Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in particle‐size separates and density fractions of typical agricultural soils in the Yangtze River Delta,east China

Soil organic matter can be divided into different organic carbon (C) pools with different turnover rates. The organic pollutants in soils associated with these organic C pools may have different bioavailability and environmental risks during the decomposition of soil organic matter. We studied the distribution patterns of 15 USEPA priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in different particle‐size separates (clay, fine silt, coarse silt, fine sand and coarse sand) and density fractions (light and heavy fractions) of nine agricultural topsoils (0–20 cm depth) from a contaminated area in the Yangtze River Delta region of east China. There was a decreasing trend in PAH concentration in particle‐size separates with decreasing particle size. However, the different particle‐size separates had similar PAH composition. The concentration of PAHs in the light fraction ranged from 13 037 to 107 299 μg kg^?1, far higher than in the heavy fraction, which ranged from 222 to 298 μg kg^?1. Although the light fraction accounted for only 0.4–2.3% of the soils, it was associated with 31.5–69.5% of soil PAHs. The organic matter in coarse silt had the strongest capacity for enrichment with PAHs. Combining the distributions of PAHs and the turnover rates of organic matter in different soil fractions, the environmental risks of PAH‐polluted soils may be due mainly to the PAHs associated with sand and the light fraction.     

Contamination of highly weathered urban soils in Uberlândia,Brazil

We determined heavy metal, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations in 18 topsoils of Uberlândia (420,000 inhabitants, Brazil) and in 3 rural topsoils. Concentrations of Al (11—124 g kg^—1) and Fe (13—109 g kg^—1) are large because of desilification. Concentrations of Cd (0.1—0.5 mg kg^—1), Cr (13—72), Cu (6—154), Mn (28—974), Ni (4—29), Pb (3—26), Zn (4—107), the sum of 20 PAHs (=Σ20PAHs:7—390 μg kg^—1), and the sum of 14 PCBs (=Σ14PCBs:0.05—1.25) are comparable to or below background concentrations in temperate soils except for Cu at two sites. More than 67% of the metals are strongly bound in Fe oxides and silicates; metals are more bioavailable in the urban than in the rural soils. The most abundant PAHs in the urban soils, on average, are naphthalene (19.0 ± 13.4% of Σ20PAHs) and the benzo(b+j+k)fluoranthenes (11.4 ± 6.7%); the most abundant PCBs are nos. 138 (23.3 ± 11.0% of Σ14PCBs) and 153 (14.3 ± 6.4%). The rural soils contain larger percentages of low molecular PAHs and up to tetra‒chlorinated PCBs than the urban soils. The different pollutant concentrations and patterns in the studied tropical compared with many temperate soils indicate different sources and fate.     

Distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Soils of an Arid Urban Ecosystem

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread environmental pollutants produced by incomplete combustion sources such as home heating, biomass burning, and vehicle emissions. PAH concentrations in soils are influenced by source inputs and environmental factors that control loss processes and soil retention. Many studies have found higher concentrations of these pollutants in soils within cities of temperate climates that have a centralized urban core. Less is known about the factors regulating PAH abundance in warm, arid urban ecosystems with low population densities but high traffic volumes. The relative importance of sources such as motor vehicle traffic load and aridland ecosystem characteristics, including temperature, silt, and soil organic matter (SOM) were explored as factors regulating PAH concentrations in soils near highways across the metropolitan area of Phoenix, AZ (USA). Highway traffic is high compared with other cities, with an average of 155,000 vehicles/day. Soils contained low but variable amounts of SOM (median 2.8?±?1.8% standard deviation). Across the city, median PAH concentrations in soil were low relative to other cities, 523?±?1,886 ??g/kg, ranging from 67 to 10,117 ??g/kg. Diagnostic ratio analyses confirmed that the source of PAHs is predominantly fuel combustion (i.e., vehicle emissions) rather than petrogenic, biogenic, or other combustion sources (coal, wood burning). However, in a multiple regression analysis including traffic characteristics and soil properties, SOM content was the variable most strongly related to PAH concentrations. Our research suggests that dryland soil characteristics play an important role in the retention of PAH compounds in soils of arid cities.     

