铝铁柱撑黏土活化单过硫酸盐降解邻苯二甲酸二乙酯的研究

邻苯二甲酸二乙酯(DEP)是地表水和土壤环境中一种常见的有机污染物,研究DEP的去除方法对于人体健康和环境安全具有十分重要的意义。蒙脱土是一种廉价易得的粘土矿物,通过将铝铁聚合阳离子引入蒙脱土的层间域可得到比表面积大和催化活性高的环境友好型催化材料-铝铁柱撑粘土(Al/Fe-PILCs)。利用XRD、BET、FTIR及HRTEM等手段对材料的理化性质进行表征,并研究了其活化单过硫酸盐(PMS)对DEP的去除效果。结果表明：在Al/Fe-PILCs活化PMS体系中,反应24 h后DEP的降解率约为92%,且反应后的溶液中未检测到溶解性Fe离子。体系中产生的强氧化性.OH是DEP降解的主要原因。同时,环境中常见的阴离子(Cl_^-, NO_3^-和CO_3^2-)不能完全抑制DEP降解。因此,在实际水体和土壤环境中Al/Fe-PILCs作为活化PMS的催化材料,具有一定的应用潜力。     

坡面片蚀泥沙有机碳组分及13C同位素不均匀富集对水动力学参数的响应

[目的] 探究片蚀泥沙轻组有机碳(LF_OC)和重组有机碳(HF_OC)不均匀富集的水动力学和碳同位素特征,为正确理解水蚀作用下土壤有机碳库变化提供理论与技术支撑。[方法] 以陕西省咸阳市杨凌区土为研究对象,采用改进"三区"移动式变坡钢制土槽,结合人工模拟降雨技术,测定径流水动力学参数和泥沙各粒径团聚体有机碳组成及其δ¹³C值,并辅以棕壤侵蚀泥沙有机碳δ¹³C值和水力参数,验证土试验结果的准确性。[结果] ①雨强和坡度较小时,侵蚀泥沙LF_OC和HF_OC易发生富集,且相较黏粉粒和微团聚体,大团聚体LF_OC与HF_OC含量受雨强和坡度的影响更大; ②侵蚀泥沙黏粉粒中有机碳δ¹³C值与其有机碳活跃分数(λ)呈负相关,而其他粒径团聚体有机碳δ¹³C值与其λ呈显著正相关(p<0.05); ③流速与黏粉粒λ显著正相关(p<0.05),雷诺数与各粒径团聚体有机碳δ¹³C值均呈显著负相关(p<0.01),片蚀过程中流速越大,黏粉粒中LF_OC越易于优先输移,而紊流加剧则促进低δ¹³C值团聚体有机碳的优先输移; ④对于侵蚀泥沙黏粉粒,流速和雷诺数越大,其有机碳δ¹³C值越小,λ越大;对于微团聚体和大团聚体,雷诺数越小,其有机碳δ¹³C值与λ越大。[结论] 片蚀过程中轻重组有机碳流失与流速和雷诺数密切相关。并进一步验证了¹³C同位素对侵蚀泥沙有机碳示踪的有效性。     

过一硫酸盐的化学氧化机理及在有机污染土壤修复中应用研究进展

基于过一硫酸盐(PMS)的高级氧化技术因反应快速高效、降解有机污染物效果优越,在环境修复领域拥有广阔的应用潜能。经过活化的PMS化学氧化技术在有机污染废水处理中被广泛应用,污染物的去除机制也在不断被发现并完善,其在有机污染土壤修复中也已得到应用。本文综述了PMS对有机污染物的化学氧化机制,分析了有机污染物降解的自由基和非自由基反应过程,探讨了不同活化方式(碱、过渡金属、碳基材料、辐射等)对PMS降解有机污染物的影响,阐述了PMS在有机污染土壤修复中的研究进展和存在问题,并进行了研究展望。     

