Relationship between water soluble and exchangeable soil cations for estimating plant uptake and leaching potential

Abstract

The relationship between water soluble and exchangeable cations (Ca, Mg, Na, and K) was investigated for surface horizons of 195 soils including many taxonomic categories and a wide range in physical and chemical properties from around the world. This will provide information on exchangeable soil cation solubility for use in estimating plant uptake and leaching potential. Amounts of water soluble and exchangeable cations were not consistently related (r² of 0.50, 0.08, 0.77, and 0.49 for Ca, Mg, Na, and K). High correlations were biased by high water soluble and exchangeable cation levels of a few soils that had 3.8‐ and 2.5‐fold greater mean than median values. The ratio of exchangeable to water soluble cations was closely related to cation saturation (r² of 0.87, 0.95, 0.95, and 0.93 for Ca, Mg, Na, and K, respectively). As the degree of saturation of the exchange complex by a certain cation increased, solubility Increased. A change in saturation had less effect on K than on Na, Mg, and Ca solubility. Only exchangeable soil cations (NH₄OAc extractable) are routinely measured and reported in soil survey reports, thus, water soluble levels may be determined from cation saturation. This will allow estimation of the amounts of cation that can potentially move in solution through the soil or be taken up by plants. Use of cation saturation, in addition to exchangeable content, will better characterize soil cation availability by representing quantity, intensity, and buffer factors.     

A simple rapid method for the measurement of exchangeable cations and effective cation exchange capacity

Abstract

A simple single‐extraction procedure for measuring exchangeable cations and effective CEC (ECEC, the CEC at natural pH and ionic strength) has been developed for routine advisory soil analysis. The method is based on the use of Sr (1.26M SrCl₂) to displace exchangeable cations and effective CEC is taken as the sum of the exchangeable cations. A ten minute shaking time at 5 g:80 ml, soil solution ratio, was found to be optimum. Good agreement was found between the proposed method and the standard neutral IN ammonium acetate leaching procedure with correlation coefficients (r) for the individual cations Mg, Ca, Na and K of 0.99***, 0.99***, 0.83*** and 0.96*** respectively. Strontium chloride extracted more Al but less Mn (P<0.01) than IN KC1, but because of the low levels of these cations in relation to the total cations present, there was still a good relationship (r= 0.99) between ECEC determined by 1.26M SrCl₂ and that determined as the sum of ammonium acetate extractable Mg, Ca, Na and K plus IN KCl‐extracted Al and Mn.     

Nutrient availability and response of sago palm (Metroxylon sago Rottb.) to controlled release N fertilizer on coastal lowland peat in the tropics

Sago palms (Metroxylon sagu Rottb.) growing on peat soils were found to grow more slowly and to show a lower production than palms growing on mineral soils. This difference was related to the physical and chemical constraints of peat soils, which include low bulk density, high acidity, and low N, P, K, Ca, Zn, and Cu levels. In coastal lowland peat soils, the distance from the sea has been found to be an important determinant of soil elemental composition. We predicted that a sufficient supply of N at the rosette stage would improve sago palm growth and that the availability of N in soil to which controlled release N fertilizer was applied might be higher than that in soil treated with soluble fertilizer. To investigate the changes in the nutrient composition of peat soils at various distances from the sea and the effect on sago palm growth, we studied sago palm areas in Indonesia and Malaysia. To observe the influence of N on the growth performance, we also conducted a fertilizer experiment on coastal lowland peat soil in Indonesia. Distance from the sea had no significant effect on the cation concentration in the soil solution (with the exception of Mg) or on the levels of soil-exchangeable cations. No significant differences were observed between the concentrations of exchangeable cations in surface peat soils and those in mature leaves. However, the concentrations of K, Na, and Ca in mature leaves increased significantly with their concentrations in the soil solution. This finding implies that the concentrations of cations in sago palm leaves depend directly on the concentrations of cations in the soil solution. No significant effect of N fertilizers on plant height and leaf formation was observed. N fertilizers applied twice a year did not affect appreciably the foliar concentration of N determined in December 1998 (5 months after the initial application) and December 1999. In June 2000, we detected a significantly higher concentration of N (p < 0.01) in young leaves of the palms treated with LP-100 or urea than in control leaves. However, no significant difference was detected between the LP-100 and urea treatments in the concentration of N in both mature and young leaves. This finding indicated that the concentration of N in sago palm leaves increased with the level of soil-applied N, regardless of whether N was applied as controlled release fertilizer or in the soluble form. We anticipate that a significant difference in the effects of these N fertilizers may occur during the next rainy season, when there should be a considerable loss of soluble N.     

