A novel relationship between elastic modulus and void ratio associated with principal stress for coral calcareous sand

Elastic moduli,e.g.shear modulus G and bulk modulus K,are important parameters of geotechnical materials,which are not only the indices for the evaluation of the deformation ability of soils but also the important basic parameters for the development of the constitutive models of geotechnical materials.In this study,a series of triaxial loading-unloading-reloading shear tests and isotropic loading-unloadingreloading tests are conducted to study several typical mechanical properties of coral calcareous sand(CCS),and the void ratio evolution during loading,unloading and reloading.The test results show that the stress-strain curves during multiple unloading processes are almost parallel,and their slopes are much greater than the deformation modulus at the initial stage of loading.The relationship between the confining pressure and the volumetric strain can be defined approximately by a hyperbolic equation under the condition of monotonic loading of confining pressure.Under the condition of confining pressure unloading,the evolution of void ratio is linear in the e-lnp0 plane,and these lines are a series of almost parallel lines if there are multiple processes of unloading.Based on the experimental results,it is found that the modified Hardin formulae for the elastic modulus estimation have a significant deviation from the tested values for CCS.Based on the experimental results,it is proposed that the elastic modulus of soils should be determined by the intersection line of two spatial surfaces in the G/K-e-p’/pa space(pa:atmosphere pressure).“Ye formulation”is further proposed for the estimation of the elastic modulus of CCS.This new estimation formulation for soil elastic modulus would provide a new method to accurately describe the mechanical behavior of granular soils.

Compressibility characteristics of bio-cemented calcareous sand treated through the bio-stimulation approach

Calcareous sand is widely present in coastal areas around the world and is usually considered as a weak and unstable material due to its high compressibility and low strength.Microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation(MICP)is a promising technique for soil improvement.However,the commonly adopted bio-augmented MICP approach is in general less compatible with the natural soil environment.Thus,this study focuses on the bio-stimulated MICP approach,which is likely to enhance the dominance of ureolytic bacteria for longer period and thus is deemed more efficient.The main objective of this paper is to investigate the compressibility of calcareous sand treated by bio-stimulated MICP approach.In the current study,a series of one-dimension compression tests was conducted on bio-cemented sand pre-pared via bio-stimulation with different initial relative densities(D r).Based on the obtained compression curves and particle size distribution(PSD)curves,the parameters including cementation content,the coefficient of compressibility(a v),PSD,relative breakage(B r),and relative agglomeration(A r)were discussed.The results showed that a v decreased with the increasing cementation content.The bio-cemented sand prepared with higher initial D r had smaller(approximately 20%e70%)a v values than that with lower initial D r.The specimen with higher initial D r and higher cementation content resulted in smaller B r but larger A r.Finally,a conceptual framework featuring multiple contact and damage modes was proposed.

Coupling effects of morphology and inner pore distribution on the mechanical response of calcareous sand particles

Calcareous sand is typically known as a problematic marine sediment because of its diverse morphology and complex inner pore structure.However,the coupling effects of morphology and inner pores on the mechanical properties of calcareous sand particles have rarely been investigated and understood.In this study,apparent contours and internal pore distributions of calcareous sand particles were obtained by three-dimensional(3D)scanning imaging and X-ray micro-computed tomography(X-mCT),respectively.It was revealed that calcareous sand particles with different outer morphologies have different porosities and inner pore distributions because of their original sources and particle transport processes.In addition,a total of 120 photo-related compression tests and 4923D discrete element simulations of four specific shaped particles,i.e.bulky,angular,dendritic and flaky,with variations in the inner pore distribution were conducted.The macroscopic particle strength and Weibull modulus obtained from the physical tests are not positively correlated with the porosity or regularity in shape,indicating the existence of coupling effect of particle shape and pore distribution.The shape effect on the particle strength first increases with the porosity and then decreases.The particle crushing of relatively regular particles is governed by the porosity,but that of extremely irregular particles is governed by the particle shape.The particle strength increases with the uniformity of the pore distribution.Particle fragmentation is mainly dependant on tensile bond strength,and the degree of tensile failure is considerably impacted by the particle shape but limited by the pore distribution.