煤粉尘添加量与温度对山西省两种土壤碳释放规律的影响

采用室内培养试验, 观测不同温度和不同煤粉尘用量条件下山西省电厂土和焦化厂土两种土壤的碳释放规律。结果表明, 室温(16~23 ℃)和25 ℃恒温下, 培养前期(4~9 d)土壤CO₂ 的释放量均为最大, 且25 ℃ 恒温培养土壤CO₂ 的释放量是室温条件下的2 倍左右。随煤粉尘添加量的增加, 土壤CO₂ 的释放量显著增加,且土壤活性有机质相应增加, 添加高量煤粉尘土壤CO₂ 的释放量最高达57.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1, 两种土壤活性有机碳的增幅为0.3~3.8 g·kg^-1。不同温度和不同煤粉尘用量条件下电厂土释放的CO₂ 均高于焦化厂土, 可能是电厂土含有较高的有机碳和较低的黏粒所致。由此可知, 温度是影响土壤有机碳分解的主要因素, 其次是添加煤粉尘的量, 土壤理化性质也是原因之一。本研究表明, 煤粉尘的降落一方面增加了土壤CO₂ 的释放, 另一方面增加了土壤碳库。     

尕海湿地区沼泽草甸生长季土壤碳氮组分对增温施氮的响应

[目的] 为探究高寒湿地土壤碳氮组分对气候变暖和氮沉降的响应特征。[方法] 以尕海湿地沼泽草甸为研究对象,采用开顶箱增温(OTC)和外源氮素(NH₄NO₃)添加模拟未来气候变暖及氮沉降试验,分别设置对照(CK)、增温(W)、施氮(N)和增温施氮(WN)4种处理。在试验进行1.5年后对土壤碳氮组分含量进行测定。[结果] (1)开顶箱增温装置提高0—20 cm土层平均温度1.126℃,显著降低0—10 cm土层土壤含水量(SMC)、pH、全氮(TN)、微生物量氮(MBN)、铵态氮(NH₄⁺—N)、有机碳(SOC)和可溶性有机碳(DOC)含量,提高硝态氮(NO₃^-—N)含量。(2)施氮显著降低NH₄⁺—N、SOC和10—20 cm土层微生物生物量碳(MBC)及DOC含量,增加土壤TN、MBN和NO₃^-—N含量。(3)增温施氮显著增加土壤SMC、TN、NO₃^-—N和MBC含量,降低MBN、NH₄⁺—N和DOC含量。(4)相关分析显示,土壤水分与各理化因子均存在正相关性,土壤碳氮组分间均呈正相关性。[结论] 模拟增温施氮缓解尕海湿地植物生长的温度和氮的限制,促进TN的积累,对土壤微生物量碳氮影响较大,导致土壤微生物量碳氮及分布特征发生转换。     

不同有机物料投入下黄河故道土壤有机碳积累特征的研究

【目的】黄河故道潮土区土壤有机质含量低、结构差是限制当地作物优质高产的重要问题,通过连续施用不同有机物料,探究不同有机物料投入下,黄河故道区典型土壤的有机质积累特征,为该区土壤的快速固碳提供理论依据和参考方案。【方法】试验共设置7个处理：单施NPK肥作为对照(CK),其他处理在单施NPK肥的基础上增施有机肥6000 kg/hm_² (M1)、有机肥12000 kg/hm_² (M2)、树枝菌渣6000 kg/hm_² (B1)、树枝菌渣12000 kg/hm_² (B2)、秸秆菌渣6000 kg/hm_² (S1)、秸秆菌渣12000 kg/hm_² (S2), 采用随机区组设计。【结果】与CK相比,外源有机物料施入会显著增加玉米产量和有机质含量,增幅范围分别为21.7%～58.3%和37.4%～70.1%,产量的增加直接导致进入土壤的秸秆残渣及根茬碳相应增加38.9 kg/hm_²～76.9 kg/hm_²,致使 B2处理增产保肥效果最佳。就有机物料种类而言,用量为12000 kg/hm_²的树枝菌渣对土壤活性有机质的提升幅度最大,比相同用量的有机肥和秸秆菌渣高26.2%和57.0%,秸秆菌渣的碳库管理指数最高,但与树枝菌渣相比无显著差异。树枝菌渣由于碳氮比高,在土壤中分解慢,相同用量下,矿化消耗的碳量低于秸秆菌渣和有机肥,单位碳投入下的呼吸量比秸秆菌渣和有机肥低42.3%和29.3%。【结论】用量为12000 kg/hm_²的树枝菌渣由于碳投入量大,矿化消耗少,对黄河故道潮土有机质提升效果最好,玉米增产最明显。     

