MAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE SOIL AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE IN SOIL SCIENCE – A REVIEW

The magnetic susceptibility of soil minerals is discussed, and in particular that of the ferrimagnetic minerals, maghemite, magnetite, and the titanomagnetites since one or more of these usually dominates soil magnetic properties. The magnetic susceptibility of soil depends on the shape, size, and concentration of these minerals as well as on the method of measurement. Measurements performed in a weak alternating magnetic field are the most reliable. The identification, formation, and occurrence of soil maghemite is considered in detail since it is usually of pedogenic origin and occurs in (magnetically) detectable amounts in most soils. Moderate concentrations (>1 per cent) of magnetite or titanomagnetite in soils may be accurately measured if some of the material is first magnetically separated and its susceptibility determined. An example is given of the use of susceptibility measurements. Pedogenic maghemite may be determined in soils developed from parent materials of low susceptibility. A very rough value of 8.8 × 10^?4 m³ kg^?1 is suggested for the mass susceptibility of such maghemite (excluding magnetic concretions). Although susceptibility has been suggested as an indicator of soil forming processes, this is only possible within an area containing fairly uniform parent material.     

Redox reactions and phosphorus release in re-flooded soils of an altered wetland

Phosphorus loss from land can be a major factor affecting surface water quality. We studied P‐release mechanisms in wetland soils that had been drained and cultivated for four decades and then re‐flooded. We measured redox, pH and solution composition in two sites in the field and in four peat and calcareous soils incubated in biogeochemical microcosms. The redox and pH measurements during the 120 days of incubation and the resulting soil solution composition indicated that the main process leading to P release is reductive dissolution of ferric hydroxides on which P was adsorbed and in which P was occluded. The molar Fe:P ratio increased with period of reduction from below 1 in the first week of re‐flooding to 15–60 after 120 days. This suggests an increased P‐retention capacity upon reoxidation of the soil solution, whether within the soil profile or in the drainage canals. Prolonged flooding of the calcite‐poor, gypsum‐rich peat soils increased the oversaturation of soil solutions with respect to hydroxyapatite and occasionally β‐Ca₃(PO₄)₂(c), indicating that in spite of the large Ca concentration, the rate of Ca‐P precipitation was insufficient to maintain the saturation status of the Ca‐P system. In the calcareous soils the Ca‐P system effectively controlled the P activity in soil solution throughout the incubation period. In both cases the precipitation of Ca‐P minerals could be an important P‐retention mechanism.     

太湖流域水稻土的磁化率剖面

土壤磁学是一门新兴的土壤学分支学科。它以研究土壤磁性为中心内容,把现代磁学理论以及磁测、磁查和磁诊断等研究手段和方法应用到土壤学中来^[2]。土壤磁性的强弱,可用磁化率作为指标。土壤磁化率的大小,主要决定于含铁矿物的种类和数量,特别是强磁性矿物(亚铁磁性的磁铁矿Fe₂O₃·FeO和磁赤铁矿γ-Fe₂O₃)的数量。     

贵州碳酸盐岩发育土壤磁学性质及其发生机理

本文对贵州碳酸盐岩发育土壤的磁化率、磁化率频率系数和等温剩磁等磁学参数的系统测定以及磁性矿物研究表明，碳酸盐岩发育土壤磁学性质及其变化特征主要受成土地球化学作用和环境影响，具有十分重要的环境指示意义。本文在采用高梯度磁性分离土壤中氧化铁矿物基础上，综合运用Ｘ射线衍射分析、电子探针分析、透射电镜和穆斯堡尔谱等方法，讨论了碳酸盐岩发育土壤中磁性矿物的形成机理。     

Atmospheric deposition in maritime environments and its impact on terrestrial ecosystems

Seasalts are the dominant chemical constituents of precipitation in maritime regions. Dry deposition of these salts is also an important process and consequently, canopy interception by forest ecosystems greatly augments wet deposition. The separation of seasalt from non-seasalt sulphur is usually accomplished by reference to the concentration ratio of other major component ions of seawater, such as sodium-, chloride-, or magnesium-to sulphate. Biogenic sulphur, from the oceans or from terrestrial ecosystems is sometimes of importance in maritime regions. Seasalts, which dominate atmospheric deposition in maritime regions can induce short-term acidification in surface waters as a result of ion-exchange reactions following storm events. The results of one large storm in western Ireland in 1991 and the recovery process in a peat soil were clearly discernible in soil water analysis. The seasalt impact on acid mineral soils can be seen in the exchangeable sodium levels and the degree of base saturation of these soils.     

