Erosion resistance of bionic functional surfaces inspired from desert scorpions

In this paper, a bionic method is presented to improve the erosion resistance of machine components. Desert scorpion (Androctonus australis) is a typical animal living in sandy deserts, and may face erosive action of blowing sand at a high speed. Based on the idea of bionics and biologic experimental techniques, the mechanisms of the sand erosion resistance of desert scorpion were investigated. Results showed that the desert scorpions used special microtextures such as bumps and grooves to construct the functional surfaces to achieve the erosion resistance. In order to understand the erosion resistance mechanisms of such functional surfaces, the combination of computational and experimental research were carried out in this paper. The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method was applied to predict the erosion performance of the bionic functional surfaces. The result demonstrated that the microtextured surfaces exhibited better erosion resistance than the smooth surfaces. The further erosion tests indicated that the groove surfaces exhibited better erosion performance at 30° injection angle. In order to determine the effect of the groove dimensions on the erosion resistance, regression analysis of orthogonal multinomials was also performed under a certain erosion condition, and the regression equation between the erosion rate and groove distance, width, and height was established.     

塔克拉玛干沙漠黑碳气溶胶的特性及来源

长期监测并采集塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地的大气颗粒物及黑碳气溶胶样品.在塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地,沙尘气溶胶中的黑碳在PM10中的年平均含量高达1.14%,这说明在人迹罕至的塔克拉玛干沙漠地区,其上空的沙尘气溶胶也已经受到人为活动的影响.黑碳气溶胶具有明显的季节变化和日变化,冬季最高,平均达2261.7ngm-3,依次为冬季春季秋季夏季.黑碳气溶胶日变化特征与城市地区恰好相反,夜间高于白天,午夜0:00～2:00出现峰值,而在上午8:00～11:00出现低值.非沙尘暴期间黑碳对PM10的贡献是沙尘暴时期的11倍.塔里木盆地周边绿洲带人为活动,尤其是新疆南北部地区跨越春秋冬三季的居民采暖所产生的黑碳经由局地、区域或长途传输是塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地黑碳气溶胶的主要来源,也是沙漠黑碳气溶胶具有明显的季节特征和日变化的主要原因.随着沙尘气溶胶的长途传输,沙漠每年大约输出6.3×104吨黑碳气溶胶,这势必会对全球的气候与环境变化产生一定影响.     

Screening and Characterization of Two Extracellular Polysaccharide-Producing Bacteria from the Biocrust of the Mu Us Desert

The extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) matrix embedding microbial cells and soil particles plays an important role in the development of biological soil crusts (BSCs), which is widely recognized as beneficial to soil fertility in dryland worldwide. This study examined the EPS-producing bacterial strains YL24-1 and YL24-3 isolated from sandy soil in the Mu Us Desert in Yulin, Shaanxi province, China. The strains YL24-1 and YL24-3 were able to efficiently produce EPS; the levels of EPS were determined to be 257.22 μg/mL and 83.41 μg/mL in cultures grown for 72 h and were identified as Sinorhizobium meliloti and Pedobacter sp., respectively. When the strain YL24-3 was compared to Pedobacter yulinensis YL28-9^T using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the resemblance was 98.6% and the strain was classified as Pedobacter sp. using physiological and biochemical analysis. Furthermore, strain YL24-3 was also identified as a subspecies of Pedobacter yulinensis YL28-9^T on the basis of DNA–DNA hybridization and polar lipid analysis compared with YL28-9^T. On the basis of the EPS-related genes of relevant strains in the GenBank, several EPS-related genes were cloned and sequenced in the strain YL24-1, including those potentially involved in EPS synthesis, assembly, transport, and secretion. Given the differences of the strains in EPS production, it is possible that the differences in gene sequences result in variations in the enzyme/protein activities for EPS biosynthesis, assembly, transport, and secretion. The results provide preliminary evidence of various contributions of bacterial strains to the formation of EPS matrix in the Mu Us Desert.     

