Evaluation of the pollution by organochlorinated compounds (polychlorobiphenyls and pesticides) and metals (Cd,Cr, Cu and Pb) in the water and in the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha pallas) of the river Seine.

The relationships between some organochlorines and metals in the water and in the zebra mussel of the river Seine have been studied in the Parisian area. The bioconcentration of PCBs by the mussel (Kb = 17 × 10³) was about 10 fold higher than for other organochlorines. The accumulation and the release response of the mussel to alterations of the water organochlorine levels occurred within a period smaller than 7 days. The correlation between the water and the mussel levels is highly significant for γHCH and PCBs (r=0.94, p<0.01 and r=0.87, p<0.05, respectively). The Pb bioconcentration (0.15 × 103) was about 20 fold lower than the Cu and Cr (3.4 and 3.0 × 10³, respectively). The Cu and the Pb levels in the water and in the mussel followed a parallel course. Cu and Pb appear to be taken up and released relatively rapidly within a 7 day period. Comparisons between the different stations along the river Seine showed that the highest pollutant evels in the water were found downstream Paris and were fairly well reflected by the mussel levels. However, when pollution reaches top values, the mussel metabolic activities are affected and thus, the bioconcentration ability too.     

The recent and rapid spread of the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) in Great Britain

This paper reviews the current, apparently rapid spread of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) in Britain, discusses the possible causes of this spread, considers the potential ecological consequences, and looks at what measures could be undertaken to minimise the impacts of zebra mussels and other invasive pests in Britain's freshwaters. Five out of 27 major water companies reported increases in their regions between 2000 and 2002 and a further three acknowledged their presence. Increases were also reported by the Environment Agency, Broads Authority, angling clubs and boatyards. No one interviewed reported a decrease in zebra mussels between 2000 and 2002. The most notable increases have been in southern, central and eastern England. A newly recorded population of zebra mussels in the River Darent, Kent, contained zebra mussels in dense mats of up to 11,000 individuals m⁻² and up to 20 cm in depth. There is evidence that the ecology of recently invaded sites has been deleteriously affected. A fishing lake in Lancashire has experienced increased water clarity and reduced fish biomass coincidental with the arrival of zebra mussels, while a newly recorded population in Barden Lake, Kent, appears to be having a deleterious impact on native unionid mussels, particularly the swan mussel (Anodonta cygnea) and, more, recently the painter's mussel (Unio pictorum). Repeated surveys in the River Thames, River Great Ouse and Barden Lake showed that the proportion of unionid mussels infested by zebra mussels had increased significantly in all sites studied during the past one to five years.     

Antioxidant Activity in the Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) in Response to Triclosan Exposure

The biocide triclosan (TCS, 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol) is commonly used in several personal care products, textiles, and children??s toys. Because the removal of TCS by wastewater treatment plants is incomplete, its environmental fate is to be discharged into freshwater ecosystems, where its ecological impact is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of TCS on the antioxidant enzymatic chain of the freshwater mollusk zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha). We measured the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), as well as the phase II detoxifying enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST) in zebra mussel specimens exposed to 1 nM, 2 nM, and 3 nM TCS in vivo. The mussels were exposed for 96 h, and the enzyme activities were measured every 24 h. We measured clear activation of GST alone at all three dose levels, which shows a poor induction of the antioxidant enzymatic chain by TCS. CAT and SOD were activated only at 3 nM, while GPx values overlapped the baseline levels.     

Evaluation of sodium tetraphenylboron (NaBPh4) as a soil test of potassium availability

