Temperate and boreal fungal floras indicate that species of the Russulaceae (the genera <i>Russula</i> and<i>Lactarius</i>) are among the dominant ectomycorrhizal fungi in forest communities. The contribution of the Russulaceae to the communities of ectomycorrhizal Basidiomycetes fruiting in red spruce and adjacent northern hardwood forests in West Virginia was evaluated and compared with other ectomycorrhizal Basidiomycetes occupying the same habitats. The Russulaceae exhibited the greatest species diversity of any family of ectomycorrhizal fungi fruiting in the stands studied (44% of the species in spruce, 39% of the species in hardwoods). Species of <i>Lactarius</i> and <i>Russula</i> were among the most productive in both forests. Species diversity, productivity, and fruiting phenology of all ectomycorrhizal Basidiomycetes were compared between red spruce and northern hardwood stands for a 3-year period. Sporocarp numbers and sporocarp frequency in 384 four m² quadrats in each forest type was used to estimate productivity. Species richness was greater in hardwoods (36 species) than in spruce (27 species). Nine species were common to both forests. Most productivity was concentrated in a few species, while most species were rare. Species-area curves were constructed for both forests. Fungal species and tree species composition in both forests were compared by principal component analysis. Fungi in spruce forests were more productive than in hardwood forests. Productivity was highly variable among the three seasons studied because of climatic variability. Sporocarp abundance and frequency were positively correlated with basal area and density of mycorrhizal trees and were negatively correlated with fern cover in hardwood forests. Fruiting seasons extended from early July to late September or early October. Numbers of species fruiting from the same four m² quadrats ranged from 0 to 7 in spruce forests and 0 to 5 in hardwood forests. Spatial patterns of sporocarps of major species were characterized by the variance-to-mean ratio, mean crowding, patchiness, and spatial autocorrelation and were found to exhibit highly aggregated, contagious patterns. Interspecific associations between pairs of major species were measured by 2 x 2 contingency tables and Cole's index of association. A taxonomie and geographic survey of <i>Russula</i> and <i>Lactarius</i> in both the quantitative study areas and in similar habitats in the Southern Appalachians was presented. / Ph. D.

Reprocessing of the United States Geological Survey's seismic reflection profile along Interstate 64 (I64) across Virginia with a data extension to 14-sec two-way travel time has provided a stacked section suitable for an integrated interpretation of refraction, earthquake, and blast analyses done by previous workers as well as gravity modelling done in this study. The seismic reflection profile shows a highly reflective upper crust which is consistent with an allochthonous Blue Ridge Province, possibly with underlying thrust sheets, and a basal decollement at about 9 km (3 sec) depth. Immediately east of the Blue Ridge province, the Appalachian structures plunge to up to 12 km (4 sec) depth where their interpretation on the section becomes ambiguous. The Evington Group, Hardware Terrane, and Chopawamsic metavolcanic rocks exposed in the Piedmont Province correspond to numerous reflections which appear to overlie a shallowly (10° to 15°) west-dipping, highly reflective zone dipping from 1.5 sec beneath the Goochland Terrane to 5 sec beneath the Evington Group rocks. Some of the overlying reflections apparently root in this zone which is therefore interpreted to include decollement surfaces along which the overlying rocks were transported. Grenville basement rocks are interpreted to underlie this zone and form autochthonous basement beneath the entire western portion of the profile because relatively few reflections originate from within this region. The Goochland granulite terrane is interpreted as a nappe structure which has overridden a portion of the Chopawamsic metavolcanic rocks. The Goochland terrane is bounded on the east' on the section by a broad zone of east-dipping (20° to 45°) reflections which may penetrate to Moho depths and are possibly correlative with similar events seen on other Appalachian lines. The 164 section contains a layered sequence of reflections at about 9 to 12 sec extending about 70 km west from Richmond, Virginia whose base coincides almost exactly with the Mohorovicic Discontinuity (Moho) interpreted from earlier refraction work. The deep reflections are thus believed to be lower crustal layering forming a 5 to 10 km thick Moho transition zone which is believed to persist across the state. The density contrast of 0.25 gm/cm³ between the lower crust and upper mantle derived from gravity modelling, the seismic transition zone, and the presence of intrusive rocks of lower crust-upper mantle origin at the surface are consistent with partial melting and contamination of the lower crust with upper mantle material. The refraction data and gravity modelling are consistent with a crust which thins from about 52 km beneath the Appalachian mountains to about 35 km beneath Richmond, Virginia, and rethickens by up to 10 km beneath the zone of east-dipping events east of Richmond. The pervasiveness of the zone of east-dipping events on other seismic reflection lines and the continuity of the adjacent Piedmont gravity high suggest that a similar crustal profile occurs along the length of the Appalachians. / Ph. D.