The Influence of the Concentration of Components of an Epoxy–Sandy Composite on Its Abrasive-Wear Resistance

The dependence of the abrasive-wear resistance of an epoxy–sandy composite on sand content was studied. It was shown that abrasive-wear resistance of such composite is directly dependent on sand content and the maximum value is exceeded at 70 pts. wt of sand. The mechanism of the composite abrasive wear is comparable with the change of the tribotechnical indicators of homogenous materials     

A STUDY ON THE PLEISTOCENE STRATA AND THEIR DEPOSITIONAL ENVIRONMENT ON THE SONGLIAO PLAIN OF NORTHEAST CHINA

This paper deals with the Pleistocene strata and their depositional environment on theSongliao Plain of Northeast China by applying determinative and analytic techniques of spore-pollen, magnetic stratigraphy, clay minerals, isotopic dating, sedimentary facies, etc. Resultsshow that the underlying sand gravel layer below 75-80 m in depth in the central plain belongsto the alluvial-lacustrine deposits with a time range of 2.48-1.87 Ma, known as the lowerlimit of the Quaternary. As to the massive clay layer, its lower part, 40-30 m thick, belongsto the middle late period of the early Pleistocene, ranging from 2.01-0.73 Ma, while its upperpart, 25-21 m thick, belongs to the middle Pleistocene, ranging from 0.73-20 Ma, with amean sedimentation rate of 3-4 mm/1000a under the big lake, long-range gentle and steadydepositional environment.     

钢在中国北部海区海泥中的腐蚀

在青岛海区以及渤海南部的埕岛海区进行了A3钢、16Mn钢、2 0 #钢及Z向钢的实海滩涂埋片实验、埕岛海区的海泥属于砂质泥类型 ,青岛海区为海沙、埋片方式分为单独埋片和电连接埋片两种方式 ,三年的实验结果表明 :对同一种钢材而言 ,海沙中的腐蚀速度高于海泥中的腐蚀速度 ;单独埋片的腐蚀速度高于电连接埋片的腐蚀速度 ,但两者相差不大 ;钢材短期实验的腐蚀速度要高于长期实验中的腐蚀速度 ,而以海沙中最为明显     

Ultraviolet radiation-induced limitation to epilithic microbial growth in arid deserts--dosimetric experiments in the hyperarid core of the Atacama Desert

Experiments were conducted during November 2003 in the dry core of the Atacama Desert, Yungay, Chile to test the hypothesis that UV radiation, in environments where liquid water is not available, and thus enzymatic repair of UV-induced damage is inhibited, can prevent epilithic colonization. Novel dosimeters made from the cryptoendolithic, desiccation and radiation-resistant cyanobacterium Chroococcidiopsis sp. isolated from the dry Negev desert, Israel, showed that monolayers of this organism were killed within one day. The diurnal profile of microbial loss of viability was investigated with dosimeters of Bacillus subtilis, which similarly showed cell death within one day. Soil grains obtained from south of Yungay where liquid water is more abundant and transported to the hyperarid core showed killing of indigenous vegetative organisms within one day. Gypsum and mineral grain coverings of 1mm were sufficient to prevent measurable UV-induced damage of Chroococcidiopsis and B. subtilis after 8d exposure. These results show that under extreme desiccation and an ambient UV flux the surface of rocks can potentially be rendered sterile, but that millimetre thick mineral coverings can protect organisms from UV-induced killing, consistent with the observed patterns of lithophytic colonization in the Atacama Desert. These data further show that UV radiation can be an important limiting factor in surface biological rock weathering in arid regions.     

Characteristics of manganese-coated sand using SEM and EDAX analysis

"Manganese-coated sand" is a type of silica medium coated with manganese oxides, formed from the sorption of manganese oxides during long-term filtration via the process of rapid sand filtration, followed by aeration in a water treatment plant. Locally available manganese-coated sand, both for packing and as a byproduct of filtration processes for water treatment plants in Taiwan, was found to be a low-cost and promising adsorbent for removal of Mn(2+) from raw water. This study was conducted to build the basic data for coating hydrated manganese oxide on the sand surface to utilize the adsorbent properties of the coating and the filtration properties of the sand. In this study, gas adsorption porosimetry and scanning electron microscopy analyses were used to investigate the surface properties of the coated layer. An energy dispersive X-ray (EDAX) technique of analysis was used to characterize metal adsorption sites on a manganese-coated sand surface. Results indicated that manganese-coated sand had more micropores and higher specific surface area, owing to attachment of manganese sand. Manganese ions penetrated into the micropores and mesopores of manganese oxide on a sandy surface; regeneration of manganese-coated sand could be achieved by soaking with pH < 2.0 acid solution. Results of EDAX analysis showed that the interfacial layer constructed the interface of manganese-coated sand. Acid and alkali resistance tests interpret a wide application range of pH for manganese-coated sand, and general temperature conditions do not affect the performance of this sand. Manganese-coated sand is potentially suitable for application as a packed bed for treatment of heavy metals from water. The results of this study can also benefit plant operational capacity data for engineering design.     

