Stone Substrate Research Articles

One-step nanoencapsulation of essential oils and their application in hybrid coatings: A sustainable long-lasting treatment of stone materials against biodeterioration

In this study, two essential oils (EOs) with preventive proved biocidal efficacy, namely oregano and eugenol, are encapsulated in silica nanocontainer, then dispersed in multifunctional, hybrid and nanocomposite coating. The aim of this work is to reduce toxicity of restoration materials, to avoid the chemicals dispersion in the environment and to extent stone protection treatments, preventing biofouling.Composite silica nanocapsules, containing separately the two EOs, are prepared via one-step synthesis, based on oil-in-water miniemulsion polymerisation processes, and fully characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and N2 physisorption (BET/BJH). Micro-Raman spectroscopy (RS) and thermal analysis (TG/DSC).In a second step, nanocomposite coatings, based on a flexible tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) matrix, are synthesised dispersing TiO2 nanoparticles and the two silica nanocapsules incorporating EOs. The coatings were applied on three different lithotypes samples of historical importance: brick, piperine and mortar. The effectiveness and compatibility of the coating formulation with the different stone substrates were assessed through a multi-analytical standard protocol.The silica nanocapsules, show monodispersed spherical shape with size ∼110 nm, a core-shell structure, a BET surface area of 600–700 m2/g and high loading capacity.The results on coatings characterisation show a crack-free and transparent structure. Moreover, the tests on applied coatings reveal the high hydrophobicity of the treated stone samples (static contact angle in the range ∼ 130–140° and reduction of liquid water capillary absorption 97–99 %) and unaltered permeability to water vapour (density of water vapour flow rate in the range 150–200 g/m2·d), demonstrating the suitability of the nanocomposite hybrid coatings for the application in stone protection against biodeterioration.

IDENTIFICATION OF MOSS PLANTS AROUND NAMORAMBE DISTRICT

Non-vascular plants, such as mosses (Bryophyta), are commonly found on land. The class of plants known as tuberous plants, or plants that do not have true roots, stems, or leaves as well as xylem and phloem vessels, includes moss plants. Knowing the diversity of moss plants in Namorambe Sub-district is the purpose of this research. On May 9, 2024, this research was conducted by walking around the Namorambe area to look for moss plants that might be there. This research methodology is qualitative, using descriptive and exploratory techniques. This research used observation, documentation, and literature study as data collection methods. Direct investigation into the Namorambe area was used to make observations to identify moss plants. The three species identified based on the results of the identification of leaf mosses around Namorambe Sub-district were Hyophila sp., Pogonatum cirrhatum, and Barbula indica. Leaf mosses were made near people's work areas and were made on tree bark and stone substrates

Optimization of the Application of Commercial Hydrophobic Coatings for Natural Stone Protection and Preservation

Natural stone has been used worldwide in the construction of archaeological and historical heritage. However, its preservation continues to be threatened by weathering and degradation phenomena. Water is widely recognized as the most threatening external component that contributes to stone deterioration, increasing the need for the development of protective hydrophobic coatings to eliminate water penetration. This study intends to contribute to the better understanding of natural stone treatment strategies to prevent water penetration and subsequent stone alteration by studying the effect of coating and stone substrate temperatures, and the number of coating applications, on the effectiveness, compatibility, and durability of commercial hydrophobic coatings. The results obtained revealed that while more than one application increases coating hydrophobic effectiveness, it frequently leads to changes in the aesthetic appearance of natural stone, including whitening and darkening of the substrate’s original hues. Improved hydrophobic effectiveness (maximum gain of ≈ 9%) is also achieved when applying the commercial coatings at 4 °C to natural stone substrates maintained at room temperature, conditions that are feasible to be used in real life. Additionally, the commercial coating composed of silane/siloxane with modified fluorinated additives was found to be the most effective and durable hydrophobic solution.

