基于便携式X射线荧光光谱速测的设施菜地土壤重金属污染诊断与评价

土壤重金属污染快速诊断与评价是污染防控与风险管理的前提。以广东省典型设施蔬菜产地土壤为研究对象，采用便携式X射线荧光光谱法(portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, PXRF)原位快速获取土壤重金属（镉（Cd）、铜（Cu）、铬（Cr）、铅（Pb）、锌（Zn）、砷（As）、镍（Ni）及汞（Hg））含量，在传统实验室方法验证PXRF的准确性和稳定性的基础上，对广东省设施菜地表层土壤重金属的污染状况进行快速诊断，并对土壤重金属污染风险进行评价。结果表明：(1) 异位PXRF法对土壤Cd、Cu、Cr、Pb、Zn、As及Ni的测定值与传统实验室方法测定值极显著相关(P<0.01)，土壤Pb和As含量的PXRF原位测定值与传统实验室方法测定值极显著相关(P<0.01)；(2) 土壤含水量为150 g?kg-1~200 g?kg-1时，Cr、Pb、Zn和As的PXRF原位测定值与实验室测定值的相关性达到了极显著水平(P<0.01)；(3) 土壤Cd和Cu的超标现象较为突出，其点位超标率分别为20.9%和10.0%。设施菜地土壤Cd的平均含量为0.21 mg?kg-1，约为露天农田土壤的1.2倍。珠江三角洲地区设施土壤中各重金属的含量整体较其他地区高；(4) 土壤Cd、Cu、Cr、Pb、Zn、As、Ni及Hg的单项污染指数均小于1，由高到低依次为Cd>Cu>Pb>Zn>Cr>As>Ni>Hg，内梅罗综合污染指数的均值为0.69。就整体平均值而言，土壤重金属污染程度处于清洁水平。PXRF实现了广东省设施菜地土壤重金属污染的快速诊断，并快速识别出Cd和Cu为设施菜地污染风险较高的潜在污染元素，研究结果可为设施农业土壤重金属污染快速诊断与评价提供方法和数据支撑。     

便携式X射线荧光光谱法(PXRF)在矿区农田土壤 重金属快速检测中的应用研究

针对我国普遍存在的土壤重金属污染问题,迫切需要开展土壤重金属的快速检测与评价方法研究。本文采用便携式X射线荧光光谱法(PXRF)和传统实验室方法对云南会泽铅锌矿区农田土壤As、Pb、Cu和Zn进行测定,分析了PXRF法的应用效果。结果表明:1PXRF法测定的精密度与准确度满足我国农田土壤环境质量检测技术规范中规定的仪器检测要求;2土壤As、Pb、Cu和Zn的PXRF法测定值与传统实验室测定值具有良好的一致性,Pb、Cu和Zn的决定性系数均大于0.70;3基于PXRF法原位测定、PXRF法异位测定和传统实验室测定结果的研究区土壤As、Pb、Cu和Zn具有相似的空间分布规律。可见,PXRF法可用于矿区周边农田土壤As、Pb、Cu和Zn的快速检测、污染筛查与评价。     

北京顺义区土壤重金属分布与环境质量评价

在北京顺义区采集了412份土壤表层样品,分析了其中7种重金属元素（Cu、Zn、Cr、Pb、Cd、As和Hg）的全量,采用单因子指数和内梅罗指数对土壤环境质量进行评价。结果表明,土样中As、Cd、Cr、Hg、Cu、Pb和Zn含量平均值分别为7.85、0.136、61.47、0.073、22.43、20.38mg.kg-1和69.75mg.kg-1,As、Cd、Cr、Cu和Zn含量平均值超过了北京地区环境背景值,但所有元素含量的平均值均未超出土壤环境质量一级标准。土壤中各重金属元素含量Shapiro-Wilk检验和相关性检验结果表明,研究区土壤中重金属Cr呈正态分布,Cd、Cr、Cu、Pb元素与As元素相关性显著。土壤各元素单因子污染指数排序为Zn〉Cr〉Cd〉Cu〉Pb〉As〉Hg,内梅罗综合污染指数平均值为0.745,达到了土壤环境质量评价分级标准Ⅱ级,污染等级为＂警戒线＂级;菜地、果园、荒地、林地、苗圃、设施农业用地和水浇地的土壤内梅罗指数分别为0.809、0.765、0.720、0.669、0.781、0.786和0.729,表现为菜地〉设施农业〉苗圃〉果园〉水浇地〉荒地〉林地。土壤环境质量总体安全,部分地区土壤重金属污染处于警戒水平。     

