This study investigated the effect of treated wastewater (TWW) irrigation on growth of Chinese cabbage and corn and on soil properties in Gaza Strip, Palestine. Chinese cabbage and corn were planted in winter and summ...This study investigated the effect of treated wastewater (TWW) irrigation on growth of Chinese cabbage and corn and on soil properties in Gaza Strip, Palestine. Chinese cabbage and corn were planted in winter and summer seasons respectively in a sandy soil. The experimental design was a randomized complete block using 2 treatments with 4 replicates. Soil samples were collected from 0.0-120 cm depths from all plots and analyzed for pH, electric conductivity (EC) and nutrient contents. The plants were irrigated with either TWW or fresh water (FW) fortified with NPK, while control used drip irrigation system. The biomass (total fresh weight of the plants) was used as an indicator of the plant yields. Concentration of heavy metals on plant leaves was determined by Inductive Coupled Plasma Analyzer (ICP) and was taken as an indicator of plant quality. Biomass of Chinese cabbage and corn grown in plots irrigated with TWW was higher than those grown in plots irrigated with FW. These results indicate the ability of TWW supplying the necessary nutrients for plant growth. Heavy metal content in plant leaves in all treatments (TWW and FW) was nearly similar and below EPA standards, indicating high quality of plants. Soil analysis showed great changes in soil properties due to irrigation with TWW. The interesting outcome of this study is that TWW is an effective source for plant nutrients. It is encouraging to reuse TWW in agricultural system after full treatment.展开更多
This study investigated the bioremediation of organic pollution in soil and water systems by cyanobacterial mats collected from Wadi Gaza. Acetochlor, a model compound of herbicide, was used as a standard organic poll...This study investigated the bioremediation of organic pollution in soil and water systems by cyanobacterial mats collected from Wadi Gaza. Acetochlor, a model compound of herbicide, was used as a standard organic pollutant. Various concentrations of acetochlor were injected in soil and water samples pre-treated with cyanobacterial mat for several periods of time. Percentage of growth of wheat as a test plant was taken as indicator of bioremediation of acetochlor. Results showed that acetochlor was degraded in both soil and water systems. Degradation was?much?faster in the water system than in the soil system. Concentrations of acetochlor above the field rate did not affect the bioremediation process in the water system whereas it did in soil pots. Furthermore, bioremediation in water system was nearly completed in 15 days whereas it did not reach high percentage?in the soil system. These encouraging results are new contribution in field of bioremediation of pesticide by cyanobacterial mats and suggest that application of cyanobacterial mat could be a fast and suitable methodology for bioremediation of organic pollutant in the ecosystem.展开更多
Background: Particle size distribution and hydraulic conductivity of coastal no-agricultural lands are not available. This study characterized the particle size distribution and hydraulic conductivity on coastal non-a...Background: Particle size distribution and hydraulic conductivity of coastal no-agricultural lands are not available. This study characterized the particle size distribution and hydraulic conductivity on coastal non-agricultural land along the coastal plain of Gaza. Materials and Methods: Six soil profiles were digged along the coastal plain in Gaza Strip and soil samples were collected from 0 - 150 cm depth. Four soil plots around each site were used to determine the hydraulic conductivity using Infiltrometer method. Four particle size groups were identified, group 1 (630 nm), group 2 (200 nm), group 3 (63 nm) and group 4 (20 nm). Results: Dominancy of particle size group 2 was noticed in all sites followed by group 3. Groups 1 and 4 were less dominant in all sites. Hydraulic conductivity ranged from lower value 0.27 in the control soil plot in Khan Younis (site 1) to the highest value 1.76 m/s in disturbed soil plot in Shakhejjlen (site 3) with regression coefficient (R2) range of 0.9725 - 0.997 indicating strong positive association. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the coastal non-agricultural land is sandy with various hydraulic conductivity values due to different particle size distribution. These data are useful to the scientific community around the world and will be helpful to speculate potential risk factors to life of ecosystem.展开更多
