A comprehensive approach to soil‐atmosphere trace‐gas flux estimation with static chambers

A new procedure (HMR) for soil‐atmosphere trace‐gas flux estimation with static chambers is presented. It classifies data series into three categories according to criteria based on the application of a particular non‐linear model and provides statistical data analyses for all categories. The two main categories are non‐linear and linear concentration data, for which data are analysed by, respectively, the non‐linear model and linear regression. The third category is represented by concentration data within the range of experimental error, or noise, from sites with no significant flux. Data in this category may be analysed by linear regression or simply classified as no flux. The particular non‐linear model has been selected among alternatives because its exponential curvature generally fits non‐linear static chamber concentration data well, and because it can be proven, mathematically, to be robust against horizontal gas transport through the soil or leaks in the chamber. The application of the HMR procedure is demonstrated on 244 data series of nitrous oxide accumulation over time. On average, 47% of these data were non‐linear, with an average flux increase over linear regression of 52%. The classification and analysis of data with a small signal‐to‐noise ratio requires special attention, and it is demonstrated how diagnostic graphical plots may be used to select the appropriate data analysis. The HMR procedure has been implemented as a free add‐on package for the free software R and is available for download through CRAN ( http://www.r‐project.org ).     

Can the PR1 capacitance probe replace the neutron probe for routine soil‐water measurement?

Abstract. A study was conducted to compare the performance of the PR1 capacitance probe (Delta-T Devices) in measuring soil volumetric moisture content (θ) with two established standard methods: the neutron probe (Didcot Instruments) and the gravimetric method. Over a two-year period, the three methods were used to measure θ in glasshouse plots containing crops of either oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) or bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L.). The PR1 probe gave variable performance depending on the depth and soil profile where the measurements were made. In most cases, the PR1 probe significantly overestimated θ. In some cases, it significantly underestimated θ or gave similar values to the other methods. Despite this frequent overestimation of θ, the PR1 probe adequately registered the relative changes in θ Its measurements were linearly and positively related to those of the gravimetric and neutron-probe methods. However, the regression lines significantly deviated from the 1:l line. This paper discusses the possible reasons for the unsatisfactory performance of the PR1 probe and the practical problems associated with the installation of its access tubes.     

热脉冲技术估算土壤水流通量评价

土壤水流通量(Jw)是一个重要的水力学参数,决定着土壤渗漏、径流和化学物质的迁移过程,但缺少相应的实际技术来进行实时定位测定。本研究通过设置室内一维饱和土壤不同水流速率下的热脉冲试验,根据热脉冲技术测定的热源上下游温度变化,利用上下游最大无量纲温差法(MDTD)、上下游温度升高比率法(Td/Tu)及改进的比率法估算Jw,并检验其可靠性。结果表明,三种方法估算的Jw与通过收集出流液测定的Jw存在很好的线性关系(R2>0.99)(Jw<6×10-5 m s-1)。三种方法估算的Jw均低于出流液测定值,其中Td/Tu估算的Jw精度最高,而且计算简单,需要的参数相对较少。对于质地较粗的砂土,Td/Tu法估算的Jw较为准确,但是对于质地较细的砂质黏壤土,尤其是Jw较大时,实测值和估算值差异很大,估算误差达到20%。此外,本文也分析了热脉冲技术低估Jw的原因,为进一步发展热脉冲技术提供依据。     

