Output of methylmercury from a Catchment in northern Sweden

The runoff output of methylmercury (MeHg) from the 50 ha Svartberget Catchment in northern Sweden was studied during 1993. These outputs are compared to those from the Gårdsjön Catchment in the southwestern part of Sweden. Although the wet deposition of MeHg is several times higher in southern Sweden the output of MeHg per unit area from the two catchments was comparable (0.12 g /km_* ²yr). Furthermore, the concentration of MeHg (0.4 ng/L) in the Svartberget Catchment was more than twice that from the Gårdsjön Catchment. These results suggest that the contemporary wet deposition of MeHg in itself is not a good indicator of runoff concentration or output per unit area. DOC transport and catchment characteristics such as wetland area, or possibly other forms of contemporary atmospheric deposition may all be more important for explaining MeHg output from the terrestrial ecosystem.     

Forms and plant-availability of sulfur in cattle and pig slurry

The contribution of animal slurry to the supply of S to plants was studied. The total-S content of cattle and pig slurry was significantly correlated to DM and nitrogen content and was composed of sulfide, sulfate and C-bonded S. During 42 weeks of storage sulfate concentrations decreased and sulfide and C-bonded S concentrations increased. In a pot experiment plant-availability of S in slurry was found to be low, 5 to 7% of total-S.     

Effect of fly ash extract on growth and development of corn and soybean seedlings

Different concentrations of aqueous extract of fly ash were prepared by soaking air dried fly ash and mixing thoroughly with an electric blender. Extracts were then applied to the seeds of corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) after being filtered through a Whatman No. 42 filter paper. Fly ash extract in the lower concentration range of 0.5 to 1.0% (W/V) had no significant effect on germination and seedling growth of each of the two crops. Higher concentrations of fly ash extracts, however, had deleterious effects on the percentage of germination, viability, number of roots, shoot and root length, fresh weight and dry weight of seedlings of both the crops. The elemental concentrations in shoot and root systems of control seedlings of corn and soybean were found to be the same, whereas in the extract treated corn and soybean seedlings, a relatively high elemental concentration was found in roots as compared to shoots.     

CLAY MINERALOGY OF SOME SEASONALLY FLOODED SOILS OF EAST PAKISTAN

The clay fractions of four seasonally flooded soils from East Pakistan have been studied using X-ray, DTA, and infra-red methods, total chemical analysis, surface area determination, and electron microscopy. The soils represent young alluvium (Borda), a juvenile groundwater laterite (Nunni), a groundwater lateritelatosol intergrade (Noadda), and a surface-water glei (Chhiata). Mica and kaolinite were present in all the soils, and vermiculite in all except possibly Noadda. Vermiculite, total magnesium content, and SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio decreased and kaolinite increased in the sequence Borda–Nunni–Noadda. Electron micrographs indicated that in the Borda soil, which is the youngest and subjected to the longest period of annual flooding, iron hydroxides are present as gels coating the surfaces of the clay mineral particles. Such coatings are less apparent in the Nunni clay, and in the Noadda clay most of the ‘free iron oxides’ appear as small granules. The Chhiata soil has about 12.5 per cent of its clay fraction in the form of an amorphous gel rich in silica, and much of the mica and vermiculite in a randomly interstratified complex.     

A comparison of methods for soil microbial population and biomass studies

A comparison was made of 15 different techniques which are used in assessing soil microbial populations and/or biomasses. These include direct observations (fungal standing crop, fluorescein diacetate active mycelia, acridine orange stained bacteria), cultural methods (bacterial plate counts), physiological methods (total microbial, bacterial and fungal biomasses, O₂-uptake), soil enzyme analyses (dehydrogenase, catalase, alkaline and acid phosphatase, protease, amylase), and ATP-analyses. The various techniques were applied to six soils known to have different microbial characteristics. The results are discussed with respect to the convertability of counts and measurements into microbial biomasses, the variability of the techniques, the correlations within comparable groups of methods, and the practical limitations in application of individual methods to different soils.     

Einfluß von Meliorationsmaßnahmen auf die kleinräumliche Variation von Waldbodeneigenschaften

Influence of amelioration procedures on the small scale spatial variation of forest soil properties After clearcutting, a podzol-pseudogley derived from silty loam covering clay and a podzolic brown forest soil of sandy texture were treated as follows: CaPMg-fertilization either alone or combined with tilling (after herbicide spray) or ploughing (after mechanical stump extraction); planting of young pines, fertilization with N in the third growing season. Eight years after initiation of the trials, the coefficients of variation for stoniness and bulk density didn't differ between treatments. On the other hand there was clear evidence, that the clearcutand the subsequent amelioration techniques had increased the variability of the organic floor weight as well as of the pH, the carbon and nitrogen contents of the top mineral soil. These effects presumably are due to an irregular mixing of fertilized raw humus and A-horizon material with subsoil layers by harvesting procedures, tilling or ploughing and bioturbation.     

THERMODYNAMICS OF THE EXCHANGE OF NICOTINE ON ALUMINIUM-MONTMORILLONITE

The ion exchange equilibria involving the interaction of nicotine with Almontmorillonite was studied thermodynamically. The exchange isotherms at 30° and 60°C indicated a preference for Al ions by montmorillonite as compared with nicotinium ions. A separation factor supported the conclusion. The enthalpy gain indicated tighter binding of Al. The entropy gain indicated a diffused and disordered arrangement of nicotinium ions in the Goüy layer with Al forming a more ordered arrangement in the Stern layer.