An analysis of crack pattern in clay soil: its density and orientation

The structure of much clay soil is angular blocky, and the pore space consists of a three-dimensional network of narrow, approximately planar cracks. This paper presents a means of describing such a network in terms of its density and orientation. Undisturbed samples are impregnated with resin containing a fluorescent dye. Plane sections of known azimuth and elevation are cut through them and photographed under ultra-violet light. The photographs are projected onto a screen and the spacings between successive cracks along linear probes are measured in several directions. The sets of distances obtained are then analysed. The method was applied to subsoil of the Windsor series. The distribution of inter-crack distances appeared to be exponential but with a dearth of distances less than about 1 mm. The crack pattern was judged to be the outcome of a Poisson process, but one in which some of the very narrow wedges of soil had collapsed. The crack network was perceptibly anisotropic, and was modelled as two superimposed patterns, one isotropic and the other a set of approximately parallel cracks. The orientation of the parallel component was estimated from the sections. The cracks were found to be aligned parallel to the contour of the land and to dip into the hill slope at angles ranging from about 25° to 75° to the horizontal. The intensities in the soil of the two components were estimated as 0.18 mm^?1 for the isotropic component and 0.2 mm^?1 normal to the parallel component, equivalent to 0.1 mm^?1 for a random direction.     

Water quality changes in sudbury area lakes: A comparison of synoptic surveys in 1974–1976 and 1981–1983

A survey was carried out during the summers of 1981–1983 to re-sample 209 Sudbury, Ontario area lakes originally sampled in 1974–1976. Between the study periods, SO₂ emissions from the Sudbury metal smelters were reduced by ～ 50%. Observed water quality changes included increases in pH and decreases in SO₄ ^?, Ni, and Cu concentrations. The degree of observed changes showed a general relationship to distance from the Sudbury smelters, indicating that reduced contaminant deposition from Sudbury sources was responsible for the observed improvements. Although changes in water quality have occurred in many Sudbury area lakes over the course of this study, many lakes remain acidic and metal-contaminated.     

Temporal variability of lake waters in the North Cascades mountains (Washington,U.S.A.)

Five lakes in the North Cascades were sampled at regular time and depth intervals during the open water period in 1984. Surface water ANC was depressed during snowmelt and then increased as summer and fall progressed. Shallow lakes circulated completely in the fall, whereas deep lakes ( > 75 m) did not. Sulfate and N03 concentrations in the lakes increased during the snowmelt period and then decreased until iceover. No significant differences were found between surface ANC measurements during fall circulation in successive years.     

Two anonymous DNA segments distinguish the Wilms' tumor and aniridia loci

The association of Wilms' tumor with aniridia (the WAGR complex) in children with 11p13 chromosomal abnormalities has been established, but the paucity of molecular probes in 11p13 has hampered identification of the responsible genes. Two new anonymous DNA segments have been identified that map to the WAGR region of 11p13. Both DNA probes identify a cytologically undetectable deletion associated with a balanced chromosome translocation inherited by a patient with familial aniridia, but not Wilms' tumor. The same two DNA segments are also included in the distal p13-p14.1 deletion of another patient, who has aniridia, Wilms' tumor, and hypogonadism, but they are not included in the p12-p13 deletion of a third patient, who does not have aniridia but has had a Wilms' tumor. The discovery of this aniridia deletion and these two DNA segments that physically separate the Wilms' tumor and aniridia loci should facilitate identification of the genes in the WAGR locus, beginning with the aniridia gene.     

Determining optimal leaf surface area

In field experiments with local application of various dosages of fertilizer on chernozem soils in northwestern Povolzhye, the optimal development of leaf area in millet plants of Kamyshinskoe 67 variety was revealed. A maximum leaf area of 58 500 m²/ha was noted in the phase of panicle emergence with the application of N₁₅₅P₈₈K₁₄₃. Such a leaf surface area ensured an output of 63.7 cwt/ha on average over three years of production.     

Coupled ferric oxides and sulfates on the Martian surface

The Mars Exploration Rover (MER), Opportunity, showed that layered sulfate deposits in Meridiani Planum formed during a period of rising acidic ground water. Crystalline hematite spherules formed in the deposits as a consequence of aqueous alteration and were concentrated on the surface as a lag deposit as wind eroded the softer sulfate rocks. On the basis of Mars Express Observatoire pour la Minéralogie, l'Eau, les Glaces et l'Activité (OMEGA) orbital data, we demonstrate that crystalline hematite deposits are associated with layered sulfates in other areas on Mars, implying that Meridiani-like ground water systems were indeed widespread and representative of an extensive acid sulfate aqueous system.     

The nature of eurytopy in polyploid earthworm species in relation to their use in biological soil amelioration

Summary Many of the most widely distributed species of Lumbricidae are polyploid. So far polyploid forms have been found to be distributed more widely than diploid ones. Taking Eisenia nordenskioldi as an example, it was shown that polyploids are able to occupy new ecological niches within the area of the diploid form. Ecological differences observed in representatives of different chromosomal races provide polyploids with the chance to coexist in one biocurrent, occupying different ecological niches.Dedicated to the late Prof. Dr. M.S. Ghilarov     

Long-term tillage and rotation effects on soil microbial biomass,carbon and nitrogen

Summary Three mollisols, typical of the Palouse winter wheat region of eastern Washington and northern Idaho, were analyzed for microbial biomass, total C and total N after 10 years of combined tillage and rotation treatments. Treatments included till, no-till and three different cereal-legume rotations. All crop phases in each rotation were sampled in the same year. Microbial biomass was monitored from April to October, using a respiratory-response method. Microbial biomass, total C and total N were highest under no-till surface soils (0–5 cm), with minimal differences for tillage or depth below 5 cm. Microbial biomass differences among rotations were not large, owing to the relative homogeneity of the treatments. A rotation with two legume crops had the highest total C and N. Microbial biomass was significantly higher in no-till surface soils where the current crop had been preceded by a high-residue crop. The opposite was true for the tilled plots. There was little change in microbial biomass over the seasons until October, when fresh crop residues and rains had a strong stimulatory effect. The seasonal pattern of biomass in no-till surface soils reflected the dry summer/winter rainfall climate of the region. The results of this study show that numerous factors affect soil microbial biomass and that cropping history and seasonal changes must be taken into account when microbial biomass data are compared.Scientific paper no. 7634