黄土高原水蚀风蚀交错带坡面土壤侵蚀特征及其影响因素

水蚀与风蚀的交错作用大大加剧了黄土高原水蚀风蚀交错带的土壤侵蚀强度,造就了复杂的侵蚀环境。通过在水蚀风蚀交错带的典型区域——神木六道沟流域,选择沿本地盛行风向(NW)到最弱风向(E)方向的坡面布设采样断面,探究土壤粒径和土壤侵蚀速率的空间分布特征,分析其影响因素。结果表明:土壤粒径和侵蚀速率均表现出明显的波动变化和显著的坡面变异(p0.05)。其坡面分异受坡面部位、坡度、植被、土壤类型、土地利用类型和侵蚀动力(风力和降雨)的共同影响。侵蚀动力之外的因素对土壤侵蚀速率的坡面变异累积解释69.6%~82.1%。土壤侵蚀速率与坡面部位、坡度、植被、土壤类型和土地利用类型的线性回归分析显示,土壤侵蚀的动力因素也十分重要。然而,要揭示坡面土壤侵蚀空间分布的一般规律,定量区分水蚀和风蚀对坡面侵蚀的贡献,需进一步研究。     

黑土区典型坡耕地土壤酶活性空间分布特征研究

基于对松花江流域东山沟小流域坡耕地表层0-20 cm土壤酶活性和养分含量分析,研究了东北黑土区典型坡耕地土壤酶活性空间分布特征及其影响因素.结果表明,小流域下游的土壤转化酶、脲酶、碱性磷酸酶活性均高于流域上游和中游;坡面侵蚀区3种土壤酶活性均低于坡面沉积区;土壤酶活性沿坡长分布呈现坡顶较高—坡中低—坡下高的变化趋势,与坡面土壤侵蚀强度相对应.3种土壤酶活性之间呈极显著相关关系.土壤酶活性空间分布特点与土壤侵蚀强度空间分布趋势呈现相一致的规律,表明土壤侵蚀降低了土壤酶活性.     

鲁中山区小流域坡面土壤侵蚀强度与磁化率的空间分异特征研究

研究选取泰安市和曲阜市典型小流域，系统地研究了小流域坡面土壤磁化率与土壤侵蚀状况的空间分异特征，明确了土壤磁性与土壤侵蚀强度的关系。结果表明：自山顶往下，坡面空间尺度上的土壤磁化率均呈波状变化，总的趋势是底部高于上部。坡面中部表土磁化率为林地〉草地〉农地，坡面不同空间部位的土壤侵蚀强度为上部〉底部，农地〉草地〉林地。从不同坡向的比较来看，阳坡的土壤磁化率低且变异幅度大，其土壤侵蚀强度大于阴坡。土壤磁化率与土壤侵蚀强度呈反相关关系．不同空间部位的土壤磁化率高低可直观地反映土壤侵蚀强度的空间分异特征。     

东北黑土区农林混合利用坡面土壤水分空间异质性及主控因素

针对黑土区坡面尺度上土壤水分在土地利用结构(从坡顶到坡脚,即沿着坡长方向,不同土地利用类型的排列方式)、土地利用类型(农地和林地)及地形要素的协同作用下的空间分异规律及影响机制尚不清楚的现状,以黑龙江省黑土区的农林混合利用典型坡面(克山县)为研究对象,应用植被数量生态学中的冗余分析方法(RDA)分析0~20、20~40、40~60 cm土壤水分剖面变异特征、不同土地利用结构下(农地-农地-农地-农地-农地,农地-农地-林地-林地-农地,农地-农地-林地-林地-林地,林地-林地-农地-林地-农地)坡面土壤水分异质性及其与环境因子的定量关系。结果表明:研究区坡面土壤含水率介于5.77%~45.57%,农地土壤含水率显著高于林地(P0.05),纵向上不同土地利用类型层间土壤含水率差异均不显著;土壤水分呈中等变异,纵向上农地各土层的变异系数(35.9%~39.6%)均高于林地(30.0%~36.5%),农林混合利用加强了土壤水分的空间变异程度;4种土地利用结构下,坡面土壤水分沿坡长方向呈不同的变化趋势,与土地利用镶嵌分布规律有关;冗余分析结果显示土地利用类型是影响黑土区坡面土壤水分异质性的主控因素,坡度次之,坡位和海拔高度对坡面土壤水分异质性也有影响。对于黑龙江黑土区坡面,需要结合土地利用结构配置等土地管理措施与不同的农业措施来防止坡面土壤侵蚀、提高东北区土壤肥力,实现经济效益、生态效益的协调统一。     