The study characterized the biochemical changes associated with long term exposure to pesticides. Practical parameters of pesticides were collected using 500 questionnaires. Farmers having 10 years working period were...The study characterized the biochemical changes associated with long term exposure to pesticides. Practical parameters of pesticides were collected using 500 questionnaires. Farmers having 10 years working period were invited to a private clinic for blood sampling and enzyme analysis. All participants were male farmers of different age groups, and education levels. Occupational parameters indicated that majority of farmers used manual methods for pesticide works. About 130 pesticides are currently used in Gaza. Toxicological symptoms indicated that dizziness, headache, and nausea were dominant among farmers, whereas vomiting abdominal colic and tearing were less dominant. Acetyl Cholinesterase (ACHE) cumulatively inhibited among farmers after work whereas Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activities were above range after long term exposure. It can be concluded that long term exposure to pesticides may damage liver and kidney cells resulting in hepatic-toxicity and/or nephrotoxicity.展开更多
Diuron is a herbicide widely used in the Middle East;its field application creates many environmental problems. This study investigated the bioremediation of Diuron in soil environment by Cyanobacterial mats collected...Diuron is a herbicide widely used in the Middle East;its field application creates many environmental problems. This study investigated the bioremediation of Diuron in soil environment by Cyanobacterial mats collected from Gaza Wadi. Various concentrations of Diuron were injected in water saturated soil samples pre-treated with Cyanobacterial mat for several periods. Percent growth of Jews mallow as a test plant was taken as indicator of biodegradation of Diuron. Results showed that Diuron was degraded in soil and degradation was more pronounced when Diuron was incubated with Cyanobacterial in the irrigation water. Larger applied rate of Cyanobacterial mat did not affect the biodegradation of Diuron. These encouraging results suggest that application of Cyanobacterial mat could be a suitable method to remediate soil pollution.展开更多
During the summer months,Adélie penguins represent the dominant biomass of terrestrial Antarctica.Literally millions of individuals nest in ice-free areas around the coast of the continent.Hence,these modern popu...During the summer months,Adélie penguins represent the dominant biomass of terrestrial Antarctica.Literally millions of individuals nest in ice-free areas around the coast of the continent.Hence,these modern populations of Adélie penguins have often been championed as an ideal biological indicator of ecological and environmental changes that we currently face.In addition,Adélie penguins show an extraordinary record of sub-fossil remains,dating back to the late Pleistocene.At this time,temperatures were much lower than now.Hence,this species offers unique long-term information,at both the genomic and ecological levels,about how a species has responded to climate change over more than 40000 years.展开更多
文摘This study investigated the effect of treated wastewater (TWW) irrigation on growth of Chinese cabbage and corn and on soil properties in Gaza Strip, Palestine. Chinese cabbage and corn were planted in winter and summer seasons respectively in a sandy soil. The experimental design was a randomized complete block using 2 treatments with 4 replicates. Soil samples were collected from 0.0-120 cm depths from all plots and analyzed for pH, electric conductivity (EC) and nutrient contents. The plants were irrigated with either TWW or fresh water (FW) fortified with NPK, while control used drip irrigation system. The biomass (total fresh weight of the plants) was used as an indicator of the plant yields. Concentration of heavy metals on plant leaves was determined by Inductive Coupled Plasma Analyzer (ICP) and was taken as an indicator of plant quality. Biomass of Chinese cabbage and corn grown in plots irrigated with TWW was higher than those grown in plots irrigated with FW. These results indicate the ability of TWW supplying the necessary nutrients for plant growth. Heavy metal content in plant leaves in all treatments (TWW and FW) was nearly similar and below EPA standards, indicating high quality of plants. Soil analysis showed great changes in soil properties due to irrigation with TWW. The interesting outcome of this study is that TWW is an effective source for plant nutrients. It is encouraging to reuse TWW in agricultural system after full treatment.
