OAKTrust :: Browsing by Author "Feagley, Sam E."

Browsing by Author "Feagley, Sam E."

Now showing 1 - 20 of 25

Aggregate stability, infiltration, and glomalin in eroded and compacted soils on Fort Hood Military Reservation
(Texas A&M University, 2008-10-10) Applewhite, James Kenneth; Hallmark, Charles T.; Feagley, Sam E.; Smeins, Fred E.
Fort Hood Military Reservation is a 900 km2 military installation located between Killeen, Copperas Cove, and Gatesville in central Texas. It supports two full armored divisions which require year-round, live-fire maneuvers and training (Ft. Hood, 2003). As a result of the constant foot traffic and use of heavy equipment, the soils on the training ranges have become increasingly compacted, eroded, and stripped of vegetation. This study evaluated the impact that selected soil amendments would have on soil aggregation, infiltration, and levels of glomalin. A field study was done on plots located inside Fort Hood on a Nuff silty clay (fine-silty, carbonatic, thermic Udic Calciustoll). The plots were amended with composted dairy manure, inorganic fertilizers, and native grass seed. Aggregate stability was determined using a wet sieving procedure and total glomalin values were quantified using a Bradford assay. Field measurements of infiltration rates were taken using a drip-type rainfall simulator. Aggregate stability exhibited decreased values over time for all treatments but two (Site Prep / No Seed and Site Prep / Compost / Seed). In addition, three treatments changed significantly over time (from before treatment application to after treatment application). These treatments were the Site Prep / Compost / No Seed, No Prep / No Seed, and No Prep / Seed treatments. Levels of glomalin increased significantly over time for all treatments (p-value <0.001). Glomalin was correlated to aggregate stability after treatments were applied (p-value <0.01) but not before (p-value 0.89). In addition, infiltration rates were not related to glomalin (p-value 0.9) or aggregate stability (p-value 0.09). Additional sampling of Fort Hood beyond the plot study demonstrates significant differences in aggregate stability, infiltration rates, and levels of glomalin. Measurements taken from ten sites showed no correlations between aggregate stability, infiltration rates, or glomalin. Organic C was correlated to percent water stable aggregates (%WSA) and levels of glomalin. These results illustrate the relationship between organic C and aggregate stability as well as glomalin levels in maintaining infiltration rates and reducing soil loss by erosion.
Evaluation of the application uniformity of subsurface drip distribution systems
(Texas A&M University, 2004-09-30) Weynand, Vance Leo; Lesikar, Bruce J.; Feagley, Sam E.; Kenimer, Ann L.
The goal of this research was to evaluate the application uniformity of subsurface drip distribution systems and the recovery of emitter flow rates. Emission volume in the field, and laboratory measured flow rates were determined for emitters from three locations. Additionally, the effects of lateral orientation with respect to slope on emitter plugging was evaluated. Two different emitters were tested to evaluate slope effects on emitter plugging (type Y and Z). The emitters were alternately spliced together and installed in an up and down orientation on slopes of 0, 1, 2 and 4% and along the contour on slopes of 1 and 2%. The emitters were covered with soil and underwent a simulated year of dosing cycles, and then flushed with a flushing velocity of 0.6 m/s. Initial flow rates for the two emitter types were 2.38 L/hr with a C.V. of 0.07. There was no significant difference in flow rates among slopes for type Y emitters, but there was a significant difference between the 1% and 2 % contour slopes for type Z emitters. Application uniformity of three different laterals at each site was evaluated. Sections of the lateral from the beginning, middle and end were excavated and emission volumes were recorded for each emitter. Application uniformity of laterals ranged from 48.69 to 9.49%, 83.55 to 72.60%, and 44.41 to 0% for sites A, B, and C, respectively. Mean emitter flow rate was 2.21, 2.24, and 2.56 L/hr for sites A, B, and C, respectively under laboratory conditions. Application uniformity under laboratory conditions ranged from 70.97 to 14.91%, 86.67 to 79.99%, and 85.04 to 0.00% for sites A, B, and C, respectively. A flushing velocity of 0.15 m/s with no chlorination, shock chlorination of 3400 mg/L and flushing velocity of 0.15 m/s, and shock chlorination of 3400 mg/L and flushing velocity of 0.6 m/s treatment regiments were applied to all laterals collected to assess emitter flow rate recovery to the nominal flow rate published by the manufacturer. All laterals showed an increase in the number of emitters within 10% of the published nominal flow rate.