Selection of Tolerant of Some Citrus Hybrids F1 to Calcareous Stress and Identification Sexuall Individuals by SSR Marker

The research was conducted during two seasons 2018-2019 and 2019-2020, at the Scientific Research Center in Lattakia-Syria, where the cross between Sour orange, Cleopatra mandarin and Trifoliate orange. The first season was (Sour orange ♂ × Cleopatra mandarin ♀) and (Cleopatra mandarin ♂ × sour orange ♀) and (sour orange ♂ × trifoliate orange ♀), and the crossing in the second season was (Trifoliate orange ♂ × Sour orange ♀), and (Trifoliate orange ♂ × Cleopatra mandarin ♀). The plants of the first generation F1 were exposed to calcareous stress according to two methods. The first one for a long term (two years) method was grown in plots containing 15% and 35% Calcium Carbonate and the control free of Calcium Carbonate for the first cross, and the second one short term (two months) by watering method was with a solution of 1 mol and 2 mol of Calcium Carbonate for the second cross. The indicators of proline and chlorophyll A, B and T were measured in the first-generation individuals, once at the beginning of the experiment and a second time at the end of study. Seven SSR primers were used to identify sexual individuals, five primers were able to identify sexual F1 individuals are CSM13, CSM17, CSM147, CSM18 and TAA27, F1 individuals in the first season (mixture experiment) gave high values of chlorophyll and were tolerant to calcareous stress from crossing Cleopatra mandarin and Sour orange, where they did not show a deterioration in chlorophyll, but rather increased chlorophyll values, and the Trifoliate orange hybrids were sensitive to this stress, and in the watering experiment the F1 showed significant deterioration in Chlorophyll in all seedlings, and symptoms of Lime-induced chlorosis appeared on the more sensitive seedlings.

Crop Yield and Soil Properties in the First 3 Years After Biochar Application to a Calcareous Soil

It remains unclear whether biochar applications to calcareous soils can improve soil fertility and crop yield. A long-term field experiment was established in 2009 so as to determine the effect of biochar on crop yield and soil properties in a calcareous soil. Five treatments were： 1） straw incorporation; 2） straw incorporation with inorganic fertilizer; 3）, 4） and 5） straw incorporation with inorganic fertilizer, and biochar at 30, 60, and 90 t ha-l, respectively. The annual yield of either winter wheat or summer maize was not increased significantly following biochar application, whereas the cumulative yield over the first 4 growing seasons was significantly increased. Soil pH, measured in situ, was increased by a maximum of 0.35 units after 2 yr following biochar application. After 3 yr, soil bulk density significantly decreased while soil water holding capacity increased with adding biochar of 90 t ha^-1. Alkaline hydrolysable N decreased but exchangeable K increased due to biochar addition. Olsen-P did not change compared to the treatment without biochar. The results suggested that biochar could be used in calcareous soils without yield loss or significant impacts on nutrient availability.

Calcareous nannofossil changes linked to climate deterioration during the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum in Tarim Basin,NW China

The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum(PETM) event was a dramatic global warming w55.93 Ma ago that resulted in biological extinction events, lithological changes, and major deviations in σ13 C and σ18 O.The southwestern Tarim Basin of China exposes successive Paleogene strata as a result of Tethys evolution and is considered an ideal region for PETM research.Based on calcareous nannoplankton biostratigraphy, we also used stable isotopes and XRD to analyse the Paleocene-Eocene transition in the Tarim Basin. At the Bashibulake Section, the PETM interval is characterized by(1) an abrupt negative shifts in σ13 C_(org), σ13 C_(carb) and σ18 O(-3%, -4.5% and -3%respectively);(2) an obvious negative correlation between the K-mode(Discoaster, Fasciculithus, Ericsonia, Sphenolithus and Rhomboaster) and r-mode(Biscutum, Chiasmolithus, Toweius) nannofossil taxa coincident with a robust Rhomboaster-Discoaster assemblage; and(3) a significant increase in the percentage of detrital input along with an increase in gypsum content. In the upper part of the Qimugen Formation Micrantholithus and Braarudosphaera are commonly found right up to the top where most of the nannofloras suffer a sharp decrease. In the overlying Gaijitage Formation, calcareous nannofossils disappear completely. These events indicate that the southwestern Tarim Basin was a warm shallow continental shelf during the deposition of the Qimugen Formation. From the early Eocene, the environment changed conspicuously. Evaporation increased and sea level fell, which led to an acid climate.This climate mode continued within the youngest unit studied, the Gaijitage Formation, characterized by the deposition of thick evaporates. Consequently, most of the marine plankton, i.e. calcareous nannoplankton, became disappear, because of the significant climate shift.