Non-exchangeable potassium (K_nex) contributes to soil K availability and several extractants are used to access its contribution. This study evaluated sodium tetraphenylboron (NaBPh₄) as a soil test of K availability in 20 soils from Northern Greece. Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. var. ‘Yecora’) was sown in a greenhouse pot experiment and five cropping cycles were carried out until K-depletion. Soils were analyzed with NH₄OAc and NaBPh₄ (1 and 5 min incubation periods). Critical levels of K ranged between 130–140 and 330–340 mg K kg^?1 of soil for NH₄OAc and NaBPh₄ (1 min incubation period), respectively, and between 32 and 35 g K kg^?1 of wheat dry matter. NaBPh₄-K (1 min) related better with K concentration and uptake compared to NH₄OAc for each cropping cycle (r² = 0.45–0.83 and 0.44–0.89) and for all soils (r² = 0.58 and 0.51). Similar results obtained in soils low in exchangeable K (r² = 0.41 and 0.39). Correlation between NH₄Oac- and NaBPh₄-extractable K was weaker among soils below the critical level (r = 0.70) compared to those above (r = 0.93). Inclusion of illitic K and cation exchange capacity in a multiple linear regression between NH₄OAc- and NaBPh₄-extractable K showed that they significantly contributed to NaBPh₄-extractable K.     

The snowfall chemistry collector intercomparison test (SCCIT)

The Snowfall Chemistry Collector Intercomparison Test (SCCIT) took place as part of a field experiment of the PRocessing of Emissions by Clouds and Precipitation (PRECP) program during January and February 1986 in western New York. SCCIT compared the chemical composition and equivalent water depth of snow collected with a large, bag-lined can (used by the PRECP community for a concurrent surface snowfall network); the most widely used automatic wet/dry collector; an aerodynamically designed, heated, funnel and bottle system; and a large plastic sheet. The aerodynamically designed system had significantly higher concentrations of analytes than the other systems, particularly H⁺ and SO₄ ^2?, apparently because of evaporative losses. Samples from the bag-lined can were more acidic than those from the automatic wet/dry collector. The aerodynamically designed system and the bag-lined can indicated greater snow amounts than the other methods.     

Influence of Common Reed (Phragmites australis) on CH4 Production and Transport in Wetlands: Results from Single-Plant Laboratory Experiments

Laboratory culture experiments were conducted with common reed (Phragmites australis) to elucidate the role of root exudates on CH₄ production in wetland soils as well as the importance of different plant organs as routes of CH₄ to the atmosphere. In the 50 d experiment period, root exudates ranged from 0.03 to 1.53 µmolg^?1d^?1, which increased with reed growth. CH₄ production rate of soil was stimulated as root exudates collected was added. CH₄ transport capacity rate also increased with plant growth and influenced by light intensity. Root tips were the most important part of controlling diffusion of CH₄ into reed shoots, and leave transport accounted for 45.34% of total emissions into the atmosphere.     

Na compound fertilizer stimulates growth and alleviates water deficit in the succulent xerophyte Nitraria tangutorum (Bobr) after breaking seed dormancy

Nitraria tangutorum (Bobr), a typical succulent xerophyte with high level of seed dormancy, is one of the few shrubs found to date that can develop and form fixed dunes in desert regions. Our studies have demonstrated that the strong drought tolerance of the succulent xerophytes was strongly linked to high sodium (Na⁺) accumulation in the photosynthesizing branches (PB) as well as leaves. The study is to explore a method that can rapidly promote the seed germination of N. tangutorum, and then investigate the positive effects of Na compound fertilizer (NaCF) on the growth and drought tolerance of N. tangutorum and ecological environment by short-term pot experiment in a greenhouse and long-term field and pot experiment in a desert environment. The results indicate that the germination rate of seeds obtained a maximum by 69% when seeds were treated with 150 mg L ^?1 gibberellic acid (GA₃) for 48 h followed by soaking in concentrated sulfuric acid (98% H₂SO₄) for 55 min, and then germinated (25/5°C) in darkness for 8 d. After breaking seed dormancy, the NaCF significantly stimulated growth of N. tangutorum and, concomitantly, improved its ability to cope with water deficit (30% of field water capacity) by increasing Na⁺ more than Potassium (K⁺) accumulation for osmotic adjustment in greenhouse and desert conditions. The contribution (take the pot experiment in the desert, for example) of Na⁺ to the osmotic potential (compared with control) varied from 13.9% in plants subjected to diammonium phosphate [(NH₄)₂HPO₄] to, surprisingly, 63.9% in plants grown in the presence of NaCF under water deficit. The distribution characteristics of the total Na⁺ (1620 mg) in the NaCF indicate that 691.2 mg (42.7%) is absorbed by plants, 848.8 mg (52.4%) remained in the pot and 80 mg (4.9%) leached, which accounted for 2.2% of the nursery soil, respectively. The positive effect of NaCF on the drought resistance of N. tangutorum and the ecological environment were also confirmed in the field experiments. These findings suggest that the rapid seed germination technology of N. tangutorum combined with the popularization and application of NaCF can shorten the seed germination period and make the seedling establishment much easier, which may be an effective strategy to restore and reconstruct degraded vegetation in many desert regions.     