Peat soils: Genesis and classification

This paper considers three topical problems—the definition of peat soils as natural-historical formations and the estimation of their profile thickness, the analysis of the genesis of organic soils, and the principles of the classification of peat soils. Based on the experimental data of long-term studies, it was concluded that peat soils may include the whole peat layer and the upper horizons of the surface mineral soil. The organic and mineral parts of the natural structures were found to be a genetically homogeneous soil profile, which has the same history of development. The upper layer of the peat soils should be considered as the horizon reflecting the contemporary stage of the soil formation. A hierarchy of peat soils is analyzed for developing their classification.     

钢铁工业区降尘对周边土壤的影响

分别在南京的两个钢铁厂收集降尘并采集周边表土,并用ICP-AES和磁化率仪分析得到16种元素含量和表土、地面尘的磁化率。结果表明,两个钢铁工业区的大气降尘的年沉降通量分别为190t km-2a-1和407 t km-2a-1,这可能会影响着周边地区土壤的形成;Al、K、Na、Ti、V在降尘中的含量显著低于表土,而Ca,Fe,Zn,Mn,Pb,Cu在降尘中含量要显著高于表土;表土的磁化率除水田外均大于100×10-8m3kg-1,并且地面尘的磁化率要远远高于表土的磁化率。研究表明,钢铁工业区降尘对其周边土壤中污染元素的积累有明显影响,突出地表现在土壤表层重金属含量升高,而磁化率可以很好地表征这种表聚的特点。     

A method for modelling peat depth in blanket peatlands

Inventories of peat volume and carbon storage often include general values for peat depth, but more spatially explicit and accurate estimates are required if carbon management strategies are to be developed at scales appropriate for the management. This article presents a methodology for estimating peat depth for large blanket peat areas using field sampling and GIS modelling to map peat depth on Dartmoor in south‐west England. The study area was divided into carbon unit areas (CUAs) based on soil and vegetation. Approximately 1000 peat depth measurements were taken, each consisting of a mean (n = 5) from depths within a 32 m² area. Sampling points were stratified according to CUA area and proportional extent of slope and elevation classes. Regression analyses were used to determine the relationships between slope, elevation and peat depth within each CUA. The strongest relationship was for blanket peat (r² = 0.53), with weaker ones for areas where peat was shallow and depth was less variable. A digital elevation model was used in a GIS to model peat depths for the whole of Dartmoor. Results were tested against a data set of 200 peat depths on a 250 m grid covering 1325 ha. We conclude that peat depth can be modelled using easily available topographic data combined with well‐designed field sampling over larger spatial scales. The approach can result in accurate mapping of peat depth and carbon storage for blanket peatlands in the United Kingdom and perhaps also elsewhere.     

澧阳平原杉龙岗遗址埋藏古水稻土磁性矿物特性

为探明埋藏古水稻土磁性矿物特征,采用环境磁学方法研究了澧阳平原杉龙岗遗址埋藏古水稻土的磁性矿物含量、组成和粒度。结果表明,埋藏古水稻土的磁化率平均值为6.2×10~(–8) m~3/kg,饱和等温剩磁平均值为16 338×10~(–5)Am~2/kg,软剩磁平均值为773×10~(–5)Am~2/kg,退磁参数S300平均值为72%。埋藏古水稻土亚铁磁性和不完全反铁磁性矿物含量随土层深度增加不断降低,其含量均低于现代耕作水稻土层;埋藏古水稻土磁化率主要来源于亚铁磁性矿物和不完全反铁磁性矿物,且亚铁磁性矿物占相对主导地位;相对于现代耕作水稻土层,埋藏古水稻土层中磁性矿物以较粗的磁铁矿颗粒为主。     

