Lime Quarry Research Articles

Revamp of masonry structures using bio-additive infused air lime mortar as an applicator

Lime masonry walls have been the initial type of masonry wall construction in the construction era. The minimally processed limestone extracted from the lime quarries gives a lesser carbon footprint than any other present-day construction material, making it superior to other construction materials in the construction industry and is the need of the hour. In this study, naturally fermented Bio-Additives, Jaggery and kadukkai were used to make lime mortar for the masonry prisms and walls, and the strength performance was investigated. The bio-additive and the lime powder combination were studied using a pH meter and pH strips to confirm their acidic/basic nature. The lime mortar was experimented with for its flexural strength using a beam specimen. The masonry prism study was initially made with stacked prisms and wall panels (English bond and Flemish bond) for testing compressive strength. The lime mortar thicknesses were varied into two for all the specimens of 10 mm and 15 mm for both the head and bed joints of the masonry. The experimental analysis revealed that a mortar thickness of 10 mm masonry increased the wall’s strength more than mortar of 15 mm thickness in the masonry, disproving the myth that higher mortar thickness in masonry increases the strength of the masonry. The mineralogical characterization of the mortar was carried out by SEM-EDAX to know the internal composition and morphological reactions, FTIR for the changes in the organic composition, and DSC-TGA to know the thermal properties of the mortar matrix. This study justifies the use of bio-additives-infused lime mortar for contemporary masonry projects.

Ecological footprint and economic assessment of conventional and geopolymer concrete for sustainable construction

Cement is the binding material in conventional concrete which involves excess lime quarry and large volume of CO2 emission during its production. On the other hand, the geopolymer concrete is a cement-less concrete where materials such as fly ash, blast furnace slag, bottom ash, construction, and demolition waste etc. are utilized as binder (precursor) when activated with alkaline solution. In the present study, ecological footprint along with the mechanical properties and the incurred cost of the production of M30 conventional cement concrete prepared according to IS, ACI and DOE code of practices were assessed and compared with that of geopolymer concrete. Cement concrete prepared according to IS, ACI and DOE code of practice had the compressive strength of 41 MPa, 43 MPa and 32 MPa respectively at 28 days. The compressive strength of geopolymer concrete was found to be 48 MPa at 28 days which was higher than that of all the conventional concrete. But the ecological footprint and the cost of geopolymer concrete production was found to be lower than that of conventional concrete. The geopolymer concrete had the lowest ecological footprint or the bio-productive land requirement of 0.0224 gha/m3 when compared to that of conventional cement concrete. The conventional cement concrete prepared as per the IS code had the highest ecological footprint of 0.0546 gha/m3. Heat curing contributed to 44% and the material contributed to 46% in the total ecological footprint of geopolymer concrete. However, burden of energy incurred on heat curing can be further reduced by the use of non-conventional source of energy. The production of geopolymer concrete also provides a sustainable disposal option for industrial waste produced as a by-product. Therefore, geopolymer concrete could be seen as eco-friendly and economical alternate to conventional concrete in the era of sustainable development.

A spatial analysis of lime resources and their potential for improving soil magnesium concentrations and pH in grassland areas of England and Wales

Magnesium (Mg) is essential for animal health. Low Mg status (hypomagnesaemia) can be potentially fatal in ruminants, like cattle and sheep, and is widespread in Europe with economic impacts on farming. The application of Mg-rich agricultural lime products can help to ensure pasture forage consumed by animals contains sufficient Mg and, in areas of low pH, has the dual benefit of reducing soil acidity to levels best suited for grass production. This aim of this study was to determine if Mg-rich lime products could be used in a more effective manner in agricultural production systems. Potential resources of carbonate rocks (limestone, dolostone and chalk) in the UK, and their Mg:Ca status were identified, using datasets from the British Geological Survey (BGS). These data were combined with the locations of agricultural lime quarries, and areas where soils are likely to be deficient in Mg and/or require liming. Areas of potential demand for Mg-rich agricultural lime include areas in south east Wales, the Midlands and North East England. Although, areas where this may be an effective solution to low soil Mg values are restricted by the availability of suitable products. Conversely, areas of low soil pH in England and Wales are often found close to quarries with the ability to supply high Ca limes, suggesting that the low rates of lime use and liming is not due to supply factors. This study provides information that can help to guide on-farm decision making for use of Mg-rich and other lime resources. This could be used in conjunction with other options to reduce risks of Mg deficiency in livestock, and improve soil pH.

