IMPROVED CHARACTERISTICS OF POPULUS SP. ECOSYSTEMS BY AGROFORESTRY PRACTICES
SUMARSKI LIST
Authors: Kachova, Vania; Ferezliev, Angel
Abstract
Agroforestry is a multifunctional, environmentally-friendly and modern system of land use by which we can reach economic, environmental and social benefits for the society. This is confirmed by this study on poplar plantations along the Danube River in the region of Vidin (Bulgaria) where agroforestry was practiced by intercropping cultivation of vegetable crops. Productivity of poplars is improving by applying agroforestry. The average diameters and the average heights of trees in the areas with agroforestry are high for the correspondent age. Thus the 10 years old plantation with agroforestry has DBH = 9.9 cm and Hav = 7.44 m whereas the same aged control has worse dendrometric characteristics (DBH = 8.7 cm; Hav = 7.04 m). The other sample plot (SP1) near Novo selo village with 2 years old plantation where are currently planted corn has DBH = 2.7 cm and Hav = 2.67 m. The sample plot (SP3) near Vidin with 3 years old plantation where before 1 year has been planted corn has DBH = 1.6 cm and Hav = 2.55 m. The creation of agroforestry systems also leads to improvement of soil properties. Total soil humus content is higher in poplar ecosystems with agroforestry (varied from 4.3% to 2.5%) in comparison with the control (2%). Regarding the composition of organic matter, the control has the smallest content of stable humic acids (0.20%) in comparison with the other three agroforestry systems which have humic acids contents from 0.78% to 0.49%. At the same time control has the highest content of fulvic acids (0.62%) which is more mobile and less stable in comparison with humic acids. The content of fulvic acids in the other plots (with agroforestry) varied from 0.46% to 0.05%. At the same time the control has the highest content of "aggressive" fulvic acids (0.05%). This gives as reason to recommend agroforestry systems as appropriate in growing Populus sp. in Vidin region on Fluvisol.
Assessment of transmissibility of hand-arm vibration, noise exposure, and shift in hearing threshold among handicraft operatives': a cross-sectional study
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND PRODUCTION ENGINEERING
Authors: Singh, Ashish Kumar; Meena, Makkhan Lal; Chaudhary, Himanshu; Karmakar, Sougata
Abstract
The study aimed to assess the hand-arm vibration (HAV), noise exposure, and shift in hearing threshold (SHT) due to the prolonged use of hand tools used in three different handicraft occupations. Data about HAV and noise level were collected under actual work conditions. Thirty male participants volunteered to participate in this cross-sectional experiment. Audiometric tests were conducted to compare hearing threshold between the three groups. The association of hearing threshold at nine-pitch frequencies among the occupations was detected using post hoc multiple comparisons. The estimate of total value of frequency-weighted vibrations in the occupations, except carpet alignment, was quite high. The workers were exposed to noise levels ranging from 87.2 dB(A) to 100.4 dB(A). Most workers exhibit moderate to higher SHT in the frequency range 1500-6000 Hz. The contribution of the study is to propose the insight to develop work system interventions that could prevail over HAV and noise.