Long-term organic amendments are a key strategy to build soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in semiarid agroecosystems, where low biomass inputs and calcareous parent material constrain carbon accumulation. This 14-year field experiment in central Iraq (2000–2014) evaluated how a gradient of organic matter (OM) additions (0, 1, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20%) affects SOC dynamics, nutrient availability, and soil organic matter composition in clay-dominated, semiarid soils. Surface and subsurface samples (0–30, 30–60, and 60–90 cm) were analysed for SOC, nutrients, and mid-infrared Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, which were then integrated with Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression and RothC simulations. Moderate OM inputs (5–10%) were most effective in increasing surface SOC from 0.71% to 2.11%, while electrical conductivity, pH, and total nitrogen remained within agronomically acceptable ranges. FTIR spectra showed enhanced C–H and C=O bands in surface horizons, indicating concurrent accumulation of labile and more stable organic fractions, whereas low- and mid-wavenumber bands (1080–670 cm⁻¹) confirmed the persistence of clay and silicate mineral structures across depths. PLS models predicted SOC and total N with high accuracy (R² = 0.84–0.995), low RMSEP, and excellent predictive performance (RPD = 3.05–41), particularly under higher OM inputs. RothC simulations reproduced the observed depth-dependent SOC gradients, with deviations typically ranging from −22% to +10%, and confirmed that most carbon gains are concentrated in surface layers, while deeper horizons change only slightly. The combined use of FTIR spectroscopy, spectral PLS modelling, and RothC provides a robust framework for quantifying and predicting SOC responses to organic amendments in semiarid, calcareous soils. These findings highlight that sustained, moderate OM applications can substantially enhance SOC sequestration and soil fertility in degraded Iraqi soils, with broader relevance for semiarid agroecosystems worldwide.
This work was conducted to study the extraction of pelletierine sulphate from Punica granatum L. roots by liquid membrane techniques. Pelletierine sulphate is used widely in medicine. The general behavior of extraction process indicates that pelletierine conversion increased with increasing the number of stages and the discs rotation speed but high rotation speed was not favored because of the increased risk of droplet formation during the operation. The pH of feed and acceptor solution was also important. The results exhibit that the highest pelletierine conversion was obtained when using two stages, (10 rpm) discs speed of stainless steel discs, (pH=9.5) of feed solution and (pH=2) of acceptor solution in n-decane. Assuming the existen
... Show MoreCerium oxide (CeO2), or ceria, has gained increasing interest owing to its excellent catalytic applications. Under the framework of density functional theory (DFT), this contribution demonstrates the eect that introducing the element nickel (Ni) into the ceria lattice has on its electronic, structural, and optical characteristics. Electronic density of states (DOSs) analysis shows that Ni integration leads to a shrinkage of Ce 4f states and improvement of Ni 3d states in the bottom of the conduction band. Furthermore, the calculated optical absorption spectra of an Ni-doped CeO2 system shifts towards longer visible light and infrared regions. Results indicate that Ni-doping a CeO2 system would result in a decrease of the band gap. Finally,
... Show MoreBuilding a geological model is an essential and primary step for studying the reservoir’s hydrocarbon content and future performance. A three-dimensional geological model of the Asmari reservoir in Abu- Ghirab oil field including structure, stratigraphy, and reservoir petrophysical properties, has been constructed in the present work. As to underlying Formations, striking slip faults developed at the flank and interlayer normal. Abu Ghirab oilfields are located on the eastern anticlinal band, which has steadily plunged southward. 3D seismic interpretation results are utilized to build the fault model for 43 faults of the Asmari Formation in Abu Ghirab Oilfield. A geographic facies model with six different rock facies types
... Show MoreThe agent-based modeling is currently utilized extensively to analyze complex systems. It supported such growth, because it was able to convey distinct levels of interaction in a complex detailed environment. Meanwhile, agent-based models incline to be progressively complex. Thus, powerful modeling and simulation techniques are needed to address this rise in complexity. In recent years, a number of platforms for developing agent-based models have been developed. Actually, in most of the agents, often discrete representation of the environment, and one level of interaction are presented, where two or three are regarded hardly in various agent-based models. The key issue is that modellers work in these areas is not assisted by simulation plat
... Show MoreFadak farm project was selected to conduct this study in and to evaluate the state of quality and health indices in term of soil physical properties, where this farm is located in Holly Najaf Governorate. Some physical properties (soil texture, mean weight diameter, bulk density, porosity, infiltration rate, saturated hydraulic conductivity and available water) were selected to assess the quality then health indices, Results showed that classes of moderate and poor soil health were dominated in lands of this farm for physical properties It was noted that the class good of soil health wasnot collaterally appeared in areas for the physical characteristics.
In this work, the elemental constituents of smoker and nonsmoker
teeth samples of human were analyzed by Laser induced breakdown
spectroscopy method (LIBS). Many elements have been detected in
the healthy teeth samples, the important once are Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Pb
and Na. Many differences were found between (female and male)
teeth in Ca, P, Mg, Na and Pb contents. The concentrations of most
toxic elements were found significantly in the smoker group. The
maximum concentrations of toxic elements such as Pb, Cd and Co
were found in older male age above 60 year. Also, it was found that
the minimum concentrations of trace elements such as Ca, P and Na
exist in this age group. From these results it is clear that the
Milling process is a common machining operation that is used in the manufacturing of complex surfaces. Machining-induced residual stresses (RS) have a great impact on the performance of machined components and the surface quality in face milling operations with parameter cutting. The properties of engineering material as well as structural components, specifically fatigue life, deformation, impact resistance, corrosion resistance, and brittle fracture, can all be significantly influenced by residual stresses. Accordingly, controlling the distribution of residual stresses is indeed important to protect the piece and avoid failure. Most of the previous works inspected the material properties, tool parameters, or cutting parameters, bu
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