Durability of thermally modified timber from industrial-scale processes in different use classes: Results from laboratory and field tests

Material from four common European processes of industrial heat treatment of timber was examined comparatively with reference to biological laboratory standard tests and field tests in soil contact and above ground. The thermally modified timber (TMT) used in the study was: Plato wood from the Netherlands, ThermoWood from Finland, New Option Wood (NOW) from France, and oil-heat-treated wood (OHT) produced in Germany. Tests of resistance to basidiomycetes (EN 113, 1996) and tests of resistance to soft rotting microfungi and other soil-inhabiting microorganisms (EN 807, 1997) showed substantially lower mass losses of TMT compared with controls. Only slight differences in mass loss were found between the four thermally modified materials. Based on results from laboratory standard tests all tested heat-treated materials were classified as durable to moderately durable [durability class (DC) 2-4], analogous to the classification of natural durability (EN 350-1, 1994). In contrast, the classification of TMT samples after 5.5 years' exposure in soil contact, in accordance with EN 252 (1990), was slightly durable to not durable (DC 4-5), whereas the classification obtained after 5.5 years' exposure in double layers in European hazard class (EHC) 3 (EN 335-1, 1992) was very durable to moderately durable (DC 1-3). On the basis of 5.5 years' field testing, thermally modified material (independent of the treatment process and supplier) appears not to be suitable for in-ground contact application. However, the suitability of TMT for use out of ground in EHC 3 was ascertained and is recommended.     

Identification of gram-positive bacteria isolated from initial stages of wound-initiated discoloration of red maple

Similar gram-positive bacteria in the genera Bacillus and Actinomyces were isolated from sapwood and stage-one discolored wood of red maple. These isolates are unlike those previously reported from red maple wood in advanced decay.     

Superheated steam treatment of rubberwood to enhance its mechanical,physiochemical, and biological properties

ABSTRACT

This research was aimed to investigate mechanical properties, color and cell-wall components changes, and durability of pre-dried rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) after superheated steam (SS) treatment. Wood samples were treated at different SS temperatures (140–180°C) for 1–3?h. The highest compression strength parallel-to-grain, hardness and impact strength were found for samples treated at 160°C for 3?h (30.7% higher than untreated), at 150°C for 1?h (26.6% higher than untreated) and at 150°C for 2?h (52.6% higher than untreated), respectively. The surface color became darker after each treatment in comparison with the untreated wood. The number of accessible hydroxyl groups decreased and the relative cellulose crystallinity increased with SS temperature, indicating decreased hygroscopicity of the treated wood. Also, SEM micrographs of wood surface showed consistent decrease in starch particles with treatment temperature. Both decay and termite resistances of treated rubberwood improved with treatment temperature. All the analyzes showed that dried rubberwood treated with SS had some improvements in the mechanical properties, decreased hygroscopicity, and increase resistance to decay.     

Log decomposition rates in Tasmanian Eucalyptus obliqua determined using an indirect chronosequence approach

Coarse woody debris (CWD) is a fundamental component of forest ecosystems, but one whose management presents challenges for land managers because its inputs and outputs are linked to, but not often in equilibrium with, disturbance events, including wildfire and logging. Understanding its rate of decomposition is one key element in being able to model its dynamics under different disturbance and management scenarios. We employed an indirect chronosequence approach to determine a decomposition rate for CWD of Eucalyptus obliqua, one of the dominant trees of Tasmania's commercially important lowland wet eucalypt forests. In sequence, we developed an understanding of the relationships of (1) decay-class and wood density; (2) decay-class and years-since-disturbance; and (3) wood density and years-since-disturbance, from which we derived decomposition functions, including single negative exponential functions. We found no clear relationship between decomposition rate and either log diameter or the nature of the disturbance event (logging or wildfire). We showed that models developed without a consideration of the effects of log fragmentation imply unrealistically slow decomposition rates. Our derived first-order decomposition rate constant (k) is 0.0085. This suggests that E. obliqua CWD in Tasmania's southern forests decomposes very slowly in comparison with CWD decomposition rates reported from most other parts of the world. We intend to apply our findings to the task of modelling CWD dynamics for informing forest management.     

Internal decay assessment in standing beech trees using ultrasonic velocity measurement

Ultrasonic wave timing inspection was used to detect the internal decay in standing Iranian beech trees (Fagus orientalis). To evaluate the influence of internal decay on ultrasonic velocity, healthy round sections of freshly cut fallen beech trees were selected. Holes [as heart or internal decay indicator and with different shapes (circular and slot) and locations] were manually created and progressively enlarged in the wood section disks, and ultrasonic wave velocity was measured by using a commercial ultrasonic tester (Sylvatest Duo). The results showed that ultrasonic wave velocity linearly and significantly decreased by increasing hole dimensions, and location of holes had no influence on the extent and trend of velocity decrease. Although slots covered a small volume fraction of disks, they had a greater effect on ultrasonic velocities reduction as compared with circular holes.     