水耕人为土磁性矿物的生成转化机制研究回顾与展望

随着环境问题的日益突出,人为活动对土壤的影响越来越深刻,需加强对"人为作用"的研究以便解释现代土壤磁性的过程和变化。水耕人为土在发育过程中人为作用的方式多种多样,明确其磁性矿物的生成和转化机制及其影响因素有利于理解人为活动对现代土壤磁性的作用。但目前水耕人为土磁学研究还比较零散,缺乏系统性,已有研究结果有待深入梳理。本文对已有的相关研究报道,包括水耕人为土磁性参数的演变特征、磁性矿物的生成转化机制以及对成土因素的响应等进行综合评述。最后,对当前研究的不足和存在问题进行总结,并对研究方向进行了展望,以期有助于环境磁学的发展。     

磁性参数在红壤退化评价指标中的应用

选择浙西金华地区兰溪实验观测站六种不同退化程度的红壤为研究对象 ,分析了反映红壤退化程度的物理、化学和生物指标及红壤磁测参数与它们之间的内在联系。结果表明 ,磁性参数与反映红壤退化程度的理化及生物指标均有显著或较显著的相关性。退化程度较轻的香樟林和混交林表现了较低的细晶粒磁性矿物含量和较高的反铁磁性矿物含量 ,退化程度较高的杉木林、桔园、草地则相反 ,细晶粒磁性矿物含量较高且亚铁磁性矿物的相对含量上升。磁性参数和土壤理化生物指标之间良好的相关性表明 ,磁性参数可以作为指示红壤退化程度的重要指标。     

基于地形因子和随机森林的丘陵区农田土壤有效铁空间分布预测

为了掌握丘陵地区农田土壤有效铁含量及其空间分布,本文以重庆市江津区永兴镇内同源成土母质的典型丘陵(2 km2)为研究区,采集309个土壤样点,利用普通克里格(Ordinary Kriging,OK)、多元线性回归(Multiple Linear Regression,MLR)、随机森林(Random Forest,RF)模型,结合高程、坡度、坡向、谷深、平面曲率、剖面曲率、汇聚指数、相对坡位指数、地形湿度指数等地形因子对土壤有效铁进行空间分布预测,并通过85个验证点评价、筛选预测模型。结果表明:1)土壤有效铁与谷深、地形湿度指数存在极显著水平正相关关系,与坡度、平面曲率、剖面曲率、汇聚指数、相对坡位指数存在极显著水平负相关关系。2)随机森林模型的预测精度明显高于多元线性回归和普通克里格插值,其平均绝对误差为22.33 mg·kg-1、均方根误差为27.98 mg·kg-1、决定系数为0.76,是研究区土壤有效铁含量空间分布的最适预测模型。3)地形湿度指数和坡度是影响该区域土壤有效铁含量空间分布的主要地形因子。土壤有效铁与坡度、谷深、平面曲率、剖面曲率、汇聚指数、相对坡位指数、地形湿度指数均达到极显著水平相关关系。4)研究区土壤有效铁含量范围为3.00~276.97 mg?kg-1,水田有效铁含量大于旱地;土壤有效铁具有较强的空间相关性,土壤有效铁含量空间变异主要受到结构性因素的影响。可见,基于地形因子的随机森林预测模型可以较好地解释丘陵区农田土壤有效铁含量的空间变异,研究结果为丘陵区土壤中、微量元素含量及空间分布预测提供方法借鉴和理论依据。     

Soil influence on landmine detection—insights from a field study in Mozambique

Purpose

Electromagnetic induction based metal detectors are commonly used in landmine clearance operations. Their performance can be seriously deteriorated by magnetic properties of the soil in which the landmines are buried.

