Journal of Water and Soil Science
Year:2018 | Volume:22 | Issue:3|Papers Count:30

In this study, the WEAP model was used for the simulation and the Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA) was applied as the optimization model. Due to the necessity of multiple simulations in the optimization process to achieve the optimal solution, the linkage of simulation and optimization models was done in the MATLAB software environment. To evaluate the performance, hedging policies achieved in the base period were investigated for the near future period under climate change. The results showed the poor state of aquifers under the baseline scenario; also, the continuation of the current management caused the Zayandehrood river basin to experience significant problems. So management of water resources using conjunctive hedging policies could improve the situation. The use of conjunctive hedging rules showed 11 percent increase in the group sustainability index for demands, in comparison with the baseline scenario. Also, according to the group sustainability index for the resources, applying the conjunctive hedging policies could increase the sustainability of surface water and groundwater resources as much as 5. 2 and 6 percent, respectively, relative to the baseline scenario. The results also indicated the better performance of conjunctive hedging policies in comparison to the baseline scenario policies.

Yield is a function of root distribution and activity. In flood conditions, root growth and efficiency are essential for crop productivity. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of different irrigation regimes on the root development, yield and yield components of green pepper (green Hashemi cultivars). This study, which was based on a completely randomized design with three replications under greenhouse conditions, was done at Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources in 2016. Different irrigation regimes consisted of 3 levels (100, 125 and 150 percent of water requirement). The results showed that the effect of different irrigation regimes on root volume, root length, root area and number of fruit was significant at 1 percent level (P<0. 01), but water use efficiency, and fresh and dry weight of fruit were significant at 5 percent level (P<0. 05). The results also revealed that green pepper plants were sensitive to over irrigation. Increasing irrigation levels from 100 to 125 percent of pan evaporation resulted in the reduction of root volume, root length, water use efficiency, number of fruits, and pepper fresh weight to 20, 13. 8, 26, 29and 6. 4 percent, respectively. As the conclusion, with the increase in water irrigation level, the fresh weight of the fruit was significantly decreased.

Soil erosion by water is a serious environmental problem, particularly in semi-arid regions. In these areas, water loss strongly affects soil loss as well as soil productivity in the rainfed lands. Determination of appropriate seed density for each tillage direction is vital to achieve high crop yield and to prevent soil and water losses. This study was conducted to investigate the combined effects of tillage direction and plant density on the soil and water losses in a rainfed land. Twelve crop plots with the dimensions of 1. 5 m × 5 m were installed to investigate the effect of two tillage directions (up to the down slope and on the contour line), two seed densities (90 and 120 kg h-1), a three replications in a rainfed land with 10% slope steepness. Soil and water losses were measured in each plot during the wheat growth period (from October 2015 to June 2016). Significant differences were found between both tillage direction and plant density in the runoff (P<0. 05) and soil loss (P< 0. 001). Runoff and soil loss in the up to down slope tillage was 4. 16 and 4. 08 times bigger than the contour line tillage, respectively. Runoff and soil loss with the seed density of 120 kg h-1 were 11. 25 and 26. 32% lower than those with 120 kg h-1, respectively. This result was associated with the increased cover crop and its control on water flow and the enhancement of water retention in the soil. There was no significant interaction between tillage direction and plant density in the runoff and soil loss. The importance of tillage direction in the soil and water loss was very larger than that of the plant density. The application of 120 kg ha-1 seed density on the contour line could, therefore, considerably prevent soil and water losses in the rainfed lands.

A water distribution network (WDN) may not be able to satisfy all required demands when it’ s in the pressure deficit mode or under over-loaded demand conditions. Analysis of the network in this mode requires pressure dependent analysis (PDA). Unlike demand driven analysis (DDA), PDA needs an extra equation for every node to relate the nodal demand and the nodal pressure; so it should be solved with the other network’ s equations simultaneously. In this paper, based on the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm, a decision support system has been developed by using MATLAB and EPANET for PDA simulation in WDNs. A four-loop network selected from the literature was analyzed using different scenarios and different pressure dependent functions presented by the previous investigations. The results showed that the proposed model (PSO-PDA) was as accurate as the previous ones and provided better convergence. The results of the nodes’ pressure and discharge also indicated minor differences obtained by different PDA functions. However, the differences between the results of PDA and DDA were considerable.