失水和腐烂对梨果实采后品质和生理的影响

以菊水梨为试验材料,在(25±1) ℃贮藏条件下,分析失水和腐烂对果实采后硬度、可溶性固形物含量(SSC)、呼吸速率和乙烯产生速率的影响.结果显示:失水能显著提高果实呼吸和乙烯峰值(P<0.05),延缓果实贮藏后期呼吸速率和乙烯产生速率的下降,但果实硬度和SSC并没有发生显著变化(P>0.05);腐烂即使是轻度的也能显著促进果实品质下降,使果实呼吸峰前呼吸速率和乙烯产生速率明显增加(P<0.05),但呼吸跃峰后变化程度相对降低.失水和腐烂总体上会影响果实采后品质和生理的变化,因而干扰对果实采后相关指标的测定.     

晋西黄土区果农间作界面土壤水分分布

对晋西黄土区3种典型果农间作界面上土壤水分含量的空间分布规律进行了研究.结果表明:在垂直方向上,土壤含水量的层次变化均非常显著,核桃×花生复合类型和其它两种复合类型(核桃×大豆、核桃×玉米)均有显著差异(P＜0.01),但在整体上均为土壤水分随着土壤深度的增加而增加;在水平方向上,3种复合土壤水分含量同样存在差异(P＜0.05),但总体趋势均为距果树带越近,土壤水分含量越低,土壤水分随着带距的增加,水分增加并趋于稳定,变化曲线呈抛物线状.对果农复合分别进行土壤水分与带距、土层深度关系的多元非线性回归分析,回归方程拟合较好.移动窗口法分析表明,3种复合类型的土壤水分影响域主要受植被根系的数量、分布和其它等因素的综合影响,且随着深度的不同而不同.     

Coarse woody debris decay rates for seven indigenous tree species in the central North Island of New Zealand

The decomposition rate of stem and branch coarse woody debris (CWD, >10 cm in diameter) was assessed in natural forests located in the central North Island of New Zealand. CWD samples had originated from windfalls associated with cyclone Bernie, and had been decaying for approximately 20 years on the forest floor. Species-specific decay rates were estimated from the density of CWD samples relative to the density of live tree samples from the same stands. Decay rates were determined for rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum), matai (Prumnopitys taxifolia), tawa (Beilschmiedia tawa), miro (Prumnopitys ferruginea) and kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides) in podocarp forest at Whirinaki, and red (Nothofagus fusca) and silver beech (Nothofagus menziesii) in beech forest at Kaimanawa. The average decay rate for these seven species, expressed as the time taken to lose 50% mass (t_1/2), was 30 years. Larger trees (90 cm diameter at breast height, dbh) decayed more slowly (t_1/2 = 38 years) than smaller trees (30 cm dbh; t_1/2 = 21 years). After adjustment for dbh, P. taxifolia (t_1/2 = 39 years), N. fusca (t_1/2 = 38 years), N. menziesii (t_1/2 = 31 years) and B. tawa (t_1/2 = 26 years) decayed significantly more slowly than D. cupressinum (t_1/2 = 18 years). D. cupressinum decayed more slowly than P. ferruginea (t_1/2 = 16 years) and D. dacrydioides (t_1/2 = 14 years), although these differences were not statistically significant because the CWD sample size was small for the latter two species. An attempt to expand the range of species studied using data from in-ground durability tests was not successful as species decay rankings from these tests were inconsistent with natural forest CWD rankings. Stems heavily colonized by the common decay fungus Ganoderma cf. applanatum decayed more rapidly (t_1/2 = 20 years) than those which were occupied only by other decay fungi (t_1/2 = 40 years). A tree species and dbh-dependent decay constant, λ, was derived for estimating carbon loss from CWD due to fungal decay and insect activity in indigenous forests. Future research will aim to improve these decay equations by investigating the decomposition processes associated with tree species and basidiomycete populations present at other sites in New Zealand.     

反距离加权插值参数变化对元谋冲沟DEM构建的影响

冲沟是生态系统严重退化的产物,元谋干热河谷冲沟极为发育,冲沟蚕食耕地、造成土地劣化,对土地资源危害很大,构建干热河谷区沟谷的数字高程模型(DEM)对其沟谷侵蚀定量化研究有重要意义.基于ArcGIS平台,以云南元谋干热河谷区为例,通过野外实测获得高精度、高密度分布采样点高程数据;基于反距离函数插值,以平均误差、均方根误差为指标,通过交叉验证及检查点法,对比分析不同权指数、邻域搜索点数、搜索形状及搜索方位对DEM插值的影响.结果表明,权指数为2、椭圆形邻域、邻域点4～8个、四方向插值得到的插值效果最好.构建的DEM能够较真实地模拟该地区的形态特征:冲沟汇水面积约0.011 km2,区域平均坡度35.37°,最大坡度85.76°,区域沟壑密度3.95 km/km2,切割深度7～12m.     

自发气调贮藏对采后翠冠梨糠心和品质的影响

以翠冠梨为试材,采用微孔袋(CK)和PVC保鲜袋自发气调(MA)包装,-2～-1℃贮藏180 d,研究贮藏过程中腐烂率、糠心率、硬度、比重、纤维素和木质素含量等指标的变化。结果表明:除腐烂外,翠冠梨易糠心,导致酥脆感下降,主要表现为硬度和比重下降,纤维素含量上升,以及"按压有明显吱吱声";翠冠梨可以耐受1.8%CO_2,未发生高CO_2伤害,这也是MA贮藏的首要和必要条件;MA贮藏对于翠冠梨腐烂和糠心具有显著的抑制作用。MA贮藏更有利于翠冠梨品质的保持,是一种长期贮藏的适宜方法。