HVSR analysis of pumice sands for sediment depth characterization:A case study for Guadalajara,Mexico

The horizontal to vertical spectral ratio(HVSR)methodology is used here to characterize pumice soils and to image the three-dimensional surface geometry of Guadalajara,Mexico.Similar to other Latin American cities,Guadalajara is exposed to high seismic risk,with the particularity of being the largest urban settlement in Latin America built on pumice soils.Methodology has not yet been tested to characterize subsoil depths in pumice sands.Due to the questionable use of traditional geotechnical tests for the analysis of pumice soils,HVSR provides an alternative for its characterization without altering its fragile and porous structure.In this work,resonance frequency(F0)and peak amplitude(A0)are used to constrain the depth of the major impedance contrast that represents the interface between bedrock and pumice soil.Results were compared with borehole depths and other available geotechnical and geophysical data and show good agreement.One of the profiles estimated on the riverbanks that cross the city,reveals different subsoil thickness that could have an impact on different site responses on riverine areas to an eventual earthquake.Government and academic efforts are combined in this work to characterize depth sediments,an important parameter that impacts the regulations for construction in the city.

Clay Materials for Ceramics Application from N’Djamena in the Chad Republic: Mineralogical, Physicochemical and Microstructural Characterization

Herein, we report some characteristics of the clayey materials (CMs) collected from Kaliwa (C1), Kabé (C2) and Malo (C3) district in N’Djamena (Chad). Three samples were characterized applying XRF, XRD, FTIR, SEM. In addition, TGA/DSC were performed to control decomposition/mass loss and show phase transitions respectively of CMs. Geochemical analysis by XRF reveals the following minerals composition: SiO2 (~57% - 66%), Al2O3 (~13% - 15%), Fe2O3 (~6% - 10%), TiO2 (~1% - 2%) were the predominant oxides with a reduced proportion in C1, and (~7%) of fluxing agents (K2O, CaO, Na2O). Negligible and trace of MgO (~1%) and P2O5 was noted. The mineralogical composition by XRD shows that, C1, C2 and C3 display close mineralogy with: Quartz (~50%), feldspar (~20%) as non-clay minerals, whereas clays minerals were mostly kaolinite (~15%), illite (~5%) and smectite (~10%). FTIR analysis exhibits almost seemingly similar absorption bands characteristic of hydroxyls elongation, OH valence vibration of Kaolinite and stretching vibration of some Metal-Oxygen bond. SEM micrographs of the samples exhibit microstructureformed by inter-aggregates particles with porous cavities. TGA/DSCconfirm the existence of quartz (570˚C to 870˚C), carbonates (600˚C - 760˚C), kaolinite (569˚C - 988˚C), illite (566˚C - 966˚C), MgO (410˚C - 720˚C) and smectite (650˚C - 900˚C). The overall characterization indicates that, these clayey soils exhibit good properties for ceramic application.

Perception of the Mechanization of Rice Cultivation and Its Effects on the Soil in the Senegal River Valley

In Senegal, particularly in the Senegal River valley, agricultural mechanization remains limited, mainly due to a lack of agricultural equipment, a lack of expertise in agricultural machinery and an apprehension of the consequences on soil quality. To better understand agricultural mechanization of rice cultivation, this survey study has been carried out in the Senegal river valley. Precisely, this work aimed to characterize farm machinery and its effects on soil and rice cultivation. A questionnaire was administered to 304 out of 1270 farmers, spread over 8 rice-growing areas, 4 of which are located in the Podor department, three in Dagana and one in Saint-Louis. The results showed that 99.3% of farmers used motorized equipment, with 95.7% using tractor and 3.6% a power tiller. Offset tillage, which is a shallow cultivation practice carried out to break up hard soil without turning it over, was most widespread among growers (95.4%). 78.3% of the valley’s farmers felt that the machinery used to carry out tillage operations was inefficient. According to the farmers, the main constraints on the use of agricultural machinery in the valley were: the upkeep and maintenance of equipment (57%), the lack of expertise in mechanization (31%), and issues adapting machinery to local conditions (12%). Those constraints have contributed to a drop in yields in recent years, the spread of weeds on cultivated plots and the gradual degradation of the soil in the area according to 78% of farmers.

