Accounting for shape reliability in modeling contour-derived topographic properties for use in soil–terrain correlation

Elevation contours are known to be poor quality data for digital terrain modeling, but they are often the only available topographic information at national scale, especially in developing countries. We investigated several methods to derive elevation and slope data from contours for two contiguous watersheds in Burundi. Two key issues in digital terrain modeling were addressed: (1) finding the ‘best’ elevation interpolator, and (2) assessing the related uncertainty and its propagation to slope models. The key validation criterion was the reproduction of the terrain shape as inferred from the pattern of contours, which is more important than absolute accuracy in soil–terrain correlation. A method using a triangulated irregular network (TIN) and four grid-based methods were compared and combined. The most satisfactory results were achieved by combining the TIN-based method with a grid-based method. Treating contours as inequality constraints proved useful in simulating the elevation uncertainty. The Zevenbergen and Thorne and the Evans–Young slope algorithms were compared based on their sensitivity to the elevation uncertainty. Outputs from simulation were filtered to produce realistic alternative elevation models. In that case, the slope variance values were similar for the two algorithms, suggesting similar performances. Checking for shape reliability was found critical for the validation of topographic models.     

Modification of the rapid screening method for aflatoxin in corn for quantitative use

A study was made to determine if the official AOAC method for screening of aflatoxin in corn could be modified for use as a quantitative method. Several different corn products were analyzed using the modified method, with an average savings of over 1 h/sample vs the CB method. Average recoveries for aflatoxin B1 were 94% for the low level spiked samples and 108% for the high level. Samples of corn and corn products containing naturally incurred aflatoxin were also analyzed with the modified method, and the results compared favorably with those obtained by the CB method.     

ELISA for sulfonamides and its application for screening in water contamination

Two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were tested for their suitability for detecting sulfonamides in wastewater from various stages in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), the river into which the wastewater is discharged, and two swine-rearing facilities. The sulfamethoxazole ELISA cross-reacts with several compounds, achieving detection limits of <0.04 microg/L for sulfamethoxazole (SMX), sulfamethoxypyridine, sulfachloropyridine, and sulfamethoxine, whereas the sulfamethazine (SMZ) ELISA is more compound specific, with a detection limit of <0.03 microg/L. Samples from various stages of wastewater purifications gave 0.6-3.1 microg/L by SMX-ELISA, whereas river samples were approximately 10-fold lower, ranging from below detection to 0.09 microg/L. Swine wastewater samples analyzed by the SMX-ELISA were either at or near detectable limits from one facility, whereas the other facility had concentrations of approximately 0.5 microg/L, although LC-MS/MS did not confirm the presence of SMX. Sulfamethazine ELISA detected no SMZ in either WWTP or river samples. In contrast, wastewater samples from swine facilities analyzed by SMZ-ELISA were found to contain approximately 30 microg/L [piglet (50-100 lb) wastewater] and approximately 7 microg/L (market-weight hog wastewater). Sulfamethazine ELISA analyses of wastewater from another swine facility found concentrations to be near or below detection limits. A solid phase extraction method was used to isolate and concentrate sulfonamides from water samples prior to LC-MS/MS multiresidue confirmatory analysis. The recoveries at 1 microg/L fortification ranged from 42 +/- 4% for SMZ to 88 +/- 4% for SMX ( n = 6). The ELISA results in the WWTPs were confirmed by LC-MS/MS, as sulfonamide multiresidue confirmatory analysis identified SMX, sulfapyridine, and sulfasalazine to be present in the wastewater. Sulfamethazine presence at one swine-rearing facility was also confirmed by LC-MS/MS, demonstrating the usefulness of the ELISA technique as a rapid and high-throughput screening method.     

