Limestone

In the highest part of the Aralar Mountain Range, between the summits of Aldaon and Irumugarrieta, a trough is formed that descends towards the imposing cut of the Malloas (that limits the North of the mountain range). In its lower part there are several sinkholes and a wide abyss with a vertical shaft of -54 m that has worked as a glacial type karstic outlet of the small basin, close to the cut. The abyss develops at the expense of vertical fractures in dark limestones of the Dogger age (Jurassic). It has two underground snowfields: one at the base of the access hole, at -54 m, and another that forms a glacial tongue that extends to a ledge at -88 m depth. After two more verticals, the abyss is obstructed by blocks at -144 m, where the snow melt water infiltrates.
The abyss was not cataloged or referred to in the Speleological Catalog of Gipuzkoa, there being a reference to it in the Speleological Catalog of Navarre but which place the cavity in Gipuzkoa. Reviewing the cartography of both territories in this sector, in different maps, we find differences in the situation of the Gipuzkoa-Navarra boundary, an aspect that is discussed in the text.
The cavity is located in the term of Gainza (Navarra). Apparently the underground drainage is directed towards upwellings located at -700 m of unevenness at the base of the Malloas, in a complex area affected by the shearing of Azkárate, whose hydrogeology is not completely elucidated.
In the access chasm nest alpine choughs Pyrrhocorax graculus (Corvidae) and the cavity has an ecosystem with diverse cave species of interest. The work describes the results obtained so far in the exploration of the cavity.

Kasımiye madrasa is located in Mişkin district of Mardin province. The date of construction is uncertain, it is estimated that it was built by Kasım Pasha (1487-1507) who is the ruler of Akkoyunlu. According to Albert Gabriel, the building was built in the last period of Artuklu domination and the building was completed in the period of Akkoyunlu period. The qasimiye Madrasa has 23 cells, with 12 cells upstairs and 11 cells downstairs, 1 eyvan and 2 masjids. The madrasa was used as a soldier's mansion in the 1960s. It was restored in 1967 and 2007. Landscaping was carried out in 2009. In 1967, the joints of the lower floor vaults of the portico were repaired, plaster operations of the entire structure were carried out in 2007. Limestone is a natural building material that has been widely used since that human beings began to make housing. In historical buildings, limestone was used as cut stone and rubble stone in traditional construction techniques. The construction material of Kasımiye Madrasah is limestone which is the main ingredient of lime. Cut stone was used in the facades and floor coverings of the building. Limestones variety depending on their physical and chemical properties, they are chosen according to their intended use in structures. Limestones are easier to operate when they are removed from the quarry and they are softer because of their high humidity. For this reason, the building blocks can be processed more easily. As time goes on, its mechanical properties improve by hardening in atmospheric weather conditions. Due to the atmospheric climatic conditions of Mardin, the physico-mechanical degradation of the buildings is higher. Physical, chemical and biological degradation have occurred in Kasımiye Madrasah due to negative atmospheric and environmental conditions. Superficial abrasions occurred on the stairs of the madrasa due to friction caused by an excessive influx of visitors. In the inner walls of the building, physical deformation such as loss of surface and joint discharges were observed, while deformation such as flowering, loss of surface, joint discharge, discoloration and loss of parts were common on the outer walls. Biochemical degradation was detected in limestone stones due to bird droppings on window edges, eaves and especially on the dome surface.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been in use for decades, but only recently the technique has progressed so to allow the construction of efficient handheld, self-contained commercial instruments featuring a large range of capabilities. In particular, the development of portable handheld instruments able to perform non-invasive, spatially resolved, multielement, in-situ analysis has provided an impressive impulse to the scientific investigation of cultural heritage materials. In this work, the design of a handheld LIBS instrument and the first test measurements performed on a fragment of a sedimentary rock monument are presented. A full broadband LIBS emission spectrum with a point and shoot operation was recorded directly within few seconds, so providing information on the elements present in the weathered layer in comparison to the stone surface. Further, the Calibration Free (CF)-LIBS approach was used to test the possibility to obtain a suitable quantitative composition of the main elements present in the sample.

La muralla es la única estructura urbana que permanece a lo largo de la historia de la ciudad. La sucesión de épocas implica
numerosas actuaciones para mantener dicha estructura, tales como reparaciones, recrecidos o lienzos ex NOVO. De acuerdo
con las investigaciones arqueológicas recientes sobre la cerca antigua de Córdoba, se ha puesto de manifiesto una serie
de actuaciones que dejarían entrever una muralla bien conservada hasta el siglo VI d.C., antes de la invasión del 711. No
obstante, las fuentes islámicas apuntan a una muralla con un estado de conservación discutible, y mencionan entre los siglos
VIII y X d.C. que la ciudad de Córdoba fue dotada de nuevos recintos. Sin embargo, la investigación ha demostrado que
dichas actuaciones eran más bien localizadas y que persistía la estructura fortificada antigua. Este trabajo se interroga sobre
el proceso de recuperación del recinto antiguo en época islámica y sobre el abastecimiento de piedra para su construcción.
Para ello, incorporaremos los resultados de un estudio petrográfico.

