Effect of soil amendments on fractionation of Selenium‐enriched soil

Abstract

This study was to determine the effect of soil amendments on the fractionation of selenium (Se) using incubation experiments under simulated upland and flooded conditions. The treatments were as follows: 1) control [soil + sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) (1 mg Se kg^‐1)]; 2) control + calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) (5 g kg^‐1); 3) control + alfalfa (40 g kg^‐1); and 4) control + CaCO₃ (5 g kg^‐1) + alfalfa (40 g kg^‐1). After a 90‐day incubation, soil was sampled and fractionated into five fractions: 1) potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄)‐soluble fraction (available to plants); 2) potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH₂PO₄)‐exchangeable fraction (potentially available); 3) ammonium hydroxide (NH₃H₂O)‐soluble fraction (potentially available); 4) hydrochloric acid (HCl)‐extractable fraction (unavailable); and 5) residual fraction (unavailable). Compared with the control, CaCO₃ increased the K₂SO₄ fraction at the expense of the NH₃H₂O fraction. Alfalfa increased both the K₂SO₄ and residual fractions but reduced the KH₂PO₄ and NH₃H₂O fractions. The CaCO₃‐alfalfa treatment had a similar effect to the alfalfa treatment alone. The comparison between the upland and flooded conditions showed that the flooded condition generally increased the residual fraction and decreased the potentially‐available fractions. In general, CaCO₃ was a better amendment because it not only increased the available fraction but also maintained the potentially available fractions at a high level. The application of Na₂SeO₃ and use of appropriate soil amendments can improve Se availability in soil.     

Studies on microörganisms and their activities in soil Part. 2. Virgin and cultivated soil of the same origin

The nature of soil is modified differently depending upon the artificial condition such as its utilization or management. It is therefore expected that the microbiological characteristic of soil is changed also. Greaves¹⁾ and Williams²⁾ reported that the reclamation of virgin soil brought about a change of bacterial count. Suzuki et al³⁾ observed that the kind of fungi differed between a virgin and a cultivated soil and that the vegetative mycelium was numerous in the former than in the latter. On the other hand, according to W aksman and Starkey⁴⁾, the bacterial count differed depending upon the fertility of soil. Singh⁵⁾ reported also that the number of fungi and actinomycetes was higher in a fertile than in an infertile soil. Lochhead⁶⁾, and Lochhead and Chasen studied the bacterial flora of a fertile (long-continued application of manure) and an infertile (no fertilizer for many years) soil and found that a certain difference could be observed when morphological, physiological and nutritional classification are tried.     

Impact of soil fumigation practices on soil nematodes and microbial biomass

This study was designed to understand the impact of methyl bromide (MB) (CHaBr) and its alternatives on both free-living and root-knot nematodes in the soil. A randomized complete block experiment with six treatments and 4 replicates (each replicate in a separate greenhouse) was established in Qingzhou, Shandong Province, China. In addition to MB and untreated control (CK) treatments there were four alternative soil fumigation practices including MB virtually impermeable films (VIF), metam sodium (MS), MS VIF and soil solarization combined with selected biological control agents (SS BCA). Two tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) cultivars, cv. Maofen-802 from the Xian Institute of Vegetable Science, China, and cv. AF179 Brillante from the Israeli Hazera Quality Seeds, were selected as test crops. The results indicated that Rhabditidae was the most dominant population with percentage abundance as high as 85% of the total number of identified free-living nematodes, followed by that of Cephalobidae. Methyl bromide and its alternatives except for the non-chemical SS BCA treatment controlled the target pest, root-knot nematodes. Also, the impact of the three chemical alternatives on free-living nematode number and functional group abundance was similar to the impact associated with a typical methyl bromide application. Chemical fumigation practices, especially that with MB, significantly reduced the number of nematodes in the soil and simultaneously significantly reduced the number of nematode genera thereby reducing nematode diversity. All the four soil chemical fumigation activities decreased soil microbial biomass and had an obvious initial impact on microorganism biomass. Furthermore, both plant-parasitic and fungivore nematodes were positively correlated with soil microbial biomass.     