Characterization of Urban Soil with SEM-EDX

The coal is largely used for generation of energy in the India, and their huge exploitations cause contamination of the soil. In the present work, the inorganic contamination of surface soil in the coal basin of the country, Korba is described. The concentration of elements i.e. C, O, S, Cl, Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, K, Ca, Ti, Fe, Mn and Ni in the surface soils (n = 30) was analysed by technique i.e. scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), ranged from 6.6% - 36.4%, 37.8% - 54.3%, 0.07% - 0.39%, 0.03% - 0.25%, 0.10% - 0.39%, 0.12% - 0.49%, 3.7% - 10.3%, 12.2% - 24.4%, 0.11% - 0.60%, 0.68% - 3.22%, 0.8% - 2.7%, 0.25% - 0.61%, 2.3% - 6.4%, 0.08% - 0.22% and 0.04% - 0.16% with mean value (p = 0.05) of 18.8% ± 2.7%, 49.0% ± 1.5%, 0.18% ± 0.03%, 0.11% ± 0.02%, 0.23% ± 0.03%, 0.32% ± 0.03%, 6.1% ± 0.5%, 16.9% ± 0.9%, 0.27% ± 0.04%, 1.6% ± 0.2%, 1.5% ± 0.2%, 0.41% ± 0.03%, 4.3% ± 0.4%, 0.14% ± 0.02% and 0.08% ± 0.01%, respectively. The surface soil morphology, concentration variation of elements, pollution indices and contaminant sources in the soil are discussed.

Instrumental Characterization of Pretoria Clay Soil by XRF, XRD and SEM

The products of refractory materials are used for lining furnace, incinerators and kilns among other uses and they have the potential of withstanding high temperature without deformation. The objective of the research was to charac-terize the clay soil sample collected from Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria. The sample, collected from a location Latitude 25.0969°S and Longi-tude 28.1624°E, was oven-dried, pulverized and sieved in the laboratory. Min-eralogical and elemental compositions of the sample were determined by using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analytical methods. The XRF analysis revealed Fe2O3, Al2O3 and SiO2 as the major constituents, while the other elements occur in minor quantities. Mineralogically, the three samples contain Montmorillonite, Kaolinite and Bentonite, while Samples A contained Quartz in addition to ear-lier mentioned minerals, samples B and C contained Albite.

Contribution to the Characterization of Lateritic Soils for the Manufacture of Compressed Stabilized Earth Bricks

The aim of this study is to contribute to the mastery of the physical characteristics of lateritic soils in order to improve their use for the manufacture of Compressed Stabilized Earth Bricks (CSEB) in the province of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The study of the physical characteristics of lateritic soils was carried out. Samples were subjected to experimental identification tests on the physical characteristics (water content, density characteristics, particle size distribution and consistency). The results of the laboratory analysis of soil samples show that the water content varies between 5.4% and 36.99%. The density of the solid grains has an arithmetic mean of 2.5 g/cm3. The apparent density varies from 0.83 to 1.35 g/cm3. As for the dry density, it is in the range of 0.61 to 1.25 g/cm3. These relatively low densities indicate that the material studied has a significant degree of deformability. From the particle size analysis, it appears that the material studied contains an important fraction of fine particles. According to the consistency study, the soils studied are plastic clay as Ap class according to the Central Laboratory for Roads and Bridges (CLRB) geotechnical classification system. The particle size curves of the studied samples are within the preferential range of good soils for the manufacture of CSEB. The points representing the studied samples are within the preferential plasticity range of good soils for the manufacture of CSEB. From the above parameters, it appears that the studied material is well adapted for the manufacture of the Compressed Stabilized Earth Bricks.

