Das Projekt "E 2.3: Shelf life extension of fresh litchi, longan and mango fruits through integrated postharvest techniques" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Hohenheim, Institut für Lebensmittelwissenschaft und Biotechnologie, Fachgebiet Lebensmittel pflanzlicher Herkunft (150d) durchgeführt. In Northern Thailand and Vietnam, fresh fruit marketing still plays the key role in utilisation of the highly perishable fruits studied. Increasing export rates aspired by local fruit producers are hindered by the present practice of shelf life extension based on sulphur fumigation and fungicide application, respectively, because of raising legal and consumer restriction. Alternative ways ensuring the demand for sound fruit of good eating quality are urgently required. Since picking, packing and marketing form the major costs of fruit production, E2.3 aims at improved productivity by optimisation of fresh fruit marketing through an integrated high-quality concept for shelf life extension to meet export qualities and standards and to facilitate the access to remote markets and processing factories. This approach relies on two pillars: (1) innovative postharvest processes and (2) plant-physiological preharvest factors affecting fruit quality and shelf life, chiefly the proper physiological maturity at harvest. Focus is on shelf life extension and color retention of litchis and longans by minimising enzymatic browning, microbial decay, and water loss through appropriate combinations of various techniques: (1) precooling on field until handover; (2) fruit disinfestation by thermal routines; (3) control of enzymatic browning by innovative inhibition strategies for polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase; (4) suitable shipping within a cool-chain with or without modified atmosphere packaging; (5) application of wetting agents or coatings. By analogy, integrated strategies for shelf life extension through deceleration of postharvest ripening in export of Thai mango cultivars are explored. To control enzymatic browning in Sapindaceae species, both inhibition experiments on isolated enzymes and application tests with shelf life studies simulating shipping conditions are used. Process optimisation is based on statistical experimental designs. Shelf life is monitored by established chemical methods for plant-physiological indicators of fruit quality, senescence and microbial decay, by the vital microbial count, and by microscopic studies of the peel structure. On-tree maturation is examined for each fruit species to specify physiological harvest maturity as to its impact on quality and shelf life, including studies with E1.2 on non-destructive maturity detection. Cultivation effects on fruit quality and shelf life are jointly investigated with D1.3 and B3.2.
Das Projekt "Work Package II - Material processing at Haean Basin scale: The role of hyporheic exchange and the riparian zone in NO3 and DOC export from catchments" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Bayreuth, Fachgruppe Geowissenschaften, Bayreuther Zentrum für Ökologie und Umweltforschung (BayCEER), Lehrstuhl für Hydrologie durchgeführt. The hydrogeochemical dynamics in mountainous areas of the Korean Peninsula are mainly driven by a monsoon-type climate. To examine the interplay between hydrological processes and the mobilization and subsequent transport and export of nitrate and DOC from catchments, a field study was initiated in the Haean catchment in north-eastern South Korea under highly variable hydrologic conditions. In order to identify nitrate and DOC source areas, a subcatchment (blue dragon river) within the Haean basin, which includes different types of landuses (forest, dry land farming, and rice paddies), was selected. In 2009, high frequency surface water samples were collected at several locations during summer storm events. A similar but more comprehensive sampling routine was completed in 2010. In order to investigate the groundwater level fluctuations relative to the hydraulic potentials, a piezometer transect was installed across a second order stream of the subcatchment. The results so far suggest deep groundwater seepage to the aquifer with practically no base flow contributions to the stream in the mid-elevation range of the catchment. In 2009 the focus of research was within the subcatchment, in 2010 additionally a second piezometer transect was installed at a third order stream in the lower part of the catchment (main stem of the Mandae River) where more dynamic groundwater/surface water interactions are assumed due to expected higher groundwater levels in this part of the basin. In order to investigate these interactions piezometers equipped with temperature sensors and pressure transducers were installed directly into the river bed. Based on the observed temperature time series and the hydraulic potentials the water fluxes between the groundwater and the river can be calculated using the finite-difference numerical code, VS2DH. VS2DH solves Richard s equation for variably-saturated water flow, and the advection-conduction equation for energy transport. The field data collected at the second piezometer transect suggest that the investigated river reach exhibits primarily losing surface conditions throughout most of the year. Gaining groundwater conditions at the river reach are evident after monsoonal extreme precipitation events. At the transect streambed aggradation and degradation due to bedload transport was observed. Significant erosion has been reported throughout the catchment after extreme events. Results indicate that the event-based changes in streambed elevation, is an additional control on groundwater and surface water exchange. The streambed flux reversals were found to occur in conjunction with cooler in-stream temperatures at potential GW discharge locations. The export of nitrate and DOC were found to be variable in time and strongly correlated to the hydrologic dynamics, i.e. the monsoon and pre- and post-monsoon hydrological conditions. usw.
