Distributions of Heavy Metals and Benzo[<Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis>]pyrene in Oligotrophic Peat Soils and Peat Gleyzems of Northeastern Sakhalin

The contents and profile distributions of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg, Pb, and benzo[a]pyrene in oligotrophic peat soils, oligotrophic peat gley soils (Dystric Fibric Histosols), humus-impregnated peat gleyzems (Dystric Histic Gleysols), and mucky gleyzems (Dystric Gleysols) have been analyzed with consideration for their degree of oligotrophicity and anthropogenic loads. Horizons with the accumulation (O, Tpyr, TT) and removal (Ghi,e) of heavy metals have been revealed. The increase in the content of heavy metals and benzo[a]pyrene in the upper layer of oligotrophic peat soils under technogenic fallouts in the impact zone of flare and motor transport has been considered. Statistical parameters of the spatial variation of parameters in organic and gley horizons have been calculated. The variation coefficients of pollutant elements (Pb and Zn) in the surface horizons of soils increase to 100–125%. Positive correlations revealed between the content of some heavy metals in litter indicate their bioaccumulation and possible joint input with aerotechnogenic fallouts. No correlations are found between the contents of benzo[a]pyrene and heavy metals, but a reliable negative correlation with the ash content is noted in the peat horizon.     

Spatial variation of peat soil properties in the oil-producing region of northeastern Sakhalin

Morphology and properties of medium-deep oligotrophic peat, oligotrophic peat gley, pyrogenic oligotrophic peat gley, and peat gley soils on subshrub-cotton grass-sphagnum bogs and in swampy larch forests of northeastern Sakhalin have been studied. Variation in the thickness and reserves of litters in the studied bog and forest biogeocenoses has been analyzed. The profile distribution and spatial variability of moisture, density, ash, and pH_KCl in separate groups of peat soils have been described. The content and spatial variability of petroleum hydrocarbons have been considered in relation to the accumulation of natural bitumoids by peat soils and the technogenic pressing in the oil-producing region. Variation of each parameter at different distances (10, 50, and 1000 m) has been estimated using a hierarchical sampling scheme. The spatial conjugation of soil parameters has been studied by factor analysis using the principal components method and Spearman correlation coefficients. Regression equations have been proposed to describe relationships of ash content with soil density and content of petroleum hydrocarbons in peat horizons.     

Ecological-hydrothermal assessment of pyrogenic soils of cutover peatlands

The morphology, physical and chemical properties, distribution and composition of mesofauna, hydrothermal regime, dynamics of the aeration porosity, and fertility of pyrogenically modified and soddy-pyrogenic soils of worked-out peat deposits were studied in years with different precipitation. The ash and carbonized horizons were constituents of the pyrogenic profiles of these soils. The surface ash horizons contain grains of quartz sand, ferruginous formations, and carbonates and have an alkaline reaction. The lower lying carbonized horizon is represented by thermally transformed organic matter, and it has an acid reaction and a low water-holding capacity. The studies of the hydrological regime have revealed the differences between the pyrogenically modified and soddy-pyrogenic soils and the necessity of their additional moistening. The moisture reserves in the soddy-pyrogenic-sandy soils were much lower than their optimal amount during the whole growing period, whereas, in the pyrogenically modified peat soils, they were optimal. However, the air humidity in the years when the investigations were performed did not exert any significant influence on the hydrological regime of the soils. The analysis of the temperature regime showed that spontaneous burning of the peat soils studied was impossible. Within 2–3 years after the fire, the fertility of the pyrogenically modified and soddy-pyrogenic soils was found to be somewhat higher than that of the soils long used for grass growing due to the enrichment of the organic matter with ash. Some measures are recommended for the optimization of the fertility of the pyrogenic soils.     

