The genetic and morphological characteristics of Hagerstown silt loam, Pisgah silt loam and Clarksville cherty silt loam, three southwest Virginia soils which were formed from material weathered from limestone, were studied by means of mechanical and chemical analyses, and field studies or the soil profiles. The soils used in this investigation are all related in a general way, that is, they all occur within the Gray-Brown Podzolic region and are all derivatives of relatively highly carbonated rocks. Samples of all three soils were taken in Russell County, Virginia within the same vicinity. Therefore, the variation in the physical and chemical composition are due to variation in parent rock and relief and not to variations in climate. Chemical analyses of the parent rock showed that the Hagerstown silt loam and Clarksville cherty silt loan were formed from material weathered from a dolomitic limestone, and that the Pisgah silt loan was formed from material weathered from a high grade limestone. Total chemical analyses of the various horizons of the soil profiles showed that the soil forming processes of the three soils studied were podzolic is nature. The parent materials or C horizons of all the soil profiles studied were clays. Hagerstown, which contained approximately 38 percent clay in the A₁ horizon and 75 percent clay in the C horizon, was the heaviest of the three soils studied. Laboratory and field classifications of soil class conflicted in the case of the Hagerstown profile. The ratios of silica to alumina, and silica to iron showed clearly the accumulation of alumina or iron in the lower horizons. The base to alumina ratio showed the thoroughness of the weathering of the three soil profiles. Calculations of the percentages of bases lost during the soil forming processes showed that calcium was lost from the soil to a greater extent than the magnesium. / Master of Science

This work includes an introduction and literature review of mycorrhizal enhancement of the mineral nutrition of host plants. Particular attention was paid to the role of mycorrhizae in acquiring P from inorganic phosphates. Two experiments were designed to study a mechanism by which the ectomycorrhizal fungus Hebeloma westraliensis can enhance the availability and absorption of P from Ca phosphate by <u>Eucalyptus diversicolor</u> in calcareous soil. Chapter 2 reports on a study on the growth and oxalic acid production of <u>H. westraliensis</u> in calcareous and noncalcareous liquid media. Oxalic acid is thought to chelate cations from phosphate precipitates allowing the release of phosphate into solution. L-threonine was added as an additional treatment to asses the ability of this amino acid to inhibit oxalic acid production by the fungus. Growth and oxalic acid production of <u>H. westraliensis</u> were increased in the calcareous systems. L-threonine had little effect on dry weight of mycelium but substantially reduced oxalic acid production in the calcareous media. Chapter 3 reports on a study of E. diversicolor X <u>H. westraliensis</u> mycorrhizal synthesis in model calcareous and noncalcareous systems. Oxalic acid production was measured in these systems as well as various measurements of solution and host plant nutrition. Solution P concentration decreased and solution Ca increased in the calcareous systems. Mycorrhization decreased the solution concentrations of both of these nutrient elements, due partly to sequestration of these elements in fungal and plant tissues. Plant tissue P concentration was decreased and tissue Ca concentration increased in the calcareous systems. Mycorrhization increased the concentrations of both of these elements in plant tissues. Mycorrhization also increased the height and dry weight of seedlings at harvest and ameliorated symptoms of nutrient deficiencies seen in nonmycorrhizal plants in the calcareous system. Oxalic acid production by the fungus and by the plant were increased in the calcareous system. Attempts to correlate oxalic acid production with solution and plant nutrition were unsuccessful. The relationships of these results to the mycorrhizal enhancement of plant nutrition in calcareous soil is discussed. / Master of Science

Les coccolithophoridés sont des algues marines photosynthétiques et planctoniques qui produisent des plaques micrométriques de carbonate de calcium (CaCO3) appelés coccolithes. Ces algues sont apparues il y 210 Ma et produisent actuellement la majeure partie du CaCO3 dans les océans modernes, jouant ainsi un rôle majeur dans le cycle du carbone. Cependant, l’émergence de la production de CaCO3 océanique par les coccolithophoridés au cours du Jurassique, ainsi que son impact sur le cycle du carbone, restent très mal compris. Cette étude s’est donc focalisée sur une période du Jurassique Moyen (Bajocien inférieur, -170 Ma) enregistrant la diversification de Watznaueria, un genre de coccolithophoridé qui a ensuite dominé la production de CaCO3 océanique pendant plus de 80 Ma. L’analyse des assemblages de coccolithes du Jurassique Moyen du Portugal et du sud de la France, réalisée à l’aide d’une méthode de reconnaissance automatique appliquée