Environmental Impact on an Arctic Soil–Plant System Resulting from Metals Released from Coal Mine Waste in Svalbard (78° N)

Impact of acid mine drainage (AMD) from a coal mine waste rock pile deposited within a permafrost-affected Arctic ecosystem was investigated near Longyearbyen (Svalbard, 78° N). Analyses included metal concentrations (Al, Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cr, As and Pb) in runoff, soil and plants. It was observed that impacts of AMD, such as plant degradation, were similar to impacts reported from non-arctic ecosystems. It was found that bio-available metal concentrations in soil samples were not useful in assessing potential plant toxicity, as metals were not accumulated in the most impacted area due to low soil pH (pH?<?4). Native graminoid plants in the high impacted area showed accumulation of all the investigated elements. Al, Mn and As were found at phyto-toxic concentrations. Metal uptake in two native graminoid plants was studied in the laboratory. Positive correlations were noted between metal concentrations and plant uptake for all metals investigated, except Fe. High Fe concentrations found in plant samples in the impacted area are considered a result of Fe-oxide precipitation (plaque) on leaves during the spring flush when runoff covers the plants. We conclude that the weathering products Al, Mn and Fe induce the largest negative impact on vegetation in the area, and that a major fraction of the annual uptake of metals occurs during spring flushes. During these flushes, metals produced from weathering processes throughout the winter are released in high concentrations, coinciding with low pH values, low infiltration rates due to permafrost and the start of the plant growth season.     

Mirza (Hacızade) Gökgöl (1897–1981): the great explorer of wheat genetic resources in Turkey

Mirza (Hac?zade) Gökgöl (1897–1981) was a leading agro-ecological plant scientist, agronomist and breeder in Turkey. Gökgöl carried out extensive breeding programmes extensively selecting from local plant genetic resources from across Turkey from 1925 till the 1950s. He collected and evaluated cultivars, landraces and wild relatives, predominantly of wheat, but also of barley, lentil and other crops in Turkey during 1929–1955. He published books on wheat and other cereals, potatoes, castor bean, sweet clover, poppy, and other crops. He was a hardworking pioneer utilizing wheat genetic resources for crop improvement. Since his ample work has hardly been accessible by the English-speaking scientific community today, we are providing an overview of his major work, mainly on wheat. The books he published can still be found in libraries, although with difficulties. However, his articles, leaflets etc., are hardly accessible. Some of them are: Turkish Wheats, vols. 1 and 2, Plant Breeding through Scientific Methods (1928, translation of a book by E. Baur), The Basics of Wheat Breeding (1954), and Agriculture and Breeding of Cool Season Cereals–Wheat, Rye, Barley, and Oats (1969). In addition to the summary of his books, we reviewed his views and discussions about the centres of origin and diversity, and compared with those of Vavilov.     

Assessment of the Potential Cyto�CGenotoxicity of the Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) Diclofenac on the Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha)

A battery of eight biomarkers was used on the freshwater bivalve Dreissena polymorpha in order to evaluate potential sub-lethal effects of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac (DCF; 2-[(2,6-dichlorophenyl)amino]phenylacetic acid). By an in vivo approach, mussels were exposed for 96 h to increasing concentrations (0.3, 1, and 2 nM) of DCF perfectly comparable with current surface water levels. We determined the single cell gel electrophoresis assay, the apoptotic frequency (DNA Diffusion assay), the micronucleus test (MN test), and the lysosomal membrane stability (Neutral Red Retention Assay) in mussel hemocytes. Moreover, the activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and the phase II detoxifying enzyme glutathione S-transferase was measured in the cytosolic fraction extracted from a pool of entire bivalves to reveal possible alterations of the oxidative status of exposed specimens. The biomarker battery pointed out a negligible cyto- and genotoxicity on zebra mussel hemocytes since only a slight decrease of lysosomal membrane stability from baseline levels was measured at the end of exposures at the highest concentration (2 nM). In addition, environmental concentrations of DCF seem to have a negligible effect on the activities of antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes.     

