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Статті в журналах з теми "Soils Environmental aspects Australia"
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Smith, Phil, Grahame Collier, and Hazel Storey. "As Aussie as Vegemite: Building the Capacity of Sustainability Educators in Australia." Australian Journal of Environmental Education 27, no. 1 (2011): 175–85. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0814062600000161.
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AbstractVegemite, a thick, rich and salty product made from yeast extract, is a paste commonly spread on bread or toast in Australian households. This iconic product mirrors some of the unique aspects of this country. For example, Vegemite thinly spread is best. The population of this country is sparse across the wide lands, and the Australian environment with its thin soils, water shortages and intense climates, might also be described as spread thin. These aspects of context present challenges because Australia needs quality sustainability educators thick on the ground to deal with the many and diverse environmental issues.This paper describes the development of the Australian National Professional Development Initiative for Sustainability Educators (NPDISE) and how it was infuenced by the Australian context. Multiple challenges existed: the size of the country, its environmental conditions and rich biodiversity, distance and space between major centres, distribution of people and resources, understanding of and support for education, and three tiers of government – each with its own policies, programs and priorities. On top of this, the practice of sustainability education crosses multiple professional sectors and disciplines. All these challenges had to be taken into account.Research conducted by the Waste Management Association Australia in 2009 revealed that the needs of Australia's sustainability educators in overcoming many of these challenges were broadly consistent around Australia. This gave encouragement to the establishment of a national professional development approach for those working in the environmental education feld. This paper shows how four professional associations – Australian Association for Environmental Education, Waste Management Association Australia, Australian Water Association, and the Marine Education Society of Australasia – worked together for the frst time and approached these challenges whilst developing the NPDISE. A 1954 jingle said Vegemite would help children “grow stronger every single week”. The NPDISE represents a similar ethos with an emphasis on building the sector.
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Mctainsh, GH, and NC Duhaylungsod. "Aspects of soil particle size analysis in Australia." Soil Research 27, no. 4 (1989): 629. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/sr9890629.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Analysis of the particle-size characteristics of a soil can provide valuable information on the processes and products of soil formation. Studies of loess soils world-wide have used particle size as a major criterion, however, in Australia the particle-size characteristics of parna (a t y e of loess with a high clay content) have not been measured in detail. A modified method of particle-size analysis is proposed which gives more accurate results and which may contribute to a better understanding of soil formation in general, and loess formation in particular, in Australia.
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Rickert, KG, RH Sedgley, and WR Stern. "Environmental response of spring wheat in the south-western Australian cereal belt." Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 38, no. 4 (1987): 655. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ar9870655.
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The performance of the spring wheat cultivar Gamenya, the leading cultivar in Western Australia since 1968, was studied to identify key aspects of its response to the environment under typically dry conditions on two contrasting soil types: a heavy clay loam and a light loamy sand overlying clay in the Merredin region.In the rain-fed treatments the total water use was similar on both soils and was of the order of 240 mm. On the heavy-textured soil at high nitrogen, the foliage canopy developed more rapidly than on the light soil, resulting in earlier soil water depletion and haying off. Water use efficiencies of about 10 kg grain ha-1 per mm of water were similar to those reported for winter rainfall areas in south-eastern Australia. This suggests a greater degree of buffering against spring drought than is indicated by the high ratio of pre-anthesis to post-anthesis water use (3-4.7:l) relative to values of 2-2.7:l in other parts of the Australian wheatbelt. Data on the partitioning of dry matter indicated that this buffering of the harsh spring conditions at Merredin may be due to a greater contribution of assimilates from pre-anthesis storage, to grain filling. In dry environments, further critical evaluation is needed of the role of stored assimilates in grain formation.Faster canopy closure on the heavy soil resulted from a higher density of shoots and possibly larger leaves. This led to the suggestion that on heavier, more fertile soils, an ideotype with restricted tillering, may be higher yielding. By the end of the season ear bearing shoot densities and total water use were the same on both soil types, thus masking earlier important differences.
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Shaw, R., L. Brebber, C. Ahern, and M. Weinand. "A review of sodicity and sodic soil behavior in Queensland." Soil Research 32, no. 2 (1994): 143. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/sr9940143.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
The occurrence of sodic soils in Queensland is more related to soil genetic factors of the past than to the current rainfall pattern, with lower sodium accessions and smaller occurrence of saline lands than other areas of Australia. A soil sodicity map of Queensland is presented. On an area basis, 55% of soils in Queensland are non-sodic, 25% are strongly sodic and 20% are of variable sodicity. The map was prepared using exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) values at 0.6 m depth from 2 009 soil profiles, as well as the soil boundaries of the 1:2000000 Atlas of Australian Soils maps (Northcote et al. 1960-68). There is general agreement with the earlier sodicity map of Northcote and Skene (1972). The relationships between exchangeable sodium and field-measured soil hydraulic properties and plant-available water capacity are discussed. Behaviour of sodic soils depends on the exchangeable sodium percentage, clay content, clay mineralogy and salt levels. The binary component particle packing theory has been used to explain soil behaviour and identify those soils most susceptible to sodium. Cracking clay soils with dominantly smectite mineralogy and high clay contents are less susceptible to a given ESP level, as determined by their hydrological behaviour, than soils of moderate clay content and mixed mineralogies. The sodicity and the salt content of an irrigation water are important in maintaining permeability of soils. The naturally occurring equilibrium salinity-sodicity relationships of a wide range of subsoils in Queensland is compared to the published relationships between stable permeability and decreasing permeability based on sodicity and salt content. Aspects of management of sodicity under dryland and irrigation are discussed.
