Multifractal characteristics of soil particle size distribution under different land-use types on the Loess Plateau,China

Soil particle-size distribution (PSD) is one of the most important physical attributes due to its great influence on soil properties related to water movement, productivity, and soil erosion. The multifractal measures were useful tools in characterization of PSD in soils with different taxonomies. Land-use type largely influences PSD in a soil, but information on how this occurs for different land-use types is very limited. In this paper, multifractal Rényi dimension was applied to characterize PSD in soils with the same taxonomy and different land-use types. The effects of land use on the multifractal parameters were then analyzed. The study was conducted on the hilly-gullied regions of the Loess Plateau, China. A Calcic Cambisols soil was sampled from five land-use types: woodland, shrub land, grassland, terrace farmland and abandoned slope farmland with planted trees (ASFP). The result showed that: (1) entropy dimension (D₁) and entropy dimension/capacity dimension ratio (D₁/D₀) were significantly positively correlated with finer particle content and soil organic matter. (2) D₀, D₁ and D₁/D₀ were significantly influenced by land use. Land use could explain 24.6–58.5% of variability of D₀, D₁/D₀ and D₁, which may be potential parameters to reflect soil physical properties and soil quality influenced by land use.     

Characterizing Spatial Variability of Soil Textural Fractions and Fractal Parameters Derived from Particle Size Distributions

Soil particle size distribution (PSD) is a fundamental physical property affecting other soil properties. Characterizing spatial variability of soil texture is very important in environmental research. The objectives of this work were: 1) to partition PSD of 75 soil samples, collected from a flat field in the University of Guilan, Iran, into two scaling domains using a piecewise fractal model to evaluate the relationships between fractal dimensions of scaling domains and soil clay, silt, and sand fractions and 2) to assess the potential of fractal parameters as an index used in a geostatistical approach reflecting the spatial variability of soil texture. Features of PSD of soil samples were studied using fractal geometry, and geostatistical techniques were used to characterize the spatial variability of fractal and soil textural parameters. There were two scaling domains for the PSD of soil samples. The fractal dimensions of these two scaling domains (D₁ and D₂) were then used to characterize different ranges of soil particle sizes and their relationships to the soil textural parameters. There was a positive correlation between D₁ and clay content (R² = 0.924), a negative correlation between D₁ and silt content (R² = 0.801), and a negative correlation between D₂ and sand content (R² = 0.913). The geometric mean diameter of soil particles had a negative correlation with D₁ (R² = 0.569) and D₂ (R² = 0.682). Semivariograms of fractal dimensions and soil textural parameters were calculated and the maps of spatial variation of D₁ and D₂ and soil PSD parameters were provided using ordinary kriging. The results showed that there were also spatial correlations between D₁ and D₂ and particle size fractions. According to the semivariogram models and validation parameters, the fractal parameters had powerful spatial structure and could better describe the spatial variability of soil texture.     

Multifractal analysis of Hg pore size distributions in soils with contrasting structural stability