Das Projekt "Establishment and exploration of a gas ion source for micro-scale radiocarbon dating of glaciers and groundwater" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Heidelberg, Institut für Umweltphysik durchgeführt. Recent progress in the operation of CO2 gas ion sources for accelerator mass spectrometer (AMS) 14C analysis on microgram-size samples opens a wide range of new applications in dating studies, e.g. for environmental and archeological applications. This proposal aims at implementing a gas ion source at the AMS system MICADAS at the Klaus-Tschira Laboratory of the Curt-Engelhorn-Zentrum für Archäometrie (CEZA) in Mannheim and to use this new capability for cutting-edge applications in environmental studies, namely the dating of small amounts of organic carbon contained in glacier ice and of specific organic compounds in ground water. Cold glaciers hold unique records on past climate and atmospheric composition. Mid-latitude ice cores furthermore enable reconstructions of recent ice chemistry changes, but cannot be dated by stratigraphic methods. For such ice bodies, only radiometric dating based on 14C analysis of organic matter contained in the ice matrix presently offers a reasonable dating potential in the late Holocene and beyond. The challenge of this approach lies in the very restricted availability of this matter, but the ability to analyse microgram samples of organic carbon from ice via a gas ion source should now enable reliable 14C dating of ice. Ground water constitutes an important water resource worldwide, especially in semi-arid regions, and in addition constitutes a useful climate archive. Dating of ground water by 14C in the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) is standard but problematic due to the complex carbonate geochemistry. Dating of ground water based on dissolved organic carbon (DOC) has been attempted with mixed success, but now the new analytical developments enable compound-specific 14C analyses of the various DOC components, offering the chance to identify compounds suitable for dating. This project is based on the extensive experience of the collaborating scientists in 14C analytics and applications as well as in the use of glacier ice and ground water as archives, including the development and application of 14C dating methods for these systems. It will establish 14C-measurements at the MICADAS AMS of the CEZA via a gas ion source on a routine base to analyse CO2-samples in the range of 5 to 40 microgram C at a precision down to 0,5 Prozent. By improving existing sample preparation techniques for glacier ice samples, reliable 14C values of the particulate and dissolved organic fractions from small (some 100 g) ice samples shall be obtained. This capability will be applied to constrain ages of cold, sedimentary glaciers as well as of small scale, cold Alpine congelation ice bodies. The project will further develop and test the tools required for micro-scale, compound-specific radiocarbon dating of ground water via its organic fraction. For this purpose, ground water samples from the Upper Rhine Graben area will be analysed, where extensive isotopic data, including DIC 14C values, are available for comparison.
