Mercury in soils of British Columbia,a mercuriferous region

Mercury concentrations in various horizons of British Columbia soils were determined to estimate natural background levels in soils from various geographical areas of the province. Highly enriched concentrations near the Pinchi Lake cinnibar deposit declined to background levels ranging from 10 to 310 ppb Hg in the district. In six other regions, concentrations in surface mineral horizons averaged 85 ppb and ranged to 490 ppb but surface horizons of peaty muck soils and those predominated by vegetative litter contained 164 ppb Hg on the average and as much as 741 ppb. Concentrations in subsurface horizons were lower than at the surface. A significant relationship between Hg concentration and organic matter content was observed. Comparison with soils from outside British Columbia indicated its location within a generalized mercuriferous belt accounted for the relatively high concentrations observed.     

Morphology and composition of some soils under cultivation in Saudi Arabia

Twelve profiles representing the principal soils of five major agricultural areas (Al-Kharj, Gassim, Hofuf, Taif and Wadi Dawasir) in Saudi Arabia were described and sampled by horizons. Laboratory analyses were then made of the samples to characterize the profiles more completely. Analyses were also made for certain nutrient elements to get some measure of their levels in the soils.The profiles are tentatively classified in the Entisol and Aridisol orders of the American taxonomy. Five Entisol profiles were considered to be Fluvents and two Psamments. Four Aridisol profiles were considered to be Argids and one an Orthid.All of the profiles are saline and calcareous and most are also sandy. Furthermore, amounts of nutrient elements such as phosphorus, iron and zinc in surface layers are below minimum levels established for similar soils in earlier investigations in other countries. Consequently, the soils are believed to lack sufficient quantities of several elements for optimum plant growth. Successful use of the soils will thus require reductions in salinity, increased levels of nutrient elements, and skillful irrigation to provide adequate moisture.     

Mercury distribution in tephra soil layers in Hokkaido, Japan, with reference to 34,000-year stratification

Tephra from volcanic eruptions contains only small amounts of mercury (Hg) right after the eruption because the high temperature at eruption evaporates Hg in volcanic ash. Thus, accumulation of Hg in tephra soil layers during the dormant periods of the volcano may reflect Hg deposition while the layer was exposed to the atmosphere. To estimate sequential changes in Hg deposition, we measured the Hg content and accumulation in tephra layers from 6 sites in Hokkaido known to have many tephra layers derived from volcanic eruptions over a 34,000-year period. Mercury content and accumulation rate in the soil profiles varied widely depending on the tephra. In each tephra layer, the Hg content and accumulation rates increased principally at the upper soil horizons and decreased at the lower depths. The Hg deposition rates calculated from the amount of Hg accumulated in the tephra layers were similar within the same tephra. These characteristics of Hg distribution indicate that Hg deposition accumulated on the surface of each tephra layer during the period the tephra layer was exposed to the atmosphere. Although physicochemical processes such as leaching out, wind erosion, and volatilization might lead to over- and/or underestimation of the deposition rates, our estimated amounts of Hg were markedly higher in the tephra soils after 1,600 year BP than before that time. The results of this study suggest that tephra layers in Hokkaido offer important implications for understanding of the historical changes in atmospheric Hg deposition.     

Mercury distribution in tephra soil layers in Hokkaido,Japan, with reference to 34,000-year stratification

Abstract

Tephra from volcanic eruptions contains only small amounts of mercury (Hg) right after the eruption because the high temperature at eruption evaporates Hg in volcanic ash. Thus, accumulation of Hg in tephra soil layers during the dormant periods of the volcano may reflect Hg deposition while the layer was exposed to the atmosphere. To estimate sequential changes in Hg deposition, we measured the Hg content and accumulation in tephra layers from 6 sites in Hokkaido known to have many tephra layers derived from volcanic eruptions over a 34,000-year period. Mercury content and accumulation rate in the soil profiles varied widely depending on the tephra. In each tephra layer, the Hg content and accumulation rates increased principally at the upper soil horizons and decreased at the lower depths. The Hg deposition rates calculated from the amount of Hg accumulated in the tephra layers were similar within the same tephra. These characteristics of Hg distribution indicate that Hg deposition accumulated on the surface of each tephra layer during the period the tephra layer was exposed to the atmosphere. Although physicochemical processes such as leaching out, wind erosion, and volatilization might lead to over- and/or underestimation of the deposition rates, our estimated amounts of Hg were markedly higher in the tephra soils after 1,600?year?BP than before that time. The results of this study suggest that tephra layers in Hokkaido offer important implications for understanding of the historical changes in atmospheric Hg deposition.     

