城市土壤的压实退化及其环境效应

城市土壤普遍存在严重的压实退化现象。由于压实的影响,土壤物理性质发生了显著的改变:结构破坏、容重和硬度增大、孔隙度和渗透性降低。这些重要的变化对土壤生物活动、土壤物理-化学平衡和氧化还原状况、土壤的过滤和缓冲性能都产生影响。由此对环境产生严重的负面效应:地下水的自然回灌减少,地表径流量增加,降雨的径流洪峰加快、加大,地表水体的污染负荷增加。土壤温度、微生物活动、养分转化都不同于自然土壤,植物的生长也受到严重的影响。     

Speciation of heavy metals in garden soils: evidences from selective and sequential chemical leaching

Purpose  

Gardening (especially food growing) in urban areas is becoming popular, but urban soils are often very contaminated for historical reasons. There is lack of sufficient information as to the bioavailability of soil heavy metals to plants and human in urban environments. This study examines the relative leachability of Cr, Ni, As, Cd, Zn, and Pb for soils with varying characteristics. The speciation and mobility of these metals can be qualitatively inferred from the leaching experiments. The goal is to use the data to shed some light on their bioavailability to plant and human, as well as the basis for soil remediation.     

Effect of soil sealing on the microbial biomass,N transformation and related enzyme activities at various depths of soils in urban area of Beijing,China

Purpose  

Sealing of soils prevents the exchange of gas, water and nutrient between soil and other environmental compartments, and affects urban N flux, thereby resulting in certain negative impacts on soil functioning and urban environment. However, little information is available on the biogeochemical cycling and biological activities after sealing of soils in urban areas. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of soil sealing on N transformation and associated microbial properties.     

Carbon and trace element mobility in an urban soil amended with green waste compost

Background, aim and scope  

The amendment of degraded urban soils using recycled organic wastes offers potential improvements to physicochemical status and functionality, but there is a paucity of knowledge on the potential impact on residual contaminants in soil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mobility of trace metals and arsenic (As) through an urban soil following amendment with green waste compost over an annual cycle.     

Spatial distribution of sediments and transfer properties in soils in a stormwater infiltration basin

Purpose  

The aim of our study was to characterise the heterogeneity of sediment distribution in a stormwater retention/infiltration basin (Pont de Cheviré, Nantes, France) and to determine the impact of this distribution on water transfer properties in the soil.     

Effects of compaction on soil surface water repellency

Water repellency can reduce the infiltration capacity of soils over timescales similar to those of precipitation events. Compaction can also reduce infiltration capacity by decreasing soil hydraulic conductivity, but the effect of compaction on soil water repellency is unknown. This study explores the effect of compaction on the wettability of water repellent soil. Three air‐dry (water content ～4 g 100 g^?1) silt loam samples of contrasting wettability (non‐repellent, strongly and severely water repellent) were homogenized and subjected to various pressures in the range 0–1570 kPa in an odeometer for 24 h. Following removal, sample surface water repellency was reassessed using the water drop penetration time method and surface roughness using white light interferometry. An increase in compaction pressure caused a significant reduction in soil surface water repellency, which in turn increases the soil's initial infiltration capacity. The difference in surface roughness of soils compacted at the lowest and highest pressures was significant (at P > 0.2) suggesting an increase in the contact area between sessile water drops and soil surfaces was providing increased opportunities for surface wetting mechanisms to proceed. This suggests that compaction of a water repellent soil may lead to an increased rate of surface wetting, which is a precursor to successful infiltration of water into bulk soil. Although there may be a reduction in soil conductivity upon compaction, the more rapid initiation of infiltration may, in some circumstances, lead to an overall increase in the proportion of rain or irrigation water infiltrating water repellent soil, rather than contributing to surface run‐off or evaporation.     

