Destruction Of Wood Research Articles

Changes in the wood boring community in the Tagus Estuary: a case study

In recent years an increased shift in the geographical range of species has been documented, which coincides with global warming. On the Portuguese coast the raising of sea-surface temperatures and salinity has also been affecting the intertidal species range. The aim of the present study was to assess changes in the wood boring community present in the Tagus Estuary by comparing data from present surveys with historical records from the 1960s and 1970s. A shift in the activity of wood boring species was observed in the Tagus Estuary. In recent surveys, the main agents of wood destruction in the Tagus were Limnoria tripunctata and Limnoria quadripunctata. In the 1960s and 1970s only L. tripunctata was reported as occurring in the Tagus estuary but it was not considered at threat to wooden structures exposed in the sea. The present predominance of limnoriids in the Tagus might be related to several factors but possibly the most important was the increase in salinity in the area, as limnoriids appear to be restricted to waters with salinities closed to that of seawater. The teredinid species also changed in the area. In the 1960s and 1970s Teredo navalis was reported as the only teredinid species occurring in the Tagus. In recent surveys however, this species was not found, instead two other teredinid species were present Lyrodus pedicellatus and Nototeredo norvagica . The absence of T. navalis in recent surveys might be related to competition with L. pedicellatus.

Synthesis and evaluation of phosphortriamidates in wood for thermal and fungal decay protection

It is estimated that there are almost 500 000 residential structure fires every year attended by US fire depart­ ments. These fires killed approximately 3700 people in 1995 (Hoebel 1998). Proper treatment of wood products with fire retardants would reduce the damages to build­ ings and save lives. Phosphate fire retardants have been used in wood products (Juneja 1972; Juneja and Rich­ ardson 1974; AWPA standard 2004); however, they decrease the wood strength over time (LeVan and Winan­ dy 1990; LeVan et al. 1990). One method to minimize the strength loss is to replace phosphate with phosphor­ amidates (phosphoramides) as fire retardants. The P-N bonds in aromatic and some aliphatic phosphoramidates are stable to alkaline and some acidic conditions (Chao et al. 1995) and have been shown to be better dehydra­ tion agents and phosphorylation catalysts for cellulose (Langley et al. 1980). It has been demonstrated that phosphoramidates in cellulose promote retention of phosphorus in char and increase char yield after pyroly­ sis (Hendrix et al. 1972; Pandya and Bhagwat 1981). Our previous studies proved that wood reacted with phosphoramidates produced in situ from phosphorus pentoxide and aromatic and aliphatic amines at 1158C had an elevated resistance to thermal and fungal deg­ radation. Wood treated in this way degraded thermally at lower temperatures in the range of 254–3048C at maxi­ mum pyrolysis rate loss (control 3778C) and char yields increased to 32.0–44.7% (control 20.1%) (Lee et al. 2004a). Phosporamidate reacted wood prevents decay by a brown-rot fungus Gloeophyllum trabeum (Pers.: Fr.) Murr. MAD-617 at concentrations of 8.1–19.2 mmol/100 g wood. Wood destruction by the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor (L: Fr.) Quel. MAD-697 was also prevented at concentration levels between 2.9 and 13.3 mmol/100 g wood (Lee et al. 2004b). However, the preparation of treated woods needs 4–24 h reaction time in N,N-dimethylformamide and it is too complicated for practical applications. The objective of this study was to evaluate the possi­ bility of simplification of the process. The question in focus was simply whether phosphortriamidates impreg­ nated wood would be as effective concerning fire resis­ tance and fungal decay as phosphoramidate bonded wood.

Current status and conservation of the Lusitan Duriensean Orchids (Duero Basin, NE Portugal and CW Spain)

Twenty eight orchids species and subspecies are presently recognised as indigenous in the Lusitan Duriensean biogeographical sector, which covers part of the Duero Basin of Portugal and Spain. Twenty one of these (75%) are rare or very rare in this sector and under threat from different agents. This paper provides a detailed study of their distribution and estimates of the sizes of their populations. The latter were based on our own census data, collected at the sites where the species are found. All potentially reproductive individuals were counted. The causes of rarity and the factors responsible for the regression that still affects many species are analysed; main threats are destruction of woods by human activities and overgrazing. These data may be of use to the nature conservation authorities of Portugal and Spain.