The characterization of soil profile distribution for nitrate leached in the paddy soil

Experiment was conducted for five successiveyears under large undisturbed monolith lysime-ters(2m×2m in square,l m in depth).Thesoil was silty clay loam texture and had a con-tent of total N 1.55 g/kg.The soil was flood-ed with penetration rate controlled at approxi-mate 3 mm per day in duration of double-riceseason and laid fallow and natural in winterand spring.Results showed that nitrate was the mainform of nitrogen in percolates.The change of

东北地区白浆土耕层地力特点分析与改良技术

自20世纪70年代我国陆续开展白浆土改良科研与技术实践工作以来,历经50多年的努力,白浆土改良已经初见成效,东北地区的白浆土改良作为黑土地资源保护的重要工作之一,对于恢复耕地地力、提升农业产量意义重大。该文重点论述了东北地区白浆土分布情况、耕地土层结构及理化特征以及对农业生产产生的不利影响,并提出了白浆土改良专项技术策略。

潟湖污泥改性土工程特性与环境风险研究

为实现典型潟湖污泥的无害化处理与资源化利用,文章以海南万宁市小海潟湖污泥为研究对象,利用高炉矿渣、钢渣、工业石膏等大宗工业固废为原料制备的软土固化剂对污泥土进行固化处理。结果显示,软土固化剂改善了潟湖污泥的抗压强度、抗剪强度以及液塑限等工程性能,降低了污泥土中的重金属浸出浓度与迁移释放能力,同时增加了种子发芽指数,使改性污泥土能够满足建设用地回填土强度要求与园林绿化用土的安全指标。通过SEM、XRD表征分析发现,潟湖污泥原样中的硅、铝成分,在碱性激发剂、钢渣粉、矿粉等提供的碱性环境下参与了水化反应,使改性污泥土表面出现大量孔洞以及棒状、片状等稳定的结晶物和以凝胶态存在的水化产物,进一步使污泥土内部结构密实紧凑,颗粒间联结增强。经过软土固化剂固化后的潟湖污泥土工程特性得到显著提升,并使污泥中重金属得到固化稳定化,其环境生态毒害性也得到有效减弱。

不同类型纳米生物炭特征及对土壤镉污染修复效果的影响

【目的】生物炭在重金属污染土壤上有一定修复效果,然而未改性生物炭的修复潜力往往较低,生物炭改性可有效提高生物炭表面官能团的种类和数量,增加与重金属相互作用的位点数量,进而提高重金属的修复效率。【方法】对木炭、竹炭、秸秆炭3种类型生物炭进行纳米改性并用扫描电镜、傅里叶变换红外进行表征,采用培养试验,设置不添加生物炭对照、3种不同类型生物炭处理、3种纳米改性生物炭处理共7个处理。【结果】(1)不同类型生物炭纳米改性后表现出孔隙增多、孔径增大、粒径减小,丰富了官能团结构,使含氧官能团强度增加;(2)纳米生物炭可以提高土壤pH、有机碳(SOC)、可溶性有机碳(DOC)、易氧化有机碳(EOC)、颗粒有机碳(POC)含量,其中纳米竹炭相较于未改性竹炭处理SOC提高了20.77%,纳米秸秆炭对土壤DOC、LOC、POC提升效果最好,相较于未改性秸秆炭分别提高了17.05、10.88%、63.36%;添加生物炭也增加了土壤蔗糖酶和纤维素酶活性。(3)添加生物炭使土壤重金属镉有效性降低,改性后增强了对土壤有效态镉的转化,促使可交换态镉和可还原态镉向可氧化态镉和残渣态镉转化迁移,其有效性与土壤pH和有机碳相关。【结论】生物炭纳米改性后其含氧官能团增加,在提高土壤有机碳及降解重金属镉有效性上具有很大潜力,且不同类型纳米生物炭对土壤有机碳及镉形态的影响不同,纳米秸秆炭效果最佳。