In the present study, since historic Cairo established, limestone and woods have been used for building construction alongside. The building materials representingcase studies in historic Cairo are affected by different deterioration factors, such as rising ground water level, the salt weathering, air pollution, frequency between temperatureandrelative humidity, and microbiological deterioration.From case studies survey various types of weathering forms were observed, such as granular disintegration, splitting in the wooden lintel, the efflorescence of salt, pitting in limestone surface, black spots in limestone surface due to microbiological deterioration, black crust and peeling, flaking of painting layers, etc. The aim of this study is to identify on the reciprocal relations ofthe deterioration symptoms in different building materials (limestonewood) used in some of historic Cairo's buildings. The samples were collected from different sites, investigated by several scientific techniques such as X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), EDX analytical methods, Fourier Transform Infrared Microscopy (FTIR) to detect the changes of the main wood components (cellulose,, lignin), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Polarizing Light Microscopy (PLM), Stereo Microscopy, and microbiological investigation were also done. The results of the study indicated that there was a fungal infection on the surface of limestone, in particular which is found close to the wooden elements, microbiological investigation was shownthe following fungi:,,,,,. From investigation of wood samples are shown that there is a rise moisture content in the wood materials, due to direct connection between them and adjacent the stones, in addition to crystallized salts found in wood fiber and internal structure of limestone, such as NaCl, CaSO4.2H2O, CaSO4; due to the effect ofbuilding material properties on each other. Furthermore, the physical and mechanical properties tests of building materials indicated that reduction in its properties.

In 2019 we carried out biological prospecting work in several cavities of the Entzia mountain range. The Ezkarretabaso 4 abyss, studied with attractive baits, revealed an interesting ecosystem, with 27 cave-dwelling species (seven troglobites). The cave of Urigutxi, sampled with direct methods, allowed the discovery of 11 cave-dwelling species (two of them troglobites). However, in both cases we note the absence of some significant zoological groups, which are frequent in caves in the region. In later trips we found two additional troglobites species (of collembola and amphipods). This extends the faunal representation known to both cavities and for the karst of the Entzia mountain range.
The variable presence or absence of the different species in detailed sampling is repeated in the case of other cavities of the Entzia-Urbasa region. An aspect related to the biology and ecology of organisms, their spatial distribution in the hypogeous environment, their metabolic and reproductive requirements, and the unequal distribution of biotopes suitable for them. A sum of factors that interact in a complex way and that will be discussed in this note, after presenting the results obtained.

Various red, black and grey 'Belgian marbles' (coloured dense fossiliferous Palaeozoic limestones suitable for polishing - 'calcaires marbriers') decorated private and public buildings as well as sanctuaries within and beyond the civitas Tungrorum. These hard limestones have all been quarried in southern Belgium, at the heart of the civitas. For their transport, trade and distribution, fluvial routes were most probably used. The 'Belgian marbles' have been employed as tesserae in mosaics, opus sectile, marble veneers and various smooth or sculptured wall and floor decorative elements. The strongly veined Gris des Ardennes and the wild cherry-red Rouge de Rance were the most popular ones, whereas the spotles black de Namur 'marble' was preferentially used in floor mosaics in combination with white tesserae.  The grey Meuse limestone was the most commonly used decorative stone showing a broad spectrum of applications. In this paper, the geographical-geological provenances and stratigraphical assignments of the 'Belgian marbles' (and related limestones) are discussed, whereas an overview is given of their major macroscopical-microscopical characteristics and known distribution.

Roman Ornamental Stones in North-Western Europe. Natural Resources, Manufacturing, Supply, Life & After-Life, Coquelet C., Creemers G., Dreesen R. & Goemaere E. (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Conference 'Roman Ornamental Stones in North-Western Europe, Tongeren', 20-22 April 2016. Available in the museum's shop.

In the central part of the Urbasa mountain range, on the border with Entzia mountain range, there is a cavity of 120 m of development consisting of several floors, galleries and rooms, with a small underground river. The cavity develops in sandy calcarenites in its upper part and in limestones and siliceous microconglomerates in its lower part, crossing both levels, of Lutecian - Thanetian ages (Eocene - Palaeocene, marine Tertiary). The cavity has various geomorphological and hydrological features of interest, and is inhabited by a set of cave dwelling invertebrates, including troglobites species. The work describes the cavity and its cave ecosystem.

