Matrix effects in the immunoassay analysis of DDT in soils of Lebanon. Surface
soil samples (0-15 cm) were collected from various agricultural regions
of Lebanon. Samples with different physical and chemical properties were
fortified with standard solutions of DDE ranging from 5-200 ppb and allowed
to stand overnight. Then, 5 g of soil were extracted with methanol. Pesticide
residues in the extracts were measured by both GC-ECD and ELISA. The results
indicated that the two techniques were highly correlated in all samples
except the soil containing a high level of organic matter (6.7%). Differences
in soil textural classes, calcium carbonate content, pH, salinity and phosphate
levels did not affect the accuracy or the detection limit of ELISA when
compared with GC results. I.I. Bashour, S.M. Dahger, G.I. Chammas
and
N.S. Kawar. (Supported by URB.)
Multi-lag stochastic differential dynamic programming for multi-reservoir Systems A
stochastic DDP model is developed and applied for optimal operation of
multi-reservoir hydropower systems. DDP is particularly well suited to
optimize large-scale multi-reservoir systems due to its relative insensitivity
to state-space dimensionality. The use of quadratic programming within
DDP eliminates the need for any decretization of the state-space and, therefore,
solves the curse of dimensionality that has been severely limiting all
dynamic programming techniques. A generalized DDP algorithm is formulated
and tested on a four-reservoir hydropower system. The MATLAB environment
is used to model and test the mentioned algorithm. These tests are used
to demonstrate the capabilities of DDP as an efficient approach to solve
multi-reservoir optimization problems. The algorithm is also applied to
a single reservoir problem after multi-lag hydrologic information is incorporated
in the state vector. F.A. El-Awar. (Supported by URB.)
Reassessment and optimization of Qarawn reservoir operation policies using stochastic dynamic programming The
Qarawn reservoir in Lebanon is currently opby a sub-optimal open-loop policy.
The reservoir releases are independent of the current stage storage and
the previous stage inflow. This means that the policy is unreliable and
does not take risk into consideration. In this work, the current policy
is reassessed, and new, short term as well as long term, operation policies
for the reservoir are proposed. Multi-objective stochastic dynamic programming
is used to develop these policies to optimize the reservoir output for
irrigation, hydropower production, and domestic uses. F.A. El-Awar.
(Supported by SIM Dept.)
Siting small water harvesting reservoirs in dry marginal lands: a case study in Irsal, Lebanon Irsal
is an area in the northeastern region of Lebanon on the western border
of the Syrian badia. The area is categorized as semi arid with hot dry
summers and cold winters. This research focuses on using geographic information
systems (GIS) and hydrologic modeling to locate suitable sites for small
reservoirs to harvest rainfall and snowmelt runoff for summer supplemental
irrigation. ARC-INFO is used to build spatial data maps and determine hydrologic
parameters of the area. The region's hydrology and potential water yield
is modeled using the HEC-1 model within the WMS environment. GIS and hydrologic
modelling are used also to build a Reservoir Suitability Index (RSI) based
on watershed topography, soil characteristics, and water harvesting efficiency.
F.A.
El-Awar and R.H. Mohtar*. (Supported by International Development
Research Center.)
Irrigation water pricing in Lebanon Water
scarcity in Lebanon raises the issue of water conservation that can be
achieved through several ways. A water pricing policy that forces water
users to pay for the amount of water used is necessary for water conservation.
Water pricing policies have been taken as management tools to promote conservation
of water in both municipal and agricultural sectors. The objective of this
study is to develop and propose an applicable pricing policy for irrigation
water to be implemented by the concerned authorities in Lebanon. Two pricing
methods are tested: marginal cost pricing and average cost pricing. Different
payment methods are tested in this work. F.A. El-Awar and M.R.
Darwish. (Supported by LNCSR).
Parameterization of GRASIM grazing simulation model to semi-arid conditions of Lebanon The
use of "intensive grazing" is a range management strategy that is attracting
an increasing number of farmers. Improved profitability resulting from
integrated management practices will sustain farm businesses. The goal
of this study is to parameterize and use the GRASIM model in incorporating
the integrated approach in intensive grazing to improve the competitiveness
of dairy farms under current and future environmental and economic constraints.