Modelling cation exchange in columns of disturbed and undisturbed subsoil

Cation exchange is often studied with disturbed and dried soils, but the applicability of the results to undisturbed soils is not straightforward. We investigated the value of exchange coefficients obtained from standard procedures for predicting cation exchange in soil. Columns of undisturbed and disturbed subsoil of a Luvisol (SBt horizon) were leached under saturated conditions with 0.4, 4, 20, 41, 102 and 205 mm BaCl₂ at a Darcy velocity of 1400 mm day^?1. The model PHREEQC was used to calculate one‐dimensional transport, inorganic complexation and multiple cation exchange. Two model variants were tested: m1 (exchangeable cations obtained by percolation with NH₄Cl) and m2 (exchangeable cations obtained by shaking the soil with BaCl₂). The exchange coefficients (Gaines–Thomas formalism) were calculated from the ion activities in solution and exchangeable cations obtained by NH₄Cl percolation (m1) or shaking with BaCl₂ (m2). Variant m1 predicted cation exchange of the disturbed (homogenized) soil for the entire BaCl₂ concentration range, whereas variant m2 resulted in a two‐fold overestimation of desorbed K for all experiments, which was related to large amounts of K released from the soil by shaking with BaCl₂. In experiments with undisturbed soil, variant m1 predicted the concentrations of Mg, Ca, K, and Na in the solution phase and the sum of cations released from exchange sites. However, variant m2 predicted changes in ion concentrations and exchangeable cations somewhat less well. This study suggests that the amounts of exchangeable cations and exchange coefficients obtained from experiments with homogenized soil by percolation are useful to predict cation concentrations in column experiments with undisturbed soils.     

Vergleich zwischen Perkolation und Extraktion mit 1 M NH4Cl‐Lösung zur Bestimmung der effektiven Kationenaustauschkapazität (KAKeff) von Böden

Comparison between percolation and extraction with 1 M NH₄Cl solution to determine the effective cation exchange capacity (CEC_eff) of soils A simple method is proposed for the determination of the effective cation exchange capacity (CEC_eff). The soil is extracted with 1 M NH₄Cl‐solution, manually shaken for three times, and the exchangeable cations are determined by ICP‐OES and pH‐measurement. Comparison with corresponding results of the percolation method (n = 110 samples) shows good agreement in reproducibility, exchangeable cations (except Fe and Na), base saturation and CEC_eff.     

A rapid method to determine cation exchange capacity and exchangeable bases in calcareous,gypsiferous, saline and sodic soils

Summary

A simple, single‐step extraction with LiEDTA for the estimation of CEC and exchangeable bases in soils has been developed. Multivalent cations are stripped from the soil adsorption sites by the strongly chelating agent EDTA, and are replaced by Li. In soils without CaCO₃ or water soluble salts, exchangeable divalent cations (Ca, Mg) are chelated by EDTA and exchangeable monovalent cations (Na, K) are replaced in a single extraction step using 0.25–2.5 g of soil and 10.0 ml of extractant.

In calcareous soils the CEC can be determined in the same way, but for the extraction of exchangeable Ca and Mg, another separate extraction is needed because dissolution of calcite by EDTA is unavoidable. This extraction is done with as much NaEDTA as needed to extract only exchangeable Ca and Mg in a 1:2 (m/V) soil/alkaline‐50% (V/V) aethanolic solution to minimize dissolution of calcite.

In gypsiferous soils gypsum is transformed into insoluble BaSO₄ and soluble CaEDTA by LiBaEDTA thus avoiding interference of Ca from dissolution of gypsum, which renders the traditional methods for determining CEC unsuitable for such soils. To determine exchangeable Ca and Mg, Na₄EDTA is used as for calcareous soils.

In saline/sodic soils replacement of Na by Li is incomplete but the Na/Li‐ratio at the complex after extraction is proportional to the molar Na/Li‐ratio in the extracts, so that the CEC and original exchangeable sodium (ESP) content can be calculated. Additional analysis of Cl and, if necessary, SO₄ in the extracts of saline soils can be used to correct for the effect of dissolution of the salts on the sum of exchangeable cations.

This new method is as convenient as the recently developed AgTU (silverthiourea), but is better suitable for calcareous and gypsiferous soils.     

