Virgin Sites Research Articles

KHMER ART SAMPLINGS: IDEOLOGICAL INFLUENCE OF INDIAN KNOWLEDGE THROUGH HINDU DIVINITIES

The importance of the medieval art history of Southeast Asia is still a virgin site, which needs to be explored with multi-disciplinary approach and methodology. The transcultural aspects between India and Southeast Asia from ancient to late medieval period cannot be contemplated through a single medium, it need to be analyzed from various angles through religious sources, philosophical materials and visual contents. The main focus of the present study is on interlinks of religious arts. Few iconographical sample forms from the various monuments of Angkor are taken for critical analysis, such as Śeṣaśāyī, Vamana, Kāḷiyamardana and Dance of Śiva. The common designs in iconographic cornice will have to be recognized in comparative religious studies, getting beyond the shackles of spirituality if we are to discover the ancient heritages. There is no much deviation in representation of the Buddhist and Hindu imagery in India and Southeast Asia but the localization is visually sensed. The cultural links of ancient Indian Knowledge System between Southeast Asia, China and Japan is entangled in the annals of the history.

Analysis and intrinsic correlations of partially head-restrained piles under lateral loading: virgin sites and new-existing pile sites

Piles are commonly used under partial head-restraint conditions. Currently, quantification of the lateral capacity of partially head-restrained piles is an open problem. This paper reports the results of a comparative study on the partially head-restrained behaviours of single piles in virgin sites and new piles in sites with existing piles. The lateral performance of new piles affected by pile-head restraints was examined and compared with that of single piles in virgin sites, and the characteristics of new and single pile capacities with respect to pile-head restraints were evaluated. An intrinsic H–δδ correlation (the lateral pile capacity and the factor linking partially head-restrained piles to pure free- and fixed-head piles) is discussed, which enables the calculation of capacities of partially head-restrained piles based on those of pure free- and fixed-head piles. In addition, analytical models of the δδ–λ correlation (λ represents the pile-head restraint percentage) are deduced. By combining the δδ–λ and H–δδ correlations, the lateral pile capacities for arbitrary pile-head restraints in virgin sites and sites with existing piles are calculated. The proposed method is comprehensively validated by numerical and literature examples, showing significant advantages in the determination of the lateral pile capacity considering head restraints.

High Accuracy and Safety of Intraoperative CT-Guided Navigation for Transpedicular Screw Placement in Revision Spinal Surgery.

Background: Intraoperative CT-guided navigation (iCT-navigation) has been reported to improve the accuracy and safety of transpedicular screw placement in primary spinal surgery. However, due to a disrupted bony anatomy and scarring tissue, revision spinal surgery can be challenging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and safety of iCT-navigation for screw placement at the virgin site versus the revision site in revision thoracolumbar spinal surgery. Method: In total, 254 screws were inserted in 27 revision surgeries, in which 114 (44.9%) screws were inserted at the site with previous laminectomy or posterolateral fusion (the revision site), 64 (25.2%) were inserted at the virgin site, and 76 (29.9%) were inserted to replace the pre-existing screws. CT scans were conducted for each patient after all screws were inserted to intraoperatively confirm the screw accuracy. Results: In total, 248 (97.6%) screws were considered accepted. The rate of accepted screws at the virgin site was 98.4% (63/64) versus 95.6% (109/114) at the revision site (p: 0.422). There were six (2.4%) unaccepted screws, which were immediately revised during the same operation. There was no neurological injury noted in our patients. Conclusion: With the use of iCT-navigation, the rate of accepted screws at the revision site was found to be comparable to that at the virgin site. We concluded that iCT-navigation could achieve high accuracy and safety for transpedicular screw placement in revision spinal surgery and allow for the immediate revision of unaccepted screws.

Ex situ studies on Macrotermes bellicosus as a potential bioremediation tool of polluted dump soil sites for Sub Saharan Africa

