Depth-specific distribution and importance of nitrite-dependent anaerobic ammonium and methane-oxidising bacteria in an urban wetland

Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) and nitrite-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation (n-damo) are two recently discovered processes in the nitrogen cycle that are catalysed by anammox bacteria and n-damo bacteria, respectively. Here, the depth-specific distribution and importance of anammox bacteria and n-damo bacteria were studied in an urban wetland, Xixi Wetland, Zhejiang Province (China). Anammox bacteria related to Candidatus Brocadia, Candidatus Kuenenia and Candidatus Anammoxoglobus, and n-damo bacteria related to “Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera” were present in the collected soil samples. The abundance of anammox bacteria (2.6–8.6 × 10⁶ copies g⁻¹ dry soil) in the shallow soils (0–10 cm and 20–30 cm) was higher than that (2.5–9.8 × 10⁵ copies g⁻¹ dry soil) in the deep soils, whereas the abundance of n-damo bacteria (0.6–1.3 × 10⁷ copies g⁻¹ dry soil) in the deep soils (50–60 cm and 90–100 cm) was higher than that (3.4–4.5 × 10⁶ copies g⁻¹ dry soil) in the shallow soils. Anammox activity was detected at all depths, and higher potential rates (12.1–21.4 nmol N₂ g⁻¹ dry soil d⁻¹) were observed at depths of 0–10 cm and 20–30 cm compared with the rates (3.5–8.7 nmol N₂ g⁻¹ dry soil d⁻¹) measured at depths of 50–60 and 90–100 cm. In contrast, n-damo was mainly occurred at depths of 50–60 cm and 90–100 cm with potential rates of 0.7–5.0 nmol CO₂ g⁻¹ dry soil d⁻¹. This study suggested the niche segregation of the anammox bacteria and n-damo bacteria in wetland soils, with anammox bacteria being active primarily in deep soils and n-damo bacteria being active primarily in shallow soils.     

Effects of inorganic fertilizer and manure on soil archaeal abundance at two experimental farms during three consecutive rotation-cropping seasons

Soil archaeal population dynamics at two experimental sites of the same clay-loam type in Ottawa and Woodslee, Ontario, were investigated to determine fertilizer and manure effects following their different long-term crop rotation and fertilization schemes. Phylogenetic analysis of cloned soil archaeal 16S rRNA gene libraries of both sites identified them with group 1.1b of Thaumarchaeota. The gene population dynamics subtly varied in the order of 10⁷ copies g⁻¹ soil when monitored by quantitative real-time PCR during three growing seasons (2007–2009). In Ottawa, where plots were amended with dairy-farm manure, soil thaumarchaeal gene abundance was double of the unamended plots. At the Woodslee N-P-K-fertilized plots, it remained at least 30% fewer than that of the unfertilized ones. These cultivated plots showed soil carbon limitation while the fertilized ones were low in soil pH (ca. 5.5). Surface soils from an unfertilized sod plot and an adjacent deciduous forest had higher total carbon content (C:N ratio of 9 and 11, respectively). Their thaumarchaeal gene abundance varied up to 4.8 × 10⁷ and 7.0 × 10⁷ copies g⁻¹ soil, respectively. The former value was also attained at the manure-amended plots in Ottawa, where the C:N ratio was just below 10. Where soil pH was above 6.0, there was a weak and positive correlation between soil total C and the estimated gene abundance. Such gene population dynamics consistently demonstrated the stimulating and suppressive effects of dairy-farm manure (Ottawa site) and inorganic fertilizers (Woodslee site), respectively, on soil thaumarchaea. At both sites archaeal amoA and 16S rRNA gene abundance were similarly affected. Archaeal amoA gene abundance also outnumbered bacterial amoA abundance, suggesting that ammonia-oxidizing archaea might be dominant in these soils. Only minor crop effects on gene population dynamics were detected.     