Persistent organic pollutant concentrations in air‐ and freeze‐dried compared to field‐fresh extracted soil samples of an eastern Slovak deposition gradient

Sample preparation affects the results of the determination of persistent organic pollutant (POP) concentrations in soils. We compared the extraction results of POPs from air‐ and freeze‐dried with field‐fresh samples. We determined the concentrations of 21 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 14 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in 35 horizons of forest soils (Lithosols and Cambisols) along a deposition gradient caused by a chemical factory in Strá?ske (eastern Slovakia). The organic C (C_org) concentrations of the studied samples ranged 14‐477 g kg^‐1, the sum of 21 PAH (Σ 21PAHs) concentrations 53‐6870 μg kg^‐1, and that of 14 PCBs (Σ 14PCBs) 0.12 96 μg kg^‐1. The benzofluoranthenes were the most abundant PAHs, and the hexa‐chlorinated PCBs 138 and 153 were the most abundant PCBs. The deposition gradient was reflected by decreasing PAH and PCB storages in the organic layer with increasing distance from the chemical factory (Σ 21PAHs: 82‐238, Σ 14PCBs: 0.34‐2.3 g ha^‐1). The PAH concentrations in air‐ and freeze‐dried samples were consistently lower than those in field‐fresh extracted samples. For naphthalene, this was mainly attributable to volatilization losses during drying. Naphthalene losses decreased with increasing C_org concentrations. For all other PAHs, drying reduced the extractability; the latter was correlated with the water content of the samples. The differences in most PCB concentrations among the sample preparation methods were small (within the determination error of ±15 %) and inconsistent. However, PCBs 8, 28, 52, and 209 had markedly higher concentrations in dried than in fieldfresh extracted samples. The increased recovery of low‐chlorinated PCBs in dried samples may be explained by redistribution of PCBs from higher to lower contaminated samples via the drying room atmosphere because there were no PCBs in analytical blanks. This assumption is supported by a close correlation between the octanol‐air distribution coefficient and the up to hexa‐chlorinated PCB concentrations (normalized to those in field‐fresh extracted samples) in air‐ (r = ‐0.90) and freeze‐dried (r = ‐0.86) samples. Our study shows that each sample preparation method has its specific advantages and disadvantages. Sample drying results in a standardization to a well‐defined water content and facilitates homogenization; therefore it increases the reproducibility of POP determinations. Extraction of field‐fresh samples reduces volatilization losses and contamination risks.     

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Content in Shoots and Leaves of Willow (Salix viminalis) Cultivated on the Sewage Sludge-Amended Soil

The aim of the present study was to investigate the uptake of 16 PAHs by willow (Salix viminalis) from soil amended with contaminated sewage sludge. Uptake experiments were conducted on field plots using sludge applications of 0, 30, 75, 150, 300, and 600 Mg ha^?1. The total PAH content of control soil and sludge were 49.6 μg kg^?1 and 5713 μ g kg^?1, respectively. The concentrations for the 16 PAHs listed as priority pollutants were measured for soil and plant tissue samples obtained at 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5 years. Soil total PAH content decreased significantly within the first half year, followed by minimal changes over the subsequent three years of treatment. PAH analysis was carried out on a HPLC-UV. Total PAH content in control plants was 3.6–7.3 μ g kg^?1 for shoots and 13–27 μ g kg^?1 for leaves. Treated plant tissue content was higher with shoots and leaves containing ～5.5–17.6 and 13.5–33.8 μg kg^?1, respectively. Plant total PAH content did not show a significant trend relative to controls with respect to time. However, uptake did increase in relation to an increased sludge application. Bioconcentration factors (BCF), adjusted by control values, were calculated for total PAH content. BCF values were highest for the initial sampling (6 months) and did not show a significant temporal relationship. BCF values did decrease with increasing sludge application. With respect to individual PAHs, elevated plant tissue concentrations were measured for “light” PAH (e.g. naphthalene, phenanthrene, acenaphthalene) with leaf BCF values correlated with solubility and organic partitioning coefficients.     