ABSTRACT Soil is a fragile ecosystem that could be contaminated by several factors such as anthropogenic and natural means: heavy metals, pesticides, hydrocarbon or petrochemicals, and leachates from wastes. This ex situ study intends to determine the bioremediation potentials of African mound termites (Macrotemes bellicosus) with their ability to improve the physical and to reduce the chemical and heavy metal contents in dumpsite soils. Three sites have been investigated (virgin soil, active dumpsite, dormant dumpsite). The influence of M. bellicosus on the dumpsite soil was appraised statistically using General Linear Model Analysis of Variance set at p > 0.05 is not significant. The activities of the termites reduced the heavy metals to Fe(III) (1.10 mg/kg), Mn(III) (1.37 mg/kg), Zn (15.30 mg/kg), Cu(II) (0.95 mg/kg), Cr(III) (0.19 mg/kg), Cd (2.25 mg/kg), Pb (0.10 mg/kg), Ni (0.08 mg/kg), V(V) (0.05 mg/kg), and THC (0.90 mg/kg) with F values of 2.07, 1.87, 1.51, 1.36, 1.47, 1.35, 1.85, 3.04, 3.00, and 1.42. The termites were able to significantly reduce the levels of the chemical loads of the dump soil at different day intervals (0, 30, 60, and 90 days) in the active site. Gentle variations were also noticed in dormant and virgin sites correspondingly. The level of heavy metal concentrations in Macrotemes bellicosus was in the following ranks: Fe(III)>Zn>Pb>Cr(III)>Cd>Mn(III)>Cu(II)>Ni>V(V). The bioaccumulation factors for heavy metals in the termites revealed that Fe(III) and Zn had values >1 and ≥1, correspondingly. The study established the potentials of insects like Macrotemes bellicosus for entomoremediation purposes. Prospective utilization of this novel biosystems and biotechnology will enhance the restoration and healthy ecological balance of any dumpsite soil or polluted environments in situ.

2 Methods for Identification and Preservation of Hypogastric Nerve During Laparoscopic Die (Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis) Surgery

Video Objective In this video, we are going to introduce two methods for proper identification and preservation of the hypogastric nerves within the USL (uterosacral ligament) DIE (deep infiltrating endometriosis) complex during laparoscopic nerve-sparing DIE surgery. Setting Single institute, single surgical team's experience. Interventions USL is the mostly frequently involved area of pelvic endometriosis. Hypogastric nerves just lie between USL and pelvic ureter, locate in the Okabayashi pararectal space. They are frequently involved (either direct infiltration, or just encasement by surrounding tissue fibrosis) by the DIE lesions. En-bloc excision of USL DIE lesions frequently result in inadvertent hypogastric nerve injury, or even pelvic plexus injury. Proper identification and preservation of the hypogastric nerves is mandatory during nerve-sparing DIE surgery. We develop two methods to identify the hypogastric nerve within the USL DIE complex. (1) “Contralateral nerve traction test”: If we can clearly identify and isolate the hypogastric nerve on the more healthy side, by gentle pulling on this side hypogastric nerve, we can see the contralateral hypogastric nerve move on the other side. Thus we can have a good mapping of the course of hypogastric nerve within the DIE complex. (2) “Antegrade tracing from pre-sacral region”: If we move upward to the pre-sacral region, starting dissection from the virgin site, proximal part of hypogastric nerve can be easily identified. Antegrade tracing along the hypogastric nerve, un-roofing and bi-half the overlying DIE USL tissue, the whole course of hypogastric nerve can be safely traced and the nerve can be well-preserved. Conclusion Proper identification and preservation of the hypogastric nerves within the USL (uterosacral ligament) DIE (deep infiltrating endometriosis) complex during laparoscopic nerve-sparing DIE surgery is important. By this two simple methods and concepts (“contralateral nerve tract test” and “antegrade tracing”), we can minimize the risk of inadvertent nerve injury.

Application of conductance phenomenon in groundwater studies

In this article, we present an interesting behaviour of conductance in a basaltic terrain. We use vertical electrical sounding data carried out in Wenner configuration at dug well sites for data analysis. Geophysical phenomena observed in the sharply rising trends followed by negligibly rising trends of the conductance curves are discussed. The unique behaviour of conductance curve is used to estimate depth to the static water level in dug wells. The geophysically estimated depths to the static water levels are compared with the observed static water levels in the existing dug wells located at all sites of investigation. Water-level fluctuations observed in dug wells between two different periods coinciding with pre- and post-monsoon regimes are geophysically estimated by using the trends on the conductance curves. Depth to the static water levels is geophysically estimated at seven experimental sites located adjacent to dug wells and four virgin sites where there are no dug wells. Validation of the geophysically estimated static water levels and static water-level fluctuations shows encouraging results.

