With biocrusts playing a cardinal role in C and N fixation in arid zones, information regarding the factors that determine their limits of growth is of uttermost importance for the study of ecosystem structure and function. This is also the case in the western Negev dunefields, where although abundant on the sandy surfaces, biocrusts are scarce on finegrained (mainly loessial) sediments, termed playas. In the Nizzana research site (NRS), visibly distinct surfaces, with and without biocrusts were noted within a single playa. In an attempt to characterize these distinct surfaces, a set of random measurements were carried out, which included measurements of crack density, microrelief and chlorophyll content of the upper 0-1 cm. Following a cluster analysis, four distinct types of surfaces (hereafter habitats) were defined, one with substantial amount of chlorophyll content which can be regarded as biocrust (P4), and three non-crusted surfaces (P1- P3). Within each type, two 50 cm-deep pits were dug and the pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and fine (silt and clay) content (FC) of samples collected at 1-5, 5-10, 10-20, 20-30, 30-40 and 40-50 cm-depth were analyzed. In addition, periodical moisture measurements were carried out (in pairs) to a depth of 0-20 cm at each surface type during 2013/14. All non-crusted habitats (P1-P3) were characterized by loessial subsurface sediments. Conversely, P4 was either characterized by loessial subsurface sediments (and in this case it was characterized by a slightly concave surface) or having a sandy subsurface (at ~5-10 cm depth). While the non-crusted surfaces exhibited low moisture content, P4 exhibited deeper and higher moisture content explained either by the more sandy sediments or by lower water loss through runoff. The findings point to the close link between surface and subsurface properties and indicate that water availability may explain biocrust establishment and growth also at the loessial playa surfaces. Biocrusts may thus serve as bioindicators for habitats with high moisture content.
Sborník ze studentské konference; mj. s uvedenými příspěvky; na závěr připojeny výsledky soutěže o Cenu Vladimíra Macury (M. Lukáš, M. Suchánková, čestné uznání K. Ćwiek, V. Malínek; s. 141), seznam účastníků (s. 141-143) a program konference (s. 144-145).
Rock dwelling organisms (lithobionts) such as cyanobacteria (prokaryotes) and chlorolichens (eukaryotes) abound in the Negev Desert, where they cover almost all calcareous bedrocks and rock particles (cobbles, boulders). In a small limestone watershed in the Negev Highlands, cyanobacteria inhabit the south-facing (SF) bedrocks, epilithic lichens (accompanied by endolithic lichens) inhabit the north-facing (NF) bedrocks, while endolithic lichens cover most of the cobbles and boulders in both aspects. In order to study their contribution to runoff water, a pair of runoff plots was established on habitats with cyanobacteria, endolithic lichens, and epilithic lichens. Rain and runoff were collected during the hydrological year 2006/07, and the chemical composition (Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl, SO4, HCO3, Si) of the rain and runoff water was analyzed. Several patterns were observed: (a) as indicated by Si, more dust accumulated on the bedrocks; (b) all substrates exhibited high amounts of Ca, and HCO3; (c) while SF-bedrocks showed enrichment in K, both bedrocks (and especially the NF bedrocks), as well as the NF boulders showed an enrichment in Mg. While the enrichment in Ca and HCO3 can be explained by the contribution of the limestone parent material, the enrichment in K and Mg can be explained by the contribution of the living lithobionts, with K being mainly contributed by the cyanobacteria and Mg mainly by the epilithic lichens. Ion enrichment may therefore be aspect-dependent, reflecting the lithobiont distribution within the drainage basin, partially explaining the enrichment in K and Mg previously recorded in runoff water from the Negev.
The article deals with experimental determination of local head loss in straight polypropylene pipeline (PP) joint connected by butt-welding. A local loss coefficient is introduced for turbulent flow of water in plastic pipeline of circular cross-section. The value of local loss coefficient has not been experimentally quantified so far and hence its determination is significant for designers of plastic pipeline systems. and Článek pojednává o experimentálním stanovení místní ztráty ve spoji přímého potrubí z polypropylenu (PP), zhotoveného svařováním na tupo. Je uvedena velikost součinitele místní ztráty spoje plastového potrubí kruhového průřezu při turbulentním proudění čisté vody. Místní ztráta doposud nebyla experimentálně kvantifikována, a proto je její stanovení pro projektanty potrubních systémů z plastů významné.
This research presents an experimental study on the scouring mechanism at semi-integral bridge piers. Based on laboratory experiments, this study focuses on the relationship between scour depth in complex pier groups and combined piles bridge and various parameters including the variation of inflow velocity, distance, and time. 1 200 data were collected for flow velocity and scour. The flow pattern and scour were analyzed for different flow discharges and flow depths. The results showed that the scour development with respect to time was greater for higher flow depth and bigger flow discharge at semi-integral bridges. In addition, the equilibrium scour depth increased with the approach flow depth around piers at semi-integral bridges. Velocity distribution also affected the scour development. It decreased when approaching the bridge but increased from upstream to downstream of the flume.