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Morand, David T. "The World Reference Base for Soils (WRB) and Soil Taxonomy: an appraisal of their application to the soils of the Northern Rivers of New South Wales." Soil Research 51, no. 3 (2013): 167. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/sr12144.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Few soil surveys in New South Wales have utilised international soil classifications. Extensive morphological and laboratory data collected during soil surveys in the Northern Rivers region provided a strong basis for correlation with the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB), Soil Taxonomy (ST), and the Australian Soil Classification (ASC). Of the 32 reference soil groups comprising the WRB, 20 were present locally; nine of the 12 ST orders were present. After re-classification of soils, correlation of the ASC with the WRB and ST was undertaken. Soils not requiring extensive laboratory analysis for classification and sharing similar central concepts were the more straightforward to correlate. Several ASC orders have unique central concepts and were therefore difficult to correlate with any one WRB reference soil group or ST order/suborder. Other soils were difficult to correlate due to differences in definitions of similar diagnostic criteria. This is most applicable to soils with strong texture-contrast and those with natric conditions. Such soils are not adequately differentiated to suit the Northern Rivers conditions. Of the two international schemes, the WRB was easier to apply locally due to the relative simplicity of the scheme. Considering certain aspects of Australian soils would improve the applicability of the WRB as a truly international framework for soil classification and correlation. Amendments to both the ASC and WRB are suggested.
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Murphy, Brian, and Peter Fogarty. "Application of the Soil Security Concept to Two Contrasting Soil Landscape Systems—Implications for Soil Capability and Sustainable Land Management." Sustainability 11, no. 20 (October 16, 2019): 5706. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su11205706.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Soil security identifies global challenges and a series of dimensions that are necessary requirements to meet those global challenges using sustainable land management. The soil security concept is applied to two contrasting soil landscape systems with varying climate, landform and soil types. Previous methodologies for assessing land and soil capability are combined within the soil security conceptual approach. The land and soil capability methodologies are used to assess how the soil condition changes in response to the stresses and forcing associated with land management and land and soil degradation processes. It is the soil capability that defines how the soil condition changes between the reference state of the soil condition, or the genoform, and the soil condition under land use, or the phenoform. The conclusion is that soil capability, which is one of the dimensions used to apply the soil security concept, is a complex dimension and has several aspects or further facets to be considered to achieve sustainable land management. It is apparent that in assessing soil capability, the following facets are relevant. I: The capacity of the soil to provide ecosystem services to meet the global challenges outlined for Soil Security. II: The stability of the soil condition to land degradation processes resulting from the effects of land management practices and the environmental stresses on the soil. III: The capacity to recover following degradation. Facets II and III can be considered the resilience. An important conclusion is that the soil capability cannot be assessed without taking into account features of the landscape including climate and landform. Two examples from south eastern Australia of the application of these facets of soil capability to on-ground situations are presented. The Cowra Trough Red Soils in the Australian wheat belt are a set of soils, primarily contributing to meeting the global challenge of food security. The major degradation processes threatening the stability of these soils are water erosion and soil acidification. The Kosciusko National Park in the Snowy Mountains region is primarily contributing to meeting the challenges of water security for the irrigation industry in the Murray Darling Basins and energy security through the production of hydroelectricity. The set of soil landscapes also contributes to biodiversity protection and human health and well-being. The major degradation processes threatening the stability of these soils and their capacity to meet the global challenges are water and wind erosion. A major limitation is the poor capacity of these soils to recover once degraded. Identifying the main ecosystem services provided by the two examples, together with the major risks of land degradation can clarify extension, economic and policy aspects of sustainable land management for the two sets of soil landscapes. For the Cowra Trough Red Soils, management of water erosion and soil acidification are essential for maintaining the contribution of the area to food security. For the Kosciusko National Park, the control of water and wind erosion are essential to maintain the contribution of the area to water and energy security.
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Buck, Stuart, Joe Rolfe, Craig Lemin, and Bernie English. "Adoption, profitability and future of leucaena feeding systems in Australia." Tropical Grasslands-Forrajes Tropicales 7, no. 4 (September 3, 2019): 303–14. http://dx.doi.org/10.17138/tgft(7)303-314.
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Keynote paper presented at the International Leucaena Conference, 1‒3 November 2018, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala ssp. glabrata) is a highly palatable and productive forage used mainly by beef producers on extensive properties in northern Australia. When sown into native or sown grass pastures, leucaena provides significant production, economic, environmental and social benefits. Adoption of leucaena was slow initially due to a range of technical, agronomic and landscape factors. These have now been largely overcome through extensive research, development, producer experience and other advances, resulting in around 130,000 ha of cultivated leucaena being utilized across northern Australia.A range of aspects will need to be addressed if the adoption of leucaena is to be accelerated into the future. These include environmental concerns, especially potential weediness, and a range of technological needs, including soil nutritional requirements, grazing and toxicity management, opportunities for companion fodder systems and conservation options. Advances in technology and the ongoing need for a high-quality, profitable and sustainable perennial forage will ensure the continued adoption of leucaena across northern Australia for the foreseeable future.
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Hick, PT, and WGR Russell. "Some spectral considerations for remote sensing of soil salinity." Soil Research 28, no. 3 (1990): 417. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/sr9900417.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
The National Soil Conservation Program (NSCP) and CSIRO funded a research project titled Remote Sensing of Agricultural Salinity, which gathered field and airborne reflectance data for study sites in areas of dryland agricultural salinity in Western Australia. Multivariate techniques are employed to analyse these data gathered over a 3-year period to determine optimum, spectral and temporal considerations for maximizing information content. This report concentrates on some of the spectral aspects and concludes that: spectral bands, existing in currently available remote sensing systems, may not be optimal for the delineation of salinity; that volunteer vegetation indicated the impact of increasing salinity; and that minor amounts of soluble salts in surface soils will modify spectra. The usefulness of portable field spectroradiometers and airborne scanning systems are also assessed for the discrimination of areas of land in the early stages of the effects of salinization.
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Bowman, DMJS, and PR Minchin. "Environmental Relationships of Woody Vegetation Patterns in the Australian Monsoon Tropics." Australian Journal of Botany 35, no. 2 (1987): 151. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/bt9870151.
