170 research outputs found
Évaluation d'un modèle des zones de pâturages et de prairies naturelles
Une grande quantité d'eau est perdue dans les zones de pâturage et prairies naturelles du fait de la présence dans ces régions de plantes à forte transpiration. La gestion du couvert végétal et des bassins versants a été proposée comme moyen pour augmenter la disponibilité des ressources en eau. Des efforts accrûs ont été consacrés au développement de pratiques de gestion et d'outils pour évaluer le potentiel d'augmentation de la ressource en eau. La modélisation hydrologique joue un rôle clé dans ces efforts. Un des outils les plus complets pour la modélisation dans les zones de pâturage et prairies naturelles est le modèle SPUR. Il s'agit d'un modèle de bassin versant, spatialement semi-distribué. Le modèle est constitué de cinq modules principaux qui incluent les aspects suivants: climat, hydrologie, plantes, animaux et économie. La composante hydrologique du modèle prend en compte à un pas de temps journalier les phénomènes de ruissellement, évapotranspiration, percolation et écoulement latéral. Le ruissellement est calculé à partir du numéro de courbe qui dépend du couvert végétal, des pratiques culturales, ainsi que des conditions hydrologiques. Cependant l'utilisation par le modèle de la méthode du numéro de courbe pour déterminer le ruissellement pose de sérieux problèmes quant à l'efficacité du modèle. Dans notre recherche, nous avons substitué la méthode des numéros de courbe par l'équation de Green et Ampt. Un avantage majeur de cette approche est l'utilisation de l'intensité de la pluie comme variable de forçage au lieu de la pluie journalière. De plus, cette équation d'infiltration utilise des paramètres physiques comme la conductivité hydraulique à saturation. L'objectif de cet article est de présenter les performances du modèle SPUR original et modifié sur trois types de couvert végétal : sol nu, sol enherbé et buissons.Trois années de mesures collectées sur le bassin versant de Throckmorton (Texas, Etats Unis d'Amérique) ont été utilisées pour la calibration et la validation des modèles. Les performances des modèles ont été évaluées en utilisant le coefficient d'efficience de Nash et Sutcliff. Le calage a porté sur la première année de mesure. Pour le modèle original, le calage a consisté à ajuster les numéros de courbe de manière à optimiser l'efficience. Pour le modèle modifié, il n'a été procédé à aucun calage. Les valeurs de conductivité hydraulique à saturation ont été estimées en utilisant des équations de pédotransfert en se basant sur les propriétés texturales et structurales des sols. L'introduction dans le modèle SPUR de l'équation de Green et Ampt a considérablement amélioré la performance du modèle pour la prévision du ruissellement sur tous les sites. L'efficience moyenne pour les prévisions du ruissellement mensuel sur sol nu est de 0.16, alors que celle ci est négative pour le modèle original (-0.11). Pour les sites enherbés l'efficience du modèle modifié est de 0.48 alors qu'elle est négative pour le modèle original. L'utilisation du numéro de courbe a résulté en une surestimation systématique du ruissellement sur tous les sites. De manière générale, le modèle original et le modèle modifié présentent de meilleures performances sur les sites non nus. Ceci est dû au fait que les deux modèles sous-estiment de manière significative l'évaporation sur les sols nus. Un des désavantages des deux modèles est en effet de limiter l'évaporation aux premiers 15 cm du sol. L'introduction de l'équation de Green et Ampt a amélioré les performances du modèle pour la prévision du ruissellement aussi bien à l'échelle mensuelle qu'annuelle. De plus, le modèle modifié est sensible au type d'occupation du sol et est donc adapté comme outil pour l'analyse de scénario en vue de préserver les ressources en eau.Une analyse de sensibilité a été conduite afin d'évaluer l'impact des paramètres d'entrée sur les sorties des deux modèles. L'analyse de sensibilité a consisté à modifier systématiquement les paramètres d'entrée de plus ou moins 10%. Pour le modèle original, l'analyse a porté sur l'influence du numéro de courbe, et pour le modèle modifié celle ci a porté sur l'étude de l'impact lié aux paramètres utilisés pour calculer la conductivité hydraulique à saturation. Concernant le modèle original, une augmentation du numéro de courbe de 10% entraîne une augmentation du ruissellement de 120% pour le sol nu, et aux alentours de 100% pour les autres sites. L'impact de ces variations sur l'évaporanspiration est minimal, avec une variation maximale de 16% pour le sol nu. Concernant le modèle modifié, la teneur du sol en sable est le paramètre ayant la plus grande influence sur la quantité d'eau ruisselée pour le sol nu. Par contre, pour les lysimètres ayant un couvert végétal, le pourcentage de sol couvert par la canopée est le factor majeur contrôlant la quantité d'eau ruisselée. Les paramètres liés au couvert végétal ont un plus grand impact sur le ruissellement que les paramètres liés aux propriétés intrinsèques du sol.Globalement l'introduction de l'équation de Green et Ampt a amélioré les capacités prédictives du modèle. Outre le fait que le modèle modifié ne nécessite pas un calage particulier pour la détermination des paramètres de transfert de l'eau dans le sol, il se base sur l'intensité de la pluie pour la détermination du ruissellement. Il a été montré que le modèle modifié est sensible aux changements de type d'occupation du sol. Il peut donc être donc utilisé comme outil pour évaluer l'impact de différents scénarios d'occupation du sol sur les ressources en eau dans les zones de pâturage et prairies