Rivers has long been regarded as one of the most basic human water supplies. If the topography, a morphology, water requirements conditions, etc. allow water to be transferred to gravity, the use of the dike can have a significant impact on the flow rate and the sediment input to Intake. Dike design needs to consider several parameters such as position, length, type, etc. Using a good design can increase the input flow rate and reduce the sediment entering it. In this study, to evaluate the dike impact on flow hydraulic conditions in the Intake with different situations, 30, 45, 60 and 90 degrees two simple L-shaped dikes in the upstream and downstream Intake and for five inlet flows (0. 7, 1. 12, 2. 84, 5. 04 and 6. 23 Lit/s) were considered in the laboratory flume made by the author as a physical model to simulate the flow of the basin; then different effects of the dike on the hydraulic flow were studied. The results of the tests showed that the L-shaped dike in the upstream and downstream Intake in the internal arc flume increased the inflow flow rate into the Intake. Also, the best angle of deviation for the maximum flow entered the Intake angle of 60 degrees.

Determining the cultivation crops area is important for properly supplying crops. The aim of this study was mapping the cultivation area crops in Chadian city for spring and summer during 2015 by using the time series data of the Landsat 8 satellite of OLI imagery. At first, the under cultivation area was determined by setting a low threshold in the marginal pixels of the agricultural rain fed in the spring image NDVI index. The area cultivated with wheat and alfalfa was prepared by subtracting spring and summer NDVI values. Cultivation maps, which were cultivated with potatoes, corn and orchards, were prepared using the supervised classification with the FISHER method in a step by step manner. Spring and summer cultivation maps were combined; finally, the major cultivation crops maps were produced by the hybrid classification method. Map accuracy assessment was done by producing error matrix and calculating kappa coefficient, total accuracy, commission and omission error, producer, and use accuracy; in all indices, they had an acceptable value, showing the capability of OLI and the used methods in separating each cultivation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of increasing DEM spatial resolution on the assessment of the morphometric characteristics of waterways, as well as analysis and modeling of it by using RS and GIS techniques. In this study, which was carried out in the south of Darab city DEM 90 m (as one of the most usable data in waterway modeling), increase spatial resolution of DEM attraction algorithm in neighboring pixels with two models including: touching and quadrant neighboring models to estimate the value of sub-pixels. After manufacturing output images for sub pixels in 2, 3 and 4 scales with different neighborhoods, the best scale with the most appropriate type of neighborhood was determined using ground control points (270 points); then, the values of RMSE were calculated for them. The results showed that with using the Attraction model, the accuracy of the output of images was improved and the spatial resolution of them was increased. Among scales with different neighborhoods, 3 scales and quadrant neighboring model exhibited the most accuracy by the lowest value of RMSE for the DEM 90 meter. Evaluation of waterways morphometric features showed that DEM extracted from attraction algorithm had more ability and accuracy in waterways extraction, Extraction of morphometric complications, and information in the study area.

Due to the dry climate and limitation of fresh water resources, using fresh and salt water is a solution for crop production under salinity conditions. This study was conducted at Isfahan University of Technology as a randomized complete block design with three replications and five irrigation management treatments in 2014. The treatments included irrigation with saline water (with the salinity of 5 dS/m, based on the relative yield of 75%), irrigation with fresh water (municipal water), alternate irrigation (irrigation with saline water and the next irrigation with fresh water), conjunctive irrigation (half of irrigation with saline water and the other one with fresh water) and irrigation with fresh water to reach the raceme stage, and irrigation with saline water. The maximum wet yield, dry yield and grain yield were related to the fresh water treatment with 4. 14, 2. 45 and 0. 588 kg/m2 and the minimum values were obtained for water their water treated with 1. 34, 0. 765 and 0. 0957 kg/m2 respectively. The conjunctive treatment had the highest yield after fresh water treatment. The various statistical indices showed that this model could be used for sorghum in Isfahan. The determination coefficient for yield was 0. 65. The priority of model for yield simulation was salt water at the last stage, alternate irrigation, saline water, conjunctive irrigation and fresh water treatments, respectively.

