Sewage sludge processing determines its impact on soil microbial community structure and function

Composting and thermal drying are amongst the most commonly used post-digestion processes for allowing sanitation and biological stabilization of sewage sludge from municipal treatment plants, and making it suitable as soil conditioner for use in agriculture. To assess the impact of sludge-derived materials on soil microbial properties, fresh (LAF), composted (LAC) and thermally dried (LAT) sludge fractions, each resulting from a different post-treatment process of a same aerobically digested sewage sludge, were added at 1% (w/w) application rate on two contrasting (a loam and a loamy sand) soils and incubated under laboratory conditions for 28 days. Soil respiration, microbial ATP content, hydrolytic activities and arginine ammonification rate were monitored throughout the incubation period. Results showed that soil biochemical variables, including the metabolic quotient (qCO₂), were markedly stimulated after sludge application, and the magnitude of this stimulatory effect was dependent on sludge type (precisely LAT > LAF > LAC), but not on soil type. This effect was related to the content of stable organic matter, which was lower in LAT. Genetic fingerprinting by PCR–DGGE revealed that compositional shifts of soil bacterial and, at greater extent, actinobacterial communities were responsive to the amendment with a differing sludge fraction. The observed time-dependent changes in the DGGE profiles of amended soils reflected the microbial turnover dependent on the sludge nutrient input, whereas no indications of adverse effects of sludge-borne contaminants were noted. Our findings indicate that composting rather thermal drying can represent a more appropriate post-digestion process to make sewage sludge suitable for use as soil conditioner in agriculture.     

菜用睡莲营养成分及重金属含量测定与评价

对绿梗菜用睡莲(Nymphaea tetragona)及红梗菜用睡莲的15营养成分和4种重金属含量进行了测定与评价。结果表明,1与104~140种(品种)新鲜蔬菜已知数据比较,绿梗和红梗菜用睡莲均有较高含量的维生素C、钠及较低含量的干物质、蛋白质、钾、钙、镁、铜、锌、磷及硒;绿梗菜用睡莲有较高含量的粗纤维、锰及较低含量的铁,红梗菜用睡莲有较高含量的铁及较低含量的粗纤维。2菜用睡莲是一种含钠量较高的蔬菜。3绿梗菜用睡莲营养成分含量总体高于红梗菜用睡莲。4湖北产区菜用睡莲的铅、砷、镉及汞等重金属含量符合食品安全国家标准的规定。     

重金属污染土壤几种生物修复方式比较

土壤重金属污染是全球普遍存在的问题,生物修复因其环境友好且成本效益高而得到广泛关注。但不同生物修复技术有其优势和局限性,充分了解每种修复技术的特点,才能更经济、有效地对污染土壤进行修复。本研究阐述对比了目前的土壤重金属生物修复方法,包括植物修复（植物挥发、植物固定和植物提取）、转基因植物提取、螯合辅助植物修复、微生物辅助植物修复等技术的机制、优势、局限性和适用性等方面的差异。综述提出有效的生物修复技术需要土壤化学、植物生物学、遗传学、微生物学和环境工程等多学科的有机结合。根据污染土壤的特点,结合具有相应改良特性的转基因植物,是实现污染土壤大面积修复的有效方法。同时,农艺措施对天然超级积累植物的生物量和重金属提取能力的刺激作用还需要进一步挖掘。植物修复可以与其他几种传统修复技术有效结合,利用转基因技术建立土壤+植物+微生物的组合是未来修复技术发展的最佳途径。     

Phosphorus availability and farm structural factors: examining scarcity and oversupply in north‐east Germany