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Indirect gradient analysis was applied to 48 vegetation samples taken from a mosaic of woody vegetation at Berry Springs in the Northern Territory of Australia. Compositional variation among the samples was effectively summarised by a two-dimensional ordination by non-metric multidimensional scaling. Subsequent rotational correlation analysis revealed marked relationships between the vegetation pattern and edaphic variables which reflect two aspects of the moisture regime: water availability during the dry season and the degree of inundation during the wet season. Moisture availability is principally determined by topographic position, through its relationship with soil texture and water table depth. Poor drainage during the wet season appears to separate Melaleuca communities from those dominated by eucalypts. Shrubby and grassy open forests appear to be differentiated by the intensity of the winter drought. The grassy understoreys, which occur on upslope positions well above the water table, die off shortly after the end of the wet season thus providing fuel for fires. A closed Carpentaria forest, located on the slopes above a spring, was found to have relatively organic-rich, fertile, fine-textured soils, possibly reflecting the superior nutrient cycling of the closed forest compared with the frequently burnt surrounding open communities. We suggest that the dense evergreen vegetation presents a barrier to fires from the open communities. This would account for the greater proportion of woody, closed forest species that regenerate exclusively from seed. The fires in the eucalypt forests are of low intensity and plants have vegetative mechanisms to recover from damage. We conclude that the edaphically determined vegetation controls fire regime rather than the converse.
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Lattimore, MAE. "Pastures in temperate rice rotations of south-eastern Australia." Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 34, no. 7 (1994): 959. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ea9940959.
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Legume-based pastures have long been an integral part of rice growing in the southern New South Wales irrigation areas and still offer potential to improve the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of the temperate rice-cropping system.This paper reviews both historical and current aspects of pastures in temperate rice rotations in southern New South Wales and highlights the importance of pastures in sustaining this cropping system as environmental pressures increase. Topics discussed include pasture species and rotations, their role in improving soil fertility and sustainability, the value of pastures in weed control, and their management for maximum profitability.
Дисертації з теми "Soils Environmental aspects Australia"
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Hardiputra, Bingah Astuti. "Properties of rehabilitated coalmine soils at Collie." University of Western Australia. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition Discipline Group, 2004. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2005.0041.
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[Truncated abstract] Many soil properties are involved in supporting the growth of plants and in limiting soil degradation. The present study was carried out to provide a basis for minimising environmental impact by providing a firm understanding of the soil properties that affect plant growth for soils developed from mining waste from the Wesfarmers Premier coalmine at Collie. The purpose of this study was to provide an understanding of the soil materials and to identify the potential interactions between soil properties and plants for soils developed on coalmine materials at the Premier mine, Collie. This research was to identify the nature of the manmade soils so as to determine if soil forming processes are active, to determine soil acidity including pH buffering capacity and the lime requirement of soils, to measure water retention characteristics and soil available water for plant growth, to relate soil properties to possible effects on plant growth, and to identify management strategies to improve soil conditions and overcome plant growth constraints. Seventy-seven manmade horizons from pits in 18 constructed soils, ranging from 9 to 21-years old, were analyzed throughout this study. These samples are classified based on soil depth, layer (topsoil and subsoil), and age of soil since rehabilitation. The methods for doing most of the analyses follow the Australian Soil and Land Survey handbook by Rayment and Higginson (1992). The results are presented quantitatively and soil properties are compared to provide information on pedogenic processes, the extent of soil development, the ability of the soils to resist degradation and to provide an indication of soil parent materials
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Lalor, Briony Maree. "An assessment of the recovery of the microbial community in jarrah forest soils after bauxite mining and prescription burning." University of Western Australia. School of Earth and Geographical Sciences, 2009. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2010.0037.
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[Truncated abstract] Recovery of soil nutrients, microbial populations and carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling processes are critical to the success of rehabilitation following major ecosystem disturbance. Bauxite mining represents a major ecosystem disturbance to the jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest in the south-west of Western Australia. Mining has created a mosaic of mined areas in various stages of succession surrounded by non-mined forest areas. Initial site preparations within rehabilitation areas such as contour ripping alter soil structure (creation of mound and furrows) and over time also influence the distribution of vegetation and litter. Current performance criteria developed by industry, government and other stakeholders have determined that before post-bauxite mined areas of jarrah forest can be integrated back into normal forest management practises they should be functional and demonstrate resilience to normal forest disturbances such as fire. Furthermore, resilience should be of a manner comparable to non-mined analogue forest sites. Currently little is known of the resilience of microbial communities and C and N cycling in rehabilitation sites to normal forest disturbances such as prescription burning. As such, before rehabilitated jarrah forests can be successfully integrated into broad scale forest management regimes, a more thorough knowledge of the potential impacts of burning practises on the soil microbial community and C and N cycling processes in these systems is required. ... While there are similar rates of C and N cycling the underlying microbial community structure was distinctly different; implying a high degree of functional redundancy with respect to C and N cycling. Differences in the C and N cycling and structure of the microbial communities were likely to be due to differences in soil environmental conditions (i.e. soil alkalinity/acidity, soil moisture) and C substrate availability which influence the physiological status of the microbial community and in turn are related to successional age of the forests. Results also suggest that the measurement of CLPP can be a useful approach for assessment of changes in the functional ability of microbial communities. However, the interpretation of how well these rehabilitation forests have recovered heterotrophic abilities was greatly affected by the methodological approach used (e.g. MicroRespTM or Degens and Harris, 1997). Importantly, results from Chapter 4 and 5 suggested that the effects of a moderate prescription fire on C and N processes, CLPP and microbial community structure of 18 year old rehabilitation forests are likely to be short-lived (< 2 years). Furthermore, the effects of the moderate spring prescription fire were not large enough to decouple C and N cycling processes over the short-term (< 1 years) which suggests that by 18 years of age rehabilitation forests demonstrate comparable functional resilience to a moderate prescription burn.
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Harris, Mark Anglin. "Some organic amendments for heavy metal toxicity, acidity and soil structure in acid-sulphate mine tailings /." Title page, contents and abstract only, 2000. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phh3148.pdf.
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Heshmatti, Gholam Ali. "Plant and soil indicators for detecting zones around water points in arid perennial chenopod shrublands of South Australia /." Title page, contents and summary only, 1997. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phh584.pdf.