油-稻轮作条件下土壤硫形态消长规律的研究

土壤无机硫主要是水溶和吸附态SO₄^2-,它能被作物直接吸收。有机硫是作物利用硫的主要来源,分为HI还原有机硫(硫酸酯)、碳键硫(C-S)和惰性硫。有机硫只有转化为SO₄^2-后才能为作物吸收^[1]。土壤硫形态转化规律室内培养和盆栽研究较多^[1,2],田间试验研究较少,国外探讨了油菜一休闲制中土壤硫形态转化规律^[3]。水一早轮作制是中国主要轮作制之一,该轮作制中土壤处于干一湿交替之中,土壤硫转化规律可能有其特异性。本研究选择油一稻轮作制为研究对象,研究土壤硫形态消长和分配规律。其结果将为评价土壤供硫能力和了解土壤硫肥力维持机制提供依据。     

黄土丘陵区典型沟道侵蚀诱发的CO2通量估算

以黄土丘陵区典型侵蚀沟道为对象,基于沟道剖面有机碳和¹³⁷Cs数据,采用碳库重分布模型估算了典型沟道侵蚀诱发的CO₂通量,并通过检验模型预测效率、解析影响因子,提出了模型校正的思路。结果表明:(1)在长期侵蚀作用下,沟道侵蚀区和沉积区均表现为剧烈的侵蚀效应,侵蚀区侵蚀速率介于30.99~46.44 mm/a,沉积区侵蚀速率介于34.20~37.88 mm/a,沉积区土壤流失速率略小于侵蚀区;(2)碳库重分布模型估算显示,侵蚀区与沉积区均表现为较强烈的碳源效应,侵蚀区CO₂通量介于18.41~28.44 g/(m²·a),沉积区CO₂通量介于22.19~29.25 g/(m²·a);(3)侵蚀部位、土壤容重、有机碳含量、侵蚀量、沟道平均坡度、植被地上部与地下部生物量共同解释了碳库重分布模型预测效率的变异特征(R²=0.68),其中侵蚀部位、侵蚀量、有机碳含量、土壤容重、植被地下部对预测效率有强驱动效应;(4)引入被忽略的植被新输入有机碳库参数,有望校正碳库重分布模型,提升模型预测效率。该研究结果明确了碳库重分布模型在沟道侵蚀区相比沉积区有更高的CO₂通量预测效率,为进一步提高模型的预测精度,可以考虑引入植被输入有机碳库作为校正参数。     

蔗区小流域泥沙有机碳入河负荷的时空变化特征及其影响因素

[目的] 针对广西红壤区典型小流域坡耕地甘蔗土壤有机碳流失问题,探究其流失时空特征和影响因素,解析流域泥沙有机碳在甘蔗不同生长时期入河负荷时空变化,为揭示自然降雨侵蚀下土壤有机碳流失的影响机制提供科学依据。[方法] 试验区位于广西壮族自治区崇左市扶绥县客兰水库水源区那辣小流域,流域分为下游子流域(S₁)和上游子流域(S₂,S₃)。利用无人机技术和径流泥沙自动监测—采样系统对甘蔗4个生长时期(苗期、分蘖期、伸长期和成熟期)入河泥沙有机碳及植被覆盖度等进行监测,并利用皮尔逊相关分析,确定入河泥沙有机碳与降雨径流、植被覆盖度和施肥等影响因素的关系。[结果] ①甘蔗苗期的流域泥沙有机碳入河负荷占整个生长期总流失量的61.1%,显著高于其他生长期,其特征为苗期(5.1 kg/hm²)＞成熟期(1.6 kg/hm²)＞伸长期(1.4 kg/hm²)＞分蘖期(0.3 kg/hm²)。②流域降雨径流和植被覆盖度与泥沙有机碳入河负荷呈极显著相关,分别解释了泥沙有机碳入河负荷生长期变化的45%和54%;而流域施肥和土壤容重与泥沙有机碳入河负荷呈显著相关,分别解释了泥沙有机碳入河负荷生长期变化的79%和36%。[结论] 流域入河泥沙有机碳流失变化主要是由降雨径流、植被覆盖度、施肥和土壤容重所引起。在蔗区小流域,通过增加植被覆盖以减少地表径流的冲刷及调控施肥时间,对降低土壤有机碳流失具有重要作用。     