Das Projekt "Prevention of selected diseases and parasites in organic pig herds - by means of a HACCP based management and surveillance programme" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Kassel, FB 11 - Ökologische Agrarwissenschaften, Fachgebiet Tierernährung und Tiergesundheit durchgeführt. The health of the pigs varies a lot between different organic pig herds. This is likely to be caused by the different management routines implemented in the herd. Since the use of antibiotics and antiparasitic drugs is undesirable in organic pig production, the main focus is on prevention of diseases and parasites. It is therefore important to acquire knowledge of the correlation between management routines and disease occurrence in organic pig production and convert this knowledge into a management tool that the individual farmer can use to improve livestock health on farm. The overall objective of the project is to promote animal health and welfare in organic pig herds in Europe. This will be achieved by carrying out the following three components: - To conduct an international knowledge synthesis for establishing future needs for research into disease and parasite prevention in organic pig production - To estimate risk factors for selected diseases and parasites in pigs in European organic herds - To develop and evaluate a management and surveillance system for organic pig herds based on a so-called HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) concept.
Das Projekt "Human dimensions and urban landscape development - A case study in Suzhou, China" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Freiburg, Institut für Geo- und Umweltnaturwissenschaften, Professur für Landespflege durchgeführt. Humanity has influenced and changed the large majority of the earths landscapes, especially those in urban areas. There is no doubt that it is crucial to include human dimensions - perceptions, attitudes, preferences etc. - in terms of landscape inheritance, conservation, development and management or what. Public perception and preference research has a long lasting history in landscape subjects, and has been playing an important role in practical implementation. This study will be conducted in Suzhou, China - a typical Chinese city with numerous ancient cultural heritages and facing endless modernization and urbanization. Literate review will be thoroughly carried out on respect to the processes, states, significances of human dimensions for landscapes. The interpretation of historical materials about landscape changes during decades of the research site will be completed. The targeted objects will be the residents there and visitors. There are still more than 200.000 permanent residents living in the research core, who represent the main force of conserving the ancient heritages lasted thousands years. Therefore, their attitudes towards the landscape changes, ancient landscape elements or symbols are vital, and should be included in routines for landscape design, management and conservation. Moreover, up to millions of visitors from both inside and outside of China come to Suzhou every year, which makes the study concerning their perceptions and preferences even more critical. The well-structured questionnaires, together with semi-open or open interviews will be applied aimed at different targeted groups, and the results will be interpreted and evaluated based on scientific theories and methodologies in both quantitative and qualitative ways. Eventually, how these findings could be used to inform the landscape policy-makers, designer, planner or managers and how to transfer the results into practical status in other cities of China or even in other developing countries facing the same dilemmas would be generated.
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Das Projekt "Modelling of deformtion and recrystallisation microstructures in polar ice" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Tübingen, Geographisches Institut durchgeführt. Knowledge of the deformation mechanisms of polar ice is of crucial importance to predict the flow of polar ice caps and hence their influence on the global climate. Deformation of ice also impacts on one of the best climate record on Earth: the individual ice layers observed in deep ice cores. Microstructures form the main record of in situ deformation, by revealing the deformation processes that operate during the flow of an ice sheet. New microstructural analysis techniques developed at AWI now allow a much more detailed and extensive assessment of these microstructures than ever before. Within this project, a start has been made with the numerical modelling of ice microstructures, using the comprehensive modelling platform Elle. After updating and refining algorithms, Elle is now capable of simulating several of the main processes that occur in polar ice: recrystallisation, grain growth and crystal-plastic deformation. In the course of the project s remaining 26 months1 existing routines for two-phase materials will be adapted to model ice with bubbles or clathrates, and to model intracrystalline recovery. Results of systematic simulations will be compared quantitatively with theoretical analyses and the unique microstructure dataset available at AWI of several firn and ice cores (especially the EPICA-DML deep ice core). In particular we will critically reassess the role of grain boundary formation and migration that continually reworks the microstructure. The results of this project will improve our knowledge of the mechanical behavior of polar ice and refine the analysis of climatic records, which are essential to ice sheet and climate modelling.