The growth of world population and the demand for agricultural products can be regarded as one of the important issues that humanity has ever faced. There are serious concerns regarding surface and ground water pollution by nitrates because of using nitrogen fertilizers in the agriculture. Improving agricultural water management systems can reduce nitrate in drainage outflow and therefore, reduce the environmental pollution. This research was conducted to evaluate the effect of the controlled drainage and nitrogen fertilizer on nitrate leaching and environment pollution as a factorial randomized complete block design in Shiraz College of Agriculture. The treatments consisted of three fertilizer levels; 0, 200 and 300 kgN/ha, and three water table depths: free drainage, control water table at 60cm (CD60) and 90 cm (CD90) depths, respectively. According to the results, the value of drainage water and nitrate losses in the controlled drainage toward free drainage were significantly increased. The mean reduction of drainage water in CD60 and CD90, as compared to free drainage, was 59. 3 and 35. 7%, respectively. The decrease nitrate losses, as compared to free drainage, was 72 and 44%, respectively. The total value of nitrate leaching in 200 and 300 kgN/ha fertilizer treatments was 1. 86 and 2. 48 times of 0 kgN/ ha.

The irrigation and drainage network of Zarrinehroud with an area of 65, 000 hectares is the most important network of Lake Urmia basin, with the direct link to the lake. With the current crisis in the lake, an assessment of the existing network's performance is essential in the Urmia Lake Rescue Program. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to evaluate the transmission, distribution, and utilization efficiency and irrigation efficiency at the surface of the network. Three products were selected from the cultivar with the highest crop area (10% beet, 22% and 22%, and 38% wheat). The dominant method of irrigation was surface irrigation. At the network level, soil moisture in the field before and after irrigation, soil physical and hydraulic properties and water use volume for irrigation were measured. The results showed that the average transmission efficiency in canals with the concrete coating of the network was about 79%, which was in the range of 33% (in the smaller channels) to 100% (in the larger channels). The water distribution efficiency in the network was, on average, 76%, varying from 50% to 100%. Water use efficiency in the fields based on soil moisture balance analysis varied from 41% in the sandy loam soils to 66% for the clay texture. Based on the analysis of the data on the amount of harvest, production costs and product sales price, the water use efficiency (in kilograms of product per cubic meter of water used) varied from 0. 4 for the elderly hay to 5. 1 for the sugar beet. The amount of water used in this network (in Rials per cubic meter of water consumption) was between 2740 for alfalfa aged over 10 years and 6900 for wheat. It can be concluded that in the case of water constraints, wheat, sugar beet and alfalfa could be the most economic cultivar, respectively.

Over the years, since the beginning of the national and infrastructural project of Development and Renovation of Paddy Fields of Iranian Northern provinces, it has been essential to evaluate water distribution and delivery Performance of the project to get its feedback in the pursuit of the desired goals. However, the results of the evaluation of a system can reliable when they are based on quantitative indicators, not on personal opinions and empirical judgment. So, in this study, Total Error (TE) of performance of water delivery system, a statistical indicator, and its component including adequacy, water management capability and equity errors were calculated and compared for two concrete and earthen irrigation canals. This analysis was done based on calculating water demand and measuring the volume of delivered water between outlets during the irrigation season in the paddy fields of Esmaelkola of Joybar city, in 2015. According to the results, although the concrete channel (0. 28) had less error than the earthen channel (0. 43) and in the concrete channel, as compared to the earthen channel, the share of the components of adequacy and water management capability from the total error was dropped from 47% to less than 10%, but the error in the water delivery of the concrete channel was still high due to the error in the equity of distribution, whose value was 0. 25 (90% of the total error). Therefore, in order to reduce the performance error, after channel lining, it would be necessary to make fundamental changes in the intake and flow control structure in addition to the training of irrigators regarding water delivery based on water demand.

Ziarat drainage basin, in the southern part of Gorgan city, is exposed to mass movement, especially landslide occurrence, due to geologic, geomorphologic, and anthropogenic reasons. The objectives of this study were to predict landslide susceptibility and to analyze the effective factors using rare events logistic regression. In view of this, the map layers of the variables including geology, land use, slope, slope aspect, distance of road, distance of fault and distance of river were prepared using topographic and geologic maps and aerial photo interpretation. In addition, the map layers of the soil variables including the percent of clay, silt, sand, and saturation water as well as plasticity limit index were determined based on the laboratory analysis of 32 soil samples collected from landslide sites and 32 soil samples obtained from non-occurrence landslide sites. The controlling factors of landslide were determined using rare events logistic regression analysis; then based on their coefficients, the landslide risk zoning map was prepared and validated. The landslide risk zoning map was classified in five different hazard classes ranging from very low risk to very high risk; the very high risk class with 16. 8 km2 was assigned as the having the highest percent of the catchment area. The results of the model validation showed that the rare events logistic regression model with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) of 0. 69 could be a suitable prediction model for the study area. The results of this study could be, therefore, useful for corrective actions and watershed management landslide high-risk zones.

