Crystallization of sodium sulfate salts in limestone

Crystallization pressure of salt crystals growing in confined pores is found to be the main cause for damage to stone and masonry. In this work, the crystallization of sodium sulfate salts in Cordova Cream and Indiana limestones is investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The DSC experiments indicate that sodium heptahydrate always precipitates prior to the decahydrate (mirabilite), at a temperature between 15 and 7°C in the selected stones. The threshold supersaturation for the nucleation of heptahydrate is less than 2. In constrast, mirabilite precipitates close to or below 0°C and its crystallization pattern is completely different: precipitation takes place abruptly when the threshold supersaturation is reached, which is greater than 7. Indeed, the DSC and the DMA experiments reveal the rare nature of the nucleation of mirabilite for the investigated stones. The crystallization pressure exerted by heptahydrate does not cause damage under the conditions of the cooling experiments. In contrast, mirabilite exerts a very high crystallization pressure on the pore wall causing damage of the stone; moreover, the transient stress can remain for a long period of time since the relaxation process is slow.     

Thermal and electric conductivity of three basaltic rocks of the Bohemian Massif under high temperatures

Summary The thermal, temperature and electric conductivities of three alkaline basalts are compared for temperatures ranging from 20 to 900 °C.     

Changes of electrical conductivity in the vicinity of the curie temperature of basaltic rocks — theoretical model

Summary Samples of basalts, haematites and magnetites display either temporary or permanent (magnetite) weakening of the increase of the electrical conductivity with increasing temperature in the vicinity of their Curie temperature. Using the second quantization, this paper explains the observed pattern of the electrical conductivity adequately for magnetite and approximately for the other rocks by means of a quantum theory model of ferromagnetic minerals. This theory describes only the electron component of the electrical conductivity, which is responsible for the Curie temperature effect.Dedicated to RNDr. Jan Pícha, CSc., on his 60th Birthday     

Changes of electric conductivity in the neighbourhood of the curie temperature of basalts

Summary In investigating the electric conductivity of rocks as a function of the temperature it was found that rocks containing ferrimagnetic minerals display a change in the slope of the functionlg =f(1/T) in the neighbourhood of the Curie temperature . In order to explain these changes the curveslg =f(1/T) and the Curie temperatures , obtained from the temperature dependence of the saturated magnetization J_s=f(T), were compared. Eight samples of basalts, 2 samples of haematite and magnetite were used to demonstrate the relation between and the changes in the pattern of the electric conductivity, caused by the variations of the exchangeable energy of ferrimagnetic minerals.     

Electric conductivity of young basaltic rocks of Central and South-East Slovakia

Summary The electric conductivity of basaltic rocks of the final volcanic phase of the Alpine-Carpathian orogenesis was studied in the temperature interval of 200–1000°C. The results obtained are compared with the chemical and modal composition of the rocks and with the content of trace elements (Cr, Co, Ni, V). The statistical treatment of a set of 11 rocks types indicated that the electric conductivity is mostly affected by the modal composition of the rock in the temperature interval of 200–600°C, whereas the effect of trace elements can be seen distinctly in the interval of 600–1000°C.     

Copepod assemblages in a highly dynamic equatorial estuary on the Brazilian Amazon Coast

This study describes the spatial and temporal dynamics of the copepod fauna in the estuary of the Caeté River, a highly dynamic environment characterized by a unique set of hydrological and hydrodynamic attributes. This ecosystem is part of the Amazon Coastal Zone (ACZ), which sustains one of the world's largest continuous tracts of mangrove forest. In the present study, a predominance of high‐energy conditions characterized by macrotides and strong tidal currents was observed throughout the year. Salinity (0.03 ± 0.05–40.00 ± 0.84) and temperatures (26.43 ± 0.10–30.08 ± 0.43 °C) were higher than during the rainy season at all sampling stations. The highest chl‐a concentration (3.92 ± 1.47–17.63 ± 2.60 mg·m^?3) was recorded at the most oligohaline (innermost) station during the rainy season, while no spatial or seasonal pattern was found in dissolved nutrient concentrations, except for phosphates, which exhibited the highest concentrations during the dry season. A total of 22 copepod taxa was identified, of which the most abundant were Oithona hebes, Oithona oswaldocruzi, Acartia tonsa, Paracalanus quasimodo, Euterpina acutifrons and Pseudodiaptomus marshi. Copepodites and nauplii were also recorded. Mean total copepod abundance varied from 710.73 ± 897 individuals (ind.)·m^?3 at the inner station to 236,486 ± 398,360 ind.·m^?3 near the mouth of the estuary (outermost station). The results reflected rainfall‐influenced oscillations in hydrological variables, mainly salinity, which determined shifts in the distribution of copepods and their community structure within the study area. This pattern may be typical of estuaries in the ACZ with similar hydrodynamic and hydrological attributes that are not influenced by the Amazon River plume.     