Aquatic macroinvertebrate community colonisation and succession in macadamia orchard and communal area reservoirs: a case study of Luvuvhu River valley, South Africa

The demand for macadamia nut production worldwide has led to increased use of pesticides and chemicals for pest and disease control. Reservoirs in these macadamia farming sectors are at . The current study investigated macroinvertebrate colonisation and succession associated with two macadamia orchards and two communal area reservoirs. The potential effects of stressors from these land uses was tested for and compared using stone substrates over a 6-week period. Stone substrates from both reservoir types were abundantly colonised over time and the total macroinvertebrate taxa and abundance showed an increasing trend across the sampled weeks, with macadamia orchards having the highest number of macroinvertebrate taxa. Strong ecological succession was observed across reservoirs, with the initial succession of early colonisers – i.e., Chironominae (, Ostracoda (and Anax sp. (predator) within communal area reservoirs, and Chironominae, Ostracoda Radix natalensis (scrapers) in macadamia orchard reservoirs – followed by predatory colonisers such as Gyrinidae larvae, Trithemis sp. (macadamia orchard reservoirs), and Ranatra sp. (communal area reservoirs). Macroinvertebrate community structure differed significantly across sites and weeks, with no similarity being observed for communities across the different reservoirs. Redundancy analyses further highlighted 11 sediment chemistry variables (i.e., pH, resistivity, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Cu, B, Fe and S) which were significantly related to macroinvertebrate community structure. Thus, sediment variables were found to be better predictors of macroinvertebrate community structure in macadamia orchard reservoirs than communal area reservoirs. Consequently, we concluded that differences in colonisation ability among taxa and environmental stressors were important factors driving succession. These results add to the understanding of the macroinvertebrate colonisation processes and environmental stressors within agricultural landscapes, which can aid in the development of conservation management of freshwater ecosystems.

Removing Aged Polymer Coatings from Porous Stone Surfaces Using the Gel Cleaning Method

Acrylic polymers were extensively used in past restoration practices, usually as consolidants or protecting agents. Their removal is often required because polymer coatings can improve some decay processes of stone substrates and, after ageing, may generate undesirable materials on the surface of artifacts. Therefore, the removal of old polymer coating from the surface of artifacts has become a common operation in the conservation of cultural heritage. As with other cleaning operations, it is a delicate process that may irreversibly damage the artifacts if not correctly carried out. The main aim of this study was to determine the appropriate cleaning procedure for efficiently removing old acrylic polymers (e.g., Paraloid B-72) from the surface of historical buildings. For this purpose, a polymer was applied to two different porous stone substrates (bio-calcarenite and arenaria stone). The hydrogel cleaning approach was used for the present study, as preliminary results suggested that it is the most promising polymer-removing method. The considered hydrogel (based on a semi-interpenetrating polymer network involving poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and polyvinylpyrrolidone) was prepared and characterized using different techniques in order to assess the gel’s properties, including the gel content, equilibrium water content, retention capability, hardness, Young’s modulus, and morphology. After that, the hydrogel was loaded with appropriate amounts of nano-structured emulsions (NSEs) containing a surfactant (EcoSufTM), organic solvents, and H2O, then applied onto the coated surfaces. Moreover, plain EcoSurfTM in a water emulsion (EcoSurf/H2O) was also used to understand the polymer-removing behavior of the surfactant without any organic solvent. A comparative study was carried out on artificially aged and unaged polymer-coated samples to better understand the cleaning effectiveness of the considered emulsions for removing decayed polymer coatings. The experimental results showed that the NSE-loaded hydrogel cleaning method was more effective than other common cleaning procedures (e.g., cellulose pulp method). In fact, only one cleaning step was enough to remove the polymeric material from the stone surfaces without affecting their original properties.

Consumption of periphyton and bioseston by Mozambique tilapia in aqua dams with three different substrates