Differentialdruckmessungen an Holz bei der Imprägnierung mit verdichteten Gasen, Flüssigkeiten und überkritischen Fluiden

Pressure difference characteristics at high pressure impregnation of two hardwood and three softwood species with CO2, ethanol, hexane and supercritical mixtures were analysed in a high pressure autoclave. The investigation shows that typical penetration characteristics of wood depending on species measured in terms of pressure difference between the surrounding and the centre are true for gases, liquids and supercritical fluids. The known fact that pressures higher than 16 bar may cause wood destruction is confirmed once more. In contrast to known investigations we can show that pressures up to 175 bar can be applied to wood samples without wood destruction if the pressure difference between surrounding and centre does not exceed 16 bar. The supercritical phase of ethanol/CO2-mixture is a potential media for technical application. It allows fast penetration at high pressures increasing at 16 bar/5 min combined with low pressure differences even at high pressure levels of 175 bar without wood destruction.

Malaria, poverty and medical treatment in the district of Agrigento (1830–1836)

It is kown that the destruction of woods has been the reason of the beginning of"malaria". In the Middle Age there was a lot of forests in Sicily. In the province of Agrigento malaria was already kown especially in Cammarata in 1141; in the area of Burgic in 1172; in Licata in 1398 adin the south of Girgenti (Girgenti was the ancient name of Agrigento) in 1253. Huge expenses of water determined, between 1256 and 1379, the fight against malaria. In the XV and XV1 centuries the destruction of the Sicilian forests could be said systematically begun by the landowners, that had destined the land to the production of wheat. Then, the area of Agrigento was the place where the surviving vegetation ceased its place to the single-crope system (of farming) of latifundium. Because of the lack of trees, the sources were reduced. The erosion of lands in the mountains and the landslips followed, while the rivers became obstructed, the banks broke down and floods increased. In the first half of the XIX century, 1,81% of the province of Girgenti, especially in the west side of the territory, was marshy. As they were not coast and brackish water marshes, there were the anopheles mosquitoes, carriers of malaria and mortality. The Borbonic Government excluded Sicily from the drainage of the territory destined to the continental dominions. About this, even the opposition of the Sicilian owners, that should have paid the costs of the drainage. As they were careless about the damage that the marshes broughtand animated by the yearning of profit, they created a lot of rice-fields, and conveyed the water of the streams, to develop the cultivation of flax and cotton in the same areas. In the zone of Agrigento seven villages had each a ricefield near the living centre, the steeping of flax was practised in 33/42 villages. According to the Malaria Paper of Italy (1882), the province of Girgenti was one of two district of "very dangerous malaria where death-rate reached the highest proportions in comparison with the other villages in regular conditions". Anopheles infection affected above all the villages of Agrigento that were along Salso river, between the two banks of the Platani, near the rivers Naro, Palma and Belice. Malarial fever were, therefore, spread in an endemic and epidemic way: benign relapsing in spring, more dangerous in summer and autumn. In the intense contagious areas, quartan fevers were numerous, while the infection was epidemic. The research in the State Archive of Palermo made by me on the Pathologic Newspapers

Wooden Panel Deterioration by Tropical Marine Wood Borers

Wood destruction in test panels of Shorea leprosulawas related to the percentage of fouling, types of wood borers and the number of wood borers. The natural durability of Shorea leprosulapanels was estimated to be 4–5 months in Malaysian marine waters. A higher fouling cover resulted in lower rates of wooden panel deterioration. Larger numbers of wood borers brought about greater panel deterioration. Primary wood destruction was caused by bivalve wood borers, mainly Martesia striata, Lyrodus pedicellatus, Bankia campanellata, Teredo furciferaand Teredo bartschi. Martesia striatawas the important wood destroying agent in the intertidal zone and, together with the shipworms, was also responsible for panel destruction in the subtidal zone.

