Land Reclamation Works Research Articles

Tracing holocene paleoenvironmental changes along the northern Tyrrhenian coast (Cornia and Pecora coastal plains, Tuscany, Italy): data from geochemical and sedimentological proxies

In this paper, sedimentological and geochemical data from six cores are presented and discussed in order to better understand the Holocene palaeoenvironmental evolution of the coastal plains of the Pecora and Cornia Rivers (southern Tuscany, Italy). Overall, the stratigraphies show a general upward trend in the evolution of the sedimentary succession of lagoonal environments (low Zr/Rb, high EC values) connected or partially connected to the sea (low EC values), to a seaward progradation of marshy-swampy environments (Mn/Ti, high TOC values) and finally to continental environments with the progradation of distal alluvial plains (high Zr/Rb, low EC values) influenced by runoff phenomena or local water stagnation. This trend is closely related to the increasing input of sediments from inland due to soil erosion processes and, especially in the last two centuries, land reclamation works. In the Cornia coastal plain, the chronologies indicate that lagoonal environments were already present before ca. 8.2ka BC and started receding seaward at around 3.7ka BC. On the other hand, chronologies from ca. 0.5ka BC to ca. 0.6ka AD point to a persistence of lagoonal environments only in areas very close to those already identified as such in historical cartography. In the Pecora coastal plain, the chronologies show that the lagoon environments had already disappeared before ca. 3.3ka BC, whilst the peripheral environments were characterised by abundant vegetation. The latter gradually degraded in favour of the development of shallow to very deep, unvegetated marshlands, which persisted until ca. 1ka AD.

Leveraging Reed Bed Burnings as Indicators of Wetland Conversion in Modern Greece

This study explores the historical occurrence of wetland ecosystems in Greece by using recurring Phragmites australis (common reed) burnings as an indicator. Phragmites australis, a plant closely associated with wetlands, provides excellent insights into wetland distribution. We establish a substantial association between reed fires and historical wetland existence in Greece using geographical and statistical analysis, with these fires exhibiting remarkable constancy across time. Using Corine land-cover (CLC) data, we extend our analysis into land-use dynamics, demonstrating that places with the highest reed-bed-fire rates were originally wetlands, particularly those converted into permanent irrigated land and areas with complex agriculture patterns. We find spatial commonalities between reed fires and past wetland existence by analyzing fire occurrence across three main categories: reed fires, agricultural land fires, and grassland fires. Historical records of wetland conversion into agricultural land (or land reclamation works) in locations such as Yianitsa and Kopaida give context to our findings. Visualizations confirm the clustering of reed fires around these converted agricultural regions. In summary, our study offers a unique indicator based on Phragmites australis burnings that can be used to identify previous wetland-type ecosystems, with Mediterranean-wide implications. Despite data constraints, this study adds to the conversation about wetland preservation and sustainable land-use management.

Targeted financing of land reclamation works at agricultural enterprises: Accounting and reporting

Subject. This article discusses the issues of ensuring food security in Russia through improving the quality of agricultural land, which can be achieved through the implementation of reclamation measures on agricultural lands, the financing of which is performed through the provision of State aid. Objectives. The article aims to study the methodology of accounting for State aid to land reclamation works in agriculture, identify problems, and propose ways to solve them. Methods. For the study, I used a dialectical approach, observation, analysis and synthesis, comparison, as well as elements of the accounting method. Results. An analysis of the accounting of budget financing for land reclamation works reveals that different regulatory documents contain different methods. On the basis of this analysis, the article proposes a set of accounting records for State aid, as well as analytical accounts for accounting for budget financing for reclamation work performed for agricultural enterprises. Conclusions and Relevance. The proposed system of analytical accounting and accounting records for accounting of State aid for land reclamation works in agriculture will improve the efficiency of control over the targeted use of allocated budget funds. The results of the study can be applied in the system of accounting and internal control of agricultural organizations.