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Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Botany, 1997.Errata page is behind title page (p. i). Copies of author's previously published articles inserted. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-156).
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Weggler-Beaton, Karin M. "The beneficial and detrimental effects of sewage sludge applications in South Australia." Title page, contents and summary only, 1996. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phw4113.pdf.
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Speldewinde, Peter Christiaan. "Ecosystem health : the relationship between dryland salinity and human health." University of Western Australia. School of Population Health, 2008. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2008.0127.
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Australia is experiencing widespread ecosystem degradation, including dryland salinity, erosion and vegetation loss. Approximately 1 million hectares (5.5%) of the south-west agricultural zone of Western Australia is affected by dryland salinity and is predicted to rise to 5.4 million hectares by 2050. Such degradation is associated with many environmental outcomes that may impact on human health, including a decrease in primary productivity, an increase in the number of invasive species, a decrease in the number of large trees, overall decrease in biodiversity, and an increase in dust production. The resulting degradation affects not only farm production but also farm values. This study examines the effects of such severe and widespread environmental degradation on the physical and mental health of residents. Western Australia has an extensive medical record database which links individual health records for all hospital admissions, cancer cases, births and deaths. For the 15 diseases examined in this project, the study area of the south west of Western Australia (excluding the capital city of Perth) contained 1,570,985 morbidity records and 27,627 mortality records for the 15 diseases examined in a population of approximately 460,000. Environmental data were obtained from the Western Australian Department of Agriculture?s soil and landscape mapping database. A spatial Bayesian framework was used to examine associations between these disease and environmental variables. The Bayesian model detected the confounding variables of socio-economic status and proportion of the population identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. With the inclusion of these confounders in the model, associations were found between environmental degradation (including dryland salinity) and several diseases with known environmentally-mediated triggers, including asthma, ischaemic heart disease, suicide and depression. However, once records of individuals who had been diagnosed with coexistent depression were removed from the analysis, the effect of dryland salinity was no longer statistically detectable for asthma, ischaemic heart disease or suicide, although the effects of socio-economic status and size of the Aboriginal population remained. The spatial component of this study showed an association between land degradation and human health. These results indicated that such processes are driving the degree of psychological ill-health in these populations, although it remains uncertain whether this 4 is secondary to overall coexisting rural poverty or some other environmental mechanism. To further investigate this complex issue an instrument designed to measure mental health problems in rural communities was developed. Components of the survey included possible triggers for mental health, including environmental factors. The interview was administered in a pilot study through a telephone survey of a small number of farmers in South-Western Australia. Using logistic regression a significant association between the mental health of male farmers and dryland salinity was detected. However, the sample size of the survey was too small to detect any statistically significant associations between dryland salinity and the mental health of women. The results of this study indicate that dryland salinity, as with other examples of ecosystem degradation, is associated with an increased burden of human disease.
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Sun, Hua. "Digital terrain modelling of catchment erosion and sedimentation /." Title page, contents and abstract only, 1998. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phs9565.pdf.
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Gherardi, Mark James. "Availability and management of manganese and water in bauxite residue revegetation." University of Western Australia. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition Discipline Group, 2004. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2005.0038.
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[Truncated abstract] Industrial processing to refine alumina from bauxite ore produces millions of tonnes of refining residue each year in Australia. Revegetation of bauxite residue sand (BRS) is problematic for a number of reasons. Harsh chemical conditions caused by residual NaOH from ore digestion mean plants must overcome extremely high pH (initially >12), saline and sodic conditions. At such high pH, manganese (Mn) is rapidly oxidised from Mn2+ to Mn4+. Plants can take up only Mn2+. Thus, Mn deficiency is common in plants used for direct BRS revegetation, and broadcast Mn fertilisers have low residual value. Added to this, physical conditions of low water-holding capacity and a highly compactable structure make BRS unfavourable for productive plant growth without constant and large inputs of water as well as Mn. However, environmental regulations stipulate that the residue disposal area at Pinjarra, Western Australia, be revegetated to conform with surrounding land uses. The major land use of the area is pasture for grazing stock. Hence, pasture revegetation with minimum requirement for fertiliser and water application is desirable. This thesis investigates a number of avenues with potential for maintaining a productive pasture system on BRS whilst reducing the current level of Mn fertiliser and irrigation input. Emphasis was placed on elucidation of chemical and physical factors affecting Mn availability to plants in BRS
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Campbell, Robert. "Understanding and disrupting institutional settings : using networks of conversations to re-imagine future farming lives." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2013. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/603.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Farmers in Australia and elsewhere face the challenge of remaining profitable whilst dealing with adverse structural arrangements and public expectations to better manage environmental degradation. This thesis draws on arguments that dominant paradigms in agricultural science and environmental management have often been ineffective in addressing these apparently competing demands and appear poorly suited to ‘messy’ situations characterized by uncertainty and complexity, and in which diverse stakeholders are motivated by varying goals and values. Engaging with such situations requires a philosophy and methodology that accepts a multiplicity of perspectives and which seeks to learn about and reflect upon novel ways of thinking and acting. Among the underlying ideas that have shaped this project is the importance of recognising the assumptions and commitments that researchers bring to their practice in order that traditions are not uncritically reproduced and that the products of our thinking are not reified. Regarding farming as less a set of technical practices and more as a human activity taking place within broader economic, social, cultural and ecological contexts, I sought to engage a group of farmers in southern Western Australia in a process of taking action to address an issue of common concern that would help them to live and farm well in their district. My role as both researcher and facilitator of conversations was driven by a commitment to dialogue as a process of meaning making and relationship building. Together we explored some of the broader contexts within which the narrower conceptions of economic and ecological problems are often uncritically placed. Taking concrete action together however proved beyond the scope of my research. The challenge of feeding ourselves while better caring for the land and each other will require imaginative as well as technical resources. To this end I have also sought to sketch out some of the creative possibilities contained within the health metaphor as it is applied to soil, arguing that its use as a proxy for quality or condition fails to utilize its disruptive potential.