Features of abandoned cemetery soils on sandy substrates in Northern Poland

Morphological and chemical features of cemetery soils (Necrosols and undisturbed cemetery soils) have been studied with Northern Poland as an example. Special attention has been given to the contents of the total phosphorus (as an indicator of the anthropogenic impact); the organic carbon; the total nitrogen; the calcium carbonate; and the changes in the acidity and total Ca, Na, K, Al, Fe, Mg, Zn, Cd, and Pb. The soil profiles have been compared to the control soil (a Brunic Arenosol according to the WRB classification) occurring beyond the cemetery area. The changes in the studied burial soils are mainly manifested in their morphology: the disturbance of the primary genetic horizons and the presence of mixed soil horizons and artifacts (bones, coffin remains, limestone-concrete debris of the cemetery infrastructure). Such changes in the chemical properties as an increase in the contents of the organic carbon and total nitrogen and the soil reaction were observed. Our studies have shown that the highest Ptotal concentration is observed in the A horizons of the anthropogenic burial horizons and undisturbed cemetery soils. The content of phosphorus in the Necrosols is significantly higher than that in the control soil profile, as is observed for the Cgrb layers of burial Necrosols. The morphology and chemistry of the undisturbed cemetery soils are very similar to those of the control profile.     

Postpyrogenic Polycyclic Soils in the Forests of Yakutia and Transbaikal region

Periodical forest fires are typical natural events under the environmental and climatic conditions of central and southern Yakutia and Transbaikal region of Russia. Strong surface fires activate exogenous geomorphological processes. As a result, soils with polycyclic profiles are developed in the trans-accumulative landscape positions. These soils are specified by the presence of two–three buried humus horizons with abundant charcoal under the modern humus horizon. This indicates that these soils have been subjected to two–three cycles of zonal pedogenesis during their development. The buried pyrogenic humus horizons accumulate are enriched in humus; nitrogen; total and oxalate-extractable iron; exchangeable bases (Са⁺² and Mg⁺²); and the fractions of coarse silt, physical clay (<0.01 mm), and clay (<0.001 mm) particles in comparison with the neighboring mineral horizons of the soil profile. The humus of buried pyrogenic horizons is characterized by the increased content of humic acids, particularly, those bound with mobile sesquioxides (HA-1) and calcium (HA-2) and by certain changes in the type of humus.     

Characterization and Sources of PAHs and Potentially Toxic Metals in Urban Environments of Sevilla (Southern Spain)

The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of PAH contamination and the association of PAHs with metals in urban soil samples from Sevilla (Spain). Fifteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons-PAHs (naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, dibenzo[a,h]anthracene, benzo[g,h,i]perylene, indeno[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene) and seven metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) have been evaluated in representative urban soil samples. Forty-one top soils (0–10 cm) under different land use (garden, roadside, riverbank and agricultural allotment) were selected. PAHs from soil samples were extracted by sonication using dichloromethane. The simultaneous quantification of 15 different PAH compounds were carried out by HPLC using multiple wavelength shift in the fluorescence detector. For qualitative analysis a photo diode-array detector was used. Metal (pseudo-total) analysis was carried out by digestion of the soils with aqua regia in microwave oven. The mean concentration of each PAH in urban soils of Sevilla showed a wide range, they are not considered highly contaminated. The results of the sum of 15 PAHs in Sevilla soils are in the range 89.5–4004.2 μg kg^?1, but there seems not to be a correlation between the concentration of PAHs and the land use. Of the 15 PAHs examined, phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene were present at the highest concentrations, being the sum of these PAHs about 40% of the total content. Although metal content were not especially high in most soils, there are significant hints of moderate pollution in some particular spots. Such spots are mainly related with some gardens within the historic quarters of the city. The associations among metals and PAHs content in the soil samples was checked by principal components analysis (PCA). The largest values both for ‘urban’ metals (Pb, Cu and Zn) and for PAHs were mainly found in sites close to the historic quarters of the city in which a heavy traffic of motor vehicles is suffered from years.     

Morphology and properties of the soils of permafrost peatlands in the southeast of the Bol’shezemel’skaya tundra

The morphology and properties of the soils of permafrost peatlands in the southeast of the Bol’shezemel’skaya tundra are characterized. The soils developing in the areas of barren peat circles differ from oligotrophic permafrost-affected peat soils (Cryic Histosols) of vegetated peat mounds in a number of morphological and physicochemical parameters. The soils of barren circles are characterized by the wellstructured surface horizons, relatively low exchangeable acidity, and higher rates of decomposition and humification of organic matter. It is shown that the development of barren peat circles on tops of peat mounds is favored by the activation of erosional and cryogenic processes in the topsoil. The role of winter wind erosion in the destruction of the upper peat and litter horizons is demonstrated. A comparative analysis of the temperature regime of soils of vegetated peat mounds and barren peat circles is presented. The soil–geocryological complex of peat mounds is a system consisting of three major layers: seasonally thawing layer–upper permafrost–underlying permafrost. The upper permafrost horizons of peat mounds at the depth of 50–90 cm are morphologically similar to the underlying permafrost. However, these layers differ in their physicochemical properties, especially in the composition and properties of their organic matter.     

