Chemical input-output analyses were used to evaluate the rate of rock weathering and soil development on a granitic inselberg of the Dragoon Mountains in southeastern Arizona. Soil genesis relationships were investigated through field and laboratory study of the soil profile, parent rock, microclimate and vegetation, on different catena positions and hillside aspects. Precipitation and runoff water qualities were determined, with increased summer acidity. Precipitation volume was estimated by extrapolating data from a nearby recording station. Runoff volume was estimated by the U.S.D.A.-S.C.S. Curve Number Method (1972). These data enabled the quantitative determination of cationic solution loss. The indicated decreasing order of cation mobility is calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium. Cations of higher mobility are relatively depleted in the hillcrest soils, while transported to the footslope or beyond. Calcium, and to a lesser extent sodium, have experienced more extensive off-site removal. Differences resulting from the transformation of parent material to soil were analyzed by field morphology, X-ray analysis, laser light-scattering particle size analysis, and chemical analyses. The study site was surveyed, mapped and the spatial arrangement of soil taxa and their compositional variation were studied. Nearly all pedons on the crest or transport slope are Lithic Ustic Torriorthents; whereas footslope soils show greater development, as exemplified by the occurrence of various Haplargids, Haplustolls and Argiustolls. Weathering rates were calculated using a methodology similar to that of F. W. Barth (1961). Potassium and magnesium provided the most reasonable data of 350 and 430 Kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, respectively. (equivalent to 13.5 and 16.5 mm of rock weathered per 1000 years). Two serrated projectile points were found inbedded on the clayey soil surface of an adjacent ancient pond site. These artifacts resemble another projectile point found in southeastern Arizona which has been radiocarbon dated ~7,000 yr B.P. A minimum age for the pond and immediate surrounding topography is suggested to correspond with the end of the western subhumid pluvial period. The assessment of the geochemical budget provided a valuable framework for quantification of the various processes which interactively determine the rates of weathering and soil formation.

Urbanisation is increasingly recognised as a major ecological pressure at the coast. By 2035, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will have to spend £1 billion each year on flood defence and erosion control infrastructure if current levels of protection are to be sustained in England and Wales; this represents a substantial commitment to building new hard structures. Ecological research has shown that structures like seawalls, breakwaters, and harbour and port infrastructure are poor surrogates for undisturbed rocky shores. This, alongside substantial international policy drivers, has led to an interest in the ways in which structures might be enhanced for ecological gain. Virtually all of this research has been undertaken by ecologists, while the contribution of geomorphological understanding has not been fully recognised. This thesis presents an assessment of the two-way interactions between colonising organisms and the materials used to build hard coastal structures under a framework of biogeomorphology. The influence of material type and small-scale surface texture on early colonisation is assessed alongside detailed observations of the ways in which biota are involved in the alteration of substratum properties and behaviours through weathering and erosion in the intertidal zone. The research demonstrates that biotic (organisms) and abiotic (material substrata) components of coastal structures are inherently linked at various spatial and temporal scales through complex biogeomorphic interactions and feedbacks. Importantly, these interactions have consequences for the subsequent operation of ecological and geomorphological processes that are of relevance to urban marine ecology, weathering and rock coast geomorphology, and engineering. This thesis demonstrates the considerable potential to manipulate substratum-biota interactions on artificial structures for ecological gain, both directly and indirectly. More broadly, the explicitly interdisciplinary methodological approach adopted shows the value and necessity of integrated research for achieving useful, applied outcomes.

This PhD thesis contains the results of comprehensive research into the Pravčická brána Arch and surrounding sandstone massifs with focus on gaining more knowledge about natural dynamics and evolution of this rock formation, its current level of stability and the weathering processes it displays. Non-destructive methods were used for this comprehensive study; these ranged from detailed field documentation to monitoring temperature regime of the rock and included application of a geophysical survey and control monitoring of the course of arch body deformation. Laboratory testing was carried out for strength parameters and salt efflorescences together with weathered sandstones were analysed for chemical compounds. Main operating factors were monitored simultaneously, which particularly involved changes in external temperature, degree of sunlight and chemical composition of rainfall. Conventional as well as entirely new assessment procedures were used in synthesis and interpretation of the data collected, including knowledge of nonlinear dynamics of complex systems. The survey was designed to fully respect the protective conditions of the site, to make follow-up activities possible in future and to monitor any possible negative changes in the rock massif. The main results incorporate description of...

