No description available.

No description available.

O trabalho consiste na realização de um zoneamento geoambiental para a região de Piracicaba-SP, com base na análise de variáveis ambientais, principalmente de atributos do meio físico, tais como: geologia, solos, hidrologia, etc. A área estudada localiza-se na bacia hidrográfica do Rio Piracicaba, uma das mais importantes do estado de São Paulo e que vem apresentando intenso desenvolvimento econômico e consequentemente problemas de degradação ambiental. Este estudo foi realizado seguindo-se os pressupostos da cartografia geoambiental, mas utilizando-se também os procedimentos da cartografia geotécnica tradicional. Incorporou-se ainda ao estudo a utilização de um Sistema de Informações Geográficas (SIG) e do processamento digital de imagens de satélite, que permitiram maior agilidade e confiabilidade no levantamento, análise e tratamento das informações. Para a obtenção da carta de zoneamento geoambiental partiu-se da compartimentação do terreno em \"Landforms\", sendo que estas unidades homogêneas foram então caracterizadas e avaliadas quanto as suas principais aptidões e restrições. A carta obtida apresenta-se dividida em 16 unidades, descritas quanto a aptidões, restrições e conflitos de uso, principalmente em relação a aptidão agrícola, erosão, vulnerabilidade do aqüífero e disposição de rejeitos. / This work presents the geoenvironmental mapping of the Piracicaba (SP) region, based on the analysis of environmental attributes, such as: geology, soils and surface and ground waters. This region is located in the Piracicaba river basin, one of the more importance basins in the São Paulo state. It presents serious environmental degradation problems due to intense economic activities. This study has been based on the proposal of the geoenvironmental mapping, but using to the procedures of the traditional Engineering Geological Mapping. A Geographical Information System (IDRISI) and digital image processing were used to permit quickness and confidence on the collect, analysis and handling of the geological-geotechnical informations. The geoenvironmental zoning chart has been based on the terrain landforms division and the characterization of these homogeneous units that were evaluated with respect to the mainly aptitudes and constraints. The region was divided into 16 geoenvironmental units with their advantages and limitations analised in terms of agriculture aptitude, erosion susceptibility, aquifer vulnerability and waste disposal.

O trabalho consiste na realização de um zoneamento geoambiental para a região de Piracicaba-SP, com base na análise de variáveis ambientais, principalmente de atributos do meio físico, tais como: geologia, solos, hidrologia, etc. A área estudada localiza-se na bacia hidrográfica do Rio Piracicaba, uma das mais importantes do estado de São Paulo e que vem apresentando intenso desenvolvimento econômico e consequentemente problemas de degradação ambiental. Este estudo foi realizado seguindo-se os pressupostos da cartografia geoambiental, mas utilizando-se também os procedimentos da cartografia geotécnica tradicional. Incorporou-se ainda ao estudo a utilização de um Sistema de Informações Geográficas (SIG) e do processamento digital de imagens de satélite, que permitiram maior agilidade e confiabilidade no levantamento, análise e tratamento das informações. Para a obtenção da carta de zoneamento geoambiental partiu-se da compartimentação do terreno em \"Landforms\", sendo que estas unidades homogêneas foram então caracterizadas e avaliadas quanto as suas principais aptidões e restrições. A carta obtida apresenta-se dividida em 16 unidades, descritas quanto a aptidões, restrições e conflitos de uso, principalmente em relação a aptidão agrícola, erosão, vulnerabilidade do aqüífero e disposição de rejeitos. / This work presents the geoenvironmental mapping of the Piracicaba (SP) region, based on the analysis of environmental attributes, such as: geology, soils and surface and ground waters. This region is located in the Piracicaba river basin, one of the more importance basins in the São Paulo state. It presents serious environmental degradation problems due to intense economic activities. This study has been based on the proposal of the geoenvironmental mapping, but using to the procedures of the traditional Engineering Geological Mapping. A Geographical Information System (IDRISI) and digital image processing were used to permit quickness and confidence on the collect, analysis and handling of the geological-geotechnical informations. The geoenvironmental zoning chart has been based on the terrain landforms division and the characterization of these homogeneous units that were evaluated with respect to the mainly aptitudes and constraints. The region was divided into 16 geoenvironmental units with their advantages and limitations analised in terms of agriculture aptitude, erosion susceptibility, aquifer vulnerability and waste disposal.