竹生物质炭和竹凋落物对毛竹林土壤营养元素和酶活性的影响

以广西壮族自治区桂林市华江乡内广泛分布的毛竹林土壤为研究对象,以竹生物质炭和竹凋落物作为外源碳,设置对照（CK）、低添加量生物质炭（1% BC）、高添加量生物质炭（2% BC）、低添加量凋落物（1% L）、高添加量凋落物（2% L）5个处理,进行为期两个月的室内培养试验,研究不同外源碳添加对毛竹林土壤营养元素和酶活性的影响。结果表明：与对照相比,竹生物质炭和竹凋落物添加均显著提高了土壤pH;竹生物质炭添加显著降低了而竹凋落物添加显著提高了土壤铵态氮（NH₄⁺-N）含量（P<0.05）,且高添加量（2% BC和2% L）的降低或提高作用更明显;不同外源碳添加均显著提高了土壤硝态氮（NO₃^–-N）含量,且凋落物添加的提高作用更明显;不同外源碳添加均显著提高了土壤有效磷（AP）含量,且高添加量的提高作用更明显;竹生物质炭添加对土壤可溶性有机碳（DOC）含量没有显著影响,但降低了土壤可溶性氮（DN）含量,而竹凋落物添加显著提高了土壤DOC和DN含量;不同外源碳添加对土壤微生物生物量碳（MBC）和氮含量（MBN）均没有显著影响,但降低了土壤蔗糖酶和脲酶活性。相关性分析表明,土壤pH、NH₄⁺-N、NO₃^–-N、DOC和DN是影响竹林土壤酶活性的关键性因子。     

热活化过硫酸盐氧化污染土壤中的石油烃

石油的开采、运输、储存和使用等过程会导致一些土壤受到石油烃的污染。土壤中的石油烃会对生态安全和人类健康造成潜在危害，因此需要开展土壤修复。本研究采用热活化过硫酸钠氧化处理污染土壤中的石油烃，考察了氧化剂剂量和超声结合热活化对石油烃去除效率的影响，并对石油烃氧化产物以及氧化后土壤理化性质进行了分析。结果表明，当过硫酸钠的用量为2.4 mmol/g土壤时，石油烃的含量从3 800 mg/kg降至1 175 mg/kg，石油烃的去除效率可以达到69%。石油烃的去除效率随着氧化剂增加呈上升趋势。但当氧化剂的剂量超过2.4 mmol/g土壤时，石油烃的去除效率不再增加。使用超声结合热活化，石油烃的去除效率可以进一步提高。过硫酸盐氧化会使土壤p H显著下降，造成土壤酸化。气相色谱质谱(GC/MS)和傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)分析表明石油烃氧化后可能会生成一些醇和羧酸类含氧产物。石油烃和土壤有机质被氧化成极性小分子更易进入水相，导致水中总有机碳(TOC)含量从52.4 mg/kg增加至79.8 mg/kg。扫描电镜和粒度分析表明氧化处理会改变土壤形貌，使土壤的粒径变小。氧化导致土壤的碳、氢含量减...     

过硫酸盐在不同类型土壤中分解产生自由基的过程机制研究

基于过硫酸盐的原位化学氧化（ISCO）被广泛应用于土壤与地下水的修复，土壤性质对过硫酸盐的分解和自由基的形成过程具有重要的影响，但相关的研究较少。基于此，本文选取了我国16种不同性质的典型土壤，研究了过硫酸盐在不同类型土壤中的分解转化和自由基产生情况，并深入解析了土壤有机质、铁、锰含量和颗粒组成等对此过程的影响。结果表明，土壤有机质、土壤砂粒含量与过硫酸盐的分解速率呈显著的正相关，土壤不同形态铁、锰的含量与过硫酸盐分解速率的相关性不显著。以上结果说明了土壤有机质、砂粒可能是影响基于过硫酸盐化学氧化修复土壤的重要因素，将为过硫酸盐在土壤修复中的应用提供理论支撑。     

通过土壤泥浆中的过氧化氢处理三氯乙烯污染的土壤

Chlordecone, one of the most persistent organochlorine pesticides, was applied between 1972 and 1993 in banana fields in the French West Indies, which results in long-term pollution of soils and contamination of waters, aquatic biota, and crops. As human exposure to chlordecone is mainly due to food contamination, early research was focused on chlordecone transfer to crops. Field trials were conducted to investigate chlordecone contamination of yam, sweet potato, turnip, and radish grown on a ferralic Nitisol polluted by chlordecone. We also carried out trials on yam, courgette, and tomato under greenhouse conditions with homogenized Andosol and Nitisol, polluted by chlordecone to various extents. Our results indicated that i) all tubers were contaminated in accordance with the chlordecone content of the soils; ii) the contamination capacity of the Nitisol was greater than that of the Andosol; and iii) whatever the soil type, tuber contamination was related to the soil volumetric content of dissolved chlordecone. Nevertheless, no tubers showed sufficient chlordecone uptake for efficient soil decontamination by means of plant extraction. Soil contact accounted for most of the root crop contamination, which was inversely proportional to the tuber size. Internal transfer might also increase root crop contamination when the root central cylinder contained raw sap flow, as in the case of turnip or radish. Courgette fruits showed high contamination without soil contact. Thus, further research is needed to explore the pattern of both below- and aboveground plant chlordecone contamination and assess the hypothesis of its correlation with sap flow. Finally, we used our results to build a decision-making tool for farmers, relating soil pollution with the maximal contamination of the harvested organs to predict crop contamination and thus assisting farmers in making crop choices at planting in order to conform with the European Union’s regulations.     

