Showing 416 results for خاک
Y. Gateazadeh, H.a. Kashkuli, D. Khodadadi Dehkordi, A. Mokhtaran, A. Assareh,
Volume 27, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
To monitor and compare the changes of salts in the soil profile around the roots of the corn plant, the plant yield, and the productivity of corn water, an Experimental was conducted in a completely randomized block of three repetitions in two crop years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 at Ahvaz Agricultural Research Station. Experimental treatments included two subsurface drip irrigation systems with a working depth of 30 cm from the soil surface and tape irrigation and two irrigation intervals of 2 and 4 days. The results of monitoring soil solutes obtained from sampling depths (0-25, 25-50, and 75-50 cm) showed that soil salinity in the second year in both systems as a result of improving the quality of irrigation water from 3.61 dS/m to 2.01 dS/m, it was reduced by two times. The results of soil salinity monitoring showed the highest ratio of salinity reduction with a 2-day irrigation interval in both irrigation systems. The most leaching was done at the irrigation depth of 25-50 cm in the subsurface drip irrigation system and at the depth of 0-25 cm in the tape system. The highest yield of corn dry fodder was 9.13 and 7.13 tons per hectare, respectively, and the best water efficiency based on dry corn fodder at the rate of 13.74 kg/m was obtained in the strip drip irrigation system (tape) with a two-day irrigation interval and in the second crop year. Also, the results of the soil salinity measurement showed that the implementation and exploitation of the drip irrigation system can be the basis for improving the quality of the soil as the most important non-renewable resource of agriculture.
F. Meskini-Vishkaee, A.r. Jafarnejhadi, M. Goosheh, B. Delsooz Khaki, M. Javadzadeh,
Volume 27, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
One of the most common approaches for farm irrigation management is using soil readily available water and allowable depletion coefficient. The objective of this study was to determine wheat crop response coefficients, critical moisture content, and soil allowable depletion coefficient using a physically based method in three dominant soils under wheat cultivation in Khuzestan province. Treatments included full irrigation and water stress at three levels low, moderate, and high. The highest and lowest values of wheat crop response coefficient were related to silty clay loam (Ky=1.26) and clay loam (Ky=0.96), respectively. Critical soil moisture content was observed in loam soil (0.25 cm3cm-3)> silty clay loam (0.23 cm3cm-3)> clay loam (0.22 cm3cm-3), respectively. Despite the higher critical moisture content in loam, the most soil allowable depletion coefficient was also calculated in loam (0.54). Soil allowable depletion coefficient in silty clay loam and clay loam were 0.44 and 0.42, respectively. The results confirmed the simultaneous effects of soil and plant properties on the availability of soil water for the plants.
A.r. Vaezi, S. Rezaeipour, M. Babaakbari, F. Azarifam,
Volume 27, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Improving soil physical properties and increasing water retention in the soil are management strategies in soil and water conservation and enhancing crop yield in rainfed lands. This study was conducted to investigate the role of tillage direction and wheat stubble mulch level in improving soil physical properties in rainfed land in Zanjan province. A field experiment was done at two tillage directions: up to the downslope and contour line, and five stubble mulch levels: zero, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of land cover equal to 6 tons per hectare. A total of 30 plots (2 m×5 m) were created. The results indicated that water infiltration and water content were considerably affected by tillage direction, whereas its effect on water holding capacity was not significant. This physical property of the soil was influenced by the inherent properties of the soil, including particle size distribution. The change of up to down tillage direction to the contour line increased soil infiltration to 11% and water content to 6%. The physical soil properties were wholly influenced by mulch consumption. Soil water content increased in mulch treatments along with water holding capacity and infiltration rate. The highest volumetric water content was at 100% mulch level (10.62%) which was 11% more than the control treatment. However, there was no significant difference between 100% and 75% mulch treatment. This revealed that the application of 75% stubble mulch in contouring tillage is a substantial strategy for improving soil physical properties and controlling water loss in rainfed lands of semi-arid regions.