文摘This study investigated the bioremediation of organic pollution in soil and water systems by cyanobacterial mats collected from Wadi Gaza. Acetochlor, a model compound of herbicide, was used as a standard organic pollutant. Various concentrations of acetochlor were injected in soil and water samples pre-treated with cyanobacterial mat for several periods of time. Percentage of growth of wheat as a test plant was taken as indicator of bioremediation of acetochlor. Results showed that acetochlor was degraded in both soil and water systems. Degradation was?much?faster in the water system than in the soil system. Concentrations of acetochlor above the field rate did not affect the bioremediation process in the water system whereas it did in soil pots. Furthermore, bioremediation in water system was nearly completed in 15 days whereas it did not reach high percentage?in the soil system. These encouraging results are new contribution in field of bioremediation of pesticide by cyanobacterial mats and suggest that application of cyanobacterial mat could be a fast and suitable methodology for bioremediation of organic pollutant in the ecosystem.
文摘Background: Particle size distribution and hydraulic conductivity of coastal no-agricultural lands are not available. This study characterized the particle size distribution and hydraulic conductivity on coastal non-agricultural land along the coastal plain of Gaza. Materials and Methods: Six soil profiles were digged along the coastal plain in Gaza Strip and soil samples were collected from 0 - 150 cm depth. Four soil plots around each site were used to determine the hydraulic conductivity using Infiltrometer method. Four particle size groups were identified, group 1 (630 nm), group 2 (200 nm), group 3 (63 nm) and group 4 (20 nm). Results: Dominancy of particle size group 2 was noticed in all sites followed by group 3. Groups 1 and 4 were less dominant in all sites. Hydraulic conductivity ranged from lower value 0.27 in the control soil plot in Khan Younis (site 1) to the highest value 1.76 m/s in disturbed soil plot in Shakhejjlen (site 3) with regression coefficient (R2) range of 0.9725 - 0.997 indicating strong positive association. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the coastal non-agricultural land is sandy with various hydraulic conductivity values due to different particle size distribution. These data are useful to the scientific community around the world and will be helpful to speculate potential risk factors to life of ecosystem.
文摘The study characterized the biochemical changes associated with long term exposure to pesticides. Practical parameters of pesticides were collected using 500 questionnaires. Farmers having 10 years working period were invited to a private clinic for blood sampling and enzyme analysis. All participants were male farmers of different age groups, and education levels. Occupational parameters indicated that majority of farmers used manual methods for pesticide works. About 130 pesticides are currently used in Gaza. Toxicological symptoms indicated that dizziness, headache, and nausea were dominant among farmers, whereas vomiting abdominal colic and tearing were less dominant. Acetyl Cholinesterase (ACHE) cumulatively inhibited among farmers after work whereas Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activities were above range after long term exposure. It can be concluded that long term exposure to pesticides may damage liver and kidney cells resulting in hepatic-toxicity and/or nephrotoxicity.
文摘Diuron is a herbicide widely used in the Middle East;its field application creates many environmental problems. This study investigated the bioremediation of Diuron in soil environment by Cyanobacterial mats collected from Gaza Wadi. Various concentrations of Diuron were injected in water saturated soil samples pre-treated with Cyanobacterial mat for several periods. Percent growth of Jews mallow as a test plant was taken as indicator of biodegradation of Diuron. Results showed that Diuron was degraded in soil and degradation was more pronounced when Diuron was incubated with Cyanobacterial in the irrigation water. Larger applied rate of Cyanobacterial mat did not affect the biodegradation of Diuron. These encouraging results suggest that application of Cyanobacterial mat could be a suitable method to remediate soil pollution.
文摘During the summer months,Adélie penguins represent the dominant biomass of terrestrial Antarctica.Literally millions of individuals nest in ice-free areas around the coast of the continent.Hence,these modern populations of Adélie penguins have often been championed as an ideal biological indicator of ecological and environmental changes that we currently face.In addition,Adélie penguins show an extraordinary record of sub-fossil remains,dating back to the late Pleistocene.At this time,temperatures were much lower than now.Hence,this species offers unique long-term information,at both the genomic and ecological levels,about how a species has responded to climate change over more than 40000 years.