Parameters are needed to recognize and monitor changes in pore size distributions (PSD) caused by factors such as differences in soil management systems or by disturbance of the soil structure. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the potential of multifractal parameters obtained from mercury injection porosimetry (MIP) curves to distinguish between two soils with contrasting structure stability indices and between distinct stages of the surface of these soils. Samples were collected from the uppermost surface layer of two agricultural soils, before and after simulated rainfall. The first soil was loamy textured, with 4.61% organic matter content and a mean weight diameter (MWD) of 2.136 mm. The second soil was a silty loam with 2.17% organic matter content and a MWD of 0.262 mm, highly susceptible to crusting. Crusted soil surfaces were produced by cumulative 260 mm and 140 mm simulated rainfall on the loamy and the silty loam soil, respectively. Ten replicated samples from the initial freshly-tilled and the crusted soil surfaces were analyzed. In the diameter range of 100-0.005 μm, the freshly-tilled surface of the loamy soil had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher pore volume than its rain-disturbed counterpart, whereas the respective pore volume of the silty loam soil slightly increased following simulated rain. The scaling properties of PSDs measured by MIP could be fitted reasonably well with multifractal models. Generalized dimension spectrum, D_q, led to a better definition of multifractal scaling than singularity spectrum, f(α). Multifractal parameters such as Hölder exponent of order zero, α₀, aperture of the left part of the singularity spectrum (α₀ − α_q+), entropy dimension, D₁, correlation dimension, D₂, as well as indexes (D₀-D₁) and (D₀-D₂) were significantly different between the structurally stable loamy soil and the silty loam soil prone to crusting and between initial and rain-disturbed surface stages (p < 0.05). Moreover, D₁ and (D₀-D₁) were also significantly affected by the interaction between soil type and surface stage. Parameter α₀ ranked as: loam initial < loam rain-disturbed < silty loam initial < silty loam rain-disturbed, whereas the opposite rank was true for entropy dimension, D₁. Consequently, low structural stability or stability decay due to disaggregation by rainfall lead to clustering of PSDs measured by Hg intrusion porosimetry. These results show that multifractal analysis of PSDs may be an appropriate tool for characterizing soil structure stability and also a suitable indicator for assessing soil surface evolution stages.     

Fractal characterization of soil particle-size distribution under different land-use patterns in the Yellow River Delta Wetland in China

Purpose

Soil particle-size distribution (PSD) is an important soil physical property. Single- and multi-fractal models are increasingly used to characterize soil properties and may provide additional information. The Yellow River Delta is one of the best representative examples of river ecosystem wetlands in the world. In this area, different land resource development patterns strongly influence soil structure and fertility. Here, the single- and multi-fractal characterizations of soil PSD were determined based on fractal theory, and the correlations between PSD and soil organic matter (SOM) across different land-use patterns were studied.

Materials and methods

The study site was located in a typical area of the Yellow River Delta Wetland in Shandong Province in China. The tested soil samples were obtained from areas with four different land-use patterns, including integrated Robinia pseudoacacia and grass cover land (RPG), well-covered European and American poplar forestland (EAP), cropland used for growing cotton (COT), and waste grassland (WAG). Soil samples were air-dried and passed through a 2-mm screen. Based on the international system of soil size fraction, the soil PSD was described according to the percentages of clay, silt, and sand. The clay, silt, and sand fractions were determined using a laser particle size analyzer. The fractal characterizations of soil PSD were determined using the single- and multi-fractal methods.

Results and discussion

The single-fractal dimension (D) of the different land-use patterns varied greatly (between 2.4657 and 2.6789). The D values of the RPG and EAP were the greatest, which corresponded to the soils with the greatest silt content and the lowest sand content. In contrast, the D value of the WAG was the smallest, which corresponded with the lowest clay content and the greatest sand content. These results indicated that D was directly proportional to clay content and inversely proportional to sand content. The multi-fractal parameters of the soil PSD, capacity dimension (D ₀), information dimension (D ₁), and information dimension?/?capacity dimension (D ₁?/?D ₀), followed a regular trend due to different land-use patterns. These parameters decreased in the following order: RPG?>?EAP?>?COT?>?WAG. In addition, the PSD of the RPG and EAP varied widely and was more heterogeneous than the PSD of the COT and WAG. Furthermore, the single- and multi-fractal parameters were significantly correlated with SOM.

Conclusions

Our findings indicated that the single- and multi-fractal parameters adequately described the scaling properties of the soil PSD and the influences of soil structure and soil nutrients for the different land-use patterns in the Yellow River Delta Wetland of China.     

