Effects of Long‐Term Irrigation using Industrial Wastewater on Soil Properties and Elemental Contents of Rice,Spinach, Clover,and Grass

Abstract

Application of industrial wastewater on agricultural lands increased the amounts of elements in soil and plants. To investigate the effects of wastewater on soil properties and element content in soil and plants, wastewaters of three industries (chrome chemical, wood and paper, and textiles) were examined in 2005. At harvest time, the soil samples were taken from depths of 0–15 and 15–30 cm, and the roots and shoots of rice, spinach, clover, and grass and grain of rice in an industrial wastewater–treated area and untreated area were sampled. Results indicated that the concentrations of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) increased in river water when wastewater was discharged into it. Use of the river water, influenced by industrial wastewater, for irrigation of rice and other plants increased the amounts of organic matter and available Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe in soil. Cation exchange capacity was correlated with available Cu and Fe in soil (+0.431** and +0.499**, respectively). Soil organic matter was correlated with available Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe in soil. However, the clay content in soil did not correlate with these elements. Meanwhile, in roots, shoots, and grains of rice and roots and shoots of spinach, clover, and grasses of agricultural land influenced by industrial wastewater, the amounts of Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe increased. Therefore, by increasing the amount of Mn in the soil, the concentration of Zn in rice grain decreased and the concentration of Cu and Mn increased. Transferred Zn concentrations to rice grain and shoots of spinach, clover, and grass were more than Cu and Mn and increased in rice grain.     

Short‐Term Effect of Lime,Phosphorus, and Iron Amendments on Water‐Extractable Lead and Arsenic in Orchard Soils

Abstract

Lead arsenate was extensively used to control insects in apple and plum orchards in the 1900s. Continuous use of lead arsenate resulted in elevated soil levels of lead (Pb) and arsenic (As). There are concerns that As and Pb will become solubilized upon a change in land use. In situ chemical stabilization practices, such as the use of phosphate‐phosphorus (P), have been investigated as a possible method for reducing the solubility, mobility, and potential toxicity of Pb and As in these soils. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of calcium carbonate (lime), P, and iron (Fe) amendments in reducing the solubility of As and Pb in lead‐arsenate‐treated soils over time. Under controlled conditions, two orchard soils, Thurmont loam (Hapludults) and Burch loam (Haploxerolls), were amended with reagent‐grade calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), iron hydroxide [Fe(OH)₃], and potassium phosphate (KH₂PO₄) and incubated for 16 weeks at 26°C. The experimental results suggested that the inorganic P increased competitive sorption between H₂PO₄ ^? and dihydrogen arsenate (H₂AsO₄ ^?), resulting in greater desorption of As in both Thurmont and Burch soils. Therefore, addition of lime, potassium phosphate, and Fe to lead‐arsenate‐contaminated soils could increase the risk of loss of soluble As and Pb from surface soil and potentially increase these metal species in runoff and movement to groundwater.     

Potassium,Calcium, and Magnesium Distribution in an Oxisol under Long‐Term Potassium‐Fertilized Apple Orchard

Abstract

Most Brazilian soils do not possess sufficient concentrations of available potassium (K) to produce maximum apple yield. Potassium distribution was evaluated with a depth profile of a Humic Xanthic Hapludox receiving K fertilization in an apple orchard, cv. Gala/MM106, at Vacaria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Treatments consisted of four rates of annual maintenance K fertilization. After 12 years of cultivation, soil was sampled in eight depth increments. Potassium, calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) contents were extracted by Mehlich I, ion‐exchange resin, and ammonium acetate pH 7.0. Long‐term application of K fertilizer resulted in K accumulation mainly in the 0‐ to 30‐cm surface layer, with low K mobilization to deeper layers. Increasing rates of K fertilizer did not affect soil Mg concentration but induced a lower Ca concentration extracted by Mehlich I, especially in the 0‐ to 20‐cm layer. The estimated K₂O rate for maximum apple yield was 86.5 kg/ha/year.     