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Forest Floors of the Northern Czech Mountains

Forests of the Northern Czech mountains decline due to industrial emissions. To examine the state of soil contamination with PAHs we analyzed the concentrations of 20 PAHs in the O and A horizons of 4 lower and 4 upper slope sites under beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in the Western (WE) and the Eastern Erzgebirge (EE, Kru?né Hory), the Isergebirge (IS, Jizerské Hory), and the Riesengebirge (RI, Krkono?e) at microsites affected and not affected by stem flow. Average PAH sum concentrations in the organic layers ranged between 2000 and 30000 μg kg^?1 increasing in the line WE <RI<EE<IS. PAH concentrations were significantly higher at upper than at lower slope sites indicating long-distance transport. Microsites affected by stem flow had significantly higher PAH concentrations but lower percentages of lower molecular PAHs than microsites not affected by stem flow. This was due to the water collecting effect of the beech bark. Lower molecular PAHs preferentially were sorbed to the bark or leached from the organic layers. PAH concentrations increased from Oi to Oa horizons but decreased in the mineral soil. This was the more pronounced the higher the molecular weight was. The slope of the regression line between the enrichment factors (concentration of a single PAH in the Oa divided by that in the Oi horizon) and the octanol-water partition coefficient decreased as the PAH concentration of the soils increased. This indicates that the microbial activity of organic layers may be reduced by soil contamination. Cluster analysis suggested that the sources of the PAH contamination in the WE were different from the other sites.     

Role of allophanes in the accumulation of glomalin‐related soil protein in tropical soils (Martinique,French West Indies)

Thermo‐stable, operationally defined soil protein, known as glomalin, may make an important contribution to carbon storage in soils. The term glomalin is used because this putative protein, or group of proteins, was originally thought to be produced only by Glomus fungi. There is currently little information on the glomalin‐related soil protein (GRSP) content of tropical soils, particularly allophanic soils that are known to have different carbon dynamics to temperate climate soils. We have measured the Bradford‐reactive GRSP content of soils sampled from forests and grasslands on the tropical island of Martinique and compared the observations with soil composition. Two operationally defined fractions of GRSP were measured, namely easily‐extractable and total GRSP. The contents of GRSP in moist soils were in the range of 2–36 g kg^?1, accounting for about 8% of soil organic carbon, and were greater in topsoils than in corresponding subsoils. Both the GRSP contents and the fraction of soil organic carbon attributed to GRSP were greater than those reported for temperate climate soils. Both total and easily extractable GRSP contents were positively correlated to soil organic carbon content. The fraction of soil organic carbon that could be attributed to soil protein decreased with increasing allophane content for allophanic soils. No other trends of GRSP content with soil properties or land use were found. GRSP extraction was decreased about seven‐fold by air‐drying of soils, confirming the irreversible change in the soil microstructure of allophanic soils. Total and easily extractable GRSP were correlated and we conclude that both are good probes of thermo‐stable soil protein content for these soils. No attempt was made to verify the fungal origin of the protein detected.     

Influences of organic fertilization and solarization in a greenhouse on particle-size fractions of a Mediterranean sandy soil

 The effects of a composted organic amendment and solarization on the organic matter (OM) of a sandy soil were determined by means of particle-size fractionation and analysis of carbon and nitrogen contents. After 2 years, total soil carbon increased under organic fertilization but did not significantly change with solarization. As a consequence of the climatic conditions in the greenhouse, the carbon concentrations (g kg^–1 fraction) of the particle-size fractions were lower than those found for temperate soils and closer to those for tropical soils. The carbon amounts (g kg^–1 soil) and carbon:nitrogen ratios, which were highest in fractions >200 μm, reflected the short-term influence of the industrially processed organic amendment, rich in composted coarse plant debris. In contrast, the characteristics of the OM associated with each fraction were not significantly affected by solarization. In comparison with other coarse-textured temperate or tropical soils, carbon concentrations in fine silt (2–20 μm) and clay (0–2 μm) fractions were very low. This suggests a "greenhouse effect", together with a high rate of carbon mineralization affecting fine silt and clay fractions. Received: 19 November 1999     