Developing such management strategies requires a thorough understanding
of the various components of the grazing farm system and the linkages that
exist between these components: crops, animals, land, and the environment.
F.A.
El-Awar and R.H. Mohtar*. (Supported by AUB-URB.)
Potato yield response to deficit irrigation and N fertilization The
objectives of this study are: First, to assess potato production per unit
water; and Second, to assess a critical water and nitrogen fertilizer combination.
The crop was given enough irrigation water during the first forty days
after planting. Then the quantities of the irrigation water were applied
at 120%, 91%, 66%, 55% and 45% ET by a point source sprinkler system, and
the N- fertilization rates varied from 100%, to 45% of the N rates used
by conventional farmers Positive relationships were found between water
application rates and potato yield in most fertilization treatments. Results
indicated that a minimum of 29% water savings can be achieved under the
given experimental conditions without significantly reducing the yield.
No significant difference was obtained in yield of potato fertilized by
conventional method or via fertigation. However, 31% of nitrogen saving
was achieved without significantly reducing the yield. M. Nimah
(Supported by URB.)
Modeling of the Litani river water quality in time and space This
study aims at monitoring and modeling water quality in time and space for
the Bekaa part of the Litani River. The main objectives are: first, to
test water quality at different locations of the river; second, model the
observed pollution levels with respect to time and space; third, use this
model to forecast pollutant levels with respect to time and space. The
quality parameters tested, were: Nitrates, Turbidity, TDS, EC and pH. The
collection sites were Haoush El-Rafka, Timnin, Zahle, Marj, Mansoura and
Jibjanin. Water was collected for two years and tested for the mentioned
parameters. The results were that the agricultural practices did not, significantly,
increase, but interfered with the pollution level of the river. The parameters
change did not have a significance difference according to time. For the
modeling according to space, the Lagrange interpolation model was a solution.
M. Nimah and J. Haddad. (Supported by LNCSR.)
Measurement of transpiration and evaporation under field conditions Agricultural
productivity and sustainability are the most challenging issues facing
the world today. With increased population growth, water and land are becoming
the limiting factors and the food demand is being the urge. In order to
meet the imposed challenges, an optimal use of these scarce resources should
be considered. The objectives of this research are: first, to determine
evapotranspiration of crops under different water regimes; second, to measure
transpiration and calculate evapotranspiration of crops; third, to model
crop production as a function of transpiration in order to overcome site
specificity; And fourth, study the impact of using vertical space on production
in order to develop urban agriculture. To achieve the above objectives,
the data to be collected will focus on water content before and after each
irrigation and yield under each water treatment. M. Nimah (Supported
by URB.)
Effect of tillage on herbicide application rate for weed control in potato This
research is aimed at reducing the amount of pesticide used for weed management
in potato. Field experiments were conducted at AREC to investigate the
effect of hilling time and reduced rate of herbicide (metribuzin) application
on weed management in potato. Work is in progress. M. Sidahmed and M.
Haidar. (Supported by URB.)
Evaluation of air-assisted sprayers for small farm The
objective of this project was to investigate the effect of air-assisted
spraying on pesticide application efficiency. Work is in progress for building
a wind tunnel to simulate ambient wind conditions. M. Sidahmed and M.
Haidar. (Supported by URB.)
Phytoremediation of heavy metal contamination Twelve
Mediterranean hydrophyte species collected in Lebanon were evaluated for
their potential as bioindicator species for heavy metal pollution in nutrient
cultures enriched with 1 ppm Cr, Ni and Cd. Large variability in response
to exposure to the heavy metals was observed. Metal accumulation and bioconcentration
varied within at least one order of magnitude, and ranged from less than
10 to over 200. Cr was preferentially accumulated in the roots. All species
but
M. puleginum, P. reptans and V. anagallis aquatica accumulated
and bioconcentrated sufficient Cr to qualify as bioindicator species. Five
of the species that accumulated Cr also accumulated Ni. These were: N.
officinale, C. uliginosa, M. longifolia. M. aquatica
and M. sylvestris, all of which may also be used as bioindicators
of Ni pollution. Only one species, M. aquatica, accumulated
Cd significantly, and may, therefore, be used as a bioindicator for all
three metals. R. Zurayk. (Supported by URB.)
