Boron: Spatial Distribution in an Area of North Nile Delta,Egypt

Boron (B) toxicity might be a problem, especially in dry regions of the world, however; its distribution still largely unappreciated and ignored by soil and crop scientists. Therefore, this study aimed to assess B spatial distribution in an area of northern Nile Delta, the most fertile and populated area in Egypt. Soil B was extracted by Mehilch-3 extraction and measured by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP). The mean B concentration was recorded as 5.19, 6.04, and 6.41 ug/g in surface (S), subsurface (Ss), and lower (L) layers, respectively. . The data were interpolated in ArcGIS software. The highest B concentration was observed in the central part of this area, which may be attributed to many reasons such as pollution sources and management practices. Our results indicated that more than 50% of the studied area highly concentrated in B, which represents a threat to soil and ecosystems in North Nile Delta.     

Micromorphology, chemistry, and mineralogy of bog iron ores from Poland

The influence of different land use history on the chemistry, mineralogy, and micromorphology of bog iron ores was studied in the vicinity of Warsaw, Poland. At three Holocene terraces of the Vistula River, eight profiles were chosen, which represent three different types of bog iron ore: (i) continuous hard layers (meadow, fallow at Wilanow), (ii) horizons with small ore fragments (arable land at Northern Praga), and (iii) soft bog iron ore (exploitation area at Brwinow). Chemical analyses of all bog iron horizons show a high content of Fe_d (up to 51%) with a Fe_o/Fe_d ratio from 0.19 to 0.58, indicating a mixture of crystalline iron and amorphous iron compounds. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses confirm the presence of ferrihydrite and goethite. The micromorphology of the bog ore at Wilanow shows a porous (vugh and channel) microstructure. The groundmass consists mainly of fine iron hydroxides. Compound coatings of radial distributed goethite needles and isotropic (“amorphous”) iron hydroxides line the pores. In many cases, several coatings of isotropic iron hydroxides, differing in colour intensity, fill the pores. Ploughing and draining at Northern Praga changed the continuous bog iron ore into small fragments embedded into an aggregate structure. It comprises of amorphous as well as crystalline iron compounds (large number of coatings of radial fibrous goethite in pores and channels). In some cases, a single pore can contain several generations of crystalline goethite. The higher crystallinity of the iron oxides fits very well to the lower Fe_o/Fe_d ratios compared to Wilanow. The differences can be attributed to the drainage, subsequent lower groundwater level, and better aeration, respectively, at Northern Praga. No hard bog iron ore is present at Brwinow because of exploitation, sporadically fragments of hard bog ore may be encountered in the topsoil. However, soft bog ore is still developing in subsoils. It shows a vughs microstructure. Besides goethite, manganese impregnations on the crystalline forms of goethite, and isotropic iron compounds, its groundmass also contains vivianite as well as siderite. The latter can be attributed to a more reductive environment.     

Effect of NPK and biofertilizer on date palm trees grown in Siwa Oasis,Egypt

The effect of applying chemical fertilizers alone or in combination with biofertilizer on the growth, yield and fruit quality and leaf mineral nutrient content of Sewy date palm was investigated in three successive seasons from 2004 to 2006. This study was carried out at the Siwa Oasis in the western desert of Egypt between longitude 25°18′ and 26°06′ E and latitudes 29°05′ and 29°20′ N. Chemical fertilizer applications were 1.2 or 1.5 kg N/tree, 0.065 or 0.044 kg P/tree and 0.250 or 0.420 kg K/tree. Nitrogen and potassium were given as three split applications, whereas P was mixed with organic manure (40 kg/palm tree) and supplied as a single application. Biofertilizer treatments were applied at both rates of N, P and K. The control treatment was the existing nutrient application of just 40 kg of organic sheep manure/tree/year, given as a single application. The results indicated that the application of the larger amounts of N, P and K increased the number of leaves and bunches per palm, fruit yield and total sugar content with a high level of fruit quality and production economics. In addition, this treatment increased the mineral content of leaves and reduced the biennial bearing phenomenon of Sewy date palm.     