人为侵入体对城市绿地土壤水分入渗特征的影响

在快速城市化过程中,人为侵入体大量混入绿地,改变了土壤的三相组成及孔隙特征,但其对城市绿地土壤的入渗影响仍不清楚。基于一维垂直土柱入渗模拟,以典型人为侵入体砖块和混凝土碎块为例,研究其对城市绿地土壤水分入渗的影响特征。结果表明:(1)人为侵入体的混入均会抑制城市绿地土壤水分下渗,导致其稳定入渗速率降低,累积入渗量、湿润锋距离和土壤体积含水量减小,深层土壤水分变化滞后。同一配比下,以混凝土碎块对土壤水分入渗的抑制作用更为明显(P0.1);(2)随着人为侵入体配比从10%增加到20%,土壤稳定入渗率、累积入渗量、湿润锋距离和土壤体积含水量仍持续减小或略有增加,但差异均不显著(P0.1),其对土壤水分下渗的抑制作用渐趋减弱。(3)不同类型人为侵入体及配比下,城市绿地土壤水分的入渗量随时间变化更加符合Kostiakov模型。研究结果可为未来海绵城市的高效建设提供科学依据。     

Early detection of the effects of compaction in forested soils: evidence from selective extraction techniques

Purpose

Soil compaction resulting from mechanisation of forest operations reduces air permeability and hydraulic conductivity of soil and can result in the development of hydromorphic and/or anoxic conditions. These hydromorphic conditions can affect physico-chemical properties of the soils. However, early detection of these effects on mineralogical portion of soils is methodologically difficult.

Materials and methods

To analyse the effects of soil compaction on iron minerals in loamy Luvisol, three compacted and three non-compacted soil profiles up to the depth of 50 cm were collected from an artificially deforested and compacted soils after 2 years of treatment. Soil was compacted with the help of 25 Mg wheeler’s load to increase the dry bulk density of soil from 1.21?±?0.05 to 1.45?±?0.1 g cm^?3. Soil samples were analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and were treated by citrate bicarbonate (CB) and dithionite citrate bicarbonate (DCB) under controlled conditions. Major and minor elements (Fe, Al, Mg, Si and Mn) were analysed by ICP-AES in the CB and DCB extracts.

Results and discussion

It was found that X-ray diffraction is not an enough sensitive method to detect the quick mineralogical changes due to soil compaction. Results obtained from CB-DCB extractions showed that soil compaction resulted in larger CB and smaller DCB extractable elements as compared to non-compacted soil. Labile Fe was found 30 % of total Fe oxides in compacted soil against 10–14 % in non-compacted soils. Compaction thus resulted in Fe transfer from non-labile to labile oxides (s.l.). Results showed that soil compaction leads to the reduction of Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺. The effects of hydromorphic conditions due to soil compaction were observed up to the depth of 35 cm in forest soil profile. Furthermore, a close association of Al with Fe oxides was observed in the soil samples, while Mn and Si were mainly released from other sources, Mg showing an intermediate behaviour.

Conclusions

Hydromorphic conditions owing to soil compaction affect the mobility and crystallisation process of iron mineral. CB-DCB selective extraction technique, in contrast to XRD technique, can be effectively used to examine the possible effects of soil compaction on iron minerals.

     

不同压实水平下铁尾矿砂和土壤的水力学特征比较

由于尾矿砂的不良结构和严重压实,水土流失严重,水分已成为其生态恢复的重要限制因素。因此以水分运移为主线,通过室内土柱模拟,研究铁尾矿砂和土壤在自然状态到最大压实状态间5个压实水平(铁尾矿砂1.50~1.70 g/cm^3,土壤1.30~1.50 g/cm^3)的水力学特征差异,为尾矿砂的合理改良提供依据。结果表明:铁尾矿砂自然容重1.50 g/cm^3的水分入渗能力低于土壤自然容重1.30 g/cm^3的水分入渗能力。随容重的增大,尾矿砂和土壤的水分运移特征均呈幂函数减小的趋势,但分别在1.60,1.40 g/cm^3处入渗能力明显降低。从水分参数入渗率、湿润锋距离、累计入渗量、饱和导水率、剖面水分分布整体来看,在较低容重范围内,土壤水分运移能力高于铁尾矿砂,但由于容重对土壤水分运移的影响大于铁尾矿砂,在较高容重范围内,土壤的水分运移能力则不如铁尾矿砂。铁尾矿砂和土壤的水分特征曲线形状也完全不同,铁尾矿砂呈现"上凸"形,表现为高吸力段缓低吸力段陡,土壤水分特征曲线均为"下凹"形,表现为高吸力段陡低吸力段缓。因此,尾矿砂中可以添加土壤或者类似土壤结构的基质来增强其不良的持水性和导水性,促进生态恢复。     

Spatial and temporal variability of urban soil water dynamics observed by a soil monitoring network

Purpose

Urban soils’ variability in the vertical direction presumably affects hydrological parameters at the timescale. Moreover, horizontal soil alterations at small spatial scales are common in urban areas. This spatio-temporal variability and heterogeneity of soil moisture and the possible influencing factors were to be described and quantified, using data of a soil monitoring network in the city of Hamburg, Germany.

