Soil erosion has environmental and socioeconomic significances. Loess soils cover about 10% of the global land area. Most of these soils are subjected to increased land uses such as unpaved roads, which increase soil destruction and dust emission to the atmosphere. There is a significant interest in applications for dust control and soil stabilization. Application of geopolymers may significantly reduce environmental impacts. This study examines the use of a metakaolin-based geopolymer for dust control and soil stabilization in a semi-arid loess soil. The application of the geopolymer for dust control in comparison with common products (brine, bitumen, polyvinyl acetate-PVA) resulted in no dust emission. As a soil stabilizer, the geopolymer tested in this study provides remarkably good results in the tensile test. The most successful composition of the geopolymer, which is activation solution of sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) together with an addition of 30% metakaolin, obtained soil strength of 23,900 N after 28 days. The attempt to replace NaOH with lime (CaO) in the activation solution was far inferior to the original composition. There is a strong potential to develop natural soil stabilizers from a mineral base that even surpass their capabilities over existing synthetic stabilizers.

The different breeding sites of Salamandra infraimmaculata on the southern border of its distribution were examined and mapped in order to estimate the damage caused by water holes that could represent death traps for salamanders in xeric habitats. Among the various types of breeding sites (springs, streams, water holes, winter pools and reservoirs), the larvae of salamanders were detected in high numbers in springs and streams (503) and water holes (48), and in relatively low numbers in winter pools. Two water holes were examined in detail to estimate the damage caused to S. infraimmaculata where breeding places are limited. During the winter, both males and females enter a water hole for breeding. The percentage of males in and around the water hole was 42% and that of females 29%. After the salamanders' oviposition in the water, they try to return to terrestrial habitats, but are unable to do so and lose weight and die. The body mass index (BMI) of salamanders decreases from winter (December) after they move to the water hole to spring (April), when they are found in the water hole. The estimation of potential damage is about 300 mature salamanders annually.