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Gill, Nicholas Geography & Oceanography Australian Defence Force Academy UNSW. "Outback or at home? : environment, social change and pastoralism in Central Australia." Awarded by:University of New South Wales - Australian Defence Force Academy. School of Geography and Oceanography, 2000. http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/38728.
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This thesis examines the responses of non-indigenous pastoralists in Central Australian rangelands to two social movements that profoundly challenge their occupancy, use and management of land. Contemporary environmentalism and Aboriginal land rights have both challenged the status of pastoralists as valued primary producers and bearers of a worthy pioneer heritage. Instead, pastoralists have become associated with land degradation, biodiversity loss, and Aboriginal dispossession. Such pressure has intensified in the 1990s in the wake of the native Title debate, and various conservation campaigns in the arid and semi-arid rangelands. The pressure on pastoralists occur in the context of wider reassessment of the social and economic values or rangelands in which pastoralism is seen as having declined in value compared to ???post-production??? land uses. Reassessments of rangelands in turn are part of the global changes in the status of rural areas, and of the growing flexibility in the very meaning of ???rural???. Through ethnographic fieldwork among largely non-indigenous pastoralists in Central Australia, this thesis investigates the nature and foundations of pastoralists??? responses to these changes and critiques. Through memory, history, labour and experience of land, non-indigenous pastoralists construct a narrative of land, themselves and others in which the presence of pastoralism in Central Australia is naturalised, and Central Australia is narrated as an inherently pastoral landscape. Particular types of environmental knowledge and experience, based in actual environmental events and processes form the foundation for a discourse of pastoral property rights. Pastoralists accommodate environmental concerns, through advocating environmental stewardship. They do this in such a way that Central Australia is maintained as a singularly pastoral landscape, and one in which a European, or ???white???, frame of reference continues to dominate. In this way the domesticated pastoral landscapes of colonialism and nationalism are reproduced. The thesis also examines Aboriginal pastoralism as a distinctive form of pastoralism, which fulfils distinctly Aboriginal land use and cultural aspirations, and undermines the conventional meaning of ???pastoralism??? itself. The thesis ends by suggesting that improved dialogue over rangelands futures depends on greater understanding of the details and complexities of local relationships between groups of people, and between people and land.
Книги з теми "Soils Environmental aspects Australia"
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Maralinga: Australia's nuclear waste cover-up. Sydney, N.S.W: ABC Books, 2007.
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Contaminated, Site Remediation Conference (1999 Fremantle W. A. ). Contaminated site remediation: Challenges posed by urban and industrial contaminants : proceedings of the 1999 Contaminated Site Remediation Conference ... 21-25 March 1999, Fremantle, Western Australia. Wembley, W.A: Centre for Groundwater Studies, CSIRO Land and Water, 1999.
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Tan, Kim H. Environmental soil science. New York: Dekker, 1994.
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Tan, Kim H. Environmental soil science. 3rd ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2009.
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Tan, Kim H. Environmental soil science. 2nd ed. New York: M. Dekker, 2000.
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Environmental soil physics. San Diego, CA: Academic Press, 1998.
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Erickson, Heather E. Soils under fire: Soils research and the Joint Fire Science Program. Portland, OR: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, 2008.
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L, Banwart W., ed. Soils and their environment. Englewood Cliffs, N.J: Prentice Hall, 1992.
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E, Mullins Chris, ed. Soil and Environmental Analysis. Hoboken: Marcel Dekker Inc., 2000.
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Wild, Alan. Soils and the environment: An introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993.
Знайти повний текст джерелаЧастини книг з теми "Soils Environmental aspects Australia"
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Németh, T. "Long-term N-fertilization calibration experiments — environmental aspects." In Nitrogen Economy in Tropical Soils, 371–77. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, 1996. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1706-4_36.
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Moore, P. J. "Some geotechnical aspects of seismic response." In Environmental Geotechnics and Problematic Soils and Rocks, 101–13. London: CRC Press, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1201/9781003211051-10.
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Sonpal, R. C. "Environmental aspects related to Sabarmati river bank structures." In Environmental Geotechnics and Problematic Soils and Rocks, 269–76. London: CRC Press, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1201/9781003211051-27.
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Hasan, Syed E. "Environmental aspects of underground space development in Kansas City, USA." In Environmental Geotechnics and Problematic Soils and Rocks, 247–53. London: CRC Press, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1201/9781003211051-24.
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Awad, F., L. Kahl, and R. Kluge. "Environmental aspects of sewage sludge and evaluation of super absorbent hydrogel under Egyptian conditions." In Iron Nutrition in Soils and Plants, 91–97. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, 1995. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0503-3_13.
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Polyakov, V. S., E. V. Shemyakin, V. K. Kurochkin, and A. Y. Fridman. "Innovative Technology for Detoxification and Disinfection of Soils and Water Bodies." In Environmental Aspects of Converting CW Facilities to Peaceful Purposes, 75–79. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, 2002. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0508-1_7.
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Zharikov, G. A., V. I. Varenik, R. V. Borovick, N. R. Dyadischev, V. V. Kapranov, N. I. Kiselyova, V. P. Kovalyov, and S. P. Rybalkin. "Ecologically Safe Technology for Bioremediation of Soils Polluted by Toxic Chemical Substances." In Environmental Aspects of Converting CW Facilities to Peaceful Purposes, 181–86. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, 2002. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-0508-1_17.
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Dhindsa, Harkirat S., Andrew R. Battle, and Svenning Prytz. "Environmental Emission of Mercury During Gold Mining by Amalgamation Process and its Impact on Soils of Gympie, Australia." In Air Quality, 145–56. Basel: Birkhäuser Basel, 2003. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-0348-7970-5_9.
