Structure creation in earthen construction materials: information from dry soil mixtures

The occurrence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) of the, phylum Glomeromycota associated with plants of maritime sand dunes of the Vistula Bar localed in north-eastern Poland was investigated. The presence of AMF was revealed based on spores isolated from field-collected root-rhizosphere soil mixtures and two-cycle pot trap cultures established with parts of these mixtures. The mixtures came from under five species in four plant families. Spores of AMF occurred in 54.8% of the field samples and belonged to eight species. Additionally, culturing of root-soil mixtures in trap cultures revealed nine species and three undescribed morphotypes carlier not found in the field samples. Considering the number of records of species and morphotypes in the field samples and trap cultures, the fungal species most frequently occurring in dunes of the Vistula Bar is Scutellospora dipurpurescens, followed by Archaeospora trappei, Glomus laccatum, and Scu. armeniaca. The overall average spore abundance in the field samples is low (4.48, range O-3l in 100g dry soil). The ovcrall average species richness determined based on spores from both the field and trap cultures was 2 l and ranged from 0 lo 7 in 100g dry soil. The plant harbouring the highest number of species of AMF was Festuca rubra. Of the maritime dune sites of Poland examined to date, the species composition of AMF of the Vistula Bar is most similar to that of the Słowiński National Park. When the comparisons included 15 maritime dune areas located outside Poland, the highest similarity occurred in the Vistula Bar/Canada comparison.

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Advances in the Use of Biological Stabilisers and Hyper-compaction for Sustainable Earthen Construction Materials

Earthen Dwellings and Structures - Springer Transactions in Civil and Environmental Engineering ◽

10.1007/978-981-13-5883-8_17 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 191-201

Author(s):

Sravan Muguda ◽

George Lucas ◽

Paul Hughes ◽

Charles Augarde ◽

Alessia Cuccurullo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Construction Materials ◽

Earthen Construction

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Biological susceptibility of earth plasters: The influence of relative humidity on fungal growth

International Review of Applied Sciences and Engineering ◽

10.1556/1848.2019.0002 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 9-14

Author(s):

Marie Sokolová ◽

Pavla Ryparová

Keyword(s):

Relative Humidity ◽

Indoor Air ◽

Building Materials ◽

Construction Materials ◽

Fungal Growth ◽

The Earth ◽

Earthen Construction ◽

External Conditions ◽

Microbiological Agents ◽

Number Of Authors

All building materials can be affected by microbiological agents during their lifecycle. The presence of microorganisms changes the appearance of the surface, degrading it, and they can even cause health problems to the residents. The biological susceptibility is dependent on the content of nutrient based on organic compounds. Thus one of the most susceptible of those materials are earthen construction materials. The degree of fungal growth is influenced by the chemical composition and plant fibres additives as well as the external conditions such as temperature and relative humidity. The earth plastering mortar has started to gain more attention recently as it is considered to have a low environmental impact and to increase the indoor air quality. Mechanical and physical characteristics of earth materials were studied by a number of authors but the knowledge about the biological resistance of the material is scarce. This study intends to look into the issue of the biological colonisation of earth plasters depending on the relative humidity. The samples, made of four types of earth plasters with different plant fibres, were placed to an environment of the relative humidity ranging from 33% to 100%. During a period of 4 weeks the extent of fungal growth was observed.

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An Integrated Geoarchaeology of a Late Woodland Sand Mound

American Antiquity ◽

10.7183/0002-7316.78.2.344 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 78 (2) ◽

pp. 344-358 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Sarah C. Sherwood ◽

John H. Blitz ◽

Lauren E. Downs

Keyword(s):

Late Pleistocene ◽

Construction Materials ◽

Late Woodland ◽

Early Summer ◽

Material Source ◽

Jackson County ◽

Mississippi Sound ◽

Construction Techniques ◽

Earthen Construction ◽

Stage Iii A

AbstractThe Graveline Mound (22JA503) is a sand platform mound in Jackson County, Mississippi, built on a low, late Pleistocene terrace on the Mississippi Sound. The Late Woodland mound (A.D. 590–780) is composed of local soils, and its presence today is a testament to the ancient builders’ knowledge of earthen construction materials and methods. Central to the study of the mound is an integrated geoarchaeological approach that uses stratigraphy and micromorphology to decipher material source and selection, construction techniques, and periodicity, in combination with more traditional artifacts, revealing the activities that created this ultimately monumental space. The mound was built in three rapid stages beginning with a low earthwork demarcating a ritual precinct used during late spring/early summer. Stage II quickly followed with a series of alternating zoned fills, sealing the space that was then subsequently covered by Stage III, a massive hard red surface that marked the location with a platform mound.

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