Effect of phosphorus competition on arsenic bioavailability in dry and flooded soils: comparative study using diffusive gradients in thin films and chemical extraction methods

Purpose

Phosphorus influence on arsenic bioavailability in soils and its toxicity to plants is widely recognized. This work compares competitive influence of P on As bioavailability in dry and flooded soils.

Materials and methods

Pot experiments were carried out in dry and flooded soils, respectively. Bioavailable As in soils was measured using diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT), soil solution concentration, and three single chemical extraction methods.

Results and discussion

P concentration at 50 mg/kg promoted wheat growth in dry soil. At concentrations above 50 mg/kg, P competition inhibited wheat growth and enhanced As toxicity. In flooded soil, the rice height and biomass decreased with the increase of P addition. P concentrations above 800 mg/kg were lethal to the rice. The content of As absorbed by wheat and rice roots as well as shoots increased with the increase of P concentration. The bioavailability of As in wheat- and rice-grown soils, determined by all methods, also increased with the increase of P concentration. The correlation analysis between the bioavailable As measured by the all three methods and the content of As in plants showed a significant positive correlation. The Pearson correlation coefficient for the DGT method was higher comparing to all other methods. DGT-induced fluxes in soils (DIFS) modeling further showed sharp decreases of T_c (the characteristic time to reach equilibrium between available solid As pool and soil solution As from DGT perturbation) and increases of desorption and adsorption rate constants (k₁ and k_?1) of As in P-amended soils, reflecting that the kinetic release of As from available solid As pools became much easy from P competition.

Conclusions

P competition in both dry and flooded soils could significantly increase bioavailability of As and further increase its toxicity. Competition effect was more pronounced in flooded soil. DGT is a more accurate method for As bioavailability evaluation in both dry and flooded soils.

     

利用薄膜扩散梯度技术研究不同土壤性质影响下镉对黑麦草的生物有效性

A generally accepted method for predicting the bioavailability and transfer of cadmium (Cd) from soil to plants has not yet been established. In this study, the diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) and conventional extraction methods for metal fractions were used to investigate how effective these methods were at predicting Cd bioavailability to ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and to assess whether these holistic variables were independent of the soil property variables. The influences of soil properties on the predictive capabilities of the different methods were evaluated using multivariate statistics. The Cd concentrations in the shoots and roots of ryegrass correlated more closely with the effective Cd concentration measured by DGT (C_E), compared with those with soil total Cd, pore water Cd, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (Na₂EDTA)- and acetic acid (HOAc)-extractable Cd. When soil properties were included in a stepwise multiple linear regression, Cd transfer to L. perenne was negatively influenced by pH and positively influenced by organic matter (OM). The multivariate statistics showed that the adjusted correlation coefficients for the plots involving soil total Cd, pore water Cd, and Na₂EDTA- and HOAc-extractable Cd had been significantly improved after considering the influences of soil properties, which suggested that these methods were pH and OM dependent. For C_E, the relationship was pH independent or only dependent in strongly acidic soils. These results suggested that the main soil factors affecting bioavailability had the lowest impact on the DGT technique. Therefore, the DGT technique provided significant advantages over conventional methods when assessing Cd bioavailability.     

Measuring bioavailable trace metals by diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT): soil moisture effects on its performance in soils

Conventional methods of measuring labile chemical species of trace metals in soil solutions, such as chemical competition following centrifuging, are inadequate if the speciation changes during sampling and extraction. A new technique, diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT), measures labile species of trace metals in natural waters and sediments in situ. A well-defined diffusive gel layer distinguishes it from other resin-based techniques. It perturbs the soil in a controlled way by introducing an in situ local sink for metal ions. Resulting fluxes to the device are quantitatively measured, allowing assessment of re-supply kinetics and in some cases measurement of in situ soil solution concentrations. We used DGT to measure fluxes of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in a sludge-treated soil at various moisture contents (27–106%). Replicate measurements showed that the precision of DGT-measured fluxes was within 10%. For moisture contents exceeding the field capacity (42%), the DGT response reflected soil water concentrations. At smaller moisture contents, changes related to tortuosity and dilution were reflected in the measurements. This technique has the potential for in situ measurements in the field where it should provide quantitative flux data on individual soils and provide a good surrogate for bioavailable metal.     