Miss S. Bandak, A.r. Movhedei Naeani, Ch.b. Komaki, M. Kakooei, J. Verrlest,
Volume 27, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Soil organic carbon (SOC) is one of the most important components of soil physical and chemical properties that have an important role in sustainable production in agriculture and preventing soil degradation and erosion. Data mining approaches and spatial modeling besides machine learning techniques to investigate the amount of soil organic carbon using remote sensing data have been widely considered. The objective of the present study was the evaluation of SOC using the remote sensing technique compared with field methods in some areas of the Gonbad Kavous and Neli forests of Azadshar. The soil samples were collected from the soil surface (0-10 cm depth) to estimate the SOC. Data were categorized into two categories: 70% for training and 30% for validation. Three machine learning algorithms including Random forest (RF), support vector machine, extra tree decision, and XGBoost were used to prepare the organic soil carbon map. In the present study, auxiliary variables for predicting SOC included bands related to Lands 8 OLI and sentinel 2 measurement images, topography, and climate. The results showed that the extraction of the components related to the bands along with the calculation of indicators such as normalized vegetation difference, wetness index, and the MrVBF index as auxiliary variables play an important role in more correct estimation of the amount of soil organic matter. Comparison of different estimation regressions showed that the Sentinel 2 random forest model and in Landsat8 with the values of coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), and mean absolute error (MEA) of 0.64, 0.05, and 0.17, respectively, was the best performance ratio compared to other approaches used in the study to estimate the organic carbon content of surface soil in the study area. In general, the results of this study indicated the ability of remote sensing techniques and learning models in the spatial estimation of soil organic carbon. So, this method can be used as an alternative to laboratory methods in determining soil organic carbon.
M. Naderi Khorasgani, T. Azarbeig, J. Mohammadi,
Volume 27, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Soil pollution by heavy metals is a significant issue that threatens human health directly and indirectly. The objectives of this research were to map the extension of some heavy metals in soils of a part of Sirjan Plain, Kerman province, to study the role of natural agents on the distribution of heavy metals, and to assess the risk of soil heavy metal concentration for human health. 120 surficial (0-15 cm) compound soil samples were collected during fieldwork. Soil characteristics like soil texture components, pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, and total soil heavy metal (Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) concentrations were measured using standard protocols. The mapping of soil texture components and heavy metals was done by the usual Kriging method. Results indicated significant correlation coefficients between soil texture components (silt and clay) and total soil Fe and Cu concentrations. Dominant wind direction and spatial distribution of Fe, Cu, and Zn strongly induced the possible dust-born origin of such elements. Results revealed that the sources of Fe, Cu, and Zn were different from those of Cd and Pb. Maximum soil Fe, Cu, and Zn concentrations were in the southern part of the study area, increasing in an upwind direction while for Cd and Pb, maximum soil concentrations were in the northern part of the study area. The Nemerow integrated pollution index revealed that soils were clean for Cd, lowly polluted for Fe, Pb, and Cu, and moderately polluted for Zn.
H. Azadbeygi, M. Najarchi, Dr H. Lajevardi,
Volume 27, Issue 4 (12-2023)
Abstract
The present research explores the experimental and numerical investigation of homogeneous earth dams in rapid drawdown conditions. The numerical model was evaluated and calibrated due to the saturation status using the experimental model. The calculated error between the piezometric pressure data and the seepage line in the numerical and experimental model indicated that the results of the Seep/W numerical model data had acceptable accuracy. Also, to determine the thickness of the filter adjusted in the upstream side slope of the homogeneous earth dam in rapid drawdown condition, input data to the numerical model including hydraulic conductivity, rate of the water level drop (depletion of the dam reservoir in three scenarios of 2, 3, and 4 days), the different side slopes of the body (m = 1, 2, and 3), and the thickness of the filter layers were determined. It is worth mentioning that the number of layers and the soil properties of the filter materials were determined based on the USBR which consisted of three types of soil structure (sand, gravel, and gravel with sand). The maximum hydraulic gradient of the dam materials was used to estimate the thickness of the filter layers. Finally, some dimensional fewer numbers were presented to estimate the filter layers by changing the input data through the numerical model to attain the safe conditions for the values of the hydraulic gradient at the upstream side slope. Results of the numerical model indicated that for the construction of the dam with the thickness of the presented filter, the values of the available hydraulic gradient at the point of water exit from the upstream side slope of the body of the earth dam were lower than the critical hydraulic gradient of the earth dam materials in rapid drawdown condition.