Surface Liming and Zinc Availability in a Long‐Term Experiment under No‐Till System

No‐till (NT) system with crop rotation is one of the most effective strategies to improve agricultural sustainability in tropical and subtropical regions. To control soil acidity in NT, lime is broadcast on the surface without incorporation. The increase in soil pH due to surface liming may decrease zinc (Zn) availability and its uptake by crops. A field experiment was performed in Paraná State, Brazil, on a loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Hapludox to evaluate Zn bioavailability in a NT system after surface liming and re‐liming. Dolomitic lime was surface applied on the main plots in July 1993 at the rates of 0, 2, 4, and 6 Mg ha^?1. In June 2000, the main plots were divided in two subplots to study of the effect of surface re‐liming at the rates of 0 and 3 Mg ha^?1. The cropping sequence was soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] (2001–2 and 2002–3), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (2003), soybean (2003–4), corn (Zea mays L.) (2004–5), and soybean (2005–6). Soil samples were collected at the following depths: 0–0.05, 0.05–0.10, and 0.10–0.20 m, 10 years after surface liming and 3 years after surface re‐liming. Soil Zn levels were extracted by four extractants: (i) 0.005 mol L^?1 diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) + 0.1 mol L^?1 triethanolamine (TEA) + 0.01 mol L^?1 calcium chloride (CaCl₂) solution at pH 7.3 (DTPA–TEA), (ii) 0.1 mol L^?1 hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution, (iii) Mehlich 1 solution, and (iv) Mehlich 3 solution. Zinc concentrations in leaves and grains of soybean, wheat, and corn were also determined. Soil pH (0.01 mol L^?1 CaCl₂ suspension) varied from 4.4 to 6.1, at the 0‐ to 0.05‐m depth, from 4.2 to 5.3 at the 0.05‐ to 0.10‐m depth, and from 4.2 to 4.8 at the 0.10‐ to 0.20‐m depth, after liming and re‐liming. Zinc concentrations evaluated by DTPA–TEA, 0.1 mol L^?1 HCl, Mehlich 1, and Mehlich 3 solutions were not changed as a result of lime rate application. Re‐liming increased Zn concentrations extracted by 0.1 mol L^?1 HCl at 0–0.05 m deep and by DTPA–TEA at 0.05–0.10 m deep. Surface‐applied lime promoted a decrease in Zn concentrations of the crops, mainly in grains, because of increased soil pH at the surface layers. Regardless of the liming treatments, levels of Zn were sufficient to soybean, wheat, and corn nutrition under NT.     

Influence of Long‐Term Sodic‐Water Irrigation,Gypsum, and Organic Amendments on Soil Properties and Nitrogen Mineralization Kinetics under Rice–Wheat System

Abstract

Influence of long‐term sodic‐water (SW) irrigation with or without gypsum and organic amendments [green manure (GM), farmyard manure (FYM), and rice straw (RS)] on soil properties and nitrogen (N) mineralization kinetics was studied after 12 years of rice–wheat cropping in a sandy loam soil in northwest India. Long‐term SW irrigation increased soil pH, exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and decreased organic carbon (OC) and total N content. On the other hand, application of gypsum and organic amendments resulted in significant improvement in all these soil properties. Mineralization of soil N ranged from 54 to 111 mg N kg^?1 soil in different treatments. Irrigation with SW depressed N mineralization. In SW‐irrigated plots, two flushes of N mineralization were observed; the first during 0 to 7 d and the second after 28 d. Amending SW irrigated plots with GM and FYM enhanced mineralization of soil N. Gypsum application along with SW irrigation reduced cumulative N mineralization at 56 days in RS‐amended plots but increased it under GM‐treated, FYM‐treated, or unamended plots. Nitrogen mineralization potential (N_o) ranged from 62 to 543 mg N kg^?1 soil. In the first‐order zero‐order model (FOZO), the easily decomposable fraction ranged from 5.4 to 42 mg N kg^?1 soil. Compared to the first‐order single compartment model, the FOZO model could better explain the variations in N mineralization in different treatments. Variations in N_o were influenced more by changes in pH, SAR, and ESP induced by long‐term SW irrigations and amendments rather than by soil OC.     

Tillage Effects on Soil Quality Indicators and Nematode Abundance in Loessial Soil under Long‐Term No‐Till Production

Abstract: Soil quality indicators and nematode abundance were characterized in a loessial soil under long‐term conservation tillage to evaluate the effects of no‐till, double‐disk, chisel, and moldboard plow treatments. Indicators included soil electrical conductivity (EC), soil texture, soil organic matter (SOM), and total particulate organic matter (tPOM). Nematode abundance was positively correlated with EC, silt content, and total POM and negatively correlated with clay content. Clay content was the main source of variation among soil quality indicators and was negatively correlated with nematode abundance and most indicators. The gain in SOM in the no‐till system amounted to 10887 kg over the 24 years or 454 kg ha^?1 year^?1, about half of this difference (45%) resulting from soil erosion in plowed soils. The balance of gain in SOM with no till (249 kg ha^?1 year^?1) was due to SOM sequestration with no till. No‐till management reduced soil erosion, increased SOM, and enhanced soil physical characteristics.     