Degradation of the Polymer Structure of Wood by Wetting and Drying. Viscoelasticity and Morphology of the Composite Cell Structure

Abstract The cracking and destruction of wood by inner and outer stresses is discussed in the light of previous works and the spectral (NMR and FTIR), microscopic (SEM), and mechanical stress experiments of the authors. The physical properties of wood are compared with those of synthetic high polymers. Wood components swelling in water, such as extractives and hemicellulose and lignin and their hydrogen-bond-forming power, are important chemical factors determining the mechanical stability of wood. Anisotropic shrinking of wood cells, resulting in cracking on drying, is a time-dependent process which has few analogues in synthetic polymers and their composites. This behavior lessens considerably the areas of technical use of wood.

From plants to coal: peat taphonomy of upper carboniferous coals

Quantitative analyses of the botanical composition in coal-ball concretions provide a basis for assessing stratigraphic and regional patterns of peat taphonomy in relation to swamp paleoecology and, in turn, to coal origins. The categories of plant organ and tissues we discuss are lycopod outer trunk bark, lycopod cortical and twig litter, stigmarian roots, wood (all sources), fern roots, medullosan cortisal tissues, foliage and fructifications. Data are drawn from 20 coals from 34 mines, ranging from lower Westphalian A of England and Belgium to lower Stephanian (Missourian) of Illinois, U.S.A. The 53 data sets represent 8115 coal balls and 388,872 cm 2 of surface area of peels with contents identified by taxa, tissue-organs and preservational states or as an unidentified fraction of organic detritus and non-botanical components. Lycopod trees contributed 26–86% of biovolume in Westphalian coal-ball deposits with important exceptions in Iowa (cordaites = 48–60%). Relative abundances of lycopod peat generally are 75–84% (Westphalian A), 44–74% (Westphalian B—C), to 55–75% (Westphalian D). Shoot/root (S/R) ratios increase during the Westphalian from 0.5–1.0 in Westphalian A, 0.5–1.4 in Westphalian B—C to mostly > 1.4 in Westphalian D. S/R values reflect, in part, changes in abundance of outer decay-resistant bark, 10–29% in Westphalian A—C and up to 45% in Westphalian D. Lycopod litter patterns differ in the main tree genera, so that all litter abundances vary according to the mixes of taxa and diversity of other plants occurring in the Westphalian D (Desmoinesian). Wood from all sources is usually < 10% of deposits, reaching 13–32% in cordaitean-rich deposits, mostly occurring in the Westphalian C—D transition. Evidence of detritivore destruction of wood (cordaitean and calamitean) is most extensive in Westphalian B—C (upper Pottsville) coal-ball deposits. Psaronius tree ferns (mostly roots) contributed 6–27% in the Westphalian D and 33–76% in the Stephanian; seed ferns (mostly medullosan) formed up to 22% of coal-ball contents in these deposits. Stratigraphic trends of principal taphonomic patterns reflect, in large part, changes in the taxonomic makeup of peat-swamp floras. Westphalian deposits exhibit shifts from stigmarian root-rich peats in the Westphalian A, to mixed stigmarian-cordaitean root peats in Westphalian B—C, to an increase in diversity and sizes of litter types in the Westphalian D. Abundances of lycopod bark, total foliage and fructifications reach maxima in the Westphalian D. Stephanian peats are rich in tree-fern roots with variable distribution in the tissues of other tree types (expecially wood and lycopod bark); sizes of trunk litter suggest larger trees than earlier deposits. Taphonomic patterns are closely linked both to taxonomic composition of the vegetation and prevailing environmental conditions. Stratigraphic changes in the qualitative and quantitative aspects of peat formation reflect shifts in both composition of peat-swamp floras and in climatic and physical factors attendant to peat accumulation. Dominant plant groups in the lowland habitats of the Late Carboniferous were very distinctive taxonomically (representing at least four classes of vascular plants) and thus differed enormously in the kind of tissues they produced in their rooting patterns, and in their life histories. This contrasts sharply with woody seed-plant dominance of most post-Paleozoic landscapes. Consequently, extinctions or changes in dominance-diversity patterns lead to major changes in litter accumulation patterns. The Westphalian D (Desmoinesian) exhibits the greatest diversity and shared dominance and, thus, the most diverse litter and root patterns. Average litter size markedly increased in the middle Westphalian D. Lycopod stem tissues, in particular Lepidophloios and Diaphorodendron bark, suggest an increase in physical stability of the environment (reduction in disturbance frequency) that permitted lycopod trees to attain large size. Stephanian deposits are consistent with an even more stable swamp environment with still larger trees (tree ferns, medullosans, calamites and the lycopod Sigillaria) but generally more severely degraded litter. The relative importance of subsidence regimes versus paleoclimate is discussed as a major factor that may have distinct stratigraphic and regional patterns. Origins of carbonate-to-pyritic coal balls are briefly reviewed as they pertain to taphonomic data and their biases.

