus citriodora Hook, Emblica officinalis Gaertn, Shorea robusta Gaertn.f., Tectona grandis Linn f was studied on physiological changes during gram seed germination. Aqueous extracts of tree species significantly reduced the frequency of seed germination, vigour index; shoot length, root length, fresh and dry weight. Plant pigment viz., chlorophyll, carotenoids reduced significantly. The soluble sugar content reduced with 100 %( v/v) of leachate treatment but proline and phenol content increased on the test plant. The result revealed that Eucalyptus citriodora. and Shorea robusta extract had greater inhibitory effect on germination and vigour index over the control due to the presence of allelochemicals in the leachate. Leachate biochemical analysis also supports the inhibitory effect of seed germination and biochemical effects of seedlings. Allelopathy, allelochemicals, proline, vigour index, carotenoids.

Jayanta Kumar Datta

Papers

Effect of Varying Cadmium Stress on Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L) Seedlings: An Ultrastructural Study

Evaluation of integrated nutrient management on boro rice in alluvial soil and its impacts upon growth, yield attributes, yield and soil nutrient status

Application of Response Surface Methodology for Optimization of Fluoride Removal Mechanism by Newely Developed Biomaterial

Assessment of drought tolerance of selected wheat cultivars under laboratory condition.

Allelopathic Potentialities of Leachates of Leaf Litter of Some Selected Tree Species on Gram Seeds under Laboratory Conditions