Search results for "SPATIAL VARIABILITY"
showing 10 items of 162 documents
Within-lake variability in carbon and nitrogen stable isotope signatures
2006
SUMMARY 1. We assessed spatial and temporal variation in carbon and nitrogen isotopic signatures in different compartments of a single lake ecosystem. Stable isotope analyses were made on samples of particulate organic matter (POM), zooplankton, periphyton, macrophytes, macroinvertebrates and fish collected from several locations throughout the ice-free period. 2. No spatial variation in d 13 Co rd 15 N values was found for pelagic samples of POM and zooplankton. However, pelagic d 15 N signatures increased steadily through the summer resulting in an almost 6& average increase in POM and zooplankton. A concurrent decrease in epilimnetic nitrate concentrations suggested that the increase in …
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in soils of the Moscow region: Concentrations and small-scale distribution along an urban–rural transect
2006
In soils of the Moscow region, we examined PCB concentrations in bulk samples and aggregate fractions. Topsoils under grassland and forest at five locations along a southeast-bound transect from Moscow and at a northeastern background location (grassland only) were analysed. We collected aggregates1 cm and fractionated them into interior and exterior portions and also analysed the remaining soil without the aggregates1 cm. The concentrations of the sum of 17 PCBs (sigma17PCBs) in 35 bulk soil samples ranged from 3.1 to 42 microg kg(-1). This was 48-61% of the sigma33PCBs determined in 23 selected samples. The congeners 138(+158), 101 and 52 were most abundant. All PCB concentrations and the…
Equilibrium/steady-state concept in phytoplankton ecology
2003
This paper summarises the outcomes of the 13th Workshop of the International Association of Phytoplankton Taxonomy and Ecology (IAP). The authors mostly addressed their contributions on the following topics: the effect of trophic state on the attainment of a steady-state; the establishment of equilibria in deep and shallow lakes; the role of spatial heterogeneity, disturbance, and stress in the establishment of equilibrium assemblages; the mechanisms leading to the steady state; the frequency and longevity of equilibrium phases, and the role of morphological and physiological plasticity of phytoplankton in maintaining the (apparently) same populations under different environmental condition…
A system for the real-time geo-referenced measurement of soil parameters
2011
The aim of this research is to develop a system for accurately measuring in real-time, collecting and processing a high amount of geo-referenced data of soil physical-mechanical parameters, e.g. cone penetrometer resistance, index of soil compaction, and draft force. The system for measuring the soil cone penetrometer resistance is comprised of a load cell, connected to a rod, ending with a cone, and is mounted on a frame, fixed to the front part of a tractor. The system for measuring the draft force required to till the soil is comprised of a load cell, mounted on the hitch hook of a tool carrier, towed by the tractor. Moreover, in order to test the usefulness of the system with different …
ENVISAT/AATSR derived land surface temperature over a heterogeneous region
2007
Abstract In this paper a method for evaluating land surface temperature (LST) algorithms over heterogeneous areas is presented. The evaluation was made for a set of 12 algorithms derived by using the split-window (SW) and dual-angle (DA) techniques for estimating sea and land surface temperature (SST and LST) from Advanced Along-Track Scanning Radiometer (AATSR) data. A validation of the proposed algorithms was carried out over a heterogeneous region of Morocco in the framework of the WATERMED (WATer use Efficiency in natural vegetation and agricultural areas by Remote sensing in the MEDiterranean basin) project. AATSR data and in situ measurements over this heterogenous region were compare…
Exploring single polarization X-band weather radar potentials for local meteorological and hydrological applications
2015
Summary The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential use of a low-cost single polarization X-band weather radar, verified by a disdrometer and a dense rain gauge network, installed as a supporting tool for hydrological applications and for monitoring the urban area of Palermo (Italy). Moreover, this study focuses on studying the temporal variability of the Z–R relation for Mediterranean areas. The radar device is provided with an automatic operational ground-clutter filter developed by the producer. Attention has been paid to the development of blending procedures between radar measurements and other auxiliary instruments and to their suitability for both meteorological and hydrologic…
Estimation of actual evapotranspiration of Mediterranean perennial crops by means of remote-sensing based surface energy balance models
2009
Abstract. Actual evapotranspiration from typical Mediterranean crops has been assessed in a Sicilian study area by using surface energy balance (SEB) and soil-water balance models. Both modelling approaches use remotely sensed data to estimate evapotranspiration fluxes in a spatially distributed way. The first approach exploits visible (VIS), near-infrared (NIR) and thermal (TIR) observations to solve the surface energy balance equation whereas the soil-water balance model uses only VIS-NIR data to detect the spatial variability of crop parameters. Considering that the study area is characterized by typical spatially sparse Mediterranean vegetation, i.e. olive, citrus and vineyards, alterna…
Salinity and Bacterial Diversity: To What Extent Does the Concentration of Salt Affect the Bacterial Community in a Saline Soil?
2014
In this study, the evaluation of soil characteristics was coupled with a pyrosequencing analysis of the V2-V3 16S rRNA gene region in order to investigate the bacterial community structure and diversity in the A horizon of a natural saline soil located in Sicily (Italy). The main aim of the research was to assess the organisation and diversity of microbial taxa using a spatial scale that revealed physical and chemical heterogeneity of the habitat under investigation. The results provided information on the type of distribution of different bacterial groups as a function of spatial gradients of soil salinity and pH. The analysis of bacterial 16S rRNA showed differences in bacterial compositi…
Long-term characterization of trihalomethane levels in drinking water
2010
Water chlorination leads to the formation of trihalomethanes (THM). In this case study, the levels of THM during the chlorination process of the drinking water in Valencia (Spain) were determined over a 12-year period. Different control areas and points were strategically sampled and samples were analyzed by gas chromatography. Temporal tendencies, as well as spatial and seasonal variations, were established. The individual distribution of THM was also evaluated. Factors such as distances from chlorination points and inter-month seasonal distribution, including ambient temperature effect, were assessed. The range of total THM concentrations measured in the water network goes from 4 to 184 µ…
Fine-scale spatial variability of soil organic carbon and related environmental variables in a protected area of Sicily, Italy
2008
The institution of Natural Reserves has promoted, in Italy, the conservation and the environmental improvement of several areas and their physical and biological factors. Agriculture, forestry and every human activity are regulated to preserve their high ecological and naturalistic value. Land use, in particular, must follow careful rules to preserve the soil fertility and to limit the factors of landscape degradation. Maps of soil organic carbon (SOC) or soil organic matter (SOM) are of interest for agricultural management, resulting a very important soil fertility parameter, as well as in environmental policy related to the terrestrial sequestration of atmospheric carbon. Thus, a better u…