高级氧化技术修复萘污染土壤和地下水研究进展

多环芳烃是土壤和地下水中普遍存在的持久性有机污染物。其中，萘是结构最简单的多环芳烃，具有迁移性强的特点，可通过多种途径在土壤和地下水中富集，是焦化、化工等历史遗留地块重点关注的污染物之一。高级氧化技术高效、安全且经济，因此，基于高级氧化的萘污染土壤和地下水修复技术受到越来越多的关注。本文综述了芬顿和类芬顿氧化、臭氧氧化和过硫酸盐氧化的反应机理，重点阐述了二价铁、微纳级零价铁、铁矿物、铁螯合物等均相及非均相活化剂活化的氧化技术在修复萘污染土壤和地下水方面取得的研究进展，介绍了多种高级氧化技术联合修复以及高级氧化技术与生物降解技术协同修复的研究现状，指出了目前萘的高级氧化技术研究存在的问题，并对研究做出了展望。     

Silicon alleviates the toxicity of cadmium and zinc for maize (Zea mays L.) grown on a contaminated soil

Although silicon (Si) is not an essential element, it presents a close relationship with the alleviation of heavy‐metal toxicity to plants. This work was carried out to evaluate the effects of Si application to soil on the amelioration of metal stress to maize grown on a contaminated soil amended with Si (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg kg^–1) as calcium silicate (CaSiO₃). Additionally, the cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) bioavailability as well as their distribution into soil fractions was also studied. The results showed that adding Si to a Cd‐ and Zn‐contaminated soil effectively diminished the metal stress and resulted in biomass increase in comparison to metal‐contaminated soil not treated with Si. This relied on Cd and Zn immobilization in soil rather than on the increase of soil pH driven by calcium silicate application. Silicon altered the Cd and Zn distribution in soil fractions, decreasing the most bioavailable pools and increasing the allocation of metals into more stable fractions such as organic matter and crystalline iron oxides.     

不同调理剂对农田镉污染稳定效果及水稻吸收的影响

采集浙江杭州郊区富春江沿岸镉(Cd)污染水稻土，选择前期试验筛选的对土壤Cd钝化效果良好、可显著降低稻米Cd的4种调理剂，开展室内培养试验和温室盆栽试验，探讨不同调理剂种类(袁梦YM、祝天峰ZTF、天象一号TX1、永清YQ)、用量(推荐用量、3倍推荐用量)和调理剂与生石灰配施对污染水稻土Cd的稳定效果及对水稻生长和糙米Cd含量的影响。室内培养试验结果发现，添加调理剂能使土壤pH显著升高，落干条件下土壤pH增幅较淹水条件下更为明显；施用推荐用量调理剂，土壤硝酸铵提取态Cd显著下降，调理剂推荐用量+生石灰处理较调理剂推荐用量处理下降更为显著；总体上，同一调理剂3倍推荐用量处理下硝酸铵提取态Cd降幅更大，表明硝酸铵提取态Cd受土壤pH影响显著，且YM、TX1调理剂对硝酸铵提取态Cd的降低效果较好。盆栽试验结果显示，施用石灰和商品调理剂均可实现水稻稳产或增产，并显著降低水稻糙米Cd含量，与调理剂施用后土壤Cd有效性降低相一致。含钙、能调节土壤pH并辅以有机质和养分的复合调理剂因兼具养分作用，对水稻稳产增产、糙米Cd含量降低更为有效。     