苏打盐碱土壤黏粒分散特征研究进展

本文系统总结了黏粒分散特征表征方法,归纳可用于表征黏粒分散程度的主要指标;概述了黏粒分散对土壤物理性质的影响;重点阐述影响黏粒分散的因素,包括:土壤酸碱性、离子浓度、土壤有机质、农业管理措施、外源物质施用等;提出了黏粒分散控制方法。根据Na^(+)、K^(+)、Ca^(2+)和Mg^(2+)不同分散和絮凝能力得出,离子性指数、电荷稀疏性、净分散量、土壤结构稳定性的阳离子比和阳离子交换量等是表征黏粒分散特征的常用指标;电动电位势和浊度与黏粒分散存在密切联系,有待进一步应用于苏打盐碱土壤黏粒分散研究。黏粒分散破坏土壤结构,导致土壤水力传导率下降,严重阻碍土壤正常功能。黏粒分散机理:不同阳离子价态不同和不同土壤溶液浓度不同导致黏粒表面正电荷层厚度不同,引起黏粒之间范德华吸引力和静电排斥力作用效果差异,正电荷层较厚导致黏粒分散。通过明晰黏粒分散机理,有助于掌握影响黏粒分散的主要因素,抑制苏打盐碱土壤黏粒分散,改善土壤结构,以期为苏打盐碱土治理提供理论参考和技术指导。

不同连作年限设施农用地土壤有机碳与细菌群落功能特征

为探明不同连作年限设施农用地土壤有机碳(Soil organic carbon,SOC)与细菌群落功能变化及其动态响应关系,以北京市南郊设施农业集中地为研究区,采用时空替代法系统分析了未种植(CK)、连作年限0~5年(0~5 a)、5~10年(5~10 a)、10~20年(10~20 a)和20年以上(20 a+)SOC、细菌群落结构及其代谢功能的变化。结合冗余分析(RDA)、典型相关分析(CCA)、PICRUSt2功能预测及Mantel test探究了SOC及其活性组分与细菌优势菌群的动态响应,以及与细菌代谢功能的相互关系。结果表明:连作使研究区微生物生物量碳(Microbial biomass carbon,MBC)、易氧化有机碳(Easily oxidizes organic carbon,EOC)、SOC含量及土壤有机碳密度(Soil organic carbon density,SOCD)均随种植年限先增后减,可溶性有机碳(Dissolved organic carbon,DOC)含量在20 a+时最高,微生物熵(Q)随连作年限增加而减小。连作降低了土壤细菌的多样性,但提高了细菌种群间差异,PICRUSt2预测不同连作年限土壤细菌功能均以新陈代谢为主,5~20 a土壤细菌二级代谢功能丰度明显高于0~5 a、20 a+、CK。相对丰度前10的细菌群中Acidobacteriota与SOC及其活性组分含量均呈负相关,主导和参与SOC累积循环的关键菌群在连作20 a+后出现由富营养型菌群向寡营养和致病类菌群转变的趋势;Mantel分析显示,第3层级有53类与土壤有机碳含量呈显著相关的代谢功能(p<0.05),其中23类隶属于第1层级的新陈代谢,与EOC呈显著相关的代谢功能高达51类。本研究结果可为优化碳循环相关细菌功能群,提升小尺度设施农用地土壤碳汇功能提供参考。

铀矿污染土壤γ剂量率与核素活度的表征关系

为了对铀矿冶退役治理源项调查作出快速、准确的判定,解决调查过程中存在的测量周期长、检测手段繁琐等问题。以某铀矿污染土壤为研究对象,通过分析铀系核素不平衡条件下的衰变特点,采用半无限大体源估算模式计算了不同垂深污染土壤所致表层关注点的γ剂量率,根据铀系核素的剂量率贡献及对不同垂深的影响,推导出土壤表层γ剂量率与核素活度的表征关系。结果表明:铀系核素所致关注点γ剂量率主要由^(234m)Pa、^(214)Bi和^(214)Pb三个子体贡献,占比为96%;土壤表层(20 cm)污染核素所致关注点剂量率占比约为94%;根据铀系核素分段平衡理论及铀镭平衡系数,推导出以^(238)U和^(226)Ra为代表核素,与土壤表面γ剂量率的表征关系,经与实际监测结果进行对比,偏差在±5%以内。以此为依据可快速识别土壤的污染范围,提高源项调查监测布点的效率,为科学客观的开展污染土壤源项调查提供了新思路。

Characterization of biochars produced from seven biomasses grown in three different climate zones