黄土高原典型地区不同植被覆盖下坡面土壤侵蚀阈值研究

为了分析植被覆盖对黄土高原坡面水土流失的影响，量化土壤侵蚀的植被覆盖阈值，基于模拟降雨数据分析了植被覆盖对土壤侵蚀的作用机制，利用绥德、西峰、天水等黄土高原高原典型地区的野外径流小区定位观测资料，探讨了不同覆被类型下植被覆盖控制径流和土壤侵蚀的有效性，确定了不同覆被类型下植被覆盖调控径流和防治土壤侵蚀的植被覆盖下限阈值和上限阈值。结果表明：(1)植被覆盖度的提高增加了土壤入渗、减少了径流量、延缓了径流流速、增加了土壤抵抗侵蚀的能力。(2)坡面径流量随植被覆盖度呈幂函数或指数函数下降，土壤侵蚀量随植被覆盖度呈指数函数、幂函数或者对数函数下降。(3)总体而言，不同地区植被控制土壤侵蚀的下限阈值在20%～30%,上限阈值在50%～70%。(4)土壤质地、植被类型、甚至植被的根系特征对植被控制径流和土壤侵蚀的效益有重要影响。研究结果为黄土高原水土保持工作提供研究依据。     

坡面土壤侵蚀影响因子研究进展

坡面土壤侵蚀的发生是降水、植被、土壤、地形等各因素相互影响和制约的综合结果,本文对坡面土壤侵蚀的降雨、植被、土壤、地形、人为因子及诸因子的综合分析等进行了较为全面的总结,指出在单因子与土壤侵蚀关系方面,研究得已比较深入,降雨、土壤性质、植被覆盖度等因子对土壤侵蚀的作用已较为清晰。同时,指出了下一步坡面土壤侵蚀研究重点：加强对影响坡面土壤侵蚀多因子综合研究,为今后的生产实践中,通过合理改变耕作方式、人为活动等控制坡面土壤侵蚀,提高土地生产力,促进社会经济的持续发展提供理论依据。     

贵州喀斯特区典型小流域坡面土壤侵蚀与主要影响因子的响应

为探讨贵州喀斯特区不同土地利用方式、地形及降雨等因子对坡面土壤侵蚀的响应,采取野外径流小区定位观测法,以贵州省龙里县羊鸡冲小流域及毕节市石桥小流域为研究对象,开展了典型喀斯特坡面土壤侵蚀观测试验。结果表明:龙里羊鸡冲小流域坡面3种不同土地利用方式中,撂荒地因植被的快速恢复,土壤侵蚀程度最轻,2014年全年土壤侵蚀量仅为4.7t/km~2,林地次之,91.3t/km~2,而坡耕地侵蚀程度最为严重,达629.5t/km~2,进一步的差异显著性检验表明,3种坡面土地利用方式土壤侵蚀在0.05水平上差异显著(p0.05);石桥小流域地形因子对土壤侵蚀响应关系表现为随坡长的增加土壤侵蚀呈增加趋势,但未达显著水平(p0.05);降雨量同土壤侵蚀关系密切,在0.01水平上呈显著正相关(p0.01),且以二次多项式拟合曲线效果最好(R~20.5)。     