Productivity and Chemical Composition of Tomato and Cucumber Plants Growing in Nickel‐Polluted Soils Fertilized with Biona‐312

Abstract: The effect of ion‐exchange substrate Biona‐312 additions to nickel (Ni)–polluted soil on yield and mineral composition of cherry tomato and cucumber was evaluated. The plants were grown on the following media: untreated soil (the control series) and soil with added Ni (40 and 100 mg of Ni kg^?1, respectively) as well as Biona‐312 (2 and 5% mass additions, respectively). In the presence of 40 mg of Ni kg^?1 of soil, the plant yield did not change significantly, whereas in conditions of 100 of mg Ni kg^?1, it decreased significantly. Biona‐312 application on Ni‐polluted soil increased the productivity of both species. The content of macronutrients in the plant biomass varied depending on the growth stage, Ni level, and Biona‐312 dose. For both species, higher Ni content was observed in the aboveground organs than in roots, but tomato contained more Ni than cucumber. Biona application reduced the Ni content in plant biomass of both species after being introduced into soil with a higher Ni level.     

Comparative Phytoremediation of Chromium‐Contaminated Soils by Fenugreek,Spinach, and Raya

Abstract

A glasshouse investigation was undertaken to evaluate the natural potential of fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum L.), spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), and raya (Brassica campestris L.) for cleanup of chromium (Cr)–contaminated silty loam and sandy soils. Four kilograms of soil per treatment in earthen pots was treated with five levels of chromium [0, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg Cr kg^?1 soil through dipotassium chromate (K₂Cr₂O₇], equilibrated for 21 days at field-capacity moisture content, and then fenugreek, spinach, and raya were grown for 60 days after seeding. The concentration of diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)‐extractable Cr increased significantly with increasing rate of Cr application in both soils, but the increase was higher in sandy soil than in silty loam soil. The DTPA‐extractable Cr in both soils decreased after harvesting of crops compared to its concentration in soil before sowing of the crops. The decrease in DTPA‐extractable Cr concentration was highest in soil growing raya and least in the fenugreek‐growing soil. The percent reduction in dry‐matter yield (DMY) with increasing levels of added Cr in comparison to the zero‐Cr control was highest for fenugreek (49 and 52%) followed by spinach (36 and 42%) and lowest for raya (29 and 34%) in silty loam soil and sandy soil, respectively. Also, the percent reduction in mean shoot yield of all crops was higher in sandy soil (41%) compared to silty loam soil (36%), when the rate of applied Cr was increased from 0 to 10 mg Cr kg^?1 soil. The DMY of both shoot and root was highest for raya and lowest for fenugreek. The Cr concentration in fenugreek, spinach, and raya increased with increasing level of added Cr in both soils. The concentration of Cr in both shoot and root was highest in raya, followed by spinach and fenugreek. The overall mean uptake of Cr in shoot was almost four times and in root was about two times higher in raya compared to fenugreek. The findings indicated that family Cruciferae (raya) was most tolerant to Cr toxicity, followed by chenopodiacea (spinach) and Leguminosae (fenugreek). Because raya removed the highest amount of Cr from soil, it could be used for pytoremediation of mildly Cr‐contaminated soils.     

Heavy‐Metal Contamination of Soil and Vegetables in Wastewater‐Irrigated Agricultural Soil in a Suburban Area of Hanoi,Vietnam

