Sand Plain Research Articles

An exploratory Early and Middle Holocene sedimentary record with palynoforms and diatoms from Faiyum lake, Egypt

We report on the sedimentology, pollen and diatom records in a 26 m long core of Holocene sediments from the Tersa area, near the centre of the Faiyum Depression (Egypt). Two radiocarbon and one OSL dates have been obtained for the core, dates range from 9545 ± 60 Cal. BP to c. 4040 BP. These correspond respectively with the Terminal Palaeolithic (Qarunian) and Neolithic Faiyum A (Faiyumian) cultures. The core is subdivided into 3 sedimentological units: unit 1 (21–26 m) is very thinly laminated, calcareous silt deposited in a deep water lake; unit 2 (9.5–21 m) is finely laminated sand, silt and carbonates formed as a lacustrine fan delta; unit 3 (9.5 m to the core top), is formed of massive silt, sandy silt and very fine grained flood plain sands. Planktonic diatom taxa, mainly Cyclostephanos, Aulacoseira, Cyclotella and Stephanodiscus spp. were abundant in units 1 & 2-a, indicating deep, open lake conditions. Magnetic minerals increased from the base of unit 2 indicating an increasing contribution of Nile alluvium. Benthic taxa such as Fragilaria, Cocconeis, Amphora and Navicula tended to increase towards the core top, from unit 2-b; 3-a to 3-b, indicative of lake shallowing and periods of low Nile floods. Unit 3-c is barren of diatoms and is compatible with terrestrial flood plain conditions. Vegetation was mainly represented by herbaceous pollen throughout most of the core and in the topmost sediment, pollen was scarce but pteridophyte (Osmundaceae) spores increased. Arboreal vegetation had low percentages in most of the record but increased in the middle section of the core (unit 2). A depositional deltaic environment was indicated throughout most of the core (sub-units 2-a & 3-a), where high abundances of Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Amaranthaceae, Polypodiaceae and Osmundaceae were recorded, indicating high Nile floods and fluctuating rainfall.

Groundwater Pollution Potential Index (GWPPI) as a Tool for Vulnerability Study of Coastal Plain Sand Aquifers of Calabar, South Eastern Nigeria

Groundwater Pollution Potential Index (GWPPI) as a Tool for Vulnerability Study of Coastal Plain Sand Aquifers of Calabar, South Eastern Nigeria

Preliminary Investigation of the Adaptation of Some Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) Genotypes in the Coastal Plain Sand of Niger Delta

Preliminary Investigation of the Adaptation of Some Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) Genotypes in the Coastal Plain Sand of Niger Delta

The insect fauna of granite sand plains: a naturally rare ecosystem in New Zealand

ABSTRACTGranite sand plains constitute one of New Zealand's 72 historically rare ecosystems. They occur in the alpine zone of the South Island and are known from only four sites. Invertebrates were sampled by pitfall trapping, netting and hand searching by day in two areas: the sand plains of the Lookout Range, Nelson, on 9–17 January 2008; and Mt Titiroa, Fiordland, on 3–10 February 2009. Sampling was of a preliminary, qualitative nature, due to inconsistencies in weather, year and season between the visits to the two locations, and no rigorous comparison is presented. The results of these surveys are summarised in an annotated species list (38 species), and a selection of these is illustrated. No insect species was found at both sites, and the only shared genera (Anabarhynchus [Diptera: Therevidae], Odontria [Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae], Lyperobius [Coleoptera: Curculionidae]) have diversified throughout the alpine zone of the South Island. Many species could not confidently be identified to species level based on current knowledge, and the samples included an undescribed genus and species of Carabidae (Coleoptera), and probable new species of Prodontria and Stethaspis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), Anabarhynchus (Diptera: Therevidae) and Tortricidae (Lepidoptera). A further Lepidoptera species from the Mt Titiroa sand plains (Hierodoris extensilis Hoare, 2012 [Xyloryctidae]) has already been described as new. Whether any of these species is strictly associated with and endemic to the sand plain ecosystem remains to be confirmed. Lepidoptera recorded on Mt Titiroa outside the sand plains are listed in an Appendix.