湖北省鄂州市湿地净初级生产力及固碳释氧量估算

[目的] 估算湖北省鄂州市净初级生产力(net primary productivity,NPP)以及固碳释氧量,探索一种适用于中小尺度上,涉及大量水体的湿地NPP估算方法,为制定相关湿地生态保护政策提供更为准确的数据支撑。[方法] 构建湿地分类模型,将鄂州市湿地划分为浅水地表湿地与深水水体湿地。对浅水地表湿地,采用基于遥感影像的光能利用率模型进行NPP估算;对深水水体湿地,引入叶绿素a与生物量指标,构建回归模型,对湿地水体NPP进行估算。汇总两者的估算结果,得到鄂州市湿地2020年度NPP总量及其空间分布和固碳释氧量。[结果] 鄂州市湿地2020年度净初级生产力总量为2.99×10⁵ t (以C计),CO₂的固定量为4.87×10⁵ t,O₂的释放量为3.59×10⁵ t,整体上呈现南高北低的分布格局。[结论] 采用湿地分类的方法,对深水水体湿地NPP单独进行估算,弥补了基于遥感影像的模型估算方法中对湿地水体部分估算的不足,使估算结果更接近湿地真实水平,采用的模型方法可为类似涉及水体的湿地NPP估算工作提供一种新思路和方法。     

Nitrification potential of marsh soils from two natural saline–alkaline wetlands

Few studies have been carried out on nitrification potential of marsh soils in natural saline wetlands with high alkalinity. The nitrification potentials of a closed wetland and an open wetland were monitored by an aerobic incubation at 25°C for 28 days. The relative nitrification index ( RNI,\frac\textNO₃^- \text - NNO₃^- - N + NH₄⁺ - N ) \left( {{\hbox{RNI,}}\frac{{{\text{NO}}_3^{-} {\text{ - N}}}}{{{\hbox{NO}}_3^{-} {\hbox{ - N}} + {\hbox{NH}}_4^{+} {\hbox{ - N}}}}} \right) rapidly increased with time in both wetlands and decreased with depth in soil profiles in both wetlands within the first 21 days. Nitrification proceeded much faster in the closed wetland than in the open wetland. The higher rate of nitrogen removal in closed wetlands than open wetland was probably due to the fast nitrification followed by denitrification or leaching loss.     

Production,oxidation, emission and consumption of methane by soils: A review

Methane emission by soils results from antagonistic but correlated microbial activities. Methane is produced in the anaerobic zones of submerged soils by methanogens and is oxidised into CO₂ by methanotrophs in the aerobic zones of wetland soils and in upland soils. Methanogens and methanotrophs are ubiquitous in soils where they remain viable under unfavourable conditions. Methane transfer from the soil to the atmosphere occurs mostly through the aerenchyma of aquatic plants, but also by diffusion and as bubbles escaping from wetland soils. Methane sources are mainly wetlands. However 60 to more than 90 % of CH₄ produced in the anaerobic zones of wetlands is reoxidised in their aerobic zones (rhizosphere and oxidised soil-water interface). Methane consumption occurs in most soils and exhibits a broad range of values. Highest consumption rates or potentials are observed in soils where methanogenesis is or has been effective and where CH₄ concentration is or has been much higher than in the atmosphere (ricefields, swamps, landfills, etc.). Aerobic soils consume atmospheric CH₄ but their activities are very low and the micro-organisms involved are largely unknown. Methane emissions by cultivated or natural wetlands are expressed in mg CH₄·m^–2·h^–1 with a median lower than 10 mg CH₄·m^–2·h^–1. Methanotrophy in wetlands is most often expressed with the same unit. Methane oxidation by aerobic upland soils is rarely higher than 0.1 mg CH₄·m^–2·h^–1. Forest soils are the most active, followed by grasslands and cultivated soils. Factors that favour CH₄ emission from cultivated wetlands are mostly submersion and organic matter addition. Intermittent drainage and utilisation of the sulphate forms of N-fertilisers reduce CH₄ emission. Methane oxidation potential of upland soils is reduced by cultivation, especially by ammonium N-fertiliser application.     

