The interdependence of hydrochemical and hydrodynamic processes in evaporite oil and gas basins

The article examines the reasons for the formation of vertical hydrochemical inversion within particular oil and gas basins and points out the role of waters of different genesis in the development of this phenomenon. The following processes of reverse hydrochemical zoning in the sedimentary cover are analyzed: thickening of heavy clay strata and the related squeezing of loosely bound waters, dehydration of clay minerals and catagenic fluid generation accompanying the transformation of organic matter into hydrocarbons of the petroleum series. The hydrochemical inversion at great depths is noted to occur and persist in the environment of the passive hydrodynamic regime; in closed water-drive systems, the demineralization of waters with depth causes the decrease in the hydrodynamic potential gradient, determining the migration pattern not only of water but also of hydrocarbons and, consequently, the location of oil and gas accumulation zones.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Cultivation Using Vermicompost-Amended Soil as an Aspect of Sustainable Plant Production

To achieve higher yields and maximum plant growth, excessive amounts of inorganic fertilisers are often applied to soils, affecting human and animal health and leading to the degradation of environmental resources. The use of organic fertilisers is proposed as an alternative to mineral fertilisation. One of the more frequently used organic fertilisers is vermicompost, which contains nutrients for plants in readily available forms and is characterised by the slow release of macronutrients and microelements into the soil environment. In a two-year field study, an attempt was made to use vermicompost produced from the waste mass of littoral plants as a soil amendment in the cultivation of garlic (Allium sativum). The experiment was conducted on raised beds with three treatments which were substitution of 10%, 25% and 50% vermicompost (V10, V25 and V50, respectively) to a heavy clay soil (SL), that with no addition acted as a control. Results showed that the 50% vermicompost addition had the most beneficial effect on selected (from a practical point of view) plant traits (e.g., diameter and mean bulb weight, mean number of cloves per bulb and mean clove weight, and mean yield), as well as on the content of macronutrients and microelements in garlic cloves. Lowest values of the analysed traits for A. sativum were found in the SL control group. No significant differences were found for the analysed parameters in the aboveground parts of plants in all the applied substrates.

Use of Vermicompost from Sugar Beet Pulp in Cultivation of Peas (Pisum sativum L.)

A properly conducted vermicomposting process is an environmentally friendly technology used to transform selected organic waste into vermicompost. This organic fertilizer is increasingly used in agriculture and horticulture as an alternative to mineral fertilizers. Research has investigated the use of vermicompost made from the waste mass of sugar beet pulp as a soil additive in the cultivation of peas (Pisum sativum L.). Experimentally, five treatments consisted of: a heavy clay soil as control (SL); the same soil with 10, 25, and 50% substitution of vermicompost, (V10, V25, and V50, respectively); and a standard peat-based horticulture substrate (GS) for comparison. Analyzed pea characteristics and the content of macro and microelements in their biomass were most favorably influenced by 25 and 50% vermicompost addition, and the values obtained were similar to those in the GS treatment. The lowest values of analyzed traits for P. sativum were found in the SL group. Thus, appropriate addition of vermicompost in the construction of plant growing substrates can reduce the use of inorganic fertilizers and be an alternative to peat in the medium, contributing to reduced use of this valuable environmental resource.

Establishing the value of the deflection of the soil-piercing working body with an asymmetric tip when correcting the airway of movement