Change of physical properties of southern carbonate chernozems at various cultivation systems in Northern Kazakhstan

Contradictory data about impact of the minimum and zero cultivation on physical properties of southern chernozems (Chernozem) of heavy particle size distribution have caused the necessity of their studying on the territory of Akmola region. Researches of physical properties of southern carbonate chernozems were conducted based on comparison of soils physical properties the virgin site with pilot allotments of deep and minimum cultivation of land, direct crops and zero technology. Reduction of content physical clay particles and silt in comparison with the virgin site revealed in the upper layer of 0-10 cm in case of all above-stated handlings. Mechanized conversions cause the activation of profile differentiation with regard to silty fraction. Descending migration from the arable horizon to subarable horizon happens in case of deep cultivation of land. This migration from layer of 0-10 cm to underlying arable layer of 10-26 cm happens in case of minimum and zero cultivation of land. The greatest deterioration in addition density of plougland in a layer of 0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm observe in case of the minimum and zero cultivation of land.

The amount and quality of dead trees in a mixed beech forest with different management histories in northern Iran

Sefidi K, Etemad V. 2014. The amount and quality of dead trees in a mixed beech forest with different management histories in northern Iran. Biodiversitas 15: 162-168. Dead tree (fallen logs and snags), is regarded as an important ecological component of forests on whichmany forest dwelling species depend, yet its relation to management history in Caspian forest has gone unreported. The aim of researchaim was to compare the amounts of dead tree in the forests with historically different intensities of management, including: forests withthe long term implication of management (Patom), the short term implication of management (Namekhaneh) which were compared withsemi virgin forest (Gorazbon). The number of 215 individual dead trees were recorded and measured at 79 sampling locations. ANOVArevealed volume of dead tree in the form and decay classes significantly differ within sites and dead volume in the semi virgin forestsignificantly higher than managed sites. Comparing the amount of dead tree in three sites showed that, dead tree volume related withmanagement history and significantly differ in three study sites. Reaching their highest in virgin site and their lowest in the site with thelong term implication of management, it was concluded that forest management cause reduction of the amount of dead tree. Forestmanagement history affect the forest's ability to generate dead tree specially in a large size, thus managing this forest according toecological sustainable principles require a commitment to maintaining stand structure that allow, continued generation of dead tree in afull range of size.

Dermal tolerance and effect on skin hydration of an improved ethanol-based hand gel

Alcohol-based hand gels have become a standard in hand hygiene in the United States but many of them are significantly less effective than liquid alcohol-based hand disinfectants. An improved ethanol-based gel (85%, w/w) with an efficacy equal to liquid products was investigated for dermal tolerance and skin hydrating properties which are essential to achieve a high compliance rate with hand hygiene. For the repetitive occlusive patch test 224 subjects were studied, 213 finished the study. Sterilium Comfort Gel was applied to one site on the back under an occlusive patch during an induction phase (9 applications over 3 weeks) and 2 weeks later to a virgin site on the back during a challenge phase (1 application). Sites were graded for skin reactions using a standardized scale 24 h after removal of the patches (induction phase and challenge phase) as well as 48 and 72 h later (challenge phase). To evaluate skin hydrating properties of the gel, treated skin of 23 subjects was compared to untreated skin. The gel was applied twice a day to the forearm for 14 days. Control corneometer values were taken before application of the gel and after 1 and 2 weeks. In the induction phase none of the 213 subjects had a skin reaction. In the challenge phase one subject had a barely perceptible skin reaction at one time point. Relative skin hydration on treated skin in comparison to the untreated control fields was significantly higher after one week by 7.7% (p = 0.0007; paired t-test for dependent samples) and after two weeks by 14.1% (p < 0.0001). The gel did not demonstrate a clinically relevant potential for dermal irritation or sensitization and significantly increased skin hydration after repetitive use and so could enhance compliance with hand hygiene among health care workers.

Estimation of total erosion in cultivated Black soils in northeast China from vertical profiles of soil organic carbon

SummaryIt is difficult to estimate soil thickness eroded from annual erosion rates in cultivated Black soils in northeast China because of the uncertainty of the time when the soil was first cultivated for agricultural crops. Assuming soil organic carbon (SOC) profile curves for cultivated sites are the same as virgin sites before cultivation, it may be possible to estimate the total thickness of surface soils lost by erosion by vertical movement of plotted SOC profiles until those for the virgin and cultivated soils are superimposed. We collected pairs of soil samples (0–1 m) with one sample in each pair from a virgin site and the other from a nearby cultivated site in Heilongjiang province, northeast China. In undulating areas where soil erosion was moderate, the shapes of SOC distribution curves below 40 cm depth were nearly identical for both cultivated and virgin soils, but were offset vertically. This offset was attributed to the loss of surface soil by erosion in the cultivated land. By moving the distribution curve of SOC in cultivated soil downwards by 12.7 cm, we found nearly coincident curves below 45 cm for the virgin and cultivated soils. This thickness (12.7 cm) was believed to be the depth of soils that had been eroded since the onset of cultivation in Black soils in northeast China. We concluded that the amount of surface soil lost by erosion could be estimated from comparison of the vertical distribution of SOC in cultivated and virgin soils.

