micromorphology is the branch of soil science that is concerned with the description, interpretation and, to an increasing extent, the measurement of components, features and fabrics in soils at microscopic level. the advantage of micromorphology is that, in micromorphological studies the soils are studied in their natural and undisturbed form and so, one can follow the processes that take plac...

Introduction. The current hypothesis is that Martian sinkholes do not exist. It is proposed that the low pH environment resulting from the high CO2 content of the atmosphere will cause calcium carbonate to be deposited as calcite cemented sandstone rather than limestone [5]. Calcite, as well as gypsum, halite, smectite and illite, has been detected in Martian meteorites providing proof of the p...

This research focuses on the analysis of influence two secondary salt weathering processes durability rocks exposed to marine environments: chemical dissolution rock forming minerals and differential thermal expansion between halite hosting rock. These are scarcely treated in compared crystallisation. The methodology followed this paper includes both situ monitoring laboratory simulations. Four...

To determine background radiation levels that might influence experiments, we measured in situ gamma-ray emissions at ten locations in the Boulby Underground Laboratory. For gamma radiation in the energy range of 7-2,734 keV, the counts varied from 6.5 to 28 γ s-1. For measurements inside the Lab, the arithmetic mean was 24 γ s-1. The sedimentary rocks that surrounded the Lab, halite and mudsto...

Large regions of Earth's surface are underlain by salt deposits that evaporated from ancient oceans and populated extreme halophilic microbes. Some these halophiles may have been preserved over geological timescales within hypersaline fluid inclusions, but ingresses water and/or anthropogenic activities can lead to the formation alternative habitats, including NaCl stalactites or other speleoth...