Trenchless laying of engineering communications is actively used in all countries of the world. Among the existing methods of formation of wells for the implementation of these technologies, the most popular is the method of ground penetration. The main disadvantage of this method is the poor accuracy of movement of the piercing head in the array. This requires constant adjustments to the trajectory of its movement. This process can be controlled by using a head with an asymmetrical tip and acting on it with translational and rotational motion. The transmission of these movements from the power unit by means of type-setting push rods. Therefore, it is important to choose a trajectory such that the deflection of the bar will be within the permissible stress range. If the bend goes beyond these limits, the rod may break and the puncture process will be interrupted. The conducted studies have established the regularities of the process of puncturing the soil with a head with an asymmetric tip in the form of an inclined flat surface. It has been established that the greatest deviation of the head from the action of the transverse component of the soil resistance force, which occurs when moving such a working body in the soil, will occur at an angle of inclination of the front surface of 25º, and the smallest deviation will occur at an angle of 55º. In addition, it was found that in heavy clay, deflection will occur almost 3 times worse than in a soup and 1.4 times worse than in a loam. It has been experimentally confirmed that at a distance of 10 m the puncture with a head with an inclined forehead surface in sandy loam was 40 mm, and in clay 20 mm. At an angle of inclination of 70º, a constant core of soil compaction is formed and the process of controlling the movement of the head stops.

Physiological and Yield of Soybean Under Kayu Putih (Melaleuca cajuputi subsp. cumingiana) Stands with N, P, and K Fertilization on Lithic Haplustert

<p>Fertilization of N, P, and K on soybean planted under <em>K</em><em>ayu Putih</em> stands to serve to increase soil nutrients. <em>Lithic Haplustert</em> is a subgroup of Vertisol with a relatively low fertility and organic matter with a heavy clay texture. This research aims to determine the response of soybean to the application of N, P, and K fertilizers on the <em>Lithic Haplustert</em> in physiology and yield. This research was conducted from February to May 2015 in the Srikoyo hamlet, Menggoran village, Playen district, Gunungkidul regency, Yogyakarta. The experimental design is split-split plot with three levels of fertilization of N (0, 25, 50 kg urea ha^-1), P (0, 150, 300 kg SP-36 ha^-1), and K (0, 75, 150 kg KCl ha^-1). The results showed that the application of 50 kg urea ha^-1and 300 kg SP-36 ha^-1 can increase the leaf area and photosynthesis rate. Dosage 150 kg KCl ha^-1 fertilizer increased the concentration of N, P, and K in the plant tissues significantly.</p>

Clitoria ternatea (butterfly-pea).

C. ternatea is a pasture legume also commercialized as a garden ornamental that has been widely introduced in agroforestry systems in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Traits such as its high growth-rates, drought tolerance and adaptation to heavy clay soils suggest that this species could be used to improve natural grasslands (Staples, 1992). However, these traits have also helped this species to escape from cultivation and become an invasive species in river banks, creek lines, the margins of waterholes, irrigation channels, disturbed sites, roadsides and disturbed open woodlands and grasslands in Australia, Hawaii, the Galapagos Islands, Fiji, and on many islands in the Pacific region (Smith, 1985; Wagner et al., 1999; PIER, 2016; Weeds of Australia, 2016). C. ternatea is an aggressive colonizer of disturbed sites and open areas with the capability to displace and completely outcompete native vegetation (Weeds of Australia, 2016). Past risk assessments have given it a score of 7 (reject) for Australia and 9 (high risk) for the Pacific (PIER, 2016).

Balanites aegyptiaca (simple-thorned torchwood).

B. aegyptiaca is one of the most important tree species for African people because it provides food, medicinal products and fuel-wood valued for subsistence living in arid and semiarid areas (PROTA, 2016). This species is well adapted to grow in a wide range of habitats, soil types (from fine sands to heavy clay) and climatic moisture levels (Janick and Paull, 2008; Orwa et al., 2009). This thorny, long-lived tree has been introduced into cultivation in the Cape Verde islands, the Azores, India, Curacao, Bonaire, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico (Booth and Wickens, 1988; Chothani and Vaghasiya, 2011; Burg et al., 2012; Govaerts, 2016). Currently it has been listed as invasive only in Curacao (Burg et al., 2012). On this island it is spreading primarily across ruderal areas. B. aegyptiaca is also listed as a weed in Palestine and in Sudan where it grows forming dense thorny thickets (Zohary, 1973; Miehe, 1986).