Periphyton-based aquaculture can reduce feed input costs. Here we characterised the periphyton and bioseston formation in aqua dams stocked with net, plastic, and stone substrates. The consumption of periphyton and bioseston from the net substrate by Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus fingerlings was evaluated. Three experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, net, stone, and plastic were deployed in triplicates in aqua dams. The net substrate registered the highest (7.74 ± 1.45 g m-2, ±SE) periphyton biomass. Network analysis showed connectedness between the substrates. The degree centrality showed that the net substrate had the highest score, indicating that there were more groups of species with similar functions growing on the net substrate. The net substrate was subsequently used in the second experiment to determine the consumption of periphyton and bioseston by tilapia fingerlings in aqua dams. Three treatments were assigned: N100 (fish fed 100% commercial diet); N50 (fish fed 50% commercial diet); and N33 (fish fed 33% commercial diet). Growth performance did not differ significantly among the treatments, although N50 showed a trend for a higher growth. This suggests that periphyton may be capable of nutritionally compensating for the partial withdrawal of commercial feed. A third experiment was conducted in fibreglass tanks to determine the preference of tilapia between periphyton and bioseston. The prominent values showed that tilapia preferred to feed on bioseston. The best growth performance was achieved in a periphyton-based aquaculture system, and deployment of the net substrate is recommended in tilapia ponds.

Synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction computed tomography (XRDCT): a new tool in cultural heritage and stone conservation for 3D non-destructive probing and phase analysis of inorganic re-treatments.

The issue of preserving carbonatic stones of cultural heritage (CH) restored in the past that have undergone new decay phenomena is strongly emerging and conservation science has not yet found a reliable solution. In this paper, we propose the application of synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction computed tomography (XRDCT) to explore the effects of using inorganic-mineral products (ammonium oxalate; ammonium phosphate) in sequence as a novel, compatible and effective re-treatment approach to consolidate decayed carbonatic stones already treated with inorganic-mineral treatments. High-quality XRDCT datasets were used to qualitatively/quantitatively investigate and 3D localize the complex mixture of crystalline phases formed after the conservation re-treatments within a porous carbonatic stone substrate. The XRDCT reconstruction images and the structural refinements of XRD patterns with the Rietveld methods showed that the phase composition of reaction products, their volume distribution, and weight fraction vary as a function of the treatment sequence and penetration depth. The high potential of XRDCT allows (i) assessment of peculiar trends of each treatment/treatment sequence; (ii) exploration of the reaction steps of the sequential treatments and (iii) demonstration of the consolidating effect of inorganic re-treatments, non-destructively and at the micron scale. Above all, our study (i) provides new analytical tools to support the conservation choices, (ii) showcases new analytical possibilities for XRDCT in conservation science, including in investigations of CH materials and decay processes, and (iii) opens up new perspectives in analytical chemistry and material characterisation for the non-destructive and non-invasive analysis of reactions within heterogeneous polycrystalline systems.

Spatial distribution and circadian locomotor activity of invasive armored catfish (Loricariidae) in the freshwater and brackish water.

Invasive suckermouth armored catfish Pterygoplichthys spp. successfully spread during one decade into many river systems of Vietnam. Wide and rapid invasion of armored catfish might be associated with using brackish water in estuaries to spread from one river system to another. The first goal of our study was to assess the horizontal and vertical distribution of invasive fish in freshwater (Da Rang River) and in brackish water (Da Rang River estuary) associated with circadian rhythm. In the both sampling locations, fish were mainly caught at nighttime at the bottom and near the surface using the net traps and vertical nets. In estuary, fish were caught in the net traps with distance 2.0-7.5 m from the right or left banks where water was predominantly fresh. In freshwater of the Da Rang River, fish were often caught near the left bank with gravel and stone substrate. The second goal of our study was to experimentally evaluate the circadian (12 hours of the night and 12 hours of the day) rhythm of locomotor activity (LA) of fish. Fish from different freshwater locations (Am Chua canal and Da Rang River) had a similar diurnal dynamic of LA with mostly movements (77-83% of total diurnal LA) at nighttime (18:00-6:00, GMT+7) at the end of the wet season. Armored catfish from the brackish water location (Da Rang River estuary) also were mostly active (76% of total diurnal LA) overnight. However, fish from freshwater and brackish water had difference in the timing of behavioral activity. Fish LA from estuary was significantly lower than LA of fish from freshwater locations during 18:00 to 21:00 before low tide. The results of our field and experimental studies established that armored catfish in estuary moved in horizontal and vertical planes predominantly at nighttime. Tide level regulates locomotor activity of invasive fish and could influence on the possibility of their spreading through the estuary.

