Two-Way ANOVA for Comparison of Remedial Nutrient Solution and Enhanced Natural Attenuation Using SPSS for Treating Petroleum Contaminated Soils

Statistical comparison of two remediation methods: Remedial nutrient solution and enhanced natural attenuation were analyzed in terms of TPH of different soil samples collected from Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria at different locations and placed inside sample bottles labelled A to D and replicated into two, one for each of the above treatment technique. The TPH of the soil was determined using GC analyzer after solvent extraction was carried out using hexane/dichloromethane mixture. Three batches of treatment were performed on the samples at every interval of eight weeks for a duration of six months. The result obtained was analyzed using a two-way ANOVA factorial experimental design to test the significance of the various sources of variation. From the result obtained, source of variation for sample and interactions were non-significantly different from each other which means that irrespective of the number of samples analyzed or the combination of both samples and batches of treatment, they will still not be significantly different from each other. The source of variation for batch and replications were significantly different from each other and this means that irrespective of the batches of treatment applied or the number of replications (methods of treatment used), they will always be significantly different from each other. The individual comparison of each sample showed that the efficiency of the Remedial Nutrient Solution method was better than Enhanced Natural Attenuation method.

Radiological and X-Ray Diffraction Characterization of Bauxite and Rutile Ore Contaminated Environment in Kanam and Wase Mineral Exploration Sites, Plateau State-Nigeria

Two non-destructive analytical techniques (gamma spectrometer and X-ray diffractometer) were employed in the analysis of bauxite and rutile ore and their vicinity soil and control sourced within the Kanam and Wase mineral exploration sites. The activity concentrations of natural radionuclides 238U, 232Th, and 40K in the soil samples received from bauxite and rutile mineral mining vicinities revealed high concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K compared to the control soil samples sourced 500 m away from the mineral exploration vicinities. Radiological detriments RLI, AUI, Hin and Hex unveiled values exceeding the radiation standard concentration (>1) for soil. X-ray diffraction characterization of bauxite ore revealed the interlocking minerals of Bauxite (18)%, Albite (11)%, Garnet (15)%, Illite (6)% and Muscovite (43)% in various proportions obtained within the 2θ range (9.18 to 64.4) and a peak value (intensity, cps) of 3400. Pure bauxite percentage in the ore meets metallurgical grade (15 - 25)%. X-ray diffraction of rutile ore revealed the minerals of rutile (40)%, quartz (21.4)%, ilmenite (27)% and garnet (11.8)% found within the 2θ range (27.5 to 35.6) and a peak value intensity of 31.1 - 100.0 cps also meeting the metallurgical grade of 15% - 25%. The major environmental concern associated with the mineral-sands industry is the radiation hazards, pollution of ground-water sources from heavy metals, mineral transport with heavy equipment’s, dredging operations in fragile coastal area and clearing of vegetation.

Effects of site preparation methods on soil physical properties and outplanting success of coniferous seedlings in boreal forests

This study assessed the effect of patch scarification and mounding on the physical properties of the root layer and the success of tree planting in various types of forests.This study was conducted on 12 forest sites in taiga forests of the European part of Russia.A total of 54 plots were set up to assess seedling survival;root collar diameter,height,and heigh increment were measured for 240 seedlings to assess growth.In the rooting layer,240 soil samples were taken to determine physical properties.The study showed that soil treatment methods had no effect on bulk density and total porosity in Cladina sites.However,reduced soil moisture was noted,particularly in mounds,resulting in increased aeration.In Myrtillus sites,there were increased bulk density,reduced soil moisture,and total porosity in the mounds.Mounding treatment in Polytrichum sites resulted in reduced soil moisture and increased aeration porosity.In the Myrtillus and Polytrichum sites,patch scarification had no effects on physical properties.In Polytrichum sites,survival rates,heights,and heigh increments of bareroot Norway spruce seedlings in mounds were higher than in patches;however,the same did not apply to diameter.In Cladina and Myrtillus sites,there was no difference in growth for bareroot and containerised seedlings with different soil treatments.Growing conditions and soil types should be considered when applying different soil treatment methods to ensure high survival rates and successful seedling growth.