The problem of marine timber destroying organisms along the Indian coasts

The serious problem of destruction of wood in sea and brackish waters of India has been discussed with special reference to the organisms that are involved, their distribution, nature of infestation and vertical distribution, seasons of settlement, duration of larval period, growth rates and dispersal. The different ecological factors that determine the distribution of borers have been described such as temperature, salinity, primary film, rate of water flow, turbidity, pollution, effects of fouling, parasites, predators and associates. Control measures to check their ravages are also indicated.

九十九里浜平野の地形発達史

The Kujukuri coastal plain, situated in the eastern part of the Kanto region, is one of the longest sandy ridge plains in Japan. This plain consists of sandy ridges, dunes, swales, abandoned barriers, abandoned lagoons and valley bottoms, which have been formed during the last 6, 000 years. In this paper, the evolution of those landforms is discussed based on radiocarbon dates, humus horizons, archeological sites and historical data as well as on landforms and deposits. The results are as follows.Sandy ridges are divided into three groups, named Sandy ridges I (abbreviated as SI), II (SII) and III (SIII) from older to younger, judging from the areal pattern and transverse profile. SI was formed about 6, 000 to 4, 000 years ago. SI is composed of abandoned barriers in the northern part, while of widely distributed sandy ridges more than 5km in width in the southern part. SII seems to have been formed about 4, 000 to 2, 000 years ago. The ridges of SII converge at the both northern and southern ends of the plain. SIII has been formed mostly during the last 1, 500 years, the width being 3 to 4km at every part.As to sand dunes, three stages of Older (Do), Middle (Dm) and Younger (Dy) are classified, on the basis of their distribution and humus horizons covering the sand dunes. Do, which is developed on the abandoned barriers of SI, is mainly found in the northern half of the plain. Do was formed at the culmination of Holocene transgression about 6, 000 to 5, 500 years ago. Judging from the distribution and the stratigraphical relation to humus, some dune sands of Dm were derived from sands of Do at Yokaichiba, Yokoshiba and Higata, and the other dune Sands of Dm developed along sides of rivers were supplied from river beds. It is considered that both of them were formed during a short time from the Yayoi period (about 2, 000 years ago) to the Kofun period (about 1, 500 years ago). The destruction of woods by man seems to have played an important role in their formation. The destruction affected the sand supply into lower courses of rivers and the erosion of Do, resulted in the formation of Dm on the river sides and on the Do respectively.As to humus, two horizons of Humus I (HI) and Humus II (HII) are classified. HI is black to dark-brown in color and is observed only on the SI and SII. The thickness of HI gradually becomes thinner seaward. It was formed about 6, 000 to 2, 000 years ago. HII being light-brown, and irregular in thickness and is not distributed on Dy. As this humus is poorly developed, it is not observed even in some places of SI and SII. It was formed during last 1, 500 years.Valley bottoms in the Shimosa upland were lagoonal environment until about 3, 000 years ago, then, they rapidly gave way to swampy condition.The relations among the above-mentioned landforms, humus and relative sea-level change, and paleogeographic maps are shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9.1. ca. 6, 000-5, 500 years ago (early Jomon period)The Holocene transgression equivalent to the Flandrian transgression, attained to the culmination, and valleys in the upland were drowned. As barriers SI extended in the vicinity of the mouth of such drowned valleys, lagoons were formed. Do began to form on those barriers by sand supply from the shore. It may be estimated that the relative sea-level at that time was +6m above the present sea-level in the Kuriyama valley bottom.

