Palaeogeographical reconstruction of the Oxfordian-age (Jurassic) depositional systems in the southern Gulf of Mexico is supported by detailed sedimentological analyses, detrital zircon geothermochronology and plate tectonic restorations. This integrated approach departs from prior local studies by placing the Bacab Sandstone, a major reservoir in offshore Mexico, in a larger basin- to regional-scale context. Sedimentary characteristics derived from detailed core description show how remarkably similar the Bacab Sandstone is to coeval sandstones of the Norphlet Formation of the northern Gulf of Mexico. A comparison of lithofacies associations suggests similar depositional processes and palaeoclimate regimes, with aeolian dunes forming near base level with adequate wind, sediment supply and arid climatic conditions promoting development of dunes and adjacent sabhkas. Construction of prominent ergs (aeolian sand seas) with lateral transitions to updip fluvial-wadi systems is envisioned in Mexico, comparable to the Norphlet of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Reservoir quality over the southern Mexican offshore area is variable, as numerous well penetrations over several decades have demonstrated. However, in the core area of the Ek-Balam Field, the best reservoirs have surprisingly good porosity and permeability for their age (Jurassic) and present-day depth of burial (>4000 m). However, published information is not definitive on the factors mitigating subsurface reservoir quality destruction. It is possible that similar processes preserving or enhancing porosity under deep burial conditions for the Norphlet are likely to have operated in the Ek and Balam well locations. Available petrographical data on framework grains are similar for Oxfordian sandstones in both the northern and southern Gulf of Mexico. Detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology, however, indicates that different source terranes supplied clastics to the Oxfordian Bacab and Norphlet sandstones. Detrital zircon geothermochronology age spectra indicate that the Mayan (Yucatan) Block was the primary terrane for the Bacab Sandstone. This is separate and distinct from Norphlet source areas that vary from Appalachian (Laurentian) to Pan-African (Gondwanan and peri-Gondwanan) terranes. While it possible that the Bacab and Norphlet sandstones were continuous and connected across the Yucatan margin that lies between the two areas, detrital zircon provenance results do not show any indication of common source terranes. Dimensional considerations, such as the contrasting ratios of Bacab and Norphlet source areas to their respective documented areas of deposition, also support the notion of separated aeolian palaeoenvironments.

The Taklamakan Desert, with an area of 337600 km(2) and located in the Tarim Basin of southern Xinjiang, is the largest sand sea in the mid-latitudes on Earth. Previous understanding about palaeoclimate of this vast arid landscape was mostly deciphered from loess sequences found in the surrounding mountains, while only a few in situ investigations in the sand sea were carried out. In light of the advances in the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating techniques during the last decades, reconstructing palaeoenvironmental changes via studying aeolian sands in the interior of sand seas can now be achieved by careful observations in the field and by application of improved protocols of OSL dating methods. We used the new multiple-aliquot regenerative-dose (MAR) protocol with carefully selected preheat conditions of 230 degrees C for 10 s to date all samples which are distinctly younger than the upper age limit of this dating procedure, confirming that our chronology is scientifically robust. This paper reveals facies changes and the OSL chronologies of nine sedimentary sections showing interactions between fluvial, lacustrine (including slack-water) and aeolian processes in the central part of the Taklamakan. At present all sites of these sections are undergoing aeolian processes. The occurrences of fluvial and lacustrine (including slack-water) sediments in these sections indicate that many parts of the sand sea were shaped by rivers and inundated by water for long durations in the past. The initiations of occurrence of rivers and lakes (including slack-water) show some cyclicity according to the OSL ages. Our palaeoenvironmental interpretations of the different sedimentary facies in the field are supported by the data of palaeoclimatic proxies including color, grain sizes and magnetic susceptibility. The nine sections collectively suggest that three moist periods occurred in the Taklamakan Sand Sea since the late Pleistocene, i.e., similar to 70-50 ka (1 ka = 1000 years before 2010 CE), the late glacial of the last glaciation (similar to 17-11 ka) and the late Holocene (similar to 5-2 ka). During these moist periods, wetlands like fluvial channels, lakes (including slack-waters) occurred in the interior part of the Taklamakan, in the lower reaches of the Keriya and Andier Rivers and in the southern side of the Tarim River. The timing of the moist conditions in the Taklamakan Desert concurred with the intervals when global temperatures shifted from cold to warm stages. Thus we deduce that the wetter conditions in the Taklamakan were likely associated with increased runoffs of the rivers flowing into the desert with headwaters in the surrounding mountains. The amount of runoffs was dependent on regional precipitation and more importantly on the melting of snow and glaciers in the headwater regions. Palaeoclimatic simulations indicate that moistures of the Taklamakan Desert were transported mainly by mid-latitude westerlies both during the last Glacial Maximum and the Mid-Holocene. It is likely that the southward shift of westerlies due to the intensifying of Arctic Oscillation resulted in more orographic precipitations in the surrounding mountains of the Taklamakan Desert. We conclude that the increase of runoffs due to the increased melting of snow and glaciers during the transitional periods from cold to warm intervals allowed for the development of wetlands and provided water resources for the prosperity of early civilizations in the largest desert of China. Thus the features and driving factors of late Quaternary palaeoenvironmental changes in the Taklamakan are different from those in the middle and eastern portions of the desert belt in northern China where the palaeoclimate fluctuations were largely triggered by the monsoon system.