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Dayé, Christian, Armin Spök, Andrew C. Allan, Tomiko Yamaguchi, and Thorben Sprink. "Social Acceptability of Cisgenic Plants: Public Perception, Consumer Preferences, and Legal Regulation." In Concepts and Strategies in Plant Sciences, 43–75. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10721-4_3.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
AbstractPart of the rationale behind the introduction of the term cisgenesis was the expectation that due to the “more natural” character of the genetic modification, cisgenic plants would be socially more acceptable than transgenic ones. This chapter assesses whether this expectation was justified. It thereby addresses three arenas of social acceptability: public perception, consumer preferences, and legal regulation. Discussing and comparing recent studies from four geographical areas across the globe—Europe, North America, Japan, and Australia and New Zealand—the chapter shows that the expectation was justified, and that cisgenic plants are treated as being more acceptable than other forms of genetic modification. Yet, there are considerable differences across the three arenas of social acceptability. In Australia, Canada, and the United States of America, the legal regulation of cisgenic plants is less restrictive than in Europe, Japan, and New Zealand. Also, the public perceptions are rather diverse across these countries, as are the factors that are deemed most influential in informing public opinion and consumer decisions. While people in North America appear to be most interested in individual benefits of the products (improved quality, health aspects), Europeans are more likely to accept cisgenic plants and derived products if they have a proven environmental benefit. In New Zealand, in contrast, the potential impact of cisgenic plants on other, more or less related markets, like meat export and tourism, is heavily debated. We conclude with some remarks about a possible new arrangement between science and policy that may come about with a new, or homogenized, international regulatory regime.
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Rebhan, Dieter, and Alexander Buinger. "Soil freezing with LIN under environmental aspects." In Ground Freezing 2000 - Frost Action in Soils, 329–31. CRC Press, 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1201/9781003078654-65.
Повний текст джерелаТези доповідей конференцій з теми "Soils Environmental aspects Australia"
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Blight, Geoffrey E. "Geo-Environmental and Management Aspects of the Behaviour of Mining and Municipal Solid Wastes in Water-Deficient Climates." In Fourth International Conference on Unsaturated Soils. Reston, VA: American Society of Civil Engineers, 2006. http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/40802(189)2.
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Konopko, Mariola, and Małgorzata Ewa Wysocka. "GPR Method as a Non-Invasive Method for Investigating Organic Soils Deposited under Designed Road Construction." In Environmental Engineering. VGTU Technika, 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.3846/enviro.2017.140.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
GPR method is a non-invasive technique for ground exploration which detects subsurface objects and assesses their presence, as well as provides information about the geological structure of investigation site. Ground penetrating radar method belongs to the group of geophysical methods as it uses electromagnetic waves. GPR technique takes advantage of the differences between the dielectric constants, specific for the material under analysis. One of the factors that are essential to record reliable data is a clear contrast between the dielectric constant of investigated object and its surroundings. One of the major advantages of GPR is that it does not damage ground surface as well as it is completely non-invasive and safe for the environment. Moreover, the method is particularly useful in the design and realisation process of linear objects, for among the multiple aspects of its utilization there is recognition of low-bearing organic soils. The discontinuous nature of traditional methods makes it difficult to precisely specify ground layering as well as accurately locate potential anomalies. The analysis carried out in this study shows that GPR technique can detect the boundaries of soil layers, which considerably simplifies ground assessment.
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Kumar, Chaithanya, Sandhria Ferriawan Agung Pambudi, Milind Manohar Salunke, and John William Rayappa. "Alternate Foundation Concepts for Offshore Jackets in Calcareous Soils." In Offshore Technology Conference Asia. OTC, 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.4043/31595-ms.
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Abstract Calcareous soil type is found at many locations, requiring careful selection of foundation type. Calcareous soil is mostly or partly composed of calcium carbonate in the form of lime or chalk derived from the underlying chalk or limestone rock. North-West Shelf of Australia is an example of site which consists of carbonate soil types wherein the majority of existing offshore facilities and platforms being installed using Drilled and Grouted (D&G) piled foundations and in some instances using Gravity based foundations. This paper discusses alternate foundation concepts on such soils, namely; (i) Micro-piles, and (ii) Inclined pile cluster, along with the common concepts of (iii) D&G piles and (iv) Gravity based foundations. The foundation concepts are discussed with focus on key aspects of the foundation structural configuration, vertical foundation capacity feasibility, and some serviceability related aspects. In addition, offshore operation and installation duration perspective are also discussed to provide some insight on how each foundation concept could suit the project preference which often influence the final selection of foundation concept. Risk/challenges and advantages of each concept are then summarized for overall comparison.
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Яшин, Валерий Михайлович. "ECOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF AUTOMATED REGULATION OF MOISTURE IN IRRIGATED SOILS." In Высокие технологии и инновации в науке: сборник избранных статей Международной научной конференции (Санкт-Петербург, Январь 2021). Crossref, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.37539/vt189.2021.43.26.012.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
В статье рассматриваются вопросы влияния орошения на компоненты природной среды. Показано, что орошение в существенной мере увеличивает водную нагрузку на территорию, что приводит к трансформации водного режима почв, пород зоны аэрации, увеличению инфильтрационного питания грунтовых вод, изменению качества поверхностного и подземного стока. Автоматизированные системы контроля водного режима орошаемых почв позволяют синхронизировать водоподачу на поле с биологическими особенностями водопотребления культур, что в существенной мере позволит снизить водную нагрузку на экологические условия. The article discusses the impact of irrigation on the components of the natural environment. It is shown that irrigation significantly increases the water load on the territory, which leads to the transformation of the water regime of soils, rocks of the aeration zone, an increase in the infiltration feeding of groundwater, and a change in the quality of surface and underground runoff. Automated control systems for the water regime of irrigated soils allow synchronizing water supply to the field with the biological characteristics of water consumption of crops, which will significantly reduce the water load on environmental conditions.
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Azimov, O. T., I. V. Kuraeva, O. M. Trofymchuk, S. P. Karmazynenko, Ye M. Dorofey, and Yu Yu Voytyuk. "Estimation of the heavy metal pollution for the soils and different environmental objects within the solid domestic waste landfills." In 18th International Conference on Geoinformatics - Theoretical and Applied Aspects. European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers, 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.3997/2214-4609.201902129.