Experimental interbreeding between geographically separated populations of the marine wood-boring isopod Limnoria tripunctata with preliminary indications of hybrid vigor

Populations of the marine wood-boring isopod Limnoria tripunctata Menzies were cultivated and interbred in the laboratory in order to determine whether geographically separated populations would interbreed. Two series of interbreeding studies were conducted. In the first, field populations from 11 Atlantic and Caribbean sites and 3 Pacific sites were interbred with a North Western Atlantic population from Beaufort, North Carolina (USA). Viable crossings, to at least F 1, occurred in all but one case—that of a BeaufortxChatham (Massachusetts, USA) cross. In the second series of experiments, field populations from 9 Atlantic and Caribbean sites were crossed with populations from St. Teresa, Florida, Gulf of Mexico. In this case also, all crosses except one produced viable offspring, not only to the F 1, but to the F 2 generations as well. The St. Teresa x Chatham cross was not successful. Geographic distance was not a factor in the success of crossbreeding between disjunct populations. Chatham populations (mainly) are now believed to represent a valid but previously obscure species, Limnoria tuberculata Sowinski, and not a variant of L. tripunctata Menzies. Enhanced viality or vigor, as determined from rate of wood destruction, population growth rate and survival, was indicated in several crossings, but this was not necessarily correlated with distance between populations. Observations were made on the manner in which the species has achieved a worldwide distribution, and a hypothesis is put forward to explain the evolution of species related to L. tripunctata.

Ecological notes on fungi in Mangrove forests

Lists of all marine and terrestrial fungi described from mangrove plants are compiled and relations between these fungi and mangrove forest plants ( Avicennia, Hibiscus, Pluchea, Rhizophora ) are described. Marine ascomycetes, basidiomycetes and deuteromycetes occur on submerged parts of roots (proproots, pneumatophores), stems and branches. Six of thirty-one species appear to be host specific. Most frequent marine species are Lulworthia sp., Metasphaeria australiensis and ‘ Phoma ’ sp. The majority of the forty-four terrestrial fungi described from mangrove trees are parasites on living leaves. High contents of tannin do not protect mangrove plants from decomposition by marine fungi and wood boring animals (shipworms and isopods). Submerged bark and wood of mangroves are deteriorated by higher marine fungi. Wood destruction is of the ‘soft rot’ type. Fewer kinds of fungi occur on bark than on wood; Mycosphaerella pneumatophorae (in Avicennia ) and Keissleriella blepharospora (in Rhizophora ) are exclusively corticolous. Some fungi develop within calcareous layers of shipworm tubes in mangrove roots or branches. Rhizophora forms adventitious roots above injured and fungus-infested root tips. There is a zonation of fungi and other organisms along vertical roots, stems, or branches of mangrove trees. Submerged parts are inhabited by marine fungi, algae, balanids, worms, shipworms, and gribbles. Several species of fungi are usually found together on the submerged part of one root, but no distinct pattern of vertical distribution among the species is evident. Growth of marine and terrestrial fungi overlaps at the high tide line. Organisms above the water include ascomycetes, deuteromycetes, basidiomycetes, and lichens. Horizontal distribution of fungi in a Hawaiian mangrove swamp along a transect from salt to fresh water is described. Marine fungi are absent in the freshwater part. Thus, host specific K. blepharospora occurs only on Rhizophora plants in salt water. Dispersal and geographical distribution of mangrove fungi are discussed. Knowledge of occurrence of marine fungi in the eastern mangrove is almost absent. Some fungi, chiefly host specific ones, have a limited distribution, while omnivorous species are found in mangroves throughout the tropics and sub-tropics. Most mangrove fungi are warm water species.