Despite many studies describing wind speed and sediment flux profiles in various situations, wind tunnel observations in the presence of live vegetation are infrequent and rarely combined with field measurements. To investigate the structure of wind speed and sediment flux profiles in morphologically different vegetation and various plant densities, wind velocity and sediment flux profiles were obtained over a multi-row windbreak in an arid environment and over unplanted surfaces and canopies of two types of plants in a wind tunnel. Although the two plant types in the wind tunnel have different morphology, the profiles of wind velocity and sediment flux showed structures similar to those for other plant types reported in previous studies which indicates that profile structures are likely common for homogeneous canopies even with different plant morphology and in various wind velocities. The horizontal profiles of wind speed and vertical profiles of sediment flux in the wind tunnel closely matched the profiles in the field-scale windbreak. The vertical profiles of wind speed within the wind-tunnel vegetation exhibited a deflection which was not reflected within the multi-row windbreak where profiles were nearly uniform without inflections, which was likely a response to different plant spacing and patterns. Wind-tunnel vegetation reduced wind speed significantly even in low density. Lowest wind speeds were observed beyond the wind-tunnel canopies and at the beginning of the windbreak. No difference in the size of the sheltered zone is observed between the two plant types in the wind tunnel either in different wind velocities or in various density configurations, or within the windbreak in various wind speeds and different dust storm events. The sheltered area was greater for the windbreak than for the wind-tunnel canopies, suggesting that wind tunnel studies may under-estimate the sheltered area afforded by a multi-row windbreak.

Many problems are encountered in the disposal of abundant magnesium slags, remarkable ecological environmental damages by stacking and landfill of magnesium slag, poor properties of soil-rock materials, and high pavement cost in Yulin City, China. This study focused on the combined use of feasibility of magnesium slag-Aeolian sand in pavement base to address the problems above. The physical and chemical properties of magnesium slag and Aeolian sand were obtained through tests on the basic properties of raw materials. Different mixing ratios of magnesium slag and Aeolian sand and cement content were designed. Moreover, a comparative study on the compaction characteristics and water stability, as well as unconfined compressive strength, splitting strength, and compressive modulus of resilience of five groups of cement-stabilized magnesium slag-Aeolian sand mixtures in different periods, was conducted through a series of systematic laboratory tests. The impact degrees of different factors on compressive strength were calculated by the grey relational analysis method. Finally, the test was paved by combining laboratory test results. Research results demonstrate that the active matter content is high, and the crushing value of magnesium slag is also high. The optimal water content of the mixture increases with the magnesium slag content, while the maximum dry density decreases. The mixture's unconfined compressive strength, splitting strength, and compressive modulus of resilience in different curing periods all increased with the magnesium slag and cement contents. Moreover, magnesium slag content has minimal influence on splitting strength compared with unconfined compressive strength. Among all factors, cement content provides the most influence on the compressive strength, followed by water content, magnesium slag content, and curing period successively. The 7 d compressive strength of mixtures with different mixing ratios meets the strength requirements of the base and subbase of different highway grades, and all mixtures show good water stability. The test road also achieves good performance. These findings prove that using cement-stabilized magnesium slag- Aeolian sand mixture as the pavement base and subbase materials is feasible. The magnesium slag content should be higher than 45% under 5% cement content to meet the strength requirements base. This study can provide references to the applications of magnesium slag and Aeolian sand in semi-rigid base materials.