Mercury content of soils in Western Britain with special reference to contamination from base metal mining

Mercury was determined in 51 soil samples from historic base metal mining areas of England and Wales, together with cadmium, copper, lead, zinc, pH and organic content. Background mercury was calculated as 0.093 ppm whence 51% of the samples were judged to be contaminated. A very strong statistical correlation between mercury and lead and weaker but significant correlations between mercury and copper and zinc were found. Highest levels of mercury (maximum, 1.78 ppm Hg) and other metals occurred in soils derived from the floodplain of a river which was at one time badly polluted by mine waste. In a profile pit near a lead mine in the west of England both mercury and lead were enriched in surface horizons. It is concluded that land contaminated by heavy metals, especially lead, in the historic metal mining areas of England and Wales is also likely to be contaminated by mercury.     

Hazardous Air Pollutant Source Emissions for a Chemical Fiber Manufacturing Facility in Taiwan

This work focuses on the behaviour of mercury in lateritic soil profiles found in the Serra do Navio and Tartarugalzinhoareas of the State of Amapá in Northern Brazil. The Hg contents are high in the upper horizons of the soil profiles(100–300 μg kg^-1), and decrease to less than 100 μg kg^-1 at depths of 200 or 300 cm. The higher levels of Hg are associated with higher Fe concentrations, particularly in the ferruginous accumulations as mottles andnodules. For each horizon of the soil profile, balance calculations were used to distinguish the amount of mercury naturally accumulated from rocks through lateritic pedogenesis (lithogenic mercury) from the anthropogenic mercury introduced in the profile through atmospheric contamination. The results show that the anthropogenic contribution is significant in the upper horizons (up to 95%% of the total Hg), and decreases downward in the soil profile. Mercury burdens were calculated for soil profiles in both upslope (272 880 and 217 440 μg m^-2 for the first 70 cm) and downslope positions (118 800 and 182 160 %μg m^-2 for the first 70 cm). The loss of Hg in downslope profiles seems to be related to the natural evolution of iron duricrust into latossols, which has been brought about by climatic changes toward increasing humidityin the Amazon since the Tertiary.     

Magnesium,Potassium and Phosphorus in Available Forms in Luvisols in the Vicinity of Głogów Copper Smelter

Region near G?ogów is characterized as industrial—agricultural area, intensively used. Presented study was undertaken to estimate the impact of agricultural land use and the vicinity of G?ogów copper smelter on the contents of available forms of magnesium, phosphorus and potassium in selected profiles of Luvisols. The following analysis were performed: soil particle-size distribution, pH, organic carbon contents, CaCO₃ contents. The contents of available forms of phosphorus and potassium were determined by Egner- Riehm method and that of magnesium using Schachtschabel’s method. The results of the study showed that the contents of available P is medium (III class of abundance), very low in K (V class) and for available Mg very low (V class) to medium for surface horizons and very high (I class of abundance) in other soil horizons. The soils, in spite of the elevated copper content in humus horizons, according to IUNG, were classified as uncontaminated soils, therefore, can be used in plant production for all types of crops.     

MODELLING LEACHING OF INORGANIC Hg(II) IN A SCANDINAVIAN IRON-HUMUS PODZOL - VALIDATION AND LONG-TERM LEACHING UNDER VARIOUS DEPOSITION RATES