Improvement of financial and management reporting on land reclamation works at agricultural enterprises

Subject. This article discusses the issues of land reclamation measures that would allow returning idle lands to the cultivated areas, and the organization of their qualitative accounting and control. Objectives. The article aims to develop and improve the forms of financial and management reporting on land reclamation work at agricultural enterprises in the context of digitalization. Methods. For the study, I used a dialectical approach, observation, synthesis, and analysis. Results. The article proposes to apply the forms of reporting that can help build a systematic control of reclamation measures in several areas of analytical accounting at an agricultural enterprise. It also proposes certain clarifications of the sectoral and working Chart of Accounts for agricultural enterprises. Conclusions and Relevance. The study of industry configurations created on the basis of the 1C platform made it possible to conclude that in management subsystems, reporting forms for land reclamation are practically not presented, and in the financial subsystem there are standard trial balance sheets, which do not allow to fully cover all aspects of subject area control. The implementation of the proposed recommendations to improve the methodological support of internal control of the costs of land reclamation work will help form an objective conclusion on the results of the audit and provide the management of the agricultural organization with information for making management decisions. The results of the study can be used in accounting and internal control at agricultural organizations.

Improving internal control of costs for land reclamation works

Subject. This article considers the control of the costs of land reclamation work as a complex process that requires careful planning and monitoring of each stage of work. Objectives. The article aims to develop recommendations for improving the methodology of internal control of the costs of land reclamation. Methods. For the study, I used a systems approach, comparison, systematization, and generalization. Results. The article presents the author-developed working documents of internal control of the costs of land reclamation, which will help optimize the implementation of control measures. Conclusions and Relevance. Based on the analysis of existing methods of internal cost control, the article finds that they do not pay enough attention to the systematization of the results of control procedures. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of applying the developed recommendations in the internal control of the costs of land reclamation in order to improve the effectiveness of control measures. The implementation of the proposed recommendations for improving the methodological support of internal control of the costs of land reclamation work will make it possible to form an objective conclusion on the results of the audit and provide the management of the agricultural organization with information for making management decisions.

СИМУЛЯТОР ВИРТУАЛЬНОЙ РЕАЛЬНОСТИ МЕЛИОРАТИВНЫХ РАБОТ

An innovative virtual reality simulator of land reclamation works is considered, which makes it possible to understand the principles of operation of land reclamation systems without direct impact on the real environment, aimed at a high-quality and effective solution, including educational tasks. This project is being implemented within the framework of cooperation between the Belarusian company StarcoStudio and the RGAU-MSHA named after K.A. Timiryazev and involves the creation of a VR product that can provide a realistic and safe experience of working with reclamation equipment and technologies. The project covers the development of 3D models and scenes using advanced software tools such as Unreal Engine 5, Gaea, Blender, iClone and MetaHuman, and also includes practical experience in 3D scanning of agricultural equipment, such as the OKN-0.5 sewer cleaner and the MTZ tractor - 1221. During the implementation of the product, modern methods of 3D scanning, data processing and integration into a virtual reality simulator were used. The goal of the project is to introduce a VR product that will optimize the learning process, make it more flexible and individualized, taking into account the various characteristics and needs of students. Safety, realism, interactivity, flexibility, resource savings, repetitiveness, collaboration and stimulation of interest - all this makes VR simulators a powerful tool for training qualified land reclamation specialists. The project helps to increase the competitiveness of graduates in the labor market and expand opportunities for further development and improvement of the education system in the field of land reclamation and agricultural technology.

The planning of land and forest melioration activities in the Russian Federation in the process of land management and reclamation works on agricultural lands

The article considers the necessary planning of land and forest melioration activities in the process of land management and reclamation works. By the example of Tula region, the dynamics of species and areas of reclamation protective forest plantations was analyzed for the period from 1975 to 2022 as well as their compliance with the planned indicators established in the land management schemes and the federal target programs. The calculations for the recommended areas of protective forest plantations have been made up to 2030 as well.