The To Lich and Kim Nguu Rivers, laden with untreated waste from industrial sources, serve as sources of water for irrigating vegetable farms. The purposes of this study were to identify the impact of wastewater irrigation on the level of heavy metals in the soils and vegetables and to predict their potential mobility and bioavailability. Soil samples were collected from different distances from the canal. The average concentrations of the heavy metals in the soil were in the order zinc (Zn; 204 mg kg^?1) > copper (Cu; 196 mg kg^?1) > chromium (Cr; 175 mg kg^?1) > lead (Pb; 131 mg kg^?1) > nickel (Ni; 60 mg kg^?1) > cadmium (Cd; 4 mg kg^?1). The concentrations of all heavy metals in the study site were much greater than the background level in that area and exceeded the permissible levels of the Vietnamese standards for Cd, Cu, and Pb. The concentrations of Zn, Ni, and Pb in the surface soil decreased with distance from the canal. The results of selective sequential extraction indicated that dominant fractions were oxide, organic, and residual for Ni, Pb, and Zn; organic and oxide for Cr; oxide for Cd; and organic for Cu. Leaching tests for water and acid indicated that the ratio of leached metal concentration to total metal concentration in the soil decreased in the order of Cd > Ni > Cr > Pb > Cu > Zn and in the order of Cd > Ni > Cr > Zn > Cu > Pb for the ethylenediaminetetraaceitc acid (EDTA) treatment. The EDTA treatment gave greater leachability than other treatments for most metal types. By leaching with water and acid, all heavy metals were fully released from the exchangeable fraction, and some heavy metals were fully released from carbonate and oxide fractions. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the vegetables exceeded the Vietnamese standards. The transfer coefficients for the metals were in the order of Zn > Ni > Cu > Cd = Cr > Pb.     

Fraction Distributions of Lead,Cadmium, Copper,and Zinc in Metal‐Contaminated Soil before and after Extraction with Disodium Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid

Abstract: The fraction distributions of heavy metals have attracted more attention because of the relationship between the toxicity and their speciation. Heavy‐metal fraction distributions in soil contaminated with mine tailings (soil A) and in soil irrigated with mine wastewater (soil B), before and after treatment with disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), were analyzed with Tessier's sequential extraction procedures. The total contents of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) exceeded the maximum permissible levels by 5.1, 33.3, 3.1, and 8.0 times in soil A and by 2.6, 12.0, 0.2, and 1.9 times in soil B, respectively. The results showed that both soils had high levels of heavy‐metal pollution. Although the fractions were found in different distribution before extraction, the residual fraction was found to be the predominant fraction of the four heavy metals. There was a small amount of exchangeable fraction of heavy metals in both contaminated soils. Furthermore, in this study, the extraction efficiencies of Pb, Cd, and Cu were higher than those of Zn. After extraction, the concentrations of exchangeable Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn increased 84.7 mg·kg^?1, 0.3 mg·kg^?1, 4.1 mg·kg^?1, and 39.9 mg·kg^?1 in soil A and 48.7 mg·kg^?1, 0.6 mg·kg^?1, 2.7 mg·kg^?1, and 44.1 mg·kg^?1 in soil B, respectively. The concentrations of carbonate, iron and manganese oxides, organic matter, and residue of heavy metals decreased. This implies that EDTA increased metal mobility and bioavailability and may lead to groundwater contamination.     

Changes in Nitrogen,Phosphorus, and Potassium in a Long‐Term Continuous Maize–Wheat Cropping System in India

In a long‐term maize–wheat rotation at the Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India (subtropical climate), the effects of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) addition on soil fertility and forms of inorganic P and K in the plow layer of an alkaline sandy loam soil were measured after 11 and 22 years of cropping. The treatments comprised four rates of N (0, 60, 120, and 180 kg N ha^?1) as urea, three rates of P (0, 17.5, and 35 kg P ha^?1) as single superphosphate, and two rates of K (0 and 33 kg K ha^?1) as muriate of potash. The treatments selected for the present study were N₀P₀K₀, N₁₂₀P₀K₀, N₁₂₀P_17.5K₀, N₁₂₀P₃₅K₀, N₁₂₀P_17.5K₃₃, and N₁₂₀P₃₅K₃₃. A significant year × treatment interaction in decreasing available N [alkaline potassium permanganate (KMnO₄)–oxidizable N) status of soils was found in all the treatments. Available P (Olsen P) in the control plot decreased over time whereas in plots with added P, available P increased significantly after years 11 and 22, with the greatest increase in the N₁₂₀P_17.5K_o treatment. Compared to the initial values, continuous P fertilization resulted in greater total P and chloride P concentrations after 11 and 22 years. Although sodium hydroxide (NaOH) P and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) P increased in P‐treated plots from the start of the trial to year 11, they decreased from year 11 to year 22. Among these inorganic P forms, chloride P was significantly positively correlated with P uptake (r = 0.811*). When only N and P were applied, available K [ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc)–extractable K] significantly decreased over time. In plots without K addition, water‐soluble and exchangeable K decreased from their initial status. Compared to year 11, water‐soluble K increased, whereas exchangeable K decreased after year 22 in plots receiving no K fertilizer. Compared with NPK treatments, a significant decrease of total K in NP treatment plots suggests the release and uptake of nonexchangeable K. Water‐soluble K and exchangeable K were not correlated with K uptake. These results suggest that long‐term application of P fertilizers resulted in the accumulation of P in the soil, which could have resulted in saturation of P binding sites. Of the soil inorganic P fractions, only chloride P appears to be a good indicator of plant‐available P. The gradual loss in native soil K and release of nonexchangeable K indicates the need for adding K fertilizer to maintain soil fertility.     