Evaluating the effect of biochar on salt leaching and nutrient retention of Yellow River Delta soil

Biochar has the potential to decrease salinity and nutrient loss of saline soil. We investigated the effects of biochar amendment (0–10 g kg⁻¹) on salinity of saline soil (2.8‰ salt) in NaCl leaching and nutrient retention by conducting column leaching experiments. The biochar was produced in situ from Salix fragilis L. via a fire-water coupled process. The soil columns irrigated with 15 cm of water showed that biochar amendment (4 g kg⁻¹) decreased the concentration Na⁺ by 25.55% in the first irrigation and to 60.30% for the second irrigation in sandy loam layer over the corresponding control (CK). Meanwhile, the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of soil after the first and second irrigation was 1.62 and 0.54, respectively, which were 15.2% and 49.5% lower than CK. The marked increase in saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) from 0.15 × 10^–5 cm s⁻¹ for CK to 0.39 × 10^–5 cm s⁻¹, following 4 g kg⁻¹ of biochar addition, was conducive to salt leaching. Besides, biochar use (4 g kg⁻¹) increased NH₄⁺-N and Olsen-P by 63.63% and 62.50% over the CK, but accelerated NO₃^–-N leaching. Since 15 cm hydrostatic pressure would result in salt accumulation of root zone, we would recommend using 4 g kg⁻¹ of biochar, 30 cm of water to ease the problem of salt leaching from the surface horizon to the subsoil. This study would provide a guidance to remediate the saline soil in the Yellow River Delta by judicious application of biochar and irrigation.     

Turbulent mixing accelerates PAH desorption due to fragmentation of sediment particle aggregates

Purpose

Stripping contaminants from sediments with granular activated carbon (GAC) is a promising remediation technique in which the effectiveness depends on the rate of contaminant extraction from the sediment by the GAC. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of mixing intensity on the short-term extraction rate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from contaminated sediment.

Materials and methods

PAH desorption from sediment at a wide range of rotational speeds (min^?1; rotations per minute (rpm)) was monitored by uptake in Tenax polymeric resins using a completely mixed batch reactor. Desorption data were interpreted using a radial diffusion model. Desorption parameters obtained with the radial diffusion model were correlated with particle size measurements and interpreted mechanistically.

Results and discussion

Fast desorption rate constants, D _e /r ², with D _e the effective diffusion coefficient and r the particle radius, ranged from 3.7 × 10^?3 to 1.1 × 10^?1 day^?1 (PHE) and 6 × 10^?6 to 1.9 × 10^?4 day^?1 (CHR), respectively, and increased with the intensity of mixing. The D _e /r ² values would correspond to D _e ranges of 1.8 × 10^?14–1.2 × 10^?16 m² × day^?1 and 1.8 × 10^?12–3.7 × 10^?15 m² × day^?1, assuming fast desorption from the measured smallest particle size (9 μm) classes at 200 and 600 rpm, respectively.

Conclusions

Desorption of PAHs was significantly accelerated by a reduction of particle aggregate size caused by shear forces that were induced by mixing. The effective intra-particle diffusion coefficients, D _e , were larger at higher mixing rates.

     

Using the electromagnetic induction survey method to examine the depth to clay soil layer (Bt horizon) in playa wetlands

Purpose

Sediment accumulation has been and continues to be a significant threat to the integrity of the playa wetland ecosystem. The purpose of this study was to determine the vertical depth to the clay soil layer (Bt horizon) and thus to calculate the thickness of sediments accumulated in playa wetlands.

Materials and methods

This study used the electromagnetic induction (EMI) survey method, specifically EM38-MK2 equipment, to measure the vertical depth to the clay soil layer at the publicly managed wetlands in the Rainwater Basin, Nebraska, USA.

Results and discussion

The results indicated that the depth to the clay soil layer ranges from 21 to 78 cm (n?=?279) with a mean sediment thickness of 39 cm. The annual sediment deposition rate since human settlement in the 1860s was calculated to be 0.26 cm year^?1. The results provided science-based data to support future wetland restoration planning and the development of decision support tools that prioritize conservation delivery efforts.

Conclusions

Our research confirmed that the EMI technique is effective and efficient at determining the depth to the Bt horizon for playa wetlands. Additionally, these results supported previous studies and continue to indicate that a large amount of sediment has accrued in these playa wetlands within the Rainwater Basin area since settlement. Wetland restoration ecologists can use this information to prioritize future wetland restoration work that intends to remove culturally accumulated sediments above the clay soil layer. These findings provided a contemporary summary of wetland soil profile information that is typically used to develop restoration plans. This research also filled the critical knowledge gap about the thickness of the upper soils and the depth to Bt in publicly managed wetlands.