Advances in long‐term soil‐pollution monitoring of Switzerland

The Swiss soil‐monitoring network (NABO) was launched in 1984 and comprises currently 105 observation sites covering all characteristic land‐use types across Switzerland. So far, the sampling periodicity was 5 y, and the fifth sampling campaign will be accomplished by end of 2009. The concentrations of Cd, Zn, Pb, Cu, Hg, Ni, Cr, Co, and F were measured. The major results and conclusions are: (1) Even topsoils in remote areas are to some extent polluted, mainly by Pb, Cu, and Cd. However, elevated concentrations can also be of natural origin, e.g., for F, Ni, Cr, and Cd. (2) Land use alone is often a rather unreliable indicator to discriminate soil pollution. (3) After the 2nd campaign positive, negative, or no temporal concentration changes were measured. From the 3rd campaign onwards, nonmonotonous (zigzag) evolutions were frequently observed. Therefore, no certified trends can be stated after three measurement campaigns during a period of 10 y. (4) Soil monitoring is an environmental time‐series problem. The only way to detect reliable signals and trends earlier is to improve the overall measurement quality (precision and bias) and to shorten the measurement periodicity. (5) The causes of temporal soil concentration changes are complex and result from natural processes, anthropogenic processes, and methodological artifacts. Hence, not all soil concentration changes are due to anthropogenic inputs. Based on the state‐of‐art of our experience, some basic methodological requirements and recommendations can be supported for a “good soil‐monitoring practice”: (1) Assurance of long‐term continuity and consistency under changing boundary conditions as site conditions, methodologies, etc. (2) Implementation of a scientifically and politically appropriate spatial and temporal measurement resolution. (3) Long‐term assessment of reliability (quality assurance) by adequate quantification of precision, bias, and confidence intervals along the whole measurement chain. (4) Documentation of all potentially relevant boundary conditions by suitable metadata. Only soil‐monitoring results meeting these requirements are fit to support political decisions.     

多针热脉冲技术测定土壤热导率误差分析

土壤热导率是研究土壤热传输、水热耦合运移的基本物理参数。为了探知多针热脉冲技术的误差,该研究以能够准确测定热导率的单针法作为参比,在4种质地土壤上,对多针热脉冲技术在不同体积质量、含水率和气压条件下测定的热导率进行了分析。结果表明,多针热脉冲技术的热导率结果与单针法总体符合较好,其热导率测定值的平均误差为0.074 W/(m·K)。干土热导率随气压增大呈现对数增长,这是由于气体分子平均自由程下降的原因。多针热脉冲技术的测定误差主要出现在中等含水率区域,关键问题是加热针的温度升高偏大,促进了水汽潜热传输。另外,土壤与探针之间的热接触阻力、探针导致的土壤体积质量改变、温度梯度引起的液水流也影响测定结果的准确性。该研究可为农业水土工程中的土壤热导率模拟提供依据。     

基于集合卡尔曼滤波的地表水热通量同化研究

地表水热通量是研究地表能量转换与水文过程中的重要参数,本文借助通用陆面模式CLM3.0(Community Land Model3.0)为动力框架,利用集合卡尔曼滤波作为同化算法构建单站点的地表水热通量同化系统,并利用Ameriflux通量观测网上Chestnut Ridge、ARM SGP Main以及Tonzi Ranch三个站点的通量观测数据进行直接同化地表水热通量试验。结果表明,在三种不同下垫面下,RMSE直接同化水热通量能够很好地改善地表总水热通量的估算效果。经过同化通量观测值,模式输出的通量值的RMSE均有减小。在代表农田下垫面的ARM SGP Main站,感热通量的RMSE由67.49W/m2下降至14.07W/m2,潜热通量的RMSE由70.07W/m2下降至14.35W/m2;在代表森林下垫面的Chestnut Ridge站,感热通量的RMSE由82.56W/m2下降至48.56W/m2,潜热通量的RMSE由42.99W/m2下降至38.92W/m2;在代表草地下垫面的Tonzi Ranch站,感热通量的RMSE由62.99W/m2下降至17.85W/m2,潜热通量的RMSE由44.76W/m2下降至36.01W/m2。相对于通过同化地表温度和湿度间接改善地表水热通量预报的研究结果,直接同化地表水热通量的结果好于前者。但值得注意的是,针对集合同化方法,不同初始场误差、观测误差和大气强迫数据误差的扰动强度都会对同化结果造成影响。从同化系统对3种误差的敏感性分析结果来看:观测误差的影响最大且减小观测误差能够减小同化后的RMSE值,估计观测误差的方法是否合理会直接影响同化结果的好坏;初始场误差对同化后的RMSE值影响最小;另外,增加大气强迫数据误差和初始场误差能减小同化后的RMSE值。     

