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| Web URL(s): | http://archive.lib.msu.edu/tic/rpr/2000/72092,%20%20Washington State, Miltner.PDF
Last checked: 02/05/2013
Requires: PDF Reader |
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| Publication Type:
| Report |
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| Material Type: | Manuscript |
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| Monographic Author(s): | Miltner, Eric; Stahnke, Gwen; Grossl, Paul |
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| Author Affiliation: | Miltner and Stahnke: Washington State University, Puyallup, WA; and Grossl: Utah State University, Logan, UT |
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| Monograph Title: | Chemical and Physical Stability of Calcareous Sands Used for Putting Green Construction: Executive Summary, November 2010, 2000. |
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| Publishing Information: | [Pullman, Washington]: [Washington State University]; [Logan, Utah]: [Utah State University] |
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| # of Pages: | 10 |
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| Collation: | 10 pp. |
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| Abstract/Contents: | "A calcareous sand can be defined as any sand that contains at least 1% CaCO3 (calcium carbonate, or calcite) by weight. These sands exist in various places around the U.S. and the world, and are often used for construction of golf course putting greens and other sand-based root zone media. However, their use is discouraged because suspected yet unconfirmed problems associated with their long-term stability. It is suspected that calcareous sands may break down, resulting in restricted or plugged pore space. The result of this poor drainage, restricted rooting due to root zone saturation, and eventually severe thinning or death of the turf. To datem there are no reported systematic investigations into the occurrence or cause of this problem. Two primary approaches are being used in this project: controlled studies using simulated golf green profiles to study the weathering process of these sands; and a field survey which involves collection of intact cores from putting greens constructed with calcareous sands, with subsequent examination of the physical and chemical properties of these soil cores. Our objectives are to determine (1) if the use of calcareous sands results in eventual failure of the putting green to support healthy plant growth and playability, and (2) to determine the mechanism of this process, and if current management practices contribute to the problem. Work during the past year has focused on examining the mineralogical properties of calcareous sands. Samples have been collected from across North America over the past three years. Through laboratory analysis, it has been determined that the samples collected range in calcite content from 0 to 100%. The majority of the samples contain less than 10% calcite by weight. Examination by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals two different categories of calcite structure in these sands. Highly calcareous sands (70% calcite or greater) consist of discrete grains of calcite, mixed with silica particles. Sand with less than 10% calcite are comprised of quartz or silica grains with small deposits or coatings of calcite on the grains. Samples containing 30 to 40% calcite have a combination of the two. This may be significant because the two different forms of calcite may react and weather differently in the field. Future experiments will test this theory. A series of laboratory experiments have been conducted using PVC columns to simulate putting green profiles. In the most recent one, the effect of phosphorus on calcium carbonate chemistry was evaluated. Phosphorus is involved in many chemical reactions in the soil, some of them resulting in the formation of highly insoluble calcium phosphate minerals. Sand amended with phosphorus was packed into columns, and the sand was treated to mimic the results of soil acidification due to fertilization in the field. Results indicate that calcite is dissolving due to acidification, as has been shown in previous experiments. However, we did not see differences between an unamended sand and sands amended with phosphorus. This will be explored further by analyzing specifically for calcium phosphate minerals and testing sands with different calcite contents. Mineralogical Investigations: Since the November 1999 annual report, significant progress has been made in SEM analysis of sand samples. This type of analysis can reveal the varying mineralogy of calcareous sands, which may lead to an understanding of the weathering mechanism. Prior to this past year, progress in this area has been limited due to instrument access and several long periods of instrument malfunction. Samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) at the Utah State University SEM Facility. EDS scans, or "electron dot maps," provide a map of the elemental content of the sand grains imaged by SEM. Electron dot maps were created for calcium (Ca) and silica (Si). In the dot maps, white areas represent presence of the respective mineral. Depending of the sand, a particular grain in the SEM image may appear completely white in the Ca dot map, and black in the Si map. This would indicate that this grain is composed primarily of a calcium mineral (most likely calcium carbonate). Conversely, a grain that is black in the Ca map and white in the Si map is a silica mineral. For some examples, a grain may appear white in both the Ca and Si maps. These grains are probably silica minerals with surface deposits of calcium carbonate. Images and descriptions of several samples follow. Values given for calcium carbonate (calcite) content were determined by acid digestion." |
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| Language: | English |
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| References: | 0 |
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| See Also: | See also related summary article, "Chemical and physical stability of calcareous sands used for putting green consturction", 2000 Turfgrass and Environmental Research Summary [USGA], 2000, p. 5, R=72092. R=72092 |
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| Note: | Pictures, b/w
Figures
Tables
Also appears as pp. 18-27 in the USGA Turfgrass Research Committee Reporting Binders for 2000
"November 2000" |
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