Crop Response to Long‐Term Potassium Application as Affected by Potassium‐Supplying Power of the Selected Soils in Northern China

Potash resources in China are very scarce. It is especially important to correctly evaluate the potential potassium‐supplying power of soils in northern China in order to use soil potassium sufficiently and potash fertilizer properly. Regional differences in crop yield responses to long‐term potassium application in northern China were determined in this study. Twenty‐five representative soil samples from 13 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions of major agricultural regions in northern China were collected from the surface layer (0–20 cm) before crop seeding in 1993. A soil potassium‐depletion study was carried out in a pot experiment with successive planting of corn seedlings for 10 harvests in the 25 soils. Since 1993, field trials on wheat and corn response to long‐term potassium application were conducted at the fixed sites of HLJ‐SC (Shuangcheng of Heilongjiang), JL‐LFZ (Liufangzi of Jilin), HB‐XJ (Xinji of Hebei), SX‐LF (Linfen of Shanxi), QH‐NKY (Nongkeyuan of Qinghai), and XJ‐CJ (Changji of Xinjiang). Soil‐available potassium, slowly available potassium, total potassium, main clay minerals, cation exchange capacity, particle size, other available nutrients, and potassium concentration in plants were measured. The results showed that potential potassium‐supplying powers of the 25 tested soils, which were respectively evaluated by the contents of slowly available potassium in soils and the amount of total net potassium uptake in the pot experiment, generally tended to increase from eastern to western regions in northern China. Significant wheat yield responses to long‐term potassium application in the field trials were found since 2000 in the north‐central region but not observed until 2004 in the northwestern region. Significant corn yield responses to long‐term potassium application in the field trials were found starting in soils of the northeastern region, following in soils of the north‐central region, and then in soils of the northwestern region. These were consistent with potential potassium‐supplying power of the soils, which tended to increase from east to west regions.     

Change of Organic Carbon Content and Its Fractions in Black Soil under Long‐Term Application of Chemical Fertilizers and Recycled Organic Manure

Abstract

Soil organic matter (SOM) is an important indicator for soil quality and sustainable agriculture, and agricultural practices may strongly affect SOM content and chemistry. Thus, a long‐term experiment was conducted in northeast China to study the effect of chemical fertilizers and recycled organic manure on the contents of SOM along its fractions of black soil (0–20‐cm depth). Eight treatments were used: 1) control, 2) recycled organic manure (ROM), 3) nitrogen (N) alone, 4) N+ROM, 5) N+phosphorous (P), 6) N+P+ROM, 7) N+P+potassium (K), and 8) N+P+K+ROM. The results showed that from 1985 to 2002; soil total organic carbon (TOC) decreased by 6.5% over the 18 years in control (33.25 g/kg in 1985), 5.6% in ROM treatment, and 5.1% in N‐alone treatment, and 1.5% in the N+P treatment but increased by 0.3% in the N+P+K treatment. In the three treatments of chemical fertilizers together with ROM (i.e., N+ROM, N+P+ROM, and N+P+K+ROM), soil TOC content in 2002 increased by 0.3%, 1.3%, and 2.8%, respectively, when compared with control in 1985. Compared with control in 2002, light fraction organic carbon (LFOC) content increased by 23% in N+ROM treatment, 24% in N+P+ROM, and 28% in N+P+K+ROM, and readily oxidized carbon (ROC) content increased by 24% 31%, and 39%, respectively, in these three treatments. The ROC was well correlated with soil TOC. Compared with the data from 18 years ago, in all eight treatments organic carbon of soil in the humic acid fraction decreased by 5.0–13% and in fulvic acid decreased by 1.4–14%; however, with chemical fertilizers and ROM applied together, the rate of decrease was reduced. Overall, ROM is effective for increasing the content of soil TOC and thus, its different active carbon fractions in black soil would help to maintain or increase soil productivity.     