Materials and methods

Soil moisture data from ten observation sites within the project HUSCO was evaluated for two different years. The sites were located within districts with different mean groundwater table depths and characteristic urban soil properties. Soil hydrological simulations with SWAP were calculated for a selected site.

Results and discussion

The temporal evolution of soil water content and tension for the sites was very distinct, related to soil substrate, organic matter content, and groundwater table depth. Impacts of different vegetation rooting depths, the soil substrates’ type, and to some extent the degree of disturbance on soil water dynamics could be identified. An impact of groundwater table depth on the water content of the topsoil during low-precipitation periods could be assumed. The comparison of the results of soil hydrological simulations with empirical data indicated an overestimation of infiltration and percolation for the given soil substrates.

Conclusions

While soil properties are mainly determinant for the long-term progression of soil hydrology, local site factors affect the short-term regime. A shallow groundwater table contributes to more constant water dynamics while the relative decrease of water during a dry phase is diminished.

     

The effect of tillage type and cropping system on earthworm communities, macroporosity and water infiltration

To test the assumption that changes to earthworm communities subsequently affect macroporosity and then soil water infiltration, we carried out a 3 year study of the earthworm communities in a experimental site having six experimental treatments: 2 tillage management systems and 3 cropping systems. The tillage management was either conventional (CT; annual mouldboard ploughing up to −30 cm depth) or reduced (RT; rotary harrow up to −7 cm depth). The 3 cropping systems were established to obtain a wide range of soil compaction intensities depending on the crop rotations and the rules of decision making. In the spring of 2005, the impact of these different treatments on earthworm induced macroporosity and water infiltration was studied. During the 3 years of observation, tillage management had a significant effect on bulk density (1.27 in CT and 1.49 mg m⁻³ in RT) whereas cropping system had a significant effect on bulk density in RT plots only. Tillage management did not significantly affect earthworm abundance but significantly influenced the ecological type of earthworms found in each plot (anecic were more abundant in RT). On the contrary cropping system did have a significant negative effect on earthworm abundance (104 and 129 ind. m⁻² in the less and most compacted plots, respectively). Significantly higher numbers of Aporrectodea giardi and lower numbers of Aporrectodea caliginosa were found in the most compacted plots. CT affected all classes of porosity leading to a significant decrease in the number of pores and their continuity. Only larger pores, with a diameter superior to 6 mm, however, were adversely affected by soil compaction. Tillage management did not change water infiltration, probably because the increase in macroporosity in RT plots was offset by a significant increase in soil bulk density. However, cropping system had a significant effect on water infiltration (119 vs 79 mm h⁻¹ in the less and most compacted plots, respectively). In RT plots, a significant correlation was observed between larger macropores (diameter > 6 mm) and water infiltration illustrating the potential positive effect of earthworms in these plots.     

Characterizing urban soils in New York City: profile properties and bacterial communities

Purpose

The influence of human activities on the development and functioning of urban soils and their profile characteristics is still inadequately understood. Microbial communities can change due to anthropogenic disturbances and it is unclear how they exist along urban soil profiles. This study investigates the dynamic soil properties (DSPs) and the bacterial communities along the profiles of urban soils in New York City (NYC) with varying degree of human disturbances.

Materials and methods

Eleven pedons were investigated across NYC as well as one control soil in a nearby non-urban area. Six soils are formed in naturally deposited materials (ND) and five in human-altered and human-transported materials (HAHT). For each soil, the profile was described and each horizon was sampled to assess DSPs and the bacterial community composition and diversity.

