Increasing species and trophic diversity of mesofauna affects fungal biomass,mesofauna community structure and organic matter decomposition processes

A laboratory mesocosm experiment was set up to study the effects of five mesofauna model communities on litter fungal biomass (ergosterol content) and litter decomposition parameters (litter mass remaining, N concentration) for 4 months. The five treatments were: (1) no soil mesofauna, (2) the collembolan Folsomia fimetaria, (3) an assemblage of the collembolan species Isotomurus prasinus, Hypogastrura assimilis, F. fimetaria, Mesaphorura macrochaeta and Protaphorura armata, (4) the same collembolan assemblage plus the enchytraeid Enchytraeus crypticus, and (5) the six species plus the predaceous mite Hypoaspis aculeifer. After 30, 60, 90 and 120 days of incubation, six mesocosms of each treatment were sacrificed and biomass, species richness and dominance were measured. Changes occurred during the study with an increase in total detritivore biomass and a decrease in species richness with strong dominance by a few species in multispecies mesocosms. A vertical stratification of species was also observed in the mesocosms. Litter mass loss and N mineralisation were reduced with the introduction of fauna and showed the largest effects in the multispecies detritivore treatments. Ergosterol production was only temporary reduced in the multispecies treatments reflecting an effect of mesofauna on fungal biomass related to diversity rather than the biomass of mesofauna. An inhibitory predator effect was observed on functional decomposition parameters and indicated top-down control of decomposition via detritivorous mesofauna.     

Influence of elevated CO2 and GM barley on a soil mesofauna community in a mesocosm test system

We hypothesized that the combined effect of rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) and increasing use of genetically modified (GM) crops in agriculture may affect soil food-webs. So we designed a study for the assessment of the effects of elevated CO₂ (eCO₂) concentrations and GM barley on a soil-mesofauna community employing a 2nd tier mesocosm test system. The GM barley, Hordeum vulgare cv. Golden Promise, had a modified content of amino acids and it was compared with three non-GM barley cultivated varieties including the isogenic line. Our mesocosm experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at ambient (aCO₂) and eCO₂ (+80 ppm) levels and included a multispecies assemblage of Collembola, Acari and Enchytraeidae with either a GM or conventional spring barley varieties. To detect food-web changes we added dried maize leaves naturally enriched in δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N relative to the soil substrate. Soil, plants and animals were collected after five and eleven weeks. We found that the eCO₂ concentration did not affect the plant biomass, but the predatory mite and two collembolan species showed significantly lower abundances at eCO₂. The densities of three collembolan species (Folsomia fimetaria, Proisotoma minuta and juveniles of Mesaphorura macrochaeta) was significantly lower in the GM treatment compared to some of the non-GM varieties. F. fimetaria was less abundant in presence of GM barley compared to the cultivated barley variety “Netto” at both CO₂ levels, while the density of P. minuta was significantly reduced with the GM barley compared to variety “Netto” at aCO₂ and the isogenic variety at eCO₂. Maize litter acted as a food source for the community, as it was revealed by δ¹³C values in microarthropods. Microarthropod δ¹³C decreased over time, which indicates a diet change of the species towards carbon derived from barley, due to maize litter decomposition. The industrially produced CO₂ gas also had a role as an isotopic marker, as the different δ¹³C values were reflected in the barley and in the collembolan species. GM barley did not affect δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values of soil animals indicating that the overall trophic structure of the mesofauna community was not changed compared to the non-GM cultivated varieties. The mesocosm methodology integrating stable isotope analysis demonstrates the potential of the multi-species mesocosm as a tool to detect and track changes in the soil trophic interactions in response to environmental pressures, climate and novel agricultural crops.     