The effects of volcanic ash influenced soils and nitrogen fertilization on douglas‐fir seedlings

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to help understand the contributions of different soil layers to soil fertility, plant growth, and response to fertilization. Douglas‐fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) seedlings were used in a pot bioassay to delimit the effects of volcanic ash soils, urea fertilization at 100 and 200 ppm, and the technique of using undisturbed soil as a growth medium. Volcanic ash horizons contained more available phosphorus and mineralized more nitrogen than underlying horizons. Best seedling growth occurred in ash horizons fertilized with 200 ppm of urea‐N. Fertilization decreased soil pH, mycorrhizae formation and foliar‐P levels but increased foliar‐N. The technique of using undisturbed soil had little effect on seedling growth in the weak structured ash horizons but did decrease root weights in the moderate structured sub‐ash layers.     

The lignin content in virgin and cultivated peat soils of Belarussian poles’e

The contents of lignin extracted by a mixture of dioxane, water, and hydrochloric acid was determined in peat-forming plants (moss, herbaceous, and woody) corresponding to types of peat, cultivated and virgin peat soils, and stubby barley residues. The balance experiments in the field and in the laboratory over 12–36 months showed that, upon the decomposition of the peat-forming plants, the part of lignin available for microorganisms was humified and mineralized, while the unavailable part accumulated in the peat. A close correlation was revealed between the lignin content in the peat-forming plants and the humic acid concentration in the peat. Upon agricultural use, the lignin content in the plow horizons of the peat soils did not change if the degree of the peat decomposition was identical to that in the virgin soils or if it was higher by 2–2.5% if the peat decomposition rate increased.     

Trace element distributions in soils developed in loess deposits from northern France

A pedo‐geochemical survey was carried out in the Nord‐Pas de Calais region (France) on soils developed in loess deposits. Total concentrations of Al, Fe and 18 trace elements, as well as common soil characteristics, were determined in samples from 52 surface and 97 deep horizons developed in these loess deposits. The Pb isotopic composition was determined in two sola. The composition of deep horizons, compared with that of the upper continental crust, with that of horizons developed from 21 other sedimentary rocks from the region and with that of loess from various parts of the world, confirms that loess from the Nord‐Pas de Calais region derives from multi‐recycled and well‐mixed ancient sedimentary rocks. Correlation analysis shows that least mobile (i.e. ionic potential (Z/r) is between 3 and 7) geogenic elements (Bi, Co, Cr, Cu, In, Ni, Pb, Sn, Tl, V, Zn) are associated with the fraction <2 µm (which we define as ‘lutum’). More mobile elements (As, Cd, Hg, Mn, Mo, Sb, Se) are less associated with this fraction. Cadmium is particularly linked to Mn. The distribution of [trace element]/([Al] or [Fe]) in the French loess gives the background content for soils developed from most sedimentary materials in northwestern Europe. Topsoils are enriched with all the trace elements examined, except Co, Cr and Ni. Enrichments with Cd, Cu, Mn and Zn are greater in cultivated soils than in forest soils. Enrichments with Pb and with Cu, Hg, Mo, Sb, Se and Sn are mainly due to human contamination through atmospheric fallout. Organic matter seems to act as a sink for all the exogenous trace elements.     

Baseline element concentrations in soils and plants,Bull Island,Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge,South Carolina,U.S.A.

Baseline element concentrations are given for Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), and associated soils. Baseline and variability data for ash, Al, Ba, C, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, La, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sc, Sr, Th, Ti, V, Y, and Zn are reported; however, not all variables are reported for all media because, in some media, certain elements were below the analytical detection limit. Spatial variation in element concentration among and within 0.5 km grid cells are given for each of the media. In general, only a few elements in Spanish moss showed statistically significant landscape patterns, whereas several elements in loblolly pine and in soils exhibited differences among sampling grids. Significant differences in the concentration of three elements in Spanish moss and eight elements (including total S) in loblolly pine were observed between two sampling dates (November and June); however, the absolute amount of these differences was small. Except for perhaps Ni and Pb concentrations in Spanish moss, element levels in all sample media exhibited ranges that indicate natural rather than anthropogenic additions of trace elements.     