Experimental riparian forest gaps and increased sediment loads modify stream metabolic patterns and biofilm composition

AbstractForest management operations greatly influence stream habitats. Canopy clearing and subsequent canopy development during succession, site preparation, and ditching alter the light environment, and increase sediment inputs and nutrient exports from upland and riparian soils to streams. These physicochemical changes affect aquatic biofilms and metabolic rates, and in this study, we tested their individual and combined effects. We used 12 artificial streamside channels, together with a field survey of nine streams in and around clear‐cuts, to assess the effects of shading, substrate composition, and nutrient addition on biofilm biomass and composition, as well as metabolic rates. We found that biofilm biomass and gross primary production (GPP) were light limited in channels under 70% canopy shading. Nitrate additions at this shading level only marginally increased autotrophic biomass, while the rates of respiration increased 10‐fold when carbon was added. Open (unshaded) channels had three times higher rates of GPP compared with channels with 70% shading, and autotrophic biomass was twice as high, largely caused by the colonization of filamentous green algae. These changes to biofilm biomass, composition, and GPP were caused by differences in light alone, as temperature was not affected by the shading treatment. Notably, higher rates of GPP led to no positive effect on net ecosystem production. Further, fine‐grained substrates negatively affected GPP as compared with stone substrates in the experimental channels. In the surveyed streams, the negative effects of fine‐grained substrates exceeded the positive influence of light on biofilm biomass. Altogether, our results highlight the need for riparian management that protects headwaters from unwanted stressors by focusing on preventing sediment erosion and carbon transport in clear‐cuts, while providing variable shade conditions in second‐growth forests.

Performance evaluation of a commercial protective coating through field-exposure tests on three stone substrates

In the last decades, there have been several studies on Cultural Heritage regarding the performance of protective and consolidating coatings for the prevention of decay. A coating must have several characteristics such as efficiency, breathability, and must be durable and reversible. In this research work, the performance of a commercial protective product (Fosbuild FBLE 200) was evaluated. This coating is composed of a TiO2 nanopowder dispersed in an aqueous solution of an acrylic polymer. The product, which exhibits depolluting, antimicrobial, water-repellent and self-cleaning properties, has been applied on three different lithotypes: Carrara marble, Noto stone, and Comiso stone. Field-exposure tests were carried out in two different outdoor environments (Catania and Palermo) in order to assess its suitability. Promising results were obtained for the Carrara marble after one year of exposure; however, a decrease in effectiveness was observed at the end of the second year.

Ammonium N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)oxamate (AmPicOxam): A Novel Precursor of Calcium Oxalate Coating for Carbonate Stone Substrates.

Ammonium N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)oxamate (AmPicOxam), synthesized from O-methyl-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)oxamate, was spectroscopically and structurally characterized and assayed as a novel precursor for the protection and consolidation of carbonate stone substrates. An in-depth characterization of treated and untreated biomicritic limestone and white Carrara marble samples was carried out by means of SEM microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, helium pycnometry, determination of water transport properties, and pull-off tests. The improved solubility (1.00 M, 16.5% w/w) of the title compound with respect to ammonium oxalate (0.4 M, 5% w/w) results in the formation of a thicker protective coating of calcium oxalate (CaOx) dihydrate (weddellite) on marble and biomicrite samples after the treatment with 5% and 12% w/w water solutions, producing a reduction in the stone porosity and increased cohesion. Theoretical calculations were carried out at the DFT level to investigate both the electronic structure of the N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)oxamate anion and the hydrolysis reaction leading from AmPicOxam to CaOx.

Evaluation of acrylic and silane coatings on limestone through macroscopic and microscopic analyses

The aim of this study was to obtain useful information about the behavior of a coating when it interacts with a stone substrate, to allow the choice of the most suitable protective agent to preserve stone artworks from deterioration phenomena in their environmental conditions. The effect of some commercially available silane-based polymers on Lecce stone was compared with that of two new acrylic ones not yet available for sale. The performance of each protective treatment was evaluated by colorimetry, contact angle measurements and NMR relaxometry, which allows to estimate the hygroscopic properties of the stone in terms of open porosity and water-uptake. The microscopic observations combined with micro-FTIR and SEM-EDS analyses were performed to investigate the distribution of the protectives on the stone surface and their depth of penetration. The results showed that the water repellency of the two acrylic products and of one of the silane-based protectives was mainly due to a surface effect, just slowing down water adsorption. On the contrary, the other two silane-based products turned out distributed throughout most of the sample volume, completely hindering water absorption.

