The Diversity of Bacterial Communities in Urban Soils

Urbanozems (Urbic Technosols) contaminated by heavy metals and polychlorbiphenyls (Urbic Technosols Toxic) and intruzems (Urbic Technosols Toxic) were studied in Moscow; additionally, we studied recreazems (Urbic Technosols Thaptohumic) and culturozems (Urbic Technosols Pantohumic) on the territory of the Botanical Garden of Moscow State University (Aptekarskii Ogorod, the Apothecaries’ Garden). In the soils contaminated with heavy metals and oil products, the number of viable cells of bacteria decreased, whereas the content of filterable forms of bacteria increased. The taxonomic structure of saprotrophic bacterial complexes in contaminated urban soils was transformed towards an increase in the diversity of bacterial taxa atypical of natural undisturbed soils. Rhodococci (Rhodococcus genus) predominated in the soils contaminated with oil and polychlorbiphenyls, enterobacteria (Escherichia, Enterobacter, and Klebsiella genera) predominated in the soils contaminated with municipal wastes, and Arthrobacter genus was dominant in the soils contaminated with cement dust. Soils of both Botanical Gardens of Moscow State University were characterized by the high population density and specific distribution of bacteria in the profile; the structure of their saprotrophic bacterial complex had some similarity with that in the soils of more southern regions. The obtained data on the bacterial diversity of urban soils attest to considerable transformation of bacterial communities both in the contaminated urban soils and in the soils of botanical gardens.     

Yeast Communities of Chestnut Soils under Vineyards in Dagestan

The study of yeast communities in chestnut soils (Kastanozems) under vineyards in the Republic of Dagestan made it possible to isolate 20 yeast species. Most of the yeasts under vineyards belonged to ascomycetes, among which species of the Saccharomycetaceae family (in particular, Saccharomyces cerevisiae) comprised a significant part. The obtained results indicate that the soils under vineyards keep the pool of microbial diversity and ensure preservation of many species typical for grapes. The method of enrichment culture on grape juice medium proved to be more efficient than other methods of analysis with respect to the number of isolated species and the rate of their detection. However, implementation of different techniques to study yeasts’ diversity can give somewhat different results; a set of methods should be used for an integrated analysis.     

The Structure of Microbial Communities in Soils of Noncryogenic Regressive Bog

Eurasian Soil Science - Regressive development is widespread in peatlands of the northern hemisphere; a new type of peatlands—regressive bogs—should be introduced in addition to the...     

Humus Horizons of Soils in Urban Ecosystems

The origin, structure, composition, and properties of soil humus horizons in functional zones of St. Petersburg have been studied. The radiocarbon age of organic matter in the humus horizons varies from 500 to 2700 years, which attests to the natural origin of humus. The structure of microbiomes in the humus horizons of soils under different plant communities has its specific features. The taxonomic structure of microbial communities at the phylum level reflects both genetic features of natural soils and the impact of anthropogenic factors, including alkalization typical of the studied urban soils. Tomographic studies have shown that the transporting system of humus horizons is less developed in the anthropogenically transformed soils in comparison with the natural soils. It can be supposed that the intensity of water and gas exchange in the anthropogenic soils is much lower than that in the natural soils. The fractional and group composition of humus in the urban soils is specified by the long-term pedogenesis, on one hand, and by the impact of metabolic products of the city and the factors of soil formation in the megalopolis, on the other hand. Bulk density of the humus horizon in the urban soils is higher than that in the natural soils; the portion of overcompacted humus horizons in the urban soils reaches 44%. Humus horizons of the lawns along highways are most contaminated with heavy metals: Pb, Zn, and Cu. There are no definite regularities in the distribution of major nutrients (NPK) in the humus horizons of anthropogenic soils.     

