风积沙混凝土的抗冻性与冻融损伤机理分析

为探讨沙漠沙(又名风积沙)替代河砂对低温环境下混凝土的耐久性能影响,按照风积沙替代河砂质量的20%、40%、60%、80%、100%共设计了5种强度等级为C25的风积沙混凝土(aeolian sand concrete,ASC)。采用加速试验方法研究了风积沙混凝土在冻融条件下的损伤失效规律,借助环境电镜扫描(environmental scanning electron microscope,ESEM)、应变监测和核磁共振(nuclear magnetic resonance,NMR)等测试手段得到了风积沙混凝土的损伤机理。研究发现风积沙掺量80%以上的混凝土冻融次数超过200次,冻融损伤残余应变小,内部封闭小孔隙数量多对冻融损伤的抑制阻碍作用增强。结果表明风积沙混凝土的抗冻性能随着风积沙掺量的增加而提高,掺量为100%的风积沙混凝土的抗冻性最好。该研究可为风积沙混凝土大范围应用于寒区渠道衬砌及水利设施建设提供理论依据。     

高寒灌区风沙吹蚀对农业水利工程混凝土抗冻耐久性的影响

针对内蒙古引黄灌区农业水利工程混凝土实际服役环境,同时加大风积沙资源化利用效率,配制满足农业水利工程设计要求的风积沙混凝土,并研究风沙吹蚀作用对风积沙混凝土抗冻耐久性的影响。结果表明:相对动弹性模量可准确表征风积沙混凝土受风沙吹蚀影响下的冻融破坏,且风沙吹蚀影响下混凝土冻融循环后的内部损伤是未受风沙吹蚀影响下混凝土冻融循环后的2倍;在风沙吹蚀影响下的冻融过程中,风积沙混凝土水泥浆体在冻融过程发生"酥化",同时在风沙流的持续撞击、削切下,"酥化"的水泥浆体进一步剥落,迫使破坏表面水泥浆体与骨料连接处的界面过渡区较光滑;风积沙替代率为40%可以配制满足抗冻性要求的风积沙混凝土,但风积沙混凝土气泡间距系数不能准确评价其抗冻性,气泡盒维数与细骨料细度模数可反映气泡结构特征和细骨料颗粒级配,且二者呈负相关趋势,二者结合可对风积沙混凝土抗冻耐久性优劣进行初步判定。     

风沙冲蚀与碳化耦合作用下风积沙粉体混凝土耐久性能

该研究以风积沙粉体为水泥替代材料的风积沙粉体混凝土为研究对象,设计风沙冲蚀-碳化、碳化-风沙冲蚀2种工况,探讨其在风沙冲蚀、碳化环境下的劣化机理及耐久性能。结果表明,风沙冲蚀时,90o冲蚀角作用时以撞击作用为主,产生冲蚀坑洞,45°冲蚀角作用时以削切作用为主,产生冲蚀沟壑,且风沙冲蚀破坏混凝土表面水泥石结构,可使碳化深度增加3倍以上;碳化作用时,普通混凝土碳化时是由于氢氧化钙和水化硅酸钙发生脱钙反应,风积沙粉体混凝土则是由于氢氧化钙、水化硅酸钙和钙矾石发生脱钙反应,且由于碳化产物自身的膨胀作用使混凝土变的疏松,使风沙冲蚀后质量损失增加1.6倍以上;风积沙粉体混凝土内部孔径在20 nm以下的无害孔的比例多于普通混凝土21.37个百分点,200 nm以上多害孔少于普通混凝土13.93个百分点,其劣化显著性低于普通混凝土;相对于单一工况,风沙冲蚀、碳化耦合作用下劣化显著性更高,且风沙冲蚀-碳化耦合作用劣化显著性低于碳化-风沙冲蚀耦合作用,风沙冲蚀-碳化耦合作用后的10~15 mm范围内出现碳化区域、碳化产物发生变化(生成硫酸钙)及非碳化区域的混合区,且风沙冲蚀-碳化耦合作用后风积沙粉体混凝土孔隙度下降0.47%,20 nm以下的无害孔的比例高出普通混凝土25.15%。     