A. Barikloo, S. Rezapour, P. Alamdari, R. Taghizadeh Mehrjardi,
Volume 27, Issue 4 (12-2023)
Abstract
Soil quality is one of the most crucial factors determining crop productivity and production stability. The soil's physical, chemical, biological, and ecological characteristics affect its quality. Numerous researchers have concentrated the evaluation on a small number of soil quality indicators because measuring all soil quality indicators would be time-consuming and expensive. This study looked at the spatial autocorrelation of soil quality in the southwest areas of the Urmia Plain to establish the minimal data set for quantitative assessment. To accomplish this, 120 composite soil samples were collected from a depth of 0 to 60 cm, and the soil quality index was then calculated using the IQI method in 4 modes: Total-Linear (IQIwL-TDS), Total-Nonlinear (IQIwNL-TDS), Minimum-Linear (IQIwL-MDS), and Minimum nonlinearity (IQIwNL-MDS). 22 physical and chemical characteristics were used to choose the data set. The characteristics of sand percentage, sodium absorption ratio, cation exchange capacity, Available phosphorus, active calcium carbonate, and nickel concentration were chosen as the minimum data set (MDS) using the decomposition method into principal components. The linear IQIMDS mode produced the greatest soil quality index result, whereas the non-linear IQIMDS mode produced the lowest. The non-linear mode of the IQI index has a greater correlation coefficient (R2=0.85) than the linear mode of the IQI index (R2=0.73), according to an analysis of the linear and non-linear correlation coefficient between the soil quality index with the total category and minimum data. The findings of computing the global Moran's index for study sets of IQI soil quality index data revealed that the soil quality data are not independent of each other and are spatially autocorrelated, distributed in clusters, and have spatial autocorrelation. Getis-ord GI statistics indicated that the eastern and southeastern parts of the research region comprise clusters with poor soil quality, salt marshes produced by Lake Urmia's drying up, and surrounding arid plains.
S. Ghasemi Pirbaloti, S. Soodaee Moshaee,
Volume 28, Issue 1 (5-2024)
Abstract
Since the long-term sustainability of garden ecosystems is dependent on maintaining the soil quality, knowing the condition of the soils and investigating the effects of the activities on the soil properties is very important and effective in ecosystem management. To investigate the soil quality index of almond (Prunus dulcis) orchards under different managed methods in ChaharMahal va Bakhtiari province, soil samples were collected from three points in each orchard and finally classified into 6 groups (Saman, Ben, Shahrekord, Kiar, Ardel, and Farsan). To determine the soil quality index, soil characteristics including pH, EC, total and water-soluble organic carbon, basal and substrate-derived respiration, rhizosphere microbial population, and available soil P and K were analyzed. The results showed that almond orchard management in different regions affected the soil characteristics and the processes evaluated in this study. The monitoring of soil properties showed that pH 7.05 - 8.48, EC 0.23 - 2.91 dS/m, microbial respiration 0.44 - 8.57 mg CO2.100 g-1.day-1, organic carbon 2.09 - 44.79 g/kg, available phosphorus 1.5 - 122.3 mg/kg, and available potassium were between 91.2 - 3038 mg/kg. Soil quality index components including chemical components, microbial activity, microbial population, and soil organic carbon were determined. The contribution of soil salinity to soil quality obtained using factorial analysis was the highest (31%), followed by microbial carbon mineralization coefficient (27%), rhizosphere microbial population (24%), and water-soluble organic carbon (18%). The soil quality index values for Saman, Ben, Shahrekord, Kiar, Ardal, and Farsan almond orchards were 0.46, 0.40, 0.51, 0.67, 0.54, and 0.37, respectively. These values showed that the evaluated soils are suitable for almond production in Shahrekord, Kiar, and Ardal, and for Saman, Ben, and Farsan, there is a need for serious management measures to improve soil quality and increase the sustainability of these agricultural ecosystems.
F. Gholamzadeh, H. Asgarzadeh, H. Khodaverdiloo, M.r. Mosaddeghi,
Volume 28, Issue 1 (5-2024)
Abstract
This study was conducted in the summer of 2021 to evaluate and validate the gravimetric soil water content measurements using a field oven. Ten soil types with a salinity of saturated paste (ECe) less than 4 dS m-1 and three saline soils were studied around Urmia Lake. Plots with dimensions of 1 m × 2 m were prepared for the selected soils to measure gravimetric soil water content and soil physical and chemical properties. The gravimetric water content (θm) values measured using the field oven (i.e., θmFO), were compared with those measured by a standard lab oven (i.e., θmLO). The soil water content values measured in the lab, regarded as a benchmark, were measured at 105 °C for 24 h. Temperatures of 120, 140, and 160 °C with three durations of 10, 15, and 20 min were used to dry the soil samples in the field oven. There was very good compatibility between the values of θmFO and θmLO when the soil samples were dried in the field oven for 15 or 20 min at all three temperatures. Significant linear relations were obtained between the θmFO and θmLO values as the slopes of linear relations were close to 1, the intercepts of relations were negligible and the distributions of measured data around the line 1 to 1 were unbiased. The minimal effects of soil organic matter content, clay content, salinity, and bulk density on water content measurements by the field oven indicate an important advantage of this method. These results confirm the high efficiency of the field oven for fast and reliable measurements of water content in different soils.
