Holocene sediments of the Užava valley near the site Sise and their paleocarpological characterization

Bakalaura darbā interpretēti holocēna peleovides apstākļi nogulumu veidošanās laikā Užavas upes ielejā pēc paleokarpoloģiskajiem, karsēšanas zudumuanalīzes, AMS 14C datējumu rezultātiem. Pētījums tika veikts Ventspils novadā, Zīru pagastā Užavas upes ielejs nogulumos pie Sises. Pētījumā tiek sniegts teritorijas ģeoloģiskās uzbūves un izmantoto metožu apraksts, iegūto rezultātu interpretācija, diskusija un secinājumi. Iegūtie rezultāti norāda uz diviem dažādiem nogulumu veidošanās etapiem Baltijas jūras iepriekšējo stadiju ūdens līmeņa izmaiņu ietekmē Užavas upes ielejā pie Sises. Bakalaura darbs ietver 66 lpp, ievadu, 4 nodaļas, secinājumus, literatūras sarakstu, 22 attēlus, 3tabulas. Atslēgas vārdi: Užavas upe, holocēns, paleokarpoloģiskā analīze, AMS 14C datēšanas metode.In frame of Bachelor Thesis sediments of Užava River valley have been investigated in order to reconstruct palaeoenvironment condition changes during accumulation. Sediment samples were investigated using plant macrofossil, loss on ignition analyses and sediment AMS 14C dating. Investigation took place at Ventspils district Ziru Parish near Sise Site. Description of the geological structure of study area and applied methods, as well as interpretation of the obtained results, discussion and conclusions is given in Bachelor’s study. Obtained results indicate two different sedimentation stages during the previous Baltic Sea stages due to water level fluctuations in the Užava River valley at Sise Site. Bachelor thesis include 66 pp., introduction, 4 chapters, conclusions, reference list, 22 figures, 3 tables. Key words: Užava River, the Holocene, paleocarpological method, AMS 14C dating method

Comparison of hydraulic conductivity determination methods for sandy soils

Maģistra darbs “Smilšaino nogulumu filtrācijas koeficienta noteikšanas metožu salīdzinājums” ir veltīts filtrācijas koeficienta noteikšanas problemātikai. Līdzšinējos pētījumos filtrācijas koeficienta vērtību izkliede starp laboratorijā, in situ un ar empīriskajiem vienādojumiem iegūtajām filtrācijas koeficientu vērtībām ir apskatīta maz. Tāpat līdz šim nav plašāk pētīts laboratorijā iegūto filtrācijas koeficientu vērtību, kas noteiktas ar dažādām iekārtām, atšķirības, kas arī nosaka tēmas aktualitāti. Darba mērķis ir novērtēt iegūto filtrācijas koeficienta vērtību un izkliedi atkarībā no pielietotās filtrācijas koeficienta noteikšanas metodes. Darbā apzinātas smilšainos nogulumos izmantoto metožu nepilnības. Secināts, ka nogulumu filtrācijas koeficienta noteikšana gan laboratorijā, gan ar empīriskajiem vienādojumiem ir problemātiska. Atslēgas vārdi: laboratorijas iekārtas Eijkelkamp un GOST, glaciofluviāli nogulumi, empīriskie vienādojumi, dubultgredzenu infiltrometrs, kēmu terase.The master’s thesis “Comparison of hydraulic conductivity determination methods for sandy soils” deals with problems that are related to hydraulic conductivity determination. Up until now, hydraulic conductivity values and its variations from laboratory, in situ methods, and empirical equations have not been thoroughly studied. Also, there have not been significant studies that compare hydraulic conductivity values that are given by different laboratory parameters, which ensure the topicality of this study. The aim of this study is to estimate hydraulic conductivity values and its variability depending on the methods used. In result, this study identifies shortcomings of used methods and it is suggested that hydraulic conductivity determination using laboratory methods and empirical equations is problematic. Keywords: laboratory parameters Eijkelkamp and GOST, glaciofluvial deposits, empirical equations, double ring infiltrometer, kame terrace

MICROBIOLOGICAL SAFETY OF FUNCTIONAL READY TO EAT POTATO MEALS DURING THE STORAGE

Abstract Changes in consumer lifestyl

Nutritional value determination of thermally processed potato main course in retort packaging

Consumers are increasingly demanding choices of ready-made foods with excellent organoleptic and health-related properties. There are two main trends in Europe; firstly, consumers are increasingly choosing foods that are comfortable for use, secondly, the number of people who are overweight is increasing, with more consumers paying close attention to the ingredients and nutritional value of products in order to balance the amount of the food they consume per day. The aim of the research was to develop new potato main courses and to determine their nutritional value. The research was carried out at the Faculty of Food Technology of the Latvia University of Agriculture, Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR" and Laboratory of Mineral Nutrition at the Institute of Biology of the University of Latvia. Four different potato main course types with amaranth, quinoa, bulgur and chicken were prepared for the study; plain potatoes were used as the control sample. The content of protein, carbohydrates, lipids, fibre and minerals (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo, B) was determined in all potato main course samples. The addition of amaranth, quinoa and bulgur significantly increased the content of dietary fibre, protein, carbohydrates and lipids (p<0.05) whereas the addition of chicken fillet significantly increased protein and lipid content, but reduced the content of carbohydrates and dietary fibre. The content of various minerals, which are an indispensable part of the diet as they are necessary for the body's life processes and normal development, was significantly increased by the addition of chicken to the potato main course. The highest dietary fibre content was detected in potato main course with amaranth (3.0 g per 100 g product), drawing up to 9.0 g dietary fibre per one serving (300 g). Following the Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, potatoes with amaranth can be defined as the “source of fibre”