РЕКУЛЬТИВАЦИЯ НА КАРЬЕРНО-ОТВАЛЬНЫХ КОМПЛЕКСАХ ТЕХНОГЕННЫХ ТЕРРИТОРИЙ В ПРЕДГОРНОМ КРЫМУ

The article deals with theoretical and applied issues of biological reclamation of vegetation in an abandoned hydromorphic (flooded) lime quarry of building materials in the foothill zone of the Crimea. The stages of the primary syngenesis of the vegetation forming here have been identified; without mining technical reclamation of the open pit, this territory will be taken out of economic use forever.

Melanin production by Pseudomonas sp. and in silico comparative analysis of tyrosinase gene sequences.

Melanin finds enormous applications in different industries for its unique photoprotective and anti-oxidant properties. Due to its emerging demand, scientific researchers are putting efforts to unravel more microorganisms with a potential of producing melanin on large scale. Hence, the present study was aimed at the isolation of extracellular melanin producing microorganisms from lime quarries of Karnataka, India. Besides this, the tyrosinase gene governing melanin synthesis in different organisms were compared in silico to understand its evolutionary aspects. Melanin producing microorganisms were screened on tyrosine gelatin beef extract agar medium. Potential isolate was explored for submerged production of melanin in broth containing L-tyrosine. Melanin was characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, thin layer and high performance liquid chromatographic techniques. Antibacterial activity of melanin was performed by agar well assay. Comparative tyrosinase gene sequence analysis was performed by using Geneious 2021.1 trial version software. Pseudomonas otitidis DDB2 was found to be potential for melanin production. No antibacterial activity was exerted by the melanin against tested pathogens. The in silico studies showed that the common central domain of tyrosinase protein sequence of selected Pseudomonas sps. exhibited 100% identity with the common central domain of Homo sapiens tyrosinase (NP_000363.1). Our study shows the production of melanin in good quantities by the isolate Pseudomonas otitidis DDB2 which can be explored for scale-up process. Since the melanin formed is of eumelanin type and the tyrosinase gene sequence of several Pseudomonas sp. showed relatedness to humans, this molecule may be further developed for sunscreen formulations.

The <italic>Australopithecus</italic> Taun child skull: A fossil that changed human evolution history

The <italic>Australopithecus</italic> Taun child skull: A fossil that changed human evolution history

Man and his Ancestors – The Legacy and Fate of Neanderthal Man

First discovered in lime quarries in the Neander Valley near Dusselorf, Germany, in 1856, Neanderthal Man ( Homo neanderthalensis ) was the first modern hominid species to be named. Since the discovery of the original fossil (subsequently named as Neander 1), numerous Neanderthal fossils, varying from sets of teeth to virtually complete skeletons, have been discovered at numerous European and Central Asian sites, including La Chapelle-aux-Saints and Moustier (France) and Shanidar (Kurdistan).

Verrucaria ahtii, V. oulankaensis and V. vitikainenii, three new species from the Endocarpon group (Verrucariaceae, lichenized Ascomycota)

AbstractThree new species of Verrucaria are described from calcareous and calciferous rocks in Finland based on morphology and ITS sequences. The species are all members of the Endocarpon group in the Verrucariaceae. Verrucaria oulankaensis sp. nov. is related to V. cernaensis but differing in its usually pruinose, small areolate thallus. It occurs in NE Finland on calcareous and calciferous rocks on river shores. Verrucaria ahtii sp. nov. and V. vitikainenii sp. nov. form a sister group in the ITS phylogeny. Verrucaria vitikainenii differs from V. ahtii in the darker and thinner thallus, absence of a prothallus and in the perithecia, which lack thalline cover. Verrucaria ahtii morphologically resembles V. apomelaena but differs in having a thinner involucrellum and a fimbriate prothallus. It has a southern distribution in Finland and prefers sun-exposed sites, particularly pebbles in lime quarries. The species is also reported from Lithuania and Russia. Verrucaria vitikainenii has an eastern distribution in Finland. The species is a strict calcicole, preferring half-shady habitats. Verrucaria apomelaena is excluded from the Finnish lichen flora.