Natural fibre composites (NFCs), which are polymers reinforced with cellulosic bast fibres, have the potential to be applied into a range of building products. They are seen as an alternative to glass fibre reinforced plastics (GFRP) in some applications, because of natural fibres (NF) relatively high strength and low density. Moreover, natural fibres have a set of beneficial traits, such as thermal insulation, thermal stability, biodegradability, and are inherently renewable. Those characteristics are of importance when NF are used as reinforcements in polymer composites, but developments in mechanical performance, reliability and economic viability are still required in order to be adopted fully by industry. The goal of this thesis was the development of a processing methodology for NFC laminate and subsequent material characterisation to assess the developed material suitability for building applications. Research objectives included materials selection, processing route development for laminates and tubes, manufacture of NFC laminates and analysis of mechanical properties in order to find an optimal composition. Hemp and flax fibres were selected as the reinforcement, because both have high mechanical properties and are important bast fibre crops in the European region with established cultivation and processing methods. As a matrix, fossil-fuel based and partially bio-derived thermoset resin systems were used. Handling and processing methodologies were developed for laminates and composite tubes based on filament winding and compression moulding techniques. The effects of the selected factors, namely material composition, volume fraction, processing parameters, reinforcement linear density, yarn twist, lamination sequence, yarn waviness and hybrid hemp-wool reinforcement were subsequently described in mechanical properties analysis of laminates. The influence of weathering conditions on the mechanical performance of the NFCs was examined. Furthermore, a study of NFC tubes under compression was performed. Results showed that the developed laminates reinforced with NF yarns have sufficient mechanical properties to be utilised in sandwich panels and/or tubes. However, a low resistance to moisture-related weathering restricts the developed NFCs for indoor applications.

The inland region of the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) of Antarctica represents a subzero, hyper-arid endmember for physical weathering, and is Earth’s closest terrestrial analog to the Martian surface. In order to document the style and rate of rock breakdown in this region, I conducted field-based, experimental, and numerical modeling studies of supraglacial debris (Mullins till) on Mullins Glacier. These investigations were designed to (1) quantify the rate and processes of physical breakdown of surface rocks on Mullins till, particularly of Ferrar Dolerite, (2) determine the efficacy of thermal stress weathering as an agent in rock erosion, and (3) examine the role of physical weathering in altering the sublimation of buried glacial ice. Results from morphometric field surveys characterizing changes in rock shape, strength, and small-scale surface features, coupled with an iterative cosmogenic nuclide-based age model for Mullins Glacier, show that total erosion rates for clasts of Ferrar Dolerite on Mullins till range from 1.1 to 15 cm Myr-1. In situ field measurements of rock surface temperatures and local ambient conditions recorded at 15-second intervals, combined with a numerical finite element model elucidating changes in internal rock temperatures and associated strain, show that thermal stress weathering is sufficient to induce spalling by propagating existing microcracks of ≥1.1 cm that typically occur at the base of thin, mm-scale alteration rinds. The implication is that thermal stress weathering, previously undocumented in this region, may account for >80% of the total estimated erosion of Ferrar Dolerite. Furthermore, the spalled fragments (up to 5% of Mullins till) provide a negative feedback that slows the rate of subsurface ice sublimation and internal vapor diffusion. Experimental analyses in a controlled environmental chamber set with Mullins till and driven by local meteorological conditions measured in the field yields an average effective diffusivity of 4.5 x 10-6 m2 s-1 for Mullins till and annual rates of buried ice loss of <0.068 mm (assuming Fickian diffusion); these values are consistent with theoretical estimates, demonstrate the importance of physical weathering in modifying supraglacial deposits, and support arguments for persistent cold-desert conditions in the MDV for the last several million years.