Using farmers' knowledge for defining criteria for land qualities in biophysical land evaluation

The objective of this paper is to present a way of complementing empirical results with farmers' perceptions in defining limiting biophysical land properties in a land suitability evaluation using the FAO framework methodology. The farmers' perceptions were identified using rapid and participatory rural appraisal (RRA/PRA) tools. The study catchment, having a semiarid continental climate and located on the Loess Plateau in northern China, covered an area of 3.5 km². Most of the land users were dependent on subsistence agriculture. There were important topographic variations in the catchment and arable cropping on steep slopes brought about degradation of land due to water erosion. The biophysical monitoring, soil survey and RRA/PRA survey, carried out one year prior to the present investigation, supplied the data needed for identification of preliminary limiting land properties and land evaluation units. The land properties that needed further investigation in the present study were slope aspect, soil workability, flooding hazard and farmers' criteria on choice of land‐use type. The farmers were able to give a comprehensive picture of the spatial and temporal variation and the importance for land‐use options of the land properties concerned, and thereby complement the information gained from empirical results (measurements). In order to guarantee good production for dry as well as wet years, both south‐ and north‐facing sites were chosen for most crops, and the slope aspect did not need to be differentiated in the final land suitability evaluation for arable crops. Grassland, however, was considered to be more suitable than woodland on south‐facing sites. Hard soil layers were found to be important, since they affected soil workability and erosion negatively, giving slightly reduced suitability for the land units in which they occurred. Flooding events affecting crops on alluvial soils negatively were considered to occur once every 5 to 10 years, which is considered to be a low rate, so this property was therefore not included in the final suitability evaluation. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

土壤样品中痕量丁草胺的分析方法

本研究完善了土壤中除草剂丁草胺残留的分析测试方法。在实验室条件下,利用超声提取、弗罗里硅土柱(湿法填柱和干法填柱)进行净化和分离、毛细管气相色谱分析测试,进一步优化了弗罗里硅土柱净化分离丁草胺的条件。土壤中丁草胺的平均回收率为97.46%,检出限为0.002mgkg-1,变异系数小于10%。本方法灵敏度高、重复性好、可排除有机污染物对微量丁草胺残留物测定的干扰,同时减少了有机试剂的用量,适用于土壤样品中痕量丁草胺的分析测试。     

中国主要土壤类型的土壤容重传递函数研究

由于我国大多数土壤数据库缺失或部分缺失土壤容重数据,利用土壤其他属性来预测土壤容重具有重要意义。我国土壤类型多样,已有的土壤容重传递函数在不同土壤类型中的适用性也值得进一步探讨。本文基于我国现有的土壤数据库,对已有的两种土壤容重传递函数在不同土壤类型(土纲)中的预测精度与适用性进行评估,最后通过SPSS进行回归分析建立我国主要土壤类型最适宜的容重传递函数。研究结果表明,已有的两种土壤容重传递函数应用于部分土壤类型时预测精度不高,但基于土壤系统分类的数据分组后建立的容重传递函数能够明显提高预测精度。新建的容重传递函数对有机土、铁铝土、潜育土、均腐土、富铁土、淋溶土、雏形土、新成土和变性土土壤容重的预测精度较高,但人为土、盐成土和干旱土土壤容重传递函数的预测精度整体偏低,在应用时需要慎重。在利用土壤容重传递函数时一定要注意研究区及适用范围。     

Strategy for Innovation in Soil Tests Illustrated for P Tests

Soil phosphorus (P) tests are used for P fertilization recommendations, environmental evaluations, and occasionally for legislation purposes. The basis of fertilization recommendation as function of soil P status was established in the 1950s–1960s. Since then the agroeconomic environment has altered: Environmental protection became increasingly important and P rock resources for fertilizers appeared exhaustible. Also, new insights in soil testing and fertilization recommendations reflecting more efficient use of P became available. However, these new insights seem hard to implement into agricultural practice, to a large extent because replacing existing soil tests and recommendations would imply a very significant effort with respect to introducing new tests and recommendations by fertilization trials in practice. The same would apply for environmental evaluations. Here, a novel, three-step schedule for introducing new soil tests is proposed: (1) establishing new promising soil tests, (2) creating regression models between the old and new soil tests, and (3) implementing the new soil test stepwise by fertilization trials. In this way, the knowledge based on the old soil tests can be used until the new soil tests and their subsequent crop responses are validated sufficiently. As a novel P test we considered combining soil P intensity [as reflected by P–calcium chloride (CaCl₂)] with P capacity [as reflected by P-ammonium lactate (Al)] and P-buffering capacity (as reflected by P-Al/P-CaCl₂ ratio) characteristics. Researchers tested whether this novel soil test can predict P water (Pw), P–calcium lactate?/?acetate (CAL), and P-Olsen values. To test the hypothesis, four datasets were used (two with Pw, one with P-CAL, and one with P-Olsen). In all datasets additional soil characteristics were available including soil type. Regression models with R_adj ² from 0.80 to 0.93 were obtained by using P-Al, P-CaCl₂, and soil type. It can be concluded that these regressions can be used as a helpful intermediate instrument when introducing fertilization recommendations based on new soil tests. Predicting one soil P test out of other soil characteristics, analogous to the predicted Pw, P-CAL, and P-Olsen, could also be helpful in comparing P statuses of agricultural land in different nations.     