Located beyond the southern limit of glaciation in Britain, the upland granitic terrain of Dartmoor, south-west England, has been exposed to long intervals of intense periglacial activity during the Pleistocene. This region has been significant in debates about appropriate models of long-term landscape change, most notably two-phase versus single-phase models of landform evolution, and the development of tors. However, given the previous lack of quantitative techniques capable of constraining denudation and specific process rates, and thereby testing developmental models for these features, there remains much uncertainty in the interpretation of the classic landforms of the region. This study measures concentrations of the cosmogenic nuclide 10Be produced in-situ in quartz within the upper few metres of the Earth surface. These reflect the history of near-surface exposure to cosmic radiation of sampled material, and allow for the interpretation of exposure age and/or erosion rates of the land surface. This research utilises these cosmogenic nuclide values to evaluate geomorphological processes and investigate key aspects of landform development. These include the formation of tors in non-glaciated regions, the development of regolith and boulderfields under periglacial conditions, and the derivation of catchment-averaged denudation rates. This study provides the first quantitative measurement of erosion on tor surfaces in Dartmoor, with typical rates of 14-45 mm ka-1. These are relatively high and comparable to other components of the landscape. In addition, there is no clear relationship of cosmogenic nuclide concentration to tor dimensions. It is shown that the tors are dynamic landforms and simple, two-stage development is an inappropriate model. Catchment-averaged denudation rates are derived and these long-term rates of 20-94 mm ka-1 are significantly higher than modern, short-term values. Finally, downslope transport in a palaeo-periglacial blockslope is investigated using 10Be concentrations. This variety of landforms and scale of investigation facilitates an integrated approach to the understanding of catchment-scale erosional dynamics. In addition, the complex nature of landform development that is evident in the area provides challenges to the application of in-situ cosmogenic nuclides and highlights both the potential and limitations of the technique.

This thesis is an investigation into how land evolves into an architectural presence and representation to reconnect physical construction with social realities, human perception, and environmental considerations. As buildings lose their plasticity and their connection with the surroundings both physically and psychologically, they become isolated in the cool and distant realm of vision, lacking authenticity of material and tectonic logic in their construction. Landform architecture, which allows land to be engaged in an architectural representation, penetrates multi-dimensional architectural meaning through the manipulation of space, material, and structure. The built form of landform architecture is fundamentally developed from articulations of the terrain, but it transcends the topography in that it suggests and strengthens the potential relationship between physical construction and the outside world, thus allowing an enriched value to be attached to this emerging architectural typology. The project that I develop will illustrate how landform buildings bridge artificial and natural constructions with enriched state of sensory and cognitive engagement as enmeshed experience in campus complex design. Most importantly, I will integrate energy saving approaches and other sustainable strategies through extractions from and extensions to the land. Instead of studying landform architecture as a novel building form, attention will be paid to the wide range of potentials that can be nourished in its future development. Reflections on the moral, technological, and design issues that enable landform architecture to perform an intensified articulation of reality is of great importance to the exploration of effective design methodologies that are able to generate the intensified interactions between human beings and buildings as framed by post-phenomenologists. The design project is located in UMass Amherst, working as a campus complex to facilitate students and community member’s mingling, as well as the continuation of New England’s agriculture tradition. Permaculture theme guides the development of building programs and the evolvement of building form. By combining both passive design strategies and active design strategies, the building will work as a multifunctional campus facility which contributes to agricultural research, community involvement, and interactions between human beings and the nature.

No description available.

Impact events and associated processes can significantly reshape the natural environment of the Earth and other bodies in the Solar system. The Siljan impact crater in the middle of Sweden was created in late Devonian and it is the biggest known morphostructure of this kind in Europe. The presented paper aims at the relief evolution of the Siljan impact crater area. Landforms of the region are studied, including relicts of the impact event, and main stages of relief evolution from the Paleozoic to the present are determined. Special attention is focused to discussion about the range and types of erosional and denudational processes in relation to the level of preservation of morphological and geological indices about the Devonian impact. Ascertained knowledge about relicts of the Siljan impact event are compared with selected impact craters on the Earth, the Moon and Mars.