One-dimensional dynamic compressive behavior of dry calcareous sand at high strain rates

Calcareous sand has distinct characteristics in comparison with silica sand, such as dynamic behavior at high strain rates(HSRs). This is closely related to pile driving, aircraft wheel loading and mining activities. To understand the response of calcareous sand at HSRs, a series of dynamic tests is performed using the split Hopkinson pressure bar(SHPB) with steel sleeve, including 6 validation tests of bar-against-bar and 16 comparative tests relevant to the relative density and strain rate of calcareous and silica sands.The apparent dynamic stiffness of calcareous sand is approximately 10% of that for silica sand due to different particle shapes and mineral compositions. The axial stress-strain response of silica sand is mainly governed by the deformation of individual grain and soil skeleton, and particle crushing. However, porous calcareous sand shows yielding and strain-hardening responses that are always followed by particle crushing. As the applied loading increases, the particle crushing of calcareous sand develops from local instability to whole breakage. Calcareous sand has lower viscous flow effects compared with silica sand at HSRs.

Calcareous Nannofossils and Molecular Fossils in Cobalt-rich Crusts and their Response to the P/E Global Event

A biostratigraphic study on calcareous nannofossils from the CM3D06 Co-rich ferromanganese crust from the Magellan seamounts in the northwestern Pacific enabled estimation of depositional age. The bio-imprinting of calcareous nannofossils and other fossil species suggests six age ranges for the nannofossils： late Cretaceous, late Paleocene, （early, middle, late） Eocene, middle Miocene, late Pliocene, and Pleistocene. Gas chromatography （GC） and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS） were used to test the Co-rich crusts, and a variety of molecular fossils were detected, such as chloroform bituminous ＂A＂ , n-alkane, isoprenoid and sterol. Peak carbon and molecular indices （such as C23-/C24＋, CPI, Pr/Ph, Pr/nC17, Ph/nCxs and j13C） indicate that the parent organic matter is dominated by marine phytoplankton and thallogen whereas there is little input of terrestrial organic matter. Researches on calcareous nannofossils, molecular fossils and molecular organic geochemistry data reveal that the Paleocene/Eocene （P/E） global event is recorded in the cobalt- rich crusts from the northwestern Pacific Ocean. A succession of biomes can be observed near the 85 mm boundary （about 55 Ma）, i.e., the disappearance of the late Cretaceous Watznaueria barnesae and Zigodicus spiralis, and Broisonia parka microbiotas above the P/E boundary, and the bloom of Coccolithus formosus, Discoaster multiradiatus, Discoaster mohleri and Discoaster sp. below the boundary. Typical parameters of molecular fossils, such as saturated hydrocarbon components and carbon-number maxima, Pr/Ph, Pr/C17, Ph/C18, distribution types of sterols, Ts/Tm ratios and bacterial hopane, also exhibit dramatic changes near the P/E boundary. These integrated results illustrate that the biome succession of calcareous nannofossils, relative content of molecular fossils and molecular indices in the cobalt-rich crusts near the 85 mm boundary faithfully record the P/E global event.

Hydrophilic and strength-softening characteristics of calcareous shale in deep mines

To better understand the mechanism of the strength weakening process of soft rocks in deep mines after interacting with water, a self-developed experimental system, Intelligent Testing System for Water Absorption in Deep Soft Rocks （ITSWADSR）, is employed to analyze the hydrophilic behavior of deep calcareous shale sampled from Daqiang coal mine. Experimental results demonstrate that the relation between water absorption and time can be expressed by power functions, and the soakage rate decreases while the soakage increases with time. In order to quantitatively calculate the weight coefficients of the influential factors for water absorbing capacity of rocks, a series of testing methods are adopted, including scanning electron microscope （SEM）, X-ray diffraction and mercury injection test. It is demonstrated that the effective porosity has a positive correlation with the water absorbing capacity of rocks and the contents of illite and illite/smectite. The initial water content presents a negative correlation with the water absorption capacity of rocks. According to the absolute value of weight coefficients of various influential factors, the order of magnitude from high to low is captured： initial water content, illite, illite/smectite formation （S=5%）, and the effective porosity. After water absorption tests, uniaxial compressive strength （UCS） tests were performed on rock specimens allowing a linear relationship between the UCS and the water content of rock to be established, indicating that the strength of calcareous shale decreases linearly with the increasing water content.