The isolated iridescent cornea of the sand goby is photoresponsive

After a 2 h period of dark adaptation the iridescent cornea of the sand goby, Pomatoschistus minutus, responds to illumination by increasing the amplitude of iridescent reflexions and shifting the wavelength of maximum reflexion towards longer wavelengths. This characteristic response is found to occur in both the intact eye and in the isolated cornea, indicating that the light-induced colour changes are mediated by extra-retinal photoreceptors.     

Detection and visualisation of elemental components in various ambient species by synchrotron microbeam technique

This study introduces the application of the synchrotron radiation induced X-ray fluorescence (SR-XRF) microprobe installed at the Super Photon ring-8 GeV (SPring-8), which is the world's largest third-generation synchrotron radiation facility, to the specification of chemical properties of various atmospheric samples. The combination of visual elemental mapping and XRF spectral analyses allows for the interpretation of the nature and composition of individual particles. Individually collected droplets by the replication technique were also irradiated by X-ray microbeam to carry out visual reconstruction of elemental maps for their multiple components. The multielemental peaks corresponding to X-ray energy were also successfully resolved. Because the chemical contents of solute for individual droplets can be definitely clarified in this study, we can describe the mechanisms involved in droplet formation and pollutant scavenging. The point analysis of sand dust collected from the local desert in China confirmed that the fine fragments of sand, which may be lifted and transported over a long distance, are considerably inhomogeneous in elemental component.     

Bioactive principles in exudate gel from the leaf of Aloe fleurentiniorum,traditionally used as folkloric medicine by local people of Aridah and Fayfa mountains,Saudi Arabia

Aloe fleurentiniorum is a desert plant that is occasionally used to treat wounds by local people of Aridah and Fayfa mountains in Saudi Arabia. However, medicinal value of the plant has not been scientifically established. The purpose of this study was to determine the bioactive phytocomponents contained in the exudate gel (EG) from the leaves of Aloe fleurentiniorum using GC–MS and FT-IR studies, as well as antibacterial assays. Medicinally important bioactive compounds were identified using GC–MS analysis. The bioactive compounds are “pregn-5-ene-3α,20-diol”, “16α-methyl-pregnane-11,20-dione”, “3-hydroxy-(3α,5α)-, ursodeoxycholic acid”, “1-heptatriacotanol”, “allopregnane-7α,11α-diol-3,20-dione”, “D-arabino-hexopyranoside”, “2-octadecenoic acid methyl ester”, “D-ribo-hexose,2,6-dideoxy-3-O-methyl glucosamine”, “N-acetyl-N-benzoyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside”, “nonyl 1-thio pregnenolone”, “5-cholestene-3-ol, 24-methyl-cholestanol”, and “D-allose hexadecanoic acid methyl ester”. Furthermore, specific groups and their respective chemical compounds were identified via FT-IR spectroscopy studies. The FT-IR spectroscopy of EG showed various functional groups at 3354, 2945, 2832, 2523, 2046, 1707, 1451, 1108, 1031, 880, 737 and 610 cm⁻¹. The FT-IR peaks revealed the likely presence of various compounds such as glycosides, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, flavonoids, amino sugars, cutin and isothiocyanate. Moreover, EG produced a wide range of antibacterial effects on some screened human pathogenic bacteria.     

Use of isotopes in search of Lost River

Ample evidence exists from ancient Indian texts, geomorphology and sedimentology that a mighty river that once originated in the Himalayas flowed in the North-west India during 7000-3000 BP and disappeared in the sands of the Rajasthan desert. Remote sensing combined with ground search identified part of the buried channel of the ancient river in the Jaisalmer region of Rajasthan. Isotope study showed that the fresh groundwater in that region was indeed ancient and slowly moving southwest and probably had headwater connection in the lower ranges of Himalayas, but not to any glacier. The isotope data (²H, ¹⁸O, ³H and ¹⁴C) compare well with the data in a similar study on another branch of the buried channel in the Cholistan part of the Thar Desert in Pakistan.     

