Marbles from Castagneto Carducci Area (Tuscany, Italy)

In this work, marbles from Castagneto Carducci (Livorno province, Tuscany), which originated by contact metamorphism of the Calcare Massiccio Fm., an Early Jurassic limestone belonging to the Tuscan Sequence, were studied for determining their chemical, mineralogical and petrographic characteristics, and the main physical and mechanical properties. Forty marble samples were sampled and analysed; they are from two inactive quarries on the NW and NE slopes of the Mt. Romitorino, and from natural outcrops in the vicinity of the quarries. The analysed rocks are marbles with high calcite content (> 98% by weight). Optical microscopy observations showed Castagneto Carducci marbles generally have a heteroblastic/granoblastic texture with crystal boundaries from curved-right to lobate. The maximum grain size of the calcite crystals ranges from 0.2 mm to 0.6 mm. The determination of the main physical and mechanical properties of the analysed marbles showed that these rocks are characterised by low porosity and, in general, good physical and mechanical properties.

Diversity of Groundwater Crustaceans in Wells in Various Geologic Formations of Southern Poland

Data on Crustacea from underground waters accessed through wells are limited in Poland. A recent study was undertaken to determine diversity and factors influencing the crustacean communities inhabiting wells drilled in three bedrocks, Jurassic limestone, Cretaceous marls and flysch. A total of 23 crustacean species and subspecies were recorded belonging to Copepoda, Ostracoda, Amphipoda and Bathynellacea. Only four species of low abundance, however, were stygobionts. Our studies showed that abundance and species number of Copepoda and Ostracoda were affected by bedrock geology (with higher abundances and species richness in wells of Cretaceous marls), and in the case of copepods, also by sampling season. Furthermore, this paper lists all species of Crustacea recorded from inland groundwater habitats of Poland based published over the last 133 years. The most species-rich group was Copepoda with 43 representatives (four stygobites), followed by Ostracoda and Amphipoda with a total of 37 and 12 species, respectively (each with nine stygobites). In addition, two species of Isopoda (one stygobite) and one Bathynellid appear in the checklist. The checklist identifies geographical (and environmental) gaps which require further research.

Process Design for a Production of Sustainable Materials from Post-Production Clay

Alkali activated cement (AAC) can be manufactured from industrial by-products to achieve goals of “zero-waste” production. We discuss in detail the AAC production process from (waste) post-production clay, which serves as the calcium-rich material. The effect of different parameters on the changes in properties of the final product, including morphology, phase formation, compressive strength, resistance to the high temperature, and long-term curing is presented. The drying and grinding of clay are required, even if both processes are energy-intensive; the reduction of particle size and the increase of specific surface area is crucial. Furthermore, calcination at 750 °C ensure approximately 20% higher compressive strength of final AAC in comparison to calcination performed at 700 °C. It resulted from the different ratio of phases: Calcite, mullite, quartz, gehlenite, and wollastonite in the final AAC. The type of activators (NaOH, NaOH:KOH mixtures, KOH) affected AAC mechanical properties, significantly. Sodium activators enabled obtaining higher values of strength. However, if KOH is required, the supplementation of initial materials with fly ash or metakaolin could improve the mechanical properties and durability of AAC, even c.a. 28%. The presented results confirm the possibility of recycling post-production clay from the Raciszyn II Jurassic limestone deposit.

Cement render and mortar and their damages due to salt crystallization in the Holy Trinity Dominicans monastery in Cracow, Poland