E. Karamian, M. Navabian, M.h. Biglouei, M. Rabiei,
Volume 28, Issue 1 (5-2024)
Abstract
Cultivation of rapeseed as the second crop requires drainage systems in most of the paddy fields of the Guilan province. Mole drainage, as a low-cost and shallow drainage method that is suitable for rice cultivation conditions and easier to implement than pipe drainage, can be a solution in the development of second-crop cultivation. The present study was conducted to evaluate the drainage of mole drainage and nitrogen fertilizer management on the quantity and quality of drainage at Guilan University. In this regard, an experiment was conducted under two treatments including drainage and nitrogen fertilizer (i.e. traditional mole drainage and sand-filled mole drainage), and 180 and 240 kg of nitrogen fertilizer per hectare in three replications. After each rainfall during the plant growth period, water samples were taken from the drains, and parameters of electrical conductivity, pH, total suspended solids, total phosphorus, turbidity, concentrations of ammonium, chloride, nitrite, nitrate, and phosphate were measured. Also, the outflow from the drains and the water table level were measured by piezometers during the rain and after that. The results of the mean comparison of pH and total suspended solids showed that most of them were obtained with 7.49 and 281.25 mg/liter, respectively, in the mole drain filled with sand and the traditional mole drainage and 180 fertilizer treatment. The highest mean of electrical conductivity and turbidity was observed as 651 micro mohs/cm in the traditional mole drainage and 240 fertilizer treatment and with 67.76 NTU in the traditional mole drainage and 180 fertilizer treatment. The statistical analysis showed that the effect of drainage treatment on the amounts of ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, and total phosphorus was not significant. The outflow from the traditional mole drainage was 49% lower than the sand-filled mole drainage. The traditional and sand-filled mole drains were able to drain excess water with average reaction coefficients of 0.8 and 0.83 per day during the growth period, respectively. Considering the speed of water discharge, drain discharge, and the main non-significance of qualitative parameters among drainage treatments, mole drainage filled with sand is recommended for the development of rapeseed cultivation in paddy fields.
N. A. Zakavi, H. A. Nadian, b. Khalilimoghadam, A. A. Moezzi,
Volume 28, Issue 2 (8-2024)
Abstract
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are highly important in improving plant growth and decreasing the negative effects of contaminants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of inoculation of mycorrhizal fungus on the concentration of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) by parsley (Petroselinum sativum) in heavy metal-contaminated soil in the presence of kerosene. This study was carried out as a factorial experiment based on the randomized complete design with four replications under greenhouse conditions. Experimental factors were included: 1- microbial inoculation in two levels with mycorrhizal fungus (Rhizophagus irregularis) and control (without inoculation), and 2- kerosene in four levels of 0, 4, 8, and 12 mL kg-1 soil. The results showed that mycorrhizal inoculation led to a significant increase in root (61.1 to 150.1%) and shoot dry weight (9.1 to 51.5%), shoot P, Zn, and Cu concentration and root Pb (18.7 to 97.9%) and Cd (13.3 to 98.6%) concentration, while significantly decreased shoot Pb (10.0 to 29.2%) and Cd (19.6 to 72.1%) concentration. The root bio-concentration factor (BCF) (7.74%) was higher than compared to shoot BCF. The mycorrhizal inoculation decreased the translocation factor (TF) of Pb and Cd. The TF<1 shows that the mycorrhizal fungus immobilized Pb and Cd in the roots and prevented their translocation from the root to the shoot. Hence, mycorrhizal inoculation can be effective in contaminated soils through bioconcentration of Pb and Cd in the root and decrease their translocation to the parsley shoot.