新疆于田绿洲-荒漠脆弱带时空演变及其调控方法研究

绿洲-荒漠生态脆弱带(ECOTONE)介于绿洲和荒漠之间,对绿洲起着屏障作用,它在维护干旱区生态系统的平衡方面起着重要作用,深入研究这一特殊地带的环境演变过程、特征及形成机制对于揭示其生态学实质、维护和发展绿洲具有重要的实践意义.选择于田绿洲为研究区,以遥感技术为依托,对2个时相的陆地卫星数据及相关统计资料进行了处理.利用得到的土地覆盖差值图像,定量分析评价了该地区生态脆弱带1989-2003年间的变化趋势.在此基础上,根据该地区生态环境特点提出了若干有效生态保护及复原措施.为西部干旱地区合理开发绿洲、可持续发展绿洲资源及改善绿洲生态环境等提供新的研究方法和科学依据.     

绿洲化对土壤养分及化学计量特征的影响

为了阐明绿洲化过程中土壤养分含量及土壤碳氮磷生态化学计量值的动态变化特征,以乌兰布和沙漠东北部绿洲为研究对象,通过24 a的定位监测,分析了土壤有机碳（SOC）、全氮（TN）、全磷（TP）、碱解氮（AN）、速效磷（AP）及土壤C,N,P生态化学计量的动态变化特征。结果表明:（1）研究区土壤总体贫瘠,养分含量整体水平不高。但是随着绿洲建设时间的延长,土壤养分含量呈显著的线性增加趋势。（2）绿洲化过程中,土壤C:N,C:P,N:P,AN:AP的变化趋势总体上呈现先增大后减小的趋势,但是达到最大值的时间各不相同。（3）土壤C,N,P元素化学计量值与C,N,P元素之间的最优拟合关系显示C:N,C:P主要受SOC影响,N:P主要受N影响,表明SOC和N含量决定了研究区土壤中C,N,P化学计量特征的变化过程。     

Emissions of CO2, CH4 and N2O from Southern European peatlands

Peatlands play an important role in emissions of the greenhouse gases CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O, which are produced during mineralization of the peat organic matter. To examine the influence of soil type (fen, bog soil) and environmental factors (temperature, groundwater level), emission of CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O and soil temperature and groundwater level were measured weekly or biweekly in loco over a one-year period at four sites located in Ljubljana Marsh, Slovenia using the static chamber technique. The study involved two fen and two bog soils differing in organic carbon and nitrogen content, pH, bulk density, water holding capacity and groundwater level. The lowest CO₂ fluxes occurred during the winter, fluxes of N₂O were highest during summer and early spring (February, March) and fluxes of CH₄ were highest during autumn. The temporal variation in CO₂ fluxes could be explained by seasonal temperature variations, whereas CH₄ and N₂O fluxes could be correlated to groundwater level and soil carbon content. The experimental sites were net sources of measured greenhouse gases except for the drained bog site, which was a net sink of CH₄. The mean fluxes of CO₂ ranged between 139 mg m⁻² h⁻¹ in the undrained bog and 206 mg m⁻² h⁻¹ in the drained fen; mean fluxes of CH₄ were between −0.04 mg m⁻² h⁻¹ in the drained bog and 0.05 mg m⁻² h⁻¹ in the drained fen; and mean fluxes of N₂O were between 0.43 mg m⁻² h⁻¹ in the drained fen and 1.03 mg m⁻² h⁻¹ in the drained bog. These results indicate that the examined peatlands emit similar amounts of CO₂ and CH₄ to peatlands in Central and Northern Europe and significantly higher amounts of N₂O.     

Holocene paleosols and colluvial sediments in Northeast Tibet (Qinghai Province,China): Properties,dating and paleoenvironmental implications

Colluvial deposits consisting of silts and loams were detected in several climatologically different areas of NE Tibet (3200–3700 m a.s.l.). Layering, distinct organic content and low content of coarse matter as well as location in the relief revealed an origin from low-energy slope erosion (hillwash). Underlying and intercalated paleosols were classified as Chernozems, Phaeozems, Regosols and Fluvisols. Fifteen radiocarbon datings predominant on charcoal from both colluvial layers and paleosols yielded ages between 8988 ± 66 and 3512 ± 56 uncal BP. Natural or anthropogenic factors could have been the triggers of the erosional processes derived. It remains unclear which reason was mainly responsible, due to controversial paleoclimatic and geomorphic records as well as insufficient archaeological knowledge from this region. Determinations of charcoal and fossil wood revealed the Holocene occurrence of tree species (spruce, juniper) for areas which nowadays have no trees or only few forest islands. Thus large areas of NE Tibet which are at present steppes and alpine pastures were forested in the past.     