Ecotoxicological assessment of nickel pollution of soil and water environments adjacent to soddy–podzolic soil

The indicators of functioning of soil microorganisms in soddy–podzolic soil contaminated with Ni compounds show different ranges of soil ecotoxicity. A halving of soil microorganisms' nitrogen-fixing activity has been shown in slightly acidic soddy–podzolic cultivated soil with a Ni concentration of 150 mg/kg and for noncultivated acidic soils with a Ni concentration 100 mg/kg. The reduction of denitrification activity in cultivated soil has been observed with a Ni concentration of 500 mg/kg, and in uncultivated soil it has been observed at a Ni dose of 100 mg/kg. The inhibition of soil respiration in slightly acidic soil occurred only at the highest dose of Ni, 1000 mg/kg, while in the acidic soil it took place at 300 mg/kg. Biotesting based on bacterial luminescence can be used for determination of soil pollution with heavy metals such as Ni, as well as for the assessment of the toxicity of aqueous environments in contact with contaminated soils.     

Effects of concentrated application of soil conditioners on soil–air permeability and absorption of nitrogen by young peach trees

ABSTRACT

To study the effects of concentrated application of two soil conditioners, two-year-old peach trees (Prunus persica L.‘Chunmei’) were selected to test the soil air permeability, ¹⁵N absorption and the growth of trees. The experiment comprised three treatments involved concentrated applying either polyacrylamide (treatment I) or Agri-SC (a proprietary soil conditioner, treatment II) at the bottom of each pit or neither of the two (treatment III). And then the whole pit was back-filled with soil. Neither digging a hole nor use of soil conditioners as the control (CK). The results showed that volumetric oxygen content in gases in 5–10 cm soil layer upon concentrated application layer was significantly higher in treatments I and II than that in CK. Soil volumetric water content upon concentrated application layer was higher in treatments I and II than that in CK. Compared with CK, no matter root activity, leaf area, leaf chlorophyll content, or leaf net photosynthesis rate in treatments I and II increased in August and October, which promoted the growth of new shoots and the stem. Compared with CK, the leaf superoxide dismutase activity increased 31.24%, 22.66% and 4.74%, Guaiacol peroxidase increased 21.88%, 13.25% and 3.39%, Catalase increased 11.80%, 7.92% and 1.24% respectively in treatments I, II and III in October. As a result, values of the total roots surface area, total root volume, number of root tips, dry matter accumulation, and organ nitrogen content were markedly higher in treatments I and II than that in CK. And the ¹⁵N utilization rate significantly increased 24.22% and 10.40% respectively in treatments I and II. The result suggested that concentrated application of soil conditioners formed a rhizosphere water storage and breathable layer that not only stores moisture but is also permeable to air. That, in turn, promotes plant growth, increases the nitrogen use efficiency.     

Effect of no‐tillage vs. conventional tillage on soil organic matter and nitrogen contents

Abstract

Four treatments (no‐tillage plus subsoiling, no‐tillage, conventional tillage plus subsoiling, and conventional tillage) were continuously in place for 6 yr and a second set of no‐tillage plus subsoiling and conventional plus subsoiling treatments were continuously in place for 3 yr to study the long‐term effects of conventional and no‐tillage corn on soil organic matter (OM) and N contents. Soil samples were taken at random between the rows and in the rows to a depth of 60 cm, in 5‐cm increments to a depth of 30 cm, and then in 15‐cm increments from the 30 to 60‐cm depth for OM and N determination. No‐tillage resulted in A3 and 20% more Kjeldahl N than conventional tillage in the 0 to 5‐cm soil depth after 6 and 3 yr, respectively. after 6 yr, the 0 to 5‐cm depth had 36% more OM in no‐tillage treatments than in conventional tillage treatments, and soil from no‐tillage treatments averaged 27% more OM than the conventional tillage plus subsoiling treatment at the 0 to 15‐cm soil depth.     