Remediation of Cu Contaminated Soil by Fe_(78)Si_(9)B_(13)^(AP)Permeability Reaction Barrier Combined with Electrokinetic Method

Iron-based amorphous crystalline powder Fe_(78)Si_(9)B_(13)^(AP)is used as a permeability reaction barrier(PRB)combined with an electrokinetic method(EK-PRB)to study the removal rate of Cu in contaminated soil.After treating Cucontaminated soil for 5 days under different voltage gradients and soil water content,the soil pH is between 3.1 and 7.2.The increase of voltage gradient and soil water content can effectively promote the movement of Cu^(2+) to the cathode.The voltage gradient is 3 V/cm,and the water content of 40%is considered to be an optional experimental condition.Therefore,under this condition,the effects of Fe_(78)Si_(9)B_(13)^(AP)and zero-valent iron(ZVI)as PRB on the removal rate of total Cu in soil and the transformation of chemical forms of Cu are studied.Compared with ZVI,Fe_(78)Si_(9)B_(13)^(AP)as PRB has a better remediation effect.EK-Fe_(78)Si_(9)B_(13)^(AP)can remove 80.3%of total Cu in soil,and the biologically available Cu is reduced to 3.6%,which effectively reduces the environmental risk of contaminated soil.

Potential of weed species applied to remediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals

To screen out a series of ideal plants that can effectively remedy contaminated soils by heavy metals is the main groundwork of phytoremediation engineering and the first step of its commercial application on a large scale. In this study, accumulation and endurance of 45 weed species in 16 families from an agricultural site were in situ examined by using the pot-culture field experiment, and the remediation potential of some weed species with high accumulation of heavy metals was assayed. The results showed that Solanum nigrum and Conyza canadensis can not only accumulate high concentration of Cd, but also strongly endure to single Cd and Cd-Pb-Cu-Zn combined pollution. Thus 2 weed species can be regarded as good hyperaccumulators for the remediation of Cd-contaminated soils. Although there were high Cd-accumulation in Artemigia selengensis, Znula britannica and Cephalanoplos setosum, their biomass was adversely affected due to action of heavy metals in the soils. If the problem of low endurance to heavy metals can be solved by a reinforcer, 3 weed species can be perhaps applied commercially.

Microbial changes in rhizospheric soils contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons after bioremediation

Effects of bioremediation on microbial communities in soils contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons are a scientific problem to be solved. Changes in dominate microbial species and the total amount of microorganisms including bacteria and fungi in rhizospheric soils after bioremediation were thus evaluated using field bioremediation experiments. The results showed that there were changed dominant microorganisms including 11 bacterial strains which are mostly Gram positive bacteria and 6 fungal species which were identified. The total amount of microorganisms including bacteria and fungi increased after bioremediation of microbial agents combined with planting maize. On the contrary, fungi in rhizospheric soils were inhibited by adding microbial agents combined with planting soybean.

Phytoremediation Mechanisms of Heavy Metal Contaminated Soils: A Review

Phytoremediation is a green emerging technology used to remove pollutants from environment components. Mechanisms used to remediate soils contaminated by heavy metal are: phytoextraction, phytostabilisation, phytovolatilization and rhizofiltration. The two first mechanisms are the most reliable. Many factors influence the choice of the suitable phytoremediation strategy for soil decontamination. It depends on soil properties, heavy metal levels and characteristics, plant species and climatic conditions. The present review discusses factors affecting heavy metals uptake by plant species, the different phytoremediation strategies of heavy metal contaminated soils and the advantages and disadvantages of phytoremediation and each of its mechanisms.

Can phosphate compounds be used to reduce the plant uptake of Pb and resist the Pb stress in Pb-contaminated soils?