pour la première fois aux coccolithes du Jurassique, a permis de quantifier l’importance de cette période de diversification sur la production de CaCO3 pélagique. En outre, la durée de cet intervalle clé a été réévaluée grâce à l’analyse cyclostratigraphique des séries sédimentaires du Sud de la France. Les variations de production de CaCO3 pélagique ainsi reconstituées ont été comparées aux perturbations du cycle du carbone enregistrées par les rapports des isotopes du carbone, et indiquent un lien probable avec une augmentation marquée de la fertilité des océans. Par ailleurs, l’analyse paléontologique montre que cette diversification correspond à l’apparition successive de différentes espèces vraisemblablement opportunistes du genre Watznaueria. Enfin, les flux obtenus de CaCO3 pélagiques, largement inférieurs à ceux observés dans les océans actuels, semblent insuffisants pour avoir eu une influence significative sur le cycle global du carbone du Jurassique Moyen. / Coccolithophorids are photosynthetic and planktonic marine algae that produce micrometric calcium carbonate (CaCO3) platelets called coccoliths. These algae appeared about 210 Ma ago and produce today most of the CaCO3 in the modern oceans, hence playing a major role in the carbon cycle. Nevertheless, the onset of oceanic CaCO3 production by these organisms during the Jurassic and its impact on carbon cycling remain poorly understood. This study therefore focused on the Middle Jurassic interval (Early Bajocian, -170 Ma) which records the diversification of Watznaueria, an evolutionary important coccolith genus that subsequently dominated oceanic CaCO3 production for more than 80 Myr. The analysis of coccolith assemblages from the Middle Jurassic of southern France and Portugal, based on an automaticcoccolith recognition device used for the first time on Jurassic coccoliths, allowed quantifying the impact of this diversification on CaCO3 production. In addition, the duration of this key interval has been revaluated by the cyclostratigraphic analysis of sedimentary strata from southern France. The reconstructed changes in CaCO3 production were compared to carbon cycle perturbations recorded by carbon isotope ratios and indicate a probable link with a marked increase of ocean fertility. Besides, paleontological analyses show that this diversification episode correspond to the successive appearance of different, probably opportunistic Watznaueria species. The obtained fluxes of pelagic CaCO3 production, by far lower than those recorded in modern oceans, seems too low to have significantly impacted theMiddle Jurassic carbon cycle.

Este estudo apresenta indicações de mudanças paleoceanográficas ao longo dos últimos 25.000 anos na porção oeste do Oceano Atlântico Sul a partir do registro da variação de nanofósseis calcários em dois testemunhos de sedimento marinho da margem continental nordeste do Brasil. Outros indicadores foram incorporados às análises de nanofósseis calcários no intuito de melhor compreender as alterações observadas nas assembléias fósseis: 1) dados isotópicos de oxigênio de testas de foraminíferos planctônicos e bentônicos; 2) índice de temperatura e de nutrientes; 3) equação de paleoprodutividade e 4) análises estatísticas multivariadas. Os índices de temperatura e nutrientes foram, pela primeira vez, aplicados a nanofósseis calcários do Quaternário em amostras do Atlântico Sul. A integração dos resultados sugere que as principais características oceanográficas não sofreram alterações significativas nos últimos 25.000 anos, embora condições ambientais instáveis tenham sido registradas a partir da transição do Último Máximo Glacial - Holoceno. Durante o Último Máximo Glacial a região estudada sofreu pouca variação de temperatura, funcionando como um reservatório de calor. A variação da profundidade da termoclina/nutriclina foi considerada a principal resposta às oscilações climáticas, sendo relacionada às mudanças de intensidade dos ventos alísios. / This study focuses on changes in calcareous nannofossil assemblages as an evidence of paleoceanographic variability during the last 25,000 years in two deep sea piston cores from the northeastern Brazilian continental margin. To support reconstructing ancient marine environment others proxies have been applied along with the calcareous nannofossil analysis: 1) oxygen isotopic data from planktonic and benthic foraminifers\' tests; 2) temperature and nutrient indices; 3) paleoproductivity equation and 4) multivariate analysis. For the first time the temperature and nutrient indices were employed to Quaternary calcareous nannofossil from the South Atlantic Ocean. According to presented results major oceanographic features were stable in the last 25,000 years, although instable environmental conditions were recorded in the Last Glacial Maximum - Holocene boundary. During the Last Glacial Maximum the western tropical Atlantic seems to have experienced slight temperature changes and served as a heat and salt reservoir. Nutricline and thermocline depth variation was considered the most important response to climate changes largely related to Trade Winds strength oscillation.