Have you checked for charcoal? Assessment of soil condition using soil organic carbon

Soil condition is commonly assessed by using soil organic carbon (SOC) as an indicator; however, a large proportion of the world's soils can contain charcoal, a biologically‐inert form of organic carbon. We investigated whether the presence of charcoal in soil could lead to an inaccurate assessment of soil condition when using SOC as an indicator. We sampled topsoil in a south‐east Australian catchment affected by severe fires in 2003. Samples (n = 100) were analysed for two SOC fractions: (i) total SOC (t‐SOC, loss on ignition), which included charcoal, and (ii) biologically‐active SOC (a‐SOC, persulphate‐oxidation), which did not contain charcoal. Using novel (boosted regression trees) and traditional (linear regression) modelling methods we compared the relative importance of abiotic (slope, aspect, elevation and soil texture) and biotic (land use and vegetation structure) factors as predictors of t‐SOC and a‐SOC concentration. A major difference between the two response variables was less relative importance of land use as a predictor when using t‐SOC as a response variable. Therefore, ignoring the presence of charcoal would have led to an under‐estimation of the effect of land‐use conversion on the biologically‐available SOC fraction. The presence of charcoal has important ramifications for routine assessments of soil condition given that (i) SOC is a commonly used indicator and charcoal and biologically‐active SOC differ in their effects on soil properties, (ii) fires historically occur on a large area of land, (iii) charcoal is a long‐lasting consequence of fires and (iv) charcoal can account for a large proportion of SOC and yet be unnoticed during sample preparation.     

Extraction of humic-β-glucosidase fractions from soil

Humic compounds with -glucosidase activity were extracted from soil using tetrasodium pyrophosphate as extracting solution. Mixture of soil samples with 0.01 M pyrophosphate in a ratio of 1:5 (w/v), adjustment to pH 7.0–7.3, extraction for 18 h with reciprocating agitation, and bacteriological filtration after centrifugation were the optimum conditions for extraction of the -glucosidase complexes. Otherwise, experimental conditions for extraction indicated that the concentration and pH of pyrophosphate were the factors with the most influence on enzymatic extraction yields. The results indicated that the -glucosidase was extracellular and associated with soil humates.     

Effects of multiple soil conditioners on a mine site acid sulfate soil for vetiver growth

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of various soil treatments on the growth of vetiver grass ( Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash) with the objective of formulating appropriate soil media for use in sulfide-bearing mined areas. An acidic mine site acid sulfate soil (pH 2.8) was treated with different soil conditioner formula including hydrated lime, red mud (bauxite residues), zeolitic rock powder, biosolids and a compound fertilizer. Soils treated with red mud and hydrated lime corrected soil acidity and reduced or eliminated metal toxicity enabling the establishment of vetiver grass.Although over-liming affected growth, some seedlings of vetiver survived the initial strong alkaline conditions. Addition of appropriate amounts of zeolitic rock powder also enhanced growth, but over-application caused detrimental effects. In this experiment, soil medium with the best growth performance of vetiver was 50 g of red mud, 10 g of lime, 30 g of zeolitic rock powder and 30 g of biosolids with 2 000 g of mine soils (100% survival rate with the greatest biomass and number of new shoots), but adding a chemical fertilizer to this media adversely impacted plant growth. In addition, a high application rate of biosolids resulted in poorer growth of vetiver, compared to a moderate application rate.     

Mobility of organic pollutants in soil components. What role can magic angle spinning NMR play?

The adsorption‐desorption mechanisms at the interface between organic and inorganic soil colloids influence the movement of pesticides and hence their bioavailability and biotransformation processes. Direct analyses of soils have been reported in the literature with the use of solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy on dry samples. We recently demonstrated the potential of the ¹H high resolution magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR technique to study such mechanisms in situ on highly hydrated samples. By using a well‐characterized soil model, it was possible to distinguish the mobile and immobile pesticide unambiguously. In the present communication, a short review of MAS NMR techniques that allow covalent and non‐covalent bond analysis is provided. The results obtained in our group on the adsorption of some pollutants such as phosphonomethylglycine (glyphosate), MCPA and 2‐benzothiazole sulphonate are also presented. Specifically, we focus on the potential of MAS NMR spectroscopy for probing the behaviour (mobility) of these organic pollutants loaded onto the surface of different clays. The influence of clay hydration on NMR spectra has also been evaluated.     