The effects of different phosphate-amendments on lead （Pb） uptake, the activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD） and the level of malondialdehyde （MDA） in cauliflower （Brassica oleracea L.） in contaminated soils with 2500, or 5000 mg P2O5/kg soil of hydroxyapatite （HA）, phosphate rock （PR）, single-superphosphate （SSP） and the mix of HA/SSP （HASSP） were evaluated in pot experiments. Results showed that the Pb concentrations in shoots and roots decreased by 18.3%-51.6% and 16.8%-57.3% among the treatments respectively compared to the control samples. The efficiency order of these phosphate-amendments in reducing Pb uptake was as follows： HASSP= HA 〉 SSP ,= PR. With the addition of SSP, HA and the mix of HA/SSP, the SOD activity in shoot was reduced markedly （P 〈 0.05） compared with that in the control group. For example, the SOD activities in shoot by the treatments of HASSP, SSP, and HA in 5000 mg P2O5/kg were found to be only 51.3%, 56.2%, and 56.7%, respectively. Similar effects were also observed on the level of MDA in the shoots with a decrease in 24.5%-56.3%. The results verified the inference that phosphate compounds could be used to reduce the plant uptake of Pb and resist the Pb stress in the plant vegetated in Pb-contaminated soils.

Long-Term Fate of Agent Orange and Dioxin TCDD Contaminated Soils and Sediments in Vietnam Hotspots

The soils, tropical climate, and network of canals and rivers of southern Vietnam have created one of the most diverse tropical jungles and intensely cultivated landscapes of Southeast Asia. This paradise has a long history of numerous wars, foreign occupations, and most recently the Second Indochina War (aka the Vietnam War 1965-1972) which defoliated rain forests and ancient wetland mangroves and left behind contaminated soil and sediment hotspots. During this war, the United States (US) military sprayed 80 million liters of Agent Orange contaminated with the dioxin TCDD in a guerrilla war against communist insurgents. Agent Orange was a synthetic plant growth regulator comprised of equal amounts of two herbicides 2,4-dichloro phenoxyacetic acid C8H6Cl2O3 (2,4-D) and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid C8H5Cl3O3 (2,4,5-T). TCDD, the dioxin, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (C12H4Cl4O2) was an unintended byproduct of the accelerated combustion process used in the manufacture of herbicides containing 2,4,5-T. Agent Orange has frequently been blamed for soil and sediment contamination and long-term human health problems;however, the true source of harm is the dioxin TCDD. Agent Orange has a short half-life of days and weeks after application to vegetation, and has not been found to persist, after 50 years, in the water or soils of southern Vietnam. However, the half-life of dioxin TCDD depends on where it is deposited and varies from 1 to 3 years on soil surfaces that have been fully exposed to sunlight, to as long as 20 to 50 years or more when buried in tropical subsoils, and more than 100 years in river and sea sediments. Dioxin TCDD was heavily concentrated in the US Air Force bases in Vietnam where the herbicides were stored, loaded on planes and helicopters for aerial spraying, and used extensively around military base perimeter fences as a security measure to prevent surprise attacks. Bien Hoa Air Force base, 40 km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City, continues to be one of the mega-hotspots where after 48 years the dioxin TCDD levels in fish and shrimp are still high and fishing is banned in ponds and lakes adjacent to the airbase. Although expensive, one of the most effective remediation to dioxin TCDD contaminated soils is incineration which is the recommended method of dioxin TCDD disposal.

Development of Profitable Phytoremediation of Contaminated Soils with Biofuel Crops

Contamination of agricultural soil has been a worldwide concern, and phytoremediation is a promising alternative to conventional soil clean-up technology as a low cost and environment-friendly technology. However, the field application of phytoremediation is still limited, because of its low efficiency and long-period needed. In this paper, with discussion of the characteristics, mechanisms and development of phytoremediation, we suggested a profitable phytoremediation strategy using biofuel crops for both utilization and remediation of contaminated soil. In this strategy, the owners of contaminated sites possibly cost nothing, but obtain income through selling the biofuel crop for factories produced biofuel, thus the practical application of phytoremediation can be effectively promoted. In order to test the feasibility of the suggested strategy, a hydroponic cultural experiment and a pot experiment were carried out to assess the phytoremediation potential of some biofuel crops. The hydroponic cultural experiment showed that the two biofuel plants, sunflower and maize, had a better or similar accumulation level of Pb, Cu and Cd than the two accumulator plants. The pot cultural experiment showed that wheat and barley with white-rot-fungus inoculation greatly promoted crop biomass, soil microbial population, and dioxins removal efficiency. These results indicate that phytoremediation using biofuel plants possibly works effectively for remediation of contaminated soils as well as provide economic benefits to the owners of contaminated sites. Therefore, biofuel crops would be a reasonable choice for phytoremediation of contaminated soils.