THE EVOLUTION OF MODERN OYSTER BIOHERMS AND THE ECOLOGICAL CHARACTER AND THE PALEOEN-VIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE

In this paper, the morphology, sedimentary structure, bioherm--building mollusk assem-blages and their growing and piling-up models of modern oyster bioherms in the estuariesof the Zimaigou and Xiaoqing Rivers are described and expounded, the environmentalconditions for the development of oyster bioherms, such as the dynamical geomorphicbackground, water depth, hydrodynamic factors and ecological conditions in the estuaries,are analyzed, the relationship of the successively seaward migrating of oyster biohermswith average annual sea-level changes and the erosion--accretion processes in the estuariesare probed and explained, and the geological significance of oyster bioherms in the studyof Quaternary marine environmental evolution is presented.     

STUDY ON THE MOISTURE PASSAGE ON THE LOWER REACHES OF THE YARLUNG ZANGBO RIVER

A series of gorges on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River is like an enormous crevice splitting the southeastern Qinghai-Xizang (Tibet)Plateau to create a passage through which warm, wet air flow from the Indian Ocean reaches the inner part of the plateau. This moisture passage was mainly strengthened after the Pleistocene epoch in the Quaternary period and has played a major role in affecting the beginning date of the rainy season and the amount of the plateau's rainfall. It has also served as a corridor for the living things on the southern and the northern sides of the Himalayas to mingle with each other. The region along this passage is abundant in evidences of species of differentiation, variation and biological division. Also the passage has provided a favorable environment for human beings and affected natural phenomena there.     

Exploration on the Biotechnological Aspect of the Ureolytic Bacteria for the Production of the Cementitious Materials—a Review

Biomineralization is a process that leads to the formation of minerals using the biologically or biotechnologically mediated route. Calcium carbonate is one such biomineral that is secreted by the ureolytic bacteria which contributes for the strengthening and improvement of cementitious and sandy materials. It is a new and innovative area in the geotechnological engineering and structural engineering due to its wide range of implications in strengthening of soil, sand, stone, and cementitious materials. The shape and size of the calcium carbonate particle vary with the strain of the bacterium used, and it is species specific. This paper aims in the critical review of the mechanism of calcium carbonate precipitation by the bacterium, various bacteria involved, and the useful outputs of the technique of biomineralization. Based on the critical review, it also recommends the future development and research in the field to develop a technology that can strengthen the existing and the proposed structures.     

STORM DEPOSITS IN THE CHANGJIANG DELTA

Based on over 10 years' field survey and laboratory work, it has been confirmed that a series of storm deposits have been developed on different geomorphological and sedimentological zones in the Changjiang Delta, covering marsh lowland, shelly and sandy cheniers, tidal flats, the delta front and prodelta. The storm deposit model of the Changjiang Delta is particularly characterized by the hummocky cross stratification found above the normal wave base.     

Documentation of bioactive principles of the exudate gel (EG) from the stem of Caralluma retrospiciens (Ehrenb) and in vitro antibacterial activity – Part A

Caralluma retrospiciens (Ehrenb) is a desert plant widely distributed in the hilly semi-desert regions of southern part of Saudi Arabia. The exudate gel (EG) from the stem of plant is occasionally used for wound healing by the people of the southern part of Saudi Arabia. This study investigated the phytochemical composition, FT-IR, GC–MS spectral analysis and in vitro antibacterial activity of the EG from the stem of C. retrospiciens (Ehrenb). The plant C. retrospiciens (Ehrenb.) was collected from the hills of Rijal Almaa, a heritage village of Saudi Arabia. The EG was isolated from the stem of C. retrospiciens (Ehrenb.). Physical parameters such as viscosity and zeta potential (ZP) were determined. Phytochemical analysis, FT-IR and GC–MS spectroscopy analysis were performed to determine the bio active constituents. The antibacterial activity of the isolated gel was performed by in vitro agar well diffusion technique. The study demonstrated that the viscosity and ZP of EG influenced the efficacy of antibacterial spectral properties. The FT-IR spectroscopy of the EG showed various functional groups at 3278.29, 2951.16, 2840.44, 2527.55, 2161.67, 1647.40, 1450.06, 1406.7, 1286, 1108.34, 5536.63 cm⁻¹. Various pharmaceutically important chemical compounds were identified using GC–MS analysis. The bioactive compounds are “Sorbic Acid”, “Rhodopsin”, “1-Heptatriacotanol”, “Oxiraneundecanoic acid, 3-pentyl-, methyl ester, trans”, “Cholestan-3-ol, 2-methylene-, (3á,5à)”, “Benzoic acid”, “3-pentyl-, methyl ester trans”, “Hexanoic acid, 2-ethyl-, oxybis (2,1-ethanediyloxy-2,1-ethanediyl) ester”, etc. The antibacterial effect of the EG showed a wide spectrum of activity against the screened human pathogenic bacteria. The results demonstrate the bioactive principles of EG from C. retrospiciens (Ehrenb.) exerts the antibacterial properties in vitro.     