Indigenous and scientific knowledge: the choice and management of cultivation sites by bedouin in Upper Egypt

Abstract. This paper investigates the ways in which some bedouin in the Nubian Desert of southeastern Egypt take decisions about both the choice of site for cultivation and the subsequent management of their soils. It explores the complementarity of formal and informal sciences and how each might profitably inform the other. Results show that the bedouin understand the physical limitations and nutrient supply properties of soils, but not aspects such as pH. Decisions on the choice of cultivation site are often made with regard to other perceived risks, such as soil loss and intermittent inundation, rather than just soil quality. It is also apparent that there exists among bedouin a plurality of indigenous knowledge mediated by factors such as experience, wealth levels, household circumstances and production priorities. Understanding indigenous knowledge is essential in helping to develop better use of the soil in this area, about which little is known and which has only a short history of small scale cropping.     

沙漠腹地绿洲植被覆盖度提取及植被指数优选

[目的] 对沙漠腹地绿洲植被覆盖度提取及植被指数优选进行分析和研究，为该区选取最优植被指数反演极端干旱区绿洲植被覆盖状况提供科学依据。 [方法] 选取塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地达里雅布依绿洲天然植被作为研究对象，以无人机航拍样地影像获取的植被覆盖度为基准，采用Sentinel-2B卫星影像提取多种典型植被指数，运用回归统计方法建立植被指数-植被覆盖度统计模型，在卫星像元尺度上确定反演干旱绿洲覆盖度的最优植被指数。 [结果] ①利用Image J软件提取样方植被覆盖度精度较高，总体精度可达88.67%。 ②土壤调节型植被指数(SAVI，MSAVI)在标准回归系数、确定系数评价指标中表现良好，指示极端干旱区天然植被覆盖变化有较好的适用性。 [结论] 在极端干旱区，Image J提取稀疏植被效果较好，SAVI，MSAVI更适合绿洲植被覆盖变化研究。     

Magnetic properties of surface sediments in Schirmacher Oasis,East Antarctica: spatial distribution and controlling factors

Journal of Soils and Sediments - We investigated the magnetic properties (abundance, grain size, and mineralogy) of iron oxides present in Lake L-55 sediments, Schirmacher Oasis, East Antarctica,...     

Composition,distribution and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments of the western harbour of alexandria,egypt

Aim and Background  Little data are available on the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the sediments of the Mediterranean Sea Coast of Egypt in general and the Alexandria coastal zone in particular. It was therefore deemed necessary to set up a monitoring programme to determine the current concentrations of PAHs in bottom sediments, and to identify any area where high concentrations of these potential hazardous contaminants were present in the Western Harbour of Alexandria. Methods  The composition, distribution and the source of PAHs in surficial sediments of the harbour were investigated. To document the spatial PAH input, surficial sediment samples from 23 locations throughout the harbour were analysed. as]Results and Discussion The total PAH load determined in the surficial sediment samples ranged from 8 to 131150 ng g¹ dry wt, generally with most of the samples having total concentrations of PAHs greater than 5000 ng g¹ dry weight. The highest concentration of total PAHs was recorded in sediments of the inner harbour. Ratio values of specific compounds such as phenanthrene to anthracene, fluoranthrene to pyrene, methyl-phen-anthrene to phenanthrene, methyl-dibenzothiophenes to dibenzothiophenes, alkylated to non-alkylated and high molecular weight to low molecular weight PAH, were calculated to evaluate the possible source of PAH contamination in the harbour sediments. Conclusions  Two main sources of PAH in the study area have been found: pyrolytic and petrogenic. Interferences of rather petrogenic and pyrolytic PAH contaminations were noticed for most samples. The dominant sources of PAH appear to be the combustion processes through run-off, industrial and sewage discharges, and atmospheric input. The concentrations of PAHs were generally above levels expected to cause adverse biological effects. Recommendations and outlook  Information from this study and any other relevant studies should be useful in designing future strategies for environmental protection and management of the harbour.     