Changes in soil microbial substrate utilization in response to altered litter diversity and precipitation in a Mediterranean shrubland

This study aimed at quantifying the consequences of reduced precipitation and plant diversity on soil microbial community functioning in a Mediterranean shrubland of southern France. Across a natural gradient of shrub species diversity, we established a total of 92 plots (4 × 4 m) with and without a moderate rain exclusion treatment of about 12 % of total precipitation. Shrub diversity included all possible combinations of the four dominant species (Cistus albidus, Quercus coccifera, Rosmarinus officinalis, and Ulex parviflorus). Respective leaf litter mixtures of these species combinations were exposed in all plots over 2 years. We quantified how litter species richness and the reduction in precipitation affected the soil microbial substrate utilization (measured by CO₂ evolution using the MicroResp method) on soil samples collected underneath each individual litter mixture after 1 and 2 years of decomposition. Moderate precipitation reduction had a minor impact, but litter species richness and the dissimilarity in phenolic concentrations (estimated using Rao’s quadratic entropy) showed a positive effect on the diversity of substrates metabolized by the microbial communities. Moreover, litter species richness increased soil microbial activity by increasing the catabolic diversity of the soil microbial community. These effects were mostly driven by the presence of Quercus and Ulex leaf litter, which at the same time reduced microbial metabolic dominance, while the presence of Rosmarinus had opposite effects. Our data suggest that plant species loss can have stronger effects on the functioning of soil microbial communities than moderate drought, with potentially important feedbacks on biogeochemical cycling in Mediterranean shrubland ecosystems.     

Response of soil micro- and mesofauna to diversity and quality of plant litter

The abundance and functional structure of soil micro- (nematodes) and mesofauna (collembolans and mites) in relation to species diversity and initial C:N ratio of plant litter were studied in a field mesocosm experiment. A total of five litter treatments were applied to generate an increasing diversity of plant species (one, three and 12 species) and/or differences in initial C:N ratio of the litter (low, intermediate and high ratio). Samples were taken 3, 6 and 24 months after the litter exposure. On each sampling date litter and underlying sand samples were taken. Our results showed that litter quality, but not litter diversity was the factor which affected the three animal groups under study. The effect of litter was dependent on the time of litter exposure. Nematode fauna colonized litter earlier than the two mesofaunal groups. Nematodes responded apparently to litter quality gradient at early stages of litter decomposition. Three months after the start of the experiment the highest density of nematodes was noticed in single species litter of Trifolium pratense. Bacterial-feeding nematodes dominated in all litter treatments; on the first sampling date their percent share in Trifolium litter reached even 99.9%. Opposite to nematodes at late stages of litter decomposition the two mesofaunal groups seemed to show some preferences for low quality litter of Festuca rubra. Collembolan and nematode diversity was affected in similar way by the litter quality; the lowest diversity of the animal communities was found in the litter of the lowest initial C:N ratio. Maturity index of nematode communities was found to be a good index to differentiate between litters of different quality. The abundance and community structure of the three animal groups in underlying sandy soil was not significantly influenced by experimental conditions.     

Toxicity of Sb and Cu in Sewage Sludge to Terrestrial Plants (Lettuce,Oat, Radish), and of Sludge Elutriate to Aquatic Organisms (Daphnia and Lemna) and its Interaction

Antimony (Sb) and Copper (Cu) are two metals of major concern in sewage sludge. Antimony because its use in society is increasing and this might lead to increased Sb concentrations in sludge. Copper because its total volume in use in society is large and because of corrosion from water pipes it is most difficult to reduce the Cu concentrations in sludge. Fresh digested sewage sludge was spiked with Cu or Sb and the sludge was cultivated with oat (Avena sativa), lettuce (Lactuca sativa) or radish (Raphanus sativus). Elutriates from the cultivated sludge were tested for toxicity with Lemna minor (7-d growth) and Daphnia magna (48 h immobility). Before cultivation the elutriates were toxic to Lemna and Daphnia due to high concentrations of ammonia (NH₃) and nitrite (NO₂ ^-). Cultivation decreased the concentrations of both NH₃ and NO₂ ^-, thereby reducing the impact of these compounds in the toxicity tests. Cultivation also decreased the metal concentrations and pH. Daphnia magna was the most sensitive test organism in this study with a 48 h EC₅₀ of 1130 mg Cu kg^-1 dry wt and 5 mg Sb kg^-1 dry wt in elutriates from sludge cultivated with oat. In sludge cultivated with radish the 48 h EC₅₀ was 1700 mg Cu kg^-1 dry wt and 22 mg Sb kg^-1 dry wt. The effect of Cu could be predicted by pH and Cu concentrationin the elutriate, but the effect of Sb could not solely be explained by its concentration in the elutriate.     