Trace Elements in Soils of Urban Areas

Urban soils are an essential element of the city environment. However, studies on urban soils are scattered in terms of geographical distribution, sampling pattern, analytical dataset, etc. One of the major issues arising from the studies on this ecosystem is the diffusion of its contamination. In cities, in fact, the proximity to humans may cause a serious danger for citizens. In the present study, results from the literature about trace elements in urban soils are presented to compare methodologies and results and to offer a basis for the harmonization of investigation approaches and establishment of remediation thresholds. A total of 153 studies on the urban ecosystem published in the last 10 years were collected and data on trace elements in soils of 94 world cities were compared and discussed. Data highlights the discrepancies among different studies (sampling strategies, analytical procedures) and the extreme variability of urban soils. Most cities are contaminated by one or more trace elements, revealing the environmental relevance of the urban soil system. While Pb is still one of the major concerns in many locations, new contaminants are on the rise and would deserve more attention from the researchers. While in fact some contaminants are almost ubiquitous in world cities and could be used as tracers for urban contamination, some traffic-related elements such as platinum, rhodium, and palladium, whose reactivity and toxicity is still unknown, are becoming of concern. Collation of literature data highlights the need for the harmonization of sampling, analytical, and rendering procedures for regulatory purposes and provides a useful dataset for environmental scientists dealing with the urban ecosystem and for city planners. A sampling design adapted to local urban patterns, a prescribed sampling depth, and a minimum set of elements that deserve to be measured could be the core of a common methodology.     

Biological Activity of Microbial Communities in Soils of Some Russian Cities

Eurasian Soil Science - Comprehensive studies of soils in some Russian cities (Nadym, Yaroslavl, Moscow, Chelyabinsk, Kursk, and Sochi) were carried out. In relation to natural analogues, the...     

Influence of Different Substrates in Wetland Soils on Denitrification

Different substrates were evaluated to investigate their effect on nitrate removal and denitrifying bacterial community in soils obtained from wetland. Serial batch kinetic tests were conducted on soils obtained from wetland mixed with glucose and sawdust using KNO₃ solution. Column tests were also conducted on soils obtained from wetland mixed with three different substrates (glucose, sawdust, and scoria coated with zero-valent iron) using KNO₃ solution. For the batch tests, the nitrate removal efficiency for soil mixed with glucose was comparable to that for soil mixed with sawdust, but the nitrate removal rate for soil mixed with glucose (23.3 NO ₃ ^? -N mg/L-d) was approximately eight times higher than that for soil mixed with sawdust (2.8 NO ₃ ^? -N mg/L-d). For column tests among soil samples, nitrate removal efficiency was highest in soil mixed with glucose, which is an easily biodegradable carbon source. Removal efficiency increased with increasing incubation time for both soil samples with glucose and sawdust. A phylogenetic analysis based on nitrate reductase gene demonstrated that the different carbon sources affected both the diversity and compositions of the denitrifying bacterial in soil samples.     

Influence of Redox Environments on the Solubility of Arsenic in Soils

Arsenic (As) is a semimetallic element that is notorious for its toxicity and carcinogenicity. Arsenic can be removed by some ferns. The objectives of this study were to investigate the ability of Pteris vittata L. (Pteridophyta) and Phlebodium aureum (L.) J. Sm. (Polypodiaceae) to absorb inorganic As, in the form of arsenate and arsenite. The removal of As by ferns was observed at varying anion concentrations and As solubility in the absorbing plant. Results obtained with ferns on As‐contaminated soil indicate that redox potential and iron (Fe) presence affected the solubility of As and the absorption capacity of ferns. Upon reduction to ?200 mV, the soluble As content increased to 400 mV. The results indicate that Fe oxides and the influence of redox potential strongly affect As absorption. Under nonreducing conditions, Phlebodium aureum did not remove As as well as Pteris vittata. Under more reducing conditions (?200 to 0 mV) and under similar soil conditions, the results show that the both ferns remove As.     

Anthropogenic Soils of Urban Parks: A Review

Eurasian Soil Science - Urban parks provide a range of ecosystem services and support a healthy urban environment. Soils are directly involved in biogeochemical cycles and maintenance of...     

