不同亚铁矿物对As(Ⅲ)和As(Ⅴ)的表面吸附特征及机制比较研究

为探明稻田土壤还原条件下不同亚铁矿物对砷的修复潜力,本研究对比研究了磁铁矿、菱铁矿、黄铁矿三种亚铁矿物在不同 pH 条件下（pH 3.00、5.00、7.00）对 As（Ⅲ）、As（Ⅴ）的吸附特征,并以电位滴定法探究了导致三种亚铁矿物吸持 As（Ⅲ）、As（Ⅴ）能力差异的表面电荷性质。等温吸附平衡实验结果表明,Langmuir模型能较好描述三种亚铁矿物对As（Ⅲ）、As（Ⅴ）的吸附过程。弱酸条件（pH=5.00）下,亚铁矿物对As（Ⅲ）、As（Ⅴ）的吸附容量依次为：磁铁矿[As（Ⅲ）：23.38 mg·g^-1,As（Ⅴ）：71.33 mg·g^-1] >菱铁矿[As（Ⅲ）：11.63 mg·g^-1,As（Ⅴ）：21.69 mg·g^-1]>黄铁矿[As（Ⅲ）：10.72 mg·g^-1,As（Ⅴ）：7.75 mg·g^-1],在弱酸性（pH=5.00）条件下三种矿物中磁铁矿对As（Ⅲ）和As（Ⅴ）吸附容量最高。在中性（pH=7.00）条件下黄铁矿对As（Ⅲ）、菱铁矿对As（Ⅴ）吸附容量相对较高。供试pH条件下磁铁矿、菱铁矿对As（Ⅲ）的吸附强度较高,黄铁矿则对As（Ⅴ）的吸附强度较高。电位滴定实验测得亚铁矿物的电荷零点和总可变电荷量依次为：磁铁矿（pH 9.76;1.025 mol·g^-1）>菱铁矿（pH 7.52;0.240 mol·g^-1）>黄铁矿（pH 4.03;0.084 mol·g^-1）,表面活性位点密度依次为：黄铁矿（90.59 site·nm^-2）>菱铁矿（42.77 site·nm^-2）>磁铁矿（7.94 site·nm^-2）,亚铁矿物对As（Ⅲ）、As（Ⅴ）的吸附容量受溶液pH、总可变电荷量及其电荷零点影响。非专性吸附和专性吸附是磁铁矿和菱铁矿吸附As的主要方式,而黄铁矿则以专性吸附为主。研究表明,不同pH条件下不同亚铁矿物对稻田土壤砷的修复潜力不同,酸性条件下磁铁矿对As（Ⅲ）和As（Ⅴ）有较好修复潜力,中性条件下黄铁矿对As（Ⅲ）、菱铁矿对As（Ⅴ）有较好修复潜力。     

玉米秸秆基纤维素保水剂对土壤持水性能及冬小麦根系生长的影响

为探讨自制的玉米秸秆基纤维素保水剂(SAP)在农业生产上的应用潜力,利用扫描电镜表征了SAP吸水前后形貌变化,探究了SAP施用量对土壤持水性能和不同程度水分胁迫下冬小麦根系生长的影响。结果表明：SAP在土壤中吸水膨胀后降低了土壤容重,土壤最大水分含量较不施SAP显著提高19.1%~67.6%,同时降低了前3天土壤水分蒸发速率。轻度（60%~70%田间持水量）和中度（40%~50%田间持水量）水分胁迫下,施用0.4% w/w SAP处理冬小麦总根长提高15.9%和24.7%,根系活力提高29.6%和43.5%,但充足供水（75%~90%田间持水量）时施用SAP对冬小麦根系活力无显著影响。因此,玉米秸秆基纤维素保水剂施入土壤后能够改善土壤持水性能,从而缓解水分胁迫对冬小麦根系生长的抑制效应。     

Assessing the utility of topographic variables in predicting structural complexity of tree stands in a reforested urban landscape