Liming effects on some chemical and biological parameters of soil (spodosols and histosols) in a hardwood forest watershed

Acidic lakes and streams can be restored with base application (usually limestone) provided that the base does not wash out before the benefits of alkalization can be realized; liming soils of the adjoining watershed may be an alternative approach. This study was conducted to provide a scientific basis for soil liming. Plots (50 m²) with different limestone dosages (e.g. 0, 5, 10 or 15 Mg CaCO₃ ha^?1) were established on each of two different soils (a Spodosol and a Histosol) in the Woods Lake watershed of the Adirondack Park Region of New York, USA. Six months after soil liming much of the added limestone was still present in both the Spodosol and in the Histosol. Ten months after soil liming results indicated that: (1) soil pH increased (>1 unit) but mostly in the top 1 cm; (2) net N mineralization increased from 9.6 to ca. 15 µg N g^?1 d^?1 and nitrification increased from 2.8 to ca. 8 µg N g^?1 d^?1; (3) denitrification was not affected (98 µg N g^?1 d^?1); (4) CO₂ production potential decreased in the surface soil and as a function of limestone dosage (60 to 6 µmol g^?1 d^?1); and (5) soluble SO ₄ ^2? concentrations in the Histosol were not affected (105 µmol L^?1). Liming acidic forest soils with >5 Mg CaCO₃ ha^?1 may increase the soil's acid neutralizing capacity, which could provide long-term benefits for surface water acidification.     

Acid and alkaline deposition in precipitation on the Western coast of Sardinia,Central Mediterranean (40° N, 8° E)

The ionic composition of 53 precipitation samples collected at a coastal site in western Sardinia (Torregrande) was measured in order to determine concentrations and fluxes of the major ions. Precipitation events were sampled over a two year period, Oct'92/Oct'93 and Oct'93/Oct'94. Despite the proximity to the African continent and the detection of Saharan inputs reflected in high pH values and high_nssCa fluxes, there is evidence for acidic rain with over 54% of the events having pH values <5.6. This would suggest long-range transport of anthropogenic inputs, as there is no obvious local source. Within the study period, a marked decrease in median pH is recorded at Torregrande in '93/'94, decreasing from 5.94 to 5.18. This is coupled with an increase in total annual flux of NO₃ from 27 to 63 μg/cm², making the average flux of NO₃ in the two years comparable with that at Capo Carbonara (48 μg/cm²). Particulate fluxes at Torregrande show a marked inter- as well as intra-annual variability, from 70 to 200 μg/cm². Variations of pH seems to be partially due to the total particulate as well as_nssCa fluxes. A statistic of Saharan enriched rain episodes of the two sites showed a peak transport season in April–May and October which is two times greater at Capo Carbonara. Rainfall on the west coast, therefore, appears to be less affected by Saharan dust than rainfall on the southern coast and therefore shows greater signs of acidification due to anthropogenic inputs.     