Depositional facies and extent of the late Neogene Sandringham Sandstone in southern Victoria, Australia

The late Neogene sedimentary rocks in the Port Phillip region have in the past been subdivided into a lower shallow marine unit, Black Rock Sandstone, overlain by a fluvial unit, Red Bluff Sandstone. Re-examination of the type section of these units at Sandringham shows that it is entirely of paralic origin, with no evidence for fluvial deposition. Criteria for interpreting a shallow marine origin are sedimentary structures including a planar bedding style and swaley cross-stratification, and highly rounded clasts in conglomerates. Using these criteria it can be demonstrated that all named late Neogene sedimentary rock units in the Port Phillip region are paralic deposits, and that the same applies to the Hanson Plain Sand of the Port Campbell Embayment. Because these were deposited as a continuous sheet, the multiplicity of names used hitherto is not justified and should be unified under the single name Sandringham Sandstone. This formation was deposited on a strandplain that extends across western Victoria to the southern fringe of the Western Uplands. The same lateral continuity applies to the underlying Miocene marl formation, which is unified under the name Gellibrand Marl.

Mitigation of Chemically Degraded Soil of Coastal Plain Sand with Biochar and Other Soil Amendments

Mitigation of Chemically Degraded Soil of Coastal Plain Sand with Biochar and Other Soil Amendments

Depositional Facies and Sequence Stratigraphic Study in Parts of Benin (Dahomey) Basin SW Nigeria: Implications on the Re-Interpretation of Tertiary Sedimentary Successions

Detailed fieldwork in parts of the Benin (Dahomey) Basin SW, Nigeria has allowed the recognition of sedimentary successions deposited in different continental depositional environments interpreted as fluvial sedimentation characterised by abandoned channels and subaerial exposure features. The lithofacies recognised are: conglomerates, debris flow deposits, very coarse grained sandstone, ferruginous cross bedded sandstone, siltstone, shale/clay and massive sand. The lithofacies were interpreted in terms of sequence stratigraphic elements with the recognition of sequence boundaries characterised by distinct facies dislocations and subaerial exposures. Four depositional sequences (DS I to DS IV) were identified. Depositional sequences (DS I) exhibited a complete regressive–transgressive cycle comprising LST, TST and HST, while DS II to DS IV were incomplete comprising of sediments interpreted as LST deposits. On the basis of the depositional facies and sequence stratigraphic elements, the sediments in the area of study are interpreted as predominantly of Ilaro Formation while fewer exposures are sediments of the Coastal Plain Sands/ Benin Formation. This observation suggests a re-interpretation of the Tertiary sedimentary successions, which hitherto recognised all the sediments in the area of study as Coastal Plain Sands.

Notice of release of Duval Germplasm red lovegrass: a selected class of natural germplasm

A selected germplasm of red lovegrass (Eragrostis secundiflora J. Presl [Poaceae]) was released in 2015 for use in rangeland restoration, wildlife plantings, and right-of-way plantings in South Texas. Duval Germplasm is a blend of 4 accessions collected from the Rio Grande Plains, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, and Coastal Sand Plains ecoregions. Selections were based on plant characteristics evaluated over 2 y at 3 evaluation sites distributed throughout the intended area of use of the germplasm. Following selection, outplants were started from the original seed collections, and seed stock of the 4 accessions was increased in isolation to preserve genetic integrity of each source population. Seed from isolated increases is then blended to create Duval Germplasm. This release represents the first selected, ecotypic seed source of red lovegrass adapted to South Texas and the first known plant materials release of this widespread native grass species.

Effect of granulometric correction of dune sand and pneumatic waste metal fibers on shrinkage of concrete in arid climates

This paper reports result of a study conducted to investigate the effect of granulometric correction of dune sand and addition of pneumatic waste metal fibers on the drying shrinkage of dune sand concrete. Valorization of these materials provides both economic and environmental advantages.A correction of the granulometry of dune sand (DS) by river sand (RS) was undertaken with the proportions of 50% DS + 50% RS and 40% DS + 60% RS. Two types of fibers f1 (lf = 20, d = 0.28 mm) and f2 (lf = 30, d = 0.28 mm) with l/d ratios of respectively 71.43 and 107.14 were incorporated with volume fractions of 0.5% and 1%.For the sands obtained from mixing DS and RS, an improvement of fineness modulus of dune sand, and the sand equivalent of river sand were observed, compared respectively to 100% DS and 100% RS. The granulometric correction of dune sand and the addition of fibers reduced the drying shrinkage. The maximum of shrinkage reduction was obtained for the mixtures prepared with 40% DS and 60% RS. The fibers having the highest aspect ratio and a volume fraction of 1% presented a more significant effect on drying shrinkage. The more significant reduction of shrinkage was 40.53% compared to concrete without fibers. Weight loss was higher for the fiber reinforced sand concretes compared to plain sand concretes.