GEOGRAPHICAL ASPECTS OF TRANSFORMATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENTS FOR NEW ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICTS OF VOLYN REGION

Aim. The purpose of this study is a geographical analysis of the anthropogenic transformation of the landscape mosaic of the Volyn region as a result of uncontrolled land reclamation works. The article was a continuation of a series of publications devoted to the study of the processes and consequences of the transformation of the components of the natural environment in the context of the course of administrative and territorial reform in Ukraine. Method. In the scientific work, to take into account the influence of qualitative indicators on the process of transformation of landscapes of the Volyn region under the influence of drainage reclamation, the methodology of P. G. Shishchenko was used. A number of additions were made to the methodology in order to determine the coefficient of anthropogenic transformation of landscapes for calculating the coefficient of transformation of terrain and soils. Forests, meadows and pastures, and arable land in drained areas with an index of the depth of anthropogenic transformation were allocated to separate groups. For eroded lands, the index of the depth of anthropogenic transformation was taken as the same as for lands of industrial use. The results. Ukraine is characterized by a very high level of agricultural development of the territory, however, at the administrative-territorial level - by oblasts, districts, and even territorial communities, there are some differences in this regard. Determining the depth and condition of lands transformed in the process of drainage reclamation provides an opportunity to understand the consequences of the influence of a group of factors on the land fund and encourages the scientific study of various components of the environment. The types of land in the Volyn region, where agricultural land occupies 53% of the total territory and is unevenly distributed, have a colorful palette - it is arable land, and perennial plantations, and hayfields and pastures, etc. One of the consequences of drainage reclamation is the intensive mineralization of the organic part of the soil, so the results obtained using the adjusted method allow for a more differentiated assessment of the state of transformation of the landscapes of the Volyn region. The results are adequate, because there is a connection with the industrial development of territories and the level of use of land resources. The scientific novelty consists in the structural and geographical analysis of the impact of drainage reclamation on the territory of the Volyn region on various types of environment, in particular, relief and soils. The study was conducted for the newly formed administrative districts of the Volyn region in the course of the administrative and territorial reform in Ukraine. Practical significance. The results of the research can be used in the educational process of the Volyn National University named after Lesya Ukrainka, the National University of Water Management and Nature Management, the Rivne Professional Technical College of the National University of Water Management and Nature Management and other educational institutions in the teaching of geographic, economic and tourism disciplines. The results will find their application in the legislative and executive work of local self-government bodies when developing programs for the socio-economic development of territorial communities. Research materials will contribute to the rational use of natural and anthropogenically transformed resources of the Volyn region, which will allow to qualitatively influence the course of administrative and territorial reform. A number of provisions can be used in similar studies of other regions of Ukraine.

Anatomy of Anthropically Controlled Natural Lagoons through Geophysical, Geological, and Remote Sensing Observations: The Valli Di Comacchio (NE Italy) Case Study

Newly collected morphobathymetric and seismic reflection data from the Valli di Comacchio coastal lagoons, south of the Po River delta (Northeast Italy), combined with historical, remote sensing, and geodetic data highlight a complex geological evolution during the Holocene, strongly affected by anthropic control. All data allowed us to define the present-day depositional environment of the lagoons and reconstruct their recent (late Pleistocene/Holocene) geo-history. We focused on the effects of the anthropic impacts in modifying the pristine environments created by the Holocene transgression along the Adriatic Sea coast, at the mouth of a major river. They include land reclamation works, artificial damming, channel excavations, fluvial diversions, and a recent (last decades) increase in subsidence rate due to gas and water withdrawals. Despite the development of economic activities, which promoted occupation and exploitation of this area in the last millennia, the post-Glacial evolution of the lagoons shows the important role of inherited morphological features, such as sand ridges and barriers. This complex and relatively well-documented evolution makes the Comacchio lagoons a unique example of deep connections between natural processes and long-term human controls, offering insights into the management policies of these important and delicate environments challenged by global changes.

Italian fascist modernisation and colonial landscape in Albania 1925-1943

Environmental history and landscape transformations vis-à-vis agricultural modernization policies such as the reclaiming of land hardly features in studies on the Italian fascist annexation of Albania. This paper focuses on the main features of Italian economic and landscape efforts in Albania during the fascist years through a general overview of the Italian period with respect to economic and land reclamation works, and an exploration of Italys colonial policies in the modernization and regeneration of Albanian landscape. Its scope includes Italys interwar interventionist efforts in Albania in economy and land reclamation, but not the substantial literature on Italian contribution to the transformation of Albanian urban landscapes during the interwar period. The urban planning of Albania by Italian architects, engineers, and urbanists that developed from 1920 to 1939 has been dealt with extensively in scholarship regarding Albania.