Modified method for carbadox in feeds: collaborative study

The official first action method for carbadox in swine feed, 42.C01-42.C04, was modified in 2 respects. First, the samples were leached overnight at room temperature instead of boiled for 1 hr. This change avoided problems with overheating and excessive evaporation. Second, the dilution scheme for samples spiked with carbadox standard solution was changed to give absorbance values that were within the optimum working range of all types of spectrophotometers. The modified procedure was collaboratively studied by 21 laboratories. The repeatability standard deviation (sigma0) and reproducibility standard deviation (sigmax) were sigma0 = 0.00029% and sigmax = 0.00056% (8.9% of grand mean) for feeds containing 0.00617% carbadox; and sigma = 0.0012% and sigmax = 0.0019% (9.3% of grand mean) for feeds containing 0.0198% carbadox. The between-laboratory variance ratio was significant for feeds containing 0.0198% carbadox. The mean per cent of intent values for feeds containing 0.00617% carbadox and 0.0198% carbadox were 102% and 104%, respectively. In general, the statistical results were comparable to those previously obtained for the official first action method. Consequently, the modified procedure is not recommended as a replacement for the official first action method.     

北方水稻动态水分生产函数研究

研究采用蒸渗仪和盆栽相结合的方法，在分析水稻干物质生长规律的基础上，提出了干物质随时间累计的数学模型和干物质累计量与籽粒产量之间关系的数学模型，在此基础上，参考前人旱作物动态产量模型，构造了水分亏缺影响函数，对分阶段线性函数、指数乘子式函数和三次式函数进行参数拟合，提出了水稻动态产量数学模型，求出了沈阳地区水稻水分生产函数动态产量模型参数，并利用1999年实测资料对模型进行了检验和灵敏度分析。     

地表覆盖种植技术工艺的构建方法研究

以机械设计方法学为理论基础,探讨了以改善作物生长的土壤物理条件为目标的地表覆盖种植技术工艺在种植业生产上的应用特点,进而阐述了自然环境-地表覆盖层-土壤-作物系统中构建地表覆盖种植工艺的功能要求、交互作用要求、技术要求和操作要求,并根据各种要求的重要程度建立了满足要求的地表覆盖技术工艺的三级优先原则。以此为基础,研究了地表覆盖的部分功能以及部分功能的组合总体功能,并对其功能进行了检验分析。在列举可能作为地表覆盖材料的前提下,提出构建地表覆盖种植工艺的5种方案:农业生产废弃物覆盖地表,如碎秸秆、谷物颖壳和碎草等;不透光合成材料覆盖地表,如黑色沥青涂层纸和黑色塑料薄膜;透光合成材料覆盖地表,如各种无色塑料薄膜;无机地表覆盖材料,如细沙、砾石等;低矮活体植物生长条件下的地表覆盖,如苜蓿草和各种其它草类。根据覆盖方案的技术评价方法,建立了10项指标的评价体系,并以5级指标值为评价准则,对5种覆盖方案进行了技术总值和相对价值的计算。在检验各种覆盖方案相对评价指标体系的部分值分布均衡性以及相对有效值大小的基础上,确定了农业有机废弃物覆盖地表的相对价值为80%,是满足对作物生长土壤物理因素改善的较佳覆盖方案。研究过程所遵循的原则和地表覆盖种植工艺的构建原理和方法对于地表覆盖种植技术的正确应用以充分发挥其功能具有重要的实际意义     