黄土区坡面尺度不同植被类型土壤饱和导水率 剖面分布及影响因素

土壤饱和导水率(K_s)是影响水、溶质运移过程和水文模型模拟精度的重要参数,了解坡面尺度下不同植被类型K_s的剖面分布与影响因素有助于更好地理解土壤水文过程及其调控机制。本研究通过测定典型黄土区坡面尺度不同植被类型下12个土壤剖面(0～200 cm)的K_s及土壤基本性质,分析了不同坡向间及同一坡向内随植被类型变化土壤K_s的剖面分布特征及其影响因素。结果表明:不同植被类型下土壤K_s首先随着土壤深度的增加而减小,而后呈增大趋势。东北坡林地、西坡草地和林地剖面上层(0～20 cm)的平均土壤K_s(K_(s-average))均显著高于剖面下层(20～200 cm)(P0.05)。同一坡向内不同植被类型及不同坡向间相同植被类型0～20 cm土层的K_(s-average)没有显著差异(P0.05);而由于土壤质地和有机质含量的差异,20～200 cm土层的K_(s-average)表现为同一坡向内东北坡草地显著高于林地(P0.05),不同坡向间东北坡草地和林地分别显著高于西坡草地和林地(P0.05)。六道沟小流域不同植被类型下土壤K_s与容重、黏粒含量、粉粒含量呈极显著负相关(P0.001),与毛管孔隙度、饱和含水量、砂粒以及有机质含量(西坡草地除外)呈显著正相关(P0.05)。影响六道沟小流域K_s剖面分布的因素可由土壤持水特性(49.36%)、质地(24.98%)和养分含量(13.92%) 3个主成分贡献。本研究利用多元逐步回归分析获得了以容重、土壤质地和有机质为输入因子的土壤K_s传递函数(R~2=0.60～0.86,P0.001),可为典型黄土区坡面尺度土壤K_s的模拟和预测提供参考。     

新民市黄金楼子小流域植被恢复综合效应评价

以新民市黄金楼子小流域为例,从地形地貌、土壤类型及涵盖植被3个子系统选择60项评价指标,然后对流域内7种典型植被模式的综合恢复效应利用SVS土壤—植被系统尺度进行研究评价。结果显示:荒草灌丛模式的植被综合效应最差,而阔叶次生林最优;土壤生物学、土壤化学、土壤物理、植被与影响土壤健康的蔗糖酶活性、有机质、毛管孔隙度、Shannon-Werner指数的关联排序最为密切;对恢复效应贡献最大的地形因子为坡位,其次为海拔,坡向的贡献程度最低。     

黔中喀斯特区典型土地利用方式及耕作措施的水土流失调控效应

[目的]探讨贵州省中部喀斯特地区坡面几种典型土地利用类型及耕作措施对土壤水分、土壤侵蚀及坡面径流的调控效应,探明其差异显著性,为区域坡面水土流失防治提供参考。[方法]采用野外径流小区定位观测法,以贵州省龙里县羊鸡冲小流域及贵阳修文龙场小流域为研究对象,开展坡面不同土地利用及耕作方式水土流失调控效应的研究。[结果]林地、撂荒地及农耕地对土壤水分的调控效应差异不显著(p0.05),对土壤侵蚀的调控效应差异显著(p0.05)。3种土地利用方式对径流的调控效应相对复杂,具体为撂荒地显著低于林地(p0.05),但林地与农耕地间、撂荒地与农耕地间均无显著差异(p0.05);两种典型耕作措施研究结果显示,蔬菜种植(春甘蓝)对土壤水分、水土流失的调控效应优于玉米种植(单作),但两者对土壤水分及水土流失的调控效应均无显著差异(p0.05)。[结论]黔中喀斯特区3种土地利用方式中,撂荒地水土流失调控效应显著高于林地和耕地;蔬菜种植水土流失调控效应高于玉米单作,但是两者无显著差异(p0.05)。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.     