Ubicazione delle cave di pietra da calce utilizzata come materia prima degli intonaci romani nella Lombardia occidentale

[it] La calce come materiale da costruzione ebbe larga diffusione nell’architettura romana della Lombardia occidentale. La presenza di carbonato di magnesio è stata per lo più riscontrata negli intonaci dipinti provenienti dai siti romani di Milano. Il carbonato di magnesio testimonia l’impiego di dolomia per la preparazione della calce e rocce di questa composizione affiorano per esteso nelle Prealpi lombarde: dolomie e calcari dolomitici grigio chiari (Dolomia del Salvatore, Ladinico-Anisico), dolomie grigie, talvolta con ciclotemi (Dolomia principale, Norico). Non sono conservate evidenze di cave o di forni romani in quest’area prealpina: i Romani sfruttarono gli stessi affioramenti dolomitici, situati lungo la sponda orientale del lago Maggiore, affioramenti da cui si produsse calce a partire dal Medio Evo in avanti. 
 I depositi fluvio-glaciali del medio corso del fiume Adda tra Brivio e Trezzo (massi, ciottoli di calcari marnosi, calcari e dolomie che affiorano nel bacino fluviale) furono un’altra fonte medievale e moderna di materia prima, soprattutto per produrre una calce debolmente idraulica (chiamata “calce forte”), ma questo tipo di calce è assente negli intonaci romani.

砿都における景観の特長に関する研究

Limestones have been playing important roles in offering fundamental materials for construction of public infrastructure. There are many limestone quarries in Japan and they formed the cement industrial cities around them with conspicuous industrial landmarks. Cement industries brought wealth to the city and advanced infrastructures, such as high-graded trunk roads or rich architectures. In addition, huge cement works form characteristic technoscape (industrial landscape) which is cherished by local people as their home landscape. This study manifests the landscape properties of cement and limestone industrial cities, by observing 37 cities in Japan, with in-situ survey of the landscape, bibliographic and folklore survey of lime-originated folk customs, festivals or local songs. The findings of this study are, (1) Prominent technoscape of cement is formed in process of cement production, lime transportation and lime quarry, (2) Landscape of limestone-originated nature, such as karst valley, limestone cave, or karst polje (large elliptical depression) is formed nearby, and (3) Lime-originated natural landscape formed by easy erosion of limestone took on sublime appearance, generated animism, and it has been existing with deformation or relocation by companies after industrialization.

The dynamic behaviour of the mammoth in the Spanish fortress, L’Aquila, Italy

The fossil remains of a “Mammuthus Meridionalis” were found the 25 th of march 1954 in a lime quarry close to the city of L’Aquila. The Mammoth skeleton was soon “reconstructed” on a forged iron frame, and it was located in one of the main halls of the Spanish fortress in L’Aquila. A comprehensive restoration was recently completed (2013-2015), also considering the study of the adequacy of the supporting frame, which demonstrated to survive the relevant 2009 l’Aquila earthquake. After a laser-scanner survey, allowing to build a very detailed Finite Element model, Operational Modal Analysis was employed in order to obtain the dynamic identification of the structure. Results of the experimental activities explained the capacity of the structure to bear the 2009 main shock, since the natural frequencies demonstrated to be quite reduced. The structure acted as a “natural” seismic device, avoiding to reach its Ultimate Limit State however paying the toll of relevant displacements. The seismic motion caused several cracks at the edge of the bones, indicating the non-fulfilment of the ALS (damage Limit State of Artistic contents). A proposal for seismic isolation and redesign of the supporting frame was then discussed. The paper illustrates the scientific activities assisting the restoration intervention, entailing a multidisciplinary approach, in the fields of restoration, palaeontology and seismic engineering.

RECONSTRUCTING THE PALEOECOLOGY OF TAUNG, SOUTH AFRICA FROM LOW MAGNIFICATION OF DENTAL MICROWEAR FEATURES IN FOSSIL PRIMATES

