scholarly journals The origin of ‘tauw’, an enigmatic building stone of the Mergelland: a case study of the Hesbaye region, southwest of Maastricht (Belgium)

2011 ◽  
Vol 90 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 239-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Dusar ◽  
R. Dreesen ◽  
L. Indeherberge ◽  
E. Defour ◽  
R. Meuris

AbstractThe origin of a peculiar type of silicified limestone with nodular flints used in parish churches at Sluizen and Vreren, south of Tongeren (province of Limburg, Belgium), has now been elucidated by the discovery of the same rock type in its natural setting, namely the silicified top of the Cretaceous which underlies Clay-with-flints (‘flint eluvium’) and Oligocene sands in a disused quarry at Elst, municipality of Riemst (Limburg, Belgium). Co-operation between professional geologists and amateur palaeontologists has allowed to characterise this rock type, here referred to as ‘Elst tauw’, both petrographically and palaeontologically. The rich echinoid fauna has also been assessed, on the basis of a comparison with assemblages from the Clay-with-flints at Halembaye (Haccourt/Lixhe, province of Liège, Belgium) and at Zichen-Eben Emael in the Hesbaye region. P.J. Felder's ecozones, based on bioclast assemblages, substantiated by analyses of petrographical biofacies features of the original calcarenite, has allowed lithostratigraphic correlation of the ‘Elst tauw’ with the ‘Roosburg block’, which is a variety of ‘Maastricht stone’. Both methods indicate that the ‘Elst tauw’ developed in beds that can be assigned to the condensed Valkenburg-Schiepersberg interval of the lower Maastricht Formation. Petrographical analysis has shown the ‘Elst tauw’ to be quite distinctive; in addition, its natural occurrence at the Elst quarry matches the building stone records in rock type. The latter stem from the same small area, situated southwest of Maastricht. The major steps in its diagenetic history could be reconstructed, starting with pervasive pyritisation of the calcareous allochems, followed by silicification of the grains and pore spaces (different silica cements that became partially recrystallised), completed by oxidation of pyrite with transformation into limonite and, finally, dissolution of the non-pyritised or partially pyritised skeletal allochems creating a mouldic porosity. Silicification probably was achieved prior to the Oligocene. This particular mode of formation has generated a discussion on the proper use of the vernacular term ‘tauw’, a term used in a different sense by the industry, stratigraphers and students of building stones.

2014 ◽  
Vol 185 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudine Malfilatre ◽  
Erwan Hallot ◽  
Philippe Boulvais ◽  
Marc Poujol ◽  
Annick Chauvin ◽  
...  

Abstract Two examples of granitic stones from Brittany (western France) commercialized under the names of “gris-bleu de Louvigné” and “bleu de Lanhélin” were characterized in order to explore how the provenance of a building stone can be traced back with a maximum of confidence. For this purpose, petrographical, geochemical and magnetic characteristics, representing more than 70 quantitative and qualitative variables, were compiled for a total of 32 samples. We have defined two reference populations for these building stones and have extracted their discriminative characteristics. We have then compared four randomly selected samples and two foreign commercial counterparts of these stones to the reference populations. Discriminative variables differ from one case of comparison to the other, which indicates that a combination of various tools and variables will be generally required to unequivocally fingerprint the origin of a given granitic stone. Where several quarries are mining a single geological unit within a composite intrusion, the provenance of a granitic rock can be defined at the scale of the intrusion. In addition, stones coming from two different intrusions from the same batholith can be distinguished. We conclude that the provenance of any granitic building stone is identifiable, especially if the intrinsic variability of a population of samples representative of that stone has been previously circumscribed. This study underlines that the compilation of databases for building stone identity cards is an essential first step toward the creation of official labels guaranteeing stone provenances.


2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 439-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.J. Smith ◽  
M. Gomez-Heras ◽  
S. McCabe

The problem of the decay and conservation of stone-built heritage is a complex one, requiring input across many disciplines to identify appropriate remedial steps and management strategies. Over the past few decades, earth scientists have brought a unique perspective to this challenging area, drawing on traditions and knowledge obtained from research into landscape development and the natural environment. This paper reviews the crucial themes that have arisen particularly, although not exclusively, from the work of physical geographers — themes that have sought to correct common misconceptions held by the public, as well as those directly engaged in construction and conservation, regarding the nature, causes and controls of building stone decay. It also looks to the future, suggesting how the behaviour of building stones (and hence the work of stone decay scientists) might alter in response to the looming challenge of climate change.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 77-97
Author(s):  
John Bosco Ngendakurio

Abstract This article seeks to reveal the primary barriers to fair economic development based on Kenyans’ perceptions of power and globalization. This search was initially sparked by the seeming disinterest of First World scholars to understand the reasons why poor countries benefit so little from the global market as reflected in a subsequent lack of a wide-ranging existing literature about the subject. The literature suggests that global capitalism is dominated by a powerful small elite, the so-called Transnational Capitalist Class (TCC), but how does this relate to Kenya and Africa in general? We know that the TCC has strong connections to financial capital and wealthy transnational corporations. It also pushes neo-liberalism, which becomes the taken-for-granted everyday language and culture that justifies state policies that result in a further class polarization between the rich and poor. Using Kenya as a case study, this article draws on original qualitative research involving face-to-face interviews with Kenyan residents in different sectors who spoke freely about what they perceive to be Kenya’s place in the world order. My interview results show that, on top of the general lack of economic power in the world order, the main barriers to Africa’s performance are neo-colonial and imperialist practices, poor technology, poor infrastructure, general governance issues, and purchasing power.