SUR L'INTRODUCTION EXPÉRIMENTALE DU PREMIER SIGNE HUMAIN DANS LES PAYSAGES NATURELS

My artistic work has been susceptible by the status crash of a personal mystic environment and his domestication. First of all reactional, my work consisted to sew faults of rocks in places to become industrialised, in order to make a last link between ephemeral, beauty and myth. Later, technological expansion has lead me to go in search of very isolated sites, where my work is a personal exchange whit the site who suggest it, and which it is destined. This traces supplied new legends, launched controversial and found support of public government. Pictures of those sewed landscapes are showed to a public unaware of the local reality, so that it will be confronted to the view of our activities into a living space with no limits. Virgin sites idealise nature without wake up our fear. So the human trace is ambiguous: sully or finery, complicity or aggression ? This way evolve our conception of nature, while reciprocally shaping landscape and humanity. Key-words: to sew, domestication, nature, landscapes, Papenoo.

Using Multiple Regression for Site Selection: A Marketing Exercise That Uses Secondary Data to Prioritize Areas for New Construction Efforts

Poor location choices often cause large financial liabilities, which is why retailers, manufacturers, distributors and service providers have systematic site selection procedures. Nevertheless, a recent request to ELMAR shows that marketing educators lack practical exercises whereby they can teach site selection. Thus, based upon literature showing that major companies should use regression approaches, a student project was developed using actual data. Besides showing how regressions can be used to predict success of “virgin sites,” as done by others in the academic literature, a unique way to use the difference between actual and predicted values to prioritize expansion efforts is provided.

Dermal tolerance of Sterillium ®, a propanol-based hand rub

Alcohol-based hand rubs have been used for hygienic hand disinfection in hospitals for decades. In order to achieve good compliance with hand hygiene practices in the healthcare setting, dermal tolerance of a hand rub product is crucial. Sterillium ®, which is used in many European countries for hygienic hand disinfection, is based on iso-propanol, n-propanol and mecetronium etilsulphate. The potential for dermal irritation and sensitization of commercially available propanol-based hand rubs containing emollients has not been studied systematically. We therefore studied the dermal tolerance of Sterillium in a repetitive occlusive patch test on 55 subjects. Sterillium was applied to one site on the back under an occlusive patch during an induction phase (total of nine applications over a three-week period) and two weeks later to a virgin site on the back during a challenge phase (one application). Twenty-four hours after removal of the patches (induction phase and challenge phase), and in addition, after 48 and 72 h (challenge phase), the sites were graded for skin reactions using a standardized scoring scale. In the induction phase, two of the 55 subjects had a barely perceptible minimal erythema at one of nine time points. The remaining 53 subjects had no skin reaction at any time. In the challenge phase, all 55 subjects had no skin reaction at all. The absence of significant reactions with respect to severity and frequency demonstrates the favourable dermal tolerance of the hand rub product. The lack of irritation or sensitization potential could enhance compliance with hand hygiene among healthcare workers.

Distribution of anthropogenic mercury in French Guyana river sediments downstream from gold mining sites

Total mercury concentrations in French Guyana river sediments were determined near gold mining sites and compared to unaffected reference sites. In small meter-size rivers the anthropogenic impact is localized and characterised by high total mercury peak concentrations in the mg/kg dry weight range (St. Elie site). The mercury load is more diluted in larger water streams such as the Inini river system where a mercury gradient was observed along a 50 km flow path downstream with 510, 295, 261 ng/g total mercury concentrations in the sediments at 0, 35 and 50 km distance from the Dorlin mining site. Sediments situated upstream the gold mining sites compared to the geochemical background concentrations indicating that the impact related to atmospheric deposition is relatively insignificant. The mercury content of upstream sediments compare to the mercury load of unaffected soils and river sediments collected in distant virgin sites (less than 400 ng/g total mercury).