Improved Elemental Recoveries in Soils with Heating Boric Acid Following Microwave Total Digestion

Abstract

Microwave digestion of soils for elemental analysis commonly uses hydrofluoric acid (HF) because of insolubility of aluminosilicate minerals in other acids. Boric acid is added following digestion to complex F in solution. Low recoveries of calcium (Ca), aluminum (Al), and magnesium (Mg) of soil reference materials led to this investigation of a secondary heating of the boric acid with digested soil. The objectives were to evaluate boric acid (H₃BO₃) concentrations needed to complex F from 4 mL HF and to evaluate soil characteristics that may contribute to the formation of metal‐fluoride complexes that decrease recovery following digestion. Four standard soil reference materials and a variety of soil samples (n=75) were evaluated. Heating 20 mL 2.5% H₃BO₃ with a digested standard reference soil produced recoveries of 94, 98, and 99% for Al, Ca, and Mg, respectively, compared to 46% for Al and Mg and 37% recovery for Ca in extracts where H₃BO₃ was added but not heated. Two other concentrations of H₃BO₃ were tested with slightly improved recoveries, and results suggest that 20 mL of a 4.5% H₃BO₃ solution was sufficient to maximize recoveries. Digestion of soil samples by both the nonheated and heated H₃BO₃ methods showed that recovery difference between the two methods ranged from 0 to 100% for Al and Ca. Assuming that this difference in recovery was related to the formation of metal fluorides, correlation with clay and C in soils may reflect the positive or negative influence of these constituents on the formation of these complexes, respectively.     

Influence of Reducing Conditions on Solubility of Trace Metals in Contaminated Soils

Dissolved trace metals Cd, Pb, Zn, andother solutes were determined after reducingconditions have been imposed to samples of anagricultural polluted soil. The ploughed layer wassampled as undisturbed blocks for floodingexperiments, and sieved samples were incubated inaqueous suspensions at controlled pH (pH 6.2) underdifferent redox conditions. Redox potential and pH,concentrations of major and trace elements, andorganic and inorganic ligands, were measured in thesolutions. Their chemical speciation was calculated byusing the programme Soilchem.These experiments and calculations have shown that pHvariations definitively influence trace metalsolubility, whatever they are induced by reductivedissolution, organic acid formation, or otherprocesses, and that strong acidification can beobtained with well buffered soil when about 1%available carbon is anaerobically transformed intoorganic acids. The organic acids also intervene bycomplexation, particularly for Pb. On another hand,denitrification can limit these effects by consumingprotons and organic substances. Given a steady pH,reducing conditions enhance the mobility of tracemetals, at first by dissolution of manganic and ferricoxides; Pb appeared more sensitive to these processesthan Zn, and finally Cd. As a general rule,hydromorphy in a well-buffered contaminated soil at afirst step should increase the mobility of divalenttrace metals, by decreasing pH and reducing Mn and Feoxides, but prolonged flooding can lead to fix tracemetals again, rather by re-adsorption or precipitationphenomena than by formation of insoluble sulphides.     

Succession of Bacterial Communities in the Decomposition of Oats Straw in Two Soils with Contrasting Properties

Eurasian Soil Science - Significance of soil genesis for the composition and succession of bacterial communities during straw decomposition has been studied. Sterile grinded oat straw in nylon bags...     

Influence of Texture on Humus Accumulation in Soils of Dry Steppes of Tuva

Eurasian Soil Science - The article is aimed to assessing the potential for humus accumulation in soils of dry steppes of the Central Tuva and Turan–Uyuk basins of Tuva. The research into...     

Characteristics of the Microarthropod Communities in Postagrogenic and Tundra Soils of the European Northeast of Russia

Eurasian Soil Science - Microarthropod communities (Oribatida, Mesostigmata, and Collembolans) in postagrogenic and tundra soils of the European Northeast of Russia have been characterized. In the...     

重庆市不同功能区城市绿地土壤重金属分布特征与评价

调查并分析了重庆市不同功能区城市绿地土壤重金属含量分布特征,采用综合污染指数法对其污染状况进行了评价。结果表明,不同功能区城市土壤Cu、Zn、Pb和Cr含量整体较低,其中Cr平均含量低于当地土壤环境背景值,调查区域土壤环境质量基本达到国家土壤环境质量二级标准。不同功能区土壤Cu的含量由高到低为交通区>商业区>居住区>休闲区,土壤Zn的含量为商业区>交通区>居住区>休闲区,土壤Pb的含量为商业区>交通区>居住区>休闲区,土壤Cr的含量为商业区>交通区>居住区>休闲区。居住区和休闲区重金属污染程度已达到警戒线,但土壤尚清洁;而商业区和交通区存在不同程度的重金属轻度污染。综合污染指数土壤重金属污染程度由大到小为商业区>交通区>居住区>休闲区。     