Cadmium Release in Contaminated Soils due to Organic Acids

There is limited information on the release behavior of heavy metals from natural soils by organic acids. Thus,cadmium release,due to two organic acids (tartrate and citrate) that are common in the rhizosphere,from soils polluted by metal smelters or tailings and soils artificially contaminated by adding Cd were analyzed. The presence of tartrate or citrate at a low concentration (≤6mmol L-1 for tartrate and ≤0.5 mmol L-1 for citrate) inhibited Cd release,whereas the presence of organic acids in high concentrations (≥2 mmol L-1 for citrate and ≥15 mmol L-1 for tartrate)apparently promoted Cd release. Under the same conditions,the Cd release in naturally polluted soils was less than that of artificially contaminated soils. Additionally,as the initial pH rose from 2 to 8 in the presence of citrate,a sequential valley and then peak appeared in the Cd release curve,while in the presence of tartrate the Cd release steadily decreased.In addition,Cd release was clearly enhanced as the electrolyte concentration of KNO3 or KC1 increased in the presence of 2 mmol L-1 tartrate. Moreover,a higher desorption of Cd was shown with the KC1 electrolyte compared to KNO3 for the same concentration levels. This implied that the bioavailability of heavy metals could be promoted with the addition of suitable types and concentrations of organic acids as well as reasonable field conditions.

Surfactant-Enhanced Phytoremediation of Soils Contaminated with Hydrophobic Organic Contaminants:Potential and Assessment

植物救治正在成为一种划算的技术为在原处地点清理与恐水病的器官的沾染物(hoc ) 弄脏。限制植物救治的主要因素是集体转移，植物举起的率，和 hoc 的微生物引起的简历降级。这篇文章讨论表面活化剂的潜力在污染地点提高 hoc 的解吸附作用，植物举起，和简历降级。植物救治上的表面活化剂的积极效果最近在温室研究被观察了。包括 polyoxyethylene sorbitan 的一些非离子的表面活化剂的存在单音的油酸盐(Tween 80 ) 和 polyoxyethylene (23 ) 在相对低的集中的 dodecanol (Brij35 ) 为污染分核的土壤在植物救治上导致了重要积极效果。然而，离子的表面活化剂(钠 dodecyl 硫酸盐， SDS ) 并且猫离子的表面活化剂(cetyltrimethylammonium 溴化物， CTMAB ) 因为他们的植物毒性或低效率，不为提高表面活化剂的植物救治(SEPR ) 是有用的。为污染 hoc 的地点的 SEPR 的机制被考虑试验性的观察评估。鉴于关于费用有效性和到植物的表面活化剂的毒性的担心，更多的研究被需要提高 SEPR 技术的使用。

Environmental availability and profile characteristics of arsenic, cadmium, lead and zinc in metal-contaminated vegetable soils

Environmental availability and profile characteristics of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) were studied in contaminated vegetable soils from the Pb/Zn mining and smelting areas in Hunan Province of China, and the potential environmental risks of these metals were also assessed. The results show that the concentrations of As, Cd, Pb and Zn in vegetable soils are higher than the levels of Soil Environmental Quality of China (GB15618—1995). The mobility of metals in soil profiles is mainly characterized by the low pH and organic matter content of soil. The major part of As, Cd, Pb and Zn is restricted to the upper soils and the contamination of these metals in soils is significantly influenced by the long-term Pb/Zn mining and smelting activities. Based on the results from the BCR sequential extraction, the fraction of Cd in the soil profiles is predominantly existed in the acid-extractable form and the large amount of Pb is closely associated with reducible fraction. The environmental availability of Cd and Pb is predominantly higher than that of As and Zn in the soil profiles, suggesting Cd and Pb have more huge potential risk for human health and surrounding environment.

