Solid Mud Research Articles

Surface structure, activity and microgravimetry modeling delineate contrasted mud chamber types below flat and conical mud volcanoes from Azerbaijan

We compared the structure of two flat and two conical mud volcanoes (MV) in Azerbaijan in order to understand what governs the morphological contrast. We paid particular attention to the structural evolution of the surface, as observed in the field over 5 years and as monitored by satellite images revealing surface activity over that period; in addition, we acquired microgravity measurements to probe deeper structure. The combination of these data reveals in all studied volcanoes significant mass deficit concentric with the surface edifice. Modeling indicates that the mass deficit is consistent with a chamber underlying the summit caldera of conical MVs and the plateau of flat MVs, with a thickness of several hundred meters for a density contrast of 500 kg/m3 between the chamber mud and the surrounding solid mud. Surface structures and their evolution during and in between eruptions provide insight into the depth of the mud chamber, which lies within a few meters of the surface for flat mud volcanoes and one to several hundred meters deep for conical ones. Surface structures and satellite-derived deformation analysis shows that flat mud volcanoes grow by radial expansion and compression of the flanks distributed all around the edifice. In contrast, conical mud volcanoes grow by flow stacking in the summit caldera, deformation being constrained by the caldera rim; excess mud supply is accommodated by occasional rim breaching and mud overflow into flank gullies.

Distribution laws and characteristics of mud films at casing–cement interfaces in horizontal wells

The mud film thickness on the outer surface of casing and its distribution laws are important factors affecting the cementation quality at casing–cement interfaces. So far, however, the distribution laws of mud film thickness on the outer surface of casing at different inclinations and its effect on the interfacial cementing strength have never been reported in literatures. In this paper, the mud film thickness at different parts on the outer surface of simulated casing (steel pipe) was measured at the inclination of 0°, 30°, 60° and 86°, respectively, using the independently designed experimental device. Then, the distribution law of mud film thickness on the outer surface of casing and its effect on the interfacial cementing strength were summarized. And the following research results were obtained. First, when the inclination increases from 0° to 86°, the mud film thickness changes from uniform distribution to thin-and-thick distribution, and the area proportions of thinner and thicker mud films both increase. And especially at the inclination of 86°, the mud film thickness on the upper surface is very large, and there are large exposed areas on the left and right surfaces of the steel pipe. Second, the cementing strength at the casing–cement interface of the exposed casing is much higher than that at the interface with mud film. And with the increase of inclination, the interfacial cementing strength with mud film tends to increase. Third, with the increase of inclination, the interfacial cementing strength increases successively, which is closely related to the area proportion of the exposed steel pipe to the solid mud film on the outer surface. In conclusion, the exposed area of the simulated casing on the outer surface is a key factor affecting its interfacial cementing strength.

Análisis Microbiológico de Biosólidos para su aprovechamiento en cultivos de tallo corto

Sludge and biosolids samples were analyzed microbiologically according to NOM-004-SEMARNAT-2002, of the Intermunicipal System of Wastewater Treatment and Disposal of the municipalities of Rincon (SITRATA) for a period of 10 months in 2017, the most were found within the LMP according to regulations. In addition, it was detected that the use of peracetic acid in doses greater than 0.1 % v/v may be an alternative disinfection in its use in sludge, to reduce the microbiological load, before being used in crops. Physicochemical analyzes were performed on samples of mud and soil to determine their N and P content, finding that the solid mud has 1.19 % of N and 3.51 % of P2O5 determined on a dry basis; which correspond to high values of these macronutrients, essential for crops. Greenhouse tests were carried out with application doses of 0 to 100 percent by weight of biosolids incorporated into the soil, to measure the crop yield of radish (Raphanus sativus), onion (Allium cepa) and carrot (Daucus carota), resulting in Agronomic dose of 20 % w/w the highest yield.

Evaluating in-situ thermal transmittance measurement to analyze devia-tions between actual house thermal performance and modelled one by means of energy simulation software

Energy diagnosis and check of the energy performance of traditional houses are becoming urgent and essential to achieving energy saving in the residential sector. The paper presents the results of experimental studies focused on the enhancement of the methods to assess the energy efficiency in traditional houses. It is focused on U‐value as an indicator of thermal energy efficiency of traditional houses and involves in-situ measurement and the subsequent comparison with U-values calculated by a software tool. The method has been performed on thirteen walls made of stone, brick, solid mud and mixed materials. It has been concluded that in the case of masonries, the differences between the standards and in-situ measurement Uvalues varies considerably from 8% to 23.5%. Besides, these differences are within a range of 4.7% to 12.8% in the brick construction houses, due to the different thermal conductivity of brick materials.