Isotopic Model (NISOTOP) used to Investigate 15N-Urea Transformations in the Presence of Phenanthrene,Chrysene and Benzo(a)pyrene in a Soil–Plant System

An isotopic model (NISOTOP) has been developed to investigate the effect of the addition to soil of xenobiotics on urea hydrolysis, N mineralization and immobilization, nitrification and plant uptake of nitrogen in a soil-plant system, after addition of ¹⁵N enriched compounds. Therationale of the model follows from the errors in %¹⁵N abundance (^15N _D) and N concentration (C_N) determinations which cause high variability coefficients in the calculation of the amount of nitrogen present in the different compounds derived from the added ¹⁵N enriched urea. The extent of these errors, besides depending on C_N and ^15N _D errors, will also depend on natural ¹⁵N and ¹⁵N of the added compound, and therefore on the experimental conditions. The model is described by 18 first-order differential equations and is numerically solved by Euler's method with a time increment of 0.01 day. As an illustration, the model is applied to the effect of phenanthrene, chrysene and benzo(a)pyrene to a soil-plant system, following the addition of ¹⁵N-urea. These compounds have been chosen as examples of molecules having 3, 4 and 5 fused aromatic rings and are hereafter collectively referred to as PAHs. PAHs at the rate of 2 mg kg^-1 soiland ¹⁵N-urea at the rate of 166.7 mg N kg^-1 soil were added to wheat pots. At harvesting (after 14 days from plantation) the dry matter yield, the total N content and the N concentration of the wheat seedlings were not statistically affected by addition of the PAHs (P = 0.05). The efficiency of N uptake, that is the percentage of fertilizer taken up by the plants at harvesting in the absence of PAHs was 47.3%, while it was 11.7, 15.2 and 14.8% in the presence of phenanthrene, chrysene and benzo(a)pyrene,respectively. The computation of the first-order rate constants of the N transformations showed that N mineralization, nitrification and N-uptake were affected by the addition of phenanthrene, chrysene and benzo(a)pyrene, whilst benzo(a)pyrene inhibited urea hydrolysis more than phenanthrene and chrysene.     

Effect of Amorphous Silicon Dioxide on Cadmium Behavior in the Soil–Rice Plant System

The effect of amorphous silicon dioxide (SiO₂) on cadmium behavior in the soil–plant system was studied in a field experiment on a flooded paddy soil slightly contaminated by cadmium. The application of amorphous SiO₂ results in a 1.3- to 1.8-fold smaller cadmium accumulation in the aboveground organs of rice and a 1.8- to 2.6-fold decrease in the content of its available compounds, which can be explained by metal sorption on the surface of applied silicon dioxide and by the reaction of monosilicic acid, which forms in the SiO₂ solution, with cadmium. The decrease in cadmium availability is most intensive in the first 2 weeks after SiO₂ application. Amorphous silicon causes a 26.6% increase in rice productivity in the first season and 72.9% in the second. The data obtained testify to the fact that the application rates of traditional mineral fertilizers can be decreased without risk to rice productivity if silicon compounds are used. They should become an integral and important part of implementing the 4R-STRATEGY for fertilizer application and plant nutrition optimization.     

Effects of agricultural practices on the hydrodynamics of a deep tilled hardened volcanic ash–soil (Cangahua) in Ecuador

The rehabilitation of indurate pyroclastic formations of the Ecuadorian Sierra (cangahua) paves the way for the development of new agricultural areas. The material derived from the fragmentation of the hardened volcanic ashes is strongly prone to pluvial erosion, essentially because it has a fine silty–sandy texture, and because contains no organic matter and no clay minerals. Rainfall simulation was implemented before and after three cycles of cultivation to asses the evolution of soil structure and its susceptibility to erosion. The cultivated plots were < 1% slope and the rainfall simulation tests were conducted after the harvest on bare surfaces. Two soil preparations, (coarse and fine) and four different agricultural practices, (organic matter, green manure, mineral fertilization, and zero fertilization) were evaluated; as well reference/control plots (uncultivated bare plots).     

