Geotechnical and geological properties of Mokattam limestones: Implications for conservation strategies for ancient Egyptian stone monuments

Geotechnical and geological properties of limestone samples from the Mokattam Quarry in Cairo, Egypt, were determined in order to provide prior information for the selection of suitable methods for the conservation of stone monuments around Cairo. A commercial chemical consolidant (Wacker OH 100) was applied to fill the pore spaces and to strengthen the weathered rock. Filling of pore spaces was confirmed by the decrease of both porosity and permeability of rock samples after the application of the consolidant. Analysis by mercury porosimeter showed most effective consolidation results for pore spaces from 0.75 to 1.0 µm in diameter, which were those mainly observed in the samples. Ultrasonic velocity did not show any significant evidence but an increase in strength, observed as an increase in the point load index after the consolidation process was completed, confirmed that the filling and consolidation process worked effectively. Point load testing can thus be used in preference when the number of samples available for laboratory testing is limited. From the color analysis, it was shown that there was no noticeable color change after the application of consolidant Wacker OH 100. The combinations of laboratory tests adopted in this study can be applicable to the planning of conservation of other stone monuments.     

Prognosis of TiO2 abundance in lunar soil using a non-linear analysis of Clementine and LSCC data

We suggest a technique to determine the chemical and mineral composition of the lunar surface using artificial neural networks (ANNs). We demonstrate this powerful non-linear approach for prognosis of TiO₂ abundance using Clementine UV-VIS mosaics and Lunar Soil Characterization Consortium data. The ANN technique allows one to study correlations between spectral characteristics of lunar soils and composition parameters without any restrictions on the character of these correlations. The advantage of this method in comparison with the traditional linear regression method and the Lucey et al. approaches is shown. The results obtained could be useful for the strategy of analyzing lunar data that will be acquired in incoming lunar missions especially in case of the Chandrayaan-1 and Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter missions.     

利用化学方法消除氯干扰的土壤中有机碳测定方法

在高锰酸钾外加热法测试土壤中有机碳的过程中,常遇到高含量氯离子对测试结果的正干扰,为解决此问题,本文提出了利用化学方法消除较高含量氯离子对测定土壤有机碳的干扰消除方法。在称取样品时,加入0. 15 g硫酸汞,消除样品中氯的干扰,通过对部分国家土壤、水系沉积物标准样品的分析测试,验证其方法准确度良好,方法的精密度为:5. 83%,可满足地质行业相关标准要求。     

浅谈挤密碎石桩的施工方法

挤密碎石桩施工法是一种振动成桩法,即先用桩管振动成孔,然后填入足够数量的碎石,最后振动密实成桩体。通过振动、挤密的成桩过程,将原地基土振动夯实,桩体与桩间土形成复合地基,达到既处理可液化地基又增强地基的效果。介绍了挤密碎石柱的施工方法和质量检测方法。     

Effects of rainfall intensity and compaction on water transport from opencast coal mine soils: An experimental study

The use of heavy machinery during opencast coal mining can result in soil compaction. Severe soil compaction has a negative impact on the transport of water and gas in the soil. In addition, rainfall intensity has traditionally been related to soil surface sealing affecting water transport. To assess the effects of rainfall intensity and compaction on water infiltration and surface runoff in an opencast coal mining area, the disturbed soils from the Antaibao opencast mine in Shanxi Province, China, were collected. Four soil columns with different bulk densities (i.e., 1.4 g cm^-3, 1.5 g cm^-3, 1.6 g cm^-3, and 1.7 g cm^-3) were designed, and each column received water five times at rainfall intensities of 23.12, 28.91, 38.54, 57.81, and 115.62 mm hr^-1. The total volume of runoff, the time to start runoff, and the volumetric water contents at the depths of 5 cm, 15 cm, 25 cm, 35 cm, 45 cm, 55 cm, and 65 cm were measured. Under the same soil bulk density, high rainfall intensity reduced infiltration, increased surface runoff, and decreased the magnitude of change in the volumetric water contents at different depths. Under the same rainfall intensity, the soil column with a high bulk density showed relatively low water infiltration. Treatments 3 (1.6 g cm^-3) and 4 (1.7 g cm^-3) had very small changes in volumetric water contents of the profiles even under a lower rainfall intensity. Severe soil compaction was highly prone to surface runoff after rainfall. Engineering and revegetation measures are available to improve compacted soil quality in dumps. Our results provide a theoretical basis for the management of land reclamation in opencast coal mine areas.     