Yammouneh extension and technology transfer project In the context of the Irrigation Rehabilitation Project, the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences was selected to implement the Technology Transfer and Extension (TTE) component of the project in the Yammouneh region. The project has 5components: R.
Zurayk Coordinator. (Supported by World Bank/Ministry of Agriculture.)
El-Awar, F.A., Labadie*, J.W., and Ouarda,* T.B.M.J., Stochastic differential dynamic programming for multi-reservoir system control. Journal of Stochastic Hydrology and Hydraulics, 12 (4), 247-266, 1998. Nimah, M. N. and Z. Hajjar. Water Laws, Water Institutions and Water Supply Economics in the Arab Republic of Syria and the Republic of Lebanon, ed. Trolldallen, J.M. Oslo, Norway: CESAR, International Scientific Institute, 1998. Sidahmed, M.M., A transport model for near nozzle fan sprays. Transactions of the ASAE, 40 (3), 547-554. 1997. ———, Analytical comparison of force and energy balance methods for characterizing sprays from hydraulic nozzles. Transactions of the ASAE, 41 (3), 531-536. 1998. Sidahmed, M.M. and Betru, T. Problems and prospects of agricultural mechanization in Lebanon. AMA, 30 (1), 29-32. 1999. Sidahmed, M.M., and Yates*, W.E. Measuring spray droplets with PMS-FSSP probes. Transactions of the ASAE, 40 (5), 1237-1242. 1997. Zurayk, R., Le Site de Hadeth el Jobbeh. Rapport Pédologique de Synthèse. Union Européenne, Projet d’Assistance à la Protection de la Couverture Végétale du Liban. Ministère de l’Agriculture et Office National des Forêts, Beyrouth, 1998. ———, Le Site de Kefraya. Rapport Pédologique de Synthèse. Union Européenne, Projet d’Assistance à la Protection de la Couverture Végétale du Liban. Ministère de l’Agriculture et Office National des Forêts, Beyrouth, 1998. ———, Le Site de Jabal Moussa. Rapport Pédologique de Synthèse. Union Européenne, Projet d’Assistance à la Protection de la Couverture Végétale du Liban. Ministère de l’Agriculture et Office National des Forêts. Beyrouth, 1998. Zurayk,
R., Adlan, M., Baalbaki, R. and Saxena*, M. Interactive effects of salinity
and biological N-fixation on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) growth.
Journal
of Agronomy and Crop Science 180, 249-259, 1998.
ABSTRACTS,
CONFERENCES AND PROCEEDINGS
Bashour, I.I., Dagher, S.M., Chammas, G.I. and Kawar, N.S., Matrix effects in the immunoassay analysis of DDT in soils. Abstracts of the 218th American Chemical Society National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, 1999. Bashour, I.I., Nimah, M.N., Users' needs for quality fertilizers: types and formulations. Proceedings of the Regional Workshop on Guidelines for Efficient Fertilizer Use through Modern Irrigation, Cairo, Egypt, 1998. El-Awar, F.A., and Mohtar*, R.H., Siting small irrigation Reservoirs in a Dry Marginal Land Watershed in Lebanon. Abstracts of the ASAE Annual International Meeting, Orlando, Florida, 1998. El-Awar, F.A., Barry*, B.Y., and Mohtar*, M.H., Hydrologic analysis of dry marginal watershed in Northeast Lebanon. Proceedings of the XIIIth International Congress on Agricultural Engineering of CIGR, Rabat, Morocco, 1998. El-Awar, F.A., Mohtar*, R.H., Zurayk, R.A., and Makkeh, M.K., Water Harvesting in Dry Marginal Lands. Abstracts of the 10th International Soil Conservation Organization (ISCO) Conference, West Lafayette, Indiana, 1999. Makkeh, M.K., El-Awar, F.A., and Zurayk, R.A., A GIS Based Methodology for Siting Small Water Harvesting Reservoirs. Abstracts of the 5th Annual Middle East GIS ESRI User Conference, Beirut, Lebanon, 1999. Nimah, M.N., Assessments of water supply under different types of irrigation. Proceedings of the Regional Training Course on the Use of Nuclear Techniques in Water and Nutrients Management Practices, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic, 1998. (C7-RAW-5-096.) ———, Crop water use and irrigation scheduling. Proceedings of the Regional Training Course on the Use of Nuclear Techniques in Water and Nutrients Management Practices, Damascus, Syrian Arab republic. C7-RAW-5-096. 