Chicken-manure-derived biochar reduced bioavailability of copper in a contaminated soil

Purpose

Copper (Cu) contamination has been increasing in land ecosystems due to economic development activities. Excessive amount of Cu in soils is toxic to both plants and microorganisms. Biochar (BC) is known to immobilize soil Cu. The objectives of this research were to investigate the effects of chicken-manure-derived BC (CMB) on Cu immobilization, and growth of native metallophyte Oenothera picensis in a Cu-contaminated soil.

Materials and methods

A Cu-contaminated sandy soil (338 mg Cu kg^?1) was spiked and equilibrated with additional Cu (0, 100, and 500 mg Cu kg^?1). The spiked soil was then amended with CMB (0, 5, and 10 % w/w) and incubated for 2 weeks. The metallophyte was grown on these treatments under greenhouse conditions for 3 months. Pore water solutions were collected from the plant pots every 30 days. After the harvest, soil and pore water pH, soil Cu fractions, pore water Cu concentration, soil microbial activity, plant biomass weight, and Cu concentration in plant parts were determined.

Results and discussion

The CMB increased the pH of soils and soil pore water, and probably also soil major nutrients. It reduced the exchangeable fraction of Cu but increased its organic matter and residual fractions. At the same time, it decreased the Cu concentration in the soil pore water. The CMB increased basal respiration and dehydrogenase activity. The CMB application produced up to three and seven times more root and shoot biomass, respectively. In addition, shoots accumulated lesser Cu than control but roots did more. Plants survived in soil that was spiked with 500 mg Cu kg^?1, only when CMB dose was 10 %.

Conclusions

The CMB affected the Cu uptake in plant by altering the mobility, bioavailability, and spatial distribution of Cu in soils. The increase in available nutrients and decrease in Cu toxicity facilitated plant growth. The increased microbial activity probably also promoted the plant growth and reduced the Cu bioavailability. Therefore, CMB can be used to remediate Cu-contaminated soils.

     

Mobility and Availability of Copper in Agricultural Soils Irrigated from Water Treated with Copper Sulfate Algaecide

A mesocosm system was designed to study evaporation kinetics and transport of TCE in flowing surface water. The airtight unit, with a total internal volume of 52.01?×?10^?2 m³, was fabricated with glass and Teflon material, and was provided with 8.53 m long channel to simulate water flow in an open channel. The peristaltic pumps, connected to the inlet and the outlet of the mesocosm, provided a constant water flow through the channels. The experimental studies were conducted at two different velocities, 9.42?×?10^?3 and 4.71?×?10^–3 m/s, respectively. For both the velocities, a tracer (NaBr) test confirmed uniform water flow in the channels. The total length and the length between the sampling ports were found sufficient to record gradual decrease in TCE concentrations along the direction of the flow in the channels. The volatilization coefficient for TCE was found to be 0.49 and 1.07 h^?1 for the experiments conducted at lower and higher water velocities, respectively. The TCE evaporation half life (t 1/2) and the corresponding evaporation half distance (d 1/2) were 1.41 h and 23.98 m for lower velocity, and 0.65 h and 21.96 m for higher velocity, respectively.     

Influence of elevated UV-B radiation on leaf litter chemistry and subsequent decomposition in humid subtropical China

Purpose

Exposure to elevated ultraviolet B (UV-B) radiation during plant growth may influence plant tissue chemistry and subsequent decomposition. We conducted a 22-month decomposition experiment to evaluate the effects of UV-B radiation on litter chemistry and subsequent decomposition in humid subtropical forest systems.