关于集约农作制下的土壤结构问题——Ⅰ.有机物料及其利用方式对土壤结构的影响

对稻草、紫云英有机物料不同用量和混施、单施或沤制后施用等不同施用方式对土壤结构的影响进行了四年模拟试验。四年培育期中的水分条件和其他物理条件均控制一致。测定表明,有机物料能明显改善土壤的结构性和孔隙性,降低原状土核的破裂系数。有机质、重组有机质、无定形氧化铁、氧化铁的活度与团聚体的稳定性呈正相关;而与原状土的破裂系数呈负相关。看来,无定形氧化铁的含量可以作为高产水稻土具有良好结构性的一个间接指标。施加有机物料的土壤,当脱水时其中大孔隙显著增多,这对粘质水稻土回旱种旱作十分有利。稻草直接施入土中的改土效果优于沤制后施入土中,且不亚于高用量稻草和紫云英混施的效果。可见,如绿肥施用量减少时,只要保持一定量的稻草回田,亦能改善土壤的结构。     

Biosynthesis of schwertmannite by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans</Emphasis> and its application in arsenic immobilization in the contaminated soil

Purpose

Soil contamination with arsenic (As) is an increasingly worldwide concern. Immobilization is a potentially reliable, cost-effective technique for the reclamation of As-contaminated soils. The aim of this study is to develop new soil amendments with high As immobilization efficiency, cost-effective, environmental-friendly, and without soil acidification for As-contaminated soil remediation.

Materials and methods

Biosynthesis of schwertmannite by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans has been conducted, and two types of biogenetic schwertmannites SCH and A-SCH were prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), etc. The A-SCH was formed through pretreating SCH by acidic and alkaline activation. The potential of SCH and A-SCH in As immobilization in contaminated soil was evaluated. The effect of ferrous sulfate and A-SCH on soil pH and immobilization of NaHCO₃-extractable As were also investigated for comparison.

Results and discussion

The chemical formula of SCH and A-SCH can be expressed as Fe₈O₈(OH)_4.89(SO₄)_1.55 and Fe₈O₈(OH)_5.19(SO₄)_1.41, respectively. Compared to SCH, A-SCH exhibits much higher specific surface area of 74.99 m² g^?1 and contains more hydroxyl groups and inner-sphere sulfate complexes. Immobilization efficiency of water-soluble As above 99.5 % can be achieved with A-SCH dosage of 5 % and SCH dosage of 10 %, respectively. The immobilization percentages of NaHCO₃-extractable As increased from 31.5 to 90.4 % and from 40.2 to 93.8 % with increasing dosage from 0.5 to 10 wt % for SCH and A-SCH, respectively. In general, both SCH and A-SCH immobilize As in contaminated soil effectively, and the immobilization performance of A-SCH was better than that of SCH, especially at lower dosage.

Conclusions

Biogenetic schwertmannite could be used as a potential effective soil amendment for As immobilization in contaminated soil. Our findings in this study also have important implications for in situ immobilization of As in contaminated soils, especially the soils related to acidic iron and sulfate-rich environments.

     

Effects of a biomimetic iron‐porphyrin on soil respiration and maize root morphology as by a microcosm experiment

A synthetic, water‐soluble iron‐porphyrin [meso‐tetra(2,6‐dichloro‐3‐sulfonatophenyl) porphyrinate of Fe(III) chloride] has recently been proposed as a biomimetic catalyst in the process of oxidative polymerization of terrestrial humic acids, to increase their conformational stability and thus contribute to a reduction of soil CO₂ release into the atmosphere. This study was aimed at investigating changes in selected soil chemical properties, CO₂ efflux, and maize root morpho‐topology after the addition of iron‐porphyrin as a microcosm‐style experiment, located in a greenhouse. The addition of mature compost was also included as an experimental factor in order to reveal synergistic effects in regard to freshly added organic materials. Iron‐porphyrin determined a negligible effect on soil organic budget in both unplanted and planted microcosms. Conversely, the biomimetic catalyst was found to have significant and contrasting effects on soil respiration, apparently reflecting different iron porphyrin–plant–compost interactions. Consequently, iron‐porphyrin significantly reduced CO₂ efflux from the bare (unplanted) soil, which was, conversely, stimulated in maize‐planted microcosms. Additionally, combined iron‐porphyrin and compost addition synergistically acted in increasing soil respiration in planted microcosms. Moreover, root biomass was increased with the addition of iron‐porphyrin, and a further effect on maize root morphology was noted when used in combination with compost; notably the length of coarse and fine roots increased. We hypothesized that the efficacy of iron‐porphyrin in reducing CO₂ efflux from soil may be mediated by morphological changes in the plant‐root system.