Submitted by CARLA MARIA GOULART DE MORAES (carlagm) on 2015-05-08T18:55:43Z No. of bitstreams: 1 RodrigodoMonteGuerra.pdf: 19509141 bytes, checksum: 3e17b817d88748afa71b52b6e19e720c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-08T18:55:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 RodrigodoMonteGuerra.pdf: 19509141 bytes, checksum: 3e17b817d88748afa71b52b6e19e720c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-08-08 / Nenhuma / Este estudo apresenta inferências bioestratigráficas e paleoecológicas baseadas na distribuição de nanofósseis calcários em três poços perfurados na plataforma continental da Bacia de Pelotas, sul do Brasil. Estudos bioestratigráficos na bacia foram realizados no final da década de 1980, porém nos últimos trinta anos o arcabouço bioestratigráfico com nanofósseis calcários para as bacias marginais brasileiras obteve um refinamento significativo, justificando a elaboração de um novo estudo. A sucessão é composta principalmente por rochas siliciclásticas provenientes de amostras de calha com pequenos intervalos de testemunhos. Foram reconhecidas onze biozonas atingindo a seção Albiano superior/Maastrichtiano, o resultado das análises bioestratigráficas produziram uma melhor resolução principalmente para o Turoniano e o Campaniano da bacia. Abundâncias relativas e absolutas de espécies do Cretáceo foram utilizadas para a determinação de inferências paleoecológicas, as primeiras com base em nanofósseis calcários para a Bacia de Pelotas. Estes dados sugerem o predomínio de condições de águas quentes com alguns eventos de esfriamento da água durante o Turoniano superior, Turoniano superior/Coniaciano inferior, Coniaciano superior e Santoniano superior/Campaniano inferior. / This study reports biostratigraphic and paleoecologic inferences based on the distribution of calcareous nannofossils in three wells drilled in Pelotas Basin continental shelf, southern Brazil. The first biostratigraphic study in the basin comes from late 1980s, however the Brazilian nannoplankton biostratigraphic framework reached a higher resolution in the last thirty years, justifying the development of a new study. The successions are composed mainly by siliciclastic rocks coming from cutting samples and short intervals of cored samples. Eleven biozones were recognized, within the upper Albian and Maastrichtian interval, the biostratigraphic analyses provided a higher resolution mainly for Turonian and Campanian strata in the basin. Absolute and relative abundances of some Cretaceous calcareous nannofossils species provided paleoecological proxies, pioneer in Pelotas Basin using this fossil group. The results suggest a prevalence of warm-water condition, with cooling events during the upper Turonian, upper Turonian/lower Coniacian, upper Coniacian and upper Santonian/lower Campanian.

O processo de proteção catódica é amplamente utilizada na indústria do petróleo e gás para a prevenção contra a corrosão. Entretanto, devido às reações catódicas induzidas pelo potencial catódico aplicado pode ocorrer a formação de depósito calcário na superfície de componentes protegidos catodicamente em água do mar. Existe certa incerteza na literatura sobre o papel do depósito calcário na absorção de hidrogênio e consequentemente na fragilização pelo hidrogênio. Assim, o presente trabalho visa investigar sua influência a fim de contribuir para o melhor entendimento da participação dessa camada nesse fenômeno. Para isso, foram realizados testes de permeação eletroquímica de hidrogênio, de tração de baixa taxa de deformação (BTD) e de cronoamperometria no aço API 5CT P110 em três soluções diferentes: água do mar sintética (AMS), água do mar sintética sem Ca2+ e Mg2+ e NaCl 3,5%. Além disso, foram aplicados dois potenciais catódicos: -1000 mVECS e -1500 mVECS. Após o ensaio de tração de BTD e de cronoamperometria as amostras foram analisadas em MEV/EDS. A partir dos resultados obtidos verificou-se que o depósito calcário formado em AMS em -1000 mVECS é formado por uma fina camada inicial rica em Mg seguida de cristais de aragonita. A formação dessa camada aparentemente diminuiu o fluxo de hidrogênio no estado estacionário em comparação com as demais soluções avaliadas nesse mesmo potencial. Todavia, essa diminuição não resultou em uma mudança significativa na fragilização do material. O depósito calcário formado em AMS em -1500 mVECS mostrou-se poroso e pulverulento, apresentando principalmente Mg em sua composição. O fluxo de hidrogênio no estado estacionário e a fragilização do material em AMS em -1500 mVECS foi maior do que nas demais soluções nesse potencial. Um possível mecanismo para explicar o