黑土中有效态镍提取方法的选择

供试7种提取剂的最佳提取条件是:提取温度均为(25±1)℃;提取时间为DTPA 2 h,醋酸铵30 min,其余5种提取试剂60 min;提取时的土液比为蒸馏水和DTPA 1∶2,醋酸铵1∶10,其余4种提取试剂1∶5。DTPA作为提取剂时,盆栽作物的吸镍量与有效镍提取量之间的相关性达到极显著水平,并好于其它试剂。DTPA和EDTA作为提取剂时,有效镍提取量与植株干物重之间均达极显著的负相关,且相关系数高于其他试剂。考虑到用DTPA作提取剂时,可以同时测定铜、锌、铁、锰多种金属元素,因此黑土中有效态镍的最佳提取试剂是DTPA,最佳提取条件为:温度(25±1)℃、土液比1∶2、180次min-1往复振荡提取2 h。     

西藏农田土地平整工程规划

为指导西藏农田土地平整工程建设的规范开展,根据西藏地形地貌、气候水文、土壤类型、农业耕作制度、土地利用限制因素等特性,采用典型案例分析法和实地调研法对西藏已规划实施的土地开发整理项目进行分析和归纳,并对有关西藏耕地的文献资料进行整理、消化和吸收,进而提出适合西藏土地平整工程建设的耕作田块修筑标准、土壤改良措施和工程量测算方法。该研究对西藏土地开发整理项目的成本控制和规范开展具有实际意义。     

Interlaboratory comparison of analyses for heavy metals in clam tissue

Results are reported for an interlaboratory study conducted to assess the reproducibility of analyses for lead, copper, cadmium, and zinc. The 10 participating laboratories analyzed 2 samples of freeze-dried clam tissue and 1 disguised sample of NBS Oyster Tissue. Interlaboratory variations were observed for all metals, although the methods yielded reproducible data for Cu and Zn with average interlaboratory coefficients of variation of 15 and 11%, respectively. The performance of methods used for Cd and, more so, for Pb was less than satisfactory. Cadmium levels in the 3 samples ranged from about 0.7 to 3.7 ppm with an average interlaboratory coefficient of variation (CV) of 24%. Lead levels in the 3 samples were about 0.5 ppm with an interlaboratory CV of 68%. Some laboratories' results were consistently high or low but data were insufficient to relate these trends to one particular variable. Results from this study were compared with 5 other studies reported in the literature since 1980. Coefficients of variation from all studies were comparable for samples with similar metal concentrations.     

Soil material classification for paddy soils in Japan

In view of the importance of soil material characteristics in determining paddy soil capability, a method of classification for soil materials was proposed. In working out the method special attention was paid to making it practically applicable, for the need is great for such a method of ready practical applicability especially in the alluvial soil areas in which most Japanese paddy soils occur.

An X-ray fluorescence spectrographic method for the total chemical analysis of soil materials proved satisfactory for routine use in terms of accuracy and time. Nine major elements (Si, Fe, Al, Ca, Mg, Mn, Ti, K, P) were analyzed and they were taken to represent the chemical nature of the soil material. The total chemical composition was combined with mechanical composition and subjected to data processing.

To avoid redundancy in information, 2 mutually independent principal components were extracted, which appear to represent different aspects of soil material features. From the 2 principal component scores taxonomic distance was computed as a similarity coefficient for use in numerical taxonomy.

By means of numerical taxonomy 8 Soil material classes were set up, each of which was characterized in terms of texture, base status, weatherable mineral reserve, etc. In order to facilitate objective placement of a new sample into one of the classes set up, discriminant functions were derived for all pairs of the 8 material classes. A figure showing the discriminant space that corresponds to the discriminant functions was prepared to make the practice of discrimination easy.