Equivalence or complementarity of soil‐solution extraction methods

Several methods are used for the extraction of soil solution. The objective of this study was to find out to what extent the different extraction methods yield complementary or equivalent information. Soil solutions were sampled once at 10 different forest sites in Germany, with 4 sampling points per site, using 5 different extraction methods. Concentrations of the major ions in the 1:2 extracts and the equilibrium soil‐pore solutions (obtained from percolation of field‐fresh soil cores) were generally lower than in desorption solutions, suction‐cup solutions, and saturation extracts. Surprisingly, the latter three methods generally yielded equivalent results. However, possible systematic differences between these methods could have been masked by the high small‐scale spatial variability within the sites.     

Effects of soil‐surface microbial community phenotype upon physical and hydrological properties of an arable soil: a microcosm study

The nature of the first few millimetres of the soil surface strongly affects water infiltration rates, generation of run‐off, soil detachment and sediment transport. We hypothesized that the phenotypic community structure of the soil‐surface microbiota affects the physical and hydrological properties of an arable soil. A range of contrasting microbial community phenotypes were established in microcosms by manipulating the wavelength of light reaching the soil surface, with the microcosms being incubated in the field for approximately 6 months. Phenotypes were characterized by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA), ergosterol and chlorophyll analysis. The microcosms were then subjected to simulated rainfall at an intensity of 60 mm hour⁻¹ for 20 minutes at a slope gradient of 9°. Water infiltration rates, run‐off generation, soil loss (including a particle‐size analysis of the sediment) and soil‐surface shear strength were quantified. Distinct microbial phenotypes developed on the soil surfaces with UV‐A and restricted‐UV treatments when compared with subsurface layers. There was significantly greater fungal biomass in the no‐light treatment when compared with all other treatments, with approximately 4.5 times more ergosterol being extracted from the subsurface layer of the no‐light treatment when compared with other treatments. The no‐light treatment produced the greatest amount of run‐off, which was approximately 15% greater than the restricted photosynthetically‐active radiation (PAR) treatment. Significant differences between treatments were also found in shear strengths, with increasing strength being correlated with increasing ergosterol concentration. Water infiltration, erosion and the sediment concentrations in run‐off were not significantly different between treatments. This work demonstrates that the quality of light reaching the soil surface affects the microbial phenotype, in turn producing functional consequences with regard to the physical and hydrological properties of arable soil surfaces.     

Rate of soil‐aggregate formation under different organic matter amendments—a short‐term incubation experiment

To improve soil structure and take advantage of several accompanying ecological benefits, it is necessary to understand the underlying processes of aggregate dynamics in soils. Our objective was to quantify macroaggregate (> 250 μm) rebuilding in soils from loess (Haplic Luvisol) with different initial soil organic C (SOC) contents and different amendments of organic matter (OM) in a short term incubation experiment. Two soils differing in C content and sampled at 0–5 and 5–25 cm soil depths were incubated after macroaggregate destruction. The following treatments were applied: (1) control (without any addition), (2) OM₁ (addition of OM: preincubated wheat straw [< 10 mm, C : N 40.6] at a rate of 4.1 g C [kg soil]^–1), and (3) OM₂ (same as (2) at a rate of 8.2 g C [kg soil]^–1). Evolution of CO₂ released from the treatments was measured continuously, and contents of different water‐stable aggregate‐size classes (> 250 μm, 250–53 μm, < 53 μm), microbial biomass, and ergosterol were determined after 7 and 28 d of incubation. Highest microbial activity was observed in the first 3 d after the OM application. With one exception, > 50% of the rebuilt macroaggregates were formed within the first 7 d after rewetting and addition of OM. However, the amount of organic C within the new macroaggregates was ≈ 2‐ to 3‐fold higher than in the original soil. The process of aggregate formation was still proceeding after 7 d of incubation, however at a lower rate. Contents of organic C within macroaggregates were decreased markedly after 28 d of incubation in the OM₁ and OM₂ treatments, suggesting that the microbial biomass (bacteria and fungi) used organic C within the newly built macroaggregates. Overall, the results confirmed for all treatments that macroaggregate formation is a rapid process and highly connected with the amount of OM added and microbial activity. However, the time of maximum aggregation after C addition depends on the soil and substrate investigated. Moreover, the results suggest that the primary macroaggregates, formed within the first 7 d, are still unstable and oversaturated with OM and therefore act as C source for microbial decomposition processes.     