Results and discussion

The development and the DSPs of NYC soils are influenced by the incorporation of HAHT materials and atmospheric deposits. The most abundant bacterial taxa observed in the NYC soils are also present in most natural and urban soils worldwide. The bacterial diversity was lower in some soils formed in ND materials, in which the contribution of low-abundance taxa was more restricted. Some differences in bacterial community composition separated the soils formed in ND materials and in dredged sediments from the soils formed in high artifact fill and serpentinite till. Changes in bacterial community composition between soil horizons were more noticeable in urban soils formed in ND materials than in those formed in HAHT materials which display less differentiated profiles and in the non-urban highly weathered soil.

Conclusions

The bacterial diversity is not linked to the degree of disturbance of the urban soils but the variations in community composition between pedons and along soil profiles could be the result of changes in soil development and properties related to human activities and should be consistently characterized in urban soils.

     

Role of earthworms in regenerating soil structure after compaction in reduced tillage systems

New non-tillage or reduced tillage agricultural practises are being increasingly adopted but generally result in higher soil compaction. Due to their recognised physical influence mainly through burrow creation, it is often claimed that earthworm activity could alleviate soil compaction in these systems. To put this assumption to the test, an experimental compaction event was carried out on one plot of arable land. The abundance and biomass of earthworms were evaluated in compacted (under wheel tracks) and non-compacted (between wheel tracks) zones, seven times over a two-year period. In addition, the functional consequences of earthworm activity, defined by burrow abundance assessed in 2D and 3D and water infiltration, were measured three times over the same period. The short-term (less than three months) effects of the compaction were clear: soil bulk density increased from 1.46 to 1.57 g cm⁻³, the abundance and biomass of earthworms were greatly reduced (−40% and −70% respectively) and the number and continuity of macroporosity were lower under wheel tracks at least until a depth of 30 cm. After these initial detrimental effects, we observed a rapid recovery of earthworm populations with no statistical difference between compacted and control zones more than three months after the compaction. However, the recovery of soil functional properties linked to earthworm activity, macroporosity and water infiltration, was much slower and took between 12 and 24 months. Despite these modifications, there were no significant changes in soil bulk density with time during the two-year period. This study demonstrates that earthworms are important actors in the regeneration of compacted soil. Although the complete regeneration of compacted soil by earthworms is a slow process, agricultural practises that promote earthworm density and activity should be encouraged in reduced or minimum tillage systems.     

Influence of Enchytraeidae (Enchytraeus albidus) and compaction on nutrient mobilization in an urban soil

Soil compaction is an often-recorded characteristic of degraded soils, and—along with soil sealing and contamination—frequently found in urban habitats. Knowledge about the impact of soil degradation on the ecosystem functioning in urban environments is limited, although urbanization is the major ongoing land use change worldwide. Since urban soils are a potential habitat for soil animals, and burrowing soil fauna exerts a profound impact on the structure and functioning of soils, we studied the impact of increased bulk densities on the ability of Enchytraeus albidus (Enchytraeidae: Oligochaeta) to penetrate compacted soils. Moreover, it was our aim to characterize the influence of the worms on the mobilization of nutrients in urban soils. E. albidus was able to enter compacted sandy loamy soil columns with a bulk density of up to approx. 1.4 g cm⁻³, but only up to approx. 1.0 g cm⁻³ in pure sandy soil columns. Soil compaction increased the amounts of water-extractable sodium (7.5%) and magnesium (13.4%) compared to the non-compacted soil. Presence of E. albidus in the non-compacted soil resulted in higher water-extractable concentrations of sodium (17.4%), potassium (16.8%), calcium (11.3%), magnesium (13.2%), dissolved organic carbon (DOC, 14.5%) and nitrate (20.4%) in soil extracts. In the compacted soil, however, the enhanced nutrient availability due to the activity of the enchytraeids was less pronounced than in the non-compacted soil. Although the concentrations of DOC (13.5%), nitrate (15.6%), calcium (5.8%) and magnesium (4.0%) were significantly higher in the presence of E. albidus than in the columns without animals, the performance of the animals was partly impaired. This was most likely due to the higher penetration resistance of the compacted soils. The degree of compaction investigated in this study was relatively low-chosen to allow for the colonization of the soils by E. albidus. We conclude that the observed negative effects of increased bulk densities on the activity of soil enchytraeids can occur in any more frequented city park, thereby decreasing turnover rates and the supply of soil nutrients in urban ecosystems.     