Soil penetrating quality in cultivated and forested coastal plain sands of Southern Nigeria

ABSTRACTConversion of natural forest to intensive cultivation makes to soil susceptible to flooding, declining fertility and loss of organic matter (OM) and reduced water movement into and within the soil. We studied infiltration rates and related soil penetrating indicators of forested and cultivated soils in humid tropical coastal plain sands in Southern Nigeria. Results showed that mean-weight diameter (MWD) and water stability of aggregates were higher in forested than cultivated soils. Stable aggregates > 1.00 mm were 16.5% and 31.1% respectively, for cultivated and forested soils at 0–15 cm depth, indicating formation of more macro-aggregates in forested soil. Soil disturbance through cultivation decreased hydraulic conductivity and increased bulk density of the soil. Infiltration rate attained after 2 hours was higher in forested soil. Temporary infiltration rate of 178 mm hr−1 at initial time in cultivated soil was followed by very low infiltration rate of 7 mm hr−1 after 2 hours. Soil organic matter (SOM), saturated hydraulic conductivity, MWD and total sand correlated positively with infiltration rates are r = 0.76, 0.61, 0.57 and 0.51 respectively. Changes in these parameters are dependent on surface soil disturbance by cultivation. Cultivation of forest decreased infiltration rates and water transmission properties of the soil.

Morphological Interpretations of Glacial Forms by Spatial Analysis in the Area Surrounding Lake Simcoe, Ontario

Drumlins are sedimentary geological features that indicate the final direction of glacier movement; as a result, they are of great interest in understanding past glacial events. In southern Ontario alone, thousands of drumlins have been mapped and interpreted remotely through the use of aerial imagery or topographic maps. These are often paired with digital elevation models (DEMs) and/or contour maps offering detailed information about the area of study. This paper presents the results of a change-detection study that used maps of different vintages of the drumlin-rich area around Lake Simcoe in southern Ontario. Two topographic maps and two DEMs, each with contours at 25-ft (7.6-m) and 10-m intervals, were compared in three regions: (A) the urban region in the city of Orillia, overlying sand plains; (B) the area east of Orillia, on top of clay plains; and (C) the region south-east of Lake Simcoe, overlying till plains. The 7.6-m contour topographic maps and DEMs display comparable levels of detail; however, over time the drumlins appear to erode, likely a product of the underlying sediment in combination with urbanization. The 10-m contour topographic maps display less detail than DEMs of the same resolution, suggesting that the popular topographic maps are not the most reliable method of mapping drumlins.

“Tobacco has Blossomed like the Rose in the Desert”: Technology, Trees, and Tobacco in the Norfolk Sand Plain, c. 1920-1940

Drawing on rural, biotechnological, and environmental history, this article examines how farmers, corporations, and the state deployed developments in silviculture and agriculture to reshape Norfolk County, Ontario. It traces the emergence of a relatively vibrant flue-cured tobacco sector during the Great Depression, a sector that both broke from and drew on earlier reforestation efforts that had emerged at the start of the twentieth century. In this context, tobacco and trees can best be viewed as biotechnologies connected to a continental flow, rather than simply as natural products. The article also argues that raising both trees and tobacco drew on ideas of conservation and resource management that were tightly bound to the development of rural capitalism, but highlights how the soil and environment influenced the capitalist objective of profitable rural development in ways that frustrated the idea of nature being manageable. It ends by noting that despite the ascendency of capitalist-informed ideas about rural development in Norfolk, other ways of understanding soil and the environment persisted.

