Environmental aspects of soil phosphorus testing

peer-reviewedSoil phosphorus testing in Ireland uses Morgan’s reagent from samples taken to 10 cm depth for agronomic recommendations. However, its suitability as an environmental indicator has been questioned in terms of sample depth and extraction solution. Seven grassland sites were sampled to depths of 2, 5 and 10 cm and extracted for Morgan’s P, the standard agronomic test, as well as iron-oxide impregnated paper strip P (FeOP), calcium chloride extractable P (CaCl2-P) and water soluble P (WSP), all proposed as environmental soil tests. Extractable soil P decreased with increasing sample depth, as did variances in each test, such that, 2 cm samples had highest concentrations and variances. The current standard sample depth (10 cm) was linearly related to corresponding data from samples taken to 2 and 5 cm, indicating that surface soil P can be consistently estimated from the current standard depth. When soil tests were compared with dissolved reactive P (DRP) in overland flow collected from two field sites, certain soil tests were better indicators of P loss than others. The relative difference in Morgan’s P values at the standard sample depth (10 cm) was reflected in the relative difference in P loss between the two sites. Average values of DRP collected from two sites ranged from 0.032 to 0.067 mg/l at the low P site and 0.261 to 0.620 at the high P site. Average DRP values from the high P site and maximum DRP values from the low P site were simulated using water-soluble P extraction at water to soil ratios 5 to 250 l/kg. In this study, Morgan’s P to 10 cm gave a good indication of the relative difference in DRP loss between the two sites

Evaluating Morgan’s Phosphorus Test as an Environmental Indicator

End of Project ReportThis project was part-funded by the EPA RTDI programmePhosphorus loss from soil to water is a major component of surface water pollution in Ireland and water quality reports from the EPA have shown an increasing upwards trend in slight and moderate pollution often attributed to agricultural phosphorus (P). There is a need therefore for indicators of P loss from agriculture that might predict areas vulnerable to P loss. Soil test P is a typical parameter often used in risk assessment and catchment modeling and although originally designed as an agronomic indicator of P requirements for crop growth, it is often used to indicate risk of P loss from agricultural areas. Soil phosphorus (P) testing in Ireland uses Morgan's reagent from samples taken to 10cm depth for agronomic recommendations, however, it's sustainability as an environmental indicator has been questioned in terms of sample depth and extraction solution. In this study, seven grassland sites were sampled to 2, 5 and 10cm depths and extracted for Morgan's P, the standard agronomic test, as well as, iron-oxide impregnated paper strip P (FeO-P), calcium chloride extractable P (CaCl2-P)and water soluble P (WSP), all proposed as environmental soil tests. Extractable soil P increased with decreasing sample depth, as did variances in each test, such that, 2 cm samples had highest concentrations and variances. The current standard sample depth (10cm) was linearly correlated with corresponding data from samples taken to 2 and 5cm, indicating that surface soil P can be consistently estimated from the current standard depth. When soil tests were compared with Dissolved reactive P (DRP) in overland flow collected from field studies, certain soil tests were better indicators of P loss than others. The relative difference in Morgan's P values at the standard sample depth (10cm) was reflected in the relative difference in P loss between the two sites. Values of DRP collected from two sites ranged from 0.032-0.67 mg/l at the low P site and 0.261-0.620 at the high P site. Average DRP values from the high P site and maximum DRP values from the low P site were simulated using water-soluble P extracts. In this study, Morgan's P to 10cm gave a good indication of the relative difference in DRP loss between the two sites.Environmental PRotection Agenc

Internet Hoaxes: Public Regulation and Private Remedies

This paper begins with a brief overview of the psychology of rumor and a discussion of the impact of Internet technology on the dissemination of rumors. Part II examines the three consumer rumors presented above as case studies illustrating the problem of Internet hoaxes and attempts by governmental and private actors to halt the circulation of false information about a product or company. Part III discusses whether the traditional enforcement tools used by the FDA and FTC are adequate and appropriate to address consumer rumors, as well as reviewing the options available to private companies adversely impacted by such a rumor