土壤-甘蔗作物系统中镉的生物有效性研究

采用田间调查及ICP-MS等技术手段结合,在广西采集田间甘蔗和甘蔗根际土,分别用乙酸（HAc）、乙二胺四乙酸二钠（EDTA-2Na）、氯化镁（MgCl2）3种化学提取方法和梯度扩散薄膜技术（DGT）提取甘蔗根际土中有效态镉（Cd）含量,研究其与甘蔗根、叶和茎中Cd含量之间的关系。简单相关分析表明,4种方法提取的有效态Cd含量都与甘蔗根和茎中Cd含量显著相关,但DGT的相关性优于化学提取方法。综合土壤pH、阳离子交换量（CEC）、有机质（OM%）和土壤颗粒组成等理化指标对土壤有效态Cd含量的影响,运用多元统计分析,确定两种主成分因子,建立了多元回归模型。结果表明,DGT技术模型融合了影响土壤Cd生物有效性的主要因子,预测结果几乎不受本研究所选取的土壤基本理化指标影响,因而是一种预测Cd生物有效性的较好方法。     

Determination of High Resolution Pore Water Profiles of Trace Metals in Sediments of the Rupel River (Belgium) using Det (Diffusive Equilibrium in Thin Films) and DGT (Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films) Techniques

The techniques of diffusional equilibrium in thin films (DET) and diffusional gradients in thin films (DGT) were used to obtain high resolution pore water profiles of total dissolved and labile trace (mobilizable) metals in the sediments of the Rupel River, Belgium. DGT measures labile metal species in situ by immobilizing them on a resin gel after diffusion through a diffusive gel whereas for DET an equilibrium is established between the DET gel and the pore water. Concentrations of Pb and Zn obtained by DGT were in good agreement with the results obtained by centrifugation, and thus were well buffered by rapid equilibrium with the solid phase, whereas Fe, Mn and Cd were very tightly bound to the sediment phase and large differences were observed between the labile and the total metal concentrations. Cu, Zn, Co and Ni show intermediated behavior. Good correlations were found between the profiles of As and Fe and Mn and Co for DET as well as DGT showing a close link between the geochemical behavior of these elements. Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd are also influenced by the reductive mobilization of Fe and Mn oxides but are also closely linked to the bacterial degradation of organic matter in the surface sediments as to the precipitation of metal sulfides in the deeper layers.     

Cadmium sorption by two acid soils as affected by clearing and cultivation

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of clearing and cultivation on the sorption of cadmium (Cd) by two acid soils from Zimbabwe with differing cultivation stories. In their original state, not cleared‐not cultivated (virgin soils), the two soils exhibited noticeable and similar capacities to sorb Cd. The Mazowe soil contains the highest level of organic matter (40 g kg^‐1) and a effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) of 144 mmol_c kg^‐1. Yet, Bulawayo soil (23.5 g kg^‐1 organic matter and ECEC of 146 mmol_c kg^‐1) has higher pH and Mn and Fe oxide content and these characteristics seemed to counteract the effect of lower organic matter. After 50 years of cultivation, The Mazowe soil has lost 60% of its organic matter and ECEC, and consequently the ability of its soil matrix to bind Cd has proportionally decreased. In Bulawayo (cleared in 1983 and first ploughed in 1984), on the contrary, the organic matter and ECEC of the cultivated soil remains over 95% of the values on its virgin counterpart. In this soil, the retaining ability for Cd has not still been affected. In the two soils Cd sorption was highly pH‐dependent. The extent of sorption was minimal under acidic conditions and increased sharply as the pH was raised. The immediate reversibility of the sorption process proved to be very low. When sorption and desorption data were compared it was clear that soil characteristics like high organic matter and oxide content which showed to enhanced Cd sorption, contributed at the same time to slow down the backward reaction.     