恶臭假单胞菌P861(Gus)在油菜根部定殖的生态研究

本研究采用Gus 基因标记技术和常规方法跟踪考察了恶臭假单胞菌P861(Gus) 在缩影系统油菜根圈的定殖情况,以及缩影系统内土壤类型、土壤含水量对根部定殖的影响。土壤含水量分别为60% FC和75% FC时,P861(Gus) 在砂姜黑土中的定殖水平高于50% FC的,不但能散布至种子下8cm 以内的根段部位,且定殖水平分别为7.5×10²和2.8×10³cfu·g^-1。在灰潮土缩影中,P861(Gus) 在油菜根圈的定殖动态表现为在油菜播种后3 ～6 天,定殖密度可达最高水平(5.5×10⁶cfu·g^-1) ,然后急速下降,最后保持在一个相对稳定的较低水平(7.6×10²cfu·g^-1) 。P861(Gus) 在不同根段部位的定殖密度并无从上到下逐渐递减的规律。     

Effect of pH on interaction between As(III) or As(V) and manganese(IV) oxide

The efficiency of As(III) oxidation by MnO₂, and retention of oxidation products varies with system pH. Maximum retention by hydrous Mn(IV) oxide occurs at pH < 5, declining at higher pH to about half total As at pH 10. The adsorption capacities of pyrolusite and cryptomelane at pH ～6.5 for As(V) species were 10 and 25 mmol kg^?1, respectively. HMO surface saturation (～10 mmol kg^?1) was reached with equilibrium As(V) levels of 5 to 8 × 10^?6 M but this was supplemented at higher levels by an absorption process where uptake increased linearly with concentration (e.g., 68 mmol kg^?1 with 2 × 10^?5 M As(V)). Added As(III) was avidly oxidized and most product retained at pH 3. At higher pH increasing amounts of As(III) remained unoxidized due to initial reactions apparently blocking access to internal pores. Added Na⁺ reduced the amount of As retained by the HMO, with the phosphate salt having a significant effect. Extraction studies confirmed that most As could be released by exposure to reducing agents or chelating agents (EDTA). The environmental significance of the results has been considered.     

Effects of Different Irrigation Levels and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF), Photosynthesis Activator,Traditional Fertilizer on Yield and Growth Parameters of Dry Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) in Arid Climatic Conditions

A field experiment has been conducted to determine the effects of different irrigation water and AMF (Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi) biofertilizer, photosynthesis activator and traditional fertilizer dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) on yield and growth parameters in Nevsehir Province of Turkey in 2015. The experiment has been carried out using three replications in a split plot design with three different irrigation types as main plots and AMF biofertilizer (ERS), photosynthesis activator (Multigreen-Mg), traditional fertilization (TF-Control), ERS + Mg, ERS + TF and TF + Mg applied as subplots. The number of pods per plant, the length of pods, the number of grains per pod, the weight of grains per plant, the yield of grains, 1000 seed weight, the number of grains per plant, protein yield, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi rate have been evaluated as yield and growth criteria in the study. In the experiment, as well as the treatment x irrigation interaction, the plant height, pod number per plant, pod lenght, grain number per pod, grain weight per plant, grain yield, 1000 seed weight, grain number per plant, protein rate/grain, protein yield, root weight and AMF colonization parameters, were the other studied properties that were found to be significant. The results obtained were 877.6 mm for I₁₀₀ irrigation treatment, 512.2 mm for I₅₀ irrigation treatment and 40.19 mm water for I₃₀ irrigation treatment. Regarding the growth parameters of dry bean, the highest PH was in ERS + Mg (67.66 cm), the lowest PH was in ERS (54.33 cm); In I₅₀, the highest Plant Height (PH) was in ERS + Mg (65.66 cm), the lowest PH was in TF-Control (53.00 cm); and in I₃₀, the highest PH was in TF-Control (50.66 cm), and the lowest PH was again in ERS + Mg (44.33 cm). For protein yield (PY) value, ERS + Mg, ERS + TF, TF + Mg have been placed in the same group, in I₁₀₀ and I₅₀ irrigation treatment. The highest value was ERS + TF (34.90 kg da^?1) in I₁₀₀, The lowest value was TF-control (19.90 kg da^?1) in I₃₀ irrigation treatment. In terms of mycorrhiza colonization ratio, ERS has been ranked first in all irrigation treatments, while the highest mycorrhiza colonization has been observed in I₃₀ irrigation treatment (26.30%). ERS was followed by ERS + Mg (23.33%). As expected, the lowest mycorrhiza colonization ratio in all irrigation treatments have been observed in TF-control treatment, while the highest mycorrhiza colonization ratio has been respectively observed in I₃₀ and I₅₀ irrigation topics. The highest root weight (RW) in I₁₀₀ irrigation treatment was observed in ERS (15.06 g plant^?1) and it was observed in ERS (19.05 g plant^?1; 26.30 g plant^?1) in I₅₀ and I₃₀ irrigation treatments. The lowest RW in all irrigation treatments has been observed in TF + Mg (4.43 g plant^?1, 6.40 g plant^?1, 10.26 g plant^?1), respectively.     