绿洲-荒漠交错带不同沙丘土壤水分时空动态变化规律

绿洲-漠交错带是植被恢复的一个重要区域，而植被恢复的关键又是了解沙丘土壤水分的变化规律。从2003年10月到2004年10月，对甘肃省张掖绿洲-荒漠交错带沙丘土壤水分进行了连续观测，并研究了生态垫在沙漠治理中的应用。结果表明：土壤水分时空动态变化主要受降雨、植被以及地表覆盖等因素的影响，沙丘土壤水分月变化滞后于降水变化。沙丘剖面土壤水分变异系数随土层深度的增加而减小，铺设生态垫减小了沙丘土壤水分的空间变异（CV=4．43％），流动沙丘0～40cm的含水量（0．19％～1.27％）低于固定沙丘（1.61％～1．75％），而其它各层的含水量（1．52％～1．73％）都高于固定沙丘（1．11％～1．38％）；流动沙丘含水量（1．27％～1．73％）从上部到下部依次升高，而固定沙丘（1．75％～1．11％）则与此相反；利用标准差和变异系数对沙丘土壤水分垂直变化进行分层，得出了土壤水分剖面分别为速变层、活跃层和次活跃层，并运用相关分析方法分析了生态垫覆盖下沙丘各层间土壤含水量及其与沙丘剖面平均含水量的关系。研究初步认为，生态垫能有效地保持沙丘土壤水分，将为沙漠治理提供一种新型的治沙模式。     

Comparison of Soil Properties and Microbial Activities between Air-Dried and Rewetted Desert and Oasis Soils in Northwest China

An air-drying and rewetting (AW) experiment was used to examine the responses of soil properties and microbial activities to abrupt alteration of water availability between desert and oasis soils in northwest China. The results revealed that AW increased soil pH and available nitrogen and phosphorus but decreased soil organic matter in the desert, while available phosphorus increased and available nitrogen decreased in the oasis. This AW also caused a burst of microbial activity in both desert and oasis soils, and the magnitude of the AW effect was correlated with the extent of soil rewetting, incubation temperature, land use, and the interaction between rewetting moisture and incubation temperature. The responses of soil properties and microbial activity to AW were greater in the desert than in the oasis. Different soil properties and microorganism composition resulted from land-use change and were likely to be the causes of the different responses to AW in the desert and oasis soils.     

黑河中游荒漠绿洲区免灌植被土壤水分状况

对1年、3年、5年、20年梭梭人工林,20年的花棒、柽柳、柠条人工林及天然荒漠植被等立地土壤湿度研究表明:土壤湿度随植物盖度增大而减少,盖度>40%与盖度<5%的固沙植物花棒、柽柳和梭梭林地,土壤湿度分别相差0.72%,1.16%和1.28%;植物种间土壤湿度也有差异,相同密度下花棒土壤湿度>梭梭土壤湿度>柽柳土壤湿度。随着植物生长,土壤湿度下降。1年、3年和5年生梭梭人工林土壤储水量比未营造梭梭林的沙地分别降低23.00%,48.00%和58.00%。随着不同部位间水平距离的增大,土壤湿度变异较大;在垂直剖面上,随土壤深度增加,土壤湿度逐渐降低,梭梭、柽柳、花棒、柠条林地土壤湿度由(2.57±0.20)%,(2.04±0.17)%,(2.75±0.15)%和(2.20±0.07)%,下降至(1.19±0.25)%,(1.01±0.20)%,(1.31±0.18)%和(0.99±0.14)%。4月与9月荒漠植被泡泡刺沙堆、戈壁土壤湿度的差值分别为1.03%和0.81%。戈壁土壤水分垂直变化较大,20cm与160cm土壤湿度分别为(3.35±0.38)%,(1.39±0.04)%,相差3.08%。     