Availability of Lead and Cadmium in Farmland Soil and Its Distribution in Individual Plants of Dry‐Seeded Rice

Abstract

Availability of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in farmland soils and its distribution in individual plants of dry‐seeded rice were investigated utilizing graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) with a matrix modification technique. Five extractants were compared, and the operating conditions for GFAAS were optimized. The detection limits were 4.2 ng for Pb with the precision of 1.54% and 0.1 ng for Cd with the precision of 2.38%. The contents of the extractable Pb and Cd in soils were determined with the five extractants, and availability of Pb and Cd in farmland soil was discussed. The contents of Pb and Cd in different parts of dry‐seeded rice were lower than those in dry‐seeded rice soil. The contents of Pb and Cd in rice were lower than in other parts. The end top leaves accumulated the highest amounts of Pb and Cd.     

Effect of Organic Matter and Salinity on Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid–Extractable and Solution Species of Cadmium and Lead in Three Agricultural Soils

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the chemical speciation of added cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) and their availability as influenced by fresh organic matter (OM) and sodium chloride (NaCl) in three agricultural soils. The soils were treated with 20 mg Cd/kg as cadmium nitrate [Cd(NO₃)₂ · 4H₂O], 150 mg Pb/kg as lead nitrate [Pb(NO₃)₂], 20 g/kg alfalfa powder, and 50 mmol/kg of NaCl and then incubated for 3 months at 60% water‐holding capacity (WHC) and constant temperature (25 °C). Subsamples were taken after 1, 3, 6, and 12 weeks of incubation, and electrical conductivity (EC), pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and concentrations of cations and anions were determined in the 1:2.5 soil/water extract. Available Cd and Pb were determined in 0.05 M ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) extract. Concentrations of organic and inorganic species of Cd and Pb in soil solution were also predicted using Visual Minteq speciation program. The most prevalent species of dissolved Pb and Cd in the soils were Pb‐DOC and Cd²⁺ species, respectively. Salinity application increased the available and soluble Cd significantly in the acid and calcareous soils. It, however, had little effect on soluble Pb and no effect on available Pb. Organic‐matter application decreased availability of added Pb significantly in all soils. In contrast, it raised soluble Pb in all soils except for the acid one and approximated gradually to the added Pb with time. Impact of OM on available Cd was somewhat similar to that of Pb. Soluble Cd increased by OM application in the calcareous soil, whereas it decreased initially and then increased with time in the other soils.     

Phosphorus Fractionation in Soils and Wastewater Sorbent Materials as an Indicator of Material Specific and Storage‐Dependant Availability

Abstract

Wastewater treatment with reactive filters and recycling the phosphorus (P)‐saturated materials as fertilizers in plant production is a suitable concept for a sustainable society. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the ability of the Hedley P fractionation scheme to separate different P fractions, including inorganic and organic P, in soils and sorbent materials used to reduce the P content of waste water. An additional aim was to determine changes in P fractions after storage for 8 months under different humidity regimes. This was to evaluate whether extractability of P is dependent on storage conditions between sorption of P and the subsequent use of the sorbent materials as P fertilizers. This study is the first one showing that in sorbent materials used for treatment of wastewater, the Hedley fractionation scheme separated Ca phosphates in the HC1 extract from Al and Fe phosphates in the NaOH extract. The different fractions could also be used to characterize soils of different origins, to separate liming treatments, and to approximately document soil P fertility, but could not assess differences in soil P status caused by different P fertilization in a single year. No significant influence of moisture regimes during storage on resin‐exchangeable P was detected. This increases the suitability of the studied sorbent materials for recycling P from wastewater to agricultural crops, because it indicates that plant availability of sorbed P does not change drasticaIly during the studied storage conditions.     

