Soils

The photochemical behavior of oxyfluorfen [2-chloro-1-(3-etoxy-4-nitrophenoxy)-4-(trifluoromethyl) benzene] on two Greek soils was investigated. Soils were sampled from Nea Malgara and Preveza regions, characterized by a different organic matter content. Soils were spiked with the diphenyl-ether herbicide and irradiation experiments were performed either in the laboratory with a solar simulator (xenon lamp) or outside, under natural sunlight irradiation; other soil samples were kept in the dark to control the retention reaction. Kinetic parameters of both retention and photochemical reactions were calculated using zero-, first- and second- (Langmuir-Hinshelwood) order equations, and best fit was checked through statistical analysis. The soil behaviors were qualitatively similar but quantitatively different, with the soil sampled from the Nea Malgara region much more sorbent as compared with Preveza soil. All studied reactions followed second-order kinetics and photochemical reaction...

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are major and recalcitrant pollutants of the environment and their removal presents a significant problem. Phytoremediation has shown much promise in PAH removal from contaminated soil, but may be inhibited because the plant experiences phytotoxic effects from low-molecular-weight PAHs such as naphthalene. This paper describes the construction of a naphthalene-degrading endophytic strain designated Pseudomonas putida VM1441(pNAH7). This strain was found to be an efficient colonizer of plants, colonizing both the rhizosphere and interior root tissues. The inoculation of plants with P. putida VM1441(pNAH7) resulted in the protection of the host plant from the phytotoxic effects of naphthalene. When inoculated plants were exposed to naphthalene, both seed germination and plant transpiration rates were higher than those of the uninoculated controls. The inoculation of plants with this strain also facilitated higher (40%) naphthalene degradation rates compared with uninoculated plants in artificially contaminated soil.

Two trial piles were installed at the berm section of an embankment in the later stage of its construction and one of them was fitted with an oversized casing to isolate its top 3. m from the action of surrounding soil. Lateral bending behaviour these two piles subjected to passive sub soil movements were very different from each other because of the casing and is modelled in this paper using a three dimensional analysis. The effect of relative stiffness of the piles on their lateral bending behaviour is investigated. The effect of interface joint slip on the pile's behaviour is also investigated in a later section of this paper. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0266352X13000591

Abstract: The Florida Department of Transportation has experienced problems when installing large diameter displacement piles in certain soils. During driving, piles rebound excessively during each hammer blow, causing delays and as a result they may not ...