An anaerobic, cellulose decomposing bacterium was isolated in pure culture from the ingesta of a bovine rumen. The organia was a small, curved, Gram negative rod that occurred singly or in chains. The isolated bacterium was identified as a member of the genus Butyrivibrio because of its morphology and because of its production of certain volatile fatty acids in a rumen fluid-glucose medium fermentation. The characteristic fermentation waa the production of a large amount of butyric acid and some lactic acid or succinic acid, and the lack of production of propionic acid. It was found that when rumen fluid was omitted from the fermentation medium the production of butyric acid decreased markedly. The organism was found to have a relatively narrow pH tolerance for the initiation of growth, pH 6.3 to 7.2, with an optimum of pH 6.9 to 7.0. Growth stopped at about pH 6.4, and continued fermentation decreased the pH to 6.0. The organism was cultured continuously on a medium which vu chemically defined except that vitamin-free casein hydrolysate was included, when the hydrolysate was replaced by a mixture of pure L-isomers of amino acids similar in composition to the hydrolysate, good growth occurred. However, when each amino acid was supplied at a uniform weight concentration, much weaker growth was obtained. Evidence was obtained indicating that aadno acids were inhibitory, although the reason for the mild inhibition was not disclosed. The following amino acids were found to be critical nutrients, but in some cases their status, whether essential or stimulatory, was found to be dependent on the composition of the medium: - cysteine, histidine, isoleucine. methionine, lysine, tyrosine, asparagine and leucine. A medium containing only these amino acids supported only very weak growth. Aspartic acid was found to be mildly inhibitory to growth, and glutamic acid was found to reverse the inhibition. A mixture of the common purine and pyrimidine bases, and a mixture of volatile fatty acids, were each found to be inhibitory to growth. Biotin, folic acid, and pyridoxal were essential vitamins, but the other eight B-vitamins examined were found to be neither stimulatory nor essential. Carbon dioxide was found to be required in relatively high concentration in order for growth to start in a medium devoid of rumen fluid. Purines, pyrimidines, cobalamine, and Tween-80 in a mixture were found not to replace the carbon dioxide. Rumen fluid was found to contain material very stimulatory for growth of the Butyrivibrio. The stimulatory material was found to be possibly two compounds or types of compounds, one a peptide or peptide like substance, and the other an anionic substance which probably was polynucleotide-like. / Ed. D.

Mining into strata disturbed by previous mining operations either above or below may sometimes result in severe strata control problems. These interaction problems, associated with most multiple-seam mining operations, are very common in the Appalachian coal region and are the subject of this dissertation. On the basis of both theoretical and empirical analyses, using statistical analysis, numerical modeling, and photoelastic modeling methods in conjunction with the analysis of numerous case studies, a comprehensive, integrated model has been constructed and represented by a computer program called "MSEAM”. Using this comprehensive model, possible interaction problems under certain geological and mining conditions can be first predicted based on rules determined either empirically or statistically. Then, detailed analyses using different interaction mechanisms -- pillar load transfer, arching effect, upper seam subsidence, inner- burden bending, and innerburden shearing -- can further determine the area or degree of possible interaction in both under- and over-mining situations. Special geologic and mining factors controlling interaction are also summarized by indices for an independent interaction prediction. This integrated model has been validated by back·analysis of several case studies. Full descriptions of multivariate statistical analysis, photoelastic modeling technique, quantization of various interaction mechanisms, and development of the comprehensive model are included. / Ph. D.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1992. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 279-294). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--Miami University, Dept. of Family Studies and Social Work, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 31-35).