Taung, South Africa yielded the first Pliocene Hominini fossil, Australopithecus africanus, recovered from a lime quarry in 1924. To identify whether the habitat of the site differed from present-day conditions, dietary preferences of fossil papionins from Taung, including Parapapio antiquus (n 5 8), Papio izodi (n 5 12), and indeterminate specimens (n 5 10) were examined under low magnification to discern patterns of dental microwear. The comparative fossil sample from Sterkfontein Member 4 includes Parapapio broomi (n 5 10) and Parapapio jonesi (n 5 5). Extant Papio ursinus (n 5 20), a savannadwelling baboon from South Africa, provides a modern analogue. Six dental use-wear scars on the paracone of the second molar (M2) were recorded and the data analyzed using ANOVA with Tukey’s test to detect whether group differences were present for each feature; linear regression identified significant covariation of microwear features. Principal components analysis and discriminant function analysis were utilized to identify species-specific dietary signals. Extant Papio ursinus is separated from the extinct taxa solely by a relatively greater number of fine scratches with respect to the other microwear features. Papio izodi overlaps primarily with extant Papio and secondarily with Parapapio, which forms a more discrete grouping that includes Parapapio antiquus from Taung. A wetter, more closed environment is suggested for Taung and Sterkfontein Member 4 compared to the habitat of present-day central South Africa.

Acoustics monitoring prevents downtime at Shapfell Lime Quarry

Acoustics monitoring prevents downtime at Shapfell Lime Quarry

Zur Struktur und Entstehung von Eiskeil–Grossformen in Lieth/Elmshorn (Schleswig-Holstein)

Abstract. The deposits near the surface of the Permian and Quarternary in the western part of the “Lieth lime quarry” have been intensively periglacially modified. Three ice-wedge pseudomorphs, which run approximately parallel, are 0.5 m wide and reach a depth of more than 3 meters. These features are of particular importance to periglacial science due to their setting in Zechstein-ashes and -limestones, their unusual size and their spatial relationship to several similarly large structures. Their development can be explained by geological factors. The fine-grained calcarious rocks, within which the wedges are developed, offer good conditions for intensive frost action, in a similar fashion to the exposed Zechstein rocks with their shallow overburden of quaternary material. An unusually large mechanical strength of the surrounding ashes compared with sedimentary rocks elsewhere in northern Germany favoured the emergence of larger structures. Spatial relationships, similar dimensions and orientation of the three large ice wedge pseudomorphs point to a connection with salt-tectonic structures. The structure of the latter had a considerable impact on the overall geometry of the ice wedges. Field relationships between structure, thickness, soil type and colour of individual fill units suggests two different phases of formation: A one-sided opening and backfilling appears to have taken place within two structures. The likely age of the reported structures possibly pre-dates the Weichselian glaciation.

Geochemistry and shock petrography of the Crow Creek Member, South Dakota, USA: Ejecta from the 74‐Ma Manson impact structure

Abstract— The Crow Creek Member is one of several marl units recognized within the Upper Cretaceous Pierre Shale Formation of eastern South Dakota and northeastern Nebraska, but it is the only unit that contains shock‐metamorphosed minerals. The shocked minerals represent impact ejecta from the 74‐Ma Manson impact structure (MIS). This study was aimed at determining the bulk chemical compositions and analysis of planar deformation features (PDFs) of shocked quartz; for the basal and marly units of the Crow Creek Member. We studied samples from the Gregory 84‐21 core, Iroquois core and Wakonda lime quarry. Contents of siderophile elements are generally high, but due to uncertainties in the determination of Ir and uncertainties in compositional sources for Cr, Co, and Ni, we could not confirm an extraterrestrial component in the Crow Creek Member. We recovered several shocked quartz grains from basal‐unit samples, mainly from the Gregory 84‐21 core, and results of PDF measurements indicate shock pressures of at least 15 GPa. All the samples are composed chiefly of SiO2 (29–58 wt%), Al2O3 (6–14 wt%), and CaO (7–30 wt%). When compared to the composition of North American Shale Composite, the samples are significantly enriched in CaO, P2O5, Mn, Sr, Y, U, Cr, and Ni. The contents of rare earth elements (REE), high field strength elements (HFSE), Cr, Co, Sc, and their ratios and chemical weathering trends, reflect both felsic and basic sources for the Crow Creek Member, an inference, which is consistent with the lithological compositions in the environs of the MIS. The high chemical indices of alteration and weathering (CIA' and CIW': 75–99), coupled with the Al2O3‐(CaO*+Na2O)‐K2O (A‐CN'‐K) ratios, indicate that the Crow Creek Member and source rocks had undergone high degrees of chemical weathering. The expected ejecta thicknesses at the sampled locations (409 to 219 km from Manson) were calculated to range from about 1.9 to 12.2 cm (for the present‐day crater radius of Manson), or 0.4 to 2.4 cm (for the estimated transient cavity radius). The trend agrees with the observed thicknesses of the basal unit of the Crow Creek Member, but the actually observed thicknesses are larger than the calculated ones, indicating that not all of the basal unit comprises impact ejecta.