Y. Choopan, H. Arianpour,
Volume 28, Issue 2 (8-2024)
Abstract
Reducing the effects of the misuse of urban wastewater is to use it in agriculture along with the subsurface irrigation system, which effects on the soil also require extensive investigations. Therefore, the present research was performed in a randomized complete block design with two factors of the type of irrigation source (well water W1 and treated urban wastewater W2) and the type of irrigation system (surface S1 and subsurface drip S2) in three replications (R) for a soil depth of 0-40 centimeter during two crop seasons. The results showed that the potassium, sodium, salinity, and sodium absorption ratio were significant at the 1% probability level in the comparison of system type and irrigation source type, whereas the values of pH, calcium, and magnesium were not significant in the comparison of system type and irrigation source type. The lowest value of calcium, magnesium, sodium cations, chlorine, phosphate, and sulfate anions was obtained in the W1S1 treatment. Also, the highest parameters of salinity, calcium, magnesium, phosphate, potassium, and chlorine were observed for the W2S2 treatment. It can be concluded that irrigation with urban wastewater has improved the chemical properties of the soil, and the type of irrigation system has had minor changes.
A.m. Kiyani, M. Zeinivand, J. Ahadiyan, I. Falorca,
Volume 28, Issue 2 (8-2024)
Abstract
The design of retaining walls depends on the amount of driving pressure from the backfill of the wall. Therefore, estimating this pressure is an essential factor in its design. In this research, the changes in the slope of failure, the place of the failure wedge, and the reduction of the failure line along the length and depth of the embankment were investigated on the retaining wall embankment reinforced with geotextile during ten tests in a laboratory study. The parameters under investigation in this article are the number of layers and the distances between the geotextile layers. The results showed that the presence of geotextile layers reduced the length of the fracture line up to 41%. It has also improved the value of the fracture angle and reduced the formation of the rupture wedge in the lower depths up to a maximum of 16%. The translational movement of the wall in the actuation state has a greater distinction between the fixed point and the failure zone, and the reinforcing layers are also effective in increasing the bearing capacity and stability of the retaining wall.
A.r Vaezi, Kh. Sahandi, F. Haghshenas,
Volume 28, Issue 3 (10-2024)
Abstract
Water erosion can be affected by land use change and soil degradation by agricultural activities. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of land use change in poor pastures on soil physical degradation and water erosion in semi-arid regions. Experiments were performed in 42 soil samples taken from seven areas covering the two land uses: poor pasture and rainfed agriculture, which have different soil textures (clay loam, silty clay loam, sandy clay loam, silt loam, loam, sandy loam, and sandy loam). The physical characteristics of soils were measured in the samples of both types of land use and its changes were expressed as physical degradation of the soil. The soil's susceptibility to water erosion was measured under simulated rainfall with 50 mm h-1 intensity for 60 min. The results showed that the land use change in pastures leads to the physical deterioration of soils; so bulk density, porosity, macropore, field capacity, saturated point, aggregate size, and aggregate stability were degraded with a rate of 28, 22, 41, 11, 5, 62, and 63 percentages. The structural characteristics of soil (aggregate size and stability) had the highest physical deterioration due to the land use change in the pastures. The change in land use change greatly increased the sensitivity of soils to water erosion. A significant relationship was found between the susceptibility of water erosion and the soil's physical degradation. The soils with coarser and more stable aggregates have higher physical degradation by the land use change and in consequence show more susceptibility to water erosion.
B. Attaeian, F. Teymorie Niakan, B. Fattahi, V. Zandieh,
Volume 28, Issue 3 (10-2024)
Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of wildfire in the rangelands of the Gonbad region of Hamedan on soil organic carbon storage in two control and fire areas after three years of fire, and the feasibility of using remote sensing in indirect estimation of soil carbon. Therefore, 20 soil surface (0-10cm depth) samples were collected from the burned area and 20 samples from the control area (40 samples in total) by the systematically random method after three years of fire time. Changes in organic carbon, total nitrogen, acidity, and salinity of surface soil were tested by independent t-test between control and fire areas. Then, to investigate the linear relationship between the storage of soil organic carbon with other parameters, the Pearson correlation was used in SPSS v. 26. The results of the independent t-test showed that there was no significant difference in EC, acidity, and soil organic carbon of the control and fire areas, but the amount of total soil nitrogen showed significantly different. The results showed a significant positive correlation was observed between soil organic carbon and total nitrogen at the level of one-hundredth of 0.830 (p< 0.01) in the fire area, and the BI index showed a significant negative correlation of 0.727 (p< 0.05). In the control area, a significant positive relationship was observed between organic carbon and total nitrogen at the rate of 0.627 (p <0.05). The results of processing Landsat 8 images (OLI-TIRS sensor) in the fire area showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between soil organic carbon and light and wetness index obtained from tasseled cap (-0.726 and 0.674, respectively) and PC1 component obtained from principal component analysis and -0.724 (p <.05). These results indicate that it is possible to use tasseled cap images to predict soil organic carbon in fire areas.