Simulation of drilling‐induced compaction bands using discrete element method

Rock failure is observed around boreholes often with certain types of failure zones, which are called breakouts. Laboratory‐scale drilling tests in some high‐porosity quartz‐rich sandstone have shown breakouts in the form of narrow localized compacted zones in the minimum horizontal stress direction. They are called fracture‐like breakouts. Such compaction bands may affect hydrocarbon extraction by forming barriers that inhibit fluid flow and may also be a source of sand production. This paper presents the results of numerical simulations of borehole breakouts using 3D discrete element method to investigate the mechanism of the fracture‐like breakouts and to identify the role of far‐field stresses on the breakout dimensions. The numerical tool was first verified against analytical solutions. It was then utilized to investigate the failure mechanism and breakout geometry for drilled cubic rock samples of Castlegate sandstone subjected to different pre‐existing far‐field stresses. Results show that failure occurs in the zones of the highest concentration of tangential stress around the borehole. It is concluded that fracture‐like breakout develops as a result of a nondilatant failure mechanism consisting of localized grain debonding and repacking and grain crushing that lead to the formation of a compaction band in the minimum horizontal stress direction. In addition, it is found that the length of fracture‐like breakouts depends on both the mean stress and stress anisotropy. However, the width of the breakout is not significantly changed by the far‐field stresses. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

盐酸普鲁卡因诱导下海洋真菌Hypocrea lixii次级代谢化学成分

【目的】通过化学诱导方法从一株海洋真菌Hypocrea lixii中获得多样化的活性小分子化合物。【方法】对菌株在盐酸普鲁卡因的化学诱导作用下进行固体发酵,代谢产物采用硅胶减压柱层析、Sephadex LH-20以及pHPLC等手段分离纯化,对化合物运用NMR、MS等波谱学技术并比对文献进行结构鉴定,采用Ellman比色法及DPPH自由基清除法对化合物进行初步抗乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)和抗氧化活性测试。【结果】从海洋真菌Hypocrea lixii在盐酸普鲁卡因诱导下的发酵提取物中分离得到4个异黄酮类化合物,包括6'-O-crotonylgenistin(1)、Genistein(2)、Daidzein(3)和Genistin(4),以及对氨基苯甲酸甲酯(5)、对羟基苯丙酸(6)和胞嘧啶(7),其中化合物1和6为该种中首次报道,化合物5为生物转化来源首次报道,化合物2~4可能源自培养基。在100μmol/L剂量浓度下,化合物1~4对AChE的抑制以及DPPH自由基的清除活性均较弱,化合物5和6显示了相对强的AChE抑制活性,抑制率分别为40%和38%。【结论】盐酸普鲁卡因对该菌次级代谢产生了显著的影响,为深入研究该菌株化学诱导次级代谢产物提供基础。     

The application of satellite differential SAR interferometry-derived ground displacements in hydrogeology

The application of satellite differential synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry, principally coherent (InSAR) and to a lesser extent, persistent-scatterer (PSI) techniques to hydrogeologic studies has improved capabilities to map, monitor, analyze, and simulate groundwater flow, aquifer-system compaction and land subsidence. A number of investigations over the previous decade show how the spatially detailed images of ground displacements measured with InSAR have advanced hydrogeologic understanding, especially when a time series of images is used in conjunction with histories of changes in water levels and management practices. Important advances include: (1) identifying structural or lithostratigraphic boundaries (e.g. faults or transitional facies) of groundwater flow and deformation; (2) defining the material and hydraulic heterogeneity of deforming aquifer-systems; (3) estimating system properties (e.g. storage coefficients and hydraulic conductivities); and (4) constraining numerical models of groundwater flow, aquifer-system compaction, and land subsidence. As a component of an integrated approach to hydrogeologic monitoring and characterization of unconsolidated alluvial groundwater basins differential SAR interferometry contributes unique information that can facilitate improved management of groundwater resources. Future satellite SAR missions specifically designed for differential interferometry will enhance these contributions.     

化肥在农业生产中的地位与作用

化肥是提高作物产量的物质基础, 在过去的几十年中, 它在世界农业建设中起过巨大作用。近百年的肥料试验表明, 化学肥料具有和有机质一样的持续增产效果, 在提高作物产量、品质的同时, 还可培肥土壤。随着化肥工业的发展, 化肥的负作用会逐渐减小。