库布齐沙地滴灌人工林土壤水分运移及其与土壤分形特征的关系

【目的】探究库布齐沙地人工林滴灌下土壤水分运移规律以及其与土壤分形特征的关系,以期为人工林滴灌策略制定提供参考。【方法】以典型人工林为研究对象,基于激光粒度衍射法测得土壤粒径分布并计算单重及多重分形维数,通过大田试验明确灌水及水分再分布过程湿润锋动态变化规律,并采用通径和冗余分析等手段探究湿润锋运移与分形特征的联系。【结果】1)库布齐沙地滴灌人工林湿润锋水平及垂向运移可分别用对数函数(R2=0.941~0.990)和幂函数(R2=0.958~0.996)描述；2)砂粒含量高于70%、黏粒低于2.5%土壤条件下,利用粉粒、黏粒含量构建的多元回归模型能较好地计算停灌后二维水分运移距离(R²=0.839~1.0),但对停灌前适用性较差(R2=0.243~0.403)；3)单重分形维数D和信息维数D1、信息维数/容量维数D1/D0、关联维数D2均与砂粉比呈负相关,而滴灌形成的湿润体体积与砂粉比正相关,且D较D0、D1、D1/D0、D2更能解释土壤砂粉比差异对湿润锋运移的影响。【结论】滴灌下人工林水分运移满足函数定量关系,砂粒占比高于70%且黏粒低于2.5%时,土壤质地越粗则湿润体体积越大,可在灌溉策略制定时进行土壤粒径分析,节约决策成本。与库布齐沙地相似环境条件下,滴灌时长6h流量3.0L.h-1时,速生杨和榆树林在停灌后48h需启动下次灌溉,沙柳和旱柳林则不需要。     

Response of soil multifractal characteristics and erodibility to 15-year fertilization on cropland in the Loess Plateau,China

Understanding the influence of long-term fertilization on the multifractal characteristics and erodibility of soil of cultivated land on the Loess Plateau of China could help prevent soil erosion and promote the sustainable development of agriculture. We collected 27 soil samples from 0 to20 cm layers of nine fertilizer treatments. Rényi spectrum (D_q) and singularity spectrum (?(α)) were applied to characterize soil particle-size distribution (PSD). The multifractal parameters of capacity dimension (D₀), entropy dimension (D₁), Hölder exponent of order zero (α₀), and erodibility K and anti-erodibility indices (aggregate state and degree) were used to determine the effect of fertilization on soil properties and erodibility. The multifractal models could characterize the PSDs in the various fertilizer treatments well. Treatments receiving manure had higher D₀, D₁, α₀, soil organic carbon (SOC) content, aggregate state and degree and lower erodibility. It was concluded that D₀, D₁, and α₀ could clearly discriminate among the various treatments, and the combined application of mineral fertilizers and organic manure greatly improved soil quality and structure of the cultivated land in the Loess Plateau. Furthermore, changes of multifractal parameters D₀, D₁, and α₀, especially D₁, was mainly due to the reduced soil erosion and the increase of SOC.     

Assessing soil particle-size distribution on experimental plots with similar texture under different management systems using multifractal parameters

Soil particle-size distribution (PSD) is a fundamental soil physical attribute with dominant influence on many other soil properties. Laser diffraction combined with multifractal analyses have proven to be useful to obtain precise information from PSDs. The aim of this work was to assess similitude or difference of PSDs sampled on plots of an experimental field and belonging to the same textural class using multifractal parameters. The field experiment consisted of two tillage treatments and two cropping systems. It was conducted following a randomized complete split-block design with four replications on a Humic Dystrudept. Tillage treatments were conventional tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT) while crop rotations were ryegrass-sorghum (RS) and ryegrass-corn (RC). Particle-size distribution analysis by the sieve-pipette and by laser diffraction corroborate that all the samples were assigned to the same textural class. Singularity spectra f(α) and Rényi spectra, D_q, showed that multifractal distribution was a suitable model for PSDs obtained by laser diffraction. However, in the range of moments − 10 < q < 10, the r² values for the linear fits leading to a Rényi spectrum, D_q, were higher than those for the singularity spectrum, suggesting the former was better defined than the latter. No significant differences in multifractal parameters were found between plots with contrasted crop rotation, RS and RC. In contrast, Hölder exponent of order zero (α₀) and several parameters derived from the left branch of both, the f(α) and the D_q spectra, were significantly different between CT and NT treatments. No effects of mixing by cultivation were detected in our work, so that differences in PSDs between no-tilled and conventionally-tilled plots were simply attributed to patchiness and variation on the experimental field. Multifractal analysis of PSDs measured by laser diffraction provides further insight in verifying patterns of between plot soil texture variations (i.e. randomness or trends) in completely randomized block designs.     