Effect of organic matter on the distribution, extractability and uptake of cadmium in soils

Distribution and plant uptake of soil Cd as influenced by organic matter and soil type were investigated in a greenhouse experiment. Three soils (a sand, sandy loam and clay loam) were used. The rates of organic matter in its moist state added were 0,20,40, 80, 160 and 320 g kg^-1 of the air-dried soil on mass basis. Ryegrass (Lolium multörum L.) was used as a test crop. Soil Cd was analysed by a sequential extraction technique and by extraction with 1 M NH₄NO₃ and 0.005 M DTPA. The exchangeable fraction of Cd as determined by 1 M MgCl₂ in the sequential extraction procedure increased, whereas the Fe-Mn oxidebound fraction decreased, with increasing levels of organic matter addition in all three soils. The dry matter yields of ryegrass were not affected by the addition of organic matter, but the Cd concentrations in both cuts of ryegrass decreased with increasing amounts of organic matter added. The plant Cd was highly but negatively correlated to soil CEC. At any level of organic matter addition, the decrease in Cd concentration of ryegrass was in the order: sand > sandy loam > clay loam.     

Organic matter effects on phosphorus sorption in sandy soils

Phosphorus (P) sorption processes in soils contribute to important problems in agriculture: a deficiency of this plant nutrient and eutrophication in aquatic systems. Soil organic matter (SOM) plays a major role in sorption processes, but its influence on P sorption remains unclear and needs to be elucidated to improve the ability to effectively manage soil P. The aim of this research was to investigate the influence of SOM on P sorption. The study was conducted in sandy soil profiles and in topsoils before and after removal of SOM with H₂O₂. The results were interpreted with the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Our results indicated that SOM affected P sorption in sandy soils, but that P sorption also depended on specific soil properties (e.g. values of the degree of P saturation (DPS), P sorption capacity (PSC) and pH) often related to land use. Removal of SOM decreased PSC in most of the topsoils tested; other soil properties became important in controlling P sorption. An increase in P desorption observed after SOM removal indicated that SOM was potentially that soil constituent which increased P binding and limited P leaching from these sandy soils.     

Organic matter stabilization in two Andisols of contrasting age under temperate rain forest

Recent studies with Andisols show that the carbon (C) stabilization capacity evolves with soil age relative to the evolution of the mineral phase. However, it is not clear how soil mineralogical changes during pedogenesis are related to the composition of soil organic matter (SOM) and ¹⁴C activity as an indicator for the mean residence time of soil organic matter (SOM). In the present study, we analyzed the contribution of allophane and metal–SOM complexes to soil C stabilization. Soil organic matter was analyzed with solid-state ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Additionally, the soil was extracted with Na-pyrophosphate (Al_p, Fe_p) and oxalate (Al_o, Si_o, and Fe_o). Results supported the hypothesis that allophane plays a key role for SOM stabilization in deep and oldest soil, while SOM stabilization by metal (Al and Fe) complexation is more important in the surface horizons and in younger soils. The metal/C_p ratio (C_p extracted in Na-pyrophosphate), soil pH, and radiocarbon age seemed to be important indicators for formation of SOM–metal complexes or allophane in top- and subsoils of Andisols. Changes in main mineral stabilization agents with soil age do not influence SOM composition. We suggest that the combination of several chemical parameters (Al_p, Fe_p and C_p, metal/C_p ratio, and pH) which change through soil age controls SOM stabilization.     