21pp. 1998. ———, Irrigation systems: potential for fertigation. Proceedings of the Regional Workshop on Plant Nutrient Management Under Pressurized Irrigation Systems in the Mediterranean Region, Amman, Jordan, 1999. Nimah, M.N. and Bashour, I.I. Fertilization as an efficient and safe tool for water and fertilizer applications. Proceedings of the Regional Workshop on Guidelines for Efficient Fertilizer Use Through Modern Irrigation, Cairo, Egypt, 1998. Nimah, M.N., Darwish, L., and Bashour, I., Potato yield as affected by irrigation and nitrogen fertilization deficit. Abstracts of the Third International Symposium on Irrigation of Horticultural Crops. Estoril, Portugal, 1999. Nimah, M.N., Dimashkieh, M.A. and Muhtar, N.F., Deficit irrigation, a water management approach to conserve water and sustain irrigated agriculture. Proceedings of the International Conference on Water Management, Salinity, and Pollution Control Towards Sustainable Irrigation in the Mediterranean Region., Bari, Italy, 1997. Nimah, M.N. and Hamed, M.N., Strategic water use planning as a function of food consumption for sustainable agriculture. Proceedings of the International Conference on Water Management, Salinity, and Pollution Control Towards Sustainable Irrigation in the Mediterranean Region, Bari, Italy, 1997. Zurayk, R.A, Challenges in soil sciences education in the West Asia and North Africa Region. In Accomplishments and Future Challenges in Dryland Soil Fertility Research in the Mediterranean Area, ed. Ryan, J., ix+368. Aleppo: Institut Mondial du Phosphate (IMPHOS) and ICARDA, 1997. ———, Drainage and salinity investigation techniques for the diagnosis of land degradation. In Proceedings of the Regional Workshop on the Management of Salt Affected Soils in the Arab Gulf States, ed. Zurayk, R. and Hamdallah, G. *, iv+140. Cairo, Egypt, FAO, Regional Office for the Middle East, 1997. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 1997. ———, Facing Change: the challenge of soil conservation in steeplands in Lebanon. Proceedings of the ICARDA, Natural Resources Management Workshop, Cairo, Egypt, 1998. ———, Soil-Water-Plant Relationships in Salt-Affected Soils. In Proceedings of the Regional Workshop on the Management of Salt Affected Soils in the Arab Gulf States, ed. Zurayk, R. and Hamdallah, G.*, iv+140. Cairo, Egypt, FAO, Regional Office for the Middle East, 1997. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 1997. Zurayk,
R., and Hamdallah*, G., eds., Proceedings of the Regional Workshop on
the Management of Salt Affected Soils in the Arab Gulf States. Cairo,
Egypt: FAO, Regional Office for the Middle East, 1997.
Dandan, M., Modeling of the Litani river water quality in time and space (1999). M. Nimah. Darwiche, L., Potato yield response to deficit irrigation and nitrogen fertilization (1998). M. Nimah. El-Jisr, K., Soil amendments for pine seedlings establishment in a rehabilitated quarry (1999). R. Zurayk. Hamed, M., Strategic planning for allocation of water resources for food production. (1997). M. Nimah. Hatem, G., Soil and irrigation parameters as affected by soil compaction (1997). M. Nimah. Jaafar, H., A Stochastic Dynamic Programming Approach for Optimal Operation of the Qarawn Reservoir (1999). F.A. El-Awar. Kabengi, N., Characterization and dynamics of phosphorus in a long term rotation trial (1999). R. Zurayk. Kahawaty, A., Technical and economical evaluation of microirrigation uniformity under pressure and manufacturing variation (1998). M. Nimah. Makkeh, M., A GIS-Based Methodology for Siting Small Water Harvesting Reservoirs (1999). F.A. El-Awar. Moallem Hajjar, D., Physiological responses to salinity of two strawberry varieties in calcareous and non calcareous substrates (1998). R. Zurayk. Sukkariyah,
B., Developing chromium, nickel and cadmium phytoremediation technology:
selection of hyperaccumulator hydrophytes (1999). R. Zurayk.
|
