An Archaeological Survey of the Upper Cibolo Creek Watershed, Central Texas

During February, 1975, the Center for Archaeological Research at The University of Texas at San Antonio carried out an archaeological survey of the Upper Cibolo Creek Watershed in Kendall County, Texas. The Soil Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture proposes to construct four floodwater retarding structures on upper Cibolo Creek and three of its tributaries (Ranger Creek, Frederick Creek, and Deep Hollow Creek) and the purpose of the archaeological survey was to provide an assessment of the historic and prehistoric cultural resources in these areas. The field work was conducted under the terms of a contract (AG-48-SCS-02539) with the Soil Conservation Service, in which five major survey objectives were outlined: 1. Determine if archaeological resources exist within the area committed to installation of each floodwater retarding structure. 2. If resources are found, record, identify and appraise the significance of resources including apparent eligibility for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. 3. Evaluate the impact of project installation on each resource. 4. Provide recommendations for mitigation of adverse impacts anticipated. 5. Provide estimate of costs required for mitigation (salvage, protection, etc.

Effect of Ethanol on Microbial Community Structure and Function During Natural Attenuation of Benzene, Toluene, and \u3cem\u3eo\u3c/em\u3e-Xylene in a Sulfate-reducing Aquifer

Ethanol (EtOH) is a commonly used fuel oxygenate in reformulated gasoline and is an alternative fuel and fuel supplement. Effects of EtOH release on aquifer microbial ecology and geochemistry have not been well characterized in situ. We performed a controlled field release of petroleum constituents (benzene (B), toluene (T), o-xylene (o-X) at ∼1–3 mg/L each) with and without EtOH (∼500 mg/L). Mixed linear modeling (MLM) assessed effects on the microbial ecology of a naturally sulfidic aquifer and how the microbial community affected B, T, and o-X plume lengths and aquifer geochemistry. Changes in microbial community structure were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) targeting Bacteria, Archaea, and sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB); SRB were enumerated using a novel qPCR method targeting the adenosine-5′-phosphosulfate reductase gene. Bacterial and SRB densities increased with and without EtOH-amendment (1−8 orders of magnitude). Significant increases in Archaeal species richness; Archaeal cell densities (3–6 orders of magnitude); B, T, and o-X plume lengths; depletion of sulfate; and induction of methanogenic conditions were only observed with EtOH-amendment. MLM supported the conclusion that EtOH-amendment altered microbial community structure and function, which in turn lowered the aquifer redox state and led to a reduction in bioattenuation rates of B, T, and o-X

Archaeological Survey of Areas Slated for Modification Laredo International Bridge II City of Laredo, Texas

In September, 1975, personnel of the Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, carried out archaeological survey and assessment of areas slated for modification in the Laredo International Bridge II project. The field work followed standard archaeological procedures and was conducted under the terms of an ordinance (dated August 19, 1975) passed by the City Council of Laredo, Texas. We would like to acknowledge our gratitude to Mr. Paul Garza for his assistance during the archaeological investigations

An Initial Archaeological and Historical Assessment of Three Proposed Dam Sites in Gonzales and Kendall Counties, Texas

Under the terms of a contract with Ecology Audits, Inc., of Dallas, Texas, the Center for Archaeological Research at The University of Texas at San Antonio, carried out general archaeological and historical assessments in Gonzales and Kendall counties. The present report will form part of a larger document (to be submitted to the United States Bureau of Reclamation) dealing with proposed construction of the Gonzales and Dilworth dams (Gonzales County) and Dam 7 (Kendall County)

Fluorescent Particles Comprising Nanoscale ZnO Layer and Exhibiting Cell-Specific Toxicity

Multifunctional smart nanostructures are disclosed that include fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-encapsulated SiO2 core-shell particles with a nanoscale ZnO finishing layer, wherein an outer ZnO layer is formed on the SiO2-FITC core. These ~200 nm sized particles showed promise toward cell imaging and cellular uptake studies using the bacterium Escherichia coli and Jurkat cancer cells, respectively. The FITC encapsulated ZnO particles demonstrated excellent selectivity in preferentially killing Jurkat cancer cells with minimal toxicity to normal primary immune cells (18% and 75% viability remaining, respectively, after exposure to 60 μg/mL) and inhibited the growth of both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria at concentrations .gtoreq.250-500 μg/mL (for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively). These results indicate that the FITC encapsulated multifunctional particles with nanoscale ZnO surface layer can be used as smart nanostructures for particle tracking, cell imaging, antibacterial treatments and cancer therapy

The Archaeology and History of Alamo Plaza

In the Spring of 1975, the Center for Archaeological Research was approached by the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of San Antonio regarding possible archaeological and historical research at Alamo Plaza. The proposed investigations were in connection with the city\u27s plan to renovate the plaza, to coincide with the American Bicentennial. There were two major reasons for the Center\u27s involvement: (1) the architects desired to learn, as a part of the renovation plans, the precise locations of the south wall of the original Alamo (San Antonio de Valero) compound; (2) in order to aid in the planning of the renovation, it was necessary to determine if subsurface archaeological resources existed in Alamo Plaza. To achieve these goals, a contract was agreed upon between the City of San Antonio and the Center for Archaeological Research at The University of Texas at San Antonio. A State Antiquities Permit (No. 94) was secured and all investigations were conducted under the terms of that permit

Dairy Wastewaters for Algae Cultivation, Polyhydroxyalkanote Reactor Effluent Versus Anaerobic Digester Effluent

Nutrients in dairy wastewaters can be remediated through assimilation into algal biomass. Anaerobically digested manure creates an effluent (ADE) that is useful for algal cultivation while alternate processing of manure through a polyhydroxyalkanoate reactor generates a distinct effluent (PHAE), not previously characterized for algal cultivation. Each effluent was evaluated for growth rate, biomass production, and nutrient recovery using type algae species Chlorella vulgaris. Growth rates were elevated in 5, 10, and 20 % dilutions of PHAE (0.59, 0.53, 0.42 days−1) compared to equal concentrations of ADE (0.40, 0.36, 0.37 days−1). In addition, the growth phase lasted up to twice as long for PHAE, resulting in a fourfold higher stationary phase algal concentration (cells∙mL−1) compared to ADE. Growth in ADE was limited by specific inhibitory properties: high concentrations of dissolved organic matter, ammonia, and elevated bacterial load. Maximum nutrient removal rates for ADE and PHAE were 0.95 and 3.46 mg·L−1·day−1 for nitrogen and 0.67 and 0.04 mg·L−1·day−1 for phosphorus, respectively. Finally, biomass derived from PHAE was higher in lipids (11.3 % versus 7.2 %) and thus has a greater potential as a feedstock for biofuel compared to ADE