M. Tajsaeid, M. Gheysari, E. Fazel Najafabadi, R. Jafari, E. Seyfipurnaghneh,
Volume 28, Issue 3 (10-2024)
Abstract
Soil moisture is one of the important and determining factors for plant growth, the rate of evaporation and transpiration, and water management in the field. Therefore, its measurement has special importance. The surface soil has a great diversity in soil moisture and different methods were used to measure this property. Due to the problems of contact methods of soil moisture measurement, remote sensing has gained attention because of the possibility of analyzing and monitoring soil moisture on a large and global scale. In this research, satellite data and moisture measured in selected fields located in Hormoaz Abad Plain have been analyzed and compared. Sentinel-2 satellite data have been analyzed using the Google Earth Engine system. The results of this research showed that the use of triple indices in the OPTRAM model to estimate moisture is not very accurate, but the use of the EVI plant index has provided better results than the other two indices.
A.r. Vaezi, F. Besharat, F. Azarifam,
Volume 28, Issue 4 (12-2024)
Abstract
The temporal distribution pattern of rainfall can play a role in the production of runoff and soil loss during rainfall. This study investigated four rainfall patterns: uniform, advanced, intermediate, and delayed rainfall under field conditions. The rainfall height in all rainfall patterns was 20 mm. In the uniform rainfall pattern, a constant rainfall intensity (40 mm h-1) was used and in the non-uniform rainfall patterns, a maximum rainfall intensity of 40 mm h-1 was applied for a 15-minute duration. The experiments were carried out in 60 cm × 80 cm plots on a hillslope with a slope gradient of 9% at three replications. Rainfall patterns were set up on the plots in five events with an interval of one week. The results showed a significant difference between rainfall patterns in runoff and soil loss (p<0.01). This difference was due to the destruction of surface soil structure and the reduction of water infiltration rate, especially during peak time of rainfall intensity (40 mm h-1). The highest runoff occurred in the delayed rainfall (3.43 mm) while, the highest soil loss (61.47 g m-2) was observed in the intermediate rainfall, which was associated with the peak intensity of rainfall at the end of the rainfall and its role in the destruction of the soil structure on the one hand, and the loss of infiltration rate on the other hand. Variation of runoff and soil loss from one event to another indicated that soil loss is in line with runoff production in uniform rainfall, while soil loss did not follow runoff in other rainfalls. Soil loss in these rainfalls was affected by both runoff production and availability of erodible soil particles. These results revealed the necessity of studying the rainfall intensity distribution pattern for accurate prediction of soil erosion and determining soil loss variation event by event in the semi-arid region.
M. Kouhdaragh, M. Majedi Asl, T. Omidpour Alavian, N. Nobahari, M. Ayami Lord,
Volume 28, Issue 4 (12-2024)
Abstract
Dams, as man-made artificial structures, play a significant role in providing water in various sectors, including agriculture, industry, electricity generation, and flood control. Various soil compounds such as sand, clay, and stone are used for the construction and establishment of earth dams. In this research entitled "Investigation and analysis of Seepage flow and hydraulic gradient in the body and foundation of Alaviyan earth dam using SEEP/W software", the effects of Seepage flow and hydraulic gradient in the body and foundation are investigated. This research analyzes the details of this process using SEEP/W software and analyzes the obtained results. Theoretical foundations related to Seepage flow and hydraulic gradient in earth dams and their importance in the stability of dams are discussed as one of the most important issues of civil engineering. Methods of controlling water seepage from earth dams include the use of seals, walls made with grout mortar, impermeable cores, metal shielding, and impermeable blankets upstream of the dam. In this study, drains, seals, and clay blankets are used as water seepage control methods. The results show that the use of a watertight wall reduces the amount of Seepage because this wall prevents water from flowing through the body of the dam. In general, this research ends by providing quantitative results and recommendations to improve the stability of dams and reduce the possibility of risks caused by seepage flow and hydraulic gradient, and the important elements that should be considered in the design and construction of earth dams. Reviews. In this study, the effects and performance of earth dams have been investigated using finite element methods, and the performance of dams has been evaluated. GEOSTUDIO finite element software was used for modeling. The results of modeling include the investigation of parameters such as phreatic lines, the effect of the water level behind the dam, the clay blanket, and the water seal. Also, the leakage rate from the dam has been extracted and analyzed for different states defined in the model.