Restoration of seagrass habitats: Effects of artificial and natural sediments on the development of transplanted eelgrass (Zostera marina)

Near-shore areas face multiple stressors, effects of climate change, coastal construction and contamination. Although capping the seabed in these areas with mineral masses can reduce the impact of legacy contaminants in sediment, it can also result in the loss of flora and sessile fauna, both of which are vital components of near-shore ecosystems. Eelgrass (Zostera marina) is essential to marine near-shore areas as it supports biodiversity and mitigates the effects of climate change. Therefore, it would be beneficial to modify the top layer of caps to facilitate the reestablishment of these ecosystems when capping near-shore areas. This study describes results from an in situ, six-month field experiment conducted to compare increase in leaf length over the growing season and survival of eelgrass transplanted in two commercially available substrates (Natural sand and Crushed stone) and indigenous sediment (i.e., indigenous control sediment) in a capping project in Horten Inner harbour, Norway. Similar leaf length increase was found in Natural sand and Indigenous control sediment, both significantly higher compared to Crushed stone substrate. Survival was highest in our case in the Indigenous control sediment (120 %), with no significant difference between Crushed stone (20 %) and Natural sand substrates (25 %). These findings emphasize the importance of selecting appropriate substrate for successful seagrass restoration.

Laser cleaning of paint layers on white marble surface based on cooperative use of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and image binarization

The key to precisely removing paint layers sprayed onto stone surfaces using laser cleaning without damaging the stone substrate is to select the optimized laser parameters based on the online monitoring methods. In this paper, a pulsed laser beam with a high-pulse repetition frequency of 100 kHz, a pulse width of 200 ns, and a wavelength of 1064 nm was used to clean 39 µm- and 31 µm- thick of gold and silver paint layers off of white marble surfaces. The optimized average laser power for removing the paint layers was determined to be 40 W using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) method and an image binarization method. Under the optimized average laser power of 40 W, the optimized spot overlap ratios for cleaning the layers of gold and silver paint were determined to be 10% and 30% respectively, using the image binarization method. The corresponding optimized number of cleaning shots was 5 and 4, respectively. The laser cleaning efficiency for both the gold and silver paint layers exceeded 95%. It was thereby demonstrated that this research protocol based on the cooperative use of two online monitoring methods to determine the optimized laser parameters in sequence (average laser power → spot overlap ratio → number of cleaning shots) not only optimizes the laser cleaning efficiency for different paint layers but does so without causing any damage to the white marble substrate.

Nanostructured Emulsions as Smart Cleaning Materials for Removing Aged Polymer Coatings from Stone Substrates

Cleaning is one of the most important, essential, and delicate operation which has to be handled by conservators before applying new materials to any substrates. In past decades, nanotechnology introduced new concepts and materials in the conservation field, which have been providing many advantageous performances, especially higher than older materials. As a result, the conservators have already started to use nanomaterials in the cleaning processes of artifacts. Taking into consideration this new approach, our study has focused on using nano-structured emulsions (NSE) as smart cleaning materials for removing polymer coatings (e.g., acrylic polymers). For this purpose, Paraloid B-72 was applied on three different substrates (glass, Lecce stone, and Arenaria stone) and cleaning was performed by a specific nano-structured emulsion (NSE) based on an eco-friendly surfactant (EcoSurf) and two organic solvents in different proportions. In order to better understand the interaction of surfactant and organic solvents with polymer coating, plain EcoSurf in water was also used for comparison. In this study, the decay process of the considered polymer was also deeply studied, because it directly affects the cleaning effectiveness. Coated specimens of the different substrates were artificially aged and examined by different techniques: chromatic variations and contact angle measurements, optical microscopy, FTIR, and SEM-EDS. This material characterization process is important to understand the colour, morphology, and micro-structural difference, and the changes of hydrophobic behaviour as well as chemical composition of Paraloid B-72 polymer due to different ageing processes. After that, substrates coated with both unaged and aged polymer were cleaned by NSE according to the direct-contact procedure and cellulose pulp method. Preliminary analyses suggested that the direct-contact cleaning performed by nano-emulsion (i.e., NSE) induced a complete removal of the acrylic polymer, despite that this method is not recommended for the artifacts and can be hardly applicable in real cases. On the other hand, experimental results showed that satisfactory cleaning of stone substrates can be obtained by using NSE/the cellulose pulp system.