Evaluation of Different Extraction Methods for the Assessment of Heavy Metal Bioavailability in Various Soils

The main objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of different methods (heavy metals in pore water (PW), diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT), diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) extraction, and total heavy metals (THM) in soil) for the assessment of heavy metal bioavailability from soils having various properties and heavy metal contents. The effect of soil heavy metal pollution on shoot yield and sulfatase enzyme activity was also studied. Wheat (Triticum aestivum) was grown in different soils from Spain (n?=?10) and New Zealand (n?=?20) in a constant environment room for 25 days. The bioavailabilities of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were assessed by comparing the metal contents extracted by the different methods with those found in the roots. The most widely applicable method was DGT, as satisfactory Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn root concentrations were obtained, and it was able to distinguish between low and high Cr values. The analysis of the metal concentrations in PW was effective for the determination of Cr, Ni, and Zn content in root. Copper and Pb root concentrations were satisfactorily assessed by DTPA extraction, but the method was less successful with determining the Ni and Cr contents and suitable just to distinguish between high and low concentrations of Zn. The THM in soil method satisfactorily predicted Cu and Pb root concentrations but could only be used to distinguish between low and high Cr and Zn values. The Cd root concentration was not successfully predicted for any of the used methods. Neither shoot yield nor sulfatase enzyme activity was affected by the metal concentrations.     

Amount and composition of clay-associated soil organic matter in a range of kaolinitic and smectitic soils

In the global carbon cycle, soil organic matter (SOM) is a major source/sink of atmospheric carbon. Clay minerals stabilize part of the SOM through mineral–organic matter binding. Stabilization of organic matter is essential for tropical soils. Since the climatic conditions of the tropics favor decomposition of organic matter, tropical soils would be very poor in organic matter without this stabilization process. This research aims at determining the effect of clay mineralogy on the amount and composition of organic matter that is bound to the mineral surface. We focused on organic matter that is associated with kaolinite and smectite. We characterized kaolinite- and smectite-associated SOM in soils from seven countries, employing ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and Py-GC/MS. The content of carbon in the total clay-size fraction showed no significant difference between kaolinitic and smectitic soils. This suggests that the total amount of organic carbon in the clay-size fraction is independent of the clay mineralogy. We first extracted the clay fraction with NaOH and thereafter with Na₄P₂O₇. About half of the kaolinite-associated SOM was extractable by NaOH. In the smectitic soils, pyrophosphate extracted more organic carbon than did NaOH. The Py-GC/MS and NMR results indicate that kaolinite-associated SOM is enriched in polysaccharide products, while smectite-associated organic matter contains many aromatic compounds. We suggest that different clay minerals use different binding mechanisms to complex SOM. As a result, the composition of clay-associated organic matter would be influenced by the type of clay that is dominantly present in the soil.     

Short-term impact of spent coffee grounds over soil organic matter composition and stability in two contrasted Mediterranean agricultural soils

Purpose

Spent coffee grounds (SCG) is a biowaste which arouse great interest as soil organic amendment due to the huge amount produced around the world. However, the impact of this residue on soil organic matter (SOM) functionality and stability has been barely studied. Thus, the aim of this work is to study the short-term effects of SCG on the quantity and quality of SOM in two Mediterranean agricultural soils (Vega soil, SV and Red soil, SR) in microcosm conditions.

Materials and methods

The in vitro assay was performed with two fresh SCG doses (2.5 and 10% w/w), two incubation times (30 and 60 days) and two agricultural soils (SV and SR). SOM fractionation to obtain total extractable carbon, humic acids, fulvic acids, humins and hot water soluble carbon (HWSC) was determined. Spectroscopic UV-Vis and Mid-IR, thermogravimetric and simultaneous differential thermal analysis, as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), were also applied in this study.

Results and discussion

SCG increased all SOM fractions, especially the levels of more labile SOM (HWSC, increased 600–700%) and total extractable carbon (increased to around 200%). SCG also increased humic acids and fulvic acids around 200%, but the functionality of humic acids was affected by a reduction of the functional groups with more recalcitrant and stable character. The tested soils are different from each other (the SV has a more clayish texture and a higher smectite clay content than the SR) which made the behaviour of these soils different. The degree of incorporation of SCG into the soils structure and the interaction between soil and SCG particles (observed by SEM) affected carbon retention under stable forms, increasing carbon stabilization in SV with respect to SR.