有限灌溉对绿洲春玉米农田耗水特征及水分利用效率的影响

为了探究有限灌溉对绿洲沙地春玉米农田耗水特征及水分利用效率的影响,利用中子仪结合烘干秤重法连续监测了河西走廊荒漠绿洲沙地春玉米不同生育期农田土壤水分动态,分析了玉米农田日耗水量动态与土壤蒸散及作物水分利用效率。结果表明,整个生育期除播种-五叶期和拔节-孕穗期外,所有有限灌溉处理及充分供水对照间日耗水量均无显著差异(P0.05),各生育时段内日耗水量随生育过程呈由小到大再由大到小的变化趋势,其峰值出现在吐丝—灌浆中期且高达6.8~10.0mm/d。灌水最少但产量最高的有限灌溉处理MI1全生育期蒸散量仅次于灌水较多的处理MI5。对照CK全生育期蒸散量远高于MI5,增幅达16.0%,而以MI3最低。水分利用效率以MI1和MI3最高,且与其他处理及对照间差异显著(P0.05)。水分利用效率以MI4最低,MI1和MI3水分利用效率均比MI2、MI4、MI5和CK显著提高19.3%,34.1%,15.3%和25.4%。MI1与其他所有处理及对照间、MI3与其他所有处理及对照间灌溉水利用效率差异显著,且以灌水最少但产量最高的MI1最高,以MI4最低。处理MI1灌溉水利用效率分别比MI2、MI3、MI4、MI5及CK显著提高35.1%,14.6%,61.0%,36.7%,48.4%,而MI3比MI2、MI4、MI5、CK分别显著提高17.9%,40.4%,19.3%,29.4%,MI5比MI4则显著提高17.7%。因此,有限灌溉能提高绿洲玉米水分利用效率和灌溉水利用效率,但有限灌溉对作物水分利用效率和灌溉水利用效率提高的促进作用并不具有稳定性。     

The use of micromorphology in soil pollen analysis: The interpretation of the pollen content of slope deposits in Galicia, Spain

Humic horizons of soil profiles often contain pollen and spores. Comparison of the sequence of pollen associations of soil profiles with pollen zones of reference diagrams offers palyno-ecological information, relevant for reconstruction of landscape ecological development. In palynological studies of semiterrestrial and aquatic deposits, pollen is considered to be part of the sediment and anaerobic conditions in water-saturated deposits promote its conservation. This is not true for pollen in soils. Aerobic conditions in drained soils result in bio-oxidation of unprotected pollen grains. Interpretation of soil pollen associations requires knowledge of the processes of infiltration and conservation of pollen grains in the soil material. Micromorphology is an important technique to investigate these processes. This is demonstrated in a case study of polycyclic slope deposits in Galicia (Spain). The buried cambisols, in pleistocene solifluction deposits, contain post-sedimentary infiltrated pollen. The pollen associations reflect successive phases in soil ecological development. The holocene colluvial deposits contain syn-sedimentary incorporated pollen. The pollen associations reflect environmental conditions during the deposition of colluvial layers.     

印度西部卡奇沼泽地沉积物中微生物活性和人工培养细菌多样性的研究

The Great Rann of Kachchh, a vast expanse of salt desert in Western India is a unique hostile ecosystem posing an extreme environment to life forms due to high salt content, hyper-axid climate, seasonal water logging and extremes of temperature. In the virtual absence of natural vegetation, soils and sediments of Rann of Kachchh axe microbially dominated ecosystems. In the present study microbial activity and the diversity of cultivated heterotrophic bacteria were investigated in the sediments collected along a 5-m exposed section at Khadir Island in the Great Rann of Kachchh. Microbial activity （as an index of sediment enzymes） was found to be high in the middle of the section （200-280 cm）. Dehydrogenase （DHA）, substrate-induced DHA and alkaline phosphatase activities revealed the oligotrophic nature of the basal portion （320-480 cm）. Abundant bacterial isolates obtained from different depths were found to be clustered in 12 different phylogenetic groups by amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed the dominant bacterial ribotypes to be affiliated to Firmicutes （Families Bacillaceae and Staphyloeoccaeeae） and Aetinobaeteria （Family Brevibaeteriaceae） with minor contribution of Proteobacteria （Families Phyllobacteriaeeae and Bartonellaceae）, pointing their endurance and adaptability to environmental stresses. Statistical analysis indicated that sediment organic carbon, salinity, total available nitrogen and total available phosphorous are most likely critical determinants of microbial activity in the Khadir Island sediments.     