Evaluation of methods for nitrogen‐15 analysis of inorganic nitrogen in soil extracts: I. Steam‐distillation methods

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate conventional steam‐distillation techniques for N‐isotope analysis of inorganic forms of N in soil extracts. Extracts obtained with 2 M KCl from 10 diverse soils were treated with: (i) (¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄ and KNO₃, (ii) (NH₄)₂SO₄ and K¹⁵NO₃, or (iii) KNO₃and Na¹⁵NO₂. Steam distillations were performed sequentially to determine NH₄ ⁺‐N and NO₃ ^‐‐N, and were also carried out to determine (NO₃ ^‐ + NO₂ ^‐)‐N or (NH₄ ⁺ + NO₃ ^‐ + NO₂ ^‐)‐N; a pretreatment with sulfamic acid was used to determine NO₃ ^‐‐N in the presence of NO₂ ^‐‐N. Recovery of added N ranged from 95 to 102%. Significant isotopic contamination was observed in sequential distillation of unlabeled NO₃ ^‐‐N following labeled NH₄ ⁺‐N; otherwise, analyses for ¹⁵N were usually within 1% of the values calculated by isotope‐dilution equations.     

Effects of extraction period and soil.‐solution ratio on the amount of zinc extracted from soils by different extractants

Abstract

Investigations have examined the effects of extraction period and soil:solution ratio on the extraction of zinc from some New Zealand soils by EDTA, DTPA, HCl, Ca(NO₃)₂ and CH₃COONH₄. A high proportion of the zinc extracted by EDTA, DTPA, HCl, and Ca(NO₃)₂ was extracted rapidly, within the first 0.5 h, followed by small increases over the next 15 h. An exception occurred with a soil containing iron/manganese concretionary material. In this soil, with both EDTA and DTPA, there were significant increases in the amount of zinc extracted between 1 and 8 h. The amounts of zinc extracted by CH₃COONH₄ increased gradually with the time of extraction up to approximately 4 h.

Substantial increases in the amounts of zinc extracted with HCl, Ca(NO₃)₂ and CH₃COONH₄ were obtained by increasing the soil:solution ratio from 1:2.5 to 1:10. However, soil:solution ratio has little effect on the amounts of zinc extracted by EDTA or DTPA.     

Effects of pasture‐applied biosolids on forage and soil concentrations over a grazing season in north Florida. II. microminerals

Abstract

The experiment rationale was to determine forage micromineral concentrations as effected by biosolids fertilization. We determined the effects of two exceptional quality biosolids on bahiagrass trace mineral concentrations as related to beef cattle requirements. Twenty‐five 0.8‐ha pastures were divided into five blocks. Two biosolids were applied as normal and double agronomic rates. The control received NH₄NO₃. Forages were analyzed for total copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), molybdenum (Mo), cobalt (Co), and selenium (Se), and soils were analyzed for Mehlich I extractable Cu, Mn, and Zn. Some significant increases (P<0.05) in forage Co, Cu, Fe, Zn, and Se were observed at various sampling times, but the increases were generally small and biologically insignificant. Although forage Mo samples from pastures with the Tampa biosolids applied were consistently higher than the control (P<0.05), at no time did they approach levels considered toxic. Similar results were seen in forage Mn concentrations, with treatment Baltimore‐2X elevating (P<0.05) Mn concentrations as well. Deficiencies of Co, Cu, Zn, and Se are common in this Florida region and slight elevations due to biosolids treatment could be beneficial. Biosolids applied at the highest rates improved soil Cu and Zn concentrations above control soils and soil Mn was increased over the control at both sampling times for Baltimore‐2X. In relation to beef cattle requirements, the majority of forages were deficient in Co, Cu, Se, and Zn. In summary, biosolids fertilization slightly improved the micromineral status of forage and soil, without creating toxicity.     