Comparison of fine-grained soils of the kolsuz and Araplı areas in the Central Anatolia (Niǧde, Turkey) in terms of geotechnical properties

Clayey soils are used in various industrial applications as raw material. However, they are also used both as materials and soils on which constructions are built in the geotechnical engineering. Therefore, estimation of soil behavior in terms of design is vital. In this context, it is necessary to determine the engineering properties of the soils. There are voluminous study on the geology, mineralogy and chemistry of the clayey soils in the Central Anatolia, Ni?de (Turkey). However, not many studies deal with their geotechnical properties. In the current study, the engineering properties of clayey soils are determined through laboratory tests on the clayey soil samples taken from the Arapl? and Kolsuz areas and also the comparison is made between clayey soils in the Arapl? and Kolsuz areas considering their geotechnical properties. As a result, it is observed that the fine-grained soils of the Kolsuz area are inactive and have low plasticity (CL) with average w _L of 32 and w _P of 19. The fine-grained soils of the Arapl? area have high plasticity (MH) with average w _L of 96 and w _P of 57 and are active. It is also found that while the fine grained soils of the Kolsuz area has almost no swelling potential, those of the Arapl? area has high swelling potential based on their mineralogical contents, consistency limits, activities and swelling pressures.     

Effects of the 1982–1983 El Nino on Humboldt penguin colonies in Peru

The Humboldt penguin Spheniscus humboldti is endemic to the Peruvian Current which flows northward along the coast of Chile and Peru. This species has greatly diminished from its former abundance.The coast of Peru is characterised by high biological productivity which concentrates fish such as the anchovy Engraulis ringens, the main prey item of marine predators including seabirds. In years of the abnormal oceanographic conditions of El Nino, the schools of anchovies become unavailable to the seabirds and they disperse in search of food. Massive mortality, especially of juveniles, results and there is nest desertation and lack of reproduction.This paper describes the effects of the 1982–1983 El Nino on Humboldt penguin colonies in Peru. There has been an overall population decline of 65% and the surviving population in 1984 was estimated to be between 2100 and 3000 adults. Although El Nino is a periodic event and the Humboldt penguin has evolved to adapt to such unpredictable changes, the environment has now been altered by man. Under these circumstances, the 1982–1983 El Nino has contributed to placing this species in a critical position.     

Effects of Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonates (LASs) in Sewage Sludge–Amended Soils on Nutrient Contents of Broccoli Plants

Abstract

Sewage sludge is used in agriculture as a fertilizer and an organic amendment to improve physical and chemical soil properties. However, sludge contains organic compounds, such as surfactants, which may be toxic in the soil–plant system. The effects on plants of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS), a group of anionic surfactants that are widely used in detergent products, have not been well defined. In this experiment, the effect of differently treated sewage sludge containing LAS on the macronutrient and sodium contents of different parts of broccoli plants (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis subvar. cymosa Lam.) was studied in a field experiment. Fertilizer treatments were un‐composted sewage sludge (UCSS), composted sewage sludge (CSS), and a control without fertilization (NF). The LAS levels were established across all fertilizer treatments by addition of 0, 15, or 30 g LAS m^?2 (LAS0, LAS15, and LAS30, respectively). In general, the macronutrient contents in shoots, leaves, and edible parts of broccoli were higher in plants cultivated without fertilization but with LAS. In most cases, the LAS application increased the nitrogen, phosphorus, and sodium contents of the different plant parts, whereas calcium and magnesium concentrations were reduced.     