     

Response of soil C:N:P stoichiometry,organic carbon stock,and release to wetland grasslandification in Mu Us Desert

Purpose

Wetlands in Mu Us Desert have severely been threatened by grasslandification over the past decades. Therefore, we studied the impacts of grasslandification on soil carbon (C):nitrogen (N):phosphorus (P) stoichiometry, soil organic carbon (SOC) stock, and release in wetland-grassland transitional zone in Mu Us Desert.

Materials and methods

From wetland to grassland, the transition zone was divided into five different successional stages according to plant communities and soil water conditions. At every stage, soil physical and chemical properties were determined and C:N:P ratios were calculated. SOC stock and soil respirations were also determined to assess soil carbon storage and release.

Results and discussion

After grasslandification, SOC contents of top soils (0–10 cm) decreased from 100.2 to 31.79 g kg^?1 in June and from 103.7 to 32.5 g kg^?1 in October; total nitrogen (TN) contents of top soils (0–10 cm) decreased from 3.65 to 1.85 g kg^?1 in June and from 6.43 to 3.36 g kg^?1 in October; and total phosphorus (TP) contents of top soils (0–10 cm) decreased from 179.4 to 117.4 mg kg^?1 in June and from 368.6 to 227.8 mg kg^?1 in October. From stages Typha angustifolia wetland (TAW) to Phalaris arundinacea L. (PAL), in the top soil (0–10 cm), C:N ratios decreased from 32.2 to 16.9 in June and from 19.0 to 11.8 in October; C:P ratios decreased from 1519.2 to 580.5 in June and from 19.0 to 11.8 in October; and N:P ratios decreased from 46.9 to 34.8 in June and changed from 34.9 to 34.0 in October. SOC stock decreased and soil respiration increased with grasslandification. The decrease of SOC, TN, and TP contents was attributed to the reduction of aboveground biomass and mineralization of SOM, and the decrease of soil C:N, C:P, and N:P ratios was mainly attributed to the faster decreasing speeds of SOC than TN and TP. The reduction of aboveground biomass and increased SOC release led by enhanced soil respiration were the main reasons of SOC stock decrease.

Conclusions

Grasslandification led to lowers levels of SOC, TN, TP, and soil C:N, C:P, and N:P ratios. Grasslandification also led to higher SOC loss, and increased soil respiration was the main reason. Since it is difficult to restore grassland to original wetland, efficient practices should be conducted to reduce water drainage from wetland to prevent grasslandification.

     

Performance assessment of nanoparticulate lime to accelerate the downward movement of calcium in acid soil

Calcium in conventional lime (CL) moves downward extremely slowly into the soil in the short term. To monitor the effects of using nanoparticulate lime (NL) in low affordable doses and in large doses on accelerating the downward movement of Ca in a simulated plough layer profile (0–25 cm), we ran a column leaching experiment with an acid soil with NL applied into the top 5 cm. The experiment evaluated a reference treatment (0 NL), three low doses of NL (8, 40 and 80 kg ha^?1 = 0.02×, 0.1×, and 0.2× the NL needed to raise soil pH to 6.0 in the top 5 cm: NLR_pH‐6), and two large doses (400 and 800 kg ha^?1 = 1× and 2× NLR_pH‐6). Over the short term (70 days), NL accelerated the downward movement of Ca, likely by mass flow of nanoparticles down soil micro‐ and macropores. Applying NL to the top 5 cm at 40 and 80 kg ha^?1 was effective at increasing the downward movement of Ca and the neutralization of soil acidity (in terms of pH) to 20 cm depth, as well as rectifying Al toxicity (in terms of exchangeable Al) to ≤ the critical limit to 10 cm. NL at 80 kg ha^?1 was most economically justified in terms of rectifying Al toxicity throughout the profile. Therefore, NL may introduce new and alternative application strategy that allowing lower rates of lime to be used and thereby offset economic constraints posed by high application rates.     