Geotechnical properties of non-crystalline coastal plain sand derived lateritic soils from Ogua, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Lateritic soils derived from coastal plain sands around Ogua, Niger Delta in Nigeria, were investigated with a view to elucidate their geotechnical characteristics, which may have influence on their engineering applications. The geotechnical properties of these soils (their compaction parameters, permeability, consolidation and shear strength) as well as index properties were investigated in the laboratory. Grain size analysis indicates that the soils are well graded with amount of fines ranging from 60% to 65%. The gravel content of the soils ranges between 2% and 3% while the linear shrinkage ranges were between 7% and 10%. The soils classify as CL soils in the USCS and in group A-7 of the AASTHO classification. The engineering properties of the soils are affected by compaction energy. However, statistical analysis shows that compaction energy has a significant effect only on the permeability coefficient. The statistical test also shows that modification such as soaking and curing have a significant effect on the California bearing ratio and unconfined compressive strength. The coefficient of permeability of the compacted soils is of the order of 1×10−7m/sec, irrespective of the compaction energy. The soils exhibit very low compressibility at all pressure ranges and show no significant lateral variation in the coefficient of compressibility. The results obtained in this study show that the lateritic soils, when compacted, are suitable for use as a fill material in embankments, dam construction and soil liners.

Rescuing Cattleya granulosa Lindley in the wild

The Orchid Society of Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil, through its Group of Experimental Interactive Research (SORN/GEPI), has been study- ing the occurrence of Cattleya granulosa Lindley, 1842, specifically in the coastal sand plain and dune vegetation (“restinga”) and in remaining patches of Atlantic Rainforest in the state.

Estimation of landfill gas and its renewable energy potential in Lagos, Nigeria

Estimation of the landfill gas (LFG) and electricity potential is one of the significant aspects of an integrated landfill development. In view of this, geological surveys were undertaken in all the government operated landfills in Lagos to appraise ground conditions for the exploitation of the anaerobically generated LFG. Thereafter, attempts were made to estimate the electricity potentials based on various equations and models. The geology of the landfill areas is essentially that of the Oligocene to Pleistocene Coastal Plain Sands except for that of Epe landfill area which is of Recent Deposits. The lithologies of the landfills in the Coastal Plain Sands areas seem suitable for landfill gas capture upon capping. Using stoichiometry, an achievable electrical power of 123.75 MW was deduced. By juxtaposition with an established Malaysian scenario, the yearly electrical energy was placed at 646,663.2 MWh with a tariff revenue in excess of US$64.68 million/year. Furthermore, an accruing carbon credit of about US$31.73 million/year is expected from certified emission reduction (CER) under the Kyoto Protocol. However, estimations by comparison with gas capturing sites across the globe yielded a mean of 38.35 MW. This is about 30 % of the theoretical and is capable of providing electricity to over 230,000 inhabitants. Hinged on actuality, this latter evaluation may aid to eradicate spurious estimations for practical purposes, and is critical in terms of global LFG capture economics. The concomitant benefits of LFG exploitation are expected to be exponentially higher in terms of reduction of greenhouse gases and mitigation of environmental hazards.

Groundwater Quantity and Quality Issues in a Water-Rich Region: Examples from Wisconsin, USA

The State of Wisconsin is located in an unusually water-rich portion of the world in the western part of the Great Lakes region of North America. This article presents an overview of the major groundwater quantity and quality concerns for this region in a geologic context. The water quantity concerns are most prominent in the central sand plain region and portions of a Paleozoic confined sandstone aquifer in eastern Wisconsin. Water quality concerns are more varied, with significant impacts from both naturally occurring inorganic contaminants and anthropogenic sources. Naturally occurring contaminants include radium, arsenic and associated heavy metals, fluoride, strontium, and others. Anthropogenic contaminants include nitrate, bacteria, viruses, as well as endocrine disrupting compounds. Groundwater quality in the region is highly dependent upon local geology and land use, but water bearing geologic units of all ages, Precambrian through Quaternary, are impacted by at least one kind of contaminant.

How does clay constrain woody biomass in drylands?