An observational study on precipitation chemistry data as a function of surface wind direction

Precipitation chemistry data were collected at 8 sites in the western part of the Netherlands over a period of 151/2 yr. Using specially-designed wind direction-dependent rain collectors, it is demonstrated that levels of ion constituents in rain water vary with wind direction, which can be assigned to different sources of contamination. The strongest variation was measured for Na⁺. As expected, trajectories over sea contributed most. Continental sources slightly reduced the variation for Cl^? and Mg²⁺. For both NH _inf4 ^sup+ and excess SO _inf4 ^sup2? , maxima were found in southeasterly rainfall. It is assumed that polluted air from the large industrial Ruhr Area crosses a region with strong NH₃ emissions in the Southeast of the Netherlands. The presence of ammonium sulfate was suggested. Minor variations were measured for NO _inf3 ^sup? (due to diffusely-spread emissions and possible sampling artefact) and for H⁺ and Ca²⁺ (dry-deposition effects). Over the period 1973–1987 excess-SO _inf4 ^sup2? levels decreased significantly (?3.3% yr^?1, p<0.01) which is consistent with reduced S emission in Western Europe. Over the last decade an upward trend in NO _inf3 ^sup? levels has been observed (3.2% yr^?1, p<0.05) which is possibly related to the increased usage of cars.     

Nursery‐Box Total Fertilization Technology (NBTF) Application for Increasing Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Chinese Irrigated Riceland: N–Soil Interactions

High N fertilizer and flooding irrigation applied to rice in anthropogenic‐alluvial soil often result in N leaching and low use efficiency of applied fertilizer N from the rice field in Ningxia irrigation region in the upper reaches of the Yellow River. Sound N management practices need to be established to improve N use efficiency while sustaining high grain yield levels and minimize fertilizer N loss to the environment. We investigated the effects of Nursery Box Total Fertilization technology (NBTF) on N leaching at different rice growing stages, N use efficiency and rice yield in 2010 and 2011. The four fertilizer N treatments were 300 kg N ha⁻¹ (CU, Conventional treatment of urea at 300 kg N ha⁻¹), 120 kg N ha⁻¹ (NBTF120, NBTF treatment of controlled‐release N fertilizer at 120 kg N ha⁻¹), 80 kgN ha⁻¹ (NBTF80, NBTF treatment of controlled‐release N fertilizer at 80 kg N ha⁻¹) and no N fertilizer application treatment (CK). The results showed that the NBTF120 treatment increased N use efficiency, maintained crop yields and substantially reduced N losses to the environment. Under the CU treatment, the rice yield was 9634 and 7098 kg ha⁻¹, the N use efficiency was 31·6% and 34·8% and the leaching losses of TN were 44·51 and 39·89 kg ha⁻¹; NH₄⁺‐N was 5·26 and 5·49 kg ha⁻¹, and NO₃⁻‐N was 27·94 and 26·22 kg ha⁻¹ during the rice whole growing period in 2010 and 2011, respectively. Compared with CU, NBTF120 significantly increased the N use efficiency and decreased the N losses from the paddy field. Under NBTF120, the N use efficiency was 56·3% and 51·4%, which was 24·7% and 16·6% higher than that of CU, and the conventional fertilizer application rate could be reduced by 60% without lowering the rice yield while decreasing the leaching losses of TN by 16·27 and 14·36 kg ha⁻¹, NH₄⁺‐N by 0·90 and 1·84 kg ha⁻¹, NO₃⁻‐N by 110·6 and 10·14 kg ha⁻¹ in 2010 and 2011, respectively. Our results indicate that the CU treatment resulted in relatively high N leaching losses, and that alternative practice of NBTF which synchronized fertilizer application with crop demand substantially reduced these losses. We therefore suggest the NBTF120 be a fertilizer application alternative which leads to high food production but low environmental impact. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Genetic tagging of Azotobacter chroococcum for colonization on wheat (Triticum aestivum) and cotton (Gossypium sp.) roots