便携式X射线荧光光谱法(PXRF)在肥料重金属快速检测中的应用

为了探讨一种简单快捷的肥料重金属含量测定方法,本文采用便携式X射线荧光光谱仪(PXRF)测定了我国典型设施农业生产区肥料中As、Pb、Cu、Zn和Cr的含量,并与常规实验室方法的测定值进行比较,以验证PXRF法测定结果的准确性。结果表明:①PXRF对土壤标准物质中As、Pb、Cu、Zn的测定值与标准值之间的相对标准偏差和相对误差均小于10%,表明该仪器测定As、Pb、Cu、Zn的精密度和准确度较好;②肥料中重金属PXRF法测定的检出限均低于相应的国家或行业标准。当含量超过检出限时,有机肥和无机肥中As、Pb、Cu、Zn和Cr常规实验室方法测定值与PXRF法测定值间均达到了极显著相关,R2在0.70～0.99;③PXRF法的检测成本仅为常规仪器的10%?20%,节省了前处理的时间和费用。因此,PXRF法可用于肥料中重金属含量的快速检测与评价。     

太原市污灌区土壤重金属污染现状评价

对太原市污灌区土壤重金属分布特征进行了分析评价,结果表明重金属Pb、Zn、Cu、Ni、Mn、Cr、As、Hg、Cd含量均值均未超过土壤环境质量标准（GB15618—1995）,但其平均值均显著高于太原市土壤背景值。各重金属间的相关分析表明,Pb、Zn、Cu、Ni、Mn、Cr、As、Cd之间呈极显著相关,说明这8种元素污染源可能相同。Hg是本区表层土壤重金属污染的主要因子,重金属元素的污染程度依次为Hg〉Cd〉Pb〉As〉Cu〉Zn〉Cr〉Mn〉Ni。土壤重金属单项污染指数均值均大于1,综合污染指数为2.81,总体上,污染水平为中度及其以上。各种重金属单因子污染指数和综合指数在研究区有相似的空间分布格局,总体分布趋势为东南部小店地区和中南部晋源区相对较高,南部清徐县相对较小;通过因子分析并结合污灌区污染源调查,表明Hg除受污水灌溉的影响外,燃煤释放的Hg可能是重要来源之一,Cd、Zn、Pb和Cu可能来自污水灌溉和大气沉降,以污水灌溉的贡献为主,Ni、Mn、As、Cr来自污水灌溉。Hg、Cd是太原市污灌区土壤中需要优先控制的重金属。     

海南省农产品重金属污染评价与特征分析

采用单项与综合污染指数法,以海南省农产品为研究对象,开展了农产品中重金属Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd、Ni、As、Cr和Hg含量的抽样调查分析与评价。结果表明,全省农产品中重金属的平均含量均低于食品中规定的限值,各重金属的单项与综合污染指数均≤1,综合污染指数为0.57;全省农产品未受重金属污染,属于安全水平,适宜发展无公害农产品。同时发现,个别监测点的农产品中重金属含量有超标现象,新鲜水果中个别样品Pb、Cd、Hg超标,超标率在2.17%～10.87%之间;豆类蔬菜中个别样品Ni超标,超标率为9.09%;瓜果类蔬菜中个别样品Pb、Cd超标,超标率为12.24%～24.49%;叶菜蔬菜中个别样品Pb超标,超标率为6.67%;谷物中个别样品Pb、Cd、As超标,超标率在2.11%～7.37%之间。农产品中重金属含量间多呈正相关,其中Zn与Ni、As与Hg之间差异达到极显著水平,Cu与Zn、Cu与As、Cu与Hg、Zn与As、Zn与Hg、Cd与As、Cd与Cr、Cd与Hg、Ni与As、Ni与Hg、As与Cr之间差异达到显著水平。结合主成分分析结果,推测Cu、Zn、Ni、As、Hg含量主要受农业生产和人类活动的影响,而Cr、Pb和Cd含量受土壤母质的影响比较大。     

新乡市大棚菜田土壤重金属积累特征及污染评价

采用微波消解-ICP-AES技术,测定不同种植年限大棚菜田土壤样品中As、Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr、Mn、Ni、Cu等重金属的含量,研究不同种植年限与大棚菜田土壤重金属累积的相关性以及大棚菜田土壤重金属累积特征,并利用地积累指数法进行污染评价。结果表明:大棚菜田土壤重金属Zn、Pb、Ni、Mn和Cu的含量与种植年限具有极显著相关性;大棚菜田土壤中重金属Cd和Cr的含量与种植年限不相关。重金属元素间相关性分析表明,Zn与Pb、Cd、Ni、Mn、Cr、Cu,Pb与Cd、Ni、Mn、Cr、Cu,Cd与Ni、Mn、Cr,Ni与Mn、Cr、Cu,Mn与Cr、Cu具有污染同源性,Cu与Cd、Cr不具有污染同源性。地积累指数法污染评价结果显示Cd的污染等级达到了6级,已构成了极严重污染;Zn和Cu的污染等级达到2级,已构成了中度污染;Pb、Mn的污染等级达到1级,已经构成了轻~中度污染;As、Ni、Cr均未构成污染。     