In situ determination of sulfate turnover in peatlands: A down‐scaled push–pull tracer technique

Bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR) is a key process in anaerobic respiration in wetlands and may have considerable impacts on methane emissions. A method to determine sulfate production and consumption in situ is lacking to date. We applied a single‐well, injection‐withdrawal tracer test for the in situ determination of potential sulfate turnover in a northern temperate peatland. Piezometers were installed in three peat depth levels (20, 30, and 50 cm) during summer 2004, and three series of injection‐withdrawal cycles were carried out over a period of several days. Turnover rates of sulfate, calculated from first‐order‐reaction constant k (–0.097 to 0.053 h^–1) and pore‐water sulfate concentrations (approx. 10 µmol L^–1), ranged from –1.3 to –9.0 nmol cm^–3 d^–1 for reduction and from +0.7 to +25.4 nmol cm^–2 d^–1 for production, which occurred after infiltration of water following a heavy rainstorm. Analysis of stable isotopes in peat‐water sulfate revealed slightly increasing δ³⁴S values and decreasing sulfate concentrations indicating the presence of BSR. The calculated low sulfur‐fractionation factors of <2‰ are in line with high sulfate‐reduction rates during BSR. Routine application will require technical optimization, but the method seems a promising addition to common ex situ techniques, as the investigated soil is not structurally altered. The method can furthermore be applied at low expense even in remote locations.     

High contribution of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) to ammonia oxidation related to a potential active AOA species in various arable land soils

Purpose

Ammonia oxidation is the limiting step in soil nitrification and critical in the global nitrogen cycle. The discovery of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) has improved our knowledge of microbial mechanisms for ammonia oxidation in complex soil environments. However, the relative contributions of AOA and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) to ammonia oxidation remain unclear.

Materials and methods

In this study, through large geographical scale sampling in China, totally nine samples representing various types of arable land soils were selected for analyzing the ammonia oxidation activity. The AOA and AOB activities were separately determined by using the dicyandiamide and 1-octyne inhibition method. High-throughput pyrosequencing and DNA stable-isotope probing (DNA-SIP) analysis were applied to investigate the distribution and activity of Candidatus Nitrosocosmicus franklandus in the arable land soils.

Results and discussion

In this study, AOA abundance (3.2?×?10⁷–3.4?×?10⁹ copies g^?1) and activity (0.01–1.33 mg N kg^?1 dry soil day^?1) were evaluated for nine selected arable land soils and accounted for 4–100% of ammonia oxidation. By separately determining AOA and AOB rates, we observed that archaeal ammonia oxidation dominated the ammonia oxidation process in six soils, revealing a considerable contribution of AOA in ammonia oxidation in arable land soils. Based on high-throughput pyrosequencing analysis, the AOA species Ca. N. franklandus with relatively low abundance (0.6–13.5% in AOA) was ubiquitously distributed in all the tested samples. Moreover, according to the DNA-SIP analysis for Urumqi sample, the high activity and efficiency of Ca. N. franklandus in using CO₂ suggests that this species plays an important role in archaeal ammonia oxidation in arable land soils.

Conclusions

Through determining the AOA activity and analyzing the potential predominant functional AOA species, this study greatly improves our understanding of ammonia oxidation in arable land soils.

     

Wetland-type conversion drives the C,N and P stoichiometry change of soil in river plain of lower of the Yellow River

Land use conversion on river plain has profound impacts on soil characteristics and elemental stoichiometry. Four wetland types (Riparian lower-beach wetland [RLW], Riparian higher-beach wetland [RHW], Cultivated wetland [CW] and Mesophytic wetland [MW]) were selected in the lower Yellow River area to investigate the consequence of wetland type conversion on soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) stoichiometry. The results demonstrated that wetland conversion induced significant spatio-temporal variations in soil C, N and P stoichiometry and physicochemical characteristics in soil. Frequent agricultural activities (fertilizer input) raised the nutrient content of natural wetland, particularly in surface soil (0–30 cm). Soil volumetric water content (VWC), soil bulk density (SBD), pH and soil enzyme activity varied significantly in different wetlands. Total carbon (TC) and total nitrogen (TN) contents in MW decreased with increasing soil depth (<40 cm layers), as did TN and total phosphorus (TP) contents in CW. On the other hand, TC, TN and TP contents in RLW and RHW did not change significantly with soil depth. However, the contents of TOC, ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}–\mathrm{N}$ and Fe/Al-P, etc., varied among soil layers and among wetland types. Furthermore, the stoichiometric characteristics changed significantly in some soil layers, with mean values being less than the Chinese average. Statistically, significant positive correlations were determined between TC and TN (r = .56), TDC and TP (r = .62), N:P and pH (r = .57) (p < .05) and ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}–\mathrm{N}$ and pH (r = .66, p < .01). VWC was negatively correlated with pH (r = −.56, p < .05), while C/P was negatively associated with soil temperature (ST) and SBD (r = −.55, r = −.64, p < .05). TDC, IP, TN, Fe/Al-P and ST were identified as the dominant factors, with the percentage of variance 41%, 20%, 12%, 9% and 6% respectively. These findings have a great scientific significance for the ecological conservation of wetlands in the lower Yellow River area.     