Mechanism of reduction of exchangeable aluminum by gypsum application in acid andosols

Mechanism of reduction of exchangeable aluminum in acid Andosols treated with gypsum was studied by using cation exchange resin methods to determine the amount of polymerized aluminum. Two types of acid Andosols were used as test soils: Kitakami light colored Andosol (fine, mixed, mesic, Andic Dystrochrept) and Kawatabi thick high humic Andosol (medial, mesic mixed Alic Pachic Melanudand). Polymerization of aluminum in the soil solution of both Kitakami and Kawatabi Andosols treated with gypsum was suggested based on an analysis using cation exchange resin methods, whereas that in monomer aluminum solution was not detected. Accumulation of polymerized aluminum in both Kitakami and Kawatabi Andosols was determined by using cation exchange resin, and the amounts of polymer aluminum trapped by the resin and the ratio of polymer aluminum to monomer aluminum were increased with the incubation time. The values of CEC which decreased in the Kitakami Andosol after gypsum treatment were almost equivalent to the amounts of cation exchange sites occupied by polymer aluminum ions which were calculated based on the decrease of the values of Y _l. We conclude that the mechanism of reduction of exchangeable aluminum in strongly acid Andosols treated with gypsum is as follows: firstly, exchangeable aluminum adsorbed on the cation exchange sites of soils may be released into the soil solution due to the increase in the ion strength caused by gypsum application, and then monomer aluminum in soil solution may be polymerized in the presence of soil colloidal materials. Consequently, the polymer aluminum formed in the soil solution may be selectively and irreversibly fixed on the cation exchange sites of 2 : 1 clay minerals.     

Effect of cultivation on physical and chemical properties of a Vertisol in middle Awash Valley,Ethiopia

Abstract

An investigation was conducted to study physical and chemical change at two adjacent soil sites, one used for irrigated cotton since 1972 (cultivated) and the other for traditional grazing and browsing (uncultivated). The soil at each site, a clayey Vertisol was described and sampled for physical and chemical analyses. The result showed that the surface layer of the uncultivated soil was denser and more compact than that of the cultivated soil. Soil porosity and moisture build‐up were lower in the uncultivated than in the cultivated soil. Due to percolation of irrigation water and leaching of soluble salts, salinity, concentration of soluble cations, anions, and exchangeable cations were slightly higher at the lower soil depths in the cultivated than in the uncultivated soil. The exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) also followed the same trend. Correlation coefficient between the values of electrical conductivity, soluble and exchangeable cations, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and ESP were more significant for the cultivated than for the uncultivated soil. Cultivation has reduced organic matter levels by 15%.     

Nitrogen and/or phosphorus fertilization effects on organic carbon and mineral contents in the rhizosphere of field grown sorghum

The effects of nitrogen (N) and/or phosphorus (P) fertilizers on the nutritional status in the rhizosphere were studied by monitoring throughout the growth period the concentrations of organic carbon (C), inorganic N, NaHCO₃ extractable P, exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) down in an Alfisol field, and of all these elements except for extractable P, and exchangeable Ca in a Vertisol field in semi-arid tropical India. These concentrations were compared between the rhizosphere soil and bulk soil of sorghum grown in both fields.

Organic C content of the rhizosphere soil increased with plant age and was significantly higher than that in the bulk soil throughout the growth of sorghum, but it was not affected by the rates of N or P fertilizer. Inorganic N concentration in the rhizosphere soil was significantly higher than that in the bulk soil until maturity in sorghum. The content of available P in the rhizosphere soil was significantly higher than in the bulk soil after the middle of the growth stage. Its average concentration in the rhizosphere soil across growth stages was significantly higher than in the bulk soil, which contradicts the observation in many reports that there is a depletion of P in the rhizosphere soil. The concentration of three exchangeable cations, K, Ca, and Mg, showed different patterns in the rhizosphere and the bulk soils. The concentration of K was almost constantly higher in the rhizosphere soil than in the bulk soil, Ca concentration was not different between the two soils, and Mg concentration was significantly higher in the bulk soil than in the rhizosphere soil. The reasons for these discrepancies cannot be explained at present. The concentrations of these cations were not affected by the rate of N or P fertilizer except for Mg at a later growth stage. The differences between rhizosphere and bulk soils in Alfisol were similar to those in Yertisol with respect to the concentration of organic C, inorganic N, and exchangeable K and Mg.     

