Morphological soil description for classifying soils and interpteting their genesis

Morphological description of the soil profile must provide further hierarchical morphogenetic analysis and adequate diagnostic and classification of soil in any substantive-genetic taxonomic system. In a brief taxonomy-oriented description, priority should be given to soil properties having diagnostic significance; they may be different for different horizons, and those discriminating similar horizons should receive special attention. It is proposed to compile an updated field handbook for soil morphological description, supporting the recent classification system of soils of Russia

Development of the basic soil classification of Vladimir Fridland in the classification of soils of Russia 2004/2008

The basic three-component classification system of soils of the world was published by V.M. Fridland in 1982, and its profile-genetic component was taken as a basis for the classification of soils of Russia (1997– 2004–2008). Unlike the former systems, in that of Fridland the priority is given to soil properties, and this conceptual background is transferred into the new Russian system. The substantive-genetic principles of both systems are implemented in diagnostic horizons and genetic properties; both systems have similar hierarchy of taxa, nomenclature, keys. Changes introduced in the classification of soils of Russia derive either of proposals forwarded in the course of its application, or of information accumulated. They concern the improvement of definitions and introduction of new diagnostic elements; however, the main principles are preserved in the existing and forthcoming versions

Statistical properties of a free-electron laser revealed by the Hanbury Brown and Twiss interferometry

We present a comprehensive experimental analysis of statistical properties of the self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) free-electron laser (FEL) FLASH at DESY in Hamburg by means of Hanbury Brown and Twiss (HBT) interferometry. The experiments were performed at the FEL wavelengths of 5.5 nm, 13.4 nm, and 20.8 nm. We determined the 2-nd order intensity correlation function for all wavelengths and different operation conditions of FLASH. In all experiments a high degree of spatial coherence (above 50%) was obtained. Our analysis performed in spatial and spectral domains provided us with the independent measurements of an average pulse duration of the FEL that were below 60 fs. To explain complicated behaviour of the 2-nd order intensity correlation function we developed advanced theoretical model that includes the presence of multiple beams and external positional jitter of the FEL pulses. By this analysis we determined that in most experiments several beams were present in radiating field and in one of the experiments external positional jitter was about 25% of the beam size. We envision that methods developed in our study will be used widely for analysis and diagnostics of the FEL radiation.Comment: 29 pages, 14 figures, 3 table

Floodplain soils on the soil map of the Russian Federation, scale 1 : 2.5 M, 1988, in the Russian soil classification, 2004

The largest area of taiga gley-differentiated soils on the Soil map of Russian Federation, scale 1:2.5 M, is located in the north of West Siberia. Small areas are dispersed over the northwestern European Russia, Eastern Siberia and the North-East. Interpretation of taiga gley-differentiated soils in terms of Russian soil classification system (2004) is rather ambiguous owing to high diversity of ecological conditions where these soils occur, аs well as variability of soil morphological, chemical, and physicochemical properties in diverse mapping units. Comparing properties of taiga gley-differentiated soils described in the Program of the map (1972) and in regional publications with the diagnostic criteria for soil types in some orders of the Russian classification system made it possible to find adequate names and taxonomic position for these soils. Thus, taiga gley-differentiated soils in the middle and northern taiga of Western Siberia proved to be allocated to several orders: weakly differentiated and gleyed soils with a brown profile were referred to the order of organo-accumulative soils as shallow-peat gleyic soils; their more hydromorphic variants – taiga gley-differentiated shallow-peat soils were  defined in the order of gleyzems, as peat gleyzems, soil with morphologically differentiated profile having a particular cryogenic structure were qualified for svetlozems and iron-illuvial gleyic svetlozems in the order of cryometamorpic soils, and for eluvial-metamorphic soils of the same order in case of cryogenic structure was absent. Taiga gley-differentiated soils in their northwestern area are confined to varved clays and correspond to (soddy-)eluvial-metamorphic gleyic soils

Floodplain soils on the soil map of the Russian Federation, scale 1 : 2.5 M, 1988, in the Russian soil classification

The development of the digital model of the soil map of Russia derived of the map of the Soviet Russian Federation, 1988, compiled in Dokuchaev Soil Science Institute, comprises the transfer of soil names in the initial legend to those in the new classification system of Russian soils (2004). Floodplain soils (only native) are represented by seven legend units (out of 205) that were named in terms of soil classification of USSR, 1977, and part of their names indicated ‘landscapes’ rather than soils, which disagrees with the principles of the new classification system. Basing on numerous publications and following the rules of the new system, soils were renamed. Most of them were referred to alluvial soil types within the synlithogenic trunk (Fluvisols), and their new names indicate both their properties and their zonal attachment. In order to obtain more adequate patterns of soils in river valleys additional soils were introduced including stratified-alluvial soils in the trunk of primary pedogenesis (Regosols). Simultaneously, the composition of polygons in the database was revised in accordance with regional data; human-modified soils were introduced (agro-soils and urbo-soils)

Nanoscale investigation of polymer cement concretes by small angle neutron scattering