Materials and methods

Leaf litters were derived from five native tree species, including Cunninghamia lanceolata, Cinnamomum camphora, Schima superba, Cyclobalanopsis glauca, and Elaeocarpus sylvestris, which grew under ambient and elevated UV-B radiation treatments for 1 year.

Result and discussion

UV-B treatment significantly altered the original C, N, P, K, and lignin content and ratios of C/N, lignin/N, and C/P of leaf litter of five species but just slightly accelerated decomposition at variable degree from 2 % to 13 %. Statistical analyses showed litter species, but not UV-B treatment, had significant effect on decomposition. Only initial lignin content was significantly related to the decay rate. Abundant precipitation and warm temperature in subtropical China maybe weaken or even mask the importance of litter chemistry change resulted from UV-B radiation to decomposition especially in early decomposition stage.

Conclusions

Exposure to supplemental UV-B level induced significant changes of the initial leaf litter chemistry but did not accelerate significantly subsequent decomposition of each species in humid subtropical areas of China at least in the early phase. The interspecific differences in litter chemistry of the five species showed greater effect on decomposition than elevated UV-B radiation at the early decomposition stage.     

Hg, Cu, Pb, Cd, and Zn Accumulation in Macrophytes Growing in Tropical Wetlands

The concentrations of Hg, Cu, Pb, Cd, and Zn accumulated by regional macrophytes were investigated in three tropical wetlands in Colombia. The studied wetlands presented different degrees of metal contamination. Cu and Zn presented the highest concentrations in sediment. Metal accumulation by plants differed among species, sites, and tissues. Metals accumulated in macrophytes were mostly accumulated in root tissues, suggesting an exclusion strategy for metal tolerance. An exception was Hg, which was accumulated mainly in leaves. The ranges of mean metal concentrations were 0.035?C0.953 mg g^?1 Hg, 6.5?C250.3 mg g^?1 Cu, 0.059?C0.245 mg g^?1 Pb, 0.004?C0.066 mg g^?1 Cd, and 31.8?363.1 mg g^?1 Zn in roots and 0.033?C0.888 mg g^?1 Hg, 2.2?C70.7 mg g^?1 Cu, 0.005?C0.086 mg g^?1 Pb, 0.001?C0.03 mg g^?1 Cd, and 12.6?C140.4 mg g^?1 Zn in leaves. The scarce correlations registered between metal concentration in sediment and plant tissues indicate that metal concentrations in plants depend on several factors rather than on sediment concentration only. However, when Cu and Zn sediment concentrations increased, these metal concentrations in tissues also increased in Eichhornia crassipes, Ludwigia helminthorriza, and Polygonum punctatum. These species could be proposed as Cu and Zn phytoremediators. Even though macrophytes are important metal accumulators in wetlands, sediment is the main metal compartment due to the fact that its total mass is greater than the corresponding plant biomass in a given area.     

Toxic potential of different types of sewage sludge as fertiliser in agriculture: ecotoxicological effects on aquatic,sediment and soil indicator species

Purpose

Treated and processed sewage sludges (biosolids) generated during the treatment of wastewater usually contain substantial concentrations of nutrients, especially phosphorus, which is essential for plant growth. Sewage sludge therefore can be used as an alternative fertiliser in agriculture. But since sewage sludge could also contain pollutants, analysis and ecotoxicological tests on affected soil and stream water organisms are necessary in order to guarantee its harmless use.

Materials and methods

Three test species were chosen to cover the environmental compartments, water, sediment and soil. The following test species and parameters were applied to evaluate the acute effects of three sewage sludge samples: Lemna minor (growth inhibition, discolouration and colony breakup), Gammarus fossarum (mortality, behaviour) and Eisenia fetida (avoidance behaviour). Chemical assessment included nutrients, organic pollutants and heavy metals.