No description available.

The coal fields of Appalachia of many contiguously mineable coal seams. Common practice in mining multiple seams is to extract the seams in a descending order. However, the mining sequence may still be based on seam ownership, availability of the seam and the general economic situation, net on ground control considerations. One of the major ground control mechanisms that must be considered in the design of a mine is the arching of stresses around a previously mined lower seam. This investigation deals with the extent and magnitude of the stresses above an underground opening. The finite element approach was utilized to determine the extent and magnitude of stresses for various widths of mine opening, depths of cover and overburden material. This information can then be used as an approximation of the stresses that may be encountered in an actual mining situation. / Master of Science

In the coalfields of Southwest Virginia, Iongwall technology accounts for an increasing proportion of underground coal mine production. lt is a highly productive, capital intensive method that provides a degree of mine safety greater than conventional methods. However, subsidence caused by Iongwall mining has been blamed for, among other things, damaging wells, springs, and streams above the mines. Surface landowners whose water supplies are affected by Iongwall mines may negotiate with mining companies for compensation, or they can seek redress in the courts. At the same time, the U.S. Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) provides a framework for regulation of the environmental effects of coal mining, including hydrologic effects. The Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy, Division of Mined Land Reclamation (DMLR) is responsible for implementation of Virginia’s primacy program under SMCRA. This research has assessed the potential of Iongwall mining to damage the groundwater and surface water resources In Southwest Virginia; and examined whether existing laws and regulations, as implemented, provide an adequate and appropriate level of protection to both water property rights and the environment. Methods included review of published and ongoing literature on effects of underground coal mining on hydrologic systems and methods of mitigation; review of mining permits and complaint investigations on file at DMLR; review of court case decisions involving mining effects on groundwater and surface water; review of regulatory documents from other states active in Iongwall mining and the Federal Office of Surface Mining (OSM); and interviews with coal company personnel, DMLR and OSM officials, researchers, and regulatory officials in other states. Review of both DMLR complaint investigations and published reports of numerous hydrologic investigations indicate that longwall mining is likely to alter the hydrologic regime in the vicinity of the mine. The knowledge base for regulation of hydrologic impacts has been inadequate but is being improved in Virginia. Both DMLR and some coal companies recognize the need for more and better data, and are taking steps to develop the requisite data and models. Regulatory personnel in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Kentucky have expressed recognition of similar data deficiencies in their states. At least one state, Ohio, has dealt with the problem of water rights by enacting legislation that assigns liability for replacing damaged water supplies to the mining companies. West Virginia, through its regulatory program, also requires water replacement. Recommendations are offered that have as their main objective the reduction of uncertainty about the effects of longwall mining and about compensation of surface owners for damage to water supplies. / Master of Urban and Regional Planning / incomplete_metadata

Roof and rib failures in underground coal mines are one of the major problems facing the industry today. In addition to safety considerations, the resulting economic impact of such failures is staggering. Uncovering and replacing buried and damaged equipment and clearing entries can account for a large expenditure in lost man-hours and machinery. Yet, because of the complex nature of their formation, geological variability, and structural characteristics, coal mine roof strata are one of the least controllable of all mine design parameters. This is especially true along the leading (southeastern) edge of the Appalachian coalfields where considerable faulting and movement have contributed to hazardous coal mining roof conditions. For this research, a detailed study of several mines, in the southern Appalachian coalfields, was undertaken to determine the most prominent geomechanical factors affecting roof stability and to evaluate their influence in promoting unstable ground conditions. In order to accomplish this task, the major geological and geomechanical features found to be detrimental to the coal mine roof within the Appalachian basin were identified and mapped in four Virginia mines. Statistical processing by chi-square and linear regression analysis as well as analytical analysis by the finite element method were used to determine the influence of geology, mine-layout, and support methods on roof stability. It was found that some easily determined parameters can be successfully used to predict potentially unstable areas. A simplified roof classification system was developed based on the geomechanical parameters, which can be used to assess the stability of a particular roof type. A Roof Rating Index was also devised capable of expressing the probability of failure under a given set of geomechanical conditions. / Ph. D.