Food service establishment wastewater characterization and management practice evaluation
(Texas A&M University, 2006-04-12) Garza, Octavio Armando; Lesikar, Bruce J.; Kenimer, Ann L.; Persyn, Russell A.; Feagley, Sam E.; Mukhtar, Saqib
Food service establishments that use onsite wastewater treatment systems are experiencing hydraulic and organic overloading of pretreatment systems and/or drain fields. Design guidelines for these systems are typically provided in State regulations and based on residential hydraulic applications. For the purposes of this research, hydraulic loading indicates the daily flow of water directed to the wastewater system. Organic loading refers to the composition of the wastewater as quantified by five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total fats, oils and greases (FOG), and total suspended solids (TSS). The first part of this study included an analysis of the central tendencies of analytical data of four wastewater parameters from 28 restaurants representing a broad spectrum of restaurant types. Field sampling consisted of two sets of grab samples collected from each restaurant for six consecutive days at approximately the same time each day. These sets were collected approximately two weeks apart. The numerical data included BOD5, FOG, and TSS. The fourth parameter evaluated was daily flow. Data exploration and statistical analyses of the numerical data from the 28 restaurants was performed with the standard gamma probability distribution model in ExcelTM and used to determine inferences of the analytical data. The analysis shows higher hydraulic and organic values for restaurant wastewater than residential wastewater. The second part of the study included a statistical analysis of restaurant management practices and primary cuisine types and their influence on BOD5, FOG, TSS, and daily flow to determine if management practices and/or cuisine types may be influencing wastewater composition and flow. A self-reporting survey was utilized to collect management practice and cuisine type information. Survey response information and analytical data were entered into an ExcelTM spreadsheet and subsequently incorporated into SASTM statistical software for statistical analysis. Analysis indicated that the number of seats in a restaurant, use of self-serve salad bars, and primary cuisine types are statistically significant indicators of wastewater characteristics.
Land Application of Drilling Fluids: Landowner considerations
(Texas A&M AgriLife Soil and Crop Science Department) McFarland, Mark L.; Feagley, Sam E.; Provin, Tony L.
Land Application of Drilling Fluids: Landowner considerations
(Texas A&M AgriLife Soil and Crop Science Department) McFarland, Mark L.; Feagley, Sam E.; Provin, Tony L.
Land Application of Drilling Fluids: Landowner considerations
(Texas A&M AgriLife Soil and Crop Science Department) McFarland, Mark L.; Feagley, Sam E.; Provin, Tony L.
Land Application of Drilling Fluids: Landowner considerations
(Texas A&M AgriLife Soil and Crop Science Department) McFarland, Mark L.; Feagley, Sam E.; Provin, Tony L.
Land Application of Drilling Fluids: Landowner considerations
(Texas A&M AgriLife Soil and Crop Science Department) McFarland, Mark L.; Feagley, Sam E.; Provin, Tony L.
Managing Crop Nutrients Through Soil, Manure and Effluent Testing
(Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Department) McFarland, Mark L.; Provin, Tony L.; Feagley, Sam E.
Managing Crop Nutrients Through Soil, Manure and Effluent Testing
(Texas A&M AgriLife Soil and Crop Science Department) McFarland, Mark L.; Feagley, Sam E.; Provin, Tony L.
Managing Crop Nutrients Through Soil, Manure and Effluent Testing
(Texas A&M AgriLife Soil and Crop Science Department) McFarland, Mark L.; Feagley, Sam E.; Provin, Tony L.