污染区千金子和酢浆草根际土壤中PAHs结合态残留的梯度分布

采集某污染区千金子(Euphorbia lathyris L.)和酢浆草(Oxalis corniculata L.)的离根表0~3、3~6、6~9 mm的根际土壤,分析了多环芳烃(PAHs)结合态残留中母体化合物(Parent compound of bound residue,PCBR)在根际土壤中的含量及梯度分布规律。供试土壤类型为黄棕壤。结果表明,在非根际和根际土壤中均可检出10种PAHs的PCBR,非根际土壤中PCBR总含量为3.31 mg kg-1,高于根际土壤(1.07~1.82mg kg-1)。根际土壤中PAHs的PCBR含量随离根表距离(0~9 mm)的增加而增大。可用根际效应(R)来衡量根际土壤中PAHs的PCBR含量与非根际土壤相比减少的比例;R值随离根表距离(0~9 mm)的增加而变小。3个连续根际区中,PAHs总PCBR的R值为45.15%~67.66%,其中2环PAH的R值最大(61.18%~93.50%),4环和5环PAHs的R值最小(2.39%~6.31%),低环PAHs的PCBR在根际土壤中更易转化。PAHs的PCBR在千金子根际土壤中R值大于酢浆草,表明前者有更利于PAHs结合态残留转化的根际环境。PAHs结合态残留的根际梯度分布与根系分泌物的梯度分布关系密切,而PAHs种类、植物根际环境对PAHs结合态残留的分布影响显著。     

Photochemical oxidation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in soils — a tool to assess their degradability?

To determine the degradability of PAHs and PCBs for soil remediation or ecotoxicological risk assessment, a simple method is needed. We tested the suitability of photocatalytic oxidation for this purpose. We determined the concentrations of 20 PAHs and 12 PCBs in four mineral topsoil horizons, six organic horizons, and four particle‐size fractions of each of three soils before and after UV irradiation with TiO₂ as a catalyst in suspension. Preliminary experiments showed that in dry soil no photooxidation occurred, but after 48 h of irradiation in suspension the PCB concentrations decreased by up to 40—50 %, while the PAH concentrations did not change significantly. In contrast to this, 95—100 % of PAH and PCB standards spiked on quartz sand were degraded within 8 h, indicating that sorption to organic matter limited degradation of PAHs and PCBs in soil suspensions. There was no difference in the degradation among different individual PAHs and PCBs, respectively, indicating that the degradation did not occur in dissolved state, but in association with soil organic matter. In all samples except one, the degradation of PCBs (10—80 % loss of initial concentrations) was higher than those of the PAHs (0—40 % loss). This suggests that the accessibility of PCBs for OH· radicals generated during irradiation was higher, or the oxidation of PAHs was limited by the properties of the sorbing organic matter. Thus, the tested method was not suitable to predict biodegradability, because it did not reflect the differences in degradability of individual compounds.     

Relationship Between Soil Concentrations of PAHs and Their Regional Emission Indices

Actual information on the level of accumulation of PAHs in soils, their inputs/outputs and fate is still unsatisfactory. The regional scale of data collection is important from practical point of view, since decisions regarding environment protection often require proper assessment of soil information aggregated on this level. The objective of the study was to define the regional levels of PAHs in soils and to examine the relationship with the parameters related to their inputs (emission factors) and to natural conditions (soil properties, geographical localisation). The territory of Poland, comprising 16 regions, was chosen as a model area representing the Central/East European countries. The concentrations of 16 PAH compounds were determined in 266 soil samples collected from 0 to 30-cm upper soil layer from agricultural lands. The data were supplemented with basic soil properties. The regional concentrations of Σ16PAHs were within the limits of 125–756 μg kg^?1 (geometric means) and did not exceed the limit values specified in Polish regulations. They complied also with European soil screening values for intermediate or negligible risk. The key variable affecting the accumulation of PAHs in soils was the regional emission of those contaminants, which described soil concentrations of PAHs in at least 50%; the results suggest time-dependent (delayed) reaction of soil environment to the emission changes. The effect was sensitive to PAH compositions in soils and was most pronounced in the case of higher molecular weight compounds (≥4 rings) transported predominantly with atmospheric particles. The regression models, comprising actual regional emission data, did not indicated on the increasing risk of PAHs accumulation in soils. The evaluations based on the regional content of benzo(a)pyrene in soils implied significant discrepancies between Polish and other internationally accepted criteria in soil contamination. The natural factors (soil characteristics and climate) affected the regional PAH concentrations in very small extent.     