Development of intertidal flats in the Dutch Wadden Sea in response to a rising sea level: Spatial differentiation and sensitivity to the rate of sea level rise

The Wadden Sea is a unique intertidal wetland area, forming an important hub for migratory water birds. A feared effect of accelerated sea-level rise (SLR) is the gradual loss or even disappearance of the ecologically valuable intertidal flats. To date, the effect of SLR on the time-evolution of the intertidal areas in the Dutch Wadden Sea has not been studied. To explore the sensitivity of the intertidal flats to SLR and the spatial differentiation of the response, simulations are carried out with the reduced-complexity model ASMITA for four sea level rise scenarios: one with a stable rate of 2 mm/yr (current rate), and three with accelerated sea level rise rates to respectively 4, 6 and 8 mm/yr. In addition, a scenario with a linearly increasing rate to 17 mm/yr in 2100 has been added to get an impression of what may happen under more extreme SLR-rates. The results show that the intertidal flats in the larger basins are most vulnerable to drowning. Due to differences in tidal flat geometry, the intertidal flats in the smaller basins mainly reduce in average height, while the intertidal flats in the larger basins mainly reduce in surface area. Within the basins, largest losses are expected to occur just off the land reclamation works and along the western part of each tidal watershed. The intertidal flats are sensitive to the rate of SLR. With doubling the rate of SLR, losses nearly double as well. Complete drowning is not predicted for any of the considered scenarios, but for the larger basins volume losses of nearly 50% by 2100 are predicted for the highest considered scenario. This will transform these basins into more lagoon-like basins, which is expected to have major consequences for the ecology.

EFFECTIVENESS OF APPLICATION OF MODERN MELIORATIVE TECHNIQUES IN CLEANING OF OPEN COLLECTORS AND DRINKS

The proposed workplace is a new JY230ELD, one of the foreign equipment entering our country. It is used as an interchangeable workstation for JY230E excavator. The new excavator for use in agriculture construction consists of the following main components and other parts. Exacerbation of the global food problem increase agricultural production and is known to make land use more efficient. At the same time, land reclamation works and the use of the most modern equipment are becoming increasingly important.

Mathematical model for optimizing the fleet of vehicles for performing land reclamation works

When choosing technical means for performing various technological processes and, in particular, for carrying out reclamation and cultural-technical works, two aspects should be taken into account: the fundamental possibility of using machines and the level of their reliability. But if the choice of technical means according to the fundamental possibility of use for performing a specific operation is sufficiently developed («Systems of machines», catalogs of special equipment have been developed), then the choice of means of repair and technical impact, depending on quantitative data and qualitative characteristics of reliability, is currently not fully studied. This is due to the lack of a sufficient database on malfunctions of the specified technical means and, as a consequence, the lack of reliable indicators of their reliability. Analysis of the data on the operation of technical means in land reclamation and construction organizations shows that due to the low reliability of machines, up to 40% of the cost of their work is the cost of maintenance and repair, while the share of time resources for downtime for technical reasons in the total fund of the working time reaches 40-50%. It should be noted that this is only part of the damage caused by the lack of reliability of the machines. Improving the methods of using machines led to the creation of mechanized complexes - a group form of machine work. Therefore, due to the widespread use of complex mechanization in land reclamation construction, the stop of one machine of a technological complex leads to a stop of the entire technological process. Thus, the determination of the reliability characteristics of the units of technological complexes, namely, the establishment of the physical nature, failures, the identification of the causes of their occurrence, as well as the determination of the need for repair and technical actions, will provide the necessary operational and economic performance indicators of the entire technological complex in specific operating conditions. In this regard, the issue of determining the optimal provision of repair and technical impacts on the units of technological complexes, taking into account their components, is an urgent task that requires separate research.