Managing Crop Nutrients Through Soil, Manure and Effluent Testing
(1998-12-10) McFarland, Mark L.; Provin, Tony; Feagley, Sam E.; VJ
Soil testing is the foundation of a sound fertility management program, and manure and effluent testing can provide additional information for its effective use.
Managing Crop Nutrients Through Soil, Manure and Effluent Testing
(Texas A&M AgriLife Soil and Crop Science Department) McFarland, Mark L.; Feagley, Sam E.; Provin, Tony L.
Managing Crop Nutrients Through Soil, Manure and Effluent Testing
(Texas A&M AgriLife Soil and Crop Science Department) McFarland, Mark L.; Feagley, Sam E.; Provin, Tony L.
Managing Crop Nutrients Through Soil, Manure and Effluent Testing
(Texas A&M AgriLife Soil and Crop Science Department) McFarland, Mark L.; Feagley, Sam E.; Provin, Tony L.
Pasture and Soil Management Following Tidal Saltwater Intrusion
(2009-05-26) Provin, Tony; Redmon, Larry; McFarland, Mark L.; Feagley, Sam E.; JW
When land is flooded by saltwater, as after a hurricane tidal surge, it can long-term effects on soil productivity and fertility. This publication explains how to reclaim flooded pasture land. Having soil tested for salinity is an important step.
Soil Salinity Abatement Following Hurricane Ike
(2012-10-19) Mueller, Ryan; Hallmark, Charles T.; Kothmann, Mort M.; Feagley, Sam E.
In September 2008 Hurricane Ike hit the Texas Gulf Coast with a force stronger than the category 2 storm at which it was rated. With a 3.8 m (12.5 ft) storm surge, the agricultural industry in the area was devastated. The goal of this research was to determine the length of time required to reduce the salt levels brought by the storm surge to near pre-hurricane levels. To do this, four sets of samples were taken across two years and analyzed for salinity using the saturated paste extract method. The initial salt levels in November 2008 had an electrical conductivity (ECe) of the inundated soils as high as 26.7 dS/m. Fifty-four percent of the soils sampled in the 0-15 cm horizons and 9% in the 15-30 cm horizons of the edge area had an ECe >= 4 dS/m. In the surge area 79% of the soils sampled in the 0-15 cm horizons and 30% in the 15-30 cm horizons had an ECe >= 4 dS/m. In April 2009, 38% of the soils sampled in the 0-15 cm horizons and 13% in the 15-30 cm horizons of the edge area had an ECe >= 4 dS/m. In the surge area 71% of the soils sampled in the 0-15 cm horizons and 39% in the 15-30 cm horizons had an ECe >= 4 dS/m. By December 2009, none of the soils sampled in the edge area had an ECe >= 4 dS/m. In the surge area 21% of the soils sampled in the 0-15 cm horizons and 33% in the 15-30 cm horizons had an ECe >= 4 dS/m. By October 2010, all soils sampled had leached sufficient salts to be classified as non-saline to very slightly saline soils. Utilizing the November 2008 data set, 28 random samples were selected for exchangeable Na percent (ESP) in order to develop the ESP-SAR (Na adsorption ratio) predictive equation, ESP= 1.19(SAR)^0.82. The SAR-ESP relationship is statistically significant (95% confidence level), with a correlation coefficient of 0.964 (df=26).
Soil Testing Following Flooding, Overland Flow of Waste Waters and Other Fresh Water Related Disasters
(Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Department) Trovin, Tony L.; Feagley, Sam E.; Pitt, John L.; McFarland, Mark L.
Soil Testing Following Flooding, Overland Flow of Waste Waters and Other Fresh Water Related Disasters
(Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Department) Trovin, Tony L.; Feagley, Sam E.; Pitt, John L.; McFarland, Mark L.
Soil Testing Following Flooding, Overland Flow of Waste Waters and Other Fresh Water Related Disasters
(Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Department) Trovin, Tony L.; Feagley, Sam E.; Pitt, John L.; McFarland, Mark L.