Results and discussion

The assessment of a non-dewatered sludge (S1) sample resulted in an inhibition of growth of L. minor starting from 0.6 g total solid (TS)?l^?1 after 7 days (EC₅₀ 1.2 g TS l^?1). G. fossarum displayed significantly decreased movement activity at 0.5 and 1.2 g TS l^?1 sludge concentration during an exposure time of 2 days, leading to decreased survival after 4 days of exposure in 0.5 g TS l^?1 (LC₅₀ 0.5 g TS l^?1). After 2 days, E. fetida exhibited an increased avoidance behaviour of contaminated soil from 0.2 g TS kg^?1 sewage sludge (EC₅₀ 0.4 g TS kg^?1). The dewatered sludge samples (S2 and S3) had a lower toxic effect on the test organisms. G. fossarum was the most sensitive test species in the applied test setups. The realistic application amounts of the tested sewage sludge samples of approximately 6.0 g TS kg^?1 (maximum allowed application amount of sewage sludge) and approximately 3 g TS kg^?1 (maximum agronomical relevant application amount) in worst case studies are higher than the analysed EC₅₀/LC₅₀ values of S1 and of the LC₅₀ (G. fossarum) of S2 and S3.

Conclusions

All three tested sewage sludge samples have to be classified as toxic at high concentration levels under laboratory conditions. Realistic output quantities of S1 will negatively influence soil invertebrates and freshwater organisms (plants and crustacean), whereas the dewatered sludge samples will most likely not have any acute toxic effect on the test organisms in the field. Test with environmental samples should be conducted in order to support this hypothesis.

     

Growth Response and Selenium and Boron Distribution in Broccoli Varieties Irrigated with Poor Quality Water

Abstract

Selenium (Se), and boron (B), and salinity contamination of agricultural drainage water is potentially hazardous for water reuse strategies in central California. This greenhouse study assessed tolerance and Se, B, and chloride (Cl^?) accumulation in different varieties (Emerald City, Samurai, Greenbelt, Marathon) of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.) irrigated with water of the following different qualities: (1) non‐saline [electrical conductivity (EC) of <1 dS m^?1]; (2) Cl^?/sulfate salinity of ～5 dS m^?1, 250 µg Se L^?1, and 5 mg B L^?1; and (3) non‐saline and 250 µg Se L^?1. One hundred and ten days after transplanting, plants were harvested and dry weight (DW) yields and plant accumulation of Se, B, and Cl^? was evaluated in floret, leaf, and stem. Irrespective of treatments floret yields from var. Samurai were the lowest among all varieties, while floret yields from var. Marathon was the only variety to exhibit some sensitivity to treatments. For all varieties, plant Se concentrations were greatest in the floret (up to 51 mg kg^?1 DW) irrespective of treatment, and B and Cl^? concentrations were greatest in the leaves; 110 mg B kg^?1 DW and 5.4% Cl^?, respectively. At post harvest, treatment 2 (with salinity, B, and Se) increased soil salinity to almost 6 dS m^?1, total Se concentrations to a high of 0.64 mg kg^?1 DW soil, and water soluble B concentrations to a high of 2.3 mg B L^?1; soluble Se concentrations were insignificant. The results indicate that var. Emerald City, Greenbelt, and Marathon should be considered as recipients of moderately saline effluent enriched with Se and B under field conditions.     

Metal Uptake by Spontaneous Vegetation in Acidic Mine Tailings from a Semiarid Area in South Spain: Implications for Revegetation and Land Management

Tailings are frequently a source of pollution in mining areas due to the spread of metals from their bare surfaces via wind or runoff water. Phytostabilization is an interesting and low-cost option to decrease environmental risks in these sites. In this study, an acidic mine tailing (pH 3?C4) located in a semiarid area in Southeast Spain and the spontaneous vegetation which grow on were investigated. Soil samples were taken to characterize metal contamination, and three plant species, Lygeum spartum, Piptatherum miliaceum, and Helichrysum decumbens, were sampled in order to determine plant uptake of metals. The rhizosphere pH of H. decumbens was measured to be 6.7, which was significantly higher than the bulk soil (pH 3). The electrical conductivity values were around 2?C5 dS m^?1. Total metal concentrations in soil were high (9,800 mg kg^?1 for Pb and 7,200 mg kg^?1 for Zn). DTPA-extractable Zn and Pb were 16% and 19% of the total amount, respectively. The three selected plant species accumulated around 2?C5 mg kg^?1 Cu in both shoots and roots. Zn concentration was 100 mg kg^?1 in P. miliaceum roots. DTPA-extractable Zn was positively correlated with Zn plant uptake. These plant species demonstrated to grow well in acid tailings taking up only low concentrations of metals and therefore are good candidates to perform further phytostabilization works.     