One of the problems with the traditional mapping of soils is the expert’ s opinion, it time-consuming and timely preparation, and the updating of the maps. While digital soil mapping, using different soil-earth models leads to the simplification of the complexity of the soil system. The purpose of this study was to investigate Soil-Environment Inference (SIE) in soil mapping with an emphasis on using the expert knowledge and fuzzy logic. For this purpose, the digital layer of geology and peripheral layers were derived from a digital elevation model including elevation, slope, and curvature of the ground surface, and auxiliary index, which comprised the input data of the SIE model. Then, the fuzzy maps prepared for the five soil types and the final map of soil prediction were created by hardening. The results showed that the SIE model, which used environmental variables, had a high ability to isolate soil types with more detailed compositions of soils with different maternal materials. The comparison of the error matrix showed that the overall accuracy of the derived map of the SIE model was equal to 75%, and the matching of the digital mapping results with conventional mapping accounted for 74. 71% of the results. The difference in the compliance rate could be attributed to the difference in the nature of the two methods.

Nitrification is one of the most active biological processes in the soils receiving ammonium nitrogen. The rate of this process is under the influence of several factors and their interactions. In this study, the effects of ammonium concentration and moisture content on the extent of nitrification in two soil samples named A (Loam) and B (Clay loam), which had been taken, respectively, from Marand and Ahar areas, were investigated. A two-week factorial incubation experiment (25± 0. 5° C) was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications. Factors were urea nitrogen at five levels (0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg N kg-1), moisture content at three levels (0. 55FC-0. 60FC, 0. 75FC-0. 80FC and 0. 95FC-FC) and two soil types (A and B). At the end of the experiment, concentrations of ammonium and nitrate as well as the values of pH and EC were determined. Based on the results, average nitrification at 0. 55FC-0. 60FC was 22 percent lower than that at 0. 95FC-FC and no significant difference was observed between 0. 75FC-0. 80FC and 0. 95FC-FC. Nitrification at the treatment of 400 mg N kg-1and 0. 55FC-0. 60FC was decreased considerably and 25 percent of the added ammonium was accumulated. The average ammonium concentrations did not significantly vary among the levels of 50, 100 and 200 mg N kg-1, but these concentrations were significantly lower than those of 400 mg N kg-1. Moreover, EC and pH values of the soils were significantly increased and decreased in response to the nitrification (0. 54 dS m-1 and 0. 59 at the application level of 200 mg N kg-1, respectively). On average, the results showed higher nitrification (40. 3 mg N kg-1) in the soil A (Loam texture) than the soil B (Clay loam).

In this study, in order to analyze the trends of annual precipitation, the information from 21 synoptic meteorological stations located in the Urmia Lake basin in a 30-year time period (1986-2015) was used. For this purpose, the Sequential Mann-Kendall test was used. The date of sudden change (if exist) in the precipitation time series of each station was identified. Significance of the trend in each of the time series and its direction (decrease or increase) in each of the stations were tested at 0. 05 level. The results showed that 10 out of the 21 stations had a significant decreasing trend. Three stations (Sarab, Bostanabad and Sardasht) had significant increasing trends. Precipitation trends of eight stations were insignificant. Also, the study of sudden breaking points in the annual rainfall time series of the selected stations revealed that about 57. 143 percent of the stations (12 stations) showed a significant sudden change in their annual rainfall series. In other words, more than half of the selected stations exhibited a sudden change in their time series. The date of the sudden change of precipitation in eight stations (namely, Bonab, Sarab, Urmia, Oshnavieh, Kahrizi, Miyandoab, Bokan and Saghez) belonged to the middle part of the time series (i. e. 1996-2005). The sudden change date of t hree stations (namely, Sardasht, Nagade and Tekab) belonged to the first decade of time series (i. e. 1986-1995) and only the sudden change date of one station (namely, Maragheh) belonged to the last decade of time series (i. e. 2006-2015).