Effects of surface‐applied and soil‐incorporated lime on some physical attributes of a Dystrudept soil

It is generally accepted that liming ameliorates soil acidity. However, the method of lime application is thought by many to influence its effectiveness in acid soils. In this study, we wanted to assess the degree of effectiveness of surface‐applied lime and lime incorporated into the soil on soil structural attributes and water retention of a Dystrudept soil in the SE region of the State of Paraná, Brazil. Lime was added at the rate of 15 t/ha to soil through: (i) surface broadcasting, (ii) incorporation via ploughing and harrowing, (iii) incorporation via subsoiling and harrowing. A control treatment with zero lime application was included in the experiment. The addition of lime by surface broadcasting resulted in significant reductions in soil bulk density (BD) and macroporosity (Ma) and increases in total porosity (TP) and microporosity (Mi) of the top soil layer (0–0.10 m). The reverse was the case in the 0.10‐ to 0.20‐m soil layer; where lime was incorporated via ploughing and harrowing, increases in BD and reductions in TP and Ma were observed. Addition of lime also significantly increased soil water retention, with maximum retention recorded from soil amended with surface broadcast lime. Changes in soil chemical attributes (increases in pH, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ contents; reductions in potential acidity and Al³⁺ content) were responsible for the changes observed in structural and physical attributes, and water retention. Bearing in mind the lower application costs, improvement in the soil chemical attributes for plant development and soil physical quality, surface broadcast lime can be considered a promising alternative for no‐till farmers.     

探针有限特性对热脉冲技术测定土壤热特性的影响

在利用热脉冲方法测定热特性时,通常对探针形状做理想化处理,即假设探针为线性热源,热导率无限大而热容量为零。在实际应用中,探针本身的有限特性(有限半径以及有限热容量)会导致热特性测定误差。为了研究探针有限特性对热脉冲技术测定土壤热特性的影响,该研究采用改进的热脉冲探针(直径2 mm、长度40 mm、间距8 mm)测定土壤热特性,并分别使用PILS(pulsed infinite line source,无限长线性脉冲热源)和ICPC(identical cylindrical perfect conductors,近似圆柱形完美导体)2种理论估计土壤热特性,比较分析了探针有限特性对热脉冲技术测定热特性结果的影响。结果表明:1)与PILS理论相比,利用ICPC理论拟合得到的温度升高曲线,可以有效减少探针有限半径和热容量对土壤热特性测定结果的影响。与ICPC理论相比,在0.03~0.25 m3/m3的含水率范围内,用PILS理论得到的砂土热扩散率和热导率分别偏低11.8%和5.2%;与模拟热容量相比,PILS和ICPC理论分别将热容量高估16.1%和7.9%;2)探针有限特性对土壤热特性的影响与含水率有关:在干土上最大;随着土壤含水率的增加,其影响逐渐降低。该研究对提高热脉冲技术测定土壤热特性的准确性具有指导意义。     

Development of an apparatus for measuring one‐dimensional steady‐state heat flux of soil under reduced air pressure