无定河黄土区降水和产沙的相关性及其时空变异

通过泰森多边形加权变差系数法研究了黄河中游无定河流域黄土区降水和侵蚀产沙的空间变异规律,并用线性回归分析探究两者空间变异性的相关性。以黄河主要泥沙来源区之一的无定河流域为例,分析了该流域黄土区1959-2015年水土保持措施综合治理前后降水和侵蚀产沙的时空变异规律,所选用的降水特征为汛期降水(Pflood)和汛期降雨侵蚀力(Rflood),用产沙模数(SSY)表示该流域产沙量的多少。结果表明:(1)在水土流失治理前(1959-1970年),该地区降水特征与产沙模数在时间上的增减变化趋势一致,而且两者呈显著的幂函数相关关系(P<0.01),Pflood和Rflood对侵蚀产沙的影响一致;在大规模水土流失治理后(1971-2015年),由于该流域修建了大量淤地坝等水土保持措施,产沙量骤减,降水特征和产沙模数无显著相关关系。(2)在多年时间尺度上(1959-2015年),汛期降水的空间变异性为8%,汛期降雨侵蚀力的空间变异系数为15%,汛期降水的空间变异性小于汛期降雨侵蚀力;1959-1970年期间产沙模数的空间变异性小于1971-2015年期间。在1959-1970年期间,降水特征和产沙模数的空间变异性呈显著的二次多项式相关关系(P<0.01),而且汛期降雨侵蚀力与产沙模数的空间变异性的相关性更加显著(R^2=0.76,P<0.01);1971-2015年降水特征与产沙模数的空间变异性无显著相关关系。在人类活动以前流域产沙空间变异性的主要影响因素为汛期降雨侵蚀力的空间变异性,而在水土流失治理之后降水的空间变异性对流域产沙空间变异性的影响减小,此时流域产沙的空间变异主要受人类活动的影响。     

陕北黄土丘陵沟壑区土壤粒径分形特征

应用MS2000激光粒度仪,获取陕北黄土高原米脂县境内10种不同土地利用类型土壤剖面4个层次40个土壤样品的粒径分布（PsD）,利用分形几何学方法分析土壤颗粒体积分形特征。结果表明：由于各土壤样品质地相同,分形维数D变化不大,在2．230～2．521之间;〈0．002mm的土壤粒径体积百分含量与D显著相关,而其余各粒径含量均通过与〈0．002mm的相关性对D产生间接影响,表明PSD的D可以充分代表土壤细化的程度与比例。土壤累积体积分数具有非线性特征,1个D值无法表征整个粒径测量范围内的土壤PSD,因此,以15脚为界,确定了2个分形域,分别计算D1和D2,存在D1〉D2的关系,且用D1和D2计算的分裂概率具有尺度依赖性。     

Is Nitrous Oxide Reduction Primarily Regulated by the Fungi-to-Bacteria Abundance Ratio in Fertilized Soils?

The production of nitrous oxide (N₂O) is a widespread trait in fungi and is of interest because denitrifying fungi lack the N₂O reductase gene (nosZ) that regulates N₂O reduction to nitrogen gas (N₂). The adaptive ability of soil fungi is better than that of bacteria in acidic soils. We investigated the N₂O reduction potential, described by the N₂O product ratio (R_N2O), N₂O/(N₂O+N₂), in soils of different types of fields under crop cultivation with different fertilizer inputs and a bare fallow field with no fertilization as a control. The fungi-to-bacteria abundance ratio (R_F/B) was negatively correlated (P < 0.01) with the natural pH of the soil; however, the high value of R_F/B measured in vineyards was due to the large inputs of manure. When the denitrification potential was measured at natural pH values of soils, R_N2O was negatively correlated (P < 0.01) with soil pH. When the denitrification potential was measured after short-term modifications of soil pH, however, no significant correlation was found between R_N2O and the modified pH. Based on stepwise multiple regression analysis, soil pH and residual nitrate (NO₃^-) were the key factors regulating N₂O reduction in soils at natural pH values (R²=0.88, P < 0.001), whereas the key factor was the soil residual NO₃^- alone (R²=0.83, P < 0.001) when the soil pH was modified. When the effect of the soil chemical properties was weakened, a high R_F/B value had the potential (P < 0.01) to affect N₂O reduction; however, the role of fungi was offset by the presence of denitrifying bacteria. These results provide evidence that compared to the indirect effects of R_F/B, the direct effects of the soil chemical properties have a greater effect on N₂O reduction in fertilized soils.     

