This study investigated the effect of irrigation on the ability of near-infrared (NIR) measurements to predict maturity stage of mango. Fruits from irrigated and non-irrigated trees were sampled on ...six dates during the final three weeks of development and subjected to NIR and conventional laboratory analyses. Spectral assessment showed differentiation between irrigated and non-irrigated fruits on earlier dates, which was not evident later on. NIR measurements of irrigated samples correlated well to dry matter, this was not the case for non-irrigated samples (
r
=
0.80 compared to 0.57, respectively), while the reverse was true for acidity with
r increasing from 0.55 to 0.85 between irrigated and non-irrigated. Second derivative spectra of all samples best correlated with acid content (
r
=
0.73). Although dry matter was previously proposed as the most suitable parameter for NIR calibration, this study suggests acidity might be an appropriate harvesting index when considering irrigation effects. Interestingly, NIR technology has been found to adequately predict acidity in other fruits, but results of this study require additional investigation.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
In order to investigate a potential use of concentrating solar power technologies and select an optimum site for these technologies, it is necessary to obtain information on the geographical ...distribution of direct normal solar irradiation over an area of interest. In this work, we have developed a method for estimating direct normal irradiation from satellite data for a tropical environment. The method starts with the estimation of global irradiation on a horizontal surface from MTSAT-1R satellite data and other ground-based ancillary data. Then a satellite-based diffuse fraction model was developed and used to estimate the diffuse component of the satellite-derived global irradiation. Based on this estimated global and diffuse irradiation and the solar radiation incident angle, the direct normal irradiation was finally calculated. To evaluate its performance, the method was used to estimate the monthly average hourly direct normal irradiation at seven pyrheliometer stations in Thailand. It was found that values of monthly average hourly direct normal irradiation from the measurements and those estimated from the proposed method are in reasonable agreement, with a root mean square difference of 16% and a mean bias of −1.6%, with respect to mean measured values. After the validation, this method was used to estimate the monthly average hourly direct normal irradiation over Thailand by using MTSAT-1R satellite data for the period from June 2005 to December 2008. Results from the calculation were displayed as hourly and yearly irradiation maps. These maps reveal that the direct normal irradiation in Thailand was strongly affected by the tropical monsoons and local topography of the country.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
The spring 2015 deployment of a suite of instrumentation at Doi Ang Khang (DAK) in northwestern Thailand enabled the characterization of air masses containing smoke aerosols from burning ...predominantly in Myanmar. Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) Sun photometer data were used to validate Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Collection 6 "Deep Blue" aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrievals; MODIS Terra and Aqua provided results of similar quality, with correlation coefficients of 0.93-0.94 and similar agreement within expected uncertainties to global-average performance. Scattering and absorption measurements were used to compare surface and total column aerosol single scatter albedo (SSA); while the two were well-correlated, and showed consistent positive relationships with moisture (increasing SSA through the season as surface relative humidity and total columnar water vapor increased), in situ surface-level SSA was nevertheless significantly lower by 0.12-0.17. This could be related to vertical heterogeneity and/or instrumental issues. DAK is at approximately 1,500 meters above sea level in heterogeneous terrain, and the resulting strong diurnal variability in planetary boundary layer depth above the site leads to high temporal variability in both surface and column measurements, and acts as a controlling factor to the ratio between surface particulate matter (PM) levels and column AOD. In contrast, while some hygroscopic effects were observed relating to aerosol particle size and Angstrom exponent, relative humidity variations appear to be less important for this ratio here. As part of the Seven South-East Asian Studies (7-SEAS) project, the Biomass-burning Aerosols & Stratocumulus Environment: Lifecycles and Interactions Experiment (BASELInE) was intended to probe physicochemical processes, interactions, and feedbacks related to biomass burning aerosols and clouds during the spring burning season (February-April) in southeast Asia (SEA).
Comparison and analysis of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET), and SKYNET aerosol optical depth (AOD) products were investigated at four AERONET ...and two SKYNET stations in Thailand from 2006 to 2020. AERONET Level 2.0 and MODIS Deep Blue (DB) Collection 6.1 data were applied. Aqua and Terra MODIS AODs (satellite AODs) were compared to AERONET and SKYNET AODs (ground based AODs). Ground-based and satellite AODs were in good agreement, giving a high correlation (R2 = 0.75) in Ubon Ratchathani, associated with biomass burning. The long-term trend in AOD was analyzed. Both satellite and ground based AODs demonstrate increasing trends in AOD over Thailand associated with the urbanized area and traffic congestion. Aerosol particles are categorized into dust, sea salt, and biomass burning, containing fine and coarse modes. A variation between satellite data measurements depended on surface reflectances, such as the large water body surrounding (Songkhla) and the impact of surface albedo (Chiang Mai). Higher AOD values were observed between February to April. In addition, meteorological parameters are directly related to aerosol concentrations, while no significant connection could be developed in the observed values between Angstrom exponent (AE) and Meteorological parameters. Meteorological parameters and temperature inversion more influenced AOD concentrations in February. Nevertheless, the hypothesis showed 95% confidence interval of AODs retrieved from satellite data fell within the confidence range. Therefore, satellite aerosol products are sufficiently accurate for estimating aerosol climatology.
•MODIS and ground based AODs were in good agreement with R2 = 0.75.•Satellite and ground based AODs demonstrate increasing trends in AOD.•Hypothesis showed 95% confidence interval of AODs retrieved from satellite data fell within the confidence range.•Higher AOD values were observed between February to April.•Meteorological parameters and temperature inversion more influenced AOD in February.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
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•Drying of Zingiber montanum was done by hot air oven, greenhouse solar, and sun drying.•64 and 85 % of curcumin losses were observed for solar and sun drying, respectively.•Volatile ...oil contents reduced after drying but their compositions were unchanged.