Influence of Aluminum Hydroxide on Potassium Release from Two Colombian Soils

Abstract

The effect of sesquioxides on the mechanisms of chemical reactions that govern the transformation between exchangeable potassium (Kex) and non‐exchangeable K (Knex) was studied on acid tropical soils from Colombia: Caribia with predominantly 2∶1 clay minerals and High Terrace with predominantly 1∶1 clay minerals and sesquioxides. Illite and vermiculite are the main clay minerals in Caribia followed by kaolinite, gibbsite, and plagioclase, and kaolinite is the major clay mineral in High Terrace followed by hydroxyl‐Al interlayered vermiculite, quartz, and pyrophyllite. The soils have 1.8 and 0.5% of K₂O, respectively. They were used either untreated or prepared by adding AlCl₃ and NaOH, which produced aluminum hydroxide. The soils were percolated continuously with 10 mM NH₄OAc at pH 7.0 and 10 mM CaCl₂ at pH 5.8 for 120 h at 6 mL h^?1 to examine the release of Kex and Knex. In the untreated soils, NH₄ ⁺ and Ca²⁺ released the same amounts of Kex from Caribia, whereas NH₄ ⁺ released about twice as much Kex as Ca²⁺ from High Terrace. This study proposes that the small ionic size of NH₄ ⁺ (0.54 nm) enables it to enter more easily into the K sites at the broken edges of the kaolinite where Ca²⁺ (0.96 nm) cannot have access. As expected for a soil dominated by 2∶1 clay minerals, Ca²⁺ caused Knex to be released from Caribia with no release by NH₄ ⁺. No Knex was released by either ion from High Terrace. After treatment with aluminum hydroxide, K release from the exchangeable fraction was reduced in Caribia due to the blocking of the exchange sites but release of Knex was not affected. The treatment increased the amount of Kex released from the High Terrace soil and the release of Knex remained negligible although with Ca²⁺ the distinction between Kex and Knex was unclear. The increase in Kex was attributed to the initially acidic conditions produced by adding AlCl₃ which may have dissolved interlayered aluminum hydroxide from the vermiculite present, thus exposing trapped K as exchangeable K. The subsequent precipitation of aluminum hydroxide when NaOH was added did not interfere with the release of this K, and so was probably formed mostly on the surface of the dominant kaolinite. Measurement of availability of K by standard methods using NH₄ salts could result in overestimates in High Terrace and this may be a more general shortcoming of the methods in kaolinitic soils.     

Effects of Changed Soil Conditions on the Mobility of Trace Metals in Moderately Contaminated Urban Soils

Changes in the soil chemical environment can be expected to increase the leaching of trace metals bound in soils. In this study the mobility of trace metals was monitored in a column experiment for two contaminated urban soils. Four different treatments were used (i.e. rain, acid rain, salt and bark). Leachates were analysed for pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and for seven trace metals (cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn)). The salt treatment produced the lowest pH values (between 5 and 6) in the effluent whereas the DOC concentration was largest in the bark treatment (40–140 mg L^?1) and smallest in the salt and acid treatments (7–40 mg L^?1). Cadmium, Ni and Zn were mainly mobilised in the salt treatment, whereas the bark treatments produced the highest concentrations of Cu and Pb. The concentrations of Cu, Cr, and Hg were strongly correlated with DOC (r ²?=?0.90, 0.91 and 0.96, respectively). A multi-surface geochemical model (SHM-DLM) produced values for metal dissolution that were usually of the correct magnitude. For Pb, however, the model was not successful indicating that the retention of this metal was stronger than assumed in the model. For all metals, the SHM-DLM model predicted that soil organic matter was the most important sorbent, although for Pb and Cr(III) ferrihydrite was also important and accounted for between 15 and 50% of the binding. The results confirm the central role of DOC for the mobilization of Cu, Cr, Hg and Pb in contaminated soils.