The MGS1 segment of the Milanggouwan stratigraphic section, which is located on the southeastern margin of the Mu Us Desert in China, recorded 11 sedimentary cycles consisting of aeolian dune sands overlapping with fluvio-lacustrine facies or paleosols in the Holocene. Through the analysis of trace elements, gastropods, and sporopollen fossils in some layers of the MGS1, this study presents the monsoon climate fluctuations on the millennial-scale in the Mu Us Desert during the Holocene. The results show that the contents of trace elements (P, Pb, Rb, Nb, Zr, V, Sr, Cu, Ni, As, B a, and Co) have similar distribution characteristic, their contents are low in the dune sands but are relatively high in the overlying fluvio-lacustrine facies or paleosols showing 11 cycles in alternation of valleys and peaks. The trace elements in the paleo-mobile dune sands of MGS1 are quite consistent with those of modern mobile dune sands in Salawusu River Valley; therefore, paleo-mobile dune sands can be assumed to be a result of the main periods of the prevalence of East Asian winter monsoon. The increased element contents in the overlying fluvio-lacustrine facies or paleosols are mainly due to the prevailing East Asian summer monsoon. In addition, the 11 elements' cycles represent the climate changes on the millennial-scale in the alternation of East Asian winter and summer monsoons in the Holocene. The paleoecology indicated by gastropods and sporopollen fossils reflects the warm and humid sparse forest grassland environment prevailing in the East Asian summer monsoon when the fluvio-lacustrine facies were deposited; the sporopollen is missing in the dune sands, presumably, it might be dry and windy sandy desert then. The dominant periods of the winter monsoon in these cycles, in terms of time and nature of the climate, could correspond to the cold events in the North Atlantic and lakes, loess, peat and stalagmites in China. It probably indicates that the millennial-scale environmental changes in China's desert regions may be caused by the changes of solar radiation and the increase in ice volume in the Northern Hemisphere during the Holocene.

At present, the coastal sandy soil in special region of Yogyakarta has developed to be a potential agricultural field. Salinity has become one main obstacle in this specific field. The research aimed to examine the growth and yield responses of three rice cultivars in several salinity levels in this coastal sandy soil. The research was carried out in Srigading and Baros Villages, Bantul District of Yogyakarta Special Region, Indonesia. A split plot design was applied, with salinity levels (0.1; 1.0 and 2.5) dS.m(-1) as main plot and rice varieties (IR 64, Situbagendit and Dendang) as sub plot. The treatments were replicated three times. The results showed that there was hardly significant difference in most of the growth and yield variables in IR 64 and Situbagendit. However, at 2.5 dS.m(-1) Dendang (the salt resistant rice) performed the highest chlorophyll content. With salinity up to 2.5 dS.m(-1), there was an increase in stomatal conductance, shoot dry biomass and grain yield. Overall, adding salinity up to 2.5 dS. m(-1) in coastal sandy soil promoted better growth and yield of rice. However, with higher salinity levels, grain yields decreased. The decrease in grain yield was larger in salt resistant variety, than in salt sensitive varieties.

The paper presents the results of the subsurface irrigation experimental research at grain sorghum. The experiment was located on a sandy soil plot, in the arid Dabuleni region of southern Romania, under the climatic condition of 2020. Two variants of subsurface drip irrigation were placed: at a depth of 20 cm and at a depth of 40 cm. Observations and determinations were made regarding the soil humidity on the profile of 0-20 cm, 20-40 cm and 40-60 cm. Hydro physical indices (momentary water supply, the soil water reserve and the soil water deficit) were calculated to establish the irrigation norms according to the water consumption of the grain sorghum. The analysis of the results obtained for sorghum cultivation highlighted better use of subsurface irrigation with the location of drip lines at 40 cm depth, the level of grain production being 5758.3 kg center dot ha(-1), with a difference of 1182.3 kg center dot ha(-1), distinctly significant from the irrigation located at 20 cm depth. Using this method, the water is distributed in the area of root development and ensures optimal humidity in the soil for a longer period, with no losses, compared to the burial variant of the drip lines at 20 cm, when a significant part of the water that rises in the soil layer to the surface, through the capillary ascent, is lost by evaporation.