Application of small digester biogas for energy supply in rural areas

Village’s self-fulfillment of energy supply is a new concept being developed in Indonesia. Villages are expected to meet their own energy needs without relying on fossil-fuel and other non-renewable energy materials. The concept of village’s self-fulfillment of energy here includes two types of provision: the provision of electrical energy and the provision of bio-fuel by utilizing environmentally friendly renewable energy. Biogas is an alternative energy sources produced by anaerobic activities of organic materials such as human and animal feces, or domestic waste in rural communities. In general, rural farmers have 2-4 cows. It is assumed that cows/cattle produces ± 15 kg feces/head/day. A digester with 4m3 capacity potentially produces bio-gas per day that reaches 1.34 m3 equivalent to 6.30 kWh/day. This volume of bio-gas can be used for lamp lighting of 60-100 watts for 8 hours. Other applications that can be utilized are biogas stove. A family of farmer can use 2 stoves to cook 3 food recipes for 8 people and a generator for 1 hour. There is also potential solid mud of 40 kg that produces 8 kg of compost/day and potential sludge fluid as much as 160 liters including bio-urine of 32 liters/day. This paper discusses about the potency of small biogas digester application for village’s self-fulfillment of energy supply.

Дослідження слідів вилуговування в ізвестнякпах континентального схилу Криму

The paper is about the leaching process. Processes are common in almost all calcareous rocks of Crimea. They meet in the F irst ridge of the Crimean Mountains in the Neogene and Paleogene rocks, as well as in the Jurassic limestone of the Main ridge of Crimean mountains. A large number of geological and tourist sites associated with chemical weathering process, named in honor of the Slovenian Karst. Among the typical karst plateau consists of a large number of fascinating caves to a depth of 500 m. As well as smaller form. They are distributed in almost all types of limestones of the Crimean peninsula. However, not all forms of leaching have classic karst origin. Particularly interesting findings with clear signs of leaching on the seabed, raised in several expeditions OMGOR NAS of Ukraine when working on the Crimean continental slope, at the latitude of Cape Foros. About weathering Mesozoic rocks of the seabed of the Black Sea is known very little. Only in the Yu.G. Balandin and V.I. Miller describes the properties of the weathering crust Jurassic shale strata shelf southern coast. On the continental slope Crimea leached rocks were first raised in the 80s geological expeditions Department of Marine Geology and Sedimentary Ore (OMGOR). In the works of Ye.F. Shnyukov, Yu.Yu. Orovetskiy dense limestone with spongy voids leaching dated lower chalk have been described. In subsequent flights OMGOR NAS of Ukraine repeatedly met limestones, mudstones, travertine with different forms of weathering, including emissions of solid mud volcanoes. Forms of weathering in the Crimean Mountains, besides the classic speleogeneticaly genesis, can be formed at the contact of limestone strata of the Upper Jurassic to the lower chalk. These boundaries are observed traces of erosion and karst phenomena. This indicates the presence of a significant erosion between the Jurassic and Cretaceous. The Upper Jurassic limestone rocks spread from the border plateau Karaby-Yayla to Cape Fiolent. Rocks presented thin-layered clean and brecciated limestones. Studies have shown that the geological history of the Crimean Mountains and the deep-sea basin of the Black Sea have the same course of the processes. The test is a limestone facies Shallow Upper Jurassic age, and have been leaching at rewashing on the border of the Jurassic and Cretaceous. The limestone fissures silicification was formed as a result of the activity of living organisms. As a result, silica katagenesis finally formed in the quartz in the Upper Cretaceous. Column was down to great depths, and is a component of the continental slope in the present form. Most likely, fragments of limestone have been omitted hypsometrically lower levels on the occurrence of Cretaceous strata, as a result of neotectonic and landslides.

Novel Sequential Treatment Methodology for Disposal of Water-Based Waste Drilling Mud

An integrated technology, consisting of solid–liquid separation, filtrate treatment, and solid mud reusing, is proposed based on a comparative analysis of existing methods. Systematic experiments with actual waste drilling mud were conducted. Initially, solid–liquid separation of the drilling mud was achieved by emulsion breaking with 80% H2SO4. The optimal filtration rate was gained when the operating pH and density were adjusted to 3 and 1.15 g/cm3, respectively. Then, Fenton oxidation was applied to the filtrate; for a maximum CODCr removal efficiency, the pH of the filtrate was found to be about 3–4, whereas the optimal dosage of [H2O2] was 0.55 and 0.0625 M, respectively. After being neutralized with CaO and aerobic digestion with active sludge, the removal efficiency of CODCr in filtrate exceeded 98%, leaving the CODCr less than 100 mg/L. Meanwhile, for solid mud reuse, different formulas were proposed for baking-free bricks. Test results indicated that, at a proper formula, the compressive strength of the brick can reach more than 10 MPa, whereas the CODCr in the leaching liquid can be less than 60 mg/L. The whole technology shows a satisfactory CODCr removal performance and provides a feasible alternative for the disposal of waste drilling mud.