One of the best ways to evaluate the coupled heat and mass transfer in soil is to measure the heat flux and water distribution simultaneously. For this purpose, we developed an apparatus for measuring the one‐dimensional steady‐state heat flux and water distribution in unsaturated soil under reduced air pressure. The system was tested using four samples with known thermal conductivity (0.6–8.0 W m^?1 K^?1). We confirmed that the system could measure the one‐dimensional steady‐state heat flux under a fixed temperature difference between ends of the samples over a wide range of thermal conductivity values. Time domain reflectometry was used to measure the water distribution with a repeatability of less than ± 1.0%. We used the apparatus to measure the soil heat flux and distribution of water content and temperature under steady‐state conditions with reduced air pressure. The initial volumetric water content, θ_ini, of the soil samples was set at 0.20 and 0.40 m³m^?3. For a θ_ini of 0.20, the heat flux was not significantly affected by air pressure, and the water content on the hot side decreased whilst that on the cold side increased, i.e. a pronounced water content gradient was formed. For a θ_ini of 0.40, the heat flux increased sharply with reduced air pressure, and the water content did not change, i.e. a homogeneous water distribution was observed. The increase in the heat flux with air pressure reduction is caused by the vapour transfer in soil pores. We found that a large vapour transfer took place in the soil with the homogeneous water distribution, and that the vapour transfer was less in the soil with the pronounced water content gradient. These experimental facts were entirely different from the traditional knowledge of vapour transfer in soil under temperature gradients. A lack of data on heat flux must have resulted in the previously incorrect conclusions. The new apparatus will serve to clarify the intricate phenomena of thermally induced vapour transfer in unsaturated soil in further experiments.     

Applicability of ground‐penetrating radar as a tool for nondestructive soil‐depth mapping on Pleistocene periglacial slope deposits

Soil depth plays a decisive role in determining soil properties in mountainous regions for ecological site assessment. To evaluate the use of ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) for fast and high‐resolution mapping within mountainous regions, we examined the possibilities and limitations of GPR to determine soil depth over bedrock and to delineate individual substrate layers formed during the Pleistocene in a periglacial environment (Pleistocene periglacial slope deposits, PPSD). Selected catenae in representative subregions of the study area (Dill catchment, SE Rhenish Massif, Germany) have been successfully mapped using GPR. A practicable method was developed using a 400 MHz antenna to reach a mean penetration depth of 1.5 m and to map different substrates and layers of PPSD based on calibrations of the GPR at soil pits along 12 catenae. Colluvium, the three types of PPSD layers, as well as the in situ bedrock could be distinguished in most sections of the GPR surveys. Characteristic GPR facies caused by intrinsic material properties of the different substrates, such as stone content and soil moisture content, could be distinguished in different geomorphologic and lithological settings. A layer‐based velocity distribution was determined for characteristic substrate layers at soil pits enabling us to considerably enhance the accuracy of soil‐depth prediction. Compared to traditionally surveyed soil profiles, our results demonstrate an accuracy of layer thickness surveying within a standard deviation of approx. 0.1 m. It is demonstrated that the combination of GPR with conventional soil‐pit mapping is an efficient and valid method to produce high‐resolution data of substrate distribution.     

The interrelationship between the cultivation of crops and soil‐strength dynamics

It is well accepted that the penetration resistance of soils is, among others factors, highly sensitive to the moisture status of the soil. This study tested the hypothesis of whether the dewatering of a soil by crops of varying dewatering capacities significantly affects the soil's penetration resistance and whether this contributes to an exceedance of the commonly accepted root‐growth threshold already in the range of plant‐available water. During a 22‐month period between March 2002 and December 2003, the soil water content of a former lignite strip mine in E Germany was studied. The soil had been restored with Saalian glacial till. Plots contained two different crops, a 3 y–old stand of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) and a 7 y–old stand of wild rye (Secale multicaule L.). Soil water contents under the two crops were converted on the basis of the water‐retention characteristics into water tensions, allowing an investigation of the changes in the measured water content in the wider context of the water availability to the crops. During both growing seasons, the water tension under lucerne exceeded the permanent‐wilting point (10^4.2 hPa) for up to 20 weeks between 0 and 90 cm, which is equal to a predicted penetration resistance of >15 MPa. Water tensions under the wild rye rose only up to a maximum of 10³ hPa for the same period, so that the predicted penetration‐resistance values remained constantly <5 MPa. Our findings demonstrate that the dewatering by plants during the growing seasons affects the actual strength of the soil, which can lead to the exceeding of the commonly accepted root‐growth threshold.     

Measurement of redox potential inside a suction probe

Ceramic suction probes were combined with internal redox electrodes in order to reduce the deviation between site parallels, and to relate redox potential measurements directly to the solution analyzed chemically. In a laboratory experiment soil material was water‐saturated for 49 days and temporal changes of redox potential and pH outside and inside the ceramic suction probes were recorded. Furthermore, iron concentrations inside the ceramic cups were detected. Results indicate that a device combining ceramic suction probes and redox electrodes is in principal possible. However, the device used here could not reduce the deviation between site replications compared to free installed redox electrodes. Increasing iron concentrations due to decreasing redox potentials outside and inside the ceramic suction probes indicate that the soil water iron dynamic is at least partly measurable using this device.<?show $6#>     

Effect of biochar amendment on soil‐silicon availability and rice uptake

Rice growth and its resistance to pests had been often constrained by soil‐silicon (Si) availability. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential of biochar soil amendment (BSA) to improve Si availability in paddy soils. A cross‐site field trail with BSA was conducted in six locations with different climatic and crop‐production conditions across S China. Plant‐available Si content before field‐trials establishment and after rice harvest, as well as Si content in rice shoot were determined. Varying with site conditions, plant‐available Si content of soil was observed to increase significantly with BSA in most sites. Significant increase in rice shoot Si was detected in four out of the six sites, which was well correlated to the concurrent increase in soil pH under BSA treatment. This study demonstrates an important role of BSA to improve Si availability and uptake by rice mainly through increasing soil pH of the acid and slightly acid rice soils.     

Multi‐element stable isotopic dilution and multi‐surface modelling to assess the speciation and reactivity of cadmium and copper in soil

Chemical extraction, multi‐element stable isotopic dilution (ID) and multi‐surface modelling were used to investigate the lability of cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) in nine types of soil with different properties and contaminated or not with Cd and Cu. The chemical extraction and ID analyses both showed that Cd was more labile than Cu in all the soil types studied. From the ID results, 32.8–93.3% of total Cd and 14.7–71.8% of total Cu were isotopically exchangeable after 3 days of equilibration. A single extraction in 0.43 m HNO₃ gave similar results to the 3‐day ID assay for Cu in most of the soils and for Cd in the non‐calcareous soils. However, an eight‐step selective sequential extraction (SSE) procedure gave different results from the ID assay for both metals. Predictions of the multi‐surface model for the amounts of Cd and Cu adsorbed, based on measured metal ion activities in the soil solution and the concentrations of reactive surfaces in the soil, agreed with the ID results. The model predicted that soil organic matter was the predominant sorbent for Cd and Cu in the soils and that manganese oxide was the least important sorbent. The contributions of iron oxides to sorption were predicted to be small except in soil with a high pH and little organic matter. The predicted sorption on different soil components did not match SSE measurements.     

Long‐lasting impact of biowaste‐compost application in agriculture on soil‐quality parameters in three different crop‐rotation systems

Soil‐quality parameters, such as soil organic matter (SOM) and plant‐available nutrient contents, microbial properties, aggregate stability, and the amounts of heavy metals were carried out in arable soils of different rotation schedules applied with a total of 50 Mg dry mass ha^–1 biowaste compost relative to an untreated control. This was investigated during a 10 y period from 1994 to 2004. Overall, soil‐quality parameters studied appeared to be promoted by biowaste‐compost application. This was evidenced for example by a remarkable increase of SOM and total N content of ≈ 15%–20% relative to the control. Subsequently, amounts of soil microbial biomass and alkaline phosphatase activity were significantly increased as well. In addition, biowaste‐compost application revealed an increase of plant‐available P and K contents and aggregate stability in soil. There was, however, no treatment effect for net N‐mineralization rates. Moreover, in soils of maize and sugar beet rotation schedule a slight decrease was found. Heavy‐metal contents of Pb and Zn were significantly increased in all compost‐treated soils, whereas no significant increase of Cd and Cu contents was measured. However, the investigated amounts were far below of the limits of the German Biowaste Ordinance. It is finally recommended, that biowaste compost may sustain and improve soil quality in agriculture when N nutrition will be considered.