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Krupowicz, Wioleta, and Katarzyna Sobolewska-Mikulska. "Possible Applications of Spatial Analyses in Designing the Agricultural Road Network with Particular Consideration of the Environmental and Landscape Aspects." In Environmental Engineering. VGTU Technika, 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.3846/enviro.2017.208.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
The development of the agricultural road network is a complex activity based on a broad range of criteria necessary to be taken into account during analyses and desk studies. The analyses and design solutions cannot be unilateral, considering only technical and economic aspects. Elements of environmental protection and management of agricultural landscape, as well as solutions in the scope of protection of soils and waters are necessary in this type of design works, and result from solutions accepted for implementation in reference to the rural areas of all Member States of the European Union. Such a multi-aspect process requires the use of tools in an environment which technologically permits the development of multi-variant solutions to a given problem, and selection of a single, most appropriate proposal. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) currently constitute such an environment. Their undeniable advantages include their analytical possibilities which can be formalised in the form of developed models of spatial analyses – creating sets of new, ready to use tools supporting the decision making process in the scope of determination of the optimal course of agricultural roads. Additional advantages are the possibility of integration of data obtained from various sources, and presentation to stakeholders (e.g. residents, farmers, local authorities, entrepreneurs, and investors) of the obtained solutions in the form of maps, almost in real time, as well as possibility of making optimum decisions with their active participation. Easier access to GIS technology and systematically growing level of awareness regarding measurable benefits from the application of this type of solutions should also be emphasised. The article presents examples of spatial analyses allowing for relatively fast obtaining of spatial information necessary for efficient design-related decision making for the purpose of improvement of the system of agricultural roads with particular consideration of environmental and landscape aspects.
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O’Sullivan, Enda, Julian Soles, and Michel Dib. "Fully Coupled EDS/Drift-Off Analysis for a Harsh Environment, Deepwater Site." In ASME 2004 23rd International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering. ASMEDC, 2004. http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/omae2004-51631.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
In support of a well drilled in the Great Australian Bight (GAB) by the Glomar Jack Ryan dynamically-positioned (DP) drillship in 4308 feet of water in early 2003, drift-off riser analysis was carried out to establish “alert” offsets for the emergency disconnect sequence (EDS). Drift-off analysis of the vessel/riser system is a key element to the successful management of the riser on a DP drillship, as it deals with protecting the equipment in case of the potential loss of vessel power. At this well site, high seastates combined with wind and current conditions dictate that drilling should be carried out in accordance with “well-specific operating criteria” (WSOC). These criteria assist the crew by identifying the metocean conditions that limit various operations. Analysis of the drilling riser was carried out for drift-off, hang-off and recoil scenarios to establish certain criteria to avoid exceedence of allowable limits in the riser and conductor pipe. The novel aspect of this drift-off analysis is the use of a fully-coupled, time-domain, finite element solution. The fully-coupled aspect of this solution models the vessel / tensioner system / riser / LMRP / BOP / wellhead / conductor / soil interaction process more accurately and thus allows for less conservativism when compared to uncoupled solution methods. This enables the rig to work in areas that might otherwise be considered marginal due to the anticipated time spent waiting on weather.
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Smith-Briggs, Jane, Dave Wells, Tommy Green, Andy Baker, Martin Kelly, and Richard Cummings. "The Australian National Radioactive Waste Repository: Environmental Impact Statement and Radiological Risk Assessment." In ASME 2003 9th International Conference on Radioactive Waste Management and Environmental Remediation. ASMEDC, 2003. http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/icem2003-4865.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Australian National Repository for low and short-lived intermediate level radioactive waste was submitted to Environment Australia for approval in the summer of 2002 and has subsequently undergone a consultancy phase with comments sought from all relevant stakeholders. The consultancy period is now closed and responses to the comments have been prepared. This paper describes some of the issues relevant to determining the radiological risk associated with the repository to meet the requirements of the EIS. These include a brief description of the three proposed sites, a description of the proposed trench design, an analysis of the radioactive waste inventory, the proposed approach to developing waste acceptance criteria (WAC) and the approach taken to determine radiological risks during the post-institutional control phase. The three potential sites for the repository are located near the Australian Department of Defence site at Woomera, South Australia. One site is inside the Defense site and two are located nearby, but outside of the site perimeter. All have very similar, but not identical, topographical, geological and hydrogeological characteristics. A very simple trench design has been proposed 15 m deep and with 5 m of cover. One possible variant may be the construction of deeper borehole type vaults to dispose of the more active radioactive sources. A breakdown of the current and predicted future inventory will be presented. The current wastes are dominated in terms of volume by some contaminated soils, resulting from experiments to extract U and Th, and by the operational wastes from the HIFAR research reactor at ANSTO. A significant proportion of the radionuclide inventory is associated with small volumes of sources held by industry, medical, research and defence organisations. The proposed WAC will be described. These are based on the current Australian guidelines and best international practice. The preliminary radiological risk assessment considered the post-institutional control phase in detail with some 12 scenarios being assessed. These include the impact of potential climate change in the region. The results from the risk assessment will be presented and discussed. The assessment work is continuing and will support the license application for construction and operation of the site. Please note that this is not the final assessment for the licence application.
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Mackevičius, Rimantas, Danutė Sližytė, Tatyana Zhilkina, and Vadim Turchin. "Investigation of influence of additives on properties of multi-molecular organic solutions used for permeation grouting." In The 13th international scientific conference “Modern Building Materials, Structures and Techniques”. Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.3846/mbmst.2019.112.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Permeation grouting for stabilization of dispersive sandy and gravely soils is in use from beginning of 19th century and has high importance for various underpinning, tunneling, and structural strengthening works. As materials for permeation grouting are applied not only cement mortar or silica gel in many compositions but multi-molecular organic solutions too. From multi-molecular organic solutions for permeation grouting are in use various synthetic resins such as acrylic, urea-formaldehyde, or other polymer resins. Urea-formaldehyde resin has right physical and mechanical properties for applying in soil stabilization but additives can change these properties. For example, additives can increase density, pH-rate, and gel-formation time of urea-formaldehyde resin. Additives can decrease viscosity of solutions based on urea-formaldehyde resin. Additives can improve environmental aspects of use of multi-molecular organic solutions for grouting of sandy soils. Long-time investigations of influence of additives on properties of multi-molecular organic solutions used for soil stabilization give good results for optimization of composition of materials for grouting.