Explaining soil organic matter composition based on associations between OM and polyvalent cations

Site conditions and soil management determine the content and the composition of soil organic matter (SOM). Organic matter (OM) is characterized by functional groups, which preferentially interact with polyvalent cations and soil minerals. These interactions could perhaps explain the site‐specific composition of bulk SOM and a pyrophosphate‐soluble OM fraction (OM‐PY) using basic soil properties. The objective of this study was to test a simplified model for the interactions between OM and polyvalent cations (i.e., Ca, Mg, Al, Fe, and Mn) by using data from soils from long‐term field experiments. The model considered (1) OM–cation, (2) OM–cation‐mineral, and (3) OM–mineral associations and assumed that the availability of the cation's coordination sites for the interaction with OM depends on these three types of associations. The test was carried out using data (topsoil) from differently fertilized plots from three long‐term field experiments (Halle, Bad Lauchstädt, Rotthalmünster). The composition of SOM and OM‐PY was characterized by the relationship of the ratio of the C=O (i.e., here indicating both carbonylic and carboxylic groups) versus C–O–C absorption band intensities obtained from the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra with the content of exchangeable, oxalate‐, and dithionite‐extractable polyvalent cations. The assumed associations between the OM and cations and the availability of the coordination sites explained most of the variations in the C=O/C–O–C ratios of the SOM, and fewer variations in the OM‐PY, when using the site‐specific exchangeable and oxalate‐extractable cation contents. The C=O/C–O–C ratios of the OM‐PY were site‐independent for samples from plots that regularly received farmyard manure. The results suggested that a simplified model that considers the polyvalent cation content weighted by the number of coordination sites per cation according to the type of association could be used to improve the explanation of site‐specific differences in the OM composition of arable soils.     

Effects of plant residues and calcite amendments on soil sodicity

The effects of wheat, potato, sunflower, and rape residues and calcite were evaluated in soil that received sodic water. These materials were added to a sandy‐loam soil at a rate of 5%, after which the treated soils were incubated for 1 month at field‐capacity moisture and a temperature of 25°C–30°C. Column leaching experiments using treated soils were then conducted under saturated conditions using water with three sodium‐adsorption ratios (SAR) (0, 10, 40) with a constant ionic strength (50 mmol L^–1). The results indicated that the application of plant residues to soils caused an increase in cation‐exchange capacity and exchangeable cations. Leaching experiments indicated that the addition of plant amendments led to increased Na⁺ leaching and decrease in exchangeable‐sodium percentage (ESP). The ESP of the control soil, after leaching with solutions with an SAR of 10 and 40, increased significantly, but the level of sodification in soils treated with plant residue was lower. Such decreases of soil ESP were greatly affected by the type of plant residues, with the order of: potato‐treated soil > sunflower‐treated soil > rape‐treated soil > wheat‐treated soil > calcite‐treated soil > control soil.     

Decrease in Hydraulic Conductivity of Clay Soils with Salinity-Sodicity Problems due to Freezing and Thawing Effect

Abstract

Synergism and antagonism cause interactions between plant nutrients. The sum of equivalents of cations in a soil solution is equal to the sum of soluble anions. Therefore, the amount of cations in a soil solution is maintained by a synergetic effect of anions. The relations between cations are determined by the relation between the exchangeable cations, according to a derived Gapon equation. An over-optimal concentration of a cation acts antagonistically to the effect of other cations on plant nutrient uptake. Sometimes the soil solution reactions are complicated, and antagonism between anions becomes obvious.

When describing interactions between plant nutrients by synergism and antagonism, it is valuable to develop analytical methods to determine activities and concentrations in defined extracts of soils. The theory and procedure are described in this paper.     

日光温室栽培对土壤养分累积及交换性养分含量和比例的影响

研究了日光温室栽培下陕西关中地区不同土壤养分累积及交换性养分含量及比例的变化,结果表明：日光温室栽培下土壤有机质、硝态氮、有效磷和速效钾等养分显著累积,土壤阳离子交换量明显增加,而土壤pH却出现下降趋势。日光温室土壤交换性K^＋含量显著增加;日光温室和大田土壤交换性Ca^2＋含量相比无明显差异,而日光温室土壤交换性Mg^2＋的含量及其离子饱和度有所提高。日光温室土壤钙饱和度、Ca/K和M g/K均明显低于大田土壤。认为日光温室栽培下大量施用钾肥,是土壤钙离子饱和度及Ca/K和M g/K比例降低的主要原因,建议在评价日光温室土壤养分有效性时,应综合考虑交换性养分的含量、饱和度及离子间的比例关系。     

