Salt no longer travels through the Bohemian Forest along the Golden Trail, but halophytic neophytes do

The Golden Trail, used for the transport of salt from alpine mines to the Czech Kingdom for centuries, was a crucial ancient trade route in the Central European region. The contemporary road I/4, copying the Golden Trail, plays the same role today. The I/4 is used year round with deicing salt, a common standard, applied for winter maintenance. Deicing salt is often used, even in sections where the I/4 passes through the Bohemian Forest and its protected areas. The effects of applying deicing salts on ecosystems in the region is well documented. In addition to many other effects, high concentrations of salt along the roads cause significant changes in plant communities. Plant species sensitive to salinity disappear and the abundance of halophytes increases. Roads are also trajectories for the migration of neophytes. Seeds or other propagules are transported with cargo or in car tires. In this paper, we present our findings on the pilgrimage of Plantago coronopus, a true halophyte, into the Bohemian Forest. We also describe the species’ colonisation strategy and human measures supporting its successful migration in a region of high conservation value.

Degradation of Components in Cars Due to Bimetallic Corrosion

This paper deals with the determination of the basic corrosion characteristics of metallic materials used as components in car construction to achieve a lighter vehicle with higher rigidity, a more complex “hybrid” of diverse materials is needed for the car body structure. Due to the different types of material used in the manufacture of components and their interactions, the issue of assessing the impact of bimetallic corrosion is currently relevant. Based on the potential difference at the end of the corrosion test, it was possible to determine the “anode index”, which determines the risk of degradation of materials due to bimetallic corrosion. In our case, a hot-galvanized steel sheet/Al alloy EN AW-6060 couple in deicing salt and hot-galvanized steel sheet/steel S355J0 couple in simulated acid rain solution (SARS) has proven to be “safest” and usable even for more aggressive environments. Hot-galvanized steel sheet/Al alloy EN AW-6060 in SARS solution is suitable for slightly aggressive environments. Stainless steel AISI 304/silumin A356 in deicing salt, stainless steel AISI 304/Al alloy EN AW-6060 in deicing salt, and stainless steel AISI 306/Al alloy EN AW-6060 in simulated exhaust gas environment (SEG solution) are not suitable for non-aggressive environments.

Control of Chloride Ion Corrosion by MgAlO x /MgAlFeO x in the Process of Chloride Deicing

The corrosion inhibitor that is added to chloride deicing salt, whose anti-corrosion and low pollution is great significance. LDHs, calcined at high temperature were used as adsorbents to remove various anionic contaminants and it could reduce the solution's freezing point after adsorbing anions. Therefore, this paper reports the use of calcined LDHs as corrosion inhibitors in deicing salts. We analyzed that the removal ability of chloride ion MgAlFeOx was stronger than that of MgAlOx, reaching 85.50%, and the freezing point was lower than that of MgAlOx, the value was -12.0 °C. At the same time, we also found that CaCl2-MgAlOx and CaCl2-MgAlFeOx significantly reduce the corrosion of carbon steel and concrete compared with chloride salts, and CaCl2-MgAlFeOx has the lowest corrosion degree. Hence, we determined that MgAlFeOx was corrosion inhibitor in chloride deicing salt. The metal molar ratio, synthesis temperature and calcination temperature for preparation of MgAl/MgAlFe-LDHs were determined by XRD and TG-DSC analysis that are 9/2/1, 120 ºC and 500 ºC, respectively. The characteristics of MgAlFeOx after Fe3+ addition were studied in detail by Zeta, XRD, XPS, BET and SEM. The mechanism of corrosion inhibitor’s anticorrosion was determined, which was achieved by adsorption and neutralization.

Settling of Road-Deposited Sediment: Influence of Particle Density, Shape, Low Temperatures, and Deicing Salt

Separation of particulate matter (PM) is the most important process to achieve a reduction of contaminants present in road runoff. To further improve knowledge about influencing factors on the settling of road-deposited sediment (RDS), samples from three sites were collected. Since particle size distribution (PSD) has the strongest effect on settling, the samples were sieved to achieve comparable PSDs so that the effects of particle density, shape, fluid temperature, and deicing salt concentration on settling could be assessed using settling experiments. Based on the experimental data, a previously proposed model that describes the settling of PM was further developed and validated. In addition, RDS samples were compared to a standard mineral material, which is currently in use to evaluate treatment efficiency of stormwater quality improvement devices. The main finding was that besides PSD, particle density is the most important influencing factor. Particle shape was thoroughly described but showed no significant improvement of the prediction of the settled mass. Temperature showed an effect on PM settling; deicing salts were negligible. The proposed models can sufficiently predict the settling of RDS in settling column experiments under varying boundary conditions and are easily applicable.

Waterproofing materials to protect the structures of transport structures

The article is devoted to the problem of providing waterproofing and vapor barrier protection against the effects of water seepage or deicing salt solution. The question is raised that in the current conditions of modern construction, they do not always pay due attention to the issue of high-quality waterproofing coating, which in turn is one of the most important components for maintaining durability, for ensuring the strength and reliability of the main constructive structures of transport structures, and most importantly, for unconditional safety of people at these facilities. In the framework of this work, the types of waterproofing materials were analyzed and classified, the methods and conditions for the use of waterproofing materials were examined, and the positive and negative features of waterproofing transport structures were described. In addition, in this article, the authors examine in detail each of the types of waterproofing material separately, provide the positive and negative sides of each of them, and also describe the application technology. The experience of using sprayed, surfaced and coated waterproofing is also described. A positive example of the use of each type of waterproofing, and somewhere and the whole waterproofing system in the field of tunneling, both in Russia and in foreign countries, is considered. The experience of using the products of the most popular manufacturers of waterproofing materials on the Russian market in bridge building is also described, however, there are both positive examples and, unfortunately, negative ones in this area. Having analyzed the types of waterproofing systems and the experience of their application, we can conclude that in recent years special attention has been paid to the protection of structures, but effective and universal waterproofing for engineering structures has not yet been invented, in view of this, the area is promising for new discoveries.