Abstract

Azotobacter chroococcum strains E12, HT57 were genetically tagged with lac Z, gfp to study the colonization behaviour on wheat (Triticum aestivum) and cotton (Gossypium sp.) in soil under controlled conditions. 10³ – 10⁴ cfu g^?1 soil of HT57 lac Z were found to colonize roots of both cotton and wheat crops whereas 1.7 × 10⁴ – 7.2 × 10⁴ cfu g^?1 soil of E12 gfp was colonizing wheat roots and 1.6 × 10⁴ – 9.3 × 10⁴ cfu g^?1 soil of E12 gfp colonized cotton roots respectively. Tagged strains colonized mostly on root tips compared to basal roots in both the crops.     

Bulk Atmospheric Deposition in the Southern Po Valley (Northern Italy)

A study on pH and chemical composition of precipitation was carried out in two Italian sites, one urban (site 1) and one rural (site 2), located approximately 30 km far from Bologna, during a 3-year period. No significative site variation was found. In both locations, bulk deposition pH ranged from slightly acid to slightly alkaline, despite the volume weighted mean concentration of acidic species, NO ₃ ^? and SO ₄ ^2? (67.4 and 118.4 μeq l^?1 in site 1 and 88.7 and 103.8 μeq l^?1 in site 2), that were similar to those of typical acidic rainfall region. This might be ascribed to the neutralization reaction of the Ca²⁺, attributed to the calcareous soil and the frequent dusty air mass intrusion from the Sahara. The pair correlation matrix and the analysis of the main components suggested also ammonium and other crustal elements as neutralization agents. The depositional rate of SO ₄ ^2? and NO ₃ ^? , chemical elements of agricultural interest, amounted to 38 and 28 and 32 and 35 kg ha^?1 for site 1 and site 2, respectively. These supplies of nutrient were not negligible and had to be considered on cultivated lands. NH ₄ ⁺ deposition rate on site 2 was 7 kg ha^?1, 23% over site 1, probably due to nitrogen fertilization in the fields around the monitoring station. In site 1, SO ₄ ^2? presented a seasonal trend, indicating that its principal source was the residential heating. Results emphasized that the entity of the bulk deposition acidification is linked not only to the ions local emission sources (fossil fuel combustions, heating, and fertilizers) but also to the surrounding territory and the prevalent wind that transports through kilometers air masses which may contain acidic and alkaline species.     

Performances of Methyl Blue and Arsenic(V) Adsorption from Aqueous Solution onto Magnetic 0.8Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4/0.2SiO2 Nanocomposites

Washing-down parlours and standing areas, following milking on dairy farms, produce dairy soiled water (DSW) that contains variable concentrations of nutrients. Aerobic woodchip filters can remove organic matter, nutrients and suspended solids (SS) in DSW, but the effluent exiting the filters may have to be further treated before it is suitable for re-use for washing yard areas. The performance of a single-layer sand filter (SF) and a stratified SF, loaded at 20 L m^?2 day^?1, to polish effluent from a woodchip filter was investigated over 82 days. Average influent unfiltered chemical oxygen demand (COD_T), total nitrogen (TN), ammonium–N (NH₄–N), ortho-phosphorus (PO₄–P) and SS concentrations of 1,991?±?296, 163?±?40, 42.3?±?16.9, 27.2?±?6.9 and 84?±?30 mg L^?1 were recorded. The single-layer SF decreased the influent concentration of COD_T, TN, NH₄–N, PO₄–P and SS by 39, 36, 34, 58 and 52 %, respectively. Influent concentrations of COD_T, TN_T, NH₄–N, PO₄–P and SS were decreased by 56, 57, 41, 74 and 62 % in the stratified SF. The single-layer SF and the stratified SF were capable of reducing the influent concentration of total coliforms by 96 and 95 %, respectively. Although a limited amount of biomass accumulated in the uppermost layers of both SFs, organic and particulate matter deposition within both filters affected rates of nitrification. Both types of SFs produced final water quality in excess of the standards for re-use in the washing of milking parlours.     