Assessment of the Salinization Process at the Coastal Area with Hydrogeochemical Tools and Geographical Information Systems (GIS): Selçuk Plain, Izmir, Turkey

The salinization process was investigated with hydrogeochemical tools to evaluate the origin of salinity in the Selçuk Plain. Na/Cl and Cl/Br molar ratios of coastal zone that covers an alluvial aquifer, karstic discharges, and a wetland are similar to the local seawater ratio. According to mixing ratios, seawater addition can reach 9–18% in both seasons at the coastal zone especially in karstic springs that are a kind of seawater–freshwater mixing points. A thematic map of the Salinization zone was constructed for the Selçuk Plain using geographical information system tools with different parameters such as major ion ratios, EC values, mixing ratios, and sodium adsorption ratio values. High correlation between Cl and Br, B, Li and Sr explains the salinization process that comes from marine intrusion. The δ ¹⁸O and δD composition of water samples varies between ?6.7‰ and ?2.9‰; ?37‰ and ?20‰, respectively. The coastal zone waters are plotted on the mixing line due to the effects of the salinization process in the plain.     

Effects of afforestation with four unmixed plant species on the soil–water interactions in a semiarid Mediterranean region (Sicily, Italy)

Purpose

An assessment of the effect of plant cover on the properties of four afforested soils in central Sicily was performed with the aim of discriminating among them after 60?years of afforestation.

Materials and methods

Chemical and biochemical soil analyses were coupled to fast field cycling (FFC) NMR relaxation investigations in order to monitor surface interactions of water in water-saturated soils.

Results and discussion

The traditional soil analyses revealed that the most stable soil properties such as soil texture and pH are not affected by 60?years of afforestation. Soils developed under eucalyptus trees showed larger amounts of hydrophilic organic matter as compared to the soils under pines and cypresses. FFC-NMR relaxometry data revealed that water, partitioned in clay-, loam-, and sand-type pores, showed longitudinal relaxation time values affected by the interactions with the soluble carbon content.

Conclusions

The results of the present study evidenced the potential of FFC-NMR relaxometry in differentiating the effect of diverse plant cover on chemical and hydrological properties of soils developed on the same parent material. In fact, in contrast with the traditional physicochemical and biochemical soil characterizations, which were unable to reveal differences among soils afforested with different plant species, FFC-NMR was capable of monitoring differences in water dynamics as affected by the presence of the most soluble soil organic material.     

Diagnostics of hydromorphism in soils of autonomous positions on the Severo-Sos’vinsk Upland (Western Siberia)

The complex studies of hydromorphism features in taiga weakly differentiated soils using morphological (color), chemical (iron content in different extracts, indicators of reducing conditions (IRIS)), and geobotanic (using the Ramenskii scale) methods have led to ambiguous conclusions. In all the soils, surface gleying was manifested. According to the results obtained by different methods, the maximum reduction processes were related to either the sublitter or the next deeper horizon. The Schwertmann coefficient, the criterion of Bodegom, and the Ramenskii scale indicated an increase of hydromorphism in the soils studied in the following sequence: the lower part of the ridge slopes drained by the small gullies < the middle part of the slopes < the flat tops of the ridges < the depression between the ridges. The morphological diagnostics of gleying proved to be a less sensitive method, which can recognize only the most contrasting hydromorphic soils. The lower horizons in some taiga soils have a bluish gray color probably not related to the recent soil hydromorphism.     

Influence of Salinity in the Bioavailability of Zn in Sediments of the Gulf of Cádiz (Spain)

This study assesses the effect of salinity in bioavailability and toxicity of Zn by means of laboratory bioassays by observing contamination in both sediment and water, accumulation of Zn in biological tissues, and histopathological damage in the gills and guts tissues of Ruditapes philippinarum clams, which were exposed to different types of sediments from the Gulf of Cádiz (SW Spain) as well as two dilutions of toxic mud coming from an accidental mining spill. With this objective, the coefficients of distribution (K _D) for Zn between overlying water and sediments were calculated, the histopathological frequencies in the tissues of the gills and guts of clams were determined, and the biota-sediment bioaccumulation factors as well as the bioaccumulation factors were quantified in the different stations. Results showed that the greatest histopathological damages appeared when the salinity values decreased. Statistical results showed that salinity was inversely correlated with histopathological damage (p?<?0.01) for the lesion index for gills. The most outstanding results were observed in the two dilutions of toxic mud (0.3% and 7.9%) at a salinity value of 10. Salinity was inversely correlated with the concentration of Zn in biological tissues (p?<?0.05) and inversely correlated with the concentration of Zn in water and sediment. Zn mobilization to the overlying water is produced when salinity values decrease.     