The characterization of biochars produced from seven feedstocks(four crop straws: cotton stalks, wheat stalks, rape stalks and corn stalks; three hardwoods: Salix babylonica Linn, Platanus orientalis and Robinia pseudoacacia) grown in three different climate zones(arid,semiarid and humid regions) were investigated for their potential as soil amendments. The results show that ash content, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, CEC, Cl-, p H, and salinity are generally higher in the straw biochars(STR-BCs) than the hardwood biochars(HW-BCs). However, there is no significant distinction between the two categories of biochars in terms of surface acidity, surface basicity, TC, available phosphorus(A-P) or NH4+-N. The contents of K+, Na+,Ca2+, Mg2+, EC, Cl-of all 21 biochars increase in semiarid and arid regions in comparison to humid regions, while ash content, TC, CEC, p H, surface acidity, surface basicity,A-P and NH4+-N show no correlation to the climate. From the perspective of K+, CEC and the remediation of acidified soils, STR-BCs are preferable over HW-BCs as a soil amendment, while HW-BCs are more suitable than STRBCs in soils with a saline problem. EC, Na+and Clincrease with the water stress of the climatic regions, and the high saline ions of biochar in the arid regions indicate that biochars produced from local biomass, especially from crop residues, are at a high risk of exacerbating soil salinization. The big difference in the critical chemical properties, such as the saline ions, stresses that biochar should be taken on a regional basis as well as a biomass basis, with the general assumption that whether biochar as a soil amendment is good or bad is groundless.

Physico-chemical characterization of a farmland affected by wastewater in relation to heavy metals

This study investigated selected properties of soils affected by wastewater and its relationship with some heavy metals. A free survey technique involving target sampling was used in siting soil profile pits. Soil samples were collected based on horizon differentiation and analyzed using routine and special analytical techniques. Soil data were subjected to correlation analysis using SAS program. Results show that all heavy metals studied had values above critical limits in the polluted soils using known standards and that these biotoxic metals decreased with soil depths. Highly significant (P=0.01 and 0.05) relationships were established between investigated heavy metals and some soil properties, especially soil pH and organic matter. Further studies involving more edaphic properties, biotoxic metals and their bioaccessibility in crops growing on wastewater soils will surely enhance knowledge and management of these highly anthropogenically influenced soils of the study site.

Impact of open dumping of municipal solid waste on soil properties in mountainous region

This paper presents the effect of open dumping of municipal solid waste(MSW) on soil characteristics in the mountainous region of Himachal Pradesh, India. The solid waste of dumpsite contains various complex characteristics with organic fractions of the highest proportions. As leachate percolates into the soil, it migrates contaminants into the soil and affects soil stability and strength. The study includes the geotechnical investigation of dump soil characteristics and its comparison with the natural soil samples taken from outside the proximity of dumpsites. The geochemical analysis of dumpsite soil samples was also carried out by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS).Visual inspection revealed that the MSW consists of high fraction of organics, followed by paper. The soil samples were collected from five trial pits in the dumpsites at depths of 0.5 m, 1 m and 1.5 m. Then the collected soil samples were subjected to specific gravity test, grain size analysis, Atterberg’s limit test,compaction test, direct shear test, California bearing ratio(CBR) test and permeability analysis. The study indicated that the dumpsite soils from four study regions show decreasing trends in the values of maximum dry density(MDD), specific gravity, cohesion and CBR, and increasing permeability as compared to the natural soil. The results show that the geotechnical properties of the soils at all four study locations have been severely hampered due to contamination induced by open dumping of waste.