Simulation of soil–blade interaction for sandy soil using advanced 3D finite element analysis

In this paper a finite element investigation of the tillage of dry sandy soil, using the hypoplastic constitutive material model, is described. In most earth moving machinery, such as bulldozers or tillage tools, the working tool is a blade. Hence for tillage systems, accurately predicting the forces acting on the blade is of prime importance in helping to enhance productivity. The initial conditions, such as blade geometry or soil type, and operating conditions, such as cutting speed and cutting depth, have been shown experimentally to have a great effect on machine productivity. Experimental studies give valuable insights but can be expensive and may be limited to certain cutting speeds and depths. Results are also highly dependent on the accuracy of the measuring devices. However with increasing computational power and the development of more sophisticated material models, finite element analysis shows more promise in analyzing the factors affecting soil–blade interaction. Most of the available finite element studies in the literature are two-dimensional or if three-dimensional (3D), are limited to a certain blade displacement depending on the element distortion limit before the solution has convergence problems. In this study, a 3D finite element analysis of soil–blade interaction was carried out based on predefined horizontal and vertical failure surfaces, to investigate the behavior of the soil–blade interface and study the effect of blade-cutting width and lateral boundary width on predicted forces. Sandy soil was considered in this study and modeled using the hypoplastic constitutive model implemented in a commercial finite code, ‘ABAQUS’. Results reveal the validity of the concept of predefined failure surfaces in simulating soil–blade interaction and the significant effect of blade-cutting width, lateral boundary width and soil swelling on cutting forces.     

Snow cover and soil moisture controls of freeze–thaw-related soil gas fluxes from a typical semi-arid grassland soil: a laboratory experiment

In situ field measurements as well as targeted laboratory studies have shown that freeze–thaw cycles (FTCs) affect soil trace gas fluxes. However, most of past laboratory studies adjusted soil moisture before soil freezing, thereby neglecting that snow cover or water from melting snow may modify effects of FTCs on soil trace gas fluxes. In the present laboratory study with a typical semi-arid grassland soil, three different soil moisture levels (32 %, 41 %, and 50 % WFPS) were established (a) prior to soil freezing or (b) by adding fresh snow to the soil surface after freezing to simulate field conditions and the effect of the melting snow on CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O fluxes during FTCs more realistically. Our results showed that adjusting soil moisture by watering before soil freezing resulted in significantly different cumulative fluxes of CH₄, CO₂, and N₂O throughout three FTCs as compared to the snow cover treatment, especially at a relatively high soil moisture level of 50 % WFPS. An increase of N₂O emissions was observed during thawing for both treatments. However, in the watering treatment, this increase was highest in the first thawing cycle and decreased in successive cycles, while in the snow cover treatment, a repetition of the FTCs resulted in a further increase of N₂O emissions. These differences might be partly due to the different soil water dynamics during FTCs in the two treatments. CO₂ emissions were a function of soil moisture, with emissions being largest at 50 % WFPS and smallest at 32 % WFPS. The largest N₂O emissions were observed at WFPS values around 50 %, whereas there were only small or negligible N₂O emissions from soil with relatively low soil water content, which indicates that a threshold value of soil moisture might exist that triggers N₂O peaks during thawing.     