<p>The presented investigations are focused on a part of the 13<sup>th</sup> century Church of the Holy Trinity Dominicans monastery in Cracow, Poland, and include the wall façade of the 17<sup>th </sup>century Myszkowski chapel. The chapel was probably designed by Santi Gucci Fiorentino and built by his workshop. Southern façade of the chapel is made of Tertiary limestone blocks that make characteristic rusticated wall. Lower part of the façade is covered with cement and the basement is made of irregular fragments of Jurassic limestone and Cretaceous sandstone partly replaced and bound with cement mortar. The façade revealed clear signs of damage ranging from dark gray soiling of the surface, scaling to efflorescences. The last ones – mainly on the border of limestone blocks and the cement in the part of the basement.</p><p>Laboratory tests included mineralogical, chemical and petrophysical analyses. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), micro-Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) were used for analysing materials and deterioration products of the cement render and mortar. The petrophysical properties of the materials have been performed using mercury intrusion porosimetry. The secondary minerals detected include mainly gypsum CaSO<sub>4</sub>·2H<sub>2</sub>O, thenardite Na<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>, <sub> </sub>aphthitalite (Na,K)<sub>3</sub>Na(SO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>, darapskite, Na<sub>3</sub>(SO<sub>4</sub>)(NO<sub>3</sub>)·H<sub>2</sub>O, nitre KNO<sub>3</sub>, nitratine NaNO<sub>3</sub>, ettringite Ca<sub>6</sub>Al<sub>2</sub>(SO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>3</sub>(OH)<sub>12</sub>·26H<sub>2</sub>O and monosulphite Ca<sub>4</sub>Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>6</sub>SO<sub>3</sub>·11H<sub>2</sub>O. Lower blocks of the façade covered with cement contain chiefly gypsum, ettringite and monosulphite, cement from the basement – gypsum and nitre; while efflorescences – thenardite, aphthitalite, darapskite, nitre and nitratine. The origin of the salts have been discussed and the differences in their type have been associated with composition of the materials and their physicochemical properties.</p><p>This work has been financially supported by the AGH University of Science and Technology, statutory grant no. 16.16.140.315.</p>

Relations between DSGSDs, morphostratigraphy of landslide deposits, tectonic and climatic events in central-eastern Sardinia.

<p>Some cases of deep-seated gravitational slope deformations (DSGSDs) and paleo-landslides in central-eastern Sardinia are presented. This study focuses on the Quaternary landslide deposits preserved on the flanks of the Rio Pardu and Rio Ulassai valleys. The area is characterized by a wide<br>plateau with a prominent Jurassic limestone scarp overlying Palaeozoic metamorphites. The Plio-Pleistocenic uplift, linked to the Tirrenian basin opening and the consequent basalt volcanism, generated high slopes. In the middle-lower Pleistocene, deepening of the valley has been accelerated by<br>river capture processes. This litho-structural setting is prone to the development of rock falls, toppling and deep-seated gravitational slope deformations. During the upper-middle Pleistocene the gravitational and fluvial dynamics were dominated by the eustatic phases. The aim of this study is to determine the morpho-stratigraphy and main characteristics of the Quaternary landslide deposits using geomorphic, sedimentological and morphotectonic analysis. The use of high resolution UAV (Unmanned aerial vehicle) photogrammetry and geological, structural, geomorphological surveys allowed a detailed morphometric analysis and the creation of interpretative 3d models. This analysis allowed to recognize new morphostructural elements linked to a compound landslide with lateral spreading and sackung characteristics which involves giant carbonate blocks and the underlying foliated metamorphites. This high-resolution data allowed the formulation of new hypotheses about evolution and kinematics of DSGSD and landslides. The results of field surveys, geomorphological and sedimentological analysis of actual and paleo-landslide deposits show morphostratigraphic framework encompasses three order of rockfalls and three order of DSGSD. Cemented, quiescent and active landslide deposits were tentatively attributed to the Pliocene, Pleistocene and Holocene tectonic and climatic events, and compared with the traditional Quaternary stratigraphy of eastern Sardinia.</p>

Solnhofener Plattenkalk: a heritage stone of international significance from Germany

In Bavaria (Germany), between Solnhofen and Kelheim, numerous quarries allow utilization of a thinly plated Upper Jurassic limestone known in German as the Solnhofener Plattenkalk and in English as Solnhofen Limestone. Here limestone slabs have been quarried for centuries and it is not necessary to cut the limestone with a saw as it can be split conveniently into thin and even slabs or sheets which are used for floor tiles and wall cladding. Thick slabs of especially fine quality have been used for lithography. This later utilization began in the late eighteenth century with lithographic Solnhofen Limestone soon being marketed worldwide. The industry continues on a smaller scale today. Slabs are quarried by hand so as not to break them, accounting for their high price. Because of this ‘gentle’ quarrying method, fossils have also been found. Although rare, over time many Solnhofen fossil specimens have found their way into natural history museums throughout the world. Most noteworthy is the early bird Archaeopteryx. Given its utilitarian usage worldwide as a lithographic stone, and its sale for centuries as floor tiles, coupled with its being a source of unique fossils, Solnhofener Plattenkalk is recommended here as a Global Heritage Stone Resource.