Controls of temporal and spatial variability of methane uptake in soils of a temperate deciduous forest with different abundance of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.)

Aerated forest soils are a significant sink for atmospheric methane (CH₄). Soil properties, local climate and tree species can affect the soil CH₄ sink. A two-year field study was conducted in a deciduous mixed forest in the Hainich National Park in Germany to quantify the sink strength of this forest for atmospheric CH₄ and to determine the key factors that control the seasonal, annual and spatial variability of CH₄ uptake by soils in this forest. Net exchange of CH₄ was measured using closed chambers on 18 plots in three stands exhibiting different beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) abundance and which differed in soil acidity, soil texture, and organic layer thickness. The annual CH₄ uptake ranged from 2.0 to 3.4 kg CH₄-C ha⁻¹. The variation of CH₄ uptake over time could be explained to a large extent (R² = 0.71, P < 0.001) by changes in soil moisture in the upper 5 cm of the mineral soil. Differences of the annual CH₄ uptake between sites were primarily caused by the spatial variability of the soil clay content at a depth of 0-5 cm (R² = 0.5, P < 0.01). The CH₄ uptake during the main growing period (May-September) increased considerably with decreasing precipitation rate. Low CH₄ uptake activity during winter was further reduced by periods with soil frost and snow cover. There was no evidence of a significant effect of soil acidity, soil nutrient availability, thickness of the humus layer or abundance of beech on net-CH₄ uptake in soils in this deciduous forest. The results show that detailed information on the spatial distribution of the clay content in the upper mineral soil is necessary for a reliable larger scale estimate of the CH₄ sink strength in this mixed deciduous forest. The results suggest that climate change will result in increasing CH₄ uptake rates in this region because of the trend to drier summers and warmer winters.     

不同管理模式下干旱草地粒度特征

土壤粒径分布及空间变化对土壤溶质和水盐运移、土壤肥力状况等有重要意义,是土壤重要物理特性之一。基于新疆准噶尔北部、阿勒泰山南麓不同管理模式下的草地(荒漠草地、天然草地、弃耕草地、季节草地和禁牧草地),运用质地分类和分形理论探讨草地粒度特征。结果发现:研究区土壤颗粒中黏粒含量最低,最小值仅有0.17g/kg,砂粒含量最高,最大值可达900.37 g/kg,粒径分布呈现单峰特征,表明土壤发育较差;砂粒和粉粒含量之间呈极显著负相关关系,相关系数为0.999 8(P0.01),推测成土母质和地域差异导致土壤中砂粒和粉粒几乎占了全部;荒漠草地、天然草地和弃耕草地黏粒含量的平均值随着土层深度增加而减小,呈现出负相关特征,而季节草地和禁牧草地并无此特征;荒漠草地的分形维数D值最大,可能是因为灌木作为该生态系统中的优势植物,能有效地减缓荒漠草地逆向演替和消亡的进程,对土壤颗粒具有一定的细化作用;所有土壤样品分形维数D与黏粒含量均具有较强相关性,天然草地、荒漠草地和弃耕草地的分形维数D分别与粉粒和砂粒含量的相关性较强,与禁牧和季节草地的相关性较差,说明春、秋轮牧对土壤的干扰可能超过了土壤本身承载能力,对土壤颗粒组成破坏比较大,影响了土壤发育,放牧向禁牧转化时期的长短可能决定了土壤的发育是否良好。     