Com a publicação e vigência da norma brasileira de desempenho NBR 15575:2013 amplia-se a necessidade de pesquisas que avaliem os fatores influentes sobre o desempenho dos materiais em função do local em que são empregados, principalmente no caso de materiais cimentícios, uma vez que, além de serem altamente utilizados no país, são severamente danificados por condições de umidade, radiações solares e variações de temperatura. Sendo assim, frente à exposição e função da argamassa de rejuntamento em sistemas de revestimento aderido, o material de preenchimento requer maior atenção principalmente porque o seu desempenho de forma isolada afeta no desempenho do sistema como um todo, seja do ponto de vista estético, de estanqueidade à água ou de segurança ao uso. Dessa forma, objetivando avaliar a influência do intemperismo sobre o desempenho de argamassas de rejuntamento à base de cimento Portland, essa pesquisa desenvolveu um plano experimental com 4 variáveis de influência, quais sejam: fabricante da argamassa (três níveis), cor da argamassa (branco, cinza e preto), tratamento superficial (sem tratamento, dois produtos hidrofugantes de bases diferentes) e tipo de exposição (referência, natural e artificial). A exposição ao intemperismo natural ocorreu na cidade de Porto Alegre durante 252 dias e a exposição artificial foi realizada em simulador ambiental do tipo radiação UVA e umidade por condensação durante 140 dias. Os resultados apontam para degradação física das argamassas do ponto de vista de alteração de cor e aumento da absorção de água das argamassas após intemperismo. A aplicação de produtos de proteção altera a cor das argamassas, sendo que o tratamento à base de metil siliconato de potássio causa manchas desuniformes em argamassas escuras e não apresentou melhorias quanto à absorção de água das argamassas de rejuntamento. O ensaio em câmara de intemperismo não foi capaz de reproduzir as degradações alcançadas no ambiente de Porto Alegre para as argamassas pretas. Por fim, todos fatores controláveis de forma isolada têm efeito significativo sobre as características cor, absorção de água e abrasão. Dessa forma, não é possível eleger uma argamassa que atenda de forma satisfatória a todas as propriedades avaliadas, demonstrando a ausência de requisitos em norma. / Since the Brazilian performance standard NBR 15575:2013 was published and entered into effect, the need for research that assesses the factors that influence the performance of materials as a function of the location where they are employed, has grown, especially in the case of cimenticious materials, given that these are not only frequently employed in the country, but also severely damaged by moisture, solar radiation and temperature variations. Because of the exposure and function of tile grout in coating systems, the filling material requires greater attention, mainly because its isolated performance affects the performance of the system as a whole from an aesthetic, water proofing or safety perspective. This research was therefore developed to evaluate the influence of weathering on the performance of grouts based on Portland cement using an experimental plan with 4 variables of influence, namely: the manufacturer of the grout (three levels), the color of the grout (white, gray and black), the surface treatment (without treatment, two water-repellent products with different bases) and type of exposure (reference, artificial and natural). The natural exposure to weather occurred in the city of Porto Alegre for 252 days and the artificial exposure was performed in an UVA radiation and moisture condensation environmental simulator for 140 days. The results point to the physical degradation of the grout regarding the change of color and an increase in water absorption of the grout after weathering. The application of protection products changes the color of the grouts, with the treatment based on Potassium Methyl Siliconate causing uneven staining in dark grouts without presenting improvements regarding the water absorption of the tile grout. The test in the weathering chamber wasn't able to reproduce the degradation reached in the environment of Porto Alegre for the black grouts. Finally, all controllable factors in isolation had a significant effect on the Color, Water Absorption and Abrasion characteristics. It's therefore not possible to point to a mortar that meets all assessed properties in a satisfactory manner, demonstrating the non-compliance with the requirements in the standard.