efeito do depósito calcário na absorção e na fragilização pelo hidrogênio foi proposto e indica a competição entre o fator superficial ocasionado pela formação do depósito calcário e a sobretensão em hidrogênio. / The process of cathodic protection is widely used in oil & gas industry to corrosion prevention. However, the cathodic reactions induced by the applied cathodic potential can lead to the calcareous deposit formation on the cathodically protected structure surface in sea water. There is uncertainty about the role of calcareous deposit on hydrogen uptake and consequently on hydrogen embrittlement. Hydrogen electrochemical permeations, slow strain rate and chronoamperometric tests were carried out in three different solutions: artificial sea water, artificial sea water without Ca2+ and Mg2+ and 3.5% NaCl solution. Besides that, two cathodic potentials were applied: -1000 mVSCE e -1500 mVSCE. After slow strain rate and chronoamperometric tests the samples were analyzed in SEM/EDS. According to the obtained results it was observed that calcareous deposits formed in artificial sea water at -1000 mVSCE consists on a thin Mg-rich inner layer and an outer layer of aragonite crystals. The deposit formation apparently decreased hydrogen flux at steady state in comparison with other solutions evaluated at the same potential. The calcareous deposit formed in artificial sea water at -1500 mVSCE was porous, powdery and mainly composed by Mg. The hydrogen flux at steady state and the embrittlement of the material were higher in artificial sea water at -1500 mVSCE than in other solutions at the same potential. A possible mechanism to explain the calcareous deposit effect on hydrogen uptake and on hydrogen embrittlement was proposed and it indicates the competition between the surface effect induced by calcareous deposit formation and the hydrogen overpotential.

Bibliography: leaves 256-275.

Σκοπός της εργασίας αυτής είναι η μελέτη ανθρακικών πετρωμάτων του Νομού Ηλείας προκειμένου να εξαχθούν συμπεράσματα σχετικά με την καταλληλότητα των υλικών αυτών για περιβαλλοντικές εφαρμογές. Η εργασία αυτή περιλαμβάνει αφενός γεωλογική, πετρογραφική, γεωχημική έρευνα και αφετέρου προσδιορισμό και αξιολόγηση των δοκιμών των φυσικών ιδιοτήτων, του οργανικού υλικού και του αδιάλυτου υπολείμματος των πετρωμάτων. Για την διερεύνηση της καταλληλότητάς τους στις διάφορες περιβαλλοντικές εφαρμογές, έγινε συνδυασμένη αξιολόγηση όλων των αποτελεσμάτων από αυτές τις μελέτες και δοκιμές. Τέλος πραγματοποιήθηκε περιγραφή των περιβαλλοντικών εφαρμογών και εντοπισμός εκείνων των χαρακτηριστικών των υπό μελέτη ανθρακικών πετρωμάτων που τα καθιστούν κατάλληλα για την κάθε περιβαλλοντική εφαρμογή. / This thesis aims to study some of the calcareous rocks of Hleia County (Western Greece) in order to reach conclusion about their suitability for several environmental uses. It involves geological, petrographical and geochemical description and analysis, as well as laboratory testing of physical and mechanical properties, organic matter and insoluble residue. Along with the assessment of data and laboratory results every relevant environmental use is described and each one of the analyzed samples was classified according to its suitability of the specific use.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:06:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 RobertoALS.pdf: 742174 bytes, checksum: d1b0bdbe4af3f236ae47837eb186d487 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-03-26 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / There are ores of clay in Piau? State that are used for red structural ceramics, which are naturally contaminated with calcareous vein. This is one thing that impedes its exploration in an adequate way, especially for tile production. The present work aims at verifying the influence of the calcareous contents in the technological structural ceramics area, seeking to determine a maximum permissible calcareous proportion/contents in the ceramic mass using the patterns of the local industry production. For the consecution of this paper, it was characterized the clay and calcareous material by FRX, DRX, TGA and DTA. It was also configurated by extrusion and burnt in the temperatures of 850?C, 900?C, 950?C and 1000?C pieces of the corpus with 0, 5, 10, 15 e 20% of calcareous proportion. After that, it was carried out technological samples of linear retraction, water absortion, apparent porosity, specific apparent mass and mechanic resistance. The results showed the possibility of using calcareous in the ceramic mass and in some cases the technological properties got better / O estado do