Seawater Intrusion Proneness and Geophysical Investigations in the Metaponto Coastal Plain (Basilicata, Italy)

The Metaponto coastal plain extends about 40 km along the Ionian coast, between the Sinni and Bradano Rivers (southern Italy). During the 20th century, the increases in modern irrigation systems, land reclamation works, the overexploitation of wells, and agricultural and industrial activities have deeply modified land use and groundwater availability and quality along the plain. These modifications negatively impacted the natural systems in terms of groundwater and soil salinization, magnifying the risks due to seawater intrusion. In this study, we explored the proneness to seawater intrusion, testing a multidisciplinary approach based on hydrochemical and geophysical investigations. A significant portion of the coastal plain was selected for this purpose. A set of 49 groundwater samples was analyzed to define the chemical characteristics of the water and geoelectrical measurements were recorded along three long profiles. The geoelectrical surveys showed in detail the aquifer bottom pattern where it is deeply incised by paleovalleys, defining the main hydrostratigraphic features, as it is necessary to prevent seawater intrusion worsening. The hydrochemical data highlighted areas with higher seawater intrusion proneness. The acquired measurements show the high proneness to seawater intrusion, especially where the aquifer bottom is very deep below the sea level, also far from the coast, and the relevance of the detailed knowledge of the aquifer bottom in supporting any kind of management.

Alluvial soils of the Gulf of Finland. Composition, properties, and suitability for creating green spaces

In Saint-Petersburg and its surroundings land reclamation works by hydraulic filling have been performed for several decades. For the hydraulic filling fine-grained slightly silted and clayed sands from the bottom of the Gulf of Finland are used. We have examined the properties of alluvial soils as substrate for planting, figured out unfavorable hydrophysical features of the soils related to soil fractionation caused by water flows while hydraulic filling, which, in their turn, have negative impact on preservation and growth of vegetation. We have given examples of measures on melioration of soils, at the same time having taken into consideration their features while the design performance and working on creation green spaces on the alluvial soils.

Land Use and Port-city Integration in Reclamation Areas: A Comparison between Spain and Japan

Martín-Antón, M.; del Campo, J.M.; Negro, V.; Luengo Frades, J.; Moreno Blasco, L.J., and Jiménez Verdejo, J.R., 2020. Land use and port-city integration in reclamation areas: A comparison between Spain and Japan. In: Malvárez, G. and Navas, F. (eds.), Global Coastal Issues of 2020. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 95, pp. 278–282. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.Land reclamation is an increasingly widespread practice, especially in Asia in recent years as a means to provide land above sea level in cities with land shortage. This is the case of Japan, especially in the populated bays of the south coast (Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka-Kobe). After a worldwide research on this subject (Martín-Antón et al., 2016), a more specific study of the reclaimed areas in Spain and Japan, with their respective land uses, is made in this work to show the needs of growth of the port cities of each country. Two representative bays have been analyzed in detail, namely Algeciras-Gibraltar Bay in Spain and Osaka-Kobe Bay in Japan. The Algeciras Bay has a total reclaimed area of 5.6 km2 whereas Osaka Bay has almost 160 km2 built over the centuries. In the latter, a large percentage of the new land is currently dedicated to residential use (17%), about 28 km2. Much of the housing land is next to, or even surrounded by, industrial zones, which add up to more than 60 km2 (almost 40%), compared to 24% in Algeciras. In Gibraltar (Algeciras Bay), the reclaimed area with residential use is 0.5 km2. It is remarkable the land areas in disuse: 8% of the total in Osaka Bay and 22% in Algeciras Bay. However, more and more land reclamation works are being built, including unfilled water areas surrounded by breakwaters (some of them to be filled with solid waste), such as the 2.6 km2 in Osaka Bay. Another use is energy production, with 0.6% of the total reclaimed area in Osaka Bay dedicated to solar power plants (0.89 km2). This article aims to make a reflection on current urban needs in port areas, port-city integration and the impact on the landscape of large maritime works.