The persistent scattering interferometry (PSI) technique is a valuable tool in displacements' monitoring of earth's surface. The persistent scattering interferometry (PSI) based on persistent scatterrer (PSInSAR) is one of the techniques used to reduce constraints (temporal and spatial incoherency). It is based on persistent scatterer and monitor displacement of only the pixels with timely-constant properties of scatterer. In order to detect and monitor landslides, two time series SAR data sets including PALSAR ascending images from 2007 to 2010 and ASAR images from 2003 to 2010 with C-band and L-band wavelength were applied, respectively. Also, the PSI technique was implemented in a landslide near Noghol village, Padena, Semirom of Isfahan province. The results revealed that both PALSAR and ASAR data set were efficient in identifying Noghol landslide. The results obtained from ASAR and PALSAR images processing (with the values of 1253 mm and 1578 mm in two stages of time 4 and 7 years, respctively) were compared. The obtained vertical displacement's rate of the landslide by using ASAR data was more suitable because of its descending orbit. However, PALSAR images that indetified more persistent scatterrer points were better in the detection of the landslide area. The results of GPS and PSInSAR techniques revealed that landslide displacement values and aspect were the same, confirming 135 centimeters of displacement to the west aspect. Finally, a combination of radar data in two different passes provided the possibility of monitoring the mechanism of landslide and its movement direction.

The rate of metal transfer from the solid phase to solution is an important factor governing their concentration in the soil solution and its availability. In this research, the release rate of Zn in contaminated soils from Isfahan was studied using solutions citric acid, oxalic acid and malic acid 0/01 M during the period of 2-504 hours and its relationship with soil characteristics was investigated. The results showed that low molecular weight organic acids could release Zn in the contaminated soils. The Zn released by acids was in the order citric acid> oxalic acid> malic acid. Variation range of Zn released a solution of citric acid, oxalic acid and malic acid, which was 38/9-21173, 25/2-26761 and 25/5 – 20650 mg/kg of soil. Zn released in citric acid solution was higher than that of the two acids. Based on the determination coefficient and standard error estimates done by the kinetic equations, the release of Zn of the contaminated soils and three acid solution was described by the first order equation, elovich, parabolic diffusion and power function, with a high coefficient of determination and a low standard error. Correlation results showed that for the Zn release with the index of Zn usability, there was a significant correlation at 5% level. Showed Multivariate regression model showed that Calcium carbonate, pH and EC affected characteristics of Zn desorption.

Dust particles are suspended particles created from various natural and anthropogenic sources. Dust particles contain toxic metals, such as mercury (Hg), which can have harmful effects on the human health. In this study, to investigate the contamination level of Hg in the street dust in Ahvaz, 95 dust samples were collected from the pavements in the main streets. The concentration of Hg in the collected samples was determined by the atomic absorption method (ASS). The contamination level was estimated based on indicators such as contamination factor (Cf), enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and ecological risk index (Er). The concentration value of mercury ranged from 0. 02 to 8. 75 mg/kg with an average of 2. 53 mg/kg. The results of pollution indicators showed that the level of Hg contamination in the street dust of Ahvaz was a high level of contamination. In addition, the results of ecological risk assessment indicated that the ecological risk of Hg in the study area was very high. Spatial distribution pattern of Hg concentration showed that in areas with high population density, high traffic volume and industrial activities, there was a high pollution level of Hg.

To determine the potential for groundwater contamination, vulnerability should be evaluated in different areas susceptible to contamination should be investigated. Aquifer (carbonate) karst or part of it is karst aquifer in the western region of Iran; due to the natural conditions of the region and human activities, they are susceptible to contamination by carbonate aquifer through holes devourer and feeding point leading to pollution. The aim of this study was to analyze aquifer vulnerability zoning map karst plain elster by using COP. This model uses three parameters including lining (O) the concentra flow(C) and precipitation regime (P) to assess the vulnerability of groundwater against pollution GIS software. The results showed that the plain with an area 7. 8 km2 was dominated in terms of vulnerability, being in the middle class. Other classes, respectively, were low with the area 18. 69 km2, high with the area 0. 65 km2 as part of the northeast plain, and much less with the area of 0. 6 km2, The results of the sensitivity analysis also showed that at the factorization (P) due to appropriate rainfall area, the maximum impact was in determining the vulnerability of the area. And the factor (C) minimum has impact on determining the vulnerability of the area. Due to the small size of the mature karst area, the wide extent of non-karst region was shown for the verification of results related to electrical conductivity data (EC) against discharge wells in the region with the high vulnerability and moderate. A comparison was made too.