Carbon Black‐Modified Electrodes as Sensitive Tools for the Electrochemical Detection of Nitrite and Nitrate

Both screen‐printed electrodes modified with a dispersion of carbon black (CB) and solid paste electrodes prepared using a nanostructured CB were developed and characterized. Indeed, increasing the peak currents and/or their shifting to negative potentials were observed, exhibiting efficient electrocatalytic activity towards nitrite oxidation with high sensitivity and low detection limit. Solid carbon paste electrodes (SCPEs) and solid carbon black paste electrodes (SCBPEs) were challenged in amperometric mode with nitrite since detection limit reached is 65 and 5 nM respectively. Nitrate was first reduced to nitrite in reductor column, then detected on SCBPEs. Nitrate and nitrite were determined in real samples.     

Radon emanation coefficient and its exhalation rate of wasted petroleum samples associated with petroleum industry in Egypt

Wasted petroleum, scale and sludge, samples associated with petroleum industries have elevated level of radionuclides concentrations which increase the radiation dose received to the workers. Radon concentration, emanation coefficient and exhalation rate give good information about the radioactivity levels. Twelve samples of scale, sludge and sand, collected from different oil fields in the Red Sea Refineries company for petroleum services in the eastern desert of Egypt, were selected for this study. Radon concentration released from selected samples was measured using AlphaGUARD radon monitor. Radon emanation coefficient and its exhalation rate were calculated based on the measured value of radon concentration. Correlation among radon exhalation rate with radium content and “emanated radon concentration” (radium concentration × emanation coefficient) as well were found to be of 0.94 and 0.99, respectively. Therefore, radon exhalation rate could be useful index for both radium concentration and emanated radon. Radon emanation coefficient was increased more than twice due to water content within material of less than of 10 %.     

Evaluating the bioavailability of explosive metabolites, hexahydro-1-nitroso-3,5-dinitro-1,3,5-triazine (MNX) and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitroso-1,3,5-triazine (TNX), in soils using passive sampling devices

The uptake kinetics of two major RDX (hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane) metabolites, hexahydro-1-nitroso-3,5-dinitro-1,3,5-triazine (MNX) and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitroso-1,3,5-triazine (TNX), into passive sampling devices (PSDs), and the ability of PSDs to serve as surrogates for evaluating bioavailability of MNX and TNX were investigated in laboratory sand and two soil types. The results indicate that MNX and TNX absorption into PSDs was best fitted with a polynomial curve model: y = ax2 + bx + c (y: amount of MNX or TNX absorbed into PSD; x: incubation time of PSDs in soil), with an excellent correlation coefficient (>0.95) for each type of soil amended with 10 mg/kg MNX or TNX. TNX was more readily absorbed by PSDs than MNX. Soil conditions, especially organic matter content, affected MNX and TNX uptake into PSDs. A relatively good correlation between MNX and TNX uptake into PSDs and uptake into earthworms was obtained in two types of natural soils (a silt loam soil from Nebraska and a sandy loam soil from Texas) and laboratory sand. A linear relationship between PSD uptake and earthworm uptake was observed. The correlation coefficients (r2) were > or = 0.82 for all test soils spiked with MNX or TNX. Organic matter content is one soil factor that affected the ratio of MNX or TNX uptake into earthworms versus uptake into PSDs. These data indicate that C18 PSDs may be used as a surrogate for soil organisms such as earthworms and provide a simple and easy chemical test for assessing the bioavailability of contaminants in soils.