Compaction characteristics of towed wheels on clay loam in a soil bin

Wheel induced soil compaction is an ongoing concern in mechanized agriculture. This experimental study was performed with the aim to evaluate whether soil compaction is related to stresses induced by towed wheels. Soil bin studies were conducted and soil compaction variables were measured under two towed tires, with different tread patterns, commonly used in Turkey. Tests were carried out at three tire loads (3.5, 5.5 and 7.5 kN) and two forward velocities (0.8 and 1.4 m/s) on a clay loam. To determine soil compaction, surface sinkage, subsurface layer deformation, compaction index, penetration resistance and bulk density were measured. With increasing vertical load, average contact pressure of tires increased from 39.3 to 68.5 kPa. In different trials, surface sinkage, compaction index, penetration resistance and bulk density varied from 46 to 86 mm, 0.18 to 0.48, 1472 to 2530 kPa and 1.31 to 1.70 Mg m⁻³, respectively. The soil contact projected area of tire 2 was approximately 10% greater than tire 1. The greater contact surface reduced the compaction at the soil surface and subsurface, but the tire load was still the dominant factor in the 0–20 cm depth range used in this study. According to the experimental results, decreasing contact duration with increasing forward velocity decreased soil compaction. Tire load and type affected soil deformation characteristics stronger than forward velocity.     

Distribution of major elements and trace metals as indicators of technosolisation of urban and suburban soils

Purpose

Can geochemical characteristics indicate the human impact on soil formation (technosolisation) for urban and suburban soils? This question is assessed for the city of Marrakech located in one of the main agricultural areas of Morocco and characterized by a very rapid rate of expansion. The aim of this work is to assess geochemical properties of surface horizons of urban and suburban soils and to compare them with land use types.

Materials and methods

Fifty-eight surface soil samples were collected in different sectors of the city with different land use histories. As land use can be defined as the human use of land, these sampling sites were selected according to the current human activity (e.g., residential districts, agriculture, market-gardening, traditional, or industrial activities) and according to the superposition of the land use over time. All samples were air-dried, disaggregated, homogenized, and then sieved through a 2-mm mesh. Major elements and trace metals were measured in the soil using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. For technical limits, Cd was measured using atomic adsorption spectrometry.

Results and discussion

Urban and suburban soils of Marrakech present generally similar geochemical compositions for many elements. Siliceous (SiO₂) compounds related to the parent material are dominant in these soils. However, the significant concentrations of P₂O₅ and CaO, measured in some of the urban soils studied, can be attributed to anthropogenic inputs of phosphorus (P) and technic materials, mainly building materials composed of cement and gypsum (plaster). Soils collected from agricultural areas irrigated with urban wastewater and soils developed on rubbish dumps are the most contaminated by metals (e.g., Cu, Zn, and Pb). Therefore, the distribution of major and trace elements in soils underlines the considerable impact of urban land uses.

Conclusions

Human activities determine the type of land use, impact the urban environment, and cause a wide spatial diversity of soil quality. The urban and suburban soils of Marrakech contain similar major element distributions except for strongly anthropised soils (soils developed on rubbish dumps and agricultural soils irrigated with urban wastewater). Unlike major elements, trace elements present systematically significantly higher concentrations in urban soils than those measured in control soils. In these conditions, the highest concentrations exceed international clean-up standards and are correlated with land use type. Phosphorus, Ca, and several heavy metals are proposed as indicators of human impacts on soil characteristics in urban and suburban environments.     

