Nutrient storage in termite (Macrotermes bellicosus) mounds and the implications for nutrient dynamics in a tropical savanna Ultisol

The role of mounds of the fungus-growing termite Macrotermes bellicosus (Smeathman) in nutrient recycling in a highly weathered and nutrient-depleted tropical red earth (Ultisol) of the Nigerian savanna was examined by measuring stored amounts of selected nutrients and estimating their rates of turnover via the mounds. A study plot (4?ha) with a representative termite population density (1.5?mounds?ha^?1) and size (3.7?±?0.4?m in height, 2.4?±?0.2?m in basal diameter) of M. bellicosus mounds was selected. The mounds were found to contain soil mass of 9249?±?2371?kg?ha^?1, composed of 7502?±?1934?kg?ha^?1 of mound wall and 1747?±?440?kg?ha^?1 of nest body. Significant nutrient enrichment, compared to the neighboring topmost soil (Ap1 horizon: 0–16?cm), was observed in the nest body for total nitrogen (N) and exchangeable calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K), and in the mound wall for exchangeable K only. In contrast, available (Bray-1) phosphorus (P) content was found to be lower in both the mound wall and the nest body than in the adjacent topmost soil horizon. Consequently, the mounds formed by M. bellicosus contained 1.71?±?0.62?kg?ha^?1 of total N, 0.004?±?0.003?kg?ha^?1 of available P, 3.23?±?0.81?kg?ha^?1 of exchangeable Ca, 1.11?±?0.22?kg?ha^?1 of exchangeable Mg and 0.79?±?0.21?kg?ha^?1 of exchangeable K. However, with the exception of exchangeable K (1.2%), these nutrients amounted to less than 0.5% of those found in the topmost soil horizon. The soil nutrient turnover rate via M. bellicosus mounds was indeed limited, being estimated at 1.72?kg?ha^?1 for organic carbon (C), 0.15?kg?ha^?1 for total N, 0.0004?kg?ha^?1 for available P, 0.15?kg?ha^?1 for exchangeable Ca, 0.05?kg?ha^?1 for exchangeable Mg, and 0.06?kg?ha^?1 for exchangeable K per annum. These findings suggest that the mounds of M. bellicosus, while being enriched with some nutrients to create hot spots of soil nutrients in the vicinity of the mounds, are not a significant reservoir of soil nutrients and are therefore of minor importance for nutrient cycling at the ecosystem scale in the tropical savanna.     

天水市北山黄土崩塌灾害特征、成因及防治

通过野外调查和分析实验数据,用数理统计法对天水市北山黄土崩塌特征进行了统计分析.通过对研究区黄土崩塌地质灾害的成因的分析,揭示了该区黄土崩塌地质灾害发育的物质基础、力学性质、自然因素和人为因素.结果表明,天水市北山黄土崩塌灾害以中、小型为主,崩落范围为5～15 m;黄土崩塌的坡高集中在15～40m,坡度集中在58°～906;潜在黄土崩塌的坡高集中在10～38m,坡度集中在48°～90°.结果认为天水市北山黄土崩塌的促发因素为降水、泉水、地震和人类活动,提出了黄土崩塌灾害的防治原则及其适宜性措施.研究结果可为进一步治理该区黄土崩塌灾害提供理参考.     

小断面盾构隧道塌方清理方案

针对小断面盾构隧道直径小、无法采用大型机械设备挖掘清理的实际情况,借鉴盾构机泥水加压平衡模式原理,以某小断面盾构隧道塌方清理为工程背景,探讨了小断面盾构隧道塌方清理技术,制定了用水搅拌淤砂后由泵抽吸至地面泥水分离设备,析出淤砂后的水再返回隧道循环使用的清理方案,包括竖井抽水、隧道排水、隧道上下行段排砂以及设置隧道口安全门等措施.该技术适用于固体颗粒分布不均匀,固相含量较高的清理物,以及环境湿度95％、温度-20～50℃的工况,人工与补水需求量低,对于类似空间受限环境下的清理作业,具有较强的适用性和借鉴性.     

(土娄)土堆积体坡面细沟形态及其沿程分布特征

采用人工野外放水冲刷试验,以(土娄)土地质为下垫面的工程堆积体坡面为研究对象,研究了不同坡长、坡度的(土娄)土堆积体坡面细沟形态特征及其沿程分布。结果表明:沟宽随时间延续呈现先递增后倾于稳定的趋势,沟宽与坡长存在二次函数关系,沟深随时间延续不断递增,表现为线性函数关系,沟深与细沟断面面积均对坡长变化存在响应,但并不存在显著函数关系,细沟宽深比随径流的持续呈现先骤减后倾于稳定的趋势,细沟断面面积随时间延续呈现逐渐递增的走势,可以用线性函数来描述断面面积与时间二者的关系,沟宽的沿程分布规律不一,呈现迥异,整体上来看,沟深的分布特性表现为先骤减后保持稳定的规律,就堆积体渣面汇集径流冲刷坡面的情况而言,对堆积体上半坡面布设合理的防治措施是重中之重。     

油气管道废弃处置中的注浆技术

随着废弃管道处置工作的深入开展,对于特殊地段不能拆除的废弃管道,在管道清洗后需要通过填充注浆材料防止地面沉降。废弃管道的注浆技术,主要是利用水泥、煤粉灰等注浆材料填充废弃管段,增加管体强度,防止管段受到外力压迫而发生变形或破裂,避免引起地上物的位置移动或地面塌陷。以兰郑长管道改线段为试验对象,根据管道注浆的基本原理,自主调配了注浆材料,基于填充要求进行了注浆现场试验。结果表明:注浆技术能够实现废弃管道填充处置的要求,对特殊地段的防塌陷起到关键作用,是废弃管道处置过程中的重要保障技术。注浆技术在兰郑长管道改线段废弃管道处置工程中的实际效果,为该技术推广应用奠定了基础。     

冻土区埋地油气管道管沟融陷机理

为了治理冻土区埋地油气管道管沟融陷工程病害,通过对管道病害现场调查,结合现场地质勘探、含水量试验测试及管周土体温度监测,分析了融陷病害的发生机理,并结合管沟融陷形成因素,提出了相应的防治措施。结果表明:冻土区埋地油气管道管沟融陷病害的发生与地层土质、土体含冰量、冻土类型、管道热扰动及施工方式等因素有关;冻土区埋地油气管道的敷设应选择合理的施工季节,综合分析冻土环境因素,确定合理的管道埋设深度,设置管道隔热保温措施,加强管道运行状态监测和科学管理,从而保证管道安全运行。研究成果可为冻土区埋地油气管道的设计、施工及安全运营提供借鉴。