Impacts of Municipal Wastewater on The Transport Characteristics of Reactive Solutes Through Agricultural Soils

Reliable transport parameters of agrochemicals and soluble pollutants are crucial for modeling and management of soil and groundwater quality. This study investigated impacts of municipal wastewater on the transport parameters of five heavy metal/metalloid compounds (NaAsO₂, Cd(NO₃)₂, Pb(NO₃)₂, Ni(NO₃)₂ & ZnCl₂), two pesticides (cartap & carbendazim) and an inert salt (CaCl₂) in four agricultural soils of Bangladesh. Solute-breakthrough concentrations were measured in repacked soil columns with time-domain reflectometry (TDR) both before and after wastewater treatment. Transport velocity (V), dispersion coefficient (D), dispersivity (λ) and retardation factor (R) of the solutes, and pertinent soil properties were determined. Wastewater reduced bulk density (γ) of the soils (from 1.32–1.37 g/cm³ to 1.26–1.35 g/cm³) by increasing organic carbon (OC) (from 0.37%–0.84% to 0.40–0.93%), increased pore-size distribution index (n) (by 0.02 unit) and reduced soil pH (from 6.32–7.45 to 5.92–6.46). D and λ decreased while V and R increased after wastewater treatment; D decreased and R increased linearly with decreasing bulk density. The correlations of V, D, and R with n improved significantly (p < 0.05) after wastewater treatment. The correlation between λ and OC improved markedly for Ca, Pb, Ni, and cartap. The observed indicative results have practical implications in developing pedo-transfer functions for solute-transport parameters using basic soil properties, which are subject to progressive modification due to agrochemicals application and wastewater irrigation.     

Estimation of soil water retention function based on asymmetry between particle‐ and pore‐size distributions

By examining the symmetry between the distributions of particle‐size (PSD) and pore‐size (POD) in a soil, as hypothesized by early pore‐solid fractal (PSF) models, we found significant discrepancies in fractal dimensions between the PSD and the water retention curve (WRC) of a soil. Therefore, we developed an asymmetry‐based PSF model to estimate better the WRC directly from the PSD data of a soil. To do so, we adopted the concept of a microscopic arrangement of different‐sized particles to address such asymmetry, and evaluated the performance of the modified PSF model on five soil textural classes (coarse‐, moderately coarse‐, medium‐, moderately fine‐ and fine‐textured soils) using experimental PSD and WRC data from the UNSODA database (159 undisturbed soils for model calibration and 70 undisturbed soils for model validation). The fit of the symmetry‐based PSF model to the calibration dataset showed that the fractal dimension of the WRC (D_p) was slightly larger than that of cumulative mass distribution of particles (D_s) for most soils. The asymmetry‐based PSF model performed better than the symmetry‐based PSF model. In addition, the asymmetry‐based PSF model reduced the tendency to under estimate soil water content for a given matric head and the performance of the asymmetry‐based model was consistent irrespective of soil texture, indicating that the adoption of asymmetry between the PSD and the POD was adequate in predicting the WRC of a porous, particulate system such as soil.     

Soil Ammonium Diffusion Constraints Contribute to Large Differences in Nitrogen Supply to Rice in the Southern United States

This study was to determine if diffusion of soil ammonium may explain why many sandy soils have greater nitrogen (N)–supplying capacity to rice than clay soils. A laboratory procedure using transient-state methods measured the linear movement of soil ammonium (NH₄) in tubes packed with five field soils under aerobic conditions. Ammonium diffusion was measured by sectioning tubes after 48 h of equilibration and then measuring NH₄ by steam distillation. Effective diffusion coefficients, D_e, and NH₄ diffusion distance, d, per day ranged from D_e = 4.6 × 10^?5 cm² d^?1 and 1.5 cm d^?1 for Katy sandy loam to D_e = 2.9 × 10^?7 cm² d^?1 and 0.11 cm d^?1 for League clay. Ammonium diffusion distance d was strongly related to soil clay content and hence was predicted by d = Y × {[100/(% clay)] ? 1}, where Y is set to 0.1. Predicted d and measured d were highly related (R² = 0.99).     