黑土坡面垄侧少耕措施的土壤侵蚀特征分析

为探究黑土区坡耕地垄侧少耕措施对土壤侵蚀特征的影响,在5°和7°坡面开展人工模拟降雨试验,降雨强度为75,100 mm/h,横垄处理方式包括全松（土壤容重均为1.00 g/cm³）、上松下实（土壤容重分别为1.00,1.20 g/cm³）、上实下松（土壤容重分别为1.20,1.00 g/cm³）及全实（土壤容重均为1.20 g/cm³）4种。结果表明：垄侧少耕措施有助于延缓横垄溢流时间,具有明显的调控土壤侵蚀作用。土壤侵蚀量大小总体表现为全松>上松下实>全实>上实下松。除75 mm/h降雨强度下的5°坡面外,与全松处理相比,上实下松和全实处理的径流量分别减少16.1%~19.4%和6.6%~11.4%,土壤侵蚀量分别减少25.0%~52.5%和17.9%~31.6%,且上实下松和全实处理的径流率和土壤侵蚀速率随降雨历时的变化相对比较平稳。可见,垄侧少耕措施在调控总径流量和土壤侵蚀量的同时,也具有较好地调控径流侵蚀过程的作用。因此,建议根据黑土区坡耕地具体降雨特征和地形坡度等因素科学选用垄侧少耕措施。     

Effect of biochar amendment on water infiltration in a coastal saline soil

Purpose

Increasing data have shown that biochar amendment can improve soil fertility and crop production, but there is little knowledge about whether biochar amendment can improve water infiltration in saline soils. We hypothesized that biochar amendment could promote water infiltration in saline soil. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of biochar amendment on water infiltration and find the suitable amendment rate and particle size of biochar as a saline soil conditioner.

Materials and methods

We measured water infiltration parameters in a coastal saline soil (silty loam) amended with non-sieved biochar at different rates (0.5, 1, 2, 5, and 10%, w/w) or sieved biochar of different particle sizes (≤?0.25 mm, 0.25–1 mm, and 1–2 mm) at 1 and 10% (w/w).

Results and discussion

Compared with the control, amending non-sieved biochar at 10% significantly decreased water infiltration into the saline soil (P?<?0.05). In contrast, sieved biochar of ≤?0.25 mm significantly improved water infiltration capacity, irrespective of the amendment rate. Sieved biochar of 1–2 mm was less effective to improve soil porosity and when amended at 10%, it even reduced the water infiltration capacity. The Philip model (R²?=?0.983–0.999) had a better goodness-of-fit than the Green-Ampt model (R²?=?0.506–0.923) for simulation of cumulative infiltration.

Conclusions

Amending biochar sieved to a small particle size improved water infiltration capacity of the coastal saline soil compared with non-sieved biochar irrespective of the amendment rate. This study contributes toward improving the hydrological property of coastal saline soil and rationally applying biochar in the field.

     

Pea growth and symbiotic activity response to Nod factors (lipo-chitooligosaccharides) and soil compaction

Growth and symbiotic activity of legumes are reduced by high soil compaction and mediated by Nod factors (LCO, lipo-chitooligosaccharides) application. Our objective was to assess the combined effects of soil compaction and Nod factors application on growth and symbiotic activity of pea. The experiment was two factorial and included soil compaction (1.30 g cm⁻³ – not compacted (control) and 1.55 g cm⁻³ – compacted soil), and Nod factors concentration (control without addition of Nod factors and use of 260 nM Nod solution) for each soil compaction. The soil (Haplic Luvisol) was packed into pots, pea (Pisum sativum L.) seeds were soaked with Nod factors solution or water and then plants were grown for 46 days. This study has shown that soil compaction and treatments of pea seeds with Nod factors influenced pea growth and symbiotic activity. Soil compaction significantly reduced pea growth parameters, namely plant height, dry mass, leaf area, root mass and root length and symbiotic parameters, namely mass of nodules, dry mass of an individual nodule, nitrogenase activity and total nitrogen content in plant in comparison to the non-compacted treatment. Treatment of seeds with Nod factors generally improved nearly all of the above parameters. Nitrogenase activity per pot and total plant nitrogen content were significantly reduced by soil compaction and increased by application of Nod factors in plants grown in not compacted soil. Our results demonstrate that increased symbiotic activity resulting from Nod factors addition may mitigate adverse effect of soil compaction on plant growth.     

Potential of AFM–nanothermal analysis to study the microscale thermal characteristics in soils and natural organic matter (NOM)

Purpose  

This exploratory study evaluates the potential of nanothermal analysis (nTA) coupled with atomic force microscopy (AFM) of soil samples for understanding physicochemical processes in soil and for linking the nanospatial and microspatial distribution of thermal characteristics with the macroscopic properties of soil samples.