Evaluating Morgan’s Phosphorus Test as an Environmental Indicator

End of Project ReportThis project was part-funded by the EPA RTDI programmePhosphorus loss from soil to water is a major component of surface water pollution in Ireland and water quality reports from the EPA have shown an increasing upwards trend in slight and moderate pollution often attributed to agricultural phosphorus (P). There is a need therefore for indicators of P loss from agriculture that might predict areas vulnerable to P loss. Soil test P is a typical parameter often used in risk assessment and catchment modeling and although originally designed as an agronomic indicator of P requirements for crop growth, it is often used to indicate risk of P loss from agricultural areas. Soil phosphorus (P) testing in Ireland uses Morgan's reagent from samples taken to 10cm depth for agronomic recommendations, however, it's sustainability as an environmental indicator has been questioned in terms of sample depth and extraction solution. In this study, seven grassland sites were sampled to 2, 5 and 10cm depths and extracted for Morgan's P, the standard agronomic test, as well as, iron-oxide impregnated paper strip P (FeO-P), calcium chloride extractable P (CaCl2-P)and water soluble P (WSP), all proposed as environmental soil tests. Extractable soil P increased with decreasing sample depth, as did variances in each test, such that, 2 cm samples had highest concentrations and variances. The current standard sample depth (10cm) was linearly correlated with corresponding data from samples taken to 2 and 5cm, indicating that surface soil P can be consistently estimated from the current standard depth. When soil tests were compared with Dissolved reactive P (DRP) in overland flow collected from field studies, certain soil tests were better indicators of P loss than others. The relative difference in Morgan's P values at the standard sample depth (10cm) was reflected in the relative difference in P loss between the two sites. Values of DRP collected from two sites ranged from 0.032-0.67 mg/l at the low P site and 0.261-0.620 at the high P site. Average DRP values from the high P site and maximum DRP values from the low P site were simulated using water-soluble P extracts. In this study, Morgan's P to 10cm gave a good indication of the relative difference in DRP loss between the two sites.Environmental PRotection Agenc

Interdisciplinary Assessment and Plan for an Energy Efficient HVAC System for Dumbarton House

Dumbarton House tells the story of life in the City of Washington during the formation of the early republic and a new national identity. This project will explore and recommend sustainable approaches to collections care and preventive conservation for the house and its collections. Recent failures in the 21-year-old patchwork HVAC system demonstrate that a planned upgrade, based on a thoughtful review, not a crisis-response, is a critical institutional responsibility. Our advisors have voiced concern over our ability to efficiently and effectively manage the current system. An interdisciplinary team of sustainability, collections and energy experts will review environmental conditions records, and all assessments, and then explore and recommend a holistic approach to measured, responsive, system and operational changes. We expect requests for energy audits and a geothermal assessment. The team will formally recommend next-steps to the board for implementation

Candido Portinari: Brazilian Artist as Cultural Ambassador: A Re-Examination of the Library of Congress Murals

The artistic contributions of Portinari, and of many other Brazilian and Latin American modern artists, have not been adequately examined as part of the visual history of the twentieth century. Although by no means comprehensive, this study employs an holistic approach to re-examining Portinari\u27s Library of Congress murals in an attempt to understand better not only these distinctive murals, but also the historical significance of this twentieth century artist

A rapid and multi-element method for the analysis of major nutrients in grass (Lolium perenne) using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy

peer-reviewedElemental analysis of grass (Lolium perenne) is essential in agriculture to ensure grass quality and animal health. Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectroscopy is a rapid, multi-element alternative to current methods using acid digestion and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Percentage phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca), determined from grass samples using EDXRF, were within 0.035, 0.319, 0.025 and 0.061, respectively, of ICP-OES values. Concordance correlation coefficients computed using agreement statistics ranged from 0.4379 to 0.9669 (values close to one indicate excellent agreement); however, the level of agreement for each element depended on the calibrations used in EDXRF. Empirical calibrations gave excellent agreement for percentage P, K and Ca, but moderate agreement for percentage Mg due to a weaker correlation between standards and intensities. Standardless calibration using the fundamental parameters (FP) approach exhibited bias, with consistently lower values reported for percentage P and Mg, when compared with ICP-OES methods. The relationship between the methods was plotted as scatter plots with the line of equality included, and although correlation coefficients indicated strong relationships, these statistics masked the effects of consistent bias in the data for percentage P and Mg. These results highlight the importance of distinguishing agreement from correlation when using statistical methods to compare methods of analysis. Agreement estimates improved when a matching library of grass samples was added to the FP method. EDXRF is a comparable alternative to conventional methods for grass analysis when samples of similar matrix type are used as empirical standards or as a matching library

Early Outcomes for Programs and Families in Children's Futures

Assesses the programmatic achievements and outcomes for families in the first five years of a community change initiative providing an array of social services. Discusses lessons learned and issues of cost, partnership development, and sustainability