水分胁迫对河西荒漠绿洲区酿酒葡萄水分利用及产量的跨年度影响

[目的]研究滴灌条件下水分胁迫对酿酒葡萄耗水及产量的影响,为河西荒漠绿洲区酿酒葡萄节水高效灌溉模式的制定提供依据。[方法]在酿酒葡萄5个生育期分别设置轻度[土壤含水率下限65%FC(田间持水率)]和中度(土壤含水率下限55%FC)2种水分胁迫水平,以充分供水(下限75%FC)为对照;通过连续2 a(2015—2016年)定点大田试验,研究水分胁迫对酿酒葡萄耗水规律、产量、水分利用的影响规律。[结果]①酿酒葡萄5个生育期水分胁迫都会显著影响(减小)葡萄日耗水强度,且萌芽、新梢、开花期等短生育期胁迫对葡萄耗水的影响在复水后会自动消除,但果实膨大、着色成熟等2个长生育期水分胁迫的影响具有跨年度持续性,复水后难以短期内恢复。②萌芽期轻度水分胁迫处理的产量在2个试验年均达到最大,依次为14 868 kg/hm~2和15 306 kg/hm~2,该处理水分利用效率也同时达到最高,为2.77 kg/m~3和2.96 kg/m~3;着色成熟期轻度胁迫在不显著减产的基础上能提高水分利用效率;新梢生长期—果实膨大期中度水分胁迫都会显著降低酿酒葡萄产量,其中果实膨大期胁迫减产幅度最大,减幅可达39%～49%。[结论]水分胁迫时期和胁迫时长对酿酒葡萄耗水强度都有重要影响,生育后期长时间水分胁迫对酿酒葡萄耗水具有跨年度持续影响力;萌芽期或着色成熟期轻度胁迫,其他生育期充分供水是河西荒漠绿洲区酿酒葡萄较合理的节水高效灌溉模式。     

新疆喀什地下水浅埋区弃荒地表层土壤积盐与地下水的关系

为了研究新疆喀什地下水浅埋区弃荒地表层土壤积盐与地下水的定量关系,对试验区自然状况下的土壤含水量、表层土壤含盐量、地下水埋深、地下水矿化度和潜水蒸发量进行了原位监测,模拟了潜水蒸发量与地下水埋深的关系,定量分析了弃荒地自然条件下地下水埋深、地下水矿化度对土壤表层盐分的影响,建立了表层土壤含盐量与地下水埋深、地下水矿化度的经验模型。结果表明:在5~50 cm土层,土壤质量含水率随土层深度增加而增大;地下水埋深、地下水矿化度对表层土壤盐分有显著的影响,当地下水埋深为定值时,表层土壤含盐量与地下水矿化度呈线性正相关;当地下水矿化度为定值时,表层土壤含盐量与地下水埋深呈线性负相关;土壤盐分表聚现象明显,不同地下水埋深条件下表层土壤含盐量随累计潜水蒸发量的增加而增大,表层土壤积盐速率随地下水埋深的增大而减小,地下水埋深为25 cm条件下表层土壤积盐速率约是地下水埋深为50 cm的表层土壤积盐速率的2倍多。     

近55年来河西走廊荒漠绿洲区季节开始日及其长短变化特征分析

利用河西走廊荒漠绿洲区的4个气象站点1955-2009年日平均气温资料,采用5 d滑动平均、气候倾向率和滑动t检验等方法,分析其四季开始日及其长度的变化特征。结果表明:近55 a来,河西走廊荒漠绿洲区四季开始日主要表现为春、夏和秋季提早,冬季推迟的变化趋势,并以夏季提早最显著。平均四季长短变化特征为:冬季>夏季>春季>秋季。突变分析表明:春季在1969年和2001年发生了突变,夏季在1970年和1998年发生突变,秋季在1985年发生突变,冬季在1987年发生了突变;秋冬季发生突变的时间较春、夏两季较早。显然,秋冬季对气候变化的响应更敏感。