An analysis of dense cements, such as polymer cement concrete, is made to produce original innovative components for different types of constructing materials. These materials present good functional properties (ageing resistance, crack formation resistance, hardness, and stability of mechanical modules) and can be used for various applications. In this paper, experimental tests on Portland cement with added γ-Al 2 O 3 and redispersible dry polymer performed using small angle neutron scattering are reported. The objective of the investigation was to assess the key parameters of the material (e.g., porosity, fractal dimensions, and size distribution) at the nanoscale level as well as to obtain useful structural information for expanding the possibility of applications. The results obtained can contribute to the optimisation of the consistency of the material, the design of operating conditions of elements of structures and facilities, and the design of the procedures that support ecological criteria and enhance quality and safety levels. © 2017 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Hanbury Brown and Twiss interferometry at a free-electron laser

We present measurements of second- and higher-order intensity correlation functions (so-called Hanbury Brown and Twiss experiment) performed at the free-electron laser (FEL) FLASH in the non-linear regime of its operation. We demonstrate the high transverse coherence properties of the FEL beam with a degree of transverse coherence of about 80% and degeneracy parameter of the order 10^9 that makes it similar to laser sources. Intensity correlation measurements in spatial and frequency domain gave an estimate of the FEL average pulse duration of 50 fs. Our measurements of the higher-order correlation functions indicate that FEL radiation obeys Gaussian statistics, which is characteristic to chaotic sources.Comment: 19 pages, 6 figures, 1 table, 40 reference

Hierarchical morphogenetic analysis of Kursk chernozem

Each of four hierarchical levels in the morphogenetic research is characterized in terms of technical and information facilities. A detailed hierarchical study was performed for the first time for chernozems and may be qualified for a basic one. Its results comprise confirmation of occurrence and details in manifestations of pedogenetic processes well-known in chernozems, as well as additional information on the pedofauna contribution to chernozem formation, variability and dynamics of carbonate pedofeatures, stability of the mineral soil ingredients

Investigation of radiation effects in water solutions during exposure with laser or LEDs light

Abstract only.The installation for gamma-, X-ray and neutron registration in water solutions (600 ml LiOH, or NaOH, or Na2CO3) during exposure with red light (λ=645+/-20 nm) of laser or light-emission devises (LEDs) was created. The laser light power was 5 mW and the LEDs - from 600 mW up to 10 W. Neutrons were measured with help of tow 3He counters, placed in paraphine barrel. Small neutron emission (up to 100 neutrons) has been registered in the form of series of short (ms) bursts during some minutes. Tritium production has also been detected in water solution probes. The gamma-ray and X-ray radiation measured by NaI scintillation detector & Geiger counters was not detected. Received results are discussed

Nitrogen-containing compounds of Kazakhstan petroleum vacuum gas oil

Relevance. The need to accumulate data on nitrogen-containing compounds of heavy fractions, the share of which in secondary oil refining is steadily increasing every year. With the weight of raw materials the amount of sulfur-, nitrogen- and oxygen-containing components in it increases. The high content of heteroatomic compounds has a negative impact on catalytic processing, the quality and performance characteristics of the products obtained, and the environment. One of the widespread processes for upgrading crude oil, in particular, vacuum gas oil, is hydrotreating. However, during the catalytic hydrodesulfurization of heavy distillates the reactions of hydrogenolysis of organic sulfur compounds are inhibited in the presence of nitrogen-containing compounds. At the same time, the degree of hydrodenitrogenation of heavy oil fractions is relatively low. It is known that petroleum nitrogen-containing compounds are divided into nitrogenous bases titrated with acid solutions and nonbasic nitrogen compounds. Nitrogenous bases are represented mainly by alkylbenzo- and alkylnaphthenobenzo derivatives of pyridine. Nonbasic compounds may include benzologs of pyrrole and amides. Determining the composition of nitrogen-containing compounds in vacuum gas oil and studying their transformations during hydrotreatment is an important and actual problem. Aim. Comparative study of high- and low-molecular nitrogenous bases and nonbasic nitrogen-containing compounds of vacuum gas oil of Kazakhstan oil before and after hydrotreating. Objects. Samples taken before and after the catalytic hydrotreatment of vacuum gas oil from Kazakhstan oil. Methods. Hydrotreatment, elemental analysis, potentiometric titration, benzene cryoscopy, IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy, structural group analysis. Results. The paper introduces a comparative characteristic of the composition and structure of high and low molecular weight nitrogenous bases from the original and hydrotreated vacuum gas oil. Under the conditions of hydrotreatment, the total removal of nitrogen was 6.56 wt %, and the content of Nbas. decreased by 36%. At the same time, nitrogenous bases in the hydrotreated product are characterized by low molecular weights. Using IR spectroscopy, similar structural fragments were identified in the nitrogen compounds of the original and hydrotreated vacuum gas oil: pyridine rings (1573–1574 cm–1), carboxylic (3209–3225 and 1701–1709 cm–1) and sulfoxide (1032–1033 cm–1) groups. Among the nitrogen-containing compounds of the original vacuum gas oil, amides (1647–1648 cm–1) were identified, which are absent in the composition of nitrogen-containing compounds of the hydrotreated vacuum gas oil. Hydrocarbon skeletons of molecules include aromatic (1599–1602 cm–1) and aliphatic fragments (2860–2960 and 1454–1460, 1377, 723–727 cm–1). In accordance with the results of the structural group analysis, the averaged molecules of high and low molecular weight nitrogenous bases of the original and hydrotreated vacuum gas oil are represented by naphthenoaromatic structures with different alkyl framing. The differences observed between the values of individual structural parameters of the nitrogenous bases average molecules of the original and hydrotreated vacuum gas oil may indicate the compounds transformations under study during hydrotreatment