灰分混凝土与钢筋粘结性能试验及粘结滑移本构模型研究

为建立适用于灰分混凝土与月牙纹钢筋的粘结-滑移（?-s）本构模型,将灰分等量替代水泥质量的0、5%、10%、15%掺入混凝土中,用以制备C20、C30、C40强度等级的灰分混凝土粘结试件。采用中心拔出的方法,获得灰分混凝土与月牙纹钢筋?1-s1曲线;在?1-s1曲线基础上,建立灰分混凝土与3种不同直径（12、16、20 mm）月牙纹钢筋?-s本构模型;并通过扫描电镜法从微观角度解释不同灰分掺量下灰分混凝土?1-s1曲线的变化原因;最后利用ABAQUS中的spring2单元对中心拔出试验进行仿真模拟以验证该文提出的?-s本构模型。试验结果表明：灰分混凝土与月牙纹钢筋的粘结破坏模式主要为混凝土劈裂破坏和拔出破坏,劈裂-拔出破坏仅出现在灰分掺量15%、混凝土设计强度等级C20、钢筋直径12 mm的粘结试件中;当灰分掺量为5%时,混凝土微观结构连续密实,粘结性能最优,灰分掺量增至15%,引起混凝土微观形貌由连续密实向疏松多孔转变,导致混凝土劈裂抗拉强度降低52%,灰分混凝土与月牙纹钢筋粘结性能相应减弱,?-s本构模型中形状参数也随掺量的改变而改变。该文提出的?-s本构模型曲线拟合决定系数为0.94,拟合曲线决定系数方差为0.001,相对于Harajli?-s本构模型拟合曲线决定系数方差0.002降低了50%,其拟合稳定程度优于Harajli?-s本构模型。     

秸秆灰分混凝土与钢筋粘结性能试验及粘结滑移本构模型研究

为建立适用于灰分混凝土与月牙纹钢筋的粘结-滑移(τ-s)本构模型,将灰分等量替代水泥质量的0、5%、10%、15%掺入混凝土中,用以制备C20、C30、C40强度等级的灰分混凝土粘结试件。采用中心拔出的方法,获得灰分混凝土与月牙纹钢筋τ_1-s_1曲线;在τ_1-s_1曲线基础上,建立灰分混凝土与3种不同直径(12、16、20 mm)月牙纹钢筋τ-s本构模型;并通过扫描电镜法从微观角度解释不同灰分掺量下灰分混凝土τ_1-s_1曲线的变化原因;最后利用ABAQUS中的spring2单元对中心拔出试验进行仿真模拟以验证该文提出的τ-s本构模型。试验结果表明:灰分混凝土与月牙纹钢筋的粘结破坏模式主要为混凝土劈裂破坏和拔出破坏,劈裂-拔出破坏仅出现在灰分掺量15%、混凝土设计强度等级C20、钢筋直径12 mm的粘结试件中;当灰分掺量为5%时,混凝土微观结构连续密实,粘结性能最优,灰分掺量增至15%,引起混凝土微观形貌由连续密实向疏松多孔转变,导致混凝土劈裂抗拉强度降低52%,灰分混凝土与月牙纹钢筋粘结性能相应减弱,τ-s本构模型中形状参数也随掺量的改变而改变。该文提出的τ-s本构模型曲线拟合决定系数为0.94,拟合曲线决定系数方差为0.001,相对于Harajliτ-s本构模型拟合曲线决定系数方差0.002降低了50%,其拟合稳定程度优于Harajliτ-s本构模型。     