Canopy leaching, dry deposition, and cycling of calcium in Austrian oak stands as a function of calcium availability and distance from a lime quarry

Three Austrian oak stands were chosen along a 4-km distance gradient from a lime quarry to study effects of Ca availability both on dry deposition rates and on Ca cycling in these ecosystems. A fourth stand was used as a more regional reference site, some 30 km west of the lime quarry. Calcium bulk precipitation fluxes decreased with increasing distance from the lime quarry, contributing to major differences in available Ca along the transect over the last decades. Higher supply of Ca changed biogeochemical cycling by increasing pool sizes and fluxes of Ca in foliage, litter, throughfall, forest floor, soil, herbaceous vegetation, and soil solution. Regression analyses of net throughfall was a useful tool for separating between dry deposition and leaching of Ca. Dry deposition rates of particulate Ca declined rapidly with increasing distance from the Ca source. Leaching of Ca from the canopy declined along the gradient according to Ca content of the green foliage during the growing season. Leaching rates as a percentage of the stand's annual requirement indicated a relative shift from solid (litter) toward more solute Ca fluxes reaching the forest floor with increasing Ca availability of the stand.

Canopy leaching, dry deposition, and cycling of calcium in Austrian oak stands as a function of calcium availability and distance from a lime quarry

Canopy leaching, dry deposition, and cycling of calcium in Austrian oak stands as a function of calcium availability and distance from a lime quarry

Unusual isotopic phenomena in Welsh quarry water and carbonate crusts

ABSTRACTModern terrestrial speleothem‐like calcareous deposits in streams draining a disused lime quarry on Black Mountain, South Wales have anomalously negative δ18O and δ13C compositions compared with other similar European deposits. Black Mountain water chemistry is unusual only in its locally very high pH (> 11.5) and carbonate ion concentrations. The high pH is caused by dissolution of lime spoil, resulting in high OH– concentrations. This high alkalinity causes uptake of atmospheric CO2 and strong fractionation of both carbon and oxygen stable isotopes, resulting in calcite precipitates with unusually negative isotopic compositions. Since shifts in δ18O of < 1° are highly significant for Holocene palaeoclimate reconstructions, depletions caused by hyperalkaline waters must be avoided. While extreme lime spoil contamination should be obvious, less heavily affected sites will record smaller fractionation effects and might escape detection. Even small depletions from low‐level contamination will have large effects on palaeotemperatures based on carbonate crust δ18O values.

The influence of basic aerosols on throughfall fluxes of sulfate, ammonium and nitrate in three oak stands along a distance gradient from a lime quarry

Three oak stands (Quercus petraea and Quercus robur) in the Weinviertel, Lower Austria, located along a distance gradient from a lime quarry, were studied to determine the effects of basic aerosols on the deposition of ammonium, nitrate and sulfate. Higher concentrations of limestone aerosols in the vicinity of the quarry are suggested by higher Ca2+ fluxes and pH in throughfall and precipitation. The ammonium/nitrate ratio in throughfall decreases with distance from the quarry, though monitoring of NH3 and NO2 concentrations in the air with passive samplers shows the opposite trend. These findings support the theory of discrimination against NH3 in dry deposition due to the presence of Ca 2+ particles on leaf surfaces resulting from limestone aerosols. Higher sulfate deposition near the quarry is consistent with higher atmospheric SO2 concentrations and co-deposition between calcium and sulfate.

Appendix 2: Cenozoic macrofossils from Kaka District, North-West Nelson

Abstract Abstract Several macrofossil collections have been made from mid-Tertiary beds in the Kaka District. In general, the preservation of the fossils is poor, and in only a few cases is it possible to determine them at the specific level with any confidence. Fossils from the Huia Formation are usually either badly decorticated or lack shell material entirely; those from the Burmeister and Sherry River Formations on the other hand, retain most of their shell but are badly crushed. The faunas are discussed below under formations. Corals were identified by Dr D. F. Squires, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, U.S.A., and Mr I. W. Keyes, New Zealand Geological Survey. The other macrofossils, with the exception of a small collection from near the Kaka lime quarry, were identified by the author.