The Mangrove Ecosystem of the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta (Colombia): Observations on Regeneration and Trace Metals in Sediment

Alteration of water flows and consequent hypersalinization caused the death of nearly 70% of mangroves at the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, Colombia. Efforts to rehabilitate the ecosystem have been made through the construction of freshwater channels. Mangrove recovery was observed along a freshwater channel and at a small lagoon behind the beach ridge. Factors identified in this study influencing mangrove regeneration are: salinity of surface water, duration and height of flooding, leaching property of soils, dispersal of propagules and presence of fertile trees. Besides mangrove regeneration, a notable extension of freshwater plants was observed in the channel. Trace metal concentrations in sediments from the Magdalena River and its area of influence were investigated before the complete opening of the first channel. A relative comparison indicated that the highest concentrations of Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn were above international recommended limits. However, metal concentrations found in sediments at Clarín Channel did not affect the mangrove recovery.     

Response of braiding channel morphodynamics to peak discharge changes in the Upper Yellow River

The braiding intensity and dynamics in large braiding rivers are well known to depend on peak discharges, but the response in braiding and channel–floodplain transformations to changes in discharge regime are poorly known. This modelling study addresses the morphodynamic effects of increasing annual peak discharges in braiding rivers. The study site is a braiding reach of the Upper Yellow River. We estimated the effects on the larger‐scale channel pattern, and on the smaller‐scale bars, channel branches and floodplains. Furthermore, we determined the sensitivity of the channel pattern to model input parameters. The results showed that the dominant effect of a higher peak discharge is the development of chute channels on the floodplains, formed by connecting head‐cut channels and avulsive channels. Widening of the main channel by bank erosion was found to be less dominant. In addition, sedimentation on the bars and floodplains increased with increasing peak discharge. The model results also showed that the modelled channel pattern is especially sensitive to parametrization of the bed slope effect, whereas the effect of median grain size was found to be relatively small. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Late Holocene climate and environment of the SE Pampa grasslands,Argentina, inferred from biological indicators in shallow,freshwater Lake Nahuel Rucá

We analyzed pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs (NPPs), calcareous microfossils, plant macrofossils, diatoms, chrysophyte cysts, opal phytoliths and organic matter content in a 123-cm sediment sequence from Nahuel Rucá Lake, a shallow, freshwater system in the southeastern Pampa grasslands, Argentina. Three stages in the lake evolution were identified. Before 3,680 cal year BP, only pollen, NPPs (dinoflagellate cysts and acritarchs) and ostracods were recovered, suggesting brackish/saline conditions in the lake and nearby areas. Freshwater conditions are, however, indicated by Myriophyllum, Pediastrum and Zygnemataceae. The brackish/saline conditions could have been caused by marine influence during a Holocene sea level high stand that affected the area ca. 6,000 year BP. Between 3,680 and 390 cal year BP, macrophyte pollen and plant macrofossils indicate increasingly freshwater conditions in the lake and the adjacent area. Diatom and ostracod assemblages, however, suggest brackish and oligotrophic conditions, giving way to freshwater and meso-eutrophic conditions toward the end of this period. The relationship between submersed macrophytes (Myriophyllum, Potamogeton, Ceratophyllum, Chara) and planktonic algae (Chlorophyta and diatoms), suggests a shift in the lake from a clear to a turbid state. This turbid state is more evident after 390 cal year BP. High values of Pediastrum, Scenedesmus and diatoms (Cyclotella meneghiniana, Aulacoseira granulata, A. muzzanensis) observed during this stage could have reduced light penetration, with consequent loss of submersed plants. Pollen and plant macrofossils in the uppermost 20 cm indicate a shallow, freshwater lake similar to present, though an increase in brackish/freshwater diatoms suggests an increase in salinity, perhaps related to periodic droughts. Opal phytoliths yield a regional paleoclimatic reconstruction that agrees closely with inferences made using pollen, mammals and sediment characteristics.