O presente trabalho visa se aprofundar em estudos para se obter uma melhor compreensão das maneiras que os processos de intemperismo químico na região tropical influem no rebaixamento do relevo. Este tema é de grande relevância e sua adequada compreensão é necessária para o avanço dos conhecimentos de geomorfologia da atualidade. Assim pretende-se a partir da compartimentação do relevo efetuar análises físicas e químicas de horizontes do solo e do manto de alteração, em perfis de contexto de litologia ígnea e metamórfica, efetuando comparações e demonstrando através dos resultados dos parâmetros selecionados de que forma o horizonte B se relaciona com o horizonte C do solo, bem como as semelhanças e diferenças ocasionadas pelos diferentes compartimentos litológicos. Para isso será efetuado um estudo de caso no Planalto do Paraitinga/Paraibuna-SP procurando correlacionar indicadores de maneira a demonstrar possíveis caminhos que forneçam informações quanto ao rebaixamento do relevo através de processos geoquímicos. / This study aims to deepen studies trying to understand ways of the chemical weathering processes influence the relief in the tropics. This matter have great relevance and need be better understanding to advance the geomorphology knowledge. Thus it is intended from the partitioning of relief make physical and chemical analysis of soil horizons and alteration mantle, in the context of igneous and metamorphic lithology profiles, making comparisons and demonstrated by the results of the selected parameters that form the B horizon is related to the soil horizon C as well as similarities and differences caused by different lithologic compartments. For it will be made a case study at the Plateau Paraitinga/Paraibuna-SP to correlate indicators in order to demonstrate possible ways to provide information regarding the lowering of relief through geochemical processes.

O trabalho buscou identificar se o intemperismo acelerado Xênon, utilizando a norma ASTM D4452-12, em corantes naturais encapsulados em matriz de sílica pelo processo sol gel com o uso de alcóxidos, conforme descrito pela patente INPI BR 10 2013 0219835, e injetadas em matriz de policloreto de polivinila (PVC) preservam as características de cor original dos corantes. Utilizou-se comparação dos mesmos corantes naturais – carmim, curcuma, índigo e urucum – sem encapsulamento e com encapsulamento, e injetados na mesma matriz de PVC. Executou-se a determinação da variação da cor antes do ensaio de intemperismo e após 126 h, 252 h, 378 h e 504 h em câmara de intemperismo Xênon utilizando-se a norma ASTM D4459-12. Utilizou-se o corante Tartrazina (INS 102) um azo corante sem encapsulamento como comparação do comportamento dos corantes naturais com um corante sintético. Os resultados indicam que não houve proteção da perda da coloração para os corantes naturais encapsulados, sendo a perda de coloração mais acentuada que os não encapsulados. Concluiu-se que é necessário executar alguns cuidados nas fases de encapsulamento dos corantes naturais como: uma dispersão cuidadosa dos corantes naturais e inclusão de um processo de repetição do encapsulamento do xerogel. / The study aimed to identify the Xenon accelerated weathering, using ASTM D4452-12 standards, of natural dyes encapsulated in the silica matrix by the sol-gel process with the use of alkoxides as described by the patent INPI BR 10 2013 0219835, and injected into matrix of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) preserve characteristics of original color of the dye. We used to compare the same natural colors - carmine, turmeric, indigo and annatto - without encapsulation and with encapsulation, and injected into the same matrix of PVC. Performed to determine the change in color before the weathering test after 126 h, 252 h, 378 h and 504 h in Xenon weathering chamber using ASTM D4459- 12 standards. We used the dye Tartrazine (INS 102) an azo dye without encapsulation as a comparison of the behavior of natural dyes with a synthetic dye. The results indicate that there was no protection of natural dyes encapsulated, with the loss of saturation more severe than the non-encapsulated natural dyes. It follows that some care needs to perform the encapsulation stages of natural dyes as a careful dispersion of natural colorants includes a process of repeat the encapsulation of the xerogel.