The content of microelements and iron in soils and plants in the basin of lake Kotokel’ in Western Transbaikalia

The content of microelements (Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Ni, Cr, Pb, and Cd) and Fe is determined in the soils and plants of the Lake Kotokel’ basin. Their content in the soils is proved not to exceed the regional background and the existing MPC and APC. The content of Cd is revealed to exceed its clarke value for the world soils, which is related to the natural origin of this element. The concentrations of Mn, Co, and Pb are close to their clarke values, and those of Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cr are lower than their clarkes. The studied soils are specified by the maximal amount of the mobile forms of microelements. The profile distribution of the microelements differs depending on the genetic soil type. For Mn, Zn, and Cu, a significant biogenic accumulation is pronounced in the organic soil horizons. The content of microelements in the aboveground phytomass exceeds the maximal permissible levels for Mn, Co, Cr, and Fe. The intensity of the microelements absorption by the plants varies widely, being specified by the high coefficient of the biological adsorption (except for Fe). Mn, Zn, and Cu are accumulated in the plant phytomass the most intensely.     

Chemical pools of cadmium, nickel and zinc in polluted soils and some preliminary indications of their availability to plants

This study was conducted to determine the chemical distribution and plant availability of Cd, Zn and Ni in eight metal-polluted soils in southern Ontario, Canada. There were altogether 30 different soil samples because two of the soils had received various sewage sludge treatments. The soils were sequentially extracted with 1 m ammonium acetate to remove soluble plus exchangeable metals, with 0.125 m Cu(II) acetate to remove complexed metals, and with 1 m HNO₃ to dissolve chemisorbed or occluded metals and precipitates such as oxides and carbonates. Expressed as a percentage of the metal so extracted, exchangeable Cd and Zn and Ni; complexed Cd and Zn>Ni and Ni>Zn>Cd in the acid-soluble pool. With a few exceptions (soils with high organic matter content or low pH) at least 50 per cent of the extracted metal was in the acid-soluble pool. The percentage of metal complexed was significantly correlated with organic matter content. The percentage of metal in the acid-soluble fraction was significantly correlated with soil pH. Preliminary findings based on the results with two soils suggested that for Cd and Zn plant availability was correlated with the concentrations of exchangeable, complexed or acid-soluble pools of Cd and Zn.     

Heavy metals in soils and plants of the don river estuary and the Taganrog Bay coast

Natural and anthropogenic factors determining the distribution and accumulation features of Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Cd, Mn, and As in the soil–plant system of the Don River estuary and the northern and southern Russian coasts of Taganrog Bay estuary have been studied. High mobility of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd has been revealed in alluvial soils. This is confirmed by the significant bioavailability of Cu, Zn, and, to a lesser degree, Cd and the technophily of Pb, which are accumulated in tissues of macrophytic plants. Statistically significant positive correlations have been found between the mobile forms of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Mn in the soil and the accumulation of metals in plants. Impact zones with increased metal contents in aquatic ecosystems can be revealed by bioindication from the morphofunctional parameters of macrophytic plants (with Typha L. as an example).     

Enrichment of trace elements from long-range aerosol transport in sandy podzolic soils of southwest France

Total content of trace elements (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn), was determined to a depth of about 1 m in the horizons of three representative podzolic soils (i.e., wet moor, dry moor, and dune soil) developed on the coarse sands of the Atlantic face of southwest France. In the aged soils (wet moor and dry moor), Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn, were highly concentrated in the B horizons whereas Cd accumulated in the litter. An estimate of metal balance was made in the soil profiles, comparing the total amount of metal recovered in the A-B horizons to the amount of indigenous metal determined in a rock matter (C) layer of a similar depth as the A-B horizons. Substantial long-term enrichment of the whole upper part of the profile (A-B horizons) of three representative sites was found for Cd (0.1–0.6 kg ha^?1), Cu (3–12 kg ha^?1), Ni (1–7 kg ha^?1), Pb (20–26 kg ha^?1), and, to a lesser extent, for Co, Mn, and Zn. Since the experimental site was remote from industrial, urban and agricultural activities, the increase in soil metal content was apparently caused by the deposition of metallic aerosols via long-range transport. Total long-term inputs are estimated for average values of Cd (0.6 kg ha^?1), Cr (5 kg ha^?1), Cu (12 kg ha^?1), Ni (7 kg ha^?1), Pb (25 kg ha^?1) and Zn (6 kg ha^?1) for the 1 m depth. Several Atlantic areas of Europe are probably affected by a similar metal input.     