Consolidation of Stone Materials by Organic and Hybrid Polymers: An Overview

AbstractHistoric stone buildings and monuments undergo a gradual, unstoppable, and episodic deterioration due to environmental or climatic impact, biological or mechanical deterioration, or, in the case of better‐preserved structures, inadequate maintenance. Water infiltration, freezing and thawing, carbonation, wind erosion, acid rain, and graffiti/vandalism are the key “environmental” issues that strongly impact cultural heritage and therefore must be limited or even prevented. This interaction leads to the occurrence of different phenomena, possibly involving blistering phenomena on the stone surface, its gradual weather away, leaving a sound surface behind, or the dropping away of the bulk material, because of prolonged weathering, in a single event. It is noteworthy that, quite often, the stone may appear perfectly intact to the naked eye, though it is losing its cohesion beneath its surface. Therefore, it becomes necessary to either efficiently protect the stone substrates to prolong their life, or to fix the damage that already occurred by means of effective, reliable, and long‐lasting consolidation/restoration strategies. This work aims at summarizing the current state‐of‐the‐art referring to the use of monomeric/oligomeric or polymeric consolidants, providing the reader with some perspectives for the next future.

Еколого-фауністична характеристика лучно-степових таксоценів колембол Східного Поділля

A comparative analysis of the taxonomic and ecological structure of meadow-steppe collembolan taxocenes of Eastern Podillya was carried out. 77 species of Сollembola belonging to 41 genera and 14 families were found on the studied territory. From 6 to 18 species of collembola were found at the level of point alpha diversity, and 40–42 species of coenotic alpha diversity, which indicates a large capacity of the soil environment for Сollembola in this type of biocenoses of Podillya. The investigated meadow-steppe Collembola taxocenes are characterized by average population density indicators, from 5.8 to 9.1 thousand spec./m2. It was found that the structure of dominance, spectra of life forms and biotope groups of the studied taxocenes have their own specificity, due to local edaphic conditions, as well as the degree of anthropogenic transformation. The analysis of the ecological structure showed that, in terms of species richness, complexes of xeroresistant (47.6–60 % of the total species richness) and mesophilic forms (17.5–35.7 %) prevail in meadow-steppe taxocenes of collembola. The studied taxocenes include six biotope groups of species. The biotope group of open landscape species (meadow-steppe, meadow and steppe) prevails, the share of which in the composition of the studied taxocenes is 52.4–62.5 % of the species diversity. According to the indicator of relative abundance, 44.4–64.8% belong to meadow-steppe species. A feature of the investigated taxocenes is the presence in their composition of 7.1 to 15 % of atmobiotic collembolan species that inhabit macrophytes and the surface of loose leaf litter and carry out regular daily migrations in the grass, trees and shrubs, as well as about 5 % of corticolous collembolan species, which are ecologically related to lichens, mosses, tree bark and stone substrates. It was established that in all three meadow-steppe phytocenoses of Eastern Podillya, a specialized type of collembolan taxocene is formed, where more than 40 % of the population has meadow-steppe species that are ecologically related to xerophytic grass groups.

Femtosecond pulse laser cleaning of spray paint from heritage stone surfaces.

We explore the use of femtosecond laser pulses to clean a variety of colors of spray paint from the Moruya granite, a stone with high heritage value that is widely used for monuments and sculptures in Sydney and New South Wales (Australia). The efficiency of the cleaning treatment and the effects on the stone substrate are evaluated using optical microscopy, optical profilometry, Raman spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and colorimetry. We demonstrate that femtosecond laser cleans granite without damaging it and without discoloration when the laser fluence is set below the damage threshold of the stone.