The 8 soil material classes appear to represent major varieties of paddy soil materials in Japan. The use of the soil material classes as a basis, of “soil family” separation m soil surveys would improve the homogeneity of the lower taxonomic units (“soil series”) and make their interpretation easier and more correct in relation to soil capability assessment.     

江苏省生态农业分区规划及模式研究

按照农业区划的划分原则,依据区域自然资源特点、生产发展水平和社会经济条件,对江苏省生态农业进行分区规划并选定适宜模式,为更好地指导江苏省生态农业建设的发展提供了决策依据。     

A Risk Assessment for Methylmercury in Tuna

An analysis of the risk of a developmental delay or neurological impairment in children as a result of exposure to MeHg from tuna consumption was conducted. Data used as a basis for the analyses were obtained from surveys of tuna intake, MeHg concentrations in tuna, MeHg levels in the blood of pregnant women, individual relationships between dietary intake and blood levels, individual relationships between blood levels and hair levels, and individual relationships between hair levels and indices of behavioral and neurological performance. Causal or associational relationships, population variability, and uncertainty were modeled for the six data sets. Two predictive models were constructed using the model components. The first was designed to predict the risk of a delay in the onset of talking in a child of a mother who frequently consumes tuna (90 g-day-1). This model uses a one-dimensional Monte-Carlo simulation to assimilate the uncertainties. An average delay of 3-4 days was est imated. The second model was designed to compare the impact of several regulatory options on the risk among the population of tuna-eaters using a scale of central nervous system dysfunction expressly constructed for the assessment. A two-dimensional Monte-Carlo simulation was used to assimilate the distributional components describing population variability and uncertainty.     

Screening for phyto‐toxic contaminants in an industrial source of nutrients intended for foliar and root fertilization

Plant screening assays were used to determine whether significant levels of growth inhibitory and phytotoxic contaminants were present in a new industrial source of potassium dihydrogen phosphate fertilizer intended for foliar and root application. Maize (Zea mays L.) plants hydroponically cultured in a controlled environment chamber, were used for the assays. The threshold concentration of industrial potassium phosphate which just caused burn damage symptoms, when applied as standard droplets to the leaf surface with Tween 80 wetting agent was 0.5M. The comparative threshold concentration for damage by an ultrapure analytical grade of potassium phosphate was >0.6M. Thus, the industrial grade had slightly higher toxicity for leaf application. Effects on plants of supplying industrial and analytical grade phosphates via the roots were also compared. Root and leaf elongation kinetics, mature leaf cell lengths, apparent capacity for leaf cell production, shoot ontogeny, and shoot fresh weight yields were determined at low and high potassium phosphate concentrations. The effects of analytical and industrial grade fertilizer salts were equivalent. We suggest that these rapid and relatively simple plant screening assays can provide a useful safety check, prior to large scale field trails, for fertilizer nutrients produced by new industrial processes.     

研究型大学图书馆信息资源建设研究

文章分析了研究型大学图书馆信息资源建设的动因,着重探讨了信息资源建设的发展态势,并有针对性地提出研究型大学图书馆信息资源建设的若干策略。     

桉树EST—PCR产物测序方案的优化

EST—PCR产物测序是EST标记开发的重要步骤。本研究利用乙醇-醋酸钠法、清洁试剂盒、虾碱磷酸酶（SAP）-核酸外切酶Ⅰ（ExoⅠ）法和凝胶回收试剂盒4种方法,对6个桉树EST-PCR产物的纯化效果和测序结果进行了比较,推荐乙醇-醋酸钠法为首选的纯化方法;利用测序试剂盒Bigdye Terminator V3．1,对1／2、1／4、1／8、1／16和1／32标准用量（8．0μL）的测序结果的分析表明,1／16和1／32用量仍可有效测序,均可作为优先的测序试剂用量。同时,也发现EST-PCR扩增谱带单一、明亮的序列与设计的目标EST具有较好的同源性,开发SNP和Indel标记的潜力极大,但较弱的谱带则可能是非特异性扩增的产物。乙醇-醋酸钠法纯化和Bigdye Terminator1／16或1／32用量的测序方案,具有成本低和操作简便的优点,适合96孔板或384孔板大规模EST—PCR产物的测序。