Microfauna Community as an Indicator of Effluent Quality and Operational Parameters in an Activated Sludge System for Treating Piggery Wastewater

In order to study the potential use of microfauna as an indicator of effluent quality and operational parameters in an activated sludge system for treating piggery wastewater, an experimental sequencing batch reactor was set up and evaluated by biological and physical–chemical analyses for 12 months. Results show that microfauna (and specifically ciliate protozoa) are a good parameter for assessing effluent quality in terms of both chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia and for assessing the organic and nitrogen load of the system. Specifically, the abundance of ciliates decreases from 20,000 individuals·mL^?1 to ca. 2,500 individuals·mL^?1 and from ca. 10,000 individuals mL^?1 to ca. 200 individuals mL^?1 when effluent concentration is between 550 and 750 mg L^?1 and above 100 mg L^?1 to the COD and ammonia concentrations, respectively. Furthermore, microfauna abundance is reduced from ca. 18,000 individuals mL^?1 (organic load between 0.1 and 0.2 mg COD mg total suspended solids (TSS)^?1 day^?1) to ca. 500 individuals mL^?1 (organic load between 0.3 and 04 mg COD mg TSS^?1 day^?1). Microfauna abundance also decreases as nitrogen loading increases. Nitrogen loading in the range of 5–60 mg NH₄–N g TSS^?1 day^?1 does not have any significant effect on microfauna abundance. However, ammonia loading from 60 to 120 mg NH₄–N g TSS^?1 day^?1 reduces microfauna abundance ca. 6-fold. Ciliate protozoa were the largest microfauna group during the whole period of study, representing ca. 75% of the total microfauna abundance. The largest group in the ciliate community was that of the free-swimming ciliates. This was followed by the group of attached and crawling ciliates. Specifically, the dominant ciliate species during the whole study period were Uronema nigricans, Vorticella microstoma-complex, Epistylis coronata, and Acineria uncinata.     

Seasonal variation in nitrogen isotopic composition of bog plant litter during 3 years of field decomposition

In this study, we describe the seasonal variation in ¹⁵N abundance in the litter of two Sphagnum species and four vascular plant species during 3 years of field decomposition in an Italian Alpine bog. Litter bags were periodically retrieved at the end of summer and winter periods, and the δ¹⁵N in residual litter was related to mass loss, litter chemistry, and climatic conditions. In Sphagnum litter, higher rates of decomposition during summer months were associated with an increase of δ¹⁵N probably due to the incorporation of microbial organic compounds rich in ¹⁵N. The litter of Eriophorum vaginatum and Carex rostrata was characterized by a decrease of δ¹⁵N, so that the final signature was significantly lower than in initial litter. On the other hand, the residual litter of Potentilla erecta and Calluna vulgaris was characterized by a final δ¹⁵N higher than in initial litter. Our data reported a seasonality of ¹⁵N abundance in the residual litter of Sphagnum species, but not in that of vascular plant species, thus highlighting the role of differences in litter chemistry.     

Total concentrations of heavy metals and occurrence of antibiotics in sewage sludges from cities throughout China

Purpose

A total of 58 dewatered sludge samples were collected from 58 sewage treatment plants (STPs) geographically located in 31 provincial cities of China; the concentrations of heavy metals and antibiotics were determined to monitor the pollutant levels on a large scale, and the pollutant concentrations in sludge samples from different sources of sewage sludge and different geographical regions were compared.