Increasing mercury contents are reported from freshwater systems and fish in northern Europe and North America. Mercury input from soils is a major source with the leaching being affected by increased atmospheric mercury deposition compared to pre-industrial times and by other environmental conditions such as acid rain. The results of a mathematical model-calculation of vertical inorganic Hg(II) leaching in a Scandinavian iron-humus podzol under different atmospheric input rates of mercury are presented. Leaching under background rain conditions was calculated to be considerably stronger than under acid rain conditions. Increasing fractions of deposited soluble or solute atmospheric mercury were leached from the O _f(h)-horizon with decreasing soil content of soluble mercury under acid rain conditions; this effect was less pronounced under background rain conditions. The steady state concentrations of soluble mercury of the upper soil horizons were calculated and compared with the actual concentrations of total (= soluble + insoluble mercury) and extractable (= estimate of soluble) mercury measured in these horizons. The results indicate that even if the deposition of airborne mercury to soil is strongly reduced, the total mercury content of the soil decreases only slowly. It may take decades or even centuries before a new steady state concentration of total mercury is established in the soil. The decrease of the mercury concentration in the O _f(h)-horizon is probably largely dependent on the turnover of organic matter, binding most of the deposited airborne mercury in an insoluble form. Hence, present day mercury leaching is likely to be dominated by mercury deposited during former times and temporarily retained in an insoluble form in the organic matter.     

Abstracts of Nippon Dojohiryogaku Zasshi

Soil profiles with different vegetation, developed on igneous rock-derived areas in Northern Kyushu have been sampled at 13 locations and analyzed for total Hg with a flameless atomic absorption spectrometer. The associated parent rock was also analyzed. The Hg levels of each rock sample were too low, not exceeding 10 ppb, to exert a significant effect within the profiles on the total Hg content. The Hg content was generally higher in the soil than in the underlying rock, irrespective of the depth of the horizon. Surface enrichment of Hg was observed at most of the sample sites, some paddy fields in particular, resulting in steep concentration gradient down the profiles. The total Hg in all the surface horizons ranged from 459 to 64 ppb with a mean of 197 ppb. Obviously, mercurial application in recent years was a principal factor above all with regard to the establishment of the elevated Hg levels in the upper soil horizon under cultivation.

Man-made loading of this element, probably through rain, was indicated even in the soils under natural vegetation, after taking into account a possible residual Hg concentration in the soil formation process. A close relationship in the profile distribution pattern between total Hg and organic matter contents was observed. This fact, in conjunction with the results of pyrolysis studies, did suggest that a large proportion of the total Hg in these soils could be firmly held by chemical forces, very likely as highly insoluble organic complexes.     

Agrogenic degradation of soils in Krasnoyarsk forest-steppe

Agrogenic degradation of soils in Krasnoyarsk forest-steppe was investigated. Paleocryogenic microtopography of microlows and microhighs in this area predetermined the formation of paragenetic soil series and variegated soil cover. Specific paleogeographic conditions, thin humus horizons and soil profiles, and long-term agricultural use of the land resulted in the formation of soils unstable to degradation processes and subjected to active wind and water erosion. Intensive mechanical soil disturbances during tillage and long-term incorporation of the underlying Late Pleistocene (Sartan) calcareous silty and clay loams into the upper soil horizons during tillage adversely affected the soil properties. We determined the contents of total and labile humus and easily decomposable organic matter and evaluated the degree of soil exhaustion. It was concluded that in the case of ignorance of the norms of land use and soil conservation practices, intense soil degradation would continue leading to complete destruction of the soil cover within large areas.     

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.     

Ermittlung von analytischen Kriterien zur bodentypologischen Einordnung tiefreichend humoser Sandböden im Westmünsterland

Determination of analytical criteria for classification of sandy soils with deepreaching humus contents in the region of Westmünsterland While mapping agricultural areas in the region of Westmünsterland a problem of soil classification became obvious. There are widespread sandy soils of brown to greybrown colour, which have unusually high contents of humus down to several decimeters depth. Several chemical and physical laboratory investigations were carried out to answer the question of natural or anthropogenic origin. Based on the characteristics of diagnostic horizons from certain classifiable soils like Kultosole espec. Plaggenesche (Plaggepts/Anthrosols, 7 profiles) and Spodosols/Podzols (8 profiles) clearly differentiating characteristics should be derived. Comparing with datas from subsoil horizons of the questionable 11 profiles these should be attached to one of the former groups. Univariate and multivariate statistic methods like discriminant and cluster analysis were used to evaluate the analytical laboratory results. It was possible to attach 5 of 11 systematic questionable soil profiles to the group of Kultosole/Plaggenesch. As there is no better fitting systematical classification (like deepreaching humous Brown Earth o.s.) the remainder must be classified as Brown Earth or Podzol-Brown Earth.     