Influence of prolonged use of sewage effluent in irrigation on heavy metal accumulation in soils and plants

Total content of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni and Co in soils irrigated with sewage effluent increased with increasing years of using sewage effluent in irrigation. Iron and Co applied to the soil from sewage effluent were immobilized mainly in unavailable form; Pb, Cd, and Ni in moderately available form; and Mn, Zn, and Cu in highly available form. The concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu in tops of alfalfa and leaves of corn grown on these soils increased substantially with increased levels of available metal content of the soil, while those of other metals were little affected. As for orange, continuous increase in leaves metal content with time was found for Fe, Mn, Zn, Co and Cd. The concentrations of Cd, Co, Ni and Pb in corn grains and orange fruits were several times higher than normal, and this reduces their suitability for human consumption.     

Limited downward migration of pollutant metals (Cu,Zn, Ni,and Pb) in acidic virgin peat soils near a smelter

The distribution of pollutant heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd, and Pb) was determined in 11 acidic virgin peat profiles located along two transects moving away from a smelter plant in the Noranda region of Quebec. The levels of all five metals were found highest in the 0 to 15 cm layer at site near the smelter, and decreased progressively with the distance from the smelter, up to 42 km. Copper had the highest concentrations (5525 μg g^?1) followed by Pb and Zn. The maximum levels of total metals built up in the peat surface near the smelter were high, approximately reaching the threshold limits for phytotoxicity in peat soils. The amounts of heavy metals moving down and accumulating in the anaerobic zone of the peat profiles were limited. The distribution and enrichment ratios in the profiles showed that Cu, Zn, and Cd would have relatively higher mobility than Pb.     

The Relationship between Bulk and Mobile Forms of Heavy Metals in Soils of Kursk

The contamination of Kursk urboecotopes by heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni) is considered. The relationships between the contents of bulk and mobile forms of heavy metal ions have been examined. The results of monitoring studies attest to a tendency for the accumulation of both bulk and mobile forms of heavy metals in the humus-accumulative horizon, except for bulk cadmium and mobile nickel. Linear and nonlinear regression models of the bulk contents of Pb, Cd, Zn, and Ni as dependent on the contents of their mobile forms have been developed. These models allow us to calculate the bulk content of heavy metal ions in the soils of urboecotopes using simpler methods of the extraction and laboratory determination of their mobile forms.     

Glutamic acid decomposition as a sensitive measure of heavy metal pollution in soil

The effect of added heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) on the rate of decomposition of glutamic acid was studied in four Dutch soil types in order to determine if such measurements would serve as sensitive indicators of heavy metal pollution in soil. The time required to reach the maximum respiration rate (referred to as the decomposition time) with glutamic acid was linearly related to increasing concentrations of Ni in a sandy loam soil.Changes in decomposition time were measured 18 months after addition of 55, 400 or 1000 mg kg^? of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb or Zn respectively to sand, silty loam, clay and sandy peat soils. A significant increase in the decomposition time occurred with a concentration of 55 mg kg^?1 of Cd, Cu or Zn in the sand soil. At 400mgkg^?1 adverse effects in the various soils are distinct. The sensitivity of the decomposition time of glutamic acid as a method to measure soil pollution is discussed.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in pyrogenic soils of swampy landscapes of the Meshchera lowland

The composition and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were studied in organomineral and organic soils of the Meshchera National Park. It was found that the background oligotrophic peat soils unaffected by fires in central parts of the bogs are characterized by the increased PAH concentrations due to their high sorption capacity. The fires of 2007 and 2010 resulted in the transformation of the plant cover and soil morphology, the formation of new horizons, and the change in the PAHs content and composition. Significant burn-off of organic matter was found in oligotrophic-eutrophic soils and resulted in the decrease of PAHs content after fire. Only partial burn-off of organic horizons and intense formation of PAHs were recorded in the soil with initially great thickness of peat horizons. Pyrogenic accumulation of PAHs was identified in organomineral soils of the marginal parts of bogs and of forest sites.