In this research, a regression model was introduced to study the mechanisms of the formation of gullies in the Quri Chay watershed, northern Ardebil province (Moghan Plain); this was done through investigating the effective factors of geo-environment and soil characteristics on the gully erosion. For this purpose, 17 gullies were randomly assigned through field surveys. Mapping and recording the morphometric of the selected gullies were performed by GPS positioning after seven rainfall events. The catchment-upper area of each gully was determined and its related physical parameters were calculated in order to investigate the effect of the physical characteristics of the catchment. Soil sampling was also done at the head of each gully at two different depths (30-30 and 60-30 cm) in order to determine the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil. According to measurement of the morphometric characteristics of the gully and soil characteristics through multivariate analysis of the data, a suitable regression model was developed for the longitudinal development of erosion after determining and calculating environmental factors related to the upper catchment of the gullies. The results of the correlation matrix between the longitudinal extension of the gully and the factors investigated indicated that the factors related to the physical characteristics of the beside watershed (area, perimeter, main stream length and average width of the catchment, main stream slope), gully morphometric characteristics (mean of gully cross section, the gully expansion area, and the gully average width) and soil characteristics (geometric mean of the aggregates diameter, lime, organic matter percentage) affected the formation and expansion of gully erosion in the Quri chay catchment. The results of regression analysis showed that the longitudinal expansion of the gully was mostly influenced by the area around each gully and the percentage of organic matter, which resulted in pressure on the rangeland and the loss of vegetation, which increased runoff and accelerated the lengthwise expansion of the gully. Also, the increase in the area of the beside catchment the gullies is known as one of the factors influencing the length of the gully, due to the high volume of runoff entering the head cut section; so it is necessary to manage runoff in the gully with the large beside catchment.

The concern about the war and the threat of terrorism and weapons application and prohibited weapons is growing; on the other hand, the contamination of soil, plant and disease outbreaks in the community is increasing. The main problem with crops, especially wheat in the contaminated soils of war zones, are associated with the high concentrations of heavy metals and toxic things, especially arsenic. Zeolite is one of the solutions to the problem of contaminated soils in war affected areas. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the ionic strength of zeolite on the adsorption of arsenic and nutritional properties of wheat in contaminated soils including weapons. The experiment was carried out in a factorial arrangement involving a randomized complete design with three replications. Treatments included four levels of zeolite 2. 5 (a4), 1. 5 (a3), 0. 5 (a2), 0 (a1) percent of the weight of the soil and two soil recourses, one obtained from out of the war zone (without contamination) (b1) and other one was from the contaminated soil to weapons (b2). The results showed that soils contaminated by weapons increased the concentrations of arsenic in wheat. Also, with the application of Zeolite in the contaminated soil treatments, there was a significant reduction at 1% level and a remarkable increase in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium in the wheat grain in both soils.

Little information is available regarding the effect of road on the adjacent vegetation and soil. The current investigation was done to study the effect of Darab-Bandar Abbas road on vegetation, soil properties and nutrient availability of the adjacent soils. For this purpose, eighteen soil samples in three different regions from the roadside and the adjacent land (50m from the road edge) were collected and the vegetation type and density were determined. Soil properties and the availability of N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu were also determined. Roadside soil had more organic matter and sand contents and less clay content and pH in comparison to the adjacent lands. The mean contents of N, Fe, Zn and Cu available in the roadside soils were 0. 13%, 4. 2, 3. 2 and 0. 7 mg kg-1, respectively; these were significantly more than those of the adjacent lands (0. 06%, 2. 8, 0. 6 and 0. 3 mg kg-1, respectively). Vegetation of roadside was more varied, consisting of Artemisia sieberi and Astragalus fasciculifolius. Vegetation cover in the roadside (13. 8%) was significantly more than that of the adjacent lands (8. 5%). Generally, it could be concluded that roadside soils had a suitable moisture condition and fertility for the vegetation development and this could be considered in the soil conservation management of the roadside soils.