Assessing factors influencing phosphorus (P) availability in soils is important in preventing its overexploitation and excessive application in agricultural systems. Despite high historical P applications in the federal state of Brandenburg (Germany), county data on soil test P (STP) reveal considerable disparities in soil available P. In addition, negative soil balances as a result of small mineral P and manure inputs have been observed, raising questions about the factors leading to this situation. Our work focused on identifying possible causes operating at the farm management level by conducting a letter survey in two administrative districts of Brandenburg, the counties Barnim and Uckermark, linking farm management factors (ownership type, farm size, land tenure, animal husbandry with or without grassland and its intensity, presence of a biogas plant and organic production) to farmers’ self‐indicated levels of STP. Small‐ to medium‐sized individual farms tended to have (very) high STP, while large partnership farms and companies/cooperatives were sensitive to factors resulting in low STP. Farms with low shares of land ownership, the presence of grassland, extensive cattle farming and stockless organic farming had lower STP. On the other hand, biogas plants, partly in combination with intensive livestock (cattle) farming, were associated with larger STP. It was concluded that more care should be devoted to the design of agricultural policies and that further (inter‐ and transdisciplinary) research on this topic is needed.     

Potato absorption and phytoavailability of Cd,Ni, Cu,Zn and Pb in sierozem soils amended with municipal sludge compost

Effects of sludge utilization on the mobility and phytoavailability of heavy metals in soil-plant systems have attracted broad attention in recent years. In this study, we analyzed the effects of municipal sludge compost(MSC) on the solubility and plant uptake of Cd, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb in a soil-potato system to explore the mobility, potato plant uptake and enrichment of these five heavy metals in sierozem soils amended with MSC through a potato cultivation trial in Lanzhou University of China in 2014. Ridge regression analysis was conducted to investigate the phytoavailability of heavy metals in amended soils. Furthermore, CaCl_2, CH_3 COONH_4, CH_3COOH, diethylene triamine pentacetic acid(DTPA) and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid(EDTA) were used to extract the labile fraction of heavy metals from the amended soils. The results show that the MSC could not only improve the fertility but also increase the dissolved organic carbon(DOC) content of sierozem soils. The total concentrations and labile fraction proportions of heavy metals increase with increasing MSC percentage in sierozem soils. In amended soils, Cd has the highest solubility and mobility while Ni has the lowest solubility and mobility among the five heavy metals. The MSC increases the concentrations of heavy metals in the root, stem, peel and tuber of the potato plant, with the concentrations being much higher in the stem and root than in the peel and tuber. Among the five heavy metals, the bioconcentration factor value of Cd is the highest, while that of Ni is the lowest. The complexing agent(DTPA and EDTA) extractable fractions of heavy metals are the highest in terms of phytoavailability. Soil properties(including organic matter, p H and DOC) have important impacts on the phytoavailability of heavy metals. Our results suggest that in soil-potato systems, although the MSC may improve soil fertility, it can also increase the risk of soils exposed to heavy metals.     

重金属Cd、Pb复合污染对植物生理生化和细胞结构影响的研究进展

我国受重金属污染的土地面积广大,因采矿等造成的环境和土壤重金属污染问题日趋严重。因金属矿床形成特点及开采方式单一等原因,造成Cd、Pb居于重金属复合污染前列。通过总结单一Cd、Pb污染对植物生理生化特征的影响以及Cd、Pb复合污染对植物生理生化及细胞结构的影响等研究进展,明晰土壤重金属Cd、Pb复合污染对植物影响和损害的研究热点,进而探明植物重金属胁迫的生理响应机制。     

Heavy Metals Residues in Soil,Feed and Beef of the Cattle Industry in Yili area of Xinjiang