Viral elution and concentration method for detection of influenza A viruses in mud by real-time RT-PCR

The role of environmental reservoirs in avian influenza virus (AIV) transmission has been investigated during AIV-associated outbreaks. To date, no method has been defined for detection of AIV from mud samples. A procedure using elution and polyethylene glycol (PEG) concentration steps was designed to detect AIV by RT-PCR from 42g of raw mud, corresponding to 30g of the solid fraction of mud. RNA was recovered with MagMAX AI/ND Viral RNA Isolation kit (Ambion, Austin, TX). Three elution buffers were studied and viral recoveries higher than 29% were yielded by elution with a 10% beef extract solution (pH 7). The overall method showed that, under some conditions, virus was not detectable in PEG samples, whereas viruses were detected in the elution fractions. PCR curves were improved significantly by running the amplification reaction with a mixture containing a PCR additive for inhibitor removal, such as T4 gene 32 protein (Gp32), although PCR inhibitors from mud were removed partially from PEG samples. A theoretical detection threshold of 5×10(5) RNA copies of H5N1 virus per 30g of solid mud could be obtained by elution. The overall method has proved successful for detecting H5N1 virus contamination of mud specimens collected during outbreak investigations of avian influenza in Cambodia.

Shell Form Variation of a Freshwater Mussel Velesunio ambiguus Philippi from the Ross River, Australia

Based on mussels collected from the Ross River, Australia, within 13 months, I studied the variation of their shell forms since the Ross River has changed from a flowing-water to a relatively still-water. At least four different shell forms were found including shells with characters of flowing-water species. Young mussels had distinctive “wings” at dorso-posterior part of the shells and in most cases, as the shells grew bigger, the wing development was less obvious. No significant differences were observed in obesity and relative height among mussels living in three different microhabitats (i.e. solid mud and plant litter, soft silt, soft silt and sand). The shells from Mt. Margaret Dam (a temporary dam) were thinner and their growth lines were easier to discriminate than those from the Ross River. Comparing with those living in temperate regions of Australia, the obesity and the relative height of mussels from the Ross River were smaller. Only few abnormal shells were found which usually appeared only as external deformations, such as: a light deflection on ventral margin and scars on the surface of shells. Seven age classes were found ranging between 6 and 12 years and it was estimated that the lifespan of the mussel in the Ross River was about 15 years.

INVESTIGATION OF MUTAGENIC EFFECT OF METALS IN THE PLOMIN BAY SEDIMENTS BY MODIFIED PREINCUBATION AMES ASSAY

ABSTRACT Disposal of the dredged material from the harbour to the sea bottom represents a route through which many contaminants could be transported towards the open sea and enter to the food chain. In this study, five sediment samples were taken from different depths and locations within Plomin bay (Istria Peninsula, Northern Adriatic Sea, Croatia). Water sediment extract were prepared and analysed for chemical and physical properties, and subjected to cytotoxic and mutagenic investigation. We used two strains of Salmonella typhimurium, TA98 (determination of frameshift mutation) and TA100 (detection of base pair substitution) as a test system. Result showed that concentrations of heavy metals measured in extracts represent exchangeable fraction and are 500–1000 times smaller than the content of the same elements in solid mud. Nine elements were determined in extract: V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As and Pb. None of sediment sample extracts were cytotoxic or mutagenic for S. typhimurium TA98 nor TA100 in pr...

Notes on some Recent Foot-prints on Red Mud in Nova Scotia, collected by W. B. Webster of Kentville

I beg to present to the Society some impressions of footsteps which Mr. Webster has sent me, at my request, from the mud-flats of Kentville in Nova Scotia. In my ‘Travels in North America,’ vol. i. p. 168. plate 7, I have given a plate and description of some of these foot-prints made by the sandpiper ( Tringa minuta ), which I saw daily running along the water's edge in the Bay of Fundy. The deposit there consists usually of red mud, with which the waters are charged by the undermining of cliffs of red sandstone and soft red marl. The tides rise very high, and when they are lowest, large areas recently overspread with red mud are laid dry, and are often baked in the sun for many days, so that the mud becomes consolidated and retains permanently the impressions of rain-drops, and the tracks of birds and animals which walk over it. Mr. Webster tells me, that the divisibility of the solid mud into layers arises from the deposit of each tide being separated by a layer of sand or loam thrown down when the tide first rushes along the bank. The sandy particles being the heaviest are first deposited, and then the thin layer of mud on which the birds walk when the tide recedes. On examining these specimens, I perceive that while some of the foot-prints standing out in relief on the under-sides of the slabs are casts of impressions made in a subjacent layer, and therefore do