The Ezkarretabaso 4 abyss is one of the most developed cavities in the Sierra de Entzia (Álava, Basque Country), with 1.5 km of galleries and -40 m of unevenness. Recent work in a fossil cavity close to this one (in the Itaida Sur sector) provided novel biospeleological data, so it seemed interesting to study this cavity, since it did not have data on cave fauna, is much more extensive, considerably, and has gours and underground rivers, with favourable biotopes to house stygobia fauna. The cavity is developed in dolomites, dolomitic limestones and calcarenites of Danian age (Paleocene, marine Tertiary). Studied with the use of attractive baits, the cavity revealed an interesting ecosystem, with al least 27 cave-dwelling species, including seven troglobites species. The work describes the cavity and its fauna, and discusses ecological, biogeographical and evolutionary aspects.

La presencia de las industrias caleras en la Hispania romana ha pasado desapercibida dentro del estudio de las diversas actividades implicadas en la construcción romana. Su total ausencia de las fuentes históricas hispanas, obliga a rastrear su existencia en el ámbito de la arqueología. En este trabajo abordamos una primera introducción a su estudio en la Península Ibérica.
The presence of lime industries in the Roman Hispania has gone unnoticed in the study of the roman construction. The complete absence of historical hispanic sources, forces us to trace their existence in the field of archeology. In this paper we present a first study in the Iberian Peninsula

Kárpátalja mai területe a változatos geológiai felépítésével, illetve a gazdag élővilágával már az őskőkortól kezdve potenciális életkörnyezetet biztosított az emberi közösségek számára. A korszerű kutatási módszereknek köszönhetően
bizonyíthatóvá vált, hogy az időszakosan vándorló életmódot követő emberi csoportok átmeneti telephelyeit elsősorban
a megfelelő mennyiségű növényi és állati eredetű táplálék, illetve a megfelelő mennyiségű és minőségű kőnyersanyag
határozta meg. Jelen tanulmány célja egy kisebb régió bemutatása, amelynek területén potenciális kőeszköznyersanyagokat sikerült kimutatni.

The genus Begonia is belonging to the Begoniaceae family and considered as one of
the largest flowering plant families that is having numerous species in one massive
genus. About 60% of described Begonia species from Borneo are recorded from the
limestones and adjacent areas. This showed that the limestones habitat is the richest
spot for Begonias in Borneo. Many of them are recorded from very few localities and
quite a number recorded as hyper-endemic, from a single limestone hill. A
comparison study on the occurrences of Begonia in the limestone habitat, however,
received less attention by the ecologists. Therefore, the objective of this study is to
compare the occurrence of Begonia in two limestone hills; Gunung Doya in the Dered
Krian National Park (Bau limestone areas) and Gunung Payang in the Serian-Tebedu
Limestone areas. The studies were conducted at the foot of limestone hills of Gunung
Doya and Gunung Payang that includes microhabitats such as limestone pocket,
boulder, crevices and cave mouth. The surveys were conducted in August-September
2016. A total of nine species were recorded from two localities (B. andersonii, B.
congesta, B. corrugata, B. lailana, B. paoana, B. pendula, B. sarawakensis, B.
speluncae), five species from Gunung Payang and six species from Gunung Doya.
However, B. speluncae and B. lailaina was the only species found in both limestones
hills, while the others B. andersonii, B. corrugata and B. paoana were recorded from
Gunung Payang and B. congesta, B. pendula, B. rubida and B. Sarawakensis from
Gunung Doya

The Prayer Plant family or also known as Arrowroot family (Marantaceae) is a native to tropical and subtropical regions. With about 31 genera and over 550 species, is the second biggest family in the Order Zingiberales. The center of the species richness for this family is in South America. Only about 55 species reported from Asia and about 20 of them from Borneo. Although they are very common in the forest, the Marantaceae in Borneo and Sarawak particularly are poorly studied. The members of
Marantaceae are found from various habitats from the lowland forests to upper hill forests, includes swampy areas and limestone, elevations up to 1700m. A comparison study on the occurrence of Marantaceae at the limestone habitat in Borneo and particularly Sarawak has never been studied. Therefore, the objective of this study is
to compare the occurrence of Marantaceae in two limestone hills; Gunung Doya in the Dered Krian National Park (Bau limestone areas) and Gunung Payang in the Serian-Padawan-Tebedu Limestone areas. The studies were conducted at the foot of limestone hills of Gunung Doya and Gunung Payang that includes microhabitats such as limestone pocket, boulder, crevices and cave mouth. The surveys were conducted in August - September 2016. A total of eight species were recorded from two localities [Donax canniformis, Phrynium hirtum, P. pubinerve, P. villosulum, Phrynium sp., Stachyphrynium calcicola, Stachyphrynium sp.1 (cf. aurantiacum), Stachyphrynium sp.2], three species each from Gunung Payang and Gunung Doya. Only two species; D. canniformis and P. pubinerve, were recorded occurs in both localities.