The transformation of natural landscapes into impervious built-up surfaces through urbanization is known to significantly interfere with the ecological integrity of urban landscapes and accelerate climate change and associated impacts. Although urban reforestation is widely recognised as an ideal mitigation practice against these impacts, it often has to compete with other lucrative land uses within an urban area. The often limited urban space provided for reforestation therefore necessitates the optimization of the ecological benefits, which demands spatially explicit information. The recent proliferation of tree stands structural complexity (SSC) and topographic data offer great potential for determining the ecological performance of reforested areas across an urban landscape. This study explores the potential of using topographic datasets to predict SSC in a reforested urban landscape and ranks the value of these topographic variables in determining SSC. Tree structural data from a reforested urban area was collected and fed into a tree stand structural complexity index, which was used to indicate ecological performance. Topographic variables (Topographic Wetness Index, slope, Area Solar Radiation and elevation)- were derived from a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and used to predict SSC using the Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression technique. Results show that SSC varied significantly between the topographic variables. Results also show that the topographic variables could be used to reliably predict SSC. As expected, the Topographic Wetness Index and slope were the most important topographic determinants of SSC while elevation was the least valuable. These results provide valuable spatially explicit information about the ecological performance of the reforested areas within an urban landscape. Specifically, the study demonstrates the value of topographic data as aids to urban reforestation planning.     

Substitution of chemical fertilizer by Chinese milk vetch improves the sustainability of yield and accumulation of soil organic carbon in a double-rice cropping system

The double-rice cropping system is a very important intensive cropping system for food security in China. There have been few studies of the sustainability of yield and accumulation of soil organic carbon(SOC) in the double-rice cropping system following a partial substitution of chemical fertilizer by Chinese milk vetch(Mv). We conducted a 10-year(2008–2017) field experiment in Nan County, South-Central China, to examine the double-rice productivity and SOC accumulation in a paddy soil in response to different fertilization levels and Mv application(22.5 Mg ha~(–1)). Fertilizer and Mv were applied both individually and in combination(sole chemical fertilizers, Mv plus 100, 80, 60, 40, and 0% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizers, labeled as F100, MF100, MF80, MF60, MF40, and MF0, respectively). It was found that the grain yields of double-rice crop in treatments receiving Mv were reduced when the dose of chemical fertilizer was reduced, while the change in SOC stock displayed a double peak curve. The MF100 produced the highest double-rice yield and SOC stock, with the value higher by 13.5 and 26.8% than that in the F100. However, the grain yields increased in the MF80(by 8.4% compared to the F100), while the SOC stock only increased by 8.4%. Analogous to the change of grain yield, the sustainable yield index(SYI) of double rice were improved significantly in the MF100 and MF80 compared to the F100, while there was a slight increase in the MF60 and MF40. After a certain amount of Mv input(22.5 Mg ha~(–1)), the carbon sequestration rate was affected by the nutrient input due to the stimulation of microbial biomass. Compared with the MF0, the MF100 and MF40 resulted in a dramatically higher carbon sequestration rate(with the value higher by 71.6 and 70.1%),whereas the MF80 induced a lower carbon sequestration rate with the value lower by 70.1% compared to the MF0. Based on the above results we suggested that Mv could partially replace chemical fertilizers(e.g., 40–60%) to improve or maintain the productivity and sustainability of the double-rice cropping system in South-Central China.     

How one tree can change the future of a neighbourhood: The process behind the creation of the Boerenhof Park as an example for tactical urban planning

In this paper, the process behind the making of the Boerenhof Park on an urban Waiting Space in Ghent (Belgium) is discussed. We are highlighting how in this case ‘tactical urbanism’ actions, such as planting a tree, turned out to have a long-term impact and as such can inform a ‘tactical urban planning’ approach. Through a learning by reflection method, the Boerenhof Park case has been re-analysed using a conceptual framework built up around the concepts of ‘scratch’, ‘scar’ and ‘score’. The focus was on discerning the transgressional elements for moving from short-term interventions to long-term change. Three key aspects are brought to light: the incremental approach, a desire-driven program, and a transversal collaboration. We argue that these are key aspects for the operationalisation of a tactical urban planning approach.     