AbstractAimTo investigate the role of clay in limiting the development of woody biomass in drylands.LocationAustralia.MethodsSpatial data representing woody biomass, soil clay content and climate for the Australian continent were interpreted to explore the relationship between a moisture index and woody biomass on clay and non‐clay substrates. Moisture and soil water potential were investigated through time for clay and sand plains. Sub‐soil clay and other soil characteristics were compared between areas with and without high tree mortality after drought.ResultsThe substantially lower woody biomass on clay soils than non‐clay soils in the drylands of the Australian continent verifies the inverse texture effect. A clay floodplain consistently held more water than an adjacent sandplain, but soil moisture in the clay was effectively inaccessible to plants for much longer periods because of more negative values of water potential in the clay soil. Small increases in sub‐soil clay were associated with high tree mortality.Main conclusionsOur findings suggest that the ‘inverse texture effect’, which describes the negative association of woody biomass with soil clay content in drylands, may mostly relate to the moisture‐retentive properties of clay rather than being caused by reduced infiltration and enhanced evaporation from clay‐rich soils. Our evidence suggests that clay soils constrain woodiness in drylands by exacerbating water stress, and confirm the fundamental role of aridity in determining woody biomass and the global distribution of grassland.

Long‐term Human Impacts on the Coast of La Graciosa, Canary Islands

AbstractGlobal change is affecting coastal areas and leading them to degradation. This is severe in sand dunes and sand plains, because they are very fragile ecosystems. The objective of this paper is to characterize the relationship between the historical land uses and the aeolian sedimentary dynamics in an arid coastal system, the island of La Graciosa (Canary Islands) since the second half of the 18th century. The methodology is based on the interpretation of historical documents, aerial photographs and oral testimonies to characterize the changes in the island, in terms of both land use and aeolian geomorphology. The results suggest the existence of six stages during which the intensity of human pressure on the environment changed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Particle size fractions and pedogenesis of coastal plain sands

This study established the influence of particle size fractions (psf) on the characteristics of coastal plain soils of southeastern Nigeria. A total of 180 samples were collected according to genetic horizons on 30 profile pits prepared on the upper, middle, and lower slope positions of 10 toposequences. The samples were analyzed for hydraulic conductivity, pH, bulk density, moisture content, electrical conductivity, exchangeable bases and acidity, organic carbon, available and total phosphorus (P) contents, dithionite citrate bicarbonate (DCB) extractable and amorphous iron and aluminum (Al) contents. Particle size distribution was also analyzed, including total sand, very coarse, coarse, medium, fine and very fine sand, clay, and silt. Statistical analysis carried out included analysis of variance, correlation, and principal component. Very coarse sand influenced the distribution of P and DCB-Al within the toposequences. Active pedogenesis was located in the fourth horizons of the profiles that manifest inverse relationship of very coarse sand with P and amorphous Al. The association between sand particles and sesquioxides, especially of Al, was responsible for the low pH associated with coastal plain soils. Principal component analysis confirmed that total sand fractions are the determinants of rate and extent of pedogenesis and influences the properties of coastal plain soils.

Phosphorus Requirements of Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) Wilczek in Selected Soils of South Eastern Nigeria using Sorption Isotherms

The phosphorus requirements of Mungbean (Vigna radiate) in soils derived from Ikom, basalt (BS), Akamkpa, basement complex (BC) and Umudike, Coastal Plain sands (CPS) in South-Eastern Nigeria were estimated using the P- Sorption Isotherms. Soil samples were collected at 0-15 cm depth and the processed method used involved equilibrating 3 g of soil in 30 ml of 0.01m CaCl2 containing 0,5,10,20 and 25 μgg -1 P at room temperature for 5 days. From the P sorption curves, the standard P requirement for the three soils was calibrated and phosphorus requirement of the soils for optimum growth and yield of Mungbean were found to be very low. Different phosphorus levels were calibrated from the sorption isotherm curves and used in fertilizing mungbean in a split-plot potted experiment in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The soil types occupied the main plots while the P levels were assigned to the subplots. A significant response of the mungbean to the applied phosphorus in terms of modulation and grain yield at 5% probability level was observed. Solution concentration of 0.4 μgg -1 in Ikom gave the best nodulation, while Umudike gave the optimum grain yield. The mungbean performed best in Ikom with yield of 9.16 g per plant and least in Akamkpa with a yield of 0.53 g per plant. The use of P- isotherm technique for P fertilizer determination is therefore recommended for efficient P fertilization practice in soils of Southern Eastern Nigeria.