Звіти організацій з теми "Soils Environmental aspects Australia"
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Wackett, Lawrence, Raphi Mandelbaum, and Michael Sadowsky. Bacterial Mineralization of Atrazine as a Model for Herbicide Biodegradation: Molecular and Applied Aspects. United States Department of Agriculture, January 1999. http://dx.doi.org/10.32747/1999.7695835.bard.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Atrazine is a broadly used herbicide in agriculture and it was used here as a model to study the biodegradation of herbicides. The bacterium Pseudomonas sp. ADP metabolizes atrazine to carbon dioxide and ammonia and chloride. The genes encoding atrazine catabolism to cyanuric acid were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The genes were designated atzA, atzB and atzC. Each gene was sequenced. The enzyme activities were characterized. AtzA is atrazine chlorohydrolase which takes atrazine to hydroxyatrizine. AtzB is hydroxyatrazine N-ethylaminohydrolase which produces N-isopropylammelide and N-ethylamine. AtzC is N-isopropylammelide N-isopropylaminohydrolase which produces cyanuric acid and N-isopropylamine. Each product was isolated and characterized to confirm their identity by chromatography and mass spectrometry. Sequence analysis indicated that each of the hydrolytic enzymes AtzA, AtzB and AtzC share identity which the aminohydrolase protein superfamily. Atrazine chlorohydrolase was purified to homogeneity. It was shown to have a kcat of 11 s-1 and a KM of 150 uM. It was shown to require a metal ion, either Fe(II), Mn(II) or Co(II), for activity. The atzA, atzB and atzC genes were shown to reside on a broad-host range plasmid in Pseudomonas sp. ADP. Six other recently isolated atrazine-degrading bacteria obtained from Europe and the United States contained homologs to the atz genes identified in Pseudomonas sp. ADP. The identity of the sequences were very high, being greater than 98% in all pairwise comparisons. This indicates that many atrazine-degrading bacteria worldwide metabolize atrazine via a pathway that proceeds through hydroxyatrazine, a metabolite which is non-phytotoxic and non-toxic to mammals. Enzymes were immobilized and used for degradation of atrazine in aqueous phases. The in-depth understanding of the genomics and biochemistry of the atrazine mineralization pathway enabled us to study factors affecting the prevalence of atrazine degradation in various agricultural soils under conservative and new agricultural practices. Moreover, Pseudomonas sp. ADP and/or its enzymes were added to atrazine-contaminated soils, aquifers and industrial wastewater to increase the rate and extent of atrazine biodegradation above that of untreated environments. Our studies enhance the ability to control the fate of regularly introduced pesticides in agriculture, or to reduce the environmental impact of unintentional releases.
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Friedman, Shmuel, Jon Wraith, and Dani Or. Geometrical Considerations and Interfacial Processes Affecting Electromagnetic Measurement of Soil Water Content by TDR and Remote Sensing Methods. United States Department of Agriculture, 2002. http://dx.doi.org/10.32747/2002.7580679.bard.
Повний текст джерелаАнотація:
Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) and other in-situ and remote sensing dielectric methods for determining the soil water content had become standard in both research and practice in the last two decades. Limitations of existing dielectric methods in some soils, and introduction of new agricultural measurement devices or approaches based on soil dielectric properties mandate improved understanding of the relationship between the measured effective permittivity (dielectric constant) and the soil water content. Mounting evidence indicates that consideration must be given not only to the volume fractions of soil constituents, as most mixing models assume, but also to soil attributes and ambient temperature in order to reduce errors in interpreting measured effective permittivities. The major objective of the present research project was to investigate the effects of the soil geometrical attributes and interfacial processes (bound water) on the effective permittivity of the soil, and to develop a theoretical frame for improved, soil-specific effective permittivity- water content calibration curves, which are based on easily attainable soil properties. After initializing the experimental investigation of the effective permittivity - water content relationship, we realized that the first step for water content determination by the Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) method, namely, the TDR measurement of the soil effective permittivity still requires standardization and improvement, and we also made more efforts than originally planned towards this objective. The findings of the BARD project, related to these two consequential steps involved in TDR measurement of the soil water content, are expected to improve the accuracy of soil water content determination by existing in-situ and remote sensing dielectric methods and to help evaluate new water content sensors based on soil electrical properties. A more precise water content determination is expected to result in reduced irrigation levels, a matter which is beneficial first to American and Israeli farmers, and also to hydrologists and environmentalists dealing with production and assessment of contamination hazards of this progressively more precious natural resource. The improved understanding of the way the soil geometrical attributes affect its effective permittivity is expected to contribute to our understanding and predicting capability of other, related soil transport properties such as electrical and thermal conductivity, and diffusion coefficients of solutes and gas molecules. In addition, to the originally planned research activities we also investigated other related problems and made many contributions of short and longer terms benefits. These efforts include: Developing a method and a special TDR probe for using TDR systems to determine also the soil's matric potential; Developing a methodology for utilizing the thermodielectric effect, namely, the variation of the soil's effective permittivity with temperature, to evaluate its specific surface area; Developing a simple method for characterizing particle shape by measuring the repose angle of a granular material avalanching in water; Measurements and characterization of the pore scale, saturation degree - dependent anisotropy factor for electrical and hydraulic conductivities; Studying the dielectric properties of cereal grains towards improved determination of their water content. A reliable evaluation of the soil textural attributes (e.g. the specific surface area mentioned above) and its water content is essential for intensive irrigation and fertilization processes and within extensive precision agriculture management. The findings of the present research project are expected to improve the determination of cereal grain water content by on-line dielectric methods. A precise evaluation of grain water content is essential for pricing and evaluation of drying-before-storage requirements, issues involving energy savings and commercial aspects of major economic importance to the American agriculture. The results and methodologies developed within the above mentioned side studies are expected to be beneficial to also other industrial and environmental practices requiring the water content determination and characterization of granular materials.