Materials and methods

All the samples were divided into two portions, one of which was air-dried for determination of heavy metals. The other portion was placed in a brown glass bottle and frozen at ?20 °C for antibiotics analysis. Total heavy metals were digested with aqua regia and determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (Varian SpectrAA 220FS and Varian SpectrAA 220Z). The antibiotics were extracted with EDTA-sodium phosphate buffer with acetonitrile/Mg(NO₃)₂-NH₃?H₂O, v/v, 3:1 and analysed by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) and quantified by the isotope-labelled internal standard method.

Results and discussion

In all the sludge samples, zinc was the most abundant metal followed by copper, with relatively low concentrations of chromium, lead, nickel and cadmium. Only 20 % of samples exceeded the Chinese class A values of heavy metal standards for agricultural use (GJ/T309-2009). Sixteen different antibiotics were detected in all the sludge samples, and fluoroquinolones (FQs) and tetracyclines (TCs) were more abundant than sulfonamides (SAs). Concentrations of ∑FQs, ∑TCs and ∑SAs ranged from 1,569 to 23,825 μg kg^?1 (mean 8,274 μg kg^?1, dry weight), from 592 to 37,895 μg kg^?1 (mean 8,326 μg kg^?1, dry weight) and from 20.1 to 117 μg kg^?1 (mean 55.4 μg kg^?1, dry weight), respectively. Tetracyclines (except chlortetracycline) were significantly correlated with zinc and lead. No significant regional trends were observed in the concentrations of heavy metals and antibiotics in sludges.

Conclusions

Heavy metal concentrations are not the major factor restricting domestic and mixed flow sludge application, but the antibiotic concentrations in sludges are problematic; regulation of antibiotic use and establishment of standards to ensure safe handling of sludges are needed.     

Hyperaccumulative Characteristics of Weed Species to Heavy Metals

Phytoremediation, which mainly employs hyperaccumulators to remove heavy metals from contaminated soils, is receiving more attention world-wide. The identification of hyperaccumulators is still a key step for phytoremediation. This research is devoted to identify some plants with hyperaccumulative characteristics from weed species. In a pot culture experiment, the hyperaccumulative characteristics of 13 weed species in 11 families to Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn were examined. The result showed that Taraxacum mongolicum and Rorippa globosa indicated some Cd hyperaccumulative properties. In a sample-analysis experiment conducted in a Pb?Zn mining area, T. mongolicum and R. globosa also displayed the same hyperaccumulative characteristics. However, in a concentration gradient experiment, Cd content in shoot of T. mongolicum was not higher than 100 mg/kg (DW, dry weight), the minimum Cd concentration for a Cd-hyperaccumulator in any treatment. The concentration of Cd in the stems and leaves of R. globosa were greater than 100 mg/kg, under the conditions of the soils spiked with 25 and 50 mg/kg Cd. The Cd accumulation factors and translocation factors in the shoots of R. globosa were higher than 1 too, and the plant biomasses did not decrease significantly (p?<?0.05) compared with the control. Thus, we conclude that only R. globosa showed the whole Cd-hyperaccumulator properties, which is a Cd-hyperaccumulator.     

Metal Accumulation by Woody Species on Contaminated Sites in the North of France

Metal accumulation was investigated in a range of woody species that were planted on Cd-, Zn- and Pb- polluted sites in North of France. The study is unique in that we directly compare a large number of woody species (25). The highest accumulation of Zn and Cd was found in the Salicaceae family members with up to 950 mg Zn kg^?1 dry weight (DW) and 44 mg Cd kg^?1 DW in leaves of Populus tremula × Populus tremuloides. Zn content was positively correlated with Cd content, both in leaves and stems. Pb concentration was generally low and was species-independent. Oak and birch species accumulated more Mn as compared to other woody species. A seasonal variation in metal accumulation could be found. Although soil compositions and metal bioavailabilities differed amongst the experimental sites chosen in this study, variation of metal concentrations within a given species was small. High bioconcentration factors for poplar and willow suggested the high potential of these species over other woody species for metal accumulation. Taken together, these data suggest that poplar and willow species are good candidates for phytoremediation programmes.     