Trace metal content of the forest floor in the green mountains of Vermont: Spatial and temporal patterns

The organic horizons of forest soils in eleven stands along an elevational gradient on Camels Hump Mountain, Vermont, were analyzed for Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd, organic matter and organic C. Lead concentration and amount increased with elevation. Vertical profiles of forest floor in the boreal forest showed that highest concentrations for most metals occurred in the upper F horizon. Comparison with 1966 and 1977 samples from the same stands showed that concentrations of Pb, Cu, and Zn and percent organic matter increased by as much as 148% in the intervening 14 yr. Estimates of 1966 amounts of Pb, Cu, and Zn indicated that increases in trace metal amounts over the 14 yr period are consistent with annual deposition rates reported in the literature.     

我国菜园土壤中某些重金属元素的含量与分布

本文对我国各主要起源母土上发育的厚熟土、不同熟化程度的菜园土以及相对应的粮田土壤３７个剖面中某些重金属元素的全量及有效态含量进行了研究，结果表明：菜园土壤随种菜历史的延长、熟化程度的增加、重金属元素Ｚｎ、Ｃｕ、Ｐｂ的含量有明显增高的趋势。元素在剖面中的分布以表层含量最高，向下递减。厚熟土由于具有较厚的熟化表层，元素全量及有效态含量在０－４０ｃｍ土层中均较高，多在过渡层之下出现突然降低的转折；中度和     

开封黑岗口引黄灌区稻麦轮作下农田土壤剖面重金属分布特征

引黄灌区是我国重要的农业生产基地,其土壤重金属赋存状况直接关系到农业的可持续发展。本研究以黑岗口引黄灌区开封北郊稻麦轮作下农田土壤为研究对象,采集了耕作层(0~15 cm与15~30 cm)与剖面(0~100 cm)土壤样品,对其土壤剖面主要性质与重金属Pb、Cd、Cu和Zn的积累特征进行了分析。结果表明:(1)长期引黄灌溉及稻麦轮作下,开封北郊农业土壤主要性质在剖面上表现出明显的分异特征:总有机碳(TOC)与全氮(TN)含量主要分布在耕作层土壤,而30 cm以下的土层其含量明显降低;全磷(TP)含量在各土壤层中无明显差异;在部分土壤剖面中CaCO3呈现出明显的淀积层。(2)耕作层(0~30 cm)土壤中重金属Pb、Cu、Zn的含量与研究区背景值相当,而Cd含量显著高于背景值。除少部分剖面含量超标外,Cd、Pb、Cu、Zn的平均含量均未超出WHO限值,且远低于我国农业土壤环境质量标准。因子分析源解析表明:引黄灌区土壤中Pb、Cu和Zn具有相似的来源和迁移特性,而Cd的来源和迁移特性具有特殊性,它可能与当地的化肥施用等农业活动有关。(3)土壤剖面中Cu和Zn具有明显的表聚现象,Pb的表聚作用不明显,而Cd在剖面各层土壤含量具有较大变异性,这与重金属的自身属性、土壤剖面性质和当地的耕作条件有较大相关性。(4)Cu和Zn在土壤剖面主要以有机结合态和残余态形式存在;Pb的残余态、有机态以及铁锰氧化态含量也较高,且Pb的全量与有机结合态含量百分比变化呈现出一定的相似性;而Cd具有较高的碳酸盐结合态和离子交换态,表明Cd在土壤中具有较强的移动性,预示Cd的潜在健康风险较高。     