A Bacia hidrográfica do Rio Sorocá-Mirim encontra-se no Planalto de Ibiúna, que faz parte de um conjunto de blocos falhados formando grábens e meio grábens, que compõem um sistema de bloqueio estrutural onde a água é aprisionada em sub superfície criando as condições ideais para a formação de turfeiras. Características como a geometria dos interflúvios, a assimetria das vertentes e das planícies de inundação e também a disposição da rede de drenagem, denotam a grande influência das estruturas geológicas nesta bacia hidrográfica. As zonas de acumulação de matéria orgânica encontradas na Bacia do Sorocá-Mirim estão vinculadas à ambientes fluviais particulares, relacionados ao controle estrutural, que é característica marcante da área. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar turfeiras, em dois ambientes fluviais diferentes (terraço e anfiteatro) em relação às suas características físicas, químicas, orgânicas e sua distribuição areolar para entender como a formação destas turfeiras foi influenciada por esses ambientes. O levantamento topográfico das duas áreas, assim como uma série de ensaios e análises laboratoriais demonstraram que as turfeiras dos dois ambientes apresentam idades diferentes em aproximadamente 1000 anos (turfeira da área 2, terraço, mais antiga do que a turfeira da área 1, anfiteatro), mesmo tipo de plantas acumuladas ao longo destes anos e diferenças principalmente no que se refere à posição preferencial ao acúmulo da matéria orgânica e à variações, no sentido das maiores profundidades, de diversos parâmetros observados. Verificou-se que a área 1 sofreu maiores alterações do modelado, e consequentemente nas suas condições hidrológicas ao longo dos tempos, passando a ser um ambiente mais drenado, mais oxigenado, com uma turfeira que apresentou resultados laboratoriais mais heterogêneos, com concentrações de matéria orgânica e dos elementos vinculados a ela, variando bastante ao longo da feição. A área 2 não sofreu grandes alterações no modelado, mantendo-se mais úmida ao longo do tempo o que acarretou em uma turfeira mais homogênea com valores mais constantes de matéria orgânica e dos elementos vinculados a ela, ao longo da feição. Essas diferenças são reflexo da influência do modelado nos processos de acumulação da matéria orgânica, onde em cada feição (terraço, ou anfiteatro) a matéria orgânica é acumulada em posições específicas, sofrendo maior ou menor interferência de materiais minerais adjacentes; e principalmente o modelado controla as condições hidrológicas, diferentes, em cada uma das feições, fazendo com o que o ambiente seja mais ou menos úmido e desta forma sendo o elemento principal de controle dos processos de evolução da matéria orgânica. / The Sorocá-Mirim River basin is located on the Ibiúna Plateau, wich is part of a set of failed blocks forming grabens and half grabens, which makes up a structural block system where water is trapped in sub-surface creating the ideal conditions for the formation of peatlands. Characteristics such as the geometry of interfluves, the asymmetry of slopes and flood plains and also the layout of the drainage network, denote the great influence of the geological structures in this basin. The areas of accumulation of organic matter found in the Sorocá-Mirim Basin are linked to particular fluvial environments, related to structural control, which is a characteristic feature of the area. The present study aimed to study peatlands in two different fluvial environments (terrace and amphitheater) in relation to their physical, chemical, and organic characteristics and their areolar distribution to understand how the formation of these peatlands was influenced by these environments. The topographic survey of the two areas, as well as a series of laboratory tests and analyzes showed that the peatlands of the two environments present different ages in approximately 1000 years (peatland of area 2 older than the peatland of area 1), same type of plants, accumulated along these years and differences mainly with respect to the preferential position to the accumulation of the organic matter and the variations, in the direction of the greater depths, of several observed parameters. It was verified that area 1 underwent major alterations in the landform, and consequently in its hydrological conditions over time, becoming a more drained, more oxygenated environment, with a peatland that presented more heterogenous laboratory results, with concentrations of organic matter and the elements attached to it, varying greatly throughout the feature. Area 2 did not undergo major alterations in the landform, remaining wetter over time which resulted in a more homogeneous peat with more constant values of organic matter and the elements bound to it, along the feature. These differences reflect the influence of landform on the processes of organic matter accumulation, where in each feature (terrace or amphitheater) the organic matter is accumulated in specific positions, suffering more or less interference of adjacent mineral materials; and mainly the landform controls the different hydrological conditions in each of the features, making the environment more or less moist and thus being the main element of control of the evolution processes of organic matter. The work showed that landform is the main conditioning element of the humidity of the environments and consequently of the processes of evolution and the characteristics of the peatlands.