Effects of Selcote® ultra and sodium selenate (laboratory versus commercial grade) on selenium concentration in feed crops

Field studies were conducted at two locations in P.E.I., Canada on cereals and forages on the effect of soil applications of Selcote® Ultra and on a comparison of sodium selenate (laboratory versus commercial grade) on selenium (Se) concentration in plant tissue. Soil at both locations was sandy loam in texture and the soil pH ranged from 5.8 to 6.0. The data showed that 5 g Se ha^‐1 added as Selcote® Ultra was adequate to raise the Se level in the first two cuts of forage tissue above the minimum required level of 100 ug kg^‐1. For cereals, 10 g Se was necessary to achieve the same level. The residual effect of 10 g Se ha^‐1 from Selcote® Ultra added in the first year maintained plant Se at >100 μg kg^‐1 in the second year in the first cut of alfalfa at one location and ryegrass at both locations. A comparison of selenate‐Se (laboratory vs commercial grade) showed that both sources at similar levels of Se fertilization were equally effective in enriching barley grain with Se with no significant differences. Addition of 10 g Se ha^‐1 rate was necessary to ensure adequate Se (>100 ug kg^‐1) concentration in the ensuing graia Increasing rates of Se increased the Se levels in grain. Selenium concentrations were much higher in the barley boot stage vegetative tissue than in the grain. Results of this study showed that only 5 g Se ha^‐1, as Selcote® Ultra, is needed to maintain adequate Se in forages. The laboratory and commercially available selenate‐Se sources were equally effective in raising Se in barley.     

Effects of leguminous plant residues and NPK fertilizer application on the performance of yam (Dioscorea rotundata ‘c.v.’ ewuru) in south-western Nigeria

The effects of cultivating and incorporating residues of previous tropical kudzu (Pueraria phaseoloides) and soybean (Glycine max) with application of NPK fertilizer on yam performance were evaluated at the teaching and research farm, LAUTECH, Nigeria. There were nine treatments: incorporation of legume residues (5 t DM ha^?1), application of recommended fertilizer rate for yam (90–50–75 kg NPK ha^?1) in the zone or 50% of recommended rate (45–25–37.5 kg NPK ha^?1), alone and in combination with residues and a control without residues or fertilizer in a randomized complete block design. Cultivation of previous legumes reduced soil nematode population (>200%) compared with no legumes. For both years, application of Pueraria residues improved tuber yield by an average of 15.8% compared with control. Fertilizer application enhanced arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization of yam roots but AM colonization was lower (～50%) in plots where Pueraria residues were incorporated compared with other plots. Combined application of plant residues with fertilizer improved soil organic carbon, total N, exchangeable Ca and Mg compared with application of NPK fertilizer. From these results, it is concluded that half of the recommended NPK rate may be adequate and incorporation of residues with reduced NPK fertilizer application may be a sustainable soil fertility management option for continuous yam production.     

Effects of Kocide 101® on the bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)‐Rhizobium symbiosis

A glasshouse study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the copper fungicide Kocide 101 and its residues in soil on the growth, nodulation and nitrogen fixation of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The soil used was a sandy clay loam classified as Typic Rhodustalf. The bean variety SUA 90 was used as test crop. The bean rhizobia strains CIAT 899, PV, and a local isolate were used. Kocide 101 applied at the recommended rate (equivalent to 1.7 mg kg^‐1 soil) had no significant negative effects on the growth, nodulation or nitrogen fixation of bean plants. Higher levels of Kocide 101 significantly (P < 0.05) reduced plant growth, nodulation and nitrogen fixation. The bean plants inoculated with the “local isolate”; rhizobia had the highest dry matter weights, nodule numbers and nodule dry weights, and also had more N fixation. They were followed by those inoculated with the PV, strain and, lastly, those inoculated with CIAT 899. The growth and nodulation of bean plants were still curtailed by the Kocide 101 residues four months after the fungicide was first applied to the soil. Therefore, occurrence of high levels of Kocide 101 in soils can have long‐term effects on the performance of the bean‐rhizobia symbiosis.     

Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) in Acid Forest Soils at Gådsjön (Sweden): Natural Variabilities and Effects of Increased Input of Nitrogen and of Reversal of Acidification

Effects of (1) the addition of 35 kg N ha^-1yr^-1(as NH₄NO₃) and (2) interception of throughfall and litterfall by means of a roof on concentrations, chemical characteristics and dynamics of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in acid forest soils (podzols) were studied at Gårdsjön, Sweden. A non-manipulated catchment served as a reference. After 4 yr of treatment no significant effects of either manipulation were found on concentrations and characteristics of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON). The variability of these parameters within catchments appeared to be of the same order of magnitude as the variability between catchments. At all sites, DON contributed more than 70% of the total dissolved nitrogen. In general, the proportion of hydrophilic DOC increased with depth. In contrast, to other studies the C/N ratio of DOM at Gårdsjön did not show a clear pattern with depth. Other studies in SE U.S.A. have suggested that relatively low C/N ratios at depth are due to increased contribution of hydrophilic neutrals to DOC. However, this fraction appears to be small in temperate and boreal spruce forest soils, including Gårdsjön.     

Influence of oil and stratal water contamination on the ash composition of oligotrophic peat soils in the oil-production area (the Ob’ region)

The mineral contamination of peat soils in the oil-production area differs considerably in the places of oil or stratal water spills. The time elapsed since the spill occurred is also an important factor of the changes in the chemical composition of the peat ash. The ash content rises drastically in the oil-contaminated peat, and the peat ash becomes rich in heavy metals (Mn, Ni, and Sr) and lanthanides (La and Ce). The content of K and Fe decreases, and that of P, S, Mg, Ca, Ni, and Pb increases with time at the site of old oil contamination. In the course of the self-rehabilitation of oil-contaminated peat, the content of Cl decreases more intensely than that of the heavier halogen Br. The ash content rises to a lesser extent in the peat contaminated with stratal water. The ash of the salinized peat is enriched in heavy alkaline-earth elements, i.e., Ba and Sr. Although most of the elements are leached with time, the content of Ba and Sr still remains 4–6 times higher than the background one even after long-term (more than 10 years) leaching. The concentrations of halogens rise considerably in the salinized peat, that of Cl in the peat ash decreases by 10 times, and the content of Ba virtually remains the same.     

Subsoil Compaction: The Intensity of Manifestation in Silty Clayey Calcic Pantofluvic Fluvisols of the Iğdır Region (Eastern Turkey)

Eurasian Soil Science - The formation of compacted subsoil layer under the impact heavy machines is a global problem in soil science, soil physics, and agrotechnology because of the numerous and...     

Effects of Linear Alkylbenzene Sulphonates (LASs) on Exogenous Organic Matter Content and Evolution in Sewage Sludge–Amended Soils

Abstract

Linear alkylbenzene sulphonates (LASs) are anionic surfactants commonly used in commercial detergents. A potential risk associated with the recycling of sewage waste materials is the presence of LASs and their primary degradation products, which could accumulate in sludge, especially during anaerobic processing. The long‐term accumulation of these contaminants in soils and especially the potential disturbance of soil functions need to be studied in more detail. In our study, the influence of the amendment added to an agricultural soil with different organic wastes containing LASs on organic matter content and nitrogen (N) content evolution and mineralization was studied in field conditions. A completely randomized 3×3 factorial arrangement, representing two sewage sludge types (composted and uncomposted) and three levels of LAS presence (0, 15, and 30 g/m²) in treated soils, was established using field plots (7×2 m); the results are compared with untreated plots. Statistical models based on covariance analysis were used to understand the dynamics of and the main factors influencing carbon (C) and N mineralization in sewage sludge amended–soils in the presence of LAS. LAS seemed to alter nitrogen mineralization, especially the nitrate dynamics.