Effects of soil mesofauna and farming management on decomposition of clover litter: a microcosm experiment

The effects of soil mesofauna and different farming systems on decomposition of clover (Trifolium repens) litter were investigated in a laboratory experiment. Microcosms were incubated for 16 weeks with fine and coarse litterbags in soils from three types of management systems: fallow, integrated farming and organic farming, the latter two cropped with wheat. The effects were studied by analysing litter mass loss, C and N content, DOC, nitrate and pH in soil leachate, and CO₂ production, as well as mesofauna. Mesofauna significantly accelerated mass loss and C and N release from clover litter in all three soils. With mesofauna access, at the end of the experiment average clover mass loss was almost twice as high and clover C and N content were 60% lower than without mesofauna. Farming systems influenced the decomposition through affecting both element turnover and mesofauna. Although in the first weeks less N was leached from organic farming than from integrated farming soil, cumulative N leaching did not differ between these soils. However, more than 20% less N was leached from the fallow soil than from the field soils. CO₂ production was highest in fallow soil. Here, mesofauna had no effect on this variable. In soil with integrated farming, mesofauna reduced cumulative CO₂ production by 10% whereas in soil from organic farming it increased CO₂ production by 20%. Our data suggest that differences in C and N turnover in different management systems are strongly mediated by soil mesofauna.     

Nutrient release from decomposing leaf litter of temperate deciduous forest trees along a gradient of increasing tree species diversity

In the litter of six deciduous tree species (Fagus sylvatica, Tilia spp., Fraxinus excelsior, Carpinus betulus, Acer pseudoplatanus and Acer platanoides) and in stand-specific litter mixtures, we compared mass loss and nutrient release across diversity levels along a gradient of decreasing proportion of Fagus in stands with similar environmental and physical soil conditions. The litterbag studies ran over 22 months. The decomposition rate constants (k) of the temperate forest species ranged from k = 0.5 for Fagus to k = 1.5-2 for all other tree species. In Fagus, k was closely negatively correlated with the thickness of the litter layer and positively correlated with soil pH and isopod abundance. k was significantly higher in the mixed species stands (except for Carpinus and Fraxinus) and was positively correlated with earthworm abundance. Over the whole incubation time, nutrient amount and release rates of N, P, K, Ca and Mg as well as C-related ratios showed significant differences between tree species but no consistent differences among the diversity levels. Initial C-related nutrient ratios of the leaf litter and abundance of mesofauna and macrofauna were correlated with the length of time lag before nutrient release. We conclude that the mere number of tree species is not the main driver of nutrient release and decomposition processes, but that key groups of the decomposer fauna as well as the characteristic traits of the individual tree species are decisive.     

A Laboratory Study on Revegetation and Metal Uptake in Native Plant Species from Neutral Mine Tailings

Lygeum spartum, Zygophyllum fabago and Piptatherum miliaceum are typical plant species that grow in mine tailings in semiarid Mediterranean areas. The aim of this work was to investigate metal uptake of these species growing on neutral mine tailings under controlled conditions and their response to fertilizer additions. A neutral mine tailing (pH of soil solution of 7.1–7.2) with high total metal concentrations (9,100 and 5,200 mg kg^?1 Zn and Pb, respectively) from Southern Spain was used. Soluble Zn and Pb were low (0.5 and <0.1 mg l^?1, respectively) but the major cations and anions reached relatively high levels (e.g. 2,600 and 1,400 mg l^?1 Cl and Na). Fertilization caused a significant increase of the plant weight for the three species and decreased metal accumulation with the exception of Cd. Roots accumulated much higher metal concentrations for the three plants than shoots, except Cd in L. spartum. Shoot concentrations for the three plants were 3–14 mg kg^?1 Cd, 150–300 mg kg^?1 Zn, 4–11 mg kg^?1 Cu, and 1–10 mg kg^?1 As, and 6–110 mg kg^?1 Pb. The results indicate that neutral pH mine tailings present a suitable substrate for establishment of these native plants species and fertilizer favors this establishment. Metal accumulation in plants is relatively low despite high total soil concentrations.