Landholders in the Booberoi to Quandialla (B-Q) Transect area, located in central west NSW, have been concerned about an emerging dryland salinity problem since the late 1990�s (Wooldridge 2002, pers. comm. Muller 2002, pers. comm.) with borehole information and electromagnetic induction investigations supporting anecdotal observations. The presence of indicator vegetation, waterlogging of soils and salinisation of land are becoming increasingly prevalent, with two well-documented sites including �Strathairlie� near Quandialla, and �Back Creek� near West Wyalong. The B-Q Transect area lies within the Bland Creek Catchment, a broad open plain of subdued topography and restricted drainage receiving sediments from elevated rises located to the west, south and east. Significant deposits of transported alluvial materials have in-filled the catchment to depths in excess of 160 m and have posed a particular impediment to regional-scale mineral exploration. Stream flow across the alluvial plains and low angle alluvial fans is intermittent with most of the flow being diverted into groundwater storage or lost to evaporation. Rarely do streams flow into Lake Cowal to the north. A partial electromagnetic (EM) induction survey coupled with a long term bore and piezometer network monitoring program have been implemented by the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR � formerly Department of Land and Water Conservation) Central West NSW Salt Group. These programs allow for initial, broad-scale evaluation of the magnitude and spatial distribution of the salinity problem but fail to pinpoint remaining sites at risk as well as the mechanisms of salt emplacement. As part of an approach to assist with hazard mitigation and land management, two regolith-landform maps are being compiled using 1:20,000 scales in the Back Creek and Quandialla areas. A third, more regional regolith-landform map at 1:50,000 scale (Holzapfel & Moore 2003a, b & c) provides context for the more detailed mapping areas. The new regolith-landform maps will aid in interpretation of existing geophysical techniques, help piece together the three-dimensional characteristics of the Bland Creek catchment, aid in the development of a shallow fluid flow and palaeotopographic model and assist land managers in formulating land management units (LMU�s). The three-dimensional integration of regolith-landform mapping, electromagnetic studies, bore information and other geophysical methods is critical in determining the interaction, distribution and movement of groundwater in the Bland Creek Catchment as buried palaeochannels represent preferred fluid pathways. The distribution of these palaeochannels has implications for future dryland salinity outbreaks, the remediation of current outbreaks and mineral exploration closer to the well-known Wyalong Goldfield (Lawrie et al., 1999). The western quarter of the B-Q Transect area partially overlaps with the recently completed GILMORE Project (Lawrie et al., 2003a,b & c), a multi-disciplinary study, coordinated by Geoscience Australia (GA) and the Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS). Regolith-landform information in addition to gamma-ray spectrometry, magnetics, airborne electromagnetics and a digital elevation model acquired by the GILMORE Project have been incorporated into regolith-landform maps over the B-Q Transect. The incorporation of these datasets has helped not only extend the usefulness of the GILMORE Project data but provide a consistent, regolith-landform coverage for the broader Bland Creek Catchment. Regolith-landform mapping has been successful in highlighting major recharge zones for local and intermediate flow systems. The mechanisms for dryland salinity at two well-known sites have also been determined. Increasing salt stores are occurring through evaporation of intermittent floodwaters sourced from floodplains, back plains and broad meandering existing creek systems and recharging partially exposed palaeochannels intersecting the surface. Due to the shallow nature of these partially exposed palaeochannels, evaporation further concentrates the salt load in the soil profile. It is unknown if mapped shallow palaeochannels further away from current drainage systems are affected by rising salt loads. Regolith-landform mapping highlights two additional risk factors common to the 1:50,000 and 1:20,000 scale B-Q Transect mapping areas including widespread waterlogging of soils and wind erosion. Due to the subdued topography, features such as gilgai, fences and roads are having an effect on drainage modification. Wind erosion was also observed to play a major role within the B-Q Transect with significant loss of topsoil creating hardened clay surfaces resistant to water infiltration and significant redistributed deposits of aeolian materials. Interpretation of regolith-landform mapping against geophysical datasets and drill hole data show considerable lateral and vertical variation of regolith units. This variation of regolith distribution with depth does not reduce the effectiveness of using regolithlandform mapping as a valued management tool. The subdued relief coupled with the complex interplay between recharge zones, discharge zones and surficial drainage networks over the B-Q Transect still requires a detailed knowledge of surface regolithlandform characteristics whilst reinforcing the need for a multidisciplinary approach to gain a 3D perspective. Catchment analysis has been performed on drainage systems within the Bland Creek Catchment and has helped explain the strong effect different catchments have had on sediment supply to the Bland Basin. Catchment analysis results have been used in basic calculations of salt loads in the Bland Creek Catchment. An estimated 18,780 Tonnes/yr of salt enter the Bland Creek catchment and as stream flow out of the Bland Creek Catchment is intermittent, salt stores are increasing in the upper margins of the soil profile and groundwater reserves. Reconstruction of the palaeotopography of the B-Q Transect has been made possible using a mutli-disciplinary approach incorporating information from regolith-landform mapping, drill hole information, gamma-ray spectrometry and GILMORE Project datasets. The production of large-scale regolith-landform mapping, the development of a shallow fluid flow model and reconstruction of palaeotopography builds on and contributes to knowledge of the Bland Creek Catchment allowing for detailed farmscale and paddock-scale land management decisions.