Effects of long-term irrigation with reclaimed water on soils of the Northern Adelaide Plains, South Australia

On a small scale, reclaimed water (RCW) use has been practised on the Northern Adelaide Plains (NAP) horticultural districts for more than 28 years. The RCW has had approximately 1.7 times the salinity and twice the sodium absorption ratio (SAR) of bore water commonly used for irrigation in the district. Recently, a large-scale reclamation scheme has been commissioned which could eventually supply approximately 30 GL of RCW to over 250 growers on the NAP. This study compared historical water quality and time of use data with physico-chemical properties of soil cores taken from sites where reclaimed (RCW-irrigated) or bore water had been used for irrigation, or sites that had not been irrigated (virgin). The aim was to determine if current farming practices irrigating with RCW could, now or in the future, lead to a decrease in yields through detrimental increases in soil salinity, sodicity, and boron (B) concentrations, and to determine if these changes were significantly different from bore-irrigated or virgin sites. Data suggested that changes in soil salinity and B concentration from RCW use would not decrease yields. However, changes in soil SAR had the potential to restrict drainage and consequently increase salinity; although a more functional critical SAR value for the NAP soils needs to be defined to assess this potential. These findings suggest that farming methods, in the 1967–95 period, did not address the physico-chemical changes associated with the use of more sodic RCW. Considering the future scale of RCW use, the SAR of the irrigation water may need to be decreased and/or appropriate farming methods developed and practised with the use of RCW to protect these soils for future horticultural activities. A low cost soil test, using a simple 1 : 5 soil : water extract was compared with accepted soil extracts (for assessing detrimental physico-chemical soil changes) and is proposed as a grower management tool to assist in monitoring the physico-chemical changes of the NAP soils.

Dermal tolerance and effect on skin hydration of a new ethanol-based hand gel

We studied the dermal tolerance (repetitive occlusive patch test; ROPT) and the skin hydrating properties of a new ethanol-based gel [85% (w/w)], Sterillium® Gel. For the ROPT, 53 participants were studied. Gel was applied to one site on the back under an occlusive patch during an induction phase (nine applications over three weeks) and two weeks later to a virgin site on the back during a challenge phase (one application). Twenty-four hours after the removal of the patches (induction phase and challenge phase), then 48 and 72h later (challenge phase) sites were graded for skin reactions using a standardized scale. In the induction phase none of the 53 participants had a skin reaction. In the challenge phase one participant had a barely perceptible skin reaction, and one had mild erythema at one time point. To evaluate skin hydrating properties of the gel, treated skin of 21 participants was compared to untreated skin. The gel was applied twice a day to the forearm for 14 days. Control corneometer values were taken before application of the gel (mean: 32.7±5.0) and after one (36.3±4.4) and two weeks (36.1±5.4). Relative skin hydration on treated skin in comparison with an untreated control field was significantly higher after one week by 6.85% (P=0.0031; paired t -test for dependent samples) and after two weeks by 4.47% (P=0.0153). Sterillium Gel did not demonstrate a clinically relevant potential for dermal irritation or sensitization, and significantly increased skin hydration after repetitive use, and so could enhance compliance with hand hygiene among healthcare workers.

Widening and deepening adjacent large shafts in rock

The influent pumping station (IPS) at Bandra plays a key role in the Mumbai Sewerage Scheme. Bandra IPS will be one of the largest pumping stations of its type in the world, with a pumping capacity of nearly 22 m3/s. The rock support scheme for the widening and deepening of three existing shafts is described, with particular attention being given to the scheme for the narrow zone of rock between the two pump shafts, termed the ‘narrow neck’. Inherent site conditions and the demands of a new station on a prescribed station layout have placed unusual constraints on the customary rock support methodology. Several excavation and rock support alternatives are discussed and the limitations of routine design methods are highlighted. The finally agreed scheme was a progressive and carefully planned rock support and excavation sequence that considered the possibility of localised instability during the excavation works and provided contingencies for several possible events. A concrete bridge was constructed to restrain the existing retaining walls and through-going grouted bolts continuously supported the whole rock section, before, during and after excavation. Inspection and monitoring was completed before each stage of excavation. The rock face and retaining walls remained intact and no serious failures were experienced during excavation. A brief discussion of possible rock design alternatives, given a virgin site of similar rock, follows the conclusions. Rock excavations are now complete and the civil works at Bandra IPS are nearing completion.