Long‐term transformations of cadmium,cobalt, copper,nickel, zinc,vanadium, manganese,and iron in arid‐zone soils under saturated condition

Abstract

The bioavailability and toxicity of metals in soils to plants, hence to animals and human beings through the food chain, and their mobility in the ecosystems highly depends upon their forms, pathways and kinetic rates of transformation in soil. Long‐term transformation pathways, kinetics and lability of cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) in two arid‐zone soils were studied under saturated water regime (simulating the moisture regime in the soil during the raining season and shortly after irrigation) by using operationally selective sequential dissolution techniques. Iron, Mn, Co, vanadium (V), Ni, Zn, and Cu were transformed from the non‐available form (reducible oxide fraction) and potential available form (easily reducible oxide fraction) into the available and readily available form (exchangeable and carbonate fractions), thereby increasing their mobility, availability or toxicity. However, Cd was transformed from the readily available form into the potentially available form, thus decreasing its lability. The fast transformations of all metals occurred in the first month, followed by a much slower process.     

Long‐term phosphorus solubility in soils receiving poultry litter treated with aluminum,calcium, and iron amendments

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) runoff from poultry litter applied to fields can adversely impact water quality. The majority of P in runoff from poultry litter is soluble, so decreasing the solubility of P could lessen the impact of poultry litter on water quality. The objective of this study was to determine long‐term P solubility in soils receiving poultry litter treated with aluminum (Al), calcium (Ca), and iron (Fe) amendments at various soil pHs. Soil pH was adjusted to 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, and 8.0 using elemental sulfur (S) or CaCO₃ with some soil left at its native pH. The pH‐adjusted soil was then incubated with either no litter (control), litter alone (litter control), or litter amended with alum, A1₂(SO₄)₃.16H₂O, (100 or 200 g/kg), Ca(OH)₂ (25 or 50 g/kg), or FeSO₄ .7H₂O (100 or 200 g/kg). The soil was then allowed to equilibrate in the dark at room temperature for 0, 7, 49, 98, and 294 days. After equilibration, soils were extracted with deionized water and soluble reactive P levels were determined. Water‐soluble P levels decreased with time in all treatments, including the control and litter control treatments. Soil pH also affected soluble reactive P levels, with the lowest levels generally observed at pH 8.0. Addition of both unamended and chemically‐amended litter to soil significantly increased P concentrations at all combinations of pH and sampling time. Addition of chemically‐amended litter to soil significantly reduced soluble reactive P compared to unamended litter. With all treatments, an apparent equilibrium was reached at 98 d after treatment. Amendment of litter with either FeSO₄ .7H₂O or alum resulted in the lowest soluble reactive P levels after 294 days. Use of chemical amendments to limit P solubility has potential and should be pursued as a means of reducing eutrophication of sensitive surface waters where poultry litter is applied as a fertilizer.     

Evaluation of Agronomic and Environmental Soil P Test Methods in a Network of Hungarian Long‐Term Field Trials

Abstract

Winter wheat shoot weight and phosphorus (P) concentrations, corn leaf weight and P concentrations, and soil AL, Olsen, H₂O, Bray 1, Pi (Fe-oxide impregnated paper strip) and AERM (anion exchange resin membrane) contents were determined in a network of uniform Hungarian national long‐term field trials. P application had a significant effect on soil P test values at different P levels and sites. The relationship between the different soil P test methods was studied separately for different soil groups (all, acid, and calcareous soils). Corn leaf weight was influenced by the sites much more than by soil P supply level, whereas corn leaf P percentage was influenced by both sites and P levels. For winter wheat, both sites and soil P levels had a positive effect on wheat shoot weight. Wheat shoot P percentage was influenced by the soil P supply much more than by the sites. Correlation between corn leaf P percentage and the Pi or AERM extractable P and between wheat shoot P percentage and the Pi and AERM P values was logarithmic.     

Selective Dissolution Analysis of Major and Trace Elements in an Allophanic Andisol Acidified by Long‐Term Fertilizer Application

A long‐term (61 years) experimental field was used to examine the effect of acidification on the chemical composition of an allophanic Andisol in northeastern Japan. The pH values of the 1:10 water extract of the plow layer soils were 4.1, 4.7, and 6.2 for three fertilizer application treatments: chemical fertilizers only (CF), CF and compost (CFC), and CFC with liming, respectively. Three batch dissolution analyses were conducted to determine water‐soluble and exchangeable (D1), D1 plus, inorganically bound elements to noncrystalline clays and organically bound elements (D2), and total concentration of elements (TCE, 45 elements). The D1 fraction of 20 elements increased, and that of eight decreased with acidification. The D2 fraction of lithium increased, and that of eight elements decreased with acidification. Because the D2 fraction of many other elements and TCE were not strongly altered, present acidification of this soil can be restored with liming and other necessary amendments.