Conclusions

The short-term effect of SCG on SOM composition and functionality demonstrate that this bioresidue could be used as soil organic amendment, being a valuable alternative use of a polluting waste. Soil type is a key factor since it influences the soil-SCG interaction and consequently SOM stability. To deepen the study of those effects, it would be necessary to analyze the long-term effects, field studies and to test in a greater number of soil types.

     

The influence of soil processes on carbon isotope distribution and turnover in the British uplands

Understanding the natural variation of carbon within the soil, and between soil types, is crucial to improve predictive models of carbon cycling in high and mid-latitude ecosystems in response to global warming. We measured the carbon isotope distributions (¹²C, ¹³C and ¹⁴C) in soil organic matter (SOM) from Podzols, Brown Podzolic soils and Stagnohumic Gleysols from the British uplands, which were then compared with the total amounts and turnover of carbon in these soils. We did so by sampling at 2-cm intervals down six profiles of each soil type. The average amount of carbon stored in the top 28 cm of the Stagnohumic Gleysols is twice that of the other two soils. The ¹³C content and ¹⁴C age show a general increase with depth in all soils, and there is also a significant correlation between isotopic variation and the main pedogenic features. The latter suggests that soil-forming processes are significant in determining the carbon isotope signatures retained in SOM. Organic matter formed since 1960 is not found below 5 cm in any of the soils. Evidently organic detritus in the surface layers (LF and Oh) is rapidly mineralized. This accords with our modelled net annual C fluxes which show that more than 80% of the CO₂ emanating from these soils is derived from the top 5 cm of each profile. Although these soils contain much carbon, they do not appear to assimilate and retain SOM rapidly. The mean residence time of most of their carbon is in the 2–50 years range, so the soils are fairly ineffective sinks for excess CO₂ in the atmosphere. Under the predicted future ‘greenhouse’ climate, likely to favour more rapid microbial decomposition of organic materials, these soils are a potential source of CO₂ and are therefore likely to accelerate global warming.     

Differential response of mineral-associated organic matter in tropical soils formed in volcanic ashes and marine Tertiary sediment to treatment with HCl,NaOCl, and Na4P2O7

Quantitative knowledge of the amount and stability of soil organic matter (SOM) is necessary to understand and predict the role of soils in the global carbon cycle. At present little is known about the influence of soil type on the storage and stability of SOM, especially in the tropics. We compared the amount of mineral-associated SOM resistant to different chemical treatments in soils of different parent material and mineralogical composition (volcanic ashes – dominated by short-range-order aluminosilicates and marine Tertiary sediments – dominated by smectite) in the humid tropics of Northwest Ecuador. Using ¹³C isotope analyses we traced the origin of soil organic carbon (SOC) in mineral-associated soil fractions resistant to treatment with HCl, NaOCl, and Na₄P₂O₇ under pasture (C₄) and secondary forest (C₃). Prior to chemical treatments, particulate organic matter was removed by density fractionation (cut-off: 1.6 g cm^?3). Our results show that: (1) independent of soil mineralogical composition, about 45% of mineral-associated SOC was resistant to acid hydrolysis, suggesting a comparable SOM composition for the investigated soils; (2) oxidation by NaOCl isolated a SOM fraction with enhanced stability of mineral-bound SOM in soils developed from volcanic ashes; while Na₄P₂O₇ extracted more SOC, indicating the importance of Al-humus complexes in these soils; and (3) recently incorporated SOM was not stabilized after land use change in soils developed from volcanic ashes but was partly stabilized in soils rich in smectites. Together these results show that the employed methods were not able to isolate a SOM fraction which is protected against microbial decay under field conditions and that the outcome of these methods is sensitive to soil type which makes interpretation challenging and generalisations to other soils types or climates impossible.     