Paddy management on different soil types does not promote lignin accumulation

Paddy soil management is generally thought to promote the accumulation of soil organic matter (SOM) and specifically lignin. Lignin is considered particularly susceptible to accumulation under these circumstances because of the recalcitrance of its aromatic structure to biodegradation under anaerobic conditions (i.e ., during inundation of paddy fields). The present study investigates the effect of paddy soil management on SOM composition in comparison to nearby agricultural soils that are not used for rice production (non‐paddy soils). Soil types typically used for rice cultivation were selected, including Alisol, Andosol and Vertisol sites in Indonesia (humid tropical climate of Java) and an Alisol site in China (humid subtropical climate, Jiangxi province). These soil types represent a range of soil properties to be expected in Asian paddy fields. All upper‐most A horizons were analysed for their SOM composition by solid‐state ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and for lignin‐derived phenols by the CuO oxidation method. The SOM composition was similar for all of the above named parent soil types (non‐paddy soils) and was also not affected by paddy soil management. A substantial proportion (up to 23%) of the total aryl‐carbon in some paddy and non‐paddy soils was found to originate from condensed aromatic‐carbon (e.g ., charcoal). This may be attributed to the burning of crop residues. On average, the proportion of lignin was low and made up 20% of the total SOM, and showed no differences between straw, particulate organic matter (POM), and the bulk soil material. The results from CuO oxidation are consistent with the data obtained from solid‐state ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The extraction of lignin‐derived phenols revealed low VSC (vanillyl, syringyl, cinnamyl) values for all investigated soils in a range (4 to 12 g kg⁻¹ OC) that was typical for agricultural soils. In comparison to adjacent non‐paddy soils, the data do not provide evidence for a substantial accumulation of phenolic lignin‐derived structures in the paddy soils, even for those characterized by higher organic carbon (OC) contents (e.g ., Andosol‐ and Alisol (China)‐derived paddy soils). We conclude that the properties of the parent soil types are more important for the lignin content of the soils than the effect of paddy management itself.     

不同Zn浓度对黑麦草根分泌物、根际Zn形态及植物Zn蓄集的影响

A glasshouse experiment was conducted using a root-bag technique to study the root exudates, rhizosphere Zn fractions, and Zn concentrations and accumulations of two ryegrass cultivars (Lolium perenne L. cvs. Airs and Tede) at different soil Zn levels (0, 2, 4, 8, and 16 mmol kg-1 soil). Results indicated that plant growth of the two cultivars was not adversely affected at soil Zn level≤8 mmol kg-1. Plants accumulated more Zn as soil Zn levels increased, and Zn concentrations of shoots were about 540 /μg g-1 in Aris and 583.9μg g-1 in Tede in response to 16 mmol Zn kg-1 soil. Zn ratios of shoots to roots across the soil Zn levels were higher in Tede than in Airs, corresponding with higher rhizosphere available Zn fractions (exchangeable, bound to manganese oxides, and bound to organic matter) in Airs than in Tede. Low-molecular-weight (LMW) organic acids (oxalic, tartaric, malic, and succinic acids) and amino acids (proline, threonine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid, etc.) were detected in root exudates, and the concentrations of LMW organic acids and amino acids increased with addition of 4 mmol Zn kg-1 soil compared with zero Zn addition. Higher rhizosphere concentrations of oxalic acid, glutamic acid, alanine, phenylalanine, leucine, and proline in Tede than in Airs likely resulted in increased Zn uptake from the soil by Tede than by Airs. The results suggested that genotypic differences in Zn accumulations were mainly because of different root exudates and rhizosphere Zn fractions.     

Sodium hypochlorite oxidation reduces soil organic matter concentrations without affecting inorganic soil constituents

Oxidative treatment can isolate a stable organic matter pool in soils for process studies of organic matter stabilization. Wet oxidation methods using hydrogen peroxide are widely used for that purpose, but are said to modify poorly crystalline soil constituents. We investigated the effect of a modified NaOCl oxidation (pH 8) on the mineral composition of 12 subsoils (4.9–38.2 g organic C kg^?1) containing varying amounts of poorly crystalline mineral phases, i.e. 1.1–20.5 g oxalate‐extractable Fe kg^?1, and of different phyllosilicate mineralogy. Post‐oxidative changes in mineral composition were estimated by (i) the determination of elements released into the NaOCl solution, (ii) the difference in dithionite‐ and oxalate‐extractable Si, Al and Fe, and (iii) the specific surface areas (SSAs) of the soils. The NaOCl procedure reduced the organic C concentrations by 12–72%. The amounts of elements released into the NaOCl extracts were small (≤ 0.14 g kg^?1 for Si, ≤ 0.13 g kg^?1 for Al, and ≤ 0.03 g kg^?1 for Fe). The SSA data and the amounts of dithionite‐ and oxalate‐extractable elements suggest that the NaOCl oxidation at pH 8 does not attack pedogenic oxides and hydroxides and only slightly dissolves Al from the poorly crystalline minerals. Therefore, we recommend NaOCl oxidation at pH 8 for the purpose of isolating a stable organic matter pool in soils for process studies of organic matter stabilization.     

