Heavy Metal and Arsenic Profiles in Ombrogenous Peat Cores from Four Differently Loaded Areas in Finland

The concentrations and vertical distribution of Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb and As were studied in four different ombrotrophic peat bogs with varying heavy metal loads at Hietajärvi, Outokumpu, Harjavalta and Alkkia in Finland. At each site a peat sample (15 cm × 15 cm × 100 cm) was taken using a Titanium Wardenaar corer, and the samples were cut into 5 cm slices. Dried and milled samples were determined by X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The mean concentrations of the elements were at their highest at Harjavalta (the most polluted area), apart from Cu which had the highest value at the Cu-treated site at Alkkia. Cu concentrations were above the lowest effective limit (LOEL) on all the plots except for the background plot at Hietajärvi. The maximum Cu values were reached in the topmost 20 cm layer, indicating the effects of mining and smelting activities. The highest Zn and Ni concentrations occurred in the 0–40 cm layer. At all sites, the maximum Pb concentrations were located between 10 and 50 cm. However, the Pb concentrations were higher at Alkkia and Harjavalta than at Outokumpu and Hietajärvi, indicating anthropogenic sources of Pb at the former sites. The As concentration was also the highest in the uppermost peat layers. The mean concentrations were markedly lower in the deeper layers (40–80 cm) than in the upper layers.     

Trends in Sulfate,Base Cations and H+ Concentrations in Bulk Precipitation and Throughfall at Integrated Monitoring Sites in Finland 1989-1995

Temporal trends in sulfate, base cation (Ca2+ + Mg2+ + K+), and H+ ion concentrations in bulk precipitation and throughfall samples collected over a seven year period (1989-95) in four forested catchments in Finland are presented. The catchments are in remote locations and span the boreal zone (61-69 °N). The stands represent old, undisturbed forests, and are composed of varying proportions of Scots pine, Norway spruce and deciduous species (mainly Betula spp.). Monthly SO₄ ^2- and H+ ion concentrations in bulk precipitation averaged over the study period and catchments were: 18.7 µmol L^-1 and 32.3 µmol L^-1. The corresponding values for throughfall were: 37.4 µmol L^-1 and 32.4 µmol L^-1. Sulfate and H+ ion concentrations in bulk precipitation and throughfall both showed negative linear trends, which were significant (p < 0.05) for the three southernmost catchments. Concentrations and trend slope decreased northwards (e.g., bulk precipitation SO₄ ^2- slope estimates: ^-1.6 to ^-1.0 µmol L^-1 yr^-1). The decline was greater for throughfall than for bulk precipitation, indicating a proportionally greater reduction in dry deposition than wet. The sum of base cation concentrations averaged 12.1 µmol(+) L^-1 in bulk precipitation and 83.1 µmol(+) L^-1 in throughfall. There were no significant trends in the sum of base cations (p > 0.05). It is concluded that the reported reduction in S emissions over the study period has resulted in a significant reduction in the acidity and SO₄ ^2- concentration of bulk precipitation, and this reduction has has been reflected in throughfall concentrations. The greatest reduction has taken place in the southern part of the country.     

Land use change exerts a strong impact on deep soil C stabilization in subtropical forests

Purpose

It has been widely recognized that land use changes can cause significant alterations of soil organic matter (SOM) of various ecosystems. Forest conversion, a common land use change, and its effects on SOM have been a hot research topic during the past two decades. However, the mechanisms of the effects of forest conversion on SOM dynamics, particularly in deep soils, largely remain uncertain. This study aimed to examine the impacts of forest conversion on SOM stabilization through the analysis of soil aggregate and density fractionation, microbial composition, and functions in deep soils.

Materials and methods

Soil C and microbes were sampled in soil layers of 0–20 and 60–80 cm under broadleaved secondary forest and two coniferous plantations (Cunninghamia lanceolata and Pinus massoniana). Aggregate and density fractionation techniques were used to analyze C accumulation in non-protected, physically, chemically, and biochemically protected C fractions. A 90-day laboratory mineralization incubation experiment with and without 400-mg C kg^?1 soil glucose and phenol was conducted to determine the potential mineralizable C, utilization of substrate capacity, and metabolic quotient (qCO₂).

Results and discussion

Conversion of secondary forests into coniferous plantations significantly decreased bulk soil C, especially in the deep soils. Forest conversion significantly decreased non-protected, physically, and chemically protected C fractions in both topsoil and deep soil and biochemically protected C fraction in deep soils. The soil organic carbon (SOC) of topsoils was dominated by non-protected fraction while in deep soil which was dominated by protected fraction. Compared with the topsoils, soil microbes in the deep soils tend to preferentially use labile soil organic matter with lower substrate use efficiency (higher values of qCO₂), which indicates that a r-strategy dominates of microbes. The increased respiration rate in the deep soils caused by forest conversion, when normalized to soil C, indicates that deep SOM may be more prone to decomposition and destabilization than top SOM.

Conclusions

Forest conversion can cause a significant alteration of SOC stabilization through the changes of physically, chemically, and biochemically protected SOC fractions. The mechanisms for the changes in non-protected or/and protected SOC fractions may be associated with the redistribution of r-strategy- and K-strategy-dominated microbes due to changes in litter inputs and priming effects.