In situ respiration determination as tool for classifying soils according to soil organic matter content

Abstract

Soil respiration is indicative of biological status of the soil and high respiration is correlated to high contents of available carbon (C) in soil and/or organic matter content. Because of soil respiration's relationship to soil organic matter status and content, soil respiration is considered one measurement that could aid in determining the quality of soil. In the global scale, the cycling of C in soil is important because the rise in CO₂ in the atmosphere is linked to global climate change. In situ measurement of CO₂ using instruments that are portable and perform analyses quickly are important to obtain sufficient number of measurements in the field to overcome spatial variability. Soil respiration tests were conducted in plots amended with fertilizer or organic amendments of agricultural or municipal residues since 1994. Besides CO₂, moisture and temperature were measured over a period where the moisture varied from near saturation to below wilting point. It was found that flux was curvilinearly related to moisture from 5 to 40% (v/v). Maximum flux occurred for all plots between 30 and 40% saturation. The ratio of flux normalized by temperature to the volumetric soil moisture divided soils into two categories, those with soil organic matter (SOM) content above or below 4.5%. The determinations of CO₂ flux, moisture and temperature uses equipment that is portable so that several sites in a field can be analyzed to reduce spatial variation. The only limitation is that the determinations must be performed on soils with less than 40% saturation or 25% moisture (v/v) because the normalized function is no longer linear above this moisture content. More than two SOM categories might be found if studies are expanded to soils with a wider range of SOM content.     

The dynamic changes of phosphorus availability in straw/biochar-amended soils during the rice growth revealed by a combination of chemical extraction and DGT technique

Purpose

This study compares the dynamic effects of straw and biochar on soil acidity and phosphorus (P) availability in the rice growth period to reveal how straw and biochar affect the availability of phosphorus in soil and utilization of P for rice crop.

Materials and methods

In the pot experiment, rice straw, canola stalk, and corresponding biochars were mixed uniformly with the Ultisol. Soil samples were collected at four stages of rice growth to analyze the dynamic changes of soil acidity and P availability. The availability of phosphate in straw/biochar-amended soils were evaluated using a combination of chemical extraction and diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) technique.

Results

Soil pH, KCl-P, Olsen-P, DGT-P, and Al-P deceased with the rice growth, while Fe-P increased. Biochar increased soil pH and P availability more than straw returning, especially in the mature stage, while the DGT-P only increased in the tillering stage. The DGT-induced fluxes in sediments (DIFS) model revealed that all treatments increased the capacity of soil solid phase supplementing P to pore water in the filling and mature stages. The content of total P in different rice tissues followed the order of grain?>?straw?>?root, and RB350 treatment had the highest P content in rice tissues. In the mature stage, soil pH had positive correlations with KCl-P and Olsen-P, and soil Fe-P had positive correlations with total P of root and straw.

Conclusions

Application of biochar made at 550 ℃ resulted in a larger increase in available P in soil, while biochar made at 350 ℃ had more effect on the chemical forms of P. The canola stalk biochar showed a larger influence on the P availability than rice straw biochar. Biochar treatments had a larger effect on inhibiting soil acidification and improving P availability than straw returning directly.

     

Decomposition and the contribution of glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) in heavy metal sequestration: Field experiment

Glomalin is a metal-sorbing glycoprotein excreted by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). One method of estimating glomalin in soils is as glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP). In this study the role of GRSP in sequestering Pb and Cd was investigated in an in situ field experiment. The effect of metal sequestration on the subsequent decomposition of GRSP was also investigated. GRSP was determined using the Bradford method as total glomalin-related soil protein (T-GRSP) and as easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein (EE-GRSP). After 140 days, GRSP bound Pb accounted for 0.21–1.78% of the total Pb, and GRSP bound Cd accounted for 0.38–0.98% of the total Cd content in the soil. However when compared on a soil organic matter (SOM) basis, only 4% of the Pb or Cd was bound to the GRSP fraction of the SOM compared with 40–54% of the Pb or Cd bound to the humin and fulvic acids in the SOM fraction. In soils contaminated with the highest levels of Pb and Cd, the T-GRSP (EE-GRSP) decomposition after 140 days was reduced by 8.0 (6.6)% and 7.0 (7.5)%, respectively, when compared with the controls. In the high Pb or Cd treatment groups we found that the fraction of metal bound to GRSP increased even though the total GRSP content declined over time. The mass ratio between Pb and GRSP-carbon changed from 2.3 to 271.4 mg (100 g)⁻¹ in all Pb levels soil, while with the high-Cd treatment group the mass ratio between Cd and GRSP-carbon (0.36 mg (100 g)⁻¹) was higher than the mass ratio seen with Cd-bound humic acid fractions. Our in situ field study shows that while GRSP does bind Pb and Cd, in the soils we investigated, the levels are insignificant compared to soil organic matter such as humic and fulvic acids.     