Improvement of open field development technology as a factor in the formation of quality and market value of reclaimed land

An analysis of the results of the reproduction of land in an open development of a horizontal mineral deposit has been carried out. The interconnection of the method and the system of open development of the deposit with the qualitative and quantitative levels of land reclamation, as well as their monetary estimation according to the direction of use, is substantiated. The principle of this approach to the planning of land abandonment measures at a mining enterprise from the point of view of the subordination of the technological processes of mining of minerals to the results of the reproduction of land in previous periods is proposed, which allows to take into account the quality of reproduction of land for determining the extent of their violation. The technological scheme of organization of mining works and land reclamation works is shown, which involves synchronization of these processes in terms of disturbance and reproduction of lands, as well as formation of a more qualitative soil layer due to its selective displacement. The components and peculiarities of the formation of the economic effect are determined from the introduction of dynamic schemes for the development of a quarry field on their relation to the cost of land leakage in the development of horizontal mineral deposits in the stages of the life cycle of a quarry.

Field instrumentation and settlement prediction of ground treated with straight-line vacuum preloading

The vacuum preloading method has been used in many countries for ground improvement and land reclamation works. A sand cushion is required as a horizontal drainage channel for conventional vacuum preloading. In terms of the dredged-fill foundation soil, the treatment effect of the conventional vacuum preloading method is poor, particularly in Tianjin, China, where a shortage of sand exists. To solve this problem, straight-line vacuum preloading without sand is widely adopted in engineering practice to improve the foundation soil. Based on the engineering properties of dredged fill in Lingang City, Tianjin, this paper presents field instrumentation in five sections and analyzes the effect of a prefabricated vertical drain (PVD) layout and a vacuum pumping method on the soft soil ground treatment. Through the arrangement of pore water pressure gauges, settlement marks and vane shear tests, the settlement, pore water pressure and subsoil bearing capacity are analyzed to evaluate the effect of the ground treatment. This study demonstrates that straight-line vacuum preloading without sand can be suitable for areas with a high water content. Furthermore, the consolidation settlement and consolidation degree system is developed based on the grey model to predict the consolidation settlement and consolidation degree under vacuum preloading; the validity of the system is also verified.

Influence of destructuration by swelling and disintegration on consolidation of clay lumps

ABSTRACT Dredged clays are commonly used in land reclamation works. These clays are excavated as lumps varying in size from few tens of millimeters to a meter. When the lumps are dumped, they are made to merge due to consolidation. But before that, the lumps invariably swell and start to disintegrate if sufficient time between the dumping of the lumps in water and the application of surcharge is permitted. The magnitude of swelling and disintegration of the clay lump would indirectly affect the magnitude of the applied surcharge needed to merge the lumps. This paper investigates the effect of size, strength and saturation on swelling and disintegration of the clay lumps submerged in water. The loss in lump's weight was the measure of disintegration. Small lumps with large specific surface area, disintegrated at a faster rate. Likewise, unsaturated lumps were also noted to swell and disintegrate quickly. On the other hand, the lumps with water content close to their liquid limit were least likely to disintegrate.

Construction Technology Used for the Reclamation of Seri Tanjung Pinang (Phase 2)

The second phase of Seri Tanjung Pinang (STP2) aims to be an exemplar water front development that encapsulates the best of island living in Penang, Malaysia. STP2 offers a range of residential, commercial and leisure facilities to both local and international investors. Based on the geographical area, STP2 is divided into three packages, which are Package 2A (foreshore of Gurney Drive and the western region of the sand island), Package 2B (the southeast region of the sand island) and Package 2C (the northeast region of the sand island). It is an extension of the fully developed STP1 (Phase I) consisting of 240 acres of land reclamation works. Reclamation of the 253-acre STP2 Package 2A commenced in 2016 and is still underway, and reclamation of the remaining packages with the reclamation size of 507-acres shall kick off at a later stage. The main intention of this paper is to address the construction technology adopted since the commencement of the STP2 Package 2A reclamation. Prior to introduction to the various construction technologies used, the background of this reclamation project is first described. The overall construction sequence for the reclamation is also provided. The construction technologies applied for this project including turbidity control measures, delivery modes for construction materials, perimeter bund construction, placement of filled materials, soil improvement, sheet pile installation and construction of revetment, are respectively detailed in this paper.