风积沙掺量对冻融-碳化耦合作用下混凝土耐久性的影响

针对寒区农业水利工程中混凝土的实际服役环境,利用风积沙等质量替代部分天然河砂制备不同风积沙替代率的混凝土为研究对象进行冻融循环-碳化耦合试验。分析冻融循环-碳化耦合作用下风积沙混凝土的损伤过程,借助核磁共振仪探讨了混凝土的孔隙结构演变与其耐久性之间的联系。试验结果表明,每个试验周期中,经历相同冻融循环次数和碳化时间,但作用顺序不同的情况下,冻融循环-碳化作用对混凝土造成的损伤大于碳化-冻融循环作用;当风积沙替代率由0增加至40%时,混凝土的初始孔隙度降低,同时试验中的质量损失率和相对动弹性模量变化减小;混凝土内部凝胶孔和少害孔占比对其孔隙度和相对动弹性模量具有主导作用,当凝胶孔和少害孔占比之比在5～25之间时相对动弹性模量和孔隙度变化不超过1%,在0～5之间减小时相对动弹性模量和孔隙度变化明显;风积沙的加入改善了混凝土的孔隙分布,风积沙替代率为40%的风积沙混凝土表现出良好的抗冻融、抗碳化能力。该研究可为风积沙混凝土在寒区农业水利工程中的研究与应用提供依据。     

日本低质水工建筑材料的抗冻性试验及其应用

水泥、沙子、砾石混合物(混凝土)与低质混凝土所具有的性质不同。日本京都大学Kazuki等对低质建筑材料的冻融性进行了研究。试验材料由骨料、水泥混合而成,且具有不同的强度。试验的目的是验证低质混凝土的强度及其抗冻性。冻融试验方法分为水下冻融试验A及大气冻融试验B。试验测定了基频振动频率和质量,并计算了相对动弹性模量、质量损失率及耐久性系数(Df)。试验A中,抗压强度增大,Df只略有增加;试验B中,抗压强度增大,抗冻性显著增强。试验结果表明:只要配比相同,试验B的抗冻性约比试验A高10倍。相信此试验研究对我国低质建筑材料的使用有一定的借鉴作用。     

高掺量粉煤灰和矿渣高强混凝土抗渗性和抗冻性试验

采用粉煤灰和矿渣2种掺合料的40%和50%2种质量比例掺量,制备了高掺合料C50高强混凝土,并利用扫描电镜和X射线衍射技术分析了高比例掺合料对高强混凝土强度的影响,最后通过抗氯离子渗透试验和快速冻融试验综合分析了高掺合料C50高强混凝土的耐久性。结果表明:当复掺掺合料总质量占胶凝材料总质量的50%时,随着粉煤灰与矿渣掺入量比值的减小混凝土养护28 d强度有所增加;在掺合料总质量不变的情况下,混凝土的抗冻性和抗氯离子渗透性能均随着粉煤灰掺入量的增加和矿渣掺入量的减小而逐渐提升,但掺合料总质量的增加会降低抗氯离子渗透性能;采用抗冻耐久性指数与电通量的比值法可较好的综合评价高掺合料高强混凝土的耐久性,耐久性较好的适宜配合比为掺合料总量50%,粉煤灰与矿渣掺量比为4:1。研究可为高掺量粉煤灰和矿渣在高强混凝土中的应用提供依据,同时达到提高高强混凝土的经济性和节约资源的目的。     

孔隙结构对风积沙混凝土抗压强度影响规律的灰熵分析

为了探究风积沙混凝土孔隙结构特征对抗压强度的影响,通过风积沙混凝土孔隙结构预测其抗压强度,该文对2种混凝土进行宏观力学抗压强度试验和微观孔隙结构核磁共振试验,同时采用灰熵分析探讨不同养护龄期下混凝土的孔隙结构参数与孔隙半径分布对抗压强度的影响规律,并在此基础上建立混凝土孔隙结构与抗压强度关系模型。结果表明:风积沙混凝土横向弛豫时间T_2曲线呈现"主次峰"结构,普通混凝土呈现"三峰"结构;2种混凝土谱面积均随着养护龄期先增大后减小,风积沙混凝土谱面积最大值为11 789.33,普通混凝土谱面积最大值为10 672.11;对2种混凝土抗压强度影响最大的因素均为束缚流体饱和度和0～0.1μm孔隙半径占比,2种混凝土的束缚流体饱和度灰熵关联度分别为0.980 4和0.979 1,0～0.1μm孔隙半径占比灰熵关联度分别为0.988 2和0.988 8;建立了混凝土抗压强度与束缚流体饱和度和0～0.1μm孔隙半径占比的灰色模型,2种混凝土GM(1,3)模型预测值与试验值的平均相对误差分别为4.11%和2.43%。该研究可为风积沙混凝土在实际工程中的应用提供参考依据。     

