Field Investigation of Sandstone Escarpment Stability at East Mountain, Utah, USA

During the last three decades, a significant amount of research has been directed to developing predictive tools for assessing the stability of the Castlegate Sandstone escarpment, travel distances for the debris and the need for any control measures in Central Utah. The cliff-forming Castlegate Sandstone is 60 m thick at the study mine in Utah and lies approximately 250 m above multiple-seam coal reserves. To assess escarpment stability, the authors used multiple regression analysis and extensive data on geology, mining, and escarpment stability collected over many years. The volume of failed rocks was used as the response variable. Mine layout options were developed to minimize cliff instability and frequency of mining-induced surface fractures. Geologic and geometric variables were obtained along 3.7 km of escarpment exposure at 180 study locations. A regression analysis of data from 29 study locations showed that surface topography plays a critical role in influencing escarpment stability. With additional data collected over the next longwall block, important variables were identified including canyon slope, thickness of Castlegate Sandstone and mining influence angle. Finally, the model was used for prediction of escarpment stability in area 3. In remote mining areas of Utah, warning signs were posted at the study areas

Investigation of Salt Tolerance Mechanisms across a Root Developmental Gradient in Almond Rootstocks

The intensive use of groundwater in agriculture under the current climate conditions leads to acceleration of soil salinization. Given that almond is a salt-sensitive crop, selection of salt-tolerant rootstocks can help maintain productivity under salinity stress. Selection for tolerant rootstocks at an early growth stage can reduce the investment of time and resources. However, salinity-sensitive markers and salinity tolerance mechanisms of almond species to assist this selection process are largely unknown. We established a microscopy-based approach to investigate mechanisms of stress tolerance in and identified cellular, root anatomical, and molecular traits associated with rootstocks exhibiting salt tolerance. We characterized three almond rootstocks: Empyrean-1 (E1), Controller-5 (C5), and Krymsk-86 (K86). Based on cellular and molecular evidence, our results show that E1 has a higher capacity for salt exclusion by a combination of upregulating ion transporter expression and enhanced deposition of suberin and lignin in the root apoplastic barriers, exodermis, and endodermis, in response to salt stress. Expression analyses revealed differential regulation of cation transporters, stress signaling, and biopolymer synthesis genes in the different rootstocks. This foundational study reveals the mechanisms of salinity tolerance in almond rootstocks from cellular and structural perspectives across a root developmental gradient and provides insights for future screens targeting stress response

Field Investigation of Sandstone Escarpment Stability at East Mountain, Utah, USA

During the last three decades, a significant amount of research has been directed to developing predictive tools for assessing the stability of the Castlegate Sandstone escarpment, travel distances for the debris and the need for any control measures in Central Utah. The cliff-forming Castlegate Sandstone is 60 m thick at the study mine in Utah and lies approximately 250 m above multiple-seam coal reserves. To assess escarpment stability, the authors used multiple regression analysis and extensive data on geology, mining, and escarpment stability collected over many years. The volume of failed rocks was used as the response variable. Mine layout options were developed to minimize cliff instability and frequency of mining-induced surface fractures. Geologic and geometric variables were obtained along 3.7 km of escarpment exposure at 180 study locations. A regression analysis of data from 29 study locations showed that surface topography plays a critical role in influencing escarpment stability. With additional data collected over the next longwall block, important variables were identified including canyon slope, thickness of Castlegate Sandstone and mining influence angle. Finally, the model was used for prediction of escarpment stability in area 3. In remote mining areas of Utah, warning signs were posted at the study areas