The effects of catena positions on greenhouse gas emissions along a seasonal wetland (dambo) transect in tropical Zimbabwe

Wetlands are major natural sources of greenhouse gases (GHGs). In central and southern Africa, one of the most extensive wetlands are dambos (seasonal wetlands) which occupy 20–25% of land area. However, there are very little data on GHG methane (CH₄), carbon dioxide (CO₂) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from dambos, and this study presents the first estimates from dambos in Zimbabwe. The objective was to evaluate the effects of catena positions; upland, dambo mid-slope and dambo bottom, on GHG emissions along an undisturbed dambo transect. Methane emissions were ?0.3, 29.5 and ?1.3 mg m^?2 hr^?1, N₂O emission were 40.1, 3.9 and 5.5 µg m² hr^?1, while CO₂ emissions were 2648.9, 896.2 and 590.1 mg m^?2 hr^?1 for upland, mid-slope and bottom catena, respectively. Our results showed that uplands were important sources of N₂O and CO₂, and a sink for CH₄, while the dambo mid-slope position was a major source of CH₄, but a weak source of CO₂ and N₂O. Dambo bottom catena was weak source GHGs. Overall, dambos were major sources of CH₄ and weak sources of N₂O and CO₂.We concluded that, depending on catenal position, dambos can be major or minor sources of GHGs.     

Influence of wetlands and coal mining on stream water chemistry

Comparisons of stream water chemistry over a 2 yr period in East Fork, which drains an entirely forested watershed, and Big Run, which drains a forested watershed 8 % of which is occupied by Big Run Bog, indicated that Big Run Bog had no effect on stream water H⁺ or Cl^? concentrations, but with increasing stream discharge the wetland was a source of Ca⁺⁺ Mg⁺⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, NO₃ ^?, and SO₄ ^?, and a sink for Fe^{+ +}. Further comparisons with Tub Run, which drains a forested watershed, 13 and 12% of which is occupied by Tub Run Bog and an abandoned, unreclaimed coal surface mine, respectively, suggested that Tub Run Bog removes H⁺, Ca ++, Mg⁺⁺, Fe⁺⁺, and 50₄ ^? from inputs of acid mine drainage. Wetland areas on the landscape contribute to the regulation of stream water chemistry in ways that are different from upland areas, and wetlands may have considerable applied potential for minimizing the impact of the mine drainage on stream water quality.     

Fast abiotic sorption of selenates (SeO42-) in soils: pitfalls of batch sorption data acquired by inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry (ICP-QMS)

Low selenium (Se) dietary intake has encouraged the development of fortification strategies such as SeO₄^2- application to arable land. Selenate is highly mobile in soil systems, but it is not known whether fast abiotic retention could reduce Se loss from topsoil after SeO₄^2- fertilisation. This work explicitly aims at fast abiotic SeO₄^2- sorption in three soils exposed to 20–1250 µg L^?1 Se in a 24-h batch experiment. This study demonstrated the susceptibility of Se sorption data to distortion when inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry (ICP-QMS) measurements suffered from non-spectral interferences induced by concomitant elements in an aqueous soil-derived matrix. The distribution coefficient (K_d), not exceeding 2 L kg^?1 at any Se level, was shown to be a useful indicator for the extent of ion competition for sorption sites depending on the SeO₄^2- concentration employed. Sorption experiments conducted in the presence or absence of nitrate (10 mM), sulphate (0.52 mM) and phosphate (0.21 mM) allowed three phenomena explaining different SeO₄^2- retention behaviours found even between similar Cambisols to be proposed. Finally, we showed that the co-application of sulphate or phosphate with SeO₄^2- might decrease Se sorption from 150–170 µg kg^?1 to a net release from native Se pool.

Abbreviations: 1^st IP: first ionisation potential; RSD: relative standard deviation