Spatial distribution of chromium in soils contaminated by chromium-containing slag

To evaluate the metal chromium (Cr) contamination of soil at a chromium-containing slag site by ferrochromium production, the contaminated sites, under slag heap, in the vicinity of slag heap and arable soils near the outlet of sewer channel, and unpolluted site 5 km away from one ferroalloy plant in Hunan Province, China, were selected. The concentrations of total Cr and water soluble Cr in bulk soil samples and profile depth samples were determined. The results show that the soils in the vicinity of slag heap have the highest total Cr content followed by the soils under the slag heap and near the outlet of sewer channel of the factory. The mean concentrations of total Cr in the top soils at above three contaminated locations exceed the critical level of Secondary Environmental Quality Standard for Soil in China by 3.5, 5.4 and 1.8 times. In most Cr polluted soils, total Cr has a relative accumulation in soil depth of 40-60 cm, but this trend is not found in unpolluted soils. The average concentrations of water soluble Cr (Ⅵ) in top soils under slag heap and in the vicinity of slag heap are 176.9 times and 52.7 times higher than that in the uncontaminated soils, respectively. However, water soluble Cr (Ⅵ) contents in soils near sewer channel are all low and the values are close to that in the uncontaminated soils. Although water soluble Cr (Ⅵ) content in soil profiles decreases with soil depths, it in soils under slag heap maintains a high level even at a depth of 100-150 cm. The results imply that the transportation of Cr (Ⅵ) can result in a potential risk of groundwater system in this area.

Effect of cyclic drying and wetting on engineering properties of heavy metal contaminated soils solidified/stabilized with fly ash

团结 / 稳定(S/S ) 是重金属污染了土壤的处理的最有效的方法之一。在团结 / 稳定的污染土壤上的周期的弄湿并且弄干的效果被调查。一系列测试节目，自由压缩力量(UCS ) 测试， TCLP 沥滤测试和扫描电子显微镜学(SEM ) 测试，在污染的铅和锌上被执行土壤由苍蝇灰团结 / 稳定。UCS 和 S/S 的重金属离子的沥滤的特征污染了的测试结果表演玷污显著地随苍蝇灰内容的增加被改进。S/S 土壤的 UCS 第一随弄干并且弄湿周期的时间的增加增加，在到达山峰以后，它与它减少。当污染物质内容更低时(1 000 mg/kg ) ， TCLP 集中稍微首先在周期的弄干并且弄湿下面减少，然后增加，而是变化是次要的。TCLP 集中在 5 000 mg/kg 的一个高污染物质内容下面是更高的，并且随弄干并且弄湿周期的时间的增加增加。扫描电子显微镜学(SEM ) 的结果测试与 UCS 测试和 TCLP 沥滤测试一致，它揭示在弄干并且弄湿周期以后设计稳定的污染土壤的性质的变化的微观机构。

Comparison of properties of traditional and accelerated carbonated solidified/stabilized contaminated soils

The investigation of the long-term performance of solidified/stabilized （S/S） contaminated soils was carried out in a trial site in southeast UK. The soils were exposed to the maximum natural weathering for four years and sampled at various depths in a controlled manner. The chemical properties （e.g., degree of carbonation （DOC）, pH, electrical conductivity （EC）） and physical properties （e.g., moisture content （MC）, liquid limit CLL）, plastic limit （PL）, plasticity index （PI）） of the samples untreated and treated with the traditional and accelerated carbonated S/S processes were analyzed. Their variations on the depths of the soils were also studied. The result showed that the broad geotechnical properties of the soils, manifested in their PIs, were related to the concentration of the water soluble ions and in particular the free calcium ions. The samples treated with the accelerated carbonation technology （ACT）, and the untreated samples contained limited number of free calcium ions in solutions and consequently interacted with waters in a similar way. Compared with the traditional cement-based S/S technology, e.g., treatment with ordinary portland cement （OPC） or EnvirOceM, ACT caused the increase of the PI of the treated soil and made it more stable during long-term weathering. The PI values for the four soils ascended according to the order： the EnvirOceM soil, the OPC soil, the ACT soil, and the untreated soil while their pH and EC values descended according to the same order.