青藏高原地区混凝土冻融环境量化方法

对青藏高原地区混凝土冻融环境进行合理量化是高原抗冻混凝土设计所面临的首要问题。该文通过对处于同一冻融环境作用等级下的平原与高原地区大气及地表温度特征进行比较,发现相较于平原地区,高原地区因太阳辐射强度大,具有年正负温交替次数更多、温度日较差更大且日最低温更低的环境温度特征。通过将地表温度近似代替混凝土结构物表面温度,结合青藏高原1971-2003年20个地区的典型气象年数据,建立了与最冷月平均气温及年太阳辐照量相关的青藏高原地区混凝土年均冻融循环次数确定方法。利用该方法对青藏高原主要地区混凝土年均冻融循环次数进行估算,结果表明,青藏高原地区混凝土年均冻融循环次数主要集中在150次以上,部分地区甚至大于200次,因此,高原地区应加强对混凝土进行抗冻耐久性设计。最后,该文给出青藏高原地区混凝土结构物抗冻设计等级推荐值。该研究可为青藏高原地区混凝土抗冻耐久性设计提供参考。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.     

Electron donor and pH relationships for biologically enhanced dissolution of chlorinated solvent DNAPL in groundwater

Biologically enhanced dissolution offers a method to speed removal of chlorinated solvent dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL) sources such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichoroethene (TCE) from aquifers. Bioremediation is accomplished by adding an electron donor to the source zone where fermentation to intermediates leading to acetic acid and hydrogen results. The hydrogen and possibly acetic acid are used by dehalogenating bacteria to convert PCE and TCE to ethene and hydrochloric acid. Reductive dehalogenation is thus an acid forming process, and sufficient alkalinity must be present to maintain a near neutral pH. The bicarbonate alkalinity required to maintain pH above 6.5 is a function of the electron donor: 800 mg/L of bicarbonate alkalinity is sufficient to achieve about 1.2 mM TCE dechlorination with glucose, 1.7 mM with lactate, and a much higher 3.3 mM with formate. Laboratory studies indicate that in mixed culture, formate can be used as an electron donor for complete conversion to ethene, contrary to pure cultures studies indicating it cannot. Various strategies can be used to add electron donor to an aquifer for DNAPL dehalogenation while minimizing pH problems and excessive electron donor usage, including use of injection-extraction wells, dual recirculation wells, and nested injection-extraction wells.     

Enhanced establishment and growth of giant cardon cactus in an eroded field in the Sonoran Desert using native legume trees as nurse plants aided by plant growth-promoting microorganisms and compost

To evaluate the feasibility of long-term desert reforestation technology of mixed vegetation, cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei) seedlings from indoor and outdoor nurseries were planted in the field adjacent to one seedling of potential legume nurse trees: mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata), yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla), and blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida). Some of the planting holes were also supplemented with common dairy compost. Additionally, the combinations of legume tree–cactus were inoculated with either a consortium of desert arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB; the diazotroph Azospirillum brasilense Cd, and the phosphate solubilizer Paenibacillus sp.), or a mixture of all. The field experiments were evaluated periodically during 30 months for survival and growth. Cardons reared in an outdoor screen house survived better in the field than those reared in a controlled growth chamber and hardened later outdoors. Association with any legume nurse tree increased survival and enhanced growth of untreated cardons. For cardons growing alone, application of either compost, AM fungi, and all the treatments combined increased survival. For these plants, no treatment affected plant growth during the first 3 months after transplanting. Later, all treatments, except for AM fungi, enhanced plant growth. However, only 2 years after transplanting the enhanced growth effect of AM fungi was also significant. In the presence of the legume nurse trees, transient positive effects on cardon growth were recorded. General evaluation after 30 months of cultivation showed that the treatments positively affected cardon growth when growing alone or in combination only with mesquite amargo but not with the other two legume trees. This study proposes that young legume trees have the capacity to enhance survival and growth of cardon cactus, depending on the legume cactus combination. Additional treatments such as compost or PGPB can either amplify the effect or else attenuate it.