Acid soil tolerances of two wheat cultivars related to soil Ph,KCl‐extractable aluminum and degree of aluminum saturation

Aluminum toxicity, associated with soil acidity, is a major growth‐limiting factor for plants in many parts of the world. More precise criteria are needed for the identification of potential Al toxicity in acid soils. The objective of the current study was to relate the acid soil tolerances of two wheat cultivars to three characteristics of an acid Tatum subsoil (clayey, mixed, thermic, typic Hapludult): pH in a 1:1 soil to water suspension; KCl‐extractable Al; and degree of Al saturation. Aluminum‐tolerant ‘BH 1146’ (Brazil) and Al‐sensitive ‘Sonora 63’ (Mexico) wheat cultivars were grown in greenhouse pots of soil treated with CaCO₃ to establish final soil pH levels of 4.1, 4.6, 4.7, 4.9, 5.2 and 7.3. Soil Al, Ca and Mg were extracted with 1 N KCl, and Al saturation was calculated as KCl‐Al/KCl Al + Ca + Mg%.

Within the soil pH range of 4.1 to 4.9, BH 1146 tops and roots produced significantly more dry matter than did those of Sonora 63; however, at pH 5.2 and 7.3, the top and root yields of the two cultivars were not significantly different. Significant cultivar differences in yield occurred over a range of 36 to 82% saturation of the Tatum soil. Graphs of relative top or root yields against soil pH, KCl‐extractable Al and Al saturation indicated that the two cultivars could be separated for tolerance to Tatum soil under the following conditions: pH less than 5.2 (1:1 soil‐water); KCl‐Al levels greater than 2 c mole kg^‐1 and Al saturations greater than 20%. Results demonstrated that any soil test used to predict Al toxicity in acid soils must take into account the Al tolerances of the plant cultivars involved.     

Interaction of Lolium perenne and Hyphomicrobium sp. GHH enhances the removal of 17α-ethinyestradiol (EE2) from soil

Journal of Soils and Sediments - The increasing land application of sewage sludge and animal manure has accelerated the input of 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) into soils and environment, which...     

Do elevated soil concentrations of metals affect the diversity and activity of soil invertebrates in the long‐term?

This study aimed to elucidate the response of diversity and activity of soil invertebrates to elevated soil metal concentrations that were a result of sewage sludge application. Field sampling of soil invertebrates was carried out from 2002 to 2004 at an experimental site established in 1982 to test the effects on crop production of metal contamination from sewage sludge applications with elevated concentrations of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni) with certain treatments exceeding the current UK statutory limits for the safe use of sludge on land. At metal concentrations within the limits, none of the invertebrates sampled showed adverse effects on their abundance or overall community diversity (from Shannon–Weiner index). At concentrations above the limits, individual taxa showed sensitivity to different metals, but overall diversity was not affected. Earthworm abundance was significantly reduced at total Cu concentrations at and above 176 mg kg^?1, while nematode and enchytraeid abundances were sensitive to Cu and high Zn concentrations. Correspondingly, litter decomposition was lower in Zn and Cu treatments although there was no direct relationship between decomposition and soil invertebrate abundance or diversity. Such enduring changes in both soil biodiversity and biological activity around the current UK regulatory limits warrant further investigation to determine whether they indicate detrimental damage to soil functioning over the long‐term.     

Use of diffusion for automated nttrogen‐15 analysis of soil extracts

Abstract

Studies to evaluate the use of diffusion for automated ¹⁵N analysis of inorganic N in soil extracts showed that serious error can arise from use of the Devarda's alloy recommended for steam distillations and that the error can be avoided by using a commercial product of higher purity. These studies showed that serious error can also arise when NO₃ ^‐‐N is diffused following NH₄ ⁺‐N and that separate diffusions should be performed for NH₄ ⁺‐N and (NH₄ ⁺ + NO₃‐)‐N. Other work demonstrated that the plastic specimen containers employed for diffusion can be reused if acid‐washed, that diffusions can be performed using either light or heavy MgO without ignition to decompose carbonate, and that labeled NO₂‐is completely removed from soil extracts by treatment with sulfamic acid before diffusion. A comparison of ¹⁵N analyses by steam distillation and diffusion using extracts from two soils revealed better agreement for the soil having a lower content of organic matter. Substantial differences in analyses by the two techniques for the soil having a higher organic‐matter content were attributed to enzymatic conversions of inorganic N during the 6‐d diffusion period.