Settling basins are one of the most essential structures for the separation of inflow sediments. This structure is established to enhance the water quality after the river-basins and water channels. Numerous studies have been conducted on the design of this structure and different methods have been provided to increase its efficiency. However, the use of simple settling basins with the minimum cost which can provide the ideal targets has been the focus of designers. In this study, the effect of flow-guiding plates and the angle between these and the inflow, and the impact of water depth in the basin on the trap efficiency of the settling basins were considered. For testing, 4 blades with specific length and angle were installed. This experiment was repeated for 3 different lengths and 3 angles. The results of the experiments showed that with the enhancement of the depth of water to 10 centimeters to 30 centimeters, while the basin had no flow-guiding plates, increased the trap efficiency of the basin by 4. 9 percent. Also, by the use of flowguiding plates in the suitable and best length and angle (in this study, the suitable size of blades was 22. 5 centimeters and the best position was by the angle of 30 degrees); with the maximum of the water depth of 30 centimeters, the trap efficiency was increased by 13. 3 percent. The sensitivity analysis done showed that the depth of water had the most effect on the trap efficiency of the basin and the changes in the lengths and angles of the blades position had the similar effects of the basin trap efficiency.

Understanding the distribution of different P forms in soil aggregate fractions is important in evaluating the risk of P run-off and leaching in the agricultural soils. The objective of the present research was to determine the effect of aggregate size on soil phosphorus availability and fractionation in 10 calcareous soils. Micro aggregate (< 0. 25 mm), macro aggregate (> 0. 25 mm) and whole soil were separated by dry sieving. Olsen P, total P, organic P, and inorganic P fractions in micro aggregate, macro aggregate, and whole soil were determined. Soil inorganic P fraction was determined by a sequential extraction procedure including: dicalcium phosphate (Ca2-P), octa calcium phosphate (Ca8-P), apatite (Ca10-P), P absorbed by Al oxide (Al-P), P absorbed by Fe oxide (Fe-P) and P incorporated in to Fe oxide (O-P). The results showed that the amounts of (Olsen P), (Ca2-P), (Ca8-P), (Ca10-P), (Organic P), (Al-P), (Fe-P), (O-P) and (Total P) in 70, 60, 40, 40, 60, 70, 60, 50 and 70 percent of soils, respectively, in the micro aggregates were significantly higher than those of the macro ones. Finally, by increasing the P content, particularly the smaller sized aggregates, it was likely that the eroded material would favor greater P loss.

In recent years, the joint distribution properties of drought including severity and duration have been widely evaluated using copula. Few studies, however, have worked on drought modeling based on stream flow, especially in semi-arid regions such as the southern regions of Iran. This study followed two purposes. The first purpose was to find the appropriate marginal distribution function for hydrologic drought duration and severity, and the other one was to find appropriate copulas. First, the severity and duration of hydrological droughts in the hydrometery stations in the Karkhe basin were extracted by the run’ s theorem, and the absence of trends was tested using the modified Mann-Kendall trend test. Appropriate marginal distribution functions for duration and severity drought were derived by using the linear moment's method. In addition, copula’ s parameters for Frank, Clyton and Gumbel families were calculated by both direct and indirect methods. The best copulas were selected by the goodness of fit tests. Finally, the joint and conditional return periods for duration and severity drought were derived for each station. The results showed that drought severity and duration for all hydrometery stations in Karkhe basin followed both the generalized extreme value marginal distribution function and Gumbel copulas family, which could be used for regional copulas modeling.

In this study, the performance of slot in the spur dike was evaluated as a way to reduce the scouring around the installed flat spur dike in a 180 degree bend and the development of scouring in the slotted spur dike was compared with that of the spur dike with no slot. To evaluate the effect of the slot on the development of scouring around it, a flat spur dike made of Plax Glass was installed in a position of 70 degrees from a bend (180 degrees) in the flume bed. After determining the maximum of scouring depth at the tip, to reduce the scouring around the spur dike, two slots with the determined height were placed in 4 different positions in the spur dike. Experiments with 4 different discharges and constant flow depth in clear water conditions were conducted. The results of the experiments showed that the created the slot reduced the scouring depth toward the spur dike. In both slots, the minimum of scouring depth was seen in a model with the closest position of the slot toward tip, and its maximum was seen in a model with the farthest position from the slot.

