Cold seep-carbonates are the microbially mediated by-products of the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) at seafloor cold seeps, and are widespread about modern continental margins and in the geologic record. Some modern and Miocene examples of cold seep-carbonates from the East Coast Basin, North Island, New Zealand have been analysed in this study, to characterise and determine their carbonate fabrics, elemental and mineralogical composition, and stable δ18O and δ13C isotope signatures, so as to provide insights into the diagenetic changes associated with the lithification and burial of seep-carbonates. The ancient samples were collected from the onshore middle Miocene Tauwhareparae (TWP) seep deposit, while the modern samples were obtained from the National Institute of Water and Atmosphere (NIWA) Cruise TAN0616 (November 2006) from Ritchie Ridge, offshore Hikurangi Margin. A paragenetic sequence of diagenetic events involving early aragonitic phases, followed by late calcitic phases is defined for the seep-carbonates. This sequence likely has relevance for understanding the fluid-cement histories of seep-carbonates more widely. Two main carbonate mineralogies occur in each of the sample groups - modern samples are aragonitic or dolomitic, while the ancient ones consist dominantly of either aragonite or calcite. Thus, aragonite common to both sample groups, and is interpreted to represent the initial primary carbonate precipitate in hydrocarbon seep provinces under specific fluid flux and local pore-water chemistry conditions. Aragonite morphologies range from microcrystalline carbonate ('micarb'), to acicular aragonites that may form botryoids or spherulites. Dolomite occurs in those modern samples which appear to constitute exhumed remnants of a former subsurface 'seep plumbing system', and so are strictly not true seabed 'seep-carbonates', but instead are part of the larger hydrocarbon seep province. Calcite in the ancient samples is either a product of alteration and neomorphic transformation of aragonite, or derives from late stage cementation from burial fluids. As a result of their formation processes, the calcites are generally recrystallised and have equant or 'cellular' textures. Stable δ13C and δ18O isotope cross-plots reveal a large spread of values for the sample groups. Ancient samples range from δ13C -8 to -50 PDB and δ18O -5.5 to +2 PDB. Modern samples have δ13C values from -6 to -41 PDB and δ18O values ranging from +2.6 to +6.7 PDB. The δ13C values suggest the majority of the methane that formed these seep-carbonates is of thermogenic origin, although some mixing from other carbon sources may have occurred. The positive δ18O signatures are suggestive of carbonate formation during dissociation of gas hydrates, while the negative values possibly indicate that some of the formation fluids were warmer than normal in the 17 - 30 C range.

This thesis will build upon my undergraduate dissertation. It is enriched by the new information about the original historic Beaufort rock garden. It explores the Beaufort rock garden and includes points of view of the experts on its condition today. The following part of the thesis comprises of a proposal for a renewal of the current Bečov botanical garden framework and of a more detailed focus on few selected rocks and their initial planting. The main contribution of this work is an expansion of the total number of the initially grown plants (from 654 to 1228) thanks to the newly found resources and to the writing down all the newly discovered information from the archival research of the original historical documents dated from 1908 to 1937. All the documents were catalogued by the author of the original concept alpina, the head gardener Johann Koditek. What we do know from the original documentation is how the area expanded between the years 1922 - 1927 with the purchase of the surrounding land. It is clear that the expenses for the land were about 18 098,31crowns and for various works, building construction, plants, materials and wages the total sum was 468 336.07 crowns. The exact mounting plans for landscape park were rediscovered (10 plans and inventories in total) and 16 plans and inventories in total of 47 for the rock garden. The chart with the total number of the originally cultivated taxa also consists of the surviving taxa in the area (22 specific herb species + 43 specific tree species and 12 tree genera). The synonymy of the original plants was created for three selected rocks and surveyed their purchase options today. Most of the taxa will return back to the garden, only rock no. 8 will have to be planted differently due to the lack of light on the original plants. Keywords: origin

The family trilogy, Curse of the Starving Class, Buried Child and True West, presents Sam Shepard's strong bond with his culture and his people, illustrates an intense connection with the land, and reveals a deep longing for the traditions of the past, through the dramatisation of the betrayal of the American Dream. Although obviously part of the American tradition of family drama, Shepard never completely conforms, subverting the genre by debunking the traditional family in order to make a statement about the present disintegration of the bonds of family life and modern American society. In the trilogy Shepard decries the loss of the old codes connecting with his despair at the debasement of the ideals of the past and the demise of the American Dream. Finally, the plays insist on the importance a new set of tenets to supplant the sterile ethics of modern America / M.A. (English)

The family trilogy, Curse of the Starving Class, Buried Child and True West, presents Sam Shepard's strong bond with his culture and his people, illustrates an intense connection with the land, and reveals a deep longing for the traditions of the past, through the dramatisation of the betrayal of the American Dream. Although obviously part of the American tradition of family drama, Shepard never completely conforms, subverting the genre by debunking the traditional family in order to make a statement about the present disintegration of the bonds of family life and modern American society. In the trilogy Shepard decries the loss of the old codes connecting with his despair at the debasement of the ideals of the past and the demise of the American Dream. Finally, the plays insist on the importance a new set of tenets to supplant the sterile ethics of modern America / M.A. (English)