Acid deposition forms when emission-derived sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides interact with precipitation and was particularly severe in the northeastern US. Effects of acid deposition include declining soil quality due to low pH and base cation leaching, which subsequently altered the composition of soil solution, ground water (GW) and eventually stream water. Because of the high buffering capacity of carbonates, watersheds underlain by carbonate rich rocks have received limited attention in acid deposition studies, however, carbonate weathering by strong anthropogenic acids can increase atmospheric CO2 levels. Emission reductions due to the Clean Air Act and Amendments has led to a substantial reduction of acid deposition and many ecosystems are now recovering and stream water exports contain lower concentrations of acid anions and base cations. However, the effects of recovery on watershed soil, soil solution, and GW composition, which potentially varies with landscape position, are not well constrained. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate links between soils and water composition in a watershed with important carbonate contents in the underlying rock, the Sleepers River Research Watershed (SRRW), using long-term datasets that span the recovery period. Temporal trends (1991-2015) for acid anions (sulfate and nitrate), pH, base cations (Ca, Na) and Si were investigated for stream water and trends with time, depth, and landscape position (hilltop, hillslope, and riparian zone) for the same solutes were assessed in GW and soil solution (2004-2013). Furthermore, soil elemental composition and mineralogy in archived (1996) and modern (2017) soil samples were analyzed to investigate changes in soil composition due to base cation leaching and carbonate weathering with time and landscape position. Results indicate that SRRW is indeed recovering from acidification as evidenced by declining sulfate content and rising pH in stream water, GW, and soil solution. Additionally, Ca typically derived from carbonate weathering decreased progressively with time in GW and showed signs of decreasing in soil solution at various landscape positions due to reduced leaching. However, Ca in stream water shows slight increases, likely due to Ca released from riparian soil stores. Spatial heterogeneity is especially pronounced in headwater catchments with steep topography as evidenced by changes in solution and soil composition along hillslopes. In addition to the paper submitted for publication (Chapter 2) to Frontiers in Earth Science – Biogeochemistry this thesis includes i) a background and literature review to inform the reader on pertinent topics, ii) an appendix containing additional soil data with figures, iii) and an appendix with additional aqueous phase data with figures.

A utilização da madeira em ambiente externo faz com que peças estruturais estejam expostas aos intemperismos, que causam degradação de materiais. Esta investigação objetivou avaliar os efeitos dos intemperismos artificial e natural sobre as propriedades físicas, químicas e mecânicas de madeiras, abrangendo todas classes de resistência preconizadas pela ABNT NBR 7190/1997, bem como a comparação dos dois processos de envelhecimento com base no desempenho mecânico deste material. Amostras de oito classes de resistência foram expostas ao intemperismo natural durante 360 dias em três níveis de tratamento, comparando seus efeitos com amostras das mesmas madeiras expostas ao intemperismo artificial durante 384 horas em três níveis de tratamento. As propriedades avaliadas foram: Módulo de elasticidade na flexão estática, Valor convencional de resistência na flexão estática, Resistência à compressão paralela às fibras, Dureza Janka perpendicular às fibras, Limite elástico em flexão estática, Densidade aparente e cor. A miscroestrutura do material foi avaliada utilizando técnicas de Difração de Raio-X e Espalhamento de Raio-X em baixo ângulo. As porções mais envelhecidas das amostras foram analisadas quimicamente. A sistemática de amostragem utilizada possibilitou o estudo do desempenho de amostras de controle, realizando assim uma abordagem relativa e generalizada de resultados. De acordo com os resultados, constatou-se queda de desempenho mecânico das madeiras em torno de 15%, com aumento do Limite elástico em 18%, para 360 dias envelhecimento natural. Um ciclo de envelhecimento artificial (nas condições adotadas nesta investigação), conforme correlação realizada, corresponde a aproximadamente 6 dias de exposição ao intemperismo natural. As técnicas para avaliação da microestrutura e análises químicas da madeira foram eficazes, produzindo resultados importantes para a compreensão dos fenômenos retratados neste trabalho. / Outdoor utilization of wood makes structural pieces being exposed to the weathering, causing the material degradation. This investigation aimed to evaluate the effects of artificial and natural weathering on the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of wood, covering all strength classes preconized by ABNT NBR 7190/1997, as well as to compare both aging processes based on the material mechanical performance. Samples of eight strength classes were exposed to natural weathering for 360 days in three treatment levels, comparing its effects with samples exposed to artificial weathering for 384 hours in thee treatment levels. Woods were evaluated in Modulus of elasticity in static bending, Conventional value of strength in static bending, strength in compression parallel to grain, Janka hardness perpendicular to grain, Elastic limit in static bending, Density and Color. The microstructure was evaluated by X ray Diffraction and Small angle X ray scattering. The more aged fractions of samples were chemically analyzed. Sampling strategy made possible the study of the control samples performances, carrying out a relative and more general results approach. According to results, there is decreasing of wood mechanical performance about 15%, and increasing of Elastic limit about 18%, in 360 days of natural aging. One cycle of artificial weathering (with conditions here considered), based on correlation analysis performed, corresponds to about 6 days of natural weathering exposure. The techniques of microstructure evaluation and chemical analyzes were effective, providing important results for the comprehension of the phenomena portrayed here.