A field study on factors influencing Cd levels in soils and in grain of oats and winter wheat

The influence of selected factors on Cd levels in soils and in grain of oats and winter wheat was investigated. Soil and grain were sampled at sites randomly distributed over Sweden. Organic soils generally had higher Cd contents and lower pH levels than mineral soils, and plants growing in organic soils tended to have higher Cd contents than plants growing in mineral soils. In mineral soils the amount of soil Cd extractable in 2M HNO₃ was positively correlated with the pH and the contents of organic matter and clay. The studied variable best correlated with the Cd content of oat grain grown on mineral soils was the pH (negative correlation). Soil contents of organic matter, clay, HNO₃-extractable Cd and Zn were also found to be significantly related to the Cd content in a stepwise regression analysis. In winter wheat grain, Cd content was best correlated with the HNO₃-extractable Cd (positive correlation). Additional significant factors were pH, grain yield and contents of organic matter, clay and HNO₃-extractable Zn. In winter wheat the presence of Zn reduced Cd uptake, and vice versa; no such mutually antagonistic relationship was apparent in oats. In oats, but not in wheat, it was possible to predict most of the differences in grain Cd content, caused by the factors described above, based on the variation in CaCl₂-extractable soil Cd. Analysis of samples from field trials indicated that there were differences in Cd content between varieties of both crops. Variation in factors described generally explained most of the differences in soil- and grain Cd levels between regions.     

Organic matter in volcanic soils in Chile: Chemical and biochemical characterization

Abstract

Determinations were made of total soil organic matter (SOM), stable and labile organic fractions, biomass carbon (C), and chemical composition of several humus‐soil‐fractions in Chilean volcanic soils, Andosols and Ultisols. Their physico‐chemical properties and humification degree at different stages in edaphic evolution were also assessed. In addition, organic matter models were obtained by chemical and biological syntheses and the structures and properties of natural and synthetic humic materials were compared with SOM. Results indicate that Andosols have higher SOM levels than Ultisols, but the fraction distribution in the latter suggests a shift of the more stable fractions to the more labile ones. Moreover, contents of humines, and humic and fulvic acids suggest that Chilean volcanic soil SOM is highly humified. On the other hand, among the SOM labile fractions, carbohydrate and biomass are about 15% of the SOM which are one of the most important fractions in soil fertility.     

Decomposition of Organic Matter with Previous Cadmium Adsorption in Soils

Decomposition of organic matter with previous Cd adsorption (thereafter referred to as OMACd) in soils and in water was studied in order to clarify the mechanism of Cd-induced inhibition of organic matter decomposition in soil. Two types of organic materials (sludge, rice straw) with or without previous Cd adsorption were mixed with a Gley soil or a Light-colored Andosol in a proportion of 1%. In the soils amended with the Cd-free organic materials, a CdCl₂ solution was added to the soils. The decomposition of the organic matter was examined by measuring the CO₂ evolution for 4 weeks at 28°C. Although the same amount of Cd was added to the soils, the decomposition of OMACd was inhibited to a greater extent than that in the soils to which a CdCl₂ solution had been added.

Furthermore the decomposition of sludge with previous Cd adsorption (thereafter referred to as SACd) in water after inoculation of soil microorganisms was investigated. Although the control sludge without Cd was markedly decomposed at 30°C during 4 weeks, SACd was not appreciably decomposed. These results suggest that OMACd cannot be readily decomposed by microorganisms.