Materials and methods

Soil magnetic parameters were studied at three locations in Southern Mozambique where soils had caused severe problems during former landmine clearance campaigns. Field work comprised a geological and pedological survey of soils and the parent rock materials. Soil and rock samples were analyzed to determine pedological standard parameters and magnetic susceptibility. Geochemical analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and thermomagnetic analysis helped to clarify the mineral composition and to specify the origin and properties of the magnetic minerals. The spatial distribution of the topsoil magnetic susceptibility was investigated in the field and characterized using geostatistical analyses.

Results and discussion

Despite different degrees of weathering of the investigated soils, their magnetic mineral composition is dominated by lithogenic (Ti-) magnetites. Moreover, there are clues for the pedogenic neoformation of ultrafine-grained ferrimagnetic minerals in two of the three topsoils. The deterioration of metal detector performance at the sites results from the high frequency dependence of magnetic susceptibility at two locations and from the distinct spatial variability of topsoil magnetic susceptibility at all locations.

Conclusions

To assess soil effects on the performance of modern metal detectors the investigations of frequency-dependent susceptibility and of spatial susceptibility distribution are the most meaningful tools. Summarizing, the topsoil magnetic properties of the investigated sites are predominantly influenced by their parent material and to a minor degree by pedogenic neoformation.     

Nutrient availability and response of sago palm (Metroxylon sago Rottb.) to controlled release N fertilizer on coastal lowland peat in the tropics

Sago palms (Metroxylon sagu Rottb.) growing on peat soils were found to grow more slowly and to show a lower production than palms growing on mineral soils. This difference was related to the physical and chemical constraints of peat soils, which include low bulk density, high acidity, and low N, P, K, Ca, Zn, and Cu levels. In coastal lowland peat soils, the distance from the sea has been found to be an important determinant of soil elemental composition. We predicted that a sufficient supply of N at the rosette stage would improve sago palm growth and that the availability of N in soil to which controlled release N fertilizer was applied might be higher than that in soil treated with soluble fertilizer. To investigate the changes in the nutrient composition of peat soils at various distances from the sea and the effect on sago palm growth, we studied sago palm areas in Indonesia and Malaysia. To observe the influence of N on the growth performance, we also conducted a fertilizer experiment on coastal lowland peat soil in Indonesia. Distance from the sea had no significant effect on the cation concentration in the soil solution (with the exception of Mg) or on the levels of soil-exchangeable cations. No significant differences were observed between the concentrations of exchangeable cations in surface peat soils and those in mature leaves. However, the concentrations of K, Na, and Ca in mature leaves increased significantly with their concentrations in the soil solution. This finding implies that the concentrations of cations in sago palm leaves depend directly on the concentrations of cations in the soil solution. No significant effect of N fertilizers on plant height and leaf formation was observed. N fertilizers applied twice a year did not affect appreciably the foliar concentration of N determined in December 1998 (5 months after the initial application) and December 1999. In June 2000, we detected a significantly higher concentration of N (p < 0.01) in young leaves of the palms treated with LP-100 or urea than in control leaves. However, no significant difference was detected between the LP-100 and urea treatments in the concentration of N in both mature and young leaves. This finding indicated that the concentration of N in sago palm leaves increased with the level of soil-applied N, regardless of whether N was applied as controlled release fertilizer or in the soluble form. We anticipate that a significant difference in the effects of these N fertilizers may occur during the next rainy season, when there should be a considerable loss of soluble N.     

Digital soil map of the Ussuri River basin

On the basis of digital soil, topographic, and geological maps; raster topography model; forestry materials; and literature data, the digital soil map of the Ussuri River basin (24400 km²) was created on a scale of 1: 100000. To digitize the initial paper-based maps and analyze the results, an ESRI ArcGIS Desktop (ArcEditor) v.10.1 (http://www.esri.com) and an open-code SAGA GIS v.2.3 (System for Automated Geoscientific Analyses, http://www.saga-gis.org) were used. The spatial distribution of soil areas on the obtained digital soil map is in agreement with modern cartographic data and the SRTM digital elevation model (SRTM DEM). The regional soil classification developed by G.I. Ivanov was used in the legend to the soil map. The names of soil units were also correlated with the names suggested in the modern Russian soil classification system. The major soil units on the map are at the soil subtypes that reflect the entire vertical spectrum of soils in the south of the Far East of Russia (Primorye region). These are mountainous tundra soils, podzolic soils, brown taiga soils, mountainous brown forest soils, bleached brown soils, meadow-brown soils, meadow gley soils, and floodplain soils). With the help of the spatial analysis function of GIS, the comparison of the particular characteristics of the soil cover with numerical characteristics of the topography, geological composition of catchments, and vegetation cover was performed.     