In this study, influences of drying of cassumunar ginger (Zingiber montanum) slices using a hot air dryer at 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 °C, a large-scale greenhouse solar dryer, and sun drying on drying kinetics, color, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant capacities were investigated. The Page model was adequate for describing the drying kinetics and increasing of the temperature accelerated the drying rate, therefore the drying time at 80 °C was shortest (1.5 h). The hot air drying effectively preserved curcumin content and color of the dried products. Drying at higher temperatures, however, resulted in losses of essential oil yield. In contrast, solar and sun drying significantly degraded curcumin and therefore adversely affected the color of dried products. Although, all conditions of drying resulted in volatile oil losses of 18–36 %, different drying conditions did not affect the obtained oil compositions. In addition, it was found that the dried sample from the hot air dryer and the greenhouse solar dryer exhibited slightly higher antioxidant capacities than those from sun drying.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
A large concentration of finer particulate matter (PM2.5), the primary air-quality concern in northern peninsular Southeast Asia (PSEA), is believed to be closely related to large amounts of biomass ...burning (BB) particularly in the dry season. In order to quantitatively estimate the contributions of BB to aerosol radiative effects, we thoroughly investigated the physical, chemical, and optical properties of BB aerosols through the integration of ground-based measurements, satellite retrievals, and modelling tools during the Seven South East Asian Studies/Biomass-burning Aerosols & Stratocumulus Environment: Lifecycles & Interactions Experiment (7-SEAS/BASELInE) campaign in 2014. Clusters were made on the basis of measured BB tracers (Levoglucosan, nss-K+, and NO3−) to classify the degree of influence from BB over an urban atmosphere, viz., Chiang Mai (18.795°N, 98.957°E, 354m.s.l.), Thailand in northern PSEA. Cluster-wise contributions of BB to PM2.5, organic carbon, and elemental carbon were found to be 54–79%, 42–79%, and 39–77%, respectively. Moreover, the cluster-wise aerosol optical index (aerosol optical depth at 500nm≈0.98–2.45), absorption (single scattering albedo ≈0.87–0.85; absorption aerosol optical depth ≈0.15–0.38 at 440nm; absorption Ångström exponent ≈1.43–1.57), and radiative impacts (atmospheric heating rate ≈1.4–3.6Kd−1) displayed consistency with the degree of BB. PM2.5 during Extreme BB (EBB) was ≈4 times higher than during Low BB (LBB), whereas this factor was ≈2.5 for the magnitude of radiative effects. Severe haze (visibility≈4km) due to substantial BB loadings (BB to PM2.5≈79%) with favorable meteorology can significantly impact the local-to-regional air quality and the, daily life of local inhabitants as well as become a respiratory health threat. Additionally, such enhancements in atmospheric heating could potentially influence the regional hydrological cycle and crop productivity over Chiang Mai in northern PSEA.
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•Impacts of BB on aerosol properties were investigated over Chiang Mai's urban atmosphere during 7-SEAS/BASELInE 2014.•Detailed radiation budget over BB sway urban site was quantified for the first time using in-situ datasets.•Atmospheric heating rate was estimated as high as 3.6Kd−1.•Large surface cooling and atmosphere warming was due to enhanced atmospheric absorption.•Severe haze episode linked to BB in northern PSEA can cause severe health impacts and modify the regional climate.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
A large-scale solar greenhouse dryer with a loading capacity of 1000 kg of fruits or vegetables has been developed and tested at field levels. The dryer has a parabolic shape and the dryer is covered ...with polycarbonate sheets. The base of the dryer is a black concrete floor with an area of 7.5 × 20.0 m
2. Nine DC fans powered by three 50-W solar cell modules are used to ventilate the dryer. The dryer was installed at Champasak (15.13 °N, 105.79 °E) in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). It is routinely used to dry chilli, banana and coffee. To assess the experimental performances of the dryer, air temperature, air relative humidity and product moisture contents were measured. One thousand kilograms of banana with the initial moisture content of 68% (wb) was dried within 5 days, compared to 7 days required for natural sun drying with the same weather conditions. Also three hundred kilograms of chilli with the initial moisture content of 75% (wb) was dried within 3 days while the natural sun drying needed 5 days. Two hundred kilograms of coffee with the initial moisture content of 52% (wb) was dried within 2 days as compared to 4 days required for natural sun drying. The chilli, coffee and banana dried in this dryer were completely protected from insects, animals and rain. Furthermore, good quality of dried products was obtained. The payback period of the dryer is estimated to be 2.5 years. A system of partial differential equations describing heat and moisture transfer during drying of chilli, coffee and banana in the greenhouse dryer was developed. These equations were solved by using the finite different method. The simulated results agree well with the experimental data. This model can be used to provide the design data for this type of dryer in other locations.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
An artificial neural network (ANN) model for estimating sky luminance was developed. A 3-year period (2007–2009) of sky luminance data obtained from measurements at Nakhon Pathom (13.82°N, 100.04°E) ...and a 1-year period (2008) of the same type of data at Songkhla (7.20°N, 100.60°E), Thailand were used in this study. The ANN model was trained using a back propagation algorithm, based on 2
years data (2007–2008) at Nakhon Pathom for clear, partly cloudy and overcast skies. The trained ANN model was used to predict sky luminance at Nakhon Pathom for the year 2009 for the case of clear, partly cloudy and overcast skies. The results were compared with those of the CIE model. It was found that the ANN model performed better than CIE models for most cases. The ANN model trained with Nakhon Pathom data were also used to predict sky luminance at Songkhla and satisfactory results were obtained.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK