Metal Contamination in Nullah Dek Water and Accumulation in Rice

A research study was carried out to determine the electrical conductivity （EC）, residual sodium carbonate （RSC）, sodium adsorption ratio （SAR）, pH and metals in metal-polluted irrigation water from a nullah and those in soils over a period of time, and the effect of metals on rice yield and metal concentrations in rice grain and straw. Two sites （I and If） were selected on the bank of Nullah Dek at Thatta Wasiran in Sheikhupura District （Pakistan）, with two rice varieties, Super Basmati and Basmati 385, at both sites. Water samples were collected during rice crop growth at 15-day intervals from August 3 to November 1, 2002. The results showed that Nullah Dek water had an EC 〉1.0 dS m^-1 and RSC of 2.78-4.11 mmolc L^-1, which was hazardous for crops, but the SAR was within the safe limit. Cu, Mn Cd and Sr were also within safe limits. The soil analysis showed that Site Ⅱ was free from salinity/sodicity, whereas Site Ⅰ was saline sodic. Among metals, Zn was sometimes deficient, Cu, Mn and Fe were adequate, and St, Ni and Cd were within safe limits in the soil at both the sites. After the rice crop harvest, concentrations of all metals tested were usually slightly increased, being higher in the upper soil layer than the lower. In addition, Basmati 385 produced higher rice grain and straw yield than Super Basmati. Chemical analysis of rice grain indicated the presence of Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Sr, whereas rice straw contained Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn and Sr, with Cd and Ni both being found in minute quantities.     

Metal contamination in Nullah Dek water and accumulation in rice

Corn field experiments with two treatments, NP and NPK, where N in the form of urea, P in the form of calcium phosphate, and K in the form of KCl were applied at rates of 187.5, 33.3, and 125 kg ha^-1, respectively, on soils derived from Quaternary red clay were conducted in the hilly red soil region of Zhejiang Province, China. Plant grains and stalks were collected for determination of K content. Seven equations were used to describe the kinetics of K release from surface soil samples taken before the corn experiments under electric field strengths of 44.4 and 88.8 V cm^-1 by means of electro-ultrafiltration （EUF） and to determine if their parameters had a practical application. The second-order and Elovich equations excellently described K release; the first-order, power function, and parabolic diffusion equations also described K release well; but the zero-order and exponential equations were not so good at reflecting K release. Five reference standards from the field experiments, including relative grain yield （yield of the NP treatment/yield of the NPK treatment）, relative dry matter yield （dry matter of the NP treatment/dry matter of the NPK treatment）, quantity of K uptake in the NP treatment （no K application）, soil exchangeable K, and soil HNO3-soluble K, were used to test the effectiveness of equation parameters obtained from the slope or intercept of these equations. Correlations of the ymax （the maximum desorbable quantity of K） in the second-order equation and the constant b in the first-order and Elovich equations to all five reference standards were highly significant （P ≤ 0.01）. The constant a in the power function equation was highly significant （P 〈 0.01） for four of the five reference standards with the fifth being significant （P ≤ 0.05）. The constant b in the parabolic equation was also significantly correlated （P ≤ 0.05） to the relative grain yield and soil HNO3-soluble K. These suggested that all of these parameters could be used to estimate the soil K supplying capacity and the crop response to K fertilizer.     

The content of microelements and iron in soils and plants in the basin of lake Kotokel’ in Western Transbaikalia

The content of microelements (Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Ni, Cr, Pb, and Cd) and Fe is determined in the soils and plants of the Lake Kotokel’ basin. Their content in the soils is proved not to exceed the regional background and the existing MPC and APC. The content of Cd is revealed to exceed its clarke value for the world soils, which is related to the natural origin of this element. The concentrations of Mn, Co, and Pb are close to their clarke values, and those of Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cr are lower than their clarkes. The studied soils are specified by the maximal amount of the mobile forms of microelements. The profile distribution of the microelements differs depending on the genetic soil type. For Mn, Zn, and Cu, a significant biogenic accumulation is pronounced in the organic soil horizons. The content of microelements in the aboveground phytomass exceeds the maximal permissible levels for Mn, Co, Cr, and Fe. The intensity of the microelements absorption by the plants varies widely, being specified by the high coefficient of the biological adsorption (except for Fe). Mn, Zn, and Cu are accumulated in the plant phytomass the most intensely.     

Variations in mercury and other trace elements contents in soil and in vine leaves from the Almadén Hg-mining district

Purpose

Vines (Vitis vinifera, L.) are a very important agricultural resource for Spain in general and for the Castilla-La Mancha region in particular, providing important productions of wines. Grapes and raisins are used for direct consumption too. In this work, we study analytical constraints regarding metallic trace elements uptake, focusing on Hg, from vines growing in the Almadén mercury mining district, the world's largest producer of this element, inactive nowadays.

Materials and methods

The study started with the analysis of these metals in soils and sets of vines leaves from seven sites located at different distances from the Almadén Hg mine. The samples of soils were dried at ambient temperature for 1 week. They were then sifted (<2 mm) and were stored for subsequent analysis. The leaves were dried and the leaf blade and petiole were separated. About 2 g of each sample were hand milled and analyzed using the same fluorescence spectrometer. Total mercury in soils and vine leaves were determined using a Lumex RA-915+ device, an atomic absorption spectrometer with a pyrolysis unit (RP-91c).

Results and discussion

Results show significant correlations between soil and leaves contents for total and organic mercury (R?=?0.934 and 0.984, respectively). Hg contents range in soil from 2,376 to 0.04 mg/kg in non-polluted places. For the organic fraction, the range varies between 197.49 and 3.15 mg/kg. Total Hg contents measured in leaves were from 5.14 mg/kg (close to dump zone of the mine) to 0.03 mg/kg in the proximity of Carrión de Calatrava, located some 100 km away from Almadén. Mercury reaches maximum in the proximity of known sources of the element: the mining and/or metallurgical areas of Almadén and Almadenejos.

Conclusions

Soils from the study area contain normal contents in trace metals, and these are conditioned by the local geology or urban locations of the area. Trace metals contents in leaves do not show a relationship with soil contents, possibly due to the low bioavailability of these elements in the soils investigated. Mercury is, as expected for this area, an exception to this trend, with very high concentrations that reach maximum values in the proximity of the known sources of the element: the proximity of mining and/or metallurgical areas in Almadén and Almadenejos.     

Root Growth and Soil Water Dynamics in Relation to Inorganic and Organic Fertilization in Maize–Wheat

Agricultural productivity is increasingly becoming dependent upon soil fertility, which is generally thought to be supplemented through the application of nutrients mainly through inorganic fertilizers. The present study aims to characterize the soil physical environment in relation to long-term application of farmyard manure (FYM) and inorganic fertilizers in a maize–wheat cropping system. The treatments in both the maize and wheat systems included a control (without any fertilizer or FYM), FYM (farmyard manure at 20 t ha^?1), N₁₀₀ (nitrogen at 100 kg ha^?1), N₁₀₀P₅₀ (nitrogen and phosphorus at 100 and 50 kg ha^?1), and N₁₀₀P₅₀K₅₀ (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash at 100, 50, and 50 kg ha^?1). The treatments were replicated four times in a randomized complete block design in sandy loam soil. The root mass density in surface layers of both the crops was lower in FYM and higher in inorganic fertilizer plots. The root length density was found to be highest in FYM-treated plots and lowest in control plots. The periodic soil matric suction during wheat following maize remained highest in FYM plots followed by that in N₁₀₀ plots in all the layers. The soil water storage of wheat at harvest (rice–wheat) was highest (21.1 cm) in control and lowest (17.8 cm) in FYM-treated plots. The soil water status, root growth, and crop performance improved with balanced fertilization.     

Toxicity of Cu and Cd in Soils and Detoxication by Additives

Results from laboratory experiments indicated that the concentrations and toxicities of both water-soluble and 0.1 M HCl-extractable Cu and Cd from soils were in the order of red soil> yellow brown earth> black earth. The toxicity of soil varied with the concentrations of metals. The form, concentration and toxicity of Cu and Cd in soils were determined by cation exchange capacity, content of organic matter and composition of clay minerals in the soil. Addition of CaCO3 could significantly decrease the concentration and toxicity of water-soluble and 0.1 M HCl-extractable Cu or Cd from the red soil, and could notably transform the Cu and Cd from the water-soluble or exchangeable form into the organic, free oxides-occluded or sulfic form.     

Streamflow and Soil Moisture of Agroforestry and GrassWatersheds in Hilly Area

A study was conducted in a hilly area of Sichuan Province, Southwestern China, to compare the streamflow and soilmoisture in two upland watersheds with different land use patterns. One was an agroforestry watershed, which consistedmainly of trees with alder (Alnus cremastogyne Burkill) and cypress (Cupressus funebris Endl.) planted in belts or stripswith a coverage of about 46%, and the other was a grassland primarily composed of lalang grass (Imperata cylindricavar. major (Nees) C.E.Hubb.), filamentary clematis (Clematis filamentosa Dunn) and common eulaliopsis (Eulaliopsisbinata (Retz.) C. E. Hubb) with a coverage of about 440/o. Streamflow measurement with a hydrograph established atthe watershed outlet showed that the average annual streamflow per 100 mm rainfall from 1983 to 1992 was 0.36 and1.08 L s^-1 km^-2 for the agroforestry watershed and the grass watershed, respectively. This showed that the streamflowof the agroforestry watershed was reduced by 67% when compared to that of the grass watershed. The peak averagemonthly streamflow in the agroforestry watershed was over 5 times lower than that of the grass watershed and lagged byone month. In addition, the peak streamfiow during a typical rainfall event of 38.3 mm in August 1986 was 37% lowerin the agroforestry watershed than in the grass watershed. Results of the moisture contents of the soil samples from 3slope locations (upper, middle and lower slopes) indicated that the agroforestry watershed maintained generally highersoil moisture contents than the grass watershed within 0-20 and 20-80 cm soil depths for the upper slope, especially forthe period from May through July. For the other (middle and lower) slopes, soil moisture contents within 20-80 cm depthin the agroforestry watershed was generally lower than those in the grass watershed, particularly in September, revealingthat water consumption by trees took place mainly below the plow layer. Therefore, agroforestry land use types mightoffer a complimentary model for tree-annual crop water utilization.     

Childhood diet in relation to Sámi and Norwegian ethnicity in northern and mid-Norway--the SAMINOR study

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work was to identify dietary patterns in the past using cluster analysis of reported diet in childhood, and to assess predictors for dietary patterns in relation to ethnicity in the population in the Sámi core areas in Norway. The Sámis are an indigenous population living in the border areas of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. DESIGN: Population-based, cross-sectional study, using self-administered questionnaires. A food-frequency questionnaire covering selected food items eaten in childhood was used. The questionnaire also provided data on ethnicity. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: This study was based on data collected from 7614 subjects participating in The Population Based Study of Health and Living Conditions in Areas with a Mixed Sámi and Norwegian Population (the SAMINOR study) who grew up in the SAMINOR geographical areas, i.e. areas with mixed Sámi and Norwegian populations in Norway. RESULTS: Four dietary clusters were identified: a reindeer meat cluster; a cluster with high intakes of fish, traditional fish products and mutton, in addition to food sources from the local environment; a Westernised food cluster with high intakes of meat balls and sausages; and a cluster with a high intake of fish, but not any other foods in the questionnaire. The cluster distribution differed by ethnicity, but the effect of ethnicity on diet differed by coastal and inland residence. CONCLUSION: Our study has shown that data gathered through the limited questionnaire could be used to group the study sample into different dietary clusters, which we believe will be useful for further research on relationships between diet in childhood and health in the Sámi core areas in Norway.     

Climate changes and trends in phenology of fruit trees and field crops in Germany, 1961–2000

Distinct changes in air temperature since the end of the 1980s have led to clear responses in plant phenology in many parts of the world. In Germany phenological phases of the natural vegetation as well as of fruit trees and field crops have advanced clearly in the last decade of the 20th century. The strongest shift in plant development occurred for the very early spring phases. The late spring phases and summer phases reacted also to the increased temperatures, but they usually show lower trends. Until now the changes in plant development are still moderate, so that no strong impacts on yield formation processes were observed. But further climate changes will probably increase the effect on plants, so that in the future stronger impacts on crop yields are likely.     

Nitrogen mineralization and nitrifier activity in limed and urea‐treated soils

Abstract

The effect of liming on mineralization and soil nitrifier activity (NA) was investigated with Brookston clay (pH 5.7) and Haldimand clay (pH 4.7). Liming increased the rate of mineralization in both soils but at a rate about 4‐times greater in Haldimand clay than Brookston clay. A significant increase in N mineralization due to liming occurred in both soils only when pH was raised above 6.0. The rate of mineralization was greater than nitrification in the Haldimand soil resulting in NH₄ ⁺ accumulation. Nitrifier activity increased with liming of Brookston clay, but decreased in Haldimand clay after 15 days of incubation. There was a significant increase in nitrifier activity due to liming from 15 to 60 days in Haldimand clay. After 60 days nitrifier activity in limed treatments increased by five times over the unlimed control.

The nitrification of urea powder (1000 mg N.kg^‐1) mixed into the soil was also studied in several soils incubated at 15°C for 28 days. There was evidence up to 14 days that nitrification of urea was correlated with initial nitrifier activity. Between 14 and 28 days, other factors such as soil pH and possible ammonia toxicity in coarser textured soils as well as nitrifier activity were important. Accumulation of nitrite occurred mainly in soils with a pH above 7.0 up to 28 days especially where nitrifier population enrichment was not done.     

Mycorrhizal colonization and nutrition of wheat and sweet corn grown in manure‐treated and untreated topsoil and subsoil

Dry bean yields (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were raised to similar levels as the topsoil by manure application to eroded or leveled Portneuf silt loam soil (coarse‐silty mixed mesic Durixerollic Calciorthid). Only soil organic matter and zinc (Zn) content of leaf tissue were correlated with improved yields. Manure application increased mycorrhizal colonization and Zn uptake in pot experiments with dry bean which would explain the increased yields in the field. A field study was conducted to see if similar effects of manure and mycorrhizal colonization could be observed in field grown spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and sweet corn (Zea mays L.). This study was conducted on existing experiments established in the spring of 1991 at the USDA‐ARS farm in Kimberly, Idaho, to study crop rotation/organic matter amendment treatments on exposed subsoils and focused on mycorrhizal colonization as related to topsoils and subsoils treated with conventional fertilizer (untreated) or dairy manure. Mycorrhizal root colonization was higher with untreated than with manure‐treated wheat and sweet corn. Root colonization was also higher in subsoil than in topsoil for wheat, but there were no differences between soils for sweet corn. Shoot Zn and manganese (Mn) concentrations generally increased with increased root colonization for both species (except between soils with corn Mn contents). Wheat shoot potassium (K) concentration was increased by manure application, but the affect declined with time, was the opposite of colonization and was not observed with sweet com. Phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) concentrations either were not influenced or were erratically affected by mycorrhizal colonization. Yields of wheat were highest for manure‐treated subsoil and topsoil compared to untreated soils. Mycorrhizal colonization was different between conventional and manure‐treated soils and between topsoil and subsoil and these differences increased Zn and Mn uptake, but they did not explain the improvement in wheat yields obtained with manure application.     

Hydraulic Resistance and Capacitance in the Soil-Plant System

In this paper, the hydraulic resistances and capacitances were evaluated. based on the development of non-(?) model of water flow in the soil-plant system and the simulating experiment work.The results show that the mean hydraulic resistance in the soil-plant system is 6.79×10⁹ MPa·S·m^-3; the mean hydraulic capacitance in the system is 5.2×107m³·MPa^-1. In the components of hydraulic capacitance in the system, the capacitance in soil (81.8×10^-6m³·MPa ) is the biggest and its variability with suii water potential is extremely strong, the capacitance in plant (5.3×10^-7m³·MPa^-1) is much smaller than that in soil, and the capacitance in shoots (15.5×10^-7m³·2MPa^-1) is bigger than that in roots (8.4×10-7m³·2MPa^-1). An interesting result is that the capacitance in plant is almost equivalent to that in the soil-plant system.     

Acid–Base Characteristics and Clay Mineralogy in the Rhizospheres of Norway Maple and Common Spruce and in the Bulk Mass of Podzolic Soil

Eurasian Soil Science - Acid–base characteristics and composition of clay minerals were estimated in the rhizospheres of Norway maple (Acer platanoides) and common spruce (Picea abies) and in...     

Efficiency of Phosphogypsum and Mined Gypsum in Reclamation and Productivity of Rice–Wheat Cropping System in Sodic Soil

In this study, efficacies of mined gypsum and phosphogypsum (PG), when applied at equivalent doses, were compared for sodic soil reclamation and productivity of rice–wheat system. Application of PG, followed by karnal grass as first crop, resulted in the greatest reduction of soil pH and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) followed by PG applied at 10 Mg ha^?1 alone. Application of PG at 10 Mg ha^?1 resulted in greater yields of both rice and wheat than other treatments. Ditheylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)–extractable micronutrients of PG-treated soil were greater than in mined gypsum–treated soil. A greater portion of applied P entered the calcium (Ca)–phosphorus (P) fraction in PG-treated soil, which also resulted in more soluble P than the mined gypsum–treated soil. Phosphogypsum effected greater increase in aggregation, soil organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, and aggregate associated carbon and decrease in zeta potential, leading to increased hydraulic conductivity and moisture retention capacity in soil over mined gypsum–treated soil.     

Bioavailability of β-cryptoxanthin in the presence of phytosterols: in vitro and in vivo studies

Bioactive compounds are used in the design and development of new food products with potential health benefits, although little is known regarding their bioavailability and interactions. This study assessed the stability, in vitro bioaccessibility, and human bioavailability of β-cryptoxanthin from β-cryptoxanthin-rich drinks with and without added phytosterols developed for this purpose. The developed drinks showed no difference in the content of β-cryptoxanthin, and they were stable over 6 months. In vitro, hydrolysis of β-cryptoxanthin esters and the amount of free β-cryptoxanthin at duodenal and micellar phases were similar regardless of the presence of phytosterols. In the human study, the daily intake provoked significant increments of β-cryptoxanthin in serum regardless of the type of the drink. In conclusion, in vitro and in vivo human studies have shown that the bioavailability of β-cryptoxanthin is not significantly affected by the presence of phytosterols when they are simultaneously supplied in a drink.     

Phytosequestration of Carbon in Miscanthus × giganteus and Pinus sylvestris L. in Degraded Zinc Smelter and Post-Mining Soils

正Dear Editor,Pinus sylvestris L.is one of the most popular and predominant tree species in Central Europe and Scandinavia.Its cultivation depends on atmospheric conditions,soil fertility,use of fertilizers,and individual characteristics of the trees.Pinus sylvestris L.wood,roots,and needles are used for energy production.Pi-     

Availability of Lead and Cadmium in Farmland Soil and Its Distribution in Individual Plants of Dry‐Seeded Rice

Abstract

Availability of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in farmland soils and its distribution in individual plants of dry‐seeded rice were investigated utilizing graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) with a matrix modification technique. Five extractants were compared, and the operating conditions for GFAAS were optimized. The detection limits were 4.2 ng for Pb with the precision of 1.54% and 0.1 ng for Cd with the precision of 2.38%. The contents of the extractable Pb and Cd in soils were determined with the five extractants, and availability of Pb and Cd in farmland soil was discussed. The contents of Pb and Cd in different parts of dry‐seeded rice were lower than those in dry‐seeded rice soil. The contents of Pb and Cd in rice were lower than in other parts. The end top leaves accumulated the highest amounts of Pb and Cd.     

Molybdenum Determination in Mehlich‐1 and Mehlich‐3 Soil Test Extracts and Molybdenum Adsorption in Brazilian Soils

Abstract

The extractant Mehlich‐1 is routinely used in Brazil for determination of soil nutrients, whereas Mehlich‐3 has been suggested as a promising extractor for soil fertility evaluation. Both were used for extraction of molybdenum (Mo) in Brazilian soils with Mo dosage by the KI+H₂O₂ method. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were used to study soil Mo adsorption. Mehlich‐1 extracted more Mo than Mehlich‐3 in soils with high contents of organic matter, clay, and iron (Fe) oxides. Mehlich‐3 and Mehlich‐1 extractions correlated positively and significantly with amorphous Fe oxides, crystalline Fe oxides, and organic matter. Molybdenum recovering rates correlated to crystalline Fe oxides and clay contents but not to organic matter, pH, and Mo adsorption capacity. Amorphous and crystalline Fe oxides, clay, and organic matter were responsible for most of the Mo adsorption. The Langmuir isotherm described better the Mo adsorption to soil amorphous Fe oxides and organic matter than the Freundlich isotherm.     

Radon Survey and Exposure Assessment in Karaca and ?al Caves, Turkey

Radon concentration and gamma activity concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides were determined and presented for two tourist caves (Karaca and Çal caves) in this study. These caves are reported to receive about 77,000 visitors during the summer season in 2007. It was seen that mean radon activity concentrations for the winter and summer seasons for the Karaca cave is 1,023 and 823 Bq/m³ and for the Çal cave is 264 and 473 Bq/m³. Mean ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K activity concentrations are found to be 43, 19, and 262 Bq/kg for the Karaca cave and 31, 27, and 460 Bq/kg for the Çal cave. Doses received by the cave guides due to radon were estimated to be 2.9 mSv/year for the winter season and 2.3 mSv/year for the summer season for the Karaca cave. Same values were estimated for the Çal cave, and the results were found to be 0.6 mSv/year for the winter season and 1.1 mSv/year for the summer season. Annual effective doses received by the visitors in both caves were estimated to be in the order of ??Sv/year because of the short exposure time comparing the cave guides. Although the reported values are below the recommended values, both groups are exposed to possible radiological risk during their stay inside the cave, since prolonged exposure to high radon concentration has been linked to lung cancer.     

Root growth and phosphorus uptake in wide‐ and narrow‐row soybeans

Most of the research comparing the effect of different row spacing on seed yield in soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] has been focused on row spacing effects on aboveground crop characteristics such as leaf area, right interception, pod number, or biomass accumulation and their relationships with seed yield. Little work has been done on the effects of narrow‐row spacing on root distribution. Plant distribution may also affect root distribution and interroot competition, and therefore, exploration and use of soil resources. A field experiment was carried out on the Pampas (Argentina) to determine the effect of narrow‐row spacing on root distribution within the topsoil in soybean, and whether different root distributions affect phosphorus uptake. In December 1993, soybeans were planted at two row spacings, narrow rows (0.35 m) and wide rows (0.70 m). Root density was measured during seed filling (92 days after planting) at several points within the inter‐row space down to a soil depth of 30 cm. Aboveground biomass was harvested at maturity and phosphorus (P) uptake was measured. Below the row line, narrow‐row soybeans showed a greater root density than the wide row treatment at 5–10 cm depth, while roots of the wide‐row soybeans had more lateral growth. Root density at both sides of the row down to a depth of 5 cm was greater for the wide‐row treatment. Average root density for each depth for a section of 70 cm wide across the row line indicated there was no significant difference between treatments at any depth. The fewer number of rows for the wide‐row spacing was compensated by a greater lateral extension of roots within the interrow space. This compensation resulted in a similar root density at each depth for both planting patterns, narrow and wide rows. Aboveground biomass and phosphorus concentration in plant tissue at maturity were not affected by row spacing. A similar phosphorus uptake for both treatments was consistent with the lack of effect of the different plant distribution on soil exploration by roots and on aboveground biomass accumulation.