Spatial Variability in Streambed Microbial Community Structure across Two Watersheds

Microorganisms in streams drive many biogeochemical reactions of global significance, including nutrient cycling and energy flow; yet, the mechanisms responsible for the distribution and composition of streambed microbial communities are not well known. We sampled sediments from multiple streams in two watersheds (Neversink River [New York] and White Clay Creek [WCC; Pennsylvania] watersheds) and measured microbial biomass and total microbial and bacterial community structures using phospholipid and molecular methods.

Ceramics

During the Early Byzantine period, ceramic vessels evolved from Roman pottery; red-slip tableware produced by Asia Minor and North African workshops dominated the market. Christian motifs enriched the decorative repertoire. From the seventh century onward, glazing signaled a major change in the appearance of vessels during the Middle and Late Byzantine periods. Glazed White Ware from Constantinople monopolized the tableware market until the eleventh century. From this time onward a light-colored slip layer on red fabric ensured a surface suitable for decoration and allowed for the development of sgraffito decoration, the Byzantine pottery decorative technique par excellence. It also made the production of glazed decorated ceramics possible in parts of the empire without white clay. During the Late Byzantine period, decentralization of pottery workshops allowed the development of local characteristics.

Smoking Pipes from the Excavations of the City of Nien

Белоглиняные курительные трубки на территории г. Ниена и крепости Ниеншанц отражают общую картину распространения этих изделий в городах Балтийского региона. Их количественный и качественный состав менялся на протяжении XVII столетия, и в слоях второй его половины трубки становятся массовыми находками. Значительная часть трубок, особенно первой половины XVII в., не имеет клейм и может датироваться только по форме. По имеющимся признакам, основная их часть изготавливалась в Голландии. Узкие датировки клейм, наряду с монетными находками, позволяют уточнить датировку отдельных комплексов на изученной территории и динамику поступления трубок в эту удаленную часть Прибалтики. White clay smoking pipes found on the territory of the city of Nien and the fortress of Nienschanz reflect the general picture of the distribution of the objects in the cities of the Baltic region. The quantitative and qualitative composition of the pipes was changing throughout the 17 century and in the layers of the second half of the 17century, the pipes become mass finds. A significant part of the pipes, especially of the first half of the 17 century, does not have stamps and can only be dated according to the form. The available features testify to the fact that the main part of them was made in Holland. The narrow dating of the stamps, alongside with the finds of coins, allow us to clarify the dating of separate complexes of the studied area and the dynamics of the pipe arrival in this remote part of the Baltic States.

Experimental Study on Partial Replacement of Materials like Industrial Waste & Rice Husk with Clay Mortar

Ancient peoples were used mud mortar for their stone houses. The result was a stone home that was both solid and warm and lasted for lifetimes. Mud made houses creates wonderful warm houses as compared to concrete made houses. In the history of construction, clay mortar was followed by lime mortar. Cement manufacturing is one of the major contributors in global warming and climate change. Also fine aggregate is the natural resource and it is limited in nature, thus industrial sand can be alternative for fine aggregate. We are going to use PPC cement because PPC cement resist sulphate attack more than OPC cement and also it is quite cheap. The setting time of the PPC cement is more than OPC cement but when it settled completely then it gives more strength more than OPC cement. Also they used river sand in there project and nowadays there is shortage of river sand that’s why we are going to use foundry sand partially replacement with sand. Foundry sand is a industrial waste sand so we can save money by using foundry sand. The mortar with the alternative fine aggregate, mixed with different combinations of binding materials. We take White clay to River sand proportion as 1:1. In that we partially replace white clay with PPC cement and in other hand River sand partially replaced with Industrial waste(Foundry sand) and also with Rice husk and that mix proportions was tested for 28 days Compressive strength & after curing of 28 days ,cubes cured in acid & alkali solution for Durability strength. The mortar with 20% PPC cement + 80% white clay & 40% foundry sand + 60% river sand (proportion of white clay to river sand is 1:1) has compressive strength in the range of 4.38MPa (Compressive strength) & 4.42Mpa (Compressive strength after Durability test) and these mixes compared with 1:6 conventional mortar proportion, which is acceptable as per the IS code 2250-1981 specification, the minimum strength requirement of mortar to be 3 MPa. Therefore, the use of stabilized mud mortar in construction would prove to be sustainable as well economical. Keywords: Mud mortar, Foundry sand, PPC cement, Compressive strength, Durability test.

White Clay Ceramic Tableware Waste as Coarse Aggregate in Concrete - Some Mechanical Properties and Durability against Fire and Sulfate Attack

The aim of study is to produce durable structural concrete by using waste ceramics with specified type (white clay ceramics) as coarse aggregates in concrete. Mechanical properties were studied, the study also show good resistance to fire resistance for concrete contains ceramics as coarse aggregates compared with normal aggregates concrete, good mechanical properties such as compressive, tensile, and flexural strength. Results of study gave 17.5% increment in compressive strength by using 100% replacement of waste ceramic, flexural strength increased with 27.8% increment. Study also show less reduction in strength due to fire resistance by using waste ceramics compared to ordinary concrete, and also more durable concrete for salty water effects by using ceramic.

WHITE CLAY DEPOSITS AT DIFFERENT AREAS OF MADHABPUR AND BAHUBOL UPAZILA, HABIGONJ DISTRICT, BANGLADESH

A detail geological investigation was carried out in order to explore white clay deposite at 10 square kilometer areas of Madhabpur and 0.5 square kilometer areas of Bahubal Upazilas in Habiganj District of Bangladesh using hand auger and shallow drilling method. The whole surveyed area was identified for white clay deposits from qualitative as well as quantitative aspect. These deposits were marked at depths from 0.2 meter to 8.0 meter below the surface. Average thickness of white clay at Madhabpur and Bahubol area are 4.0 meter and 5.0 meter, respectively. The estimated reserve of white clay at Madhabpur area is about 68 million tons and that at Bahubal area is 2.8 million tons. Geological investigation suggests that the source rock near Tripura ranges was weathered, transported and deposited as feldspathic sandstone surrounding the present deposition of white clay. Later the sandstone was exposed and much of its feldspar content were weathered to the clay mineral (Kaolinite). Along with white clay peat, peaty clay, sticky clay and silica sand were also observed at depths ranging from 1.5 to 8 meter. Collected white clay samples are yellowish grey to light grey in color and highly compact in dry condition but pasty in wet condition. The dry white clay is soapy to feel, slakes in water, moderately sticky and plastic in nature. Al2O3 content ranged from 25.51 to 27.61% while average SiO2, and Fe2O3 content were found 54.58 and 3.872% respectively. Considering the physical and chemical properties the white clay of the studied area can be considered as moderate to good in quality. This white clay can use in ceramics and other industries. Therefore, this deposit of white clay may help to meet the current national demand and consequently to increase the economic growth.