M. Naderi Khorasgani, R. Amiri, A. Karimi, J. Mohammadi,
Volume 29, Issue 1 (4-2025)
Abstract
The soils of the Shahrekord plain, part of the Beheshtabad watershed subbasin in Shahrekord County, Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province, have been used for crop production and domestic animal feeding for centuries, yet the soil quality of this plain has been overlooked. Therefore, assessing the quality of Shahrekord plain soil is essential. This research aimed to evaluate the physical soil quality of the plain using soil quality indices such as the Integrated Quality Index (IQI) and Nemoro Quality Index (NQI). A randomized compound sampling strategy was employed, and 106 surficial (0-25 cm) soil samples were collected during intensive fieldwork. Following pretreatments of the soil samples, several key soil characteristics were measured using standard methods, which were compiled into a Total Data Set (TDS) and used to calculate IQITDS and NQITDS. The minimum effective data set (MDS) was selected, and weights for the quality indices were determined using TDS and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The minimum data set included the soil sand percentage, soil organic matter percentage, mean weighted diameter of aggregates, soil moisture at field capacity, bulk density, soil reaction, and electrical conductivity. The soil quality at each sample site was assessed using the indices and data sets, TDS and MDS. Geostatistical techniques and ordinary kriging methods were utilized to map soil quality. Results indicated that the soil quality of rangelands was significantly higher than that of cultivated soils (irrigated and drylands). Additionally, approximately 71% of the soils were classified as very low, low, and medium quality, highlighting the need for monitoring and managing such soils.
Sh. Amiri, B. Khalili,
Volume 29, Issue 1 (4-2025)
Abstract
Soils are continuously exposed to large amounts of engineered nanoparticles, particularly silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which can affect soil microbial activities and nitrogen cycling. The hypotheses of the present study were: (i) vegetation types would differ in their responses to Ag types and concentrations, (ii) these responses would be linked to changes in soil protein and amino acid concentrations, and (iii) combined plant root systems alongside Ag types and concentrations would have offsetting effects on soil protein and amino acid concentrations. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to test these hypotheses using a factorial arrangement of treatments within a randomized block design. Two soil types with loamy sand and sandy loam textures were collected from agricultural fields in Isfahan, specifically from the Badroud (33◦ 44′ 50" N, 51◦ 57′ 55" E) and Femi (33◦ 42′ 17" N, 51◦ 59′58" E) regions. The treatments included: 1) soil types (loamy sand and sandy loam), 2) root systems (non-planted, wheat, and safflower), 3) Ag types (no Ag added, AgNPs, and AgNO3), and 4) Ag concentrations (50 and 100 ppm). The plants were harvested 110 days after sowing, with soil samples collected from both the root zone and non-planted soil, after which the concentrations of protein and amino acids were measured. In the Badroud soil, protein concentration significantly decreased (p < 0.05) with increasing depth. Although depth changes did not show a significant difference in protein concentration in the soil under wheat cultivation, increasing depth resulted in a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in protein concentration in the soil under safflower cultivation. In the Fami soil, the addition of silver nitrate led to a significant (p < 0.05) increase in protein concentration, despite the fact that the addition of silver nanoparticles had no significant (p < 0.05) effect on soil protein concentration. In the Badroud soil, the highest concentration of soil amino acids was observed in the silver nitrate treatment, while the silver nanoparticle treatment did not significantly affect soil amino acid concentrations (p < 0.05). However, applying silver treatments at both tested concentrations resulted in a significant increase (p < 0.05) in soil amino acid levels. Overall, the effects of nanoparticles varied depending on the measured parameters (protein or amino acid), soil texture, and type of cultivation. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms by which AgNPs and AgNO3 affect the soil nitrogen cycle in the presence of plants at different soil depths.