Multilingua ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mieke Vandenbroucke

AbstractThis paper focuses on how different historical stages of socio-economic development in Brussels are played out on the ground over time in one particular inner-city neighbourhood, the Quartier Dansaert. In particular, I document the history of this neighbourhood and how urban change and gentrification have impacted the outlook of multilingualism and the development of multilingual discourses and language hierarchies in its material and semiotic landscape over time. By using the rich history of multilingualism in the Quartier Dansaert as a case-study, I argue in favour of more historically-sensitive and longitudinal approaches to social and, in particular, linguistic change as played out in urban landscape.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 106
Author(s):  
Thi Minh Khue Nguyen ◽  
Thi Dien Nguyen ◽  
Thi Minh Hop Ho ◽  
Philippe Burny ◽  
Thomas Dogot ◽  
...  

This paper explores the links between migration and social differentiation in rural Vietnam after the reform period (2005–2015) through a case study of Maithon village, Chilang District, Bacninh Province. Since 2005, many villagers have left Maithon to work in cities, industrial zones or to find employment abroad. The migration process has transformed labour and income structures and supply in many households. However, 90 percent of Maithon households claimed on the positive contribution of remittance, while at the same time, they did not suffer from labour shortage due to the circular pattern of the migration. Therefore, rural out-migration is one of the diversification strategy which enables the villager to gain access to cash income in urban areas while still keep position in rural areas. It has resulted in the increase in the size of the middle class, rather than the generation of the gap between the rich and the poor. Through this process, migration becomes a developmental strategy, as a means for upward mobility rather than mechanism of social differentiation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mimi Zaleha Abdul Ghani ◽  
Yazid Sarkom ◽  
Zalina Samadi

This paper aims to explore the rich potential of interactive visualisation environment integrating GIS for modelling urban growth and spatio-temporal transformation of Malaysian cities. As a case study example, authors consider a 3-D GIS model of Ampang Jaya, Selangor to investigate the techniques of data acquisition, data reconstruction from physical to digital, urban analysis and visualisation in constructing a digital model ranging from low to high geometric content including 2-D digital maps, digital orthographic and full volumetricparametric modelling. The key aspect of this virtual model is how it would assist in understanding the urban planning and design of Ampang Jaya by translating complex spatial information that are currently used by the authorities for planning activities such as maps, plans and written information into responsive, easily understandable spatial information. It could serve as a new platform to disseminate information about Ampang Jaya, bridge gaps among professionals involved in planning processes, improve communications among decision makers, stakeholders and the public as well as support decision making about thespatial growth of Ampang Jaya. Demonstrations of Ampang Jaya will also provide a clearer picture of the importance of ownership and control of 3-D models by local councils in empowering them in decision making, for example, in improving transparency, and avoiding misuse by project developers (Shiffer 1993; Sunesson et al., 2008). Such environment will improve the subsequent digital models and research in the area of urban design and planning in Malaysia where visual communication is pivotal.


Author(s):  
Anitza Geneve

There is a need to understand the phenomenon of women's under-representation in the Australian Digital Content Industry (DCI) workforce. This chapter presents the findings from an Australian case study where both women working in the industry and industry stakeholders were interviewed for their insight into the influences on women's participation. The rich empirical data and findings from the case study are interpreted using the Acts of Agency theory—an original theory by the author of this chapter. As the chapter reveals there are five ‘Acts of Agency' (containing 10 agent-driven mechanisms) identified as influencing women's participation. Agent-driven mechanisms recognise the causal effect of people themselves; that is, the role individuals play in their participation.


2005 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jalia Kangave

KANGAVE, JALIA, Improving tax administration: a case study of the Uganda Revenue authority, Journal of African Law, 49, 2 (2005): 145–176The prevalence of poverty in developing countries demands that these countries should improvise internal revenue generating projects to supplement, or better still, ultimately significantly reduce dependence on foreign funding. This way self-sustaining economies will be built. One such internal revenue-generating mechanism, and perhaps the most commonly used, is taxation. This paper makes a case for tax administration as a tool of increasing the contribution of tax revenue to Gross Domestic Product, and consequently, a means of reducing the gap between the rich and the poor. The goal of this paper is to propose ways in which the Uganda Revenue Authority (the URA) can improve its tax administration. To achieve this objective, the paper begins with a detailed discussion of the URA's structure and the procedures it follows in collecting taxes. It then highlights the problems that may arise from such structure and procedures, before making proposals on how the URA can reform its organizational structure and processes to maximize its potential in revenue collection capabilities.


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