渝黔高速公路綦江段两侧农地土壤重金属空间分布特征研究

选择渝黔高速公路綦江段沿线,设置6个农地区域进行土壤重金属(As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn)监测,并进行空间特征分析。结果表明:渝黔高速公路綦江段邻域土壤表层As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn含量平均值分别为3.40,0.24,59.37,21.81,0.064,25.41,24.75,68.81mg·kg-1;水平方向上,土壤随着高速公路的外延,As、Cr、Ni、Zn含量整体呈下降趋势,Hg则反之,Cd、Cu、Pb相对稳定;垂直方向上,重金属含量随深度增加而降低,即表土层心土层底土层;以表层土为基础,可以确定项目区实际安全种植距离为远离高速公路150 m左右。土壤样品Cd部分超标,超标率为17.65%。     

工业区周边农田重金属污染评价及来源分析

以新疆北疆某工业区周边农田土壤为研究对象,采集0~20 cm土壤样品254个,测定了Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Hg、Pb、Cd共8种重金属含量。运用相关性分析和主成分分析探讨工业区周边农田土壤重金属的来源,运用GS+进行数据拟合,选取最佳模型,再进行克里格插值分析重金属的空间分布格局。结果表明,Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Hg、Pb和Cd的含量分别为45.00、28.53、55.66、73.57、13.39、2.17、15.38和0.50 mg kg~(-1)。测量的金属除Cr之外均超过土壤的背景值,只有Hg处于中度污染,其余元素都处于非污染,而研究区综合潜在生态风险程度为严重型。重金属空间分布表明,Ni、Zn、As、Hg和Pb在东部和南部含量较高。来源分析表明,Hg来源受研究区内工业活动的影响;Cr、Ni、Zn和Cd主要来自于化肥、农药和地膜等农业活动和土壤母质的共同作用;As、Hg和Pb主要来源是受研究区内工业活动的影响。     

龙游硫铁矿区农田土壤重金属污染的空间 变异及在水稻中的积累

为了解浙江龙游硫铁矿区农田重金属污染状况,采集矿区265件农田土壤样品,分析8种重金属Cu、As、Hg、Zn、Cd、Ni、Pb、Cr元素全量,利用地统计学软件GS+9.0对研究区土壤各元素指标进行半变异函数拟合,并利用普通克里格法进行插值并绘制空间分布图。采集30件水稻籽粒样品,分析重金属在研究区中水稻籽粒的累积特征,并进行了健康风险评价。结果表明:矿区土壤中8种重金属元素的变异系数从0.72到1.76,离散程度较高。8种重金属的土壤空间半变异函数Cu、As、Hg元素符合指数模型,Zn、Cd、Ni、Pb符合球状模型,Cr符合高斯模型。元素Cu、Pb、Zn、Cr、Ni的块金值与基台值的比值C0/C0+C都小于0.25,说明空间变化主要受地质背景等因素影响;元素Cd、Hg和As的块金值与基台值的比值C0/C0+C在0.25~0.75之间,说明除了地质背景因素,人为活动等随机因素也有影响。矿区水稻籽粒中重金属Ni和Cd的变异系数最高,分别为0.95和0.87,说明Ni和Cd元素可能存在异常积累。矿区水稻籽粒对重金属的富集能力由大到小依次为Cd、Zn、Cu、Ni、As、Hg、Cr、Pb。健康风险评价结果表明矿区农田水稻籽粒中元素As、Cd的风险商大于1,存在潜在健康风险;而其他6种重金属Cu、Hg、Zn、Ni、Pb和Cr基本属于安全范围。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Properties of anaerobically digested and composted municipal solid waste assessed by linking soil mesofauna dynamics and nitrogen modelling

We have studied the effect of anaerobically digested (ADMSW) and composted municipal solid waste (CMSW) on mineralization and foodweb dynamics to verify the hypothesis that ADMSW would immobilize N right after addition to soil in contrast to addition with CMSW. Another hypothesis was that the mesofauna (enchytraeids and microarthropods) would stimulate N release from the decomposer community. We measured excretion of -N and urea-N from the mesofauna and hypothesized that enchytraeids would release urea. ADMSW and CMSW were amended to pots with sandy loam and barley. The pots were divided into treatments with or without mesofauna. Mesofauna, plant N and biomass, soil N and ergosterol (fungal biomass) were measured over a 113-day period of four equidistant samplings. Soil respiration, N mineralization and N release by the mesofauna were modelled from concurrent studies. ADMSW- and CMSW-treated soils initially (<20 days) immobilized N. The amendments did not increase plant growth substantially, and this was probably due to N-limitation in the early stages of plant growth. Enchytraeid abundance was about three times higher in ADMSW- than CMSW-treated soils, indicating that ADMSW contained more labile compounds, bacteria, and microfauna. The mesofauna did not affect N-content, but the cumulated -N excreted by the mesofauna was estimated to be substantial and about one-fifth of total plant N in ADMSW. An explanation for this discrepancy might be that in the absence of the mesofauna, other members of the detrivore and microbivore community performed the mesofauna’s function. Neither enchytraeids nor microarthropods excreted urea.     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Faculty positions: Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.