Acoustic-Physical Properties of Calcareous Seafloor Soils and Their Significance in Engineering Geology

The basic features and acoustic-physical properties of calcareous seafloor soils in the tropic sea area are obviously different from those of sediments mainly composed of terrigenous materials in the South China Sea. Generally calcareous soils, composed of carbonate particles of marine organism remains. have the characteristics of high water content, high porosity, low wet density, high sound velocity and greatly varied comprehensive strength. Recognizing the differences between calcareous soils and terrigenous sediments and engineering geologic significance of calcareous soils is crucial for seafloor geologic research and geotechnical survey for pile-jacket platform foundation design.

Effects of moisture and carbonate additions on CO_2 emission from calcareous soil during closed–jar incubation

Calcareous soil contains organic and inorganic carbon(C) pools,which both contribute to CO2 emission during closed-jar incubation. The mineralization of organic C and dissolution of inorganic C are both related to soil moisture,but the exact effect of water content on CO2 emission from calcareous soil is unclear. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of soil water content(air-dried,30%,70%,and 100% water-holding capacity(WHC)),carbonate type(CaCO3 or MgCO3),and carbonate amount(0.0,1.0%,and 2.0%) on CO2 emission from calcareous soil during closed-jar incubation. Soil CO2 emission increased significantly as the water content increased to 70% WHC,regardless of whether or not the soil was amended with carbonates. Soil CO2 emission remained the same or increased slowly as the soil water content increased from 70% WHC to 100% WHC. When the water content was ≤30% WHC,soil CO2 emission from soil amended with 1.0% inorganic C was greater than that from unamended soil. When the soil water content was 70% or 100% WHC,CO2 emission from CaCO3 amended soil was greater than that from the control. Furthermore,CO2 emission from soil amended with 2.0% CaCO3 was greater than that from soil amended with 1.0% CaCO3. Soil CO2 emission was higher in the MgCO3 amended soil than from the unamended soil. Soil CO2 emission decreased as the MgCO3 content increased. Cumulative CO2 emission was 3-6 times higher from MgCO3 amended soil than from CaCO3 amended soil. There was significant interaction effect between soil moisture and carbonates on CO2 emission. Soil moisture plays an important role in CO2 emission from calcareous soil because it affects both biotic and abiotic processes during the closed-jar incubation.

Phosphorus Changes and Sorption Characteristics in a Calcareous Soil Under Long-Term Fertilization

Knowledge of phosphorus （P） behavior in long-term fertilized soils is essential for programming fertilization practices and for sustaining environmental quality. The long-term （1984-1997） effects of various fertilization treatments on P changes and sorption isotherms as well as the relationship of soil properties to P sorption and P forms were evaluated in an Ustic Isohumisol, a calcareous soil, on the Loess Plateau, China. Compared to 1984, after 13 years of crop production, total soil P in the no-P treatments （control and N treatment） decreased by 5%-7%, but in the phosphorus fertilizer alone （P）, nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers in combination （NP）, manure alone （M）, and nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers and manure in combination （NPM） treatments, it increased by 22%, 19%, 28%, and 58%, respectively. Residual fertilizer P was found mainly in NH4Ac-soluble P （Cas-P）, followed by NaHCO3-soluble P （NaHCO3-P）, and NH4F-soluble P （Al-P）. Phosphorus sorption in the soils with different fertilization practices fit the Langmuir equations. Phosphorus sorption capacity in the no-P treatments increased, whereas it decreased in the P-included treatments （P, NP, and NPM treatments）. Phosphorus sorption maximum （Qm） was significantly and negatively correlated to inorganic P including NaHCO3-P, Cas-P, NaOH-Na2CO3-soluble P （Fe-P）, and Al-P （P ≤ 0.01）. Moreover, long-term fertilization increased soil organic carbon in the NP, M, and NPM treatments and decreased pH in the NP and NPM treatments. Thus, the ability of the soil to release sorbed P to the environment increased under long-term P fertilization.