Major controlling factors and prediction models for mercury transfer from soil to carrot

Purpose

Soil-plant transfer models are needed to predict levels of mercury (Hg) in vegetables when evaluating food chain risks of Hg contamination in agricultural soils.

Materials and methods

A total of 21 soils covering a wide range of soil properties were spiked with HgCl₂ to investigate the transfer characteristics of Hg from soil to carrot in a greenhouse experiment. The major controlling factors and prediction models were identified and developed using path analysis and stepwise multiple linear regression analysis.

Results and discussion

Carrot Hg concentration was positively correlated with soil total Hg concentration (R ²?=?0.54, P?<?0.001), and the log-transformation greatly improved the correlation (R ²?=?0.76, P?<?0.001). Acidic soil exhibited the highest bioconcentration factor (BCF) (ratio of Hg concentration in carrot to that in soil), while calcareous soil showed the lowest BCF among the 21 soil types. The significant direct effects of soil total Hg (Hg_soil), pH, and free Al oxide (Al_OX) on the carrot Hg concentration (Hg_carrot) as revealed by path analysis were consistent with the result from stepwise multiple linear regression that yielded a three-term regression model: log [Hg_carrot]?=?0.52log [Hg_soil]???0.06pH???0.64log [Al_OX]???1.05 (R ²?=?0.81, P?<?0.001).

Conclusions

Soil Hg concentration, pH, and Al_OX content were the three most important variables associated with carrot Hg concentration. The extended Freundlich-type function could well describe Hg transfer from soil to carrot.     

单宁酸对不同pH茶园土壤中活性铝形态分布的影响

采集云南省普洱市和江西省南昌县两地典型的茶园土壤,通过添加HCl和Ca(OH)2调节土壤pH,研究不同pH(3.0、3.5、4.0、4.5)茶园土壤添加0.4 mmol·kg 1、2.0 mmol·kg 1、4.0 mmol·kg 1、8.0 mmol·kg 1、12.0 mmol·kg 1单宁酸后,活性铝形态交换态铝(Al3+)、单聚体羟基铝[Al(OH)2+、Al(OH)+2]、酸溶无机铝[Al(OH)03]和腐殖酸铝[Al-HA]的分布特征。结果表明:单宁酸添加量为0~0.4 mmol·kg 1和0~2.0 mmol·kg 1时,江西南昌和云南普洱茶园土壤中交换态铝随土壤pH的增加呈明显下降趋势,而羟基态铝、酸溶无机铝和腐殖酸铝呈逐渐上升趋势;当单宁酸浓度增至2.0 mmol·kg 1以上时,随土壤pH的增加,单宁酸对活性铝释放的抑制作用增强,各形态活性铝含量都较低,且不同pH处理土壤间的差异不显著。0~20 cm土层土壤与20~40 cm土层土壤变化规律大致相似,总体上看,下层土壤活性铝总量高于上层。云南普洱茶园土壤活性铝总量明显高于江西南昌的茶园土壤。相关分析表明,0~20 cm土层土壤中,pH与羟基态铝、腐殖酸铝、土壤酸碱缓冲容量(pHBC)呈正相关(r=0.796,P0.01;r=0.960,P0.01;r=0.852,P0.01);pHBC与交换态铝、羟基态铝呈负相关(r=0.904,P0.01;r=0.645,P0.05),而与腐殖酸铝呈正相关(r=0.795,P0.01)。同时,单宁酸加入浓度为0~0.4 mmol·kg 1时,土壤pH明显上升,之后随着单宁酸加入浓度的增加土壤pH持续下降,土壤pH(YpH)与单宁浓度(CDN)在此阶段基本符合方程:YpH=0.04CDN+3.82(R2=0.95,P0.01)的线性变化趋势,在单宁酸浓度达到8.0~12.0 mmol·kg 1时,土壤pH基本不再变化。     

TDR estimation of electrical conductivity and saline solute concentration in a volcanic soil