Particle-size distribution patterns in Vertisols and vertic soils of Russia

Five variants of the distribution of clay (<0.001 mm) and physical clay (<0.01 mm) fractions along the vertical profiles of Vertisols (slitozems) and vertic soils (slitic subtypes of different soil types) from the European part of Russia are distinguished: (1) accumulative, (2) even, (3) regressive, (4) with a maximum in the middle-profile horizon and with their approximately equal contents in the upper and the lower horizons, and (5) eluvial–illuvial. These distribution patterns are related to the lithological specificity of sedimentation and formation of parent materials composed of swelling clays of different geneses and ages. Solonetzic, eluvial- gley, and solodic processes contribute to the development of the eluvial–illuvial and, partly, regressive variants of clay distribution. All the five variants with a predominance of the even distribution pattern can be found in Vertisols. Most of Vertisols in the European part of Russia have a medium clayey or a heavy clayey texture in the entire profile. The regressive distribution pattern is typical of the group of vertic soils. In the upper horizons of Vertisols, where slickensides do not form, the texture is usually heavier than that in the analogous horizons of vertic soils. The middle-profile and lower horizons with slickensides have similar statistical distributions of particle-size fractions in Vertisols proper and in vertic soils. However, in Vertisols, a tendency for a more frequent occurrence of the soils with a higher content of the clay fraction and with a higher portion of this fraction in the physical clay fraction is observed (as compared with the vertic soils).     

九宫山土壤剖面中黏土矿物的组成特征

以湖北省九宫山的4种垂直地带性土壤为对象,研究其剖面层次的黏土矿物组合和铁、铝氧化物的特征,揭示山地土壤中黏土矿物的变化特点。结果表明,随海拔升高,土壤中黏土矿物类型从以高岭石为主,逐渐变为以14.0?矿物、伊利石及三水铝石为主,有从1︰1型向2︰1型矿物过渡的趋势;不同层次的土壤中黏土矿物类型和相对含量变化明显;土壤随垂直高程的升高,其中游离态铁、铝减小,非晶形和络合态铁、铝增加,各种形态铁、铝氧化物的总量也增加。     

The behavior of the clay fraction in model ecosystems of soil lysimeters

Changes in the mineralogical composition of the clay fraction (<0.001 mm) sampled from soils of the model lysimetric experiment of Moscow State University have been studied. The mineralogical composition of clay is represented by the paragenetic association of minerals typical of noncalcareous mantle loams in the center of the Russian Plain. The predominant smectitic phase consists of complex mixed-layered minerals (mica-smectite with high and low contents of the smectitic layers, chlorite-smectite with different ratios between the chloritic and smectitic layers) and individual smectites. Tri-and dioctahedral hydromica, kaolinite, chlorite, and clay-sized quartz are present in lower amounts. At the early stages of the experiment, the distribution of the smectitic phase in the soil profile is more contrasting than the distribution of the clay fraction. Under the impact of artificially planted meadows, forests, and agrocenoses, soil profiles with different distribution patterns of the clay fraction are formed. The weakly pronounced eluvial distribution pattern of the clay fraction has been registered. Under spruce and mixed stands, the loss of the clay fraction from the upper horizons is due to the hydrolysis of smectitic minerals in the acidified medium. Under broad-leaved stands, perennial herbs, agroecenoses, and fallow, the depletion of smectites from the upper horizons is due to lessivage. The relative accumulation of hydromica and kaolinite is observed in the uppermost soil layer.     

Etude de la nutrition potassique du sorgho II‐ incidence du remplacement du potassium par le sodium sur la teneur en acides organiques des feuilles

Abstract

An Investigation was conducted to determine the content and distribution of total and DTPA‐extractable Zn in the genetic horizons of 72 agriculturally important soils from the six major mineral soil areas in Louisiana.

The concentration of total Zn appeared to vary more with the clay constituents of the soils and the amount of the element in the parent materials than with soil depth. The majority of the soils had the largest amounts of total Zn in the subsurface horizons. The range in total Zn for all soils and horizons was from 7.0 to 150.0 ppm.

The DTPA‐extractable Zn in all of the soils and horizons ranged from 0.08 to 4.22 ppm. In the majority of the soil profiles the highest concentration of extractable Zn was in the surface horizons. There was a decrease in the extractable Zn with increasing soil depth. The alluvial soils along the Ouachita and Mississippi Rivers, and the Mississippi Terrace soil areas contained relatively large amounts of DTPA‐extractable Zn.

In some soils the extractable Zn significantly correlated with total Zn. There was also a close relationship between extractable Zn and organic matter content, especially in the Ap horizons.