Microbiostratigraphy of Kazhdumi Formation in the Northwestern Shiraz (Southwest Iran) on the Basis of Foraminifera and Calcareous Algae

The middle Cretaceous Kazhdumi Formation,with a thickness of 222 m,belongs to the Bangestan Group and occurs in the Zagros folded zone in southwest Iran.The lower boundary with the Dariyan Formation is disconformable,which is recognized by iron oxides and glauconite.The recognized microfossils are Valvulammina sp.,Scandonea sp.,Daxia cenomana,Choffatela sp., Pseudolituonella reicheli and calcareous algae-Lithocodium aggregation（which belongs to the Sarvak Formation）,representing the beginning of Cenomanian.Other microfossils are：Ammobaculites goodlandensis,Marsonella trochus,Hemicyclammina sigali,Praechrysalidina infracretacea,Orbitolina gr.concava,Orbitolina（conicorbitolina）conica,Orbitolina subconcava,Salpingoporella sp.,Trinocladus tripolitanus,Trinocladus sp.,Permocalculus irenae and Dissocladella deserta.These microfossils can be classified into five assemblage zones.

Influence of Dissolved Oxygen on the Protectiveness and Morphological Characteristics of Calcareous Deposits with Galvanostatic Polarization

The influence of dissolved oxygen on calcareous deposits formed under galvanostatic polarization mode was studied.When the dissolved oxygen concentration was less than 7 mg L^(-1),the cathodic protection potential showed a plateau at the initial polarization,and then quickly shifted negatively.While the dissolved oxygen was more than 9 mg L^(-1),the potential shifted negatively in a linear form.After 168 h of polarization,the final protection potential shifted negatively with the decreasing dissolved oxygen concentration.The deposition progress was monitored by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy,and only one single loop was found in Nyquist diagram,indicating deposits of ineffective protectiveness precipitation under the experimental conditions.The protection factor of deposits increased with the decreasing dissolved oxygen concentration which was detected by linear polarization resistance technique.The cathodic electrochemical reaction could change very shortly from oxygen reduction to hydrogen evolution after cathodic protection under very low dissolved oxygen concentration,such as 1 mg L^(-1),resulting in the hydrogen bubbling from the metallic surface and the decrease of deposits protection factor.Observation by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrated that the deposits were mainly of calcite under the experimental conditions,and that dissolved oxygen had no effect on the crystalline types of calcium carbonate.

Cenozoic Calcareous Nannofossil Biostratigraphy of Sediments from Lingfeng Well in East China Sea

A biostratigraphic study of calcareous nannofossils of sediments from Lingfeng No.1 well in the East China Sea was carried out to provide more detailed nannofossil data and a stratigraphic correlation among offshore wells located in the East China Sea.14 Paleocene to Pleistocene calcareous nannofossil zones were recognized based on a detailed examination. According to these nannofossil data, the Paleocene/Eocene and Pliocene/Pleistocene boundaries, as well as the Miocene base were determined.Oligocene NP23 and Miocene NN1 zones are firstly recognized by this study. The existence of Miocene NN1 at this well suggests that the Miocene transgression began in the Early Miocene in this area. The records of NP23 indicate that the marine Oligocene sediments exist in the series of Lingfeng wells, but probably as very thin layers.

Effect of Different Fertilizer Treatments on Quantity of Soil Microbes and Structure of Ammonium Oxidizing Bacterial Community in a Calcareous Purple Paddy Soil

The quantity of soil microbes and the structure of ammonium oxidizing bacterial （AOB） community were analyzed using the dilution plate counting and most probable number method （MPN）, and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （DGGE）, respectively. Fertilizer application tended to increase the number of soil microbes and alter the AOB community compared to the control with no fertilizer application （CK）. Among the eight fertilizer treatments, soil samples from the treatments of mineral fertilizers （e.g., N, P, K） in combination with farmyard manure （M） had greater number.s of soil microbes and more complex structure of AOB community than those receiving mineral fertilizers alone. The principal component analyses （PCA） for ammonium oxidizing bacterial community structure showed that the eight fertilizer treatments could be divided into two PCA groups （PCA1 and PCA2）. For the soil sampled after rice harvest, PCA1 included NP, NM, NPM and NPKM fertilizer treatments, while PCA2 was consisted of CK, N, M and NPK fertilizer treatments. For soil samples collected after wheat harvest, PCA1 was consisted of M, NM, NPM and NPKM fertilizer treatments, while PCA2 was composed of CK, N, NP and NPK fertilizer treatments. For a given rotation, the richness of AOB community in PCA1 was greater than that in PCA2. In addition, AOB community structure was more complex in the soil after rice harvest than that after wheat harvest. The results indicated that different fertilizer treatments resulted in substantial changes of soil microbe number and AOB community. Furthermore, mineral fertilizers （N, NP, NPK） combined with farmyard manure were effective for increasing the quantity of soil microbes, enriching AOB community, and improving the soil biofertility.