CENCHRUS LONGISPINUS (HACK.) FERNALD ON ANTHROPOGENICLY TRANSFORMED AREAS OF THE DNIESTER DISTRICT

During the study of flora of ecotopes of the railway tracks of the Dniester embankment, 14 localities of the North American species Cenchrus longispinus were identified. On the sand the plants are better developed, have more lateral shoots. On crushed stone substrate, especially in the interrail space of the railway, plants are low – 7 (10) cm high. In addition, Cenchrus longispinus on the Dniester embankment was found in areas where no radical transformation of the ecotope (beach) is detected. Problem. The adventive species Cenchrus longispinus (Hack.) Fernald in Ukraine is at the expansion stage. It poses significant potential threat to the environment due to stress tolerance, wide ecological amplitude, high degree of naturalization, significant coenotic activity and so on. Much attention is now being paid to the study of the conditions for the emergence and naturalization of new adventitious species, especially quarantine ones. Cenchrus longispinus originates from North America and is distributed with grain bulks. The species has spread to many countries - it has been found in South Africa, India, Moldova, Russia, in a number of European countries. Навести яких. In Ukraine, the species was first detected in the southern regions. It is a kenophyte, agrio-epecophyte and belongs to the quarantine organisms that are partially distributed in Ukraine (A-2). In the ecological sense, the species prefers arid soil conditions. It is a heliophyte, in ecological and coenotic terms - a psammophyte. Most of its populations are concentrated in anthropogenic ecotopes. Methods. In the summer of 2021, anthropogenically transformed areas of the Dniester embankment were surveyed by a route method. The flora of the railway tracks between the railway stations Karolinа-Bugas and Sonyachna was studied. Results. 14 localities of Cenchrus longispinus were identified. Their coordinates are given in the publication. Plants are mostly localized in areas of unauthorized or organised pedestrian crossings over railway tracks. The substrate is crushed stone of railway tracks or adjacent sandy soil. Conclusions. On sand plants, by sight, are better developed, have more lateral shoots, are higher. On the crushed stone substrate of railway tracks, especially in the interrail space, the plants are low - 7 (10) cm high. Specimens on both types of substrate, even those that undergo moderate and severe mechanical damage by pedestrians, possess a significant number of grown additional shoots. Almost all shoots have developed fruit. Cenchrus longispinus on the Dniester embankment is represented not only in areas with strong anthropogenic impact, but also where human influence is moderate or apparently nonexistent. However, all surveyed areas are visited by pedestrians or vacationers.

Microsupercapacitive Stone Module for Natural Energy Storage

Increasing accessibility of energy storage platforms through user interface is significant in realizing autonomous power supply systems because they can be expanded in multidimensional directions to enable pervasive and customized energy storage systems (ESSs) for portable and miniaturized electronics. Herein, we implemented a high-performance asymmetric microsupercapacitor (MSC) on a natural stone surface, which represents a class of omnipresent, low-cost, ecofriendly, and recyclable energy storage interface for sustainable and conveniently accessible ESSs. Highly conductive and porous Cu electrodes were robustly fabricated on a rough marble substrate via explosive reduction-sintering of cost-effective CuO nanoparticles by using instantaneous, inexpensive, and simple laser-material interaction (LMI) technology. Faradaic Fe3O4 and capacitive Mn3O4 were sequentially electroplated on the surface of the porous Cu interdigitated electrodes to demonstrate hybrid MSC with a high-potential window and specific area. Despite the irregular geometry of the stone interface, the laser-induced MSC module produced high areal energy density and power density (6.55 μWh cm-2 and 1.2 mW cm-2, respectively) without the use of complex integrated circuit fabrication methods, such as photolithography, vacuum deposition, or chemical etching. The fabricated MSC stone cells were successfully scaled up via serial or parallel connections to achieve the concept of a scalable energy storage wall applicable as a three-dimensional energy station inside or outside a whole-building interface. The excellent durability of the MSC wall was confirmed by harsh-impact tests, and it was attributed to the robustness of the LMI-derived Cu current collectors and electroplated MSC metal oxides. Furthermore, a natural stone substrate with high mechanical toughness could be recycled by grinding the MSC conductors and active layers, thus considerably reducing the environmental pollutants and helping to realize green electronics.