Factor analysis is one of the multivariate statistical techniques that considers the interrelationships between apparently irrelevant variables and helps researchers to find the hidden reasons for the occurrence of an event. In order to evaluate the effects of different irrigation levels and humic acid foliar application and identify the factors affecting water use efficiencies of sesame (Sesamum indicum L. ), maize (Zea mays L. ) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. ), a split plots experiment based on RCBD design with three replications was conducted during the 2014-15 growing season, at the Research Farm of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Irrigation levels (50 and 100% of water requirement) and foliar application and non-application of humic acid were assigned to main and sub plots, respectively. The results showed that in sesame, the highest seed yield and biological yield were obtained from 100% of water requirement and humic acid spraying treatment. In maize, humic acid spraying under condition of supplying 50% of water requirement increased seed weight per plant, plant height, and leaf area index and soil pH In bean, the highest seed weight per plant, plant height, leaf area index, crop growth rate and soil phosphorous content were observed in the treatment of 100% of water requirement and humic acid spraying. Factor analysis results also showed that in sesame, the variables of seed yield, biological yield, seed weight per plant, plant height, leaf area index, crop growth rate, soil phosphorous and water use efficiency were assigned to the first factor and the variables of soil nitrogen, soil pH and EC were assigned to the second one. In maize, seed yield was assigned in the same group with the variables of biological yield, leaf area index, crop growth rate, soil phosphorous, EC and pH and water use efficiency; in bean, this was with the variables of seed yield and water use efficiency. In general, the research results revealed that identifying the effective variables in each factor and those logical nominations according to Eco physiological knowledge can lead to the direct management of effective variables with regard to associated factor, thereby leading to water efficiency improvement.

One of the major issues in the contemporary world is climate change. The behavior and characteristics of parameters affecting climate change can cause them to be seen and hidden. As one of the effective ways to detect overt and covert behaviors for periodic climatic data series, Spectral analysis can be used. It is the analysis of each of the wavelengths series, making this behavior clear. Accordingly, the present study was an attempt to use the method of spectral analysis, data cycles in the minimum temperature, maximum temperature and precipitation in Ramsar station (located in the western regions of Mazandaran province) an nd Babolsar (located in the central parts of this province) in a period from1961 to 2014. For this purpose, temperature and precipitation data were obtained from these stations; MATLAB software environment and the environment for the software were logged for each of the variable in the stations. The results revealed that the minimum temperature at both stations had significant cycles, with the return period being 2 to 5 years; Remote Link could be fit into the cycle parameters such as NAO, AO and ENSO. Analysis of the period gram showed cycles 8 and 5/13-year-old and 5-year-old period in Ramsar and Babolsar. During the rainy cycles, the difference between the two stations and the difference in the geographical position affected systems, and rain accounted for the difference in speed dual-zone climate indicator for Remote Link.

River flow routing has been a significant issue in hydraulic engineering. The main goal of this research work was solving Saint-Venant equations by using the semi-implicit finite difference scheme and considering energy conservation principle at the discontinuous points of flow field. In this model, with the first order accuracy, the flux limiter scheme and Upwind for the scheme are used for the satisfaction of TVD condition and discretization of the advection phrase in the momentum equation, respectively. By using three assessment functions including Nash-. Sutcliffe, sum square error and correlation coefficient, the performance of the model was evaluated for flood routing through Lighvan-Chai River between Lighvan and Hervi hydrometric stations with the application of twenty cross-sections. Manning roughness coefficient as a parameter for calibration and verification processes was determined to be 0. 028. Finally, a comparison was made between nonlinear Muskingham hydrological method and the presented model through the same river reach. The amount of assessment functions for the semi-implicit model was calculated to be more than the hydrological one. The results showed that the presented model not only had high calculative efficiency and no limitation in time step calculation, but also displayed more accuracy for the hydrodynamic characteristics of flow.

Soil quality is the permanent soil ability to function as a live system within ecosystem under different land uses. Investigating the impact of land use type on soil quality indicators could help to distinguish sustainable managements and therefore, to inhibit soil degradation. In order to evaluate the effect of different land uses on soil quality indicators, a research based on a randomized complete design in Rabor region, Kerman Province, Iran, was conducted. A total of 104 samples were taken from the soil surface (0-15 cm) of four land uses including: pasture (28 samples), forest (25 samples), agronomy (27 samples) and garden land use (24 samples). Soil quality indicators were measured as: soil organic matter, particulate organic matter, and bulk density, plant available water capacity, S index, cation exchange capacity (CEC), electrical conductivity (EC), soil pH, and phosphatase enzyme. According to the results, land use types had a significant effect on all indicators except S index at 1% probability level. The maximum amount of soil pH, bulk density and phosphatase enzyme was obtained from forest land use. On the other hand, the maximum amount of the other indicators was attained from the garden land use. Totally, garden land use, due to having high organic matter, could improve the soil quality. However, the pasture land use had the worst soil quality due to the weak cover and the low organic matter.