Even at school, when studying the history of the ancient world, we came across such a concept as "irrigation systems." Then we were told that this is one of the greatest discoveries of mankind, which helped to survive. Where does it come from and what is this concept? Let's refresh our knowledge a bit.
What are irrigation systems?
Irrigation, or irrigation, is a special way of supplying water to lands sown with various crops in order to increase moisture reserves at the roots and, accordingly, increase soil fertility and accelerate the growth and maturation of crops. This is one of the types of land reclamation.
Methods of land irrigation
In the modern world, there are several ways to irrigate the land:
- Irrigation takes place through special furrows in the ground, where water is supplied by a pump or from an irrigation canal.
- Splashing - water is dispersed over a section of laid pipes.
- Aerosol system - with the help of the smallest drops of water, the surface layer of the atmosphere is cooled, thereby creatingfavorable conditions for plant growth.
- Intrasoil irrigation - water is supplied to the root zone of crops underground.
- Firth irrigation - irrigation takes place once in the spring using local runoff water.
- Sprinkler system - here irrigation takes place using a self-propelled system that uses the accumulated rainwater.
All these systems have been modernized and improved by man. New technologies and methods were invented and implemented. But the irrigation system was born in the least mechanized form in ancient Egypt. It happened before our era.
How did the first irrigation system work?
The very first irrigation system of agriculture in the world was invented at the foot of the Nile River. People began to notice that when the Nile floods, it brings water and silt to the sown areas, which contribute to the accelerated growth of plants and increased yields.
Even then, people began to lay special channels and drainage flows to land. Thanks to this, water during the spill did not just flood the entire area, but flowed exactly where it was needed.
Also, over time, people began to dig special reservoirs where water could be stored and used a little later for irrigation or other purposes, since it was known that rains could be expected for a long time, and the Nile was the only source of water.
The irrigation system of Ancient Egypt was called a basin-type system. And that's what it's called becauseas through the canals surrounding the allotment, water constantly flowed. And access to cultures was opened to her when it was necessary. It so happened that when access was open, the land was flooded with water and looked like a pool. When, in the opinion of the farmers, the field was saturated with moisture in sufficient volume, the water descended through a special sewage channel. At first, water was released wherever it was necessary - to neighboring fields. But soon the system was improved, and the water was returned to the channels where it came from.
History of irrigation systems
Irrigation systems were also widely used in the countries of the Ancient East - Mesopotamia, China, Western Asia.
Very often these countries were attacked and irrigation systems were exploited, slowing down the development of the state. Despite this, people still revived them and continued to improve.
Over time, people began to divert channels from river beds and retain water with the help of the first primitive dams and dams. In view of this, it was possible to irrigate the fields in time during the entire period of crop maturation.
The use of irrigation systems in the modern world
In the modern world, the concept of an irrigation system is used not only for agriculture. Not many people know, but there is such a narrow concept as "irrigation of the oral cavity." Yes, the term "irrigation" is also used in medicine, specifically in dentistry.
In this area of medicine there is such a device as a physiodispenser. This device canused in maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, as well as in implantology.
Irrigation systems for a physiodispenser are special tubes, with the help of which, during and at the end of all procedures, the oral cavity is washed with a special medical solution or a stream of clean water.
Among the medicines that can be used for irrigation in dentistry, the most common are furatsilin, sodium hypochlorite, chlorophyllipt, and herbal decoctions.
The liquid in such a system is supplied under pressure from 2 to 10 atmospheres, due to which it cleans the oral cavity from small fragments, disinfects, and also performs a massage function of the gums.
Irrigation systems in dentistry are a relevant technology, as it is an indispensable thing in the work of a doctor, as well as ensuring the he alth of the patient's teeth and gums.
Conclusion
Thus, it is worth noting that irrigation systems are still a great discovery, since they are used everywhere in the world. Many did not even know that today the irrigation system is not only a system for watering fields, but also a necessary thing used in oral medicine - dentistry.