Integration of SEM/WDX elemental mapping and micromorphology to determine mineralogical traits of peat soils(case study：Northern Iran)

We explored the potential use of combining wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(WDX) and micromorphology of thin sections to identify minerals in peat soils. Peat soil minerals from three peats and swamps across Golestan Province in northern Iran were first characterized by micromorphological studies. Soils were composed mainly of quartz, muscovite, biotite, pyroxene,sericitized Fe-nodules, and iron-rich garnet. In addition,micromorphological results indicated that Galougah Coastal Swamp sections contained some inorganic residue with biological origin including oyster and limpet, which may be related to the swamp's location near Gorgan Gulf.In order to determine mineralogical properties of samples,twelve unknown grains were chosen for elemental concentration map studies. Quartz, garnet, ilmenite, calcite,and pyroxene in Suteh samples; epidote and Fe-nodule in Ghaleh-Ghafeh Peat Swamp; and barite, phyllosilicates,and calcite in Galougah were identified by WDX mapping of Si, Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, C, Ba, S, and Ti. Composition of the oysters' body was also analyzed by WDX for Si, Ca, Fe,and C. The results indicated that most of the minerals in all sections likely formed through weathering, inheriting their composition from the parent rock. This research suggests that merging micromorphology and SEM/WDX image techniques can be useful in confirming the presence of mineral particles in soil science.

Enhancing mechanical behaviors of collapsible soil using two biopolymers

This study aims to investigate the possibility of using biopolymer(environmental friendly material) to enhance the mechanical behaviors of collapsible soil.Two types of biopolymers were(xanthan gum and guar gum) used in this study due to their stable behaviors under severe conditions and their availability with reasonable prices.The experimental program focused on three major soil properties,i.e.compaction characterizations,collapsible potential and shear parameters.These three properties are essential in process of soil improvement.Different biopolymer concentrations were used in this study and the experimental program was performed at two curing periods(soon after mixing the soil with the biopolymer and after one week curing time).Shear parameters were measured for the treated specimens under both soaked and unsoaked conditions,while a collapsible potential test was performed under different mixing conditions(wet mix and dry mix).A numerical model was built to predict the behavior of the treated collapsible soil after and before water immersing.The results indicated that the ability of both xanthan gum and guar gum can be used as improvement materials for collapsible soil treatment.The collapsible potential has been reduced from 9%to 1%after mixing the soil with 2%biopolymer concentration in the wet case.After one week curing,the cohesion has been increased from 8.5 kPa to105 kPa by increasing the xanthan gum concentration from zero to 2%,leading to an overall improvement in soil shear strength.It also proves that the guar gum is superior to the xanthan gum.The shear strength of soil can be increased by about 30%when using the guar gum in comparison with the xanthan gum at the same conditions;however,the collapsible potential of soil material will be reduced by about 20%.

Comparative study on production,purification of penicillin by Penicillium chrysogenum isolated from soil and citrus samples

Objective:To explore various unexplored locations where Penicillium spp.would be available and study the production of penicillin from the isolated Penicillium spp.in different media with altered carbohydrate source.Methods:The collected soil samples were screened for the isolation of Penicillium chrysogenum(P.chrysogenum) by soil dilution plate.The isolated Penicillium species were further grown in different production media with changes in the carbohydrate source.The extracted penicillin from various isolates was analyzed by HPLC for the efficacy of the product.Further the products were screened with various bacterial species including methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA).And the work was extended to find the possible action on MRSA,along with characterization using other pathogens.Results:From the various soil and citrus samples used for analysis,only the soil sample from Government General Hospital of Bangalore,India,and Sanjay Gandhi Hospital,Bangalore,India,showed some potential growth of the desired fungi P.chrysogenum.Different production media showed varied range of growth of PenicilUum.Optimum production of penicillin was obtained in maltose which proved maximum zone of inhibition during assay.Characterization of penicillin on pathogens,like wild Escherichia coli strain,Klebsiella spp.,and MRSA,gave quite interesting results such as no activity on the later strain as it is resistant.HPLC data provided the analytical and confirmation details of the penicillin produced.Accordingly,the penicillin produced from the soil sample of Government General Hospital had the high milli absorbance unit of 441.5 mAu compared with that of the penicillin produced from Sanjay Gandhi Hospital sample,8S.S2 mAu.Therefore,there was a considerable change in quantity of the penicillin produced from both the samples.Conclusions: The Penicillium spp.could be possibly rich in hospital contaminants and its environments.This research focuses on various unexplored sources of medical ailments,and also shows that the growth of penicillin is high in maltose rich media that could possibly enhance the growth.