Tillage effects on the accumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls in biosolid‐amended soils

Soil tillage along with the application of organic waste probably affects the concentrations of organic carbon and the enrichment of introduced polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In a three‐year experiment the PCB status of soils from three different field sites (silty clay loam, silt loam, sandy loam) which were long‐term differently tilled (NT = no‐tillage, CT = conventional plough tillage) and amended with two different organic wastes such as sewage sludge and compost (biosolids) was examined. No significant alteration in soil‐PCB quality and quantity with biosolid application could be proven within the course of the experiments. This indicates soil‐air exchange of PCBs dominates their concentrations in soil. Organic carbon in soil was significantly tillage‐dependent and determined the fate of PCBs resulting in a generally elevated PCB‐level in the non tilled soils. Linear regression of PCB load and organic matter content of all investigated untreated soils was highly significant (R² = 0.73). Due to already elevated PCB levels in non tilled soils with a maximum of 65 μg kg^—1 in the superficial layer of the silt loam control plot, any additional potential input, i. e. through the amendment with organic wastes, should therefore be avoided.     

长江三角洲地区土壤环境质量与修复研究 Ⅳ.多环芳烃在土壤不同有机质组分中分配特征的研究

多环芳烃(PAHs)在土壤不同活性有机质库中的分配会影响它们在土壤中的迁移和生物有效性。本研究采用土壤有机无机复合体的分组方法,分离出以游离态有机物质存在的轻组和以有机无机复合体存在的重组,研究了15种美国环境保护署(USEPA)优控的PAHs在土壤轻组和重组以及重组结合态腐殖质不同组分中的分配特征。结果表明,轻组中PAHs总量的含量范围为1.30×104~1.07×105μg kg-1,远远高于PAHs总量的含量为221.7~297.8μg kg-1的重组。土壤中轻组的含量虽然只有0.4%~2.3%,但它结合的PAHs量却占土壤中PAHs总量的31.5%~69.5%。重组中PAHs含量主要分布在紧结态腐殖质中,占重组PAHs总量71.2%~87.2%。结合态腐殖质不同组分中PAHs的含量与它们有机碳的含量呈显著性正相关(p<0.01),紧结态腐殖质对PAHs的富集能力显著高于稳结态和松结态腐殖质。PAHs污染土壤的环境风险可能主要在于轻组结合的PAHs。     

Microbial CO2 production, CH4 dynamics and nitrogen in a wetland soil (New York State, USA) associated with three plant species (Typha, Lythrum, Phalaris)

Plants furnish soil with organic carbon (OC) compounds that fuel soil microorganisms, but whether individual plant species – or plants with unique traits – do so uniquely is uncertain. We evaluated soil microbial processes within a wetland in which areas dominated by a distinct plant species (cattail –Typha sp.; purple loosestrife –Lythrum salicaria L.; reed canarygrass –Phalaris arundinacea L.) co‐mingled. We also established an experimental plot with plant shoot removal. The Phalaris area had more acidic soil pH (7.08 vs. 7.27–7.57), greater amount of soil organic matter (19.0% vs. 9.0–11.5%), and the slowest production rates of CO₂ (0.10 vs. 0.21–0.46 μmol kg⁻¹ s⁻¹) and CH₄ (0.040 vs. 0.054–0.079 nmol kg⁻¹ s⁻¹). Nitrogen cycling was dominated by net nitrification, with similar rates (17.2–18.9 mg kg⁻¹ 14 days⁻¹) among the four sampling areas. In the second part of the study, we emplaced soil cores that either allowed root in‐growth or excluded roots to evaluate how roots directly affect soil CO₂ and CH₄. The three plant species had similar amounts of root growth (ca 290 g m⁻² year⁻¹). Fungal biomass was similar in soils with root in‐growth versus root exclusion, regardless of dominant plant species. Rates of soil CO₂ production did not differ with root in‐growth versus root exclusion, and added glucose increased CO₂ production rates by only 35%. Root in‐growth did lead to greater rates of CH₄ production; albeit, addition of glucose had much greater effect on CH₄ production (1.24 nmol kg⁻¹ s⁻¹) compared with controls without added glucose (0.058 nmol kg⁻¹ s⁻¹). Our data revealed relatively few subtle differences in soil characteristics and processes associated with different plant species; albeit, roots had little effect, even inhibiting some microbial processes. This research highlights the need for both field and experimental studies in long‐established monocultures of plant species to understand the role of plant biodiversity in soil function.     