The Volatilization of Pollutants from Soil and Groundwater: Its Importance in Assessing Risk for Human Health for a Real Contaminated Site

Pollution of different elements (air, water, soil and subsoil) resulting both from accidental events and from ordinary industrial and civil activities causes negative effects on the human health and on the environment. The present paper examines the analysis of a contaminated site, focusing the attention on the negative effects for receptors exposed to soil and groundwater contamination caused by industrial activities. The case study investigated is a contaminated area located in the industrial district of Trento North once occupied by the Italian Carbochimica plant. Pollution in that area is mainly due to contamination of soil and groundwater with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The methodology applied is the risk evaluation for human health, in terms of individual cancer risk and hazard index. In particular the attention has been focused on a specific migration way: if pollutants in the soil or in the groundwater undergo a phase change, they spread and get to the soil surface, causing a dispersion of vapors in the atmosphere. In this case risk assessment calls for the evaluation of volatilization factor. Among the different models dealing with the estimation of volatilization factor, those mostly known and used in the national and international field of Human Health Risk Assessment were chosen: Jury’s and Farmer’s models. A sensitivity analysis of models was performed, in order to identify the most significant parameters to estimate the volatilization factors among the wide range of input parameters for the application of models. Performing an accurate selection and data processing of the contaminated site, models for the volatilization factors calculation are applied, thus evaluating air concentrations and Human Health Risk. The analysis of the resulting estimates is an excellent aid to draw interesting conclusions and to verify if the soil and groundwater pollutants volatilization affects the human health considerably.

Distribution of Bacterial Communities in Petroleum-Contaminated Soils from the Dagang Oilfield, China

Diversity in bacterial communities was investigated along a petroleum hydrocarbon content gradient(0-0.4043 g/g)in surface(5-10 cm)and subsurface(35-40 cm)petroleum-contaminated soil samples from the Dagang Oilfield,China.Using 16S rRNA Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology and several statistical methods,the bacterial diversity of the soil was studied.Subsequently,the environmental parameters were measured to analyze its relationship with the community variation.Nonmetric multidimensional scaling and analysis of similarities indicated a significant difference in the structure of the bacterial community between the nonpetroleum-contaminated surface and subsurface soils,but no differences were observed in different depths of petroleum-contaminated soil.Meanwhile,many significant correlations were obtained between diversity in soil bacterial community and physicochemical properties.Total petroleum hydrocarbon,total organic carbon,and total nitrogen were the three important factors that had the greatest impacts on the bacterial community distribution in the long-term petroleum-contaminated soils.Our research has provided references for the bacterial community distribution along a petroleum gradient in both surface and subsurface petroleum-contaminated soils of oilfield areas.

Application of Big Data in the Remediation of Contaminated Sites

China has large population but little land.Such objective conditions determine that it is required to adhere to the policy path of"cherishing,rationally utilizing land and practically protecting cultivated land".Due to the relatively immature technology in the early stage of resource development in China,extensive utilization of resources leads to serious pollution,and the situation of the restoration of contaminated sites is severe.After nearly 20 years of a large number of pollution,land restoration there have been a lot of achievements in research and practice,but in the era of big data development,prevention and cure of soil pollution in China,there are a number of problems in the development of science and technology,this paper put forward the corresponding recommendations and opinions for the existing problems,in order to provide decision support for using big data to repair contaminated sites.

Compressive and Flexural Behaviour of Unstressed Concrete Substructure in Cassava Effluent Contaminated Soils

Concrete research is gradually shifting from the conventional strength-based approach to durability-centred in the past decade. Durability is the measure of the robustness of constructed facilities against deterioration tendencies. The rate of deterioration is affected by the loading condition, and more importantly the physical and chemical nature of the host environments. This paper reports the experimental investigation of unstressed concrete substructure in the natural (uncontaminated) and cassava’s hydrocyanide effluent-polluted soils on the compressive and flexural strengths of buried concrete specimens for a maximum of 84 days. The compressive strengths of the cubes were tested every 7 days until the 84th day, while the beams were only subjected to third-point loading flexural tests at age 84 days. The compressive strength of concrete specimens in the two soil environments increased, though the trend was lower in the polluted soil. The strength reduced by 2.50% to 9.47% between the 7th and 28th days, but steadily between the 28th and 84th days with strength loss of 9.95% (COV = 2.64%). The load-deflection curves were quadratic for the beams in the two geo-environments. The beams in cyanide-polluted soil lost 34.5% of its flexural stiffness, while its loss of load-carrying capacities at the first crack and ultimate failure was 15.8% and 20% respectively. Higher degree of deterioration is certain for loaded concrete substructures in similar conditions. Hence, prior knowledge of soil chemistry is crucial to determining suitable concrete grade and nominal cover for durable substructural elements.