Microbial Communities in Long-Term Heavy Metal Contaminated Ombrotrophic Peats

High concentrations of heavy metals are known to be toxic to many soil organisms. The effects of long-term exposure to lower levels of metals on the soil microbial community are, however, less well understood. The southern Pennines of the U.K. are characterised by expanses of ombrotrophic peat soils that have experienced deposition of high levels of heavy metals since the mid to late 1800s. Concentrations of metals in the peat remain high but the effect of the contamination on the in-situ microbial communities is unknown. Geochemical and molecular polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) and sequencing techniques were used to derive new information on the metal chemistry and microbial populations in peat soils from six locations in the southern Pennines. All sites were highly acidic (pH 3.00–3.14) with high concentrations of potentially toxic heavy metals, particularly porewater Zn and particulate-associated Pb. The results also reveal a split in site characteristics between the most polluted sites with the highest levels of bioavailable metals (Bleaklow, FeatherBed Moss and White Hill) and those with much lower bioavailable metals (Cowms Moor, Holme Moss and Round Hill). There was no difference in the number of dominant bacterial species between the sites but there were significant differences in the species composition. At the three sites with the highest levels of bioavailable metals, bacterial species with a high similarity to acidophilic sulphur- and iron-oxidizing bacteria and those from high metal environments were detected. The transformations carried out by these metal mobilising and acid producing bacteria may make heavy metals more bioavailable and therefore more toxic to higher organisms. Bacteria with similarity to those typically found in forest and grassland soils were documented at the three sites with the lowest levels of bioavailable metals. The data highlight the need for further studies to elucidate the species diversity and functionality of bacteria in heavy metal contaminated peats in order to assess implications for moorland restoration.     

Mineral magnetic properties of a weathering sequence of soils derived from basalt in Eastern China

The magnetic properties and magnetic mineralogy of a weathering sequence of soils developed on basalt parent material from eastern China, were studied by rock magnetism, X-ray diffraction and soil chemical analyses to establish the connection between mineral magnetic properties and pedogenic development in a subtropical region. The magnetic susceptibility of soils formed on basalt varied greatly and did not increase with the degree of pedogenic development. The frequency-dependent susceptibility (χfd) values of soils ranged from 1.0 to 11.1% and increased with the pedogenic development. Highly significant linear relationship was found between the frequency-dependent susceptibility and the Fe_d content (R² = 0.683) and Fe_d/Fe_t ratio (R² = 0.780) in soils, indicating that pedogenic SP ferrimagnetic grains were associated with enrichment of the secondary iron oxide minerals in the weathering process of soil. Rock magnetism analysis showed that the major magnetic carriers in the weakly weathered soil profiles are magnetite and/or maghemite, and the highly developed soil profiles are generally enriched in magnetite/maghemite grains of pedogenic origin and the magnetically hard haematite, indicating that the magnetic component was transformed from a ferrimagnetic phase (magnetite) to antiferromagnetic phase (hematite) during pedogenic development. Results indicated that some of the magnetic parameters of soils, in this case χfd, can be useful for pedogenic comparisons and age correlations in the weathering sequence of soil. It is thus suggested that multiparameter rock magnetic investigations represent a more powerful approach for pedogenesis.     