Dissipation and sorption processes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to organic matter in soils amended by exogenous rich-carbon material

Purpose

The aim of the research was to assess the effect of biochar addition on aging, degradation, and sorption processes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to soil organic matter. The study was carried out as a sorption experiment in strictly controlled water and air conditions, which allowed for the accurate observation and prediction of PAH behavior in soils.

Materials and methods

Four soils were fortified with a PAH mixture (Fluorene-Flu, Anthracene-Ant, Phenanthrene-Phe, Pyrene-Pyr, Chrysene-Chry) at 20 mg kg^?1 of single-compound concentration level. The experiment was carried out in two trials: soils?+?5PAHs amended with biochar and soil?+?5PAHs without biochar addition with incubation times of 0, 1, 3, 6, and 9 months. After each interval time, the extractable (E-SOM) and stable organic matter (S-SOM) were measured as well as PAHs determined in two forms: total concentration (PAH-tot) and residual concentration (PAH-rest) after E-SOM extraction. The PAH loss and half-life times were estimated according to pseudo first-order kinetics equation.

Results and discussion

The amounts of PAH-tot in the soils without biochar decreased by an average of 92%, while in soil with biochar, this was 41% after 9 months of aging. The amount of PAHs-rest bounded with S-SOM after 9 months of incubation varied from 0.9 to 3.5% and 0.2 to 1.3% of the initial PAH concentration, respectively, for soils non-induced and induced by biochar. In soils without biochar, Flu, Ant, Phe, and Pyr exhibited similar T_1/2 (43–59 days), but Chry was characterized by a much higher and broader T_1/2 than other hydrocarbons (67–280 days). Biochar addition to the soils significantly influenced the half-life changes for all PAHs. The highest changes were noted for Phe (14-fold increase), and the lowest was for Flu (7-fold increase).

Conclusions

The addition of exogenous-rich carbon material such as biochar to the soil significantly changes the behavior and sorption potential of PAHs in the soil. Soils enriched with biochar are characterized by a higher persistence of PAHs, longer aging time, and lower affinity for sorption by native organic matter structures. Soils freshly polluted by PAH are mainly sorbed by E-SOM, which significantly increases their accessibility and reduces formation of bound-residues in the soil.

     

某氮肥厂场地土壤PAHs污染特征研究

采用现场采样及室内测试方法对广州某氮肥厂原料车间和油库区土壤中16种优控多环芳烃（PAHs）的含量进行调查研究,分析了EPAHs含量及其组成特征和垂直分布特征,并在此基础上进行了源解析。结果表明,分析样品中∑PAHs范围在10-7795μg·kg,原料车间土壤中的∑PAHs小于油库区土壤中的,菲、芘、荧蒽、并（b）荧蒽、苯并（a）芘为主要污染物;油库土壤0-40cm的样品中16种PAHs均有检出,∑PAHs和单体分布基本一致;原料车间土壤∑PAHs和单体浓度随着地面深度的增加而减少。通过对单组分比值（菲／蒽,荧蒽／芘）的分析可以看出油库区土壤中PAHs来源于石油和燃烧源,而原料车间污染源主要为燃烧源。     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in pyrogenic soils of swampy landscapes of the Meshchera lowland

The composition and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were studied in organomineral and organic soils of the Meshchera National Park. It was found that the background oligotrophic peat soils unaffected by fires in central parts of the bogs are characterized by the increased PAH concentrations due to their high sorption capacity. The fires of 2007 and 2010 resulted in the transformation of the plant cover and soil morphology, the formation of new horizons, and the change in the PAHs content and composition. Significant burn-off of organic matter was found in oligotrophic-eutrophic soils and resulted in the decrease of PAHs content after fire. Only partial burn-off of organic horizons and intense formation of PAHs were recorded in the soil with initially great thickness of peat horizons. Pyrogenic accumulation of PAHs was identified in organomineral soils of the marginal parts of bogs and of forest sites.