Nitrogen Source in Fungal Decomposition of Wood

IT is a well-known fact that the nitrogen content of the medium is one of the limiting factors in fungal decomposition. Two experiments were carried out in order to determine whether the effective destruction of wood by Merulius lacrymans is sustained solely by the amount of nitrogen originally present in the wood, or whether any fixation of nitrogen from the atmosphere might possibly occur. Small cubes of wood were used in Exp. 1 and wood shavings in Exp. 2; the procedure, largely the same in both, was as follows:

Wood Preservatives as Deterrents to Drywood Termites in the Southwest1

Wood destruction by subterranean termites and saprophytic fungi has been stressed by building authorities for many decades. Some of the recommended preventive practices are: sanitation, ventilation, insulation, drainage, installation of moisture vapor barriers, use of chemical soil toxicants, and treatment of lumber with preservatives. Why hasn't the home builder been given the same type of guidance in the prevention of drywood termite ( Kalotermes minor Hagen) attack?

A chemical study of the bearing of decay by Phellinus cryptarum Karst. and other fungi on the destruction of wood by the death-watch beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum de G.)

A chemical study of the bearing of decay by <i>Phellinus cryptarum</i> Karst. and other fungi on the destruction of wood by the death-watch beetle (<i>Xestobium rufovillosum</i> de G.)

Researches in Fouling Organisms of the Ship's Bottom

As the first step of the researches in bottom Paint, the author has executed the various experiments on organisms which attach themselves to the bottoms of the ships in the naval ports in Japan. The items of the experiments are as follows.(1) The methods of the inspection.(2) The species of organisms which attached themselves to the panels.(3) The habits of organisms.(4) The species of organisms in each naval port.(5) The growth of organisms in each naval port.(6) The breeding-seasons of fouling organisms.(7) The weight of organisms which attached themselves to the panels.(8) The relation of the temperature of sea-water to the growth of organisms.(9) The suitable season for docking.(10) The species and the growth of organisms which vary in proportion to the depth.(11) The effects of colours on organisms.(12) The species of marine boring animals, and the extent of their wood destruction during a year.

Presence of a Yeast in the Death Watch Beetle (Xestobium rufo-villosum De G.)

IN a letter on the above subject in NATURE of April 26, p. 635, Mr. L. N. Staniland directs attention to the presence of yeast symbionts in Xestobium in connexion with the work of our colleague, Mr. W. G. Campbell, on the chemical aspects of the destruction of oak wood by powder-post and death watch beetles, Lyctus spp. and Xestobium sp. (Biochem. Jour., 23, No. 6, pp. 1290–1293; 1929).

The chemical aspect of the destruction of oak wood by powder post and death watch beetles—Lyctus spp. and Xestobium sp.

Research Article| January 01 1929 The chemical aspect of the destruction of oak wood by powder post and death watch beetles—Lyctus spp. and Xestobium sp. William George Campbell William George Campbell 1The Chemistry Section, Forest Products Research Laboratory, Princes Risborough Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Biochem J (1929) 23 (6): 1290–1293. https://doi.org/10.1042/bj0231290 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Cite Icon Cite Get Permissions Citation William George Campbell; The chemical aspect of the destruction of oak wood by powder post and death watch beetles—Lyctus spp. and Xestobium sp.. Biochem J 1 January 1929; 23 (6): 1290–1293. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/bj0231290 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll JournalsBiochemical Journal Search Advanced Search This content is only available as a PDF. © 1929 CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS1929 Article PDF first page preview Close Modal You do not currently have access to this content.