Electron donor and pH relationships for biologically enhanced dissolution of chlorinated solvent DNAPL in groundwater

Biologically enhanced dissolution offers a method to speed removal of chlorinated solvent dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL) sources such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichoroethene (TCE) from aquifers. Bioremediation is accomplished by adding an electron donor to the source zone where fermentation to intermediates leading to acetic acid and hydrogen results. The hydrogen and possibly acetic acid are used by dehalogenating bacteria to convert PCE and TCE to ethene and hydrochloric acid. Reductive dehalogenation is thus an acid forming process, and sufficient alkalinity must be present to maintain a near neutral pH. The bicarbonate alkalinity required to maintain pH above 6.5 is a function of the electron donor: 800 mg/L of bicarbonate alkalinity is sufficient to achieve about 1.2 mM TCE dechlorination with glucose, 1.7 mM with lactate, and a much higher 3.3 mM with formate. Laboratory studies indicate that in mixed culture, formate can be used as an electron donor for complete conversion to ethene, contrary to pure cultures studies indicating it cannot. Various strategies can be used to add electron donor to an aquifer for DNAPL dehalogenation while minimizing pH problems and excessive electron donor usage, including use of injection-extraction wells, dual recirculation wells, and nested injection-extraction wells.     

Biodiversity and ecogeography of wild Lactuca spp. in some European countries

Staff members of the Department of Botany of Palacký University in Olomouc and Gene Bank Department – Workplace Olomouc, Research Institute of Crop Production in Prague, Czech Republic, conducted an expedition in seven European countries (Austria, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland) in August/September 1999 to collect wild Lactuca spp. germplasm and study its geographic distribution, ecology and biodiversity. During the mission, more than 600 locations were visited resulting in the collection of 602 seed samples (accessions) of wild Lactuca species and 13 seed samples of related genera (Chondrilla and Mycelis). Lactuca serriola f. serriola, L. serriola f. integrifolia, L. saligna and L. viminea subsp. chondrilliflora were prevalent in southern Europe (Italy, France), however, only L. serriola was common in central and western Europe (Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland). The greatest diversity of Lactuca species was found in France, where also the most seed samples (165) were collected. The most characteristic habitats with a high density of Lactuca spp. populations were observed along roads and highways, grassy ditches, ruderal communities, and dust-heaps. Natural infections by powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) and downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) on some wild Lactuca spp. were observed. Recent observations concerning the geographic distribution, population structure, habitats, and natural occurrence of diseases of Lactuca spp. are discussed. This assemblage of genetic resources of Lactuca spp. can serve as the basis of future studies of species diversification, spatial population structure, plant microevolution, domestication processes, and genetic variability of host-parasite interactions.     

Increase in auxiliary photoprotective photosynthetic pigments in wheat seedlings induced by Azospirillum brasilense

Inoculation of wheat seedlings with the plant growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense Cd was immobilized in alginate microbeads and, without applying any stress, significantly increased the quantity of several photosynthetic pigments, such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and the auxiliary photoprotective pigments violaxanthin, zeaxanthin, antheroxanthin, lutein, neoxanthin, and β-carotene. This resulted in greener plants with no apparent visible stress. After monitoring the quantity of photosynthetic pigments for 4 weeks, we observed that inoculated plants had higher quantities of pigments in shoot and stem. The greatest difference in the quantity of all pigments between inoculated and noninoculated plants occurred in the first week of growth. Regardless of treatment, the quantity of pigments in stems was three to four times less than the quantity of these pigments in shoots. Application of Azospirillum, either as liquid inoculant or as alginate microbeads, did not alter the positive effect of the bacteria on pigment production or the positive response of the plants towards A. brasilense Cd inoculation.     

In-situ enrichment and analysis of atrazine-degrading microbial communities using atrazine-containing porous beads

We examined the community composition of microbes that colonized atrazine-containing beads buried in agricultural soils that differed in atrazine treatment history. Bacterial abundance was 5-40-fold greater in atrazine-fortified beads. In beads containing 20 mg atrazine kg⁻¹ buried in soil with a history of atrazine application (conditioned soil), the abundance of Actinobacteria increased approximately 80-fold whereas in control soil, Actinobacteria were enriched only 10-fold and the gamma-Proteobacteria and Planctomycetes increased by 60- and 25-fold, respectively. The gamma-Proteobacteria were enriched by 120- and 230-fold in beads containing 200 mg atrazine kg⁻¹ in conditioned and control soil, respectively. The results demonstrate that BioSep^® beads are a suitable matrix for recruiting a diverse subset of the bacterial community involved in atrazine degradation.