In order to understand the situation of heavy metal residues of the beef industry chain in Yili area of Xinjiang.The heavy metals (Pb, As, Hg, Cr and Cd) in soil, feed and beef of the cattle farm were determined using the atomic absorption spectrometry.The results showed that the heavy metal (Pb, As, Hg, Cr and Cd)contents in soil samples were 0.03-0.20, 3.87-8.30, 0.15-0.23, 0.09-0.48 and 0.41-0.86 mg/kg, respectively.The heavy metal (Pb, As, Hg, Cr and Cd) contents in feed samples were 3.01-18.09, 75.35-94.27, 19.65-24.37, 0.06-1.04 and 1.81-8.46 μg/kg, respectively.The heavy metal (Pb, As, Hg, Cr and Cd) contents in beef samples were 0.23-0.54, 1.22-7.12, 0.28-0.53, 0.01-0.27 and 0.02-0.03 μg/kg, respectively.The correlation coefficient of the heavy metal element between soil and feed, feed and beef, soil and beef were 0.96, 0.99 and 0.98, respectively.It was concluded that the heavy metal (Pb, As, Hg, Cr and Cd) contents in soil, feed and beef of the cattle farms in Yili area did not exceed the standard and that in the soil, feed and beef had the high correlations.     

广西矿区大气沉降与稻米重金累积的关系分析(英文)

笔者就大气沉降的概念、来源及其危害作了简要的概述,并对广西矿区大气沉降与稻米重金属累积的关系作简要分析,以期对广西矿区重金属沉降污染实施有效的风险预警,确保稻米安全生产提供参考。     

Comparison of Salt and Drought‐Stress Effects on Maize Growth and Yield Formation with Regard to Acid Invertase Activity in the Kernels

The long‐term effects of salt stress (11 dS m^?1) and drought stress (35 % WHC) were investigated for two maize genotypes, focusing on the relation between metabolic changes around the time of pollination and the impact on yield determinants at maturity. The relatively salt‐resistant hybrid Pioneer 3906 and the relatively drought‐resistant hybrid Fabregas were compared. The experiments were conducted in large plastic containers in a vegetation hall in two consecutive years (2011 and 2012). Plant height and leaf area were significantly reduced under both stress conditions. The transpiration rate was only slightly reduced under drought stress; but under salt stress, a significant reduction occurred 40–53 days after sowing. As a significant increase in sucrose concentrations was observed in the salt‐treated maize kernels 2 days after pollination, the availability of assimilates was not limiting and the plants could afford to save water by reduced stomatal opening. Although under both stress conditions the soluble acid invertase activity was reduced 2 days after pollination, concomitantly, an increase in hexose concentrations was observed. Thus, in these experiments, the delivery of hexoses by acid invertase activity did not limit kernel development. Differences in grain yield at maturity between salt and drought stress were most likely caused by salt‐specific effects (Na⁺ toxicity), Fabregas being more affected than Pioneer 3906.     

Effects of organic matter addition on phosphorus availability to flooded and nonflooded rice in a P‐deficient tropical soil: a greenhouse study

Addition of organic matter (OM) to flooded soils stimulates reductive dissolution of Fe(III) minerals, thereby mobilizing associated phosphate (P). Hence, OM management has the potential to overcome P deficiency. This study assessed if OM applications increases soil or mineral fertilizer P availability to rice under anaerobic (flooded) condition and if that effect is different relative to that in aerobic (nonflooded) soils. Rice was grown in P‐deficient soil treated with combinations of addition of mineral P (0, 26 mg P/kg), OM (0, ~9 g OM/kg as rice straw + cattle manure) and water treatments (flooded vs nonflooded) in a factorial pot experiment. The OM was either freshly added just before flooding or incubated moist in soil for 6 months prior to flooding; blanket N and K was added in all treatments. Fresh addition of OM promoted reductive dissolution of Fe(III) minerals in flooded soils, whereas no such effect was found when OM had been incubated for 6 months before flooding. Yield and shoot P uptake largely increased with mineral P addition in all soils, whereas OM addition increased yield and P uptake only in flooded soils following fresh OM addition. The combination of mineral P and OM gave the largest yield and P uptake. Addition of OM just prior to soil flooding increased P uptake but was insufficient to overcome P deficiency in the absence of mineral P. Larger applications of OM are unlikely to be more successful in flooded soils due to side effects, such as Fe toxicity.