不同植被覆盖对养分在土壤水稳性团聚体中分布特征的影响

研究了重庆缙云山不同植被覆盖下土壤结构的稳定性,以及土壤有机碳和养分在水稳性团聚体中的分布特征.结果表明:不同植被覆盖对土壤水稳性团聚体的分布和土壤结构稳定性有显著影响.竹林土壤>0.25 mm水稳性团聚体含量以及土壤结构的稳定性显著低于马尾松林和草地土壤.植被覆盖对养分在土壤水稳性团聚体中的分布模式没有显著影响,在>2mm水稳性团聚体和<0.053 mm粒级的粉砂与粘粒组分中,有机碳、全氮、全磷以及交换性K~+、Na~+、Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)的浓度最高;地表植被覆盖的变化对有机碳、全氮、全磷和交换性盐基离子在各粒级水稳性团聚体中的含量产生显著影响,草地和竹林土壤有机碳和全氮显著高于马尾松林土壤,主要表现在0.25-0.053 mm粒级水稳性团聚体中有机碳和全氮含量,草地和竹林土壤显著高于马尾松林土壤;而草地土壤>2 mm水稳性团聚体和<0.053 mm粒级的粉砂与粘粒组分中的磷显著高于马尾松林和草地土壤.不同植被覆盖下土壤水稳性团聚体中交换性盐基离子均以Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)为主,占交换性盐基总量(Total exchangeable bases TEB)的91.8%～92.9%.草地土壤各个粒级的TEB都要大于其他两种植被覆盖下的土壤.     

三峡库区2种土地利用方式下土壤盐基离子及碳氮含量对氮添加的响应

为探究三峡库区2种土地利用方式下土壤交换性盐基离子及土壤碳氮含量对氮添加的响应,以湖北省秭归县的林地和果园土壤为研究对象,进行室内土柱淋溶模拟试验,研究4种不同氮添加量(0,50,120,200 kg/(hm²·a))下,土壤中交换性Ca²⁺、Mg²⁺、Na⁺、K⁺以及NO₃^--N、DOC的变化。结果表明：随着氮添加量的增加,林地土壤中的交换性盐基离子淋失量显著增加(p<0.05),而果园土壤中的交换性盐基离子淋失量无显著变化,且林地土壤中交换性盐基离子淋失总量与各盐基离子淋失量均高于果园土壤;经N1、N2、N3处理后,与对照组(N0)相比,林地土壤中的交换性盐基离子淋失总量分别增加1.78%,4.45%,8.49%,且NO₃^--N淋失量分别增加89.21%,77.73%,157.25%,说明氮添加通过加剧土壤中NO₃^--N的淋失带走土壤中交...     

Increases in pH and soluble salts influence the effect that additions of organic residues have on concentrations of exchangeable and soil solution aluminium

It has been suggested that additions of organic residues to acid soils can ameliorate Al toxicity. For this reason the effects of additions of four organic residues to an acid soil on pH and exchangeable and soil solution Al were investigated. The residues were grass, household compost, filter cake (a waste product from sugar mills) and poultry manure, and they were added at rates equivalent to 10 and 20 t ha^?1. Additions of residues increased soil pH measured in KCl (pH_(KCl)) and decreased exchangeable Al³⁺ in the order poultry manure > filter cake > household compost > grass. The mechanism responsible for the increase in pH differed for the different residues. Poultry manure treatment resulted in lower soil pH measured in water (pH_(water)) and larger concentrations of total (Al_T) and monomeric (Al_mono) Al in soil solution than did filter cake. This was attributed to a soluble salt effect, originating from the large cation content of poultry manure, displacing exchangeable Al³⁺ and H⁺ back into soil solution. The considerably larger concentrations of soluble C in soil solution originating from the poultry manure may also have maintained greater concentrations of Al in soluble complexed form. There was a significant negative correlation (r = ?0.94) between pH_(KCl) and exchangeable Al. Concentrations of Al_T and Al_mono in soil solution were not closely related with pH or exchangeable Al. The results suggest that although additions of organic residues can increase soil pH and decrease Al solubility, increases in soluble salt and soluble C concentrations in soil solution can substantially modify these effects.     