Widening and deepening adjacent large shafts in rock

The influent pumping station (IPS) at Bandra plays a key role in the Mumbai Sewerage Scheme. Bandra IPS will be one of the largest pumping stations of its type in the world, with a pumping capacity of nearly 22 m3/s. The rock support scheme for the widening and deepening of three existing shafts is described, with particular attention being given to the scheme for the narrow zone of rock between the two pump shafts, termed the ‘narrow neck’. Inherent site conditions and the demands of a new station on a prescribed station layout have placed unusual constraints on the customary rock support methodology. Several excavation and rock support alternatives are discussed and the limitations of routine design methods are highlighted. The finally agreed scheme was a progressive and carefully planned rock support and excavation sequence that considered the possibility of localised instability during the excavation works and provided contingencies for several possible events. A concrete bridge was constructed to restrain the existing retaining walls and through-going grouted bolts continuously supported the whole rock section, before, during and after excavation. Inspection and monitoring was completed before each stage of excavation. The rock face and retaining walls remained intact and no serious failures were experienced during excavation. A brief discussion of possible rock design alternatives, given a virgin site of similar rock, follows the conclusions. Rock excavations are now complete and the civil works at Bandra IPS are nearing completion.

LABORATORY APPRAISAL OF CARBON SEQUESTRATION AND NUTRIENT AVAILABILITY AFTER DIFFERENT ORGANIC MATTER INPUTS IN VIRGIN AND CULTIVATED ZIMBABWEAN SOILS

The effects of adding different organic amendments (maize straw, sunflower straw, and two types of manure) to Rhodic Kandiustalf from North Zimbabwe were evaluated in laboratory experiments using soil samples from a large commercial farm and from the neighboring virgin ecosystem. The study focused on a) assessing the changes in soil respiratory activity, b) comparing the accumulation patterns of stable humus substances after a 55-day incubation period, c) checking the differences in availability of plant nutrients and d) comparing the response to organic matter addition of virgin and cleared sites to evaluate the extent to which the response to organic input depends on the soil degradation status. By adding external organic matter sources the soil respiratory activity increased in the following order: sunflower straw ∼ fresh manure > maize straw > old manure. The sequestration in soil of the organic matter added was higher with lignocellulosic wastes than with old manure. Irrespective of the organic input, the mineralization coefficients evidenced the higher biodegradability of organic matter accumulated in the cultivated rather than in virgin soil. The four types of organic matter input compensated the selective accumulation of humic colloids of a low molecular weight (fulvic acids), a natural tendency of most tropical soils, and to a large extent (mainly when sunflower straw was applied) increased the humic acid/fulvic acid ratios. However, cultivation induces changes in the soil physico-chemical status and, per unit of C added, the addition of lignocellulosic wastes to cultivated soil was ca. 50% less effective in accumulating humic acid than in virgin soil. The chemical fertilizer performance of the different amendments used (i.e., the percentage of nutrients at zero time still available after the incubation experiment) only provides values above 100% (mobilizing effect) in the case of some microelements [manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn)] in soils treated with lignocellulosic wastes, but the opposite trend (microbial or physico-chemical immobilization) occurs with some macroelements [phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg)]. These results can be interpreted in the sense that cultivated soil displays an increasing biogeochemical activity compared with virgin soil, as corresponds to its higher mineralization coefficients of exogenous organic matter.

Soil organic carbon dynamics under long-term sugarcane monoculture

Comparisons of soil samples from virgin sites or sites recently planted to sugarcane (new) with sites that had been under cane production for many years (old) were made to investigate the potential impact of cane production on soil organic carbon (OC) levels and chemistry. The comparisons showed that very little change had occurred in total OC and in ‘light’ fraction (&lt;1·6 Mg/m3). Increasing pyrophosphate extractability throughout the profile at some sites, as a result of cultivation, however, suggested that the organic matter generally became more ‘humified’ with long-term cane production. Evidence is presented for a redistribution of OC within profiles under cane production. Old, well-established cane sites had soils with lower OC levels in the surface horizons and higher levels in the subsoils relative to new sites. The overall chemistry of the soil organic matter, as indicated by solid state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, did not change significantly at each site even though between site differences were large. Some soils contained substantial amounts of charcoal which was of pre-cane origin. In some of the coarse-textured soils, smaller amounts of charcoal produced during the burning of cane appeared to accumulate below the A1 horizons in the profiles. It also appeared likely that the redistribution of carbon in the upper horizons of some soils resulted from the movement of charcoal within the profile, probably as a result of tillage.