Relative to montmorillonitic or kaolinitic soils, volcanic soils have atypical dielectric characteristics that interfere with the applicability of the Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) technique for soil moisture (θ) determination when common, empirical calibration equations are used. This particular dielectric response affects estimation of salinity in volcanic soils. Six TDR-based methods to estimate bulk electrical conductivity (σ_a) on a range of KCl saline reference solutions were compared, with Nadler's method giving the best results (R_1:1²=0.988). Three models (linear, non-linear and empirical) for predicting soil solution electrical conductivity (σ_w) based on σ_a and θ, were experimentally tested on 24 hand-packed soil columns varying in salinity (Br⁻) from 0.2 to 4.0 dS m⁻¹, each in four θ levels (36–58%). Rhoades' linear model performed better, especially for large water contents, than the other two (R_1:1²=0.986 vs. 0.976 and 0.983, respectively). An interpretation in terms of mobile vs. immobile volumetric fractions of water present in volcanic soils is suggested as a possible explanation for these results. The empirical model resulted over-parameterized and an alternative equation with fewer non-correlated parameters, σ_a=(aθ²+bθ)σ_w+cθ², is proposed and tested with good results in volcanic soils from the Canary Islands and New Zealand. The equation encompasses both the relative dielectric dominance of the mobile water fraction at high water content typical of volcanic soils, and of the immobile fraction at low water contents. Simultaneous measurements made with a standard four-electrode probe and TDR gave good correlation (R²=0.964). A good linear correlation was also found between tracer concentration in the soil solution and σ_w (R²=0.960). Nadler's and the new empirical model also tested with good results under dynamic (flow) conditions during a miscible displacement experiment in a large monolith using bromide as a tracer. The method reveals itself as a robust tool for solute transport studies under controlled salinity conditions in a volcanic soil.     

Shrinkage Characteristics of Lime Concretion Black Soil as Affected by Biochar Amendment

Studies have reported that biochar is a sustainable amendment that improves the chemical and physical properties of soil.In this study,an incubation experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different application rates of biochar on the cracking pattern and shrinkage characteristics of lime concretion black soil after three wetting and drying cycles.Biochar derived from the corn straw and peanut shell mixture was applied to the soil at rates of 0,50,100,and 150 g kg~(-1)dry weight,representing the treatments T_(0),T_(50),T_(100),and T_(150),respectively.During the wetting and drying cycles,the cracking pattern and shrinkage characteristics of the unamended and amended soil samples were recorded.Application of biochar significantly increased soil organic carbon content in the samples.During soil desiccation,biochar significantly reduced the rate of water loss.Cracks propagated slowly and stopped due to the relatively higher water content in the soil applied with biochar.The cracking area density(ρ_c),equivalent width,fractal dimension,and cracking connectivity index decreased during the drying process with increasing application rate of biochar.Theρ_(c )value of the T_(50),T_(100),and T_(150) treatments decreased by 33.6%,52.1%,and 56.9%,respectively,after three wetting and drying cycles,whereas the T_(0) treatment exhibited a marginal change.The coefficient of linear extensibility,an index used to describe onedimentional shrinkage,of the unamended soil sample(T_(0))was approximately 0.23.Application of 100 and 150 g kg~(-1)biochar to the soil significantly reduced the shrinkage capacity by 41.45%and 45.54%,respectively.The slope of the shrinkage characteristics curve,which indicates the ralationship between soil void ratio and moisture ratio,decreased with increase in the application rate of biochar.Furthermore,compared with the T_(0) treatment,the proportional shrinkage zone of the shrinkage characteristic curve of the T_(50),T_(100),and T_(150) treatments decreased by 5.8%,13.1%,and 12.1%,respectively.Differences were not observed in the moisture ratio at the maximum curvature of the shrinkage characteristic curve among the treatments.The results indicate that biochar can alter the cracking pattern and shrinkage characteristics of lime concretion black soil.However,the effects of biochar on the shrinkage of lime concretion black soil are dependent on the number of wetting and drying cycles.