The researches were carried out in the period 2020-2021 on the cowpea crop, located in irrigated conditions, on a sandy soil with low natural fertility, in the southern area of Oltenia, and aimed at reducing the effects of abiotic stress and increasing production, through management fertilizing the crop with environmentally friendly products. Five variants of foliar fertilization were experimented (non-fertilized foliar, Basfoliar 36 Extra, in a dose of 3 l / ha; Maturevo 3.35.35 + ME, in a dose of 3 kg/ha; liquid Biohumussol in a concentration of 1 %; Polyactiv Mn, at a dose of 1.5 l/ha), on two agrofunds of root fertilization (N30P30K30; N60P60K60). The obtained results showed that ensuring a rational fertilization of cowpea, in relation to the requirements of the plant and the state of soil fertility can regulate the mechanisms of plant protection against stressors on sandy soils. The foliar fertilization with environmentally friendly products has positively influenced the percentage of dry matter, bound water and the concentration of vacuolar juice in cowpea leaves, increasing the plant's resistance to thermohydric stress. Through the foliar fertilization of the cowpea crop, there were increases of production between 30-47.5%, on the agrofound of N30P30K30 and of 15.8-22.1% on the agrofund of N60P60K60. The cowpea registered a maximum production (2,983.4 kg/ha), at the fertilization with Maturevo 3.35.35 + ME, in a dose of 3 kg/ha, on the agrofund of N60P60K60, with the significant difference (p>0.05), compared to unfertilized foliar. There was a positive correlation, distinctly significant, between between the leaf area index and cowpea grain production (r = 0.882 **).

Olive mill wastewater (OMW) is generated seasonally a large amount during the olive oil production in southern Tunisia and it is often discharged in the open environment. OMW has a high amount of phototoxic compounds, high salinity and acidity and therefore is challenging when disposed on soil. However, in southern Tunisia, the condition climatic is arid and semis-arid region. The soil sandy is in degradation and erosion processes. New strategies have been developed to reduce these impacts in soil and to valorize a waste product as olive mill wastewater (OMW) loaded with minerals and organic matters as fertilizer in agronomy. The major aim of this study was to investigate the effects of OMW spraying onto on soil biochemical properties and Faba bean crop productivity was investigated. The result showed that the irrigation of sandy soils by different OMW doses strongly influenced their chemical and microbiological characteristics. Indeed, spreading amounts from 15 m(3)/ha to 45 m(3)/ha for three consecutive years induced a considerable improvement of soil fertility. The pH and soil phosphorus content remain stable during the three years of study, while the soil salinity was increased for the 45 m(3)/ha treatment where it exceeded to 6 dS/m. In conclusions, the dose 15 m(3)/ha is suitable for the vegetative development of the Faba bean tested plant according to the soil characteristics evolution.

ROSELLE plant is a valuable medicinal crop in arid and semi-arid regions. The use of microorganisms to enhance crop production is more favorable than chemical fertilizers attributable to food safety. A field experiment was implemented to inspect the impact of the bacterial mixture (Bacillus subtilis (BSR-8) and Pseudomonas flourescens (PSR-11)), Pleurotus ostreatus and mycorrhizeen (R) individually and /or in combination on the growth and yield of roselle plant and their impact on newly sandy soil. The tested bioagents significantly increased the growth and yield of roselle plant in comparable to the untreated plants. Also, inoculation increased soil dehydrogenase activity, root colonization and photosynthetic pigments. A significant enhancement in soil fertility properties occurred, where the soil NPK availability improved. The NPK concentrations and uptake increased in calyx and shoot in response to bioagents. Soil organic matter content and soil aggregates increased while EC and pH decreased. Generally, the application of microbial mixtures modified physio-chemical soil properties and consequently reflected on roselle yield production.