Piau? tem jazidas de argilas utilizadas para cer?mica vermelha estrutural, que naturalmente est?o contaminadas com veios de calc?rio, o que impede a sua explora??o de forma adequada, principalmente para a produ??o de telhas. O presente trabalho tem o objetivo de verificar a influ?ncia do teor de calc?rio nas propriedades tecnol?gicas da cer?mica estrutural, visando definir um teor m?ximo de calc?rio admiss?vel na massa cer?mica utilizando-se dos padr?es de produ??o da ind?stria local. Para isso, foram caracterizadas as mat?rias-primas argila e calc?rio por FRX, DRX, TGA e DTA. Tamb?m foram conformados por extrus?o e queimados nas temperaturas de 850?C, 900?C, 950?C e 1000?C corpos-de-prova com 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% e 20% de teor de calc?rio, em seguida, realizados ensaios tecnol?gicos de retra??o linear, absor??o de ?gua, porosidade aparente, massa espec?fica aparente e resist?ncia mec?nica ? flex?o. Os resultados mostraram a possibilidade de se utilizar calc?rio na massa cer?mica, sendo que em alguns casos melhorou as propriedades tecnol?gicas

Un nouveau procédé, basé sur une adaptation innovante du principe de protection cathodique des ouvrages métalliques en milieu marin, consiste à favoriser la précipitation d’un agglomérat calcomagnésien sur plusieurs centimètres d’épaisseur. En présence de sable et de coquillages, cet agglomérat pourrait permettre de stabiliser des zones littorales en cours d’érosion ou d’améliorer l’ancrage d’enrochements brise-lames. L’objectif de ce travail est d’étudier et de comprendre les mécanismes réactionnels de formation de cet agglomérat permettant une précipitation en volume loin de la cathode afin d’en optimiser la vitesse de formation ainsi que ses propriétés mécaniques. Premièrement, il a été montré dans ces travaux que le milieu électrolytique pouvait influer sur la croissance du dépôt, avec une possible inhibition de formation de carbonate de calcium pour les faibles potentiels. L’influence des produits de corrosion dans le mécanisme de protection cathodique a également été mise en évidence grâce à des polarisations effectuées dans NaCl, eau de mer artificielle et naturelle. Deuxièmement, des essais d’un mois en courant imposé ont été menés du laboratoire jusqu’au site naturel, afin de se rapprocher des conditions réelles. La densité de courant appliquée ainsi que les conditions hydrodynamiques sont des facteurs clefs étroitement liés l’un à l’autre, influant sur la masse et le rapport Ca/Mg. Ces travaux ont aussi permis de mettre en avant l’influence du temps de polarisation sur la composition du dépôt calcomagnésien, présentant une cinétique de croissance stable mais une fluctuation de composition après 15, 30 et 60 jours. Cette variation interne du rapport Ca/Mg, attribuée à un processus de « dissolution/précipitation » dépendant du gradient de pH, ainsi que la répartition de ces éléments au sein du dépôt pourraient jouer un rôle majeur dans l’évolution de la tenue mécanique du dépôt au cours du temps. / A new method, based on an innovative adaptation of cathodic protection principle of metal structures in marine environment, is to promote the precipitation of a calcareous agglomerate several centimeters thick. In the presence of sand and shells, this cluster could stabilize coastal areas being eroded or improve anchorage of breakwater riprap. The objective of this work is to study and understand the reaction mechanisms allowing to create a voluminous calcareous deposit away from the cathode and to optimize deposition time as well as its mechanical properties. First, it was shown in this work that the electrolytic medium could affect the growth of the deposit, with a possible inhibition of formation of calcium carbonate fot the low potential. The influence of corrosion products in the cathodic protection mechanism was also highlighted through polarizations performed in NaCl, artificial and natural sea water. Second, one month test with impressed current were conducted from laboratory to natural site, in order to get closer of real conditions. Current density and hydrodynamic conditions are key factors closely bonded to each other, affecting the mass and composition of the Ca/Mg ratio. This work has also helped to highlight the influence of the polarization time on the composition, with stable growth kinetics but a composition’s evolution after 15, 30 and 60 days. This internal variation of the Ca/Mg ratio attributed to a process of « dissolution/precipitation » is pH dependent and the distribution of these elements within the deposit could play a major role in the evolution of the mechanical strength of deposit over time.