naturelles. Toutefois, des améliorations, telles que l'introduction de l'impact du développement de fissures sur l'infiltration (écoulement préférentiel) ainsi que sur le phénomène d'évaporation devraient être prises en compte afin d'améliorer les prévisions du bilan hydrologiques, notamment sur sol nu.A large amount of water is lost on rangelands due to the conditions of the watersheds, specifically due to the presence of plant species with a high transpiration rate. Vegetation manipulation and watershed management have been proposed as means to increase water yield. Increasing efforts have focused on developing management practices and tools to evaluate the potential for increased water yield. Hydrologic modeling plays a key role in these efforts, and one the most comprehensive tools for simulating rangelands is the SPUR model. However, some limitations seem arise from the use of the SCS curve number method for simulating the runoff/infiltration process. In this project, the SCS curve number method was replaced by the Green and Ampt infiltration equation. One of the major advantages of the approach is that it relies on rainfall intensity rather than on daily rainfall, and it uses physical parameters such as the saturated hydraulic conductivity. The original and the modified SPUR models were tested for three different covers: bare, grass and mesquite. The use of the Green and Ampt infiltration equations improved model prediction of surface runoff. Furthermore, the model was shown to be sensitive to vegetation manipulation, and could be used as a water resources management tool
Diversity and bioactivity of fungi associated with the marine sea cucumber Holothuria poli: disclosing the strains potential for biomedical applications
High inhibition of Paenibacillus larvae and Listeria monocytogenes by Enterococcus isolated from different sources in Tunisia and identification of their bacteriocin genes
The hillslope length impact on SWAT streamflow prediction in large basins
The objective of this study was to assess the impact of hillslope length on Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) streamflow predictions in large basins using three methods for hillslope length calculation (the SWAT method, L1; a 3D analysis method, L2; a constant value, L3) combined with two DEMs (pixel size of 25 and 100 m), for a total of six DEML configurations that were tested in the Upper Danube (132000 km(2)). The delineation of subbasins and HRUs were kept unchanged in all configurations, thus isolating the DEM impact on streamflow from that of subbasins delineation. The configurations were independently calibrated in 98 gauged stations located in headwater subbasins (period 1995 similar to 2006), and validated in 150 gauged stations (period 1995 similar to 2009). The analysis of streamflow prediction was extended to its components (surface runoff, lateral flow and baseflow) using performance criteria and residual analysis, and the comparison of different components of water yield was pursued. Calibration and validation showed that all configurations simulated monthly streamflow acceptably (PBIAS < 25% for more than 70% of 150 gauged stations). DEM pixel size had negligible effect of streamflow and its components. The default hillslope length (L1) resulted in large overestimations of lateral flow. L2 resulted in the best performance as well as L3 method. Given that L2 method takes into account the topographic convergence of flow, the configuration of DEM100 and L2 is recommended for SWAT application in large basins in order to obtain reliable streamflow predictions
The GH51 α-l-arabinofuranosidase from Paenibacillus sp. THS1 is multifunctional, hydrolyzing main-chain and side-chain glycosidic bonds in heteroxylans
The influence of salinity on the effects of Multi-walled carbon nanotubes on polychaetes
Salinity shifts in estuarine and coastal areas are becoming a topic of concern and are one of the main factors influencing nanoparticles behaviour in the environment. For this reason, the impacts of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) under different seawater salinity conditions were evaluated on the common ragworm Hediste diversicolor, a polychaete species widely used as bioindicator of estuarine environmental quality. An innovative method to assess the presence of MWCNT aggregates in the sediments was used for the first time. Biomarkers approach was used to evaluate the metabolic capacity, oxidative status and neurotoxicity of polychaetes after long-term exposure. The results revealed an alteration of energy-related responses in contaminated polychaetes under both salinity conditions, resulting in an increase of metabolism and expenditure of their energy reserves (lower glycogen and protein contents). Moreover, a concentration-dependent toxicity (higher lipid peroxidation, lower ratio between reduced and oxidized glutathione and activation of antioxidant defences and biotransformation mechanisms) was observed in H. diversicolor, especially when exposed to low salinity. Additionally, neurotoxicity was observed by inhibition of Cholinesterases activity in organisms exposed to MWCNTs at both salinities.publishe
Estimation of incidence and social cost of colon cancer due to nitrate in drinking water in the EU: a tentative cost-benefit assessment
