Journal and Proceedings of
The Royal Society of New South Wales
Volume 135 Parts 1 and 2
Antipodean Aeronautica
Presidential Address – 2002
David A. Craddock
Abstract: December 17, 2003 will mark precisely one hundred years since the first powered, controlled, sustained, heavier-than-air, human flight. A few months ago, on September 11, 2001, air travel was suddenly stopped throughout the USA. Although only a temporary grounding, the effects have been far reaching. Aviation has figured very prominently in so many aspects of life during the past century and is an appropriate subject for review. The scope of this address covers some of the aeronautical ventures in Australia during the nineteenth century. The events discussed include both the elation due to success and the all too often desolation of failure, with an emphasis on Australia and its position in relation to Europe. As the subject matter for this address has been extracted from research notes for an article proposed for 2003, the period covered will extend only to the end of 1903. For almost this entire period, aviation was really for the birds; for much of the populace, it was a joke. Several of the events I will describe exemplify the public's perception of human flight in the 1800s and beyond.
Keywords
aeronautics, Australian, Hargrave
Aerial and Below Ground Biomass Production of Acacia as Influenced by Organic Waste Substrates During Nursery-Stage Seedling Growth
M.A. Kader, M.A. Omari & B.I. Hattar
Abstract: The influence of growing substrates, primarily organic waste, was determined in a greenhouse experiment on four Acacia species. The effect of digested sewage sludge, pine litter, oak litter and perlite on aerial and below ground biomass production was evaluated in 3 substrate volumes. Sewage sludge induced significantly greater biomass production and enhanced growth of A. aneura, A. farnesiana, A. saligna and A. victoriae over all other media in all measured parameters. The sewage sludge substrate of 25% quartz sand, 25% silty clay soil and 50% digested, dried sewage sludge (v/v) had higher mineral content and water retention rates than all other media. It was superior in dry biomass production of roots and shoots. Results also indicated inhibited growth in oak (Quercus coccifera) litter as plant development progressed. It was concluded that (a) digested sewage sludge can be used as part of the growth substrate to enhance Acacia seedling growth, and (b) that organic waste substrates could partly replace more expensive nitrogen sources in nursery-stage Acacia production. The physical, chemical and biochemical characteristics of sewage sludge in relation to plant growth are discussed.
Keywords
biomass, Acacia, sewage sludge, oak litter
Deposition of Trace Elements from the Atmosphere in the Sydney Region
D.J. Swaine
Abstract: An investigation of trace elements in samples of deposition from the atmosphere was carried out at three locations in the Sydney region, namely Lane Cove, Turramurra and Canterbury. Monthly samples were collected over a 3-month period in 1981-82, using the Sphagnum moss method. Results are given (as mg/m2/month) for 29 trace elements, many being environmentally-interesting. The very small amounts of trace elements being deposited are not regarded as harmful. This study can be considered as a reconnaissance exercise relevant to the planning of a more complete investigation.
Keywords
Trace elements, Atmosphere, Sydney Basin