Influence of Calcareous Deposit on Corrosion Behavior of Q235 Carbon Steel with Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria

Cathodic protection is a very effective method to protect metals, which can form calcareous deposits on metal surface. Research on the interrelationship between fouling organism and calcareous deposits is very important but very limited, especially sulfate-reducing bacteria(SRB). SRB is a kind of very important fouling organism that causes microbial corrosion of metals. A study of the influence of calcareous deposit on corrosion behavior of Q235 carbon steel in SRB-containing culture medium was carried out using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS), scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and surface spectroscopy(EDS). The calcareous deposit was formed with good crystallinity and smooth surface under the gradient current density of -30 μA cm^(-2) in natural seawater for 72 h. Our results can help elucidate the formation of calcareous deposits and reveal the interrelationship between SRB and calcareous deposits under cathodic protection. The results indicate that the corrosion tendency of carbon steel was obviously affected by Sulfate-reducing Bacteria(SRB) metabolic activity and the calcareous deposit formed on the surface of carbon steel under cathodic protection was favourable to reduce the corrosion rate. Calcareous deposits can promote bacterial adhesion before biofilm formation. The results revealed the interaction between biofouling and calcareous deposits, and the anti-corrosion ability was enhanced by a kind of inorganic and organic composite membranes formed by biofilm and calcareous deposits.

Response of Tomato on Calcareous Soils to Different Seedbed Phosphorus Application Rates

Field experiments were conducted with five rates （0, 75, 150, 225, and 450 kg P205 ha^-1） of seedbed P fertilizer application to investigate the yield of tomato in response to fertilizer P rate on calcareous soils with widely different levels of Olsen P （13-142 mg kg^-1） at 15 sites in some suburban counties of Beijing in 1999. Under the condition of no P fertilizer application, tomato yield generally increased with an increase in soil test P levels, and the agronomic level for soil testing P measured with Olsen method was 50 or 82 mg kg^-1 soil to achieve 85% or 95% of maximum tomato yield, respectively. With regard to marketable yield, in the fields where Olsen-P levels were 〈 50 mg kg^-1, noticeable responses to applied P were observed. On the basis of a linear plateau regression, the optimum seedbed P application rate in the P-insufflcient fields was 125 kg P205 ha^-1 or about 1.5-2 times the P removal from harvested tomato plants. In contrast, in fields with moderate （50 〈 Olsen P 〈 90 mg kg^-1） or high （Olsen P 〉 90 mg kg^-1） available P, there was no marked effect on tomato fruit yield. Field survey data indicated that in most fields with conventional P management, a P surplus typically occurred. Thus, once the soil test P level reached the optimum for crop yield, it was recommended that P fertilizer application be restricted or eliminated to minimize negative environmental effects.

Calcareous Nannoplankton Biostratigraphy of the Bartin Province,Western Black Sea,Turkey

Calcareous nannoplankton biostratigraphy has been performed on five sedimentary sections through the marine Akveren Formation from the Bartin region of northern Turkey, on the southern Black Sea coast. This new biostratigraphy provides an age for the formation of the Early Campanian （nannofossil zone UC15aTp） to Early Selandian （nannofossil zone NPS）, and highlights the presence of the Campanian/Maastrichtian, Cretaceous/Tertiary （K/T）, and Danian/Selandian boundaries in this intermediate palaeolatitude location. Micula murus was identified below the K/T boundary, but Micula prinsii and Nephrolithus frequens were not, which implies that the K/T boundary interval is not complete in the study area. These dates are in agreement with previous micropaleontological studies.

Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizae-Mediated Uptake and Thanslocation of P and Zn by Wheat in Calcareous Soil

Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi have been credited with improving the groWth and mineral nutrition of many host plants but these effects are moderated by soil factors and nutrient balance. The combined effects of VAM, Zn and P application on the growth and translocation of nutrients in wheat were investigated using a calcareous soil marginal in P and Zn concentrations. Wheat was grown in a growth chamber under various combinations of VAM, P and Zn with measurements done at heading stage and maturity.Vegetative dry matter accumulation was increased by P application and reduced by VAM treatments. Both P and VAM increased grain yield. Zinc concentration and uptake were generally reduced by P addition and VAM infection. There were no antagonistic effects of Zn on P acquisition in the plant. The role of VAM in enhancing the translocation of Zn and P from root to grain would be beneficial to seed setting and yield.