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Presently, health costs associated with nitrate in drinking water are uncertain and not quantified. This limits proper evaluation of current policies and measures for solving or preventing nitrate pollution of drinking water resources. The cost for society associated with nitrate is also relevant for integrated assessment of EU nitrogen policies taking a perspective of welfare optimization. The overarching question is at which nitrogen mitigation level the social cost of measures, including their consequence for availability of food and energy, matches the social benefit of these measures for human health and biodiversity.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Epidemiological studies suggest colon cancer to be possibly associated with nitrate in drinking water. In this study risk increase for colon cancer is based on a case-control study for Iowa, which is extrapolated to assess the social cost for 11 EU member states by using data on cancer incidence, nitrogen leaching and drinking water supply in the EU. Health costs are provisionally compared with nitrate mitigation costs and social benefits of fertilizer use.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>For above median meat consumption the risk of colon cancer doubles when exposed to drinking water exceeding 25 mg/L of nitrate (NO<sub>3</sub>) for more than ten years. We estimate the associated increase of incidence of colon cancer from nitrate contamination of groundwater based drinking water in EU11 at 3%. This corresponds to a population-averaged health loss of 2.9 euro per capita or 0.7 euro per kg of nitrate-N leaching from fertilizer.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our cost estimates indicate that current measures to prevent exceedance of 50 mg/L NO<sub>3 </sub>are probably beneficial for society and that a stricter nitrate limit and additional measures may be justified. The present assessment of social cost is uncertain because it considers only one type of cancer, it is based on one epidemiological study in Iowa, and involves various assumptions regarding exposure. Our results highlight the need for improved epidemiological studies.</p
Response of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Leaf Surface Defenses to Exogenous Methyl Jasmonate
Helianthus annuus, the common sunflower, produces a complex array of secondary compounds that are secreted into glandular trichomes, specialized structures found on leaf surfaces and anther appendages of flowers. The primary components of these trichome secretions are sesquiterpene lactones (STL), a diverse class of compounds produced abundantly by the plant family Compositae and believed to contribute to plant defense against herbivory. We treated wild and cultivated H. annuus accessions with exogenous methyl jasmonate, a plant hormone that mediates plant defense against insect herbivores and certain classes of fungal pathogens. The wild sunflower produced a higher density of glandular trichomes on its leaves than the cultivar. Comparison of the profiles of glandular trichome extracts obtained by liquid chromatography–mass spectroscopy (LC-MS) showed that wild and cultivated H. annuus were qualitatively similar in surface chemistry, although differing in the relative size and proportion of various compounds detected. Despite observing consistent transcriptional responses to methyl jasmonate treatment, we detected no significant effect on glandular trichome density or LC-MS profile in cultivated or wild sunflower, with wild sunflower exhibiting a declining trend in overall STL production and foliar glandular trichome density of jasmonate-treated plants. These results suggest that glandular trichomes and associated compounds may act as constitutive defenses or require greater levels of stimulus for induction than the observed transcriptional responses to exogenous jasmonate. Reduced defense investment in domesticated lines is consistent with predicted tradeoffs caused by selection for increased yield; future research will focus on the development of genetic resources to explicitly test the ecological roles of glandular trichomes and associated effects on plant growth and fitness
Enhanced hyporheic exchange flow around woody debris does not increase nitrate reduction in a sandy streambed
Anthropogenic nitrogen pollution is a critical problem in freshwaters. Although riverbeds are known to attenuate nitrate, it is not known if large woody debris (LWD) can increase this ecosystem service through enhanced hyporheic exchange and streambed residence time. Over a year, we monitored the surface water and pore water chemistry at 200 points along a ~50m reach of a lowland sandy stream with three natural LWD structures. We directly injected 15N-nitrate at 108 locations within the top 1.5m of the streambed to quantify in situ denitrification, anammox and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonia, which, on average, contributed 85%, 10% and 5% of total nitrate reduction, respectively. Total nitrate reducing activity ranged from 0-16µM h-1 and was highest in the top 30cm of the stream bed. Depth, ambient nitrate and water residence time explained 44% of the observed variation in nitrate reduction; fastest rates were associated with slow flow and shallow depths. In autumn, when the river was in spate, nitrate reduction (in situ and laboratory measures) was enhanced around the LWD compared with non-woody areas, but this was not seen in the spring and summer. Overall, there was no significant effect of LWD on nitrate reduction rates in surrounding streambed sediments, but higher pore water nitrate concentrations and shorter residence times, close to LWD, indicated enhanced delivery of surface water into the streambed under high flow. When hyporheic exchange is too strong, overall nitrate reduction is inhibited due to short flow-paths and associated high oxygen concentrations
Storm Event and Continuous Hydrologic Modeling for Comprehensive and Efficient Watershed Simulations
- …