Biodiversity in sacred urban spaces of Bengaluru,India

Urban green spaces provide critical social and ecological support for cities, but we know little about their diversity and composition in cities of the Global South. This is especially true of lesser known urban spaces such as sacred sites, which are of important cultural and biodiversity significance. We examine tree diversity and composition in sacred sites in Bengaluru, one of India’s fastest growing cities. We recorded 5504 trees from 93 species across 62 temples, churches, and Hindu, Christian and Muslim cemeteries in central areas of Bengaluru. Over half (52%) of the tree species were of native origin, a much higher proportion when compared to other green spaces in the city such as parks. Tree density in sacred sites was much higher than that in parks and informal settlements in Bengaluru. Temples and Hindu cemeteries contained the highest proportion of native species, with large numbers of Ficus benghalensis, a keystone sacred species. Trees in sacred spaces provide an important buffer against urban environmental stress in Indian cities, and serve as refuges for urban wildlife and biodiversity. We need greater information on these lesser known, but culturally significant alternate spaces. They play an important, though ignored role in the environmental sustainability of rapidly growing cities in the Global South.     

The impact of seasonal colour change in planting on patients with psychotic disorders using biosensors

The beneficial effect of nature on patients with mental disorders is of particular importance. There has been an increase in mental illnesses in recent years, but research on the design of healing gardens for mental and behavioural disorders remains limited. This paper is part of a wider study that aims to investigate the effect of selected design elements of healing gardens on patients with mental disorders. This study examines the effect of seasonal colour change in plantings in the design of healing gardens on patients suffering from psychotic disorders by using a questionnaire survey and by recording and analysing human behaviour. Images depicting seasonal colour change in different plantings were viewed on a computer monitor by patients. Patients’ behaviour was studied using biosensors for eye-tracking, facial expression analysis and galvanic skin response. The results showed that differences in gender and age between participants did not affect their preferences. However, it appeared to be more difficult to positively affect the emotions of male participants compared to female participants. Seasonal colour change in a tree canopy created positive and intense emotions in the patients. Based on the results, the use of deciduous trees is proposed in the design of healing gardens for patients with psychotic disorders to create seasonal colour change. Further research is necessary to obtain more detailed design recommendations for landscape architects.     

Identifying factors that determine kernel number in wheat

Understanding variation in kernel number per unit area (KNO) is of major importance in understanding yield and in identifying opportunities to increase yield potential. Factors that determine KNO should therefore be identified considering wide ranges in both crop and environmental conditions. Several field experiments with various spring wheat cultivars were conducted over three years in Mexico. Wide ranges in crop and environmental conditions were obtained by varying N application rates and timing and by different planting dates and locations. Crop development from emergence (DC10) to physiological maturity (DC90) was divided in three phases, with the intermediate phase II ranging approximately from early booting (DC40) to final anthesis (DC70). A photothermal quotient (PTQ) during phase II failed to explain the variation in KNO. Biomass at anthesis explained 72% of the variance, but could not explain some deviant situations and the relation was strongly cultivar specific. Biomass accumulation during phase II more accurately (80%) explained the deviant situations, except one particular location, and cultivar differences became even more pronounced. At this location KNO was also well explained by non-grain spike weight at a week from anthesis, with a constant number of kernels per unit spike dry matter, while differences among cultivars tended to disappear. Factors that are identified to determine KNO are discussed.     

How do urban forests with different land use histories influence soil organic carbon?

Urban forests play a vital role in building soil organic carbon pools in urban areas. In many cases, urban forests are constructed on land previously used for agriculture, parks, or buildings. However, it is still being determined whether historical land use affects soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in these forests. In this study, we asked: 1) How are SOC and its labile fractions (LOC) in urban forests affected by historical land use? and 2) How do SOC and LOC vary with time and vegetation type in urban forests built on land with different histories? We collected soil samples at three soil depths, 0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm, in 48 evergreen and 77 deciduous forest plots in 77 parks in Beijing, all built within the last 30 years. Plots represent two historical land use types, vegetated or non-vegetated, and three planting time classes, young (5–10 years), intermediate (11–20 years), and old (21–30 years). Our findings showed that there were significant differences between historical land use types in SOC and microbial organic carbon (MBC), this may be due to backfill soil before greening on non-vegetated land. Urban forests that were built on vegetated land accumulated SOC over time, while those on historically non-vegetated land did not. Evergreen forests had greater SOC and LOC than deciduous forests only on historically non-vegetated land. In addition, SOC and LOC were found to be negatively affected by increased soil bulk density. However, soil bulk density was not significantly different between both historical land use types and urban forest types. Overall, our study indicates that if SOC sequestration is a high priority in urban forests, cities could concentrate on more efficient management to increase SOC, such as soil rehabilitation and the use of evergreen tree species.