某极度酸化的酸性硫酸盐土壤中可溶性和交换性酸的特征

An extremely acidified acid sulfate soil(ASS) was investigated to characterise its soluble and exchangeable acidity,The results showed that soluble acidity of a sample dtermined by titration with a KOH soulution was much significantly greater than that indicated by pH measured using a pH meter,paricularly for the extremely acidic soil samples,This is because the total soluble acidity of the extremely acidic soil samples was mainly composed of various soluble Al and Fe species,possibly in forms of Al sulfate complexes(e.g.,AlSO4^ ) and feerous Fe(Fe^2 )_,It is therefore suggested not to use pH alone as an indicator of soluble acidity in ASS,particularly for extremely acidic ASS,It is also likely that AlSO4^ actively participated in cation exchange reactions.It appears that the possible involvement of this Al sulfate cation in the cation adsorption has significant effect on increasing the amount of acidity being adsorbed by the soils.     

Evaluation of Nutrient Release in Salt‐Saturated Soils

Abstract

The effects of irrigating with saline water on native soil fertility and nutrient relationships are not well understood. In a laboratory experiment, we determined the extent of indigenous nutrient [calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn)] release in salt-saturated soils. Soils were saturated with 0, 75, and 150 mmolc L^?1 sodium chloride (NaCl) solution and incubated for 1, 5, 10, and 15 days. The saturation extracts were analyzed for pH, ECe, and water‐soluble Ca, Mg, K, Mn, and Zn, and the remainder soil samples were analyzed for exchangeable forms of these elements. In a subexperiment, three soil types (masa, red‐yellow, and andosol) were saturated individually either with 100 mmolc L^?1 of NaCl, sodium nitrate (NaNO₃), or sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) salt. These salts were also compared for nutrient release. Soils treated with NaCl released higher amounts of water‐soluble than exchangeable nutrients. Except for Zn, the average concentrations of these nutrients in the soil solution increased significantly with time of incubation, but concentrations of the exchangeable forms varied inversely with time of incubation. The masa soil exhibited the highest concentrations of Ca and Mg, whereas K was highest in andosol. The extract from soils treated with NaCl contained greater amounts of soluble cations, whereas soils treated with Na₂SO₄ produced the lowest concentration of these elements irrespective of the type of soil used.     

Total soil heavy‐metal concentrations and mobile fractions after 10 years of biowaste‐compost fertilization

The accumulation of heavy metals (HMs) in soils is the most often cited potential risk of compost application. As the ecological effects of metals are related to mobile fractions rather than to total concentrations in the soil, we measured the total (aqua regia–extractable) HM concentrations, the readily available water‐soluble and the potentially bioavailable LiCl‐extractable fraction of soil HMs in a field experiment after 10 y with total applications of 95, 175, and 255 t ha^–1 biowaste compost (fresh matter). Total soil concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb in the compost treatments were not significantly higher than in the unfertilized control. Total Zn concentrations increased in the treatment with the highest application rate, as expected from the calculation of the Zn load in the composts. In the mobile fractions, as measured in soil saturation extract and LiCl extract, Cd and Pb were not detectable. Concentrations of Cr, Ni, and Zn were in the range published for unpolluted soils in other studies and did not show any differences according to treatment. Easily exchangeable Cu (in LiCl extract) was increased with compost fertilization, most probably due to complexation with low‐molecular organic complexants. Except for Cd and Zn, the results of the mobile HM fractions in the soil were in good agreement with plant HM concentrations. In conclusion, fertilization with high‐quality biowaste compost at such rates and after 10 y of application gives no cause for concern with regard to both total HM concentrations and available HM fractions.     

Degradation and remediation of soils polluted with oil-field wastewater

The changes in the properties of gray forest soils and leached chernozems under the impact of contamination with highly saline oil-field wastewater were studied in a model experiment. It was shown that the soil contamination results in the development of technogenic salinization and alkalization leading to worsening of the major soil properties. The salinization of the soils with oil-field wastewater transformed the soil exchange complex: the cation exchange capacity decreased, and the exchangeable sodium percentage increased to up to 25% of the CEC upon the wastewater infiltration and up to 60% of the CEC upon the continuous soil saturation with the wastewater independently of the soil type. The content of exchangeable magnesium also increased due to the phenomenon of super-equivalent exchange. Despite the saturation of the soil adsorption complex with sodium, no development of the soil alkalization took place in the presence of the high concentration of soluble salts. However, the soil alkalization was observed upon the soil washing from soluble salts. The gypsum application to the washed soils lowered the exchangeable sodium concentration to acceptable values and normalized the soil reaction. The gypsum application without the preliminary washing of the soils from soluble salts was of low efficiency; even after six months, the content of exchangeable sodium remained very high. The subsequent soil washing resulted in the removal of the soluble salts but did not affect the degree of the soil alkalization.