Das Projekt "Separating surface runoff from tile drainage flow in agricultural lowland catchments based on diatoms to improve modeled runoff components and phosphorous transport" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Kiel, Institut für Natur- und Ressourcenschutz, Abteilung Hydrologie und Wasserwirtschaft durchgeführt. Integrated water resources management in an ecologically and economically adequate way is receiving more and more attention when it comes to the development of sustainable strategies in either developed or developing countries. Ecohydrological models like the SWAT model are widely applied tools for sustainable management of water resources at river basin scale. Nevertheless it is still not clearly understood, how river basin management drives changes in the hydrological balance and the water quality of catchments. This is especially apparent in lowland catchments characterized by low hydraulic gradients, flat topography, high potential for water retention, a large amount of tile drainages and a close interaction of surface- and groundwater.The objective of this project is thus to test the applicability of a biological tracer (i.e. diatoms) for the detection of surface runoff and drainage flow in the example case of the Kielstau catchment (50 km2) in northern Germany. Based on the diatom and water quality analyses of daily mixed, rain event based river and tile drainage samplings, we aim to1) quantify the contribution of surface runoff to total river discharge in lowlands,2) separate surface runoff from tile drainage flow based on different diatom concentration of each flow component and determine the entry pathways of phosphorus into the river, and 3) implement the detected runoff generation and phosphorous transport processes into the newly introduced tile-drainage routine of the ecohydrological SWAT model to improve the routine structure and the model performance.
Das Projekt "Integration of routine Aircraft measurements into a Global Observing System (IAGOS)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institut für Chemie und Dynamik der Geosphäre durchgeführt. IAGOS is a design study pursuing the preparation of a resilient distributed infrastructure for routine observations of atmospheric composition, aerosols, clouds and contrails on the global scale from commercial in-service aircraft. Observations in the Up per Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere (UTLS) are critical for improving the scientific understanding of chemistry-climate interactions, particularly those associated with the roles of clouds, aerosols and chemical composition. This information is essen tial for improving the scientific basis related to predictions of global climate change and for the assessment of surface air pollution, including the influence of aviation impacts and of emissions from other parts of the world on Europe. In IAGOS, new instrument packages will be developed which include state of the art developments based on the former MOZAIC instrumentation for O3, H2O, CO and NOy/NOx with significant reductions in size and weight. A central element is the certification of the packa ges for installation and deployment on Airbus longrange aircraft and for maintenance in compliance with aeronautical regulations. New instrumentation will be designed for aerosol, cloud particles and for stratospheric water vapour. Another important elem ent is the design of realtime data provision from the new instruments to meteorological services. Finally, IAGOS will establish the logistic and financial boundary conditions for the operation of the new infrastructure and will initiate the dialog betwe en scientific partners, users and airlines interested in supporting the new infrastructure. IAGOS is epected to make a significant step forward in the development of a globally operated in situ ob-servation network for the climate system.
Das Projekt "GenOvotox - Development and Evaluation of a sensitive Replacement Method for Animal Experiments for the Detection of Endocrine Disrupting and Genotoxic Effects in Vertebrates" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von GenXPro GmbH durchgeführt. There is growing public concern about the increasing occurrence of manmade substances with hormone like activity - so called endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The identification of a given chemical as an EDC is routinely based on experiments with (sub-)adult mice or rats. The project GenOvotox aims to develop a replacement method for such tests using the chicken embryo. Both, responses on the structural (anatomical and histological alterations) and molecular level are used to identify specific effects of EDCs in very early embryonic development. These responses are evaluated for their suitability to be used in the future on a routine basis for the identification of EDCs in a regulatory context. The work programme of GenOvotox, a joint project between the companyGenXPro GmbH and our department, comprises the establishment, validation and commercialisation of a molecular screening tool by: - using SuperSAGE (Matsumura et al. 2003, 2005, 2006) for mRNA analysis and genome-wide quantification of gene activity in early developmental stages of the chicken embryo, - achieving a dose-effect relationship of endocrine disruptors on a structural and molecular level, - getting justifiable replacement, reduction and refinement of animal testing methods (Russel & Burch 1959) in the context of REACh.