Gravity factor of the formation of the field and capillary water capacities in soils and artificial layered soil-like bodies

The water retention capacity of soils characterizes a quasiequilibrium between the forces retaining and removing the soil water. It has been studied under field and laboratory conditions. It is shown that the gravity factor, as well as the soil particle-size distribution and structure, has an important role in determining the soil water capacity after the outflow of gravitational water. Our study enlarges the traditional notion about the nature of the field water capacity and capillary water capacity. Physically substantiated methods for determining these constants from the soil water retention curves are suggested. The assessment of the amount of perched water in the layers with broken capillary systems, such as in the layered soils and in the artificial soil-like bodies created upon the construction of soil drainage systems, is of particular importance. Regularities of the water retention capacity in such layered soils of different textures with inclusions of gravelly and peat layers have been analyzed. It is shown that the creation of layered soils with gravelly and peat layers may be an efficient method to rise the soil water retention capacity and protect the soil from secondary salinization.     

Field-scale spatial variability of soil calcium in a semi-arid region: Implications for soil erosion and site-specific management

Excess calcium(Ca) in soils of semi-arid and arid regions has negative effects on soil structure and chemical properties, which limits the crop root growth as well as the availability of soil water and nutrients. Quantifying the spatial variability of soil Ca contents may reveal factors influencing soil erosion and provide a basis for site-specific soil and crop management in semi-arid regions. This study sought to assess the spatial variability of soil Ca in relation to topography, hydraulic attributes, and soil types for precision soil and crop management in a 194-ha production field in the Southern High Plains of Texas,USA. Soils at four depth increments(0–2, 0–15, 15–30, and 30–60 cm) were sampled at 232 points in the spring of 2017. The Ca content of each sample was determined with a DP-6000 Delta Premium portable X-ray fluorescence(PXRF) spectrometer. Elevation data was obtained using a real-time kinematic GPS receiver with centimeter-level accuracy. A digital elevation model(DEM) was derived from the elevation data, and topographic and hydraulic attributes were generated from this DEM. A generalized least-squares model was then developed to assess the relationship between soil Ca contents of the four layers and the topographic and hydraulic attributes. Results showed that topographic attributes, especially slope and elevation, had a significant effect on soil Ca content at different depths(P 0.01). In addition, hydraulic attributes, especially flow length and sediment transport index(STI), had a significant effect on the spatial distribution of soil Ca. Spatial variability of soil Ca and its relationships with topographic and hydraulic attributes and soil types indicated that surface soil loss may occur due to water or wind erosion, especially on susceptible soils with high slopes. Therefore, this study suggests that the application of PXRF in assessing soil Ca content can potentially facilitate a new method for soil erosion evaluation in semi-arid lands. The results of this study provide valuable information for site-specific soil conservation and crop management.     

Examining soil organic carbon in the mountainous peat swamps of the Zoigê Plateau in China's Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Mountainous peatlands are one of the most important terrestrial ecosystems for carbon storage and play an important role in the global carbon cycle. An insight into the carbon cycle of peat swamps located in mountainous regions can be obtained by studying the distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) and its relationships with environmental factors. This study focused on the development conditions of peat swamps in the Gahai wetlands, located on the Zoigê Plateau, China, with four different altitudinal gradients as experimental sample sites. The distribution of SOC and its relationship with environmental factors were analysed through vegetation surveys and a generalized additive model (GAM). The results show that with increasing altitude, soil temperature decreased while the soil pH and bulk density initially decreased then increased. On the contrary, the topographic wetness index (TWI), SOC content, above-ground biomass and litter count initially increased then decreased. The SOC content of the 0–30 cm soil layer was in the range 226–330 g·kg⁻¹ (coefficient of variation (CV) = 21.4%), and the 30–60 cm layer was 178–257 g·kg⁻¹ (CV = 17.5%) and was significantly correlated (p < .05) with above-ground biomass and litter count. Meanwhile, the SOC content in the 60–90 cm soil layer was in the range 132–167 g·kg⁻¹ (CV = 9.2%) with a significant correlation (p < .05) with soil temperature, pH, bulk density and topographic moisture index. The study showed that the SOC content exhibited more pronounced spatial patterns with increasing altitude, with the peak value in the shallow soil layer appearing in lower elevation areas compared with the deep soil layer. The level of variation changed from medium to low, reflecting the stable mechanism for maintaining SOC within the heterogeneous peat swamp environment.