Comparative diversity and abundance of ammonia monooxygenase genes in mulched and vegetated soils

Soil microbial habitats are altered by mulching, a common practice in urban areas during which vegetation is removed and soils covered to suppress weeds and retain moisture. Soil microorganisms drive nitrogen-cycling processes in mulched soils, because living plants no longer take up ammonium-N released during decomposition of residual organic matter. Because ammonia oxidizers carry out the first, rate-limiting step of nitrification, we compared ammonia oxidizers in experimental, unfertilized plots of mulched and vegetated soils. We hypothesized that mulched and vegetated soils would support contrasting communities of bacterial and archaeal ammonia oxidizers, as determined by quantitative PCR and primers specific for genes encoding ammonia monooxygenase subunit A (amoA). Clone libraries of archaeal amoA also were constructed to compare diversity in soil cores, duplicate blocked plots, and treatments (bark-mulched, gravel-mulched, and unmanaged old field vegetation). Gene copies from ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) ranged from 2.2 × 10⁶ to 2.7 × 10⁷ gene copies per gram dry soil and did not differ across treatments. In contrast, gene copies from ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) ranged from 9.1 × 10⁵ to 1.0 × 10⁸ copies per gram dry soil, with bark-mulched soils having significantly lower abundance. Community structure of AOA in gravel-mulched soils was distinct from the other two treatments. At 97% amino acid similarity, 22 operational taxonomic units, or OTUs, were identified, with only one OTU found in all 18 clone libraries. This ubiquitous OTU-1, which was highly similar to published amoA sequences recovered from soils, comprised 55% of all 482 translated sequences. Greater variability in OTU richness was observed among cores from mulched soils than from vegetated soils. Our observations supported our hypothesis that AOA communities differ in mulched and vegetated soils, with mulched soils providing altered and variable microniches for these N cycling microorganisms.     

Changes in methane emission and methanogenic and methanotrophic communities in restored wetland with introduction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alnus trabeculosa</Emphasis>

Purpose

The dynamics and uncertainties in wetland methane budgets affected by the introduction of Alnus trabeculosa H. necessitate research on production of methane by methanogenic archaea and consumption by methane-oxidizing microorganisms simultaneously.

Materials and methods

This study investigated methane emission in situ by the closed chamber method, and methanogenic and methanotrophic communities using denatured gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and quantitative PCR based on mcrA (methyl coenzyme M reductase), pmoA (particulate methane monooxygenase) genes in the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils in the indigenous pure Phragmites australis T., and A. trabeculosa–P. australis mixed communities in Chongxi wetland.

Results and discussion

Methane flux rate from the pure P. australis community was 2.4 times larger than that of A. trabeculosa–P. australis mixed community in the rhizosphere and 1.7 times larger in the non-rhizosphere, respectively. The abundance of methanogens was lower in the mixed community soils (3.56?×?10³–6.90?×?10³ copies g^?1 dry soil) compared with the P. australis community (1.47?×?10⁴–1.89?×?10⁴ copies g^?1 dry soil), whereas the methanotrophs showed an opposite trend (2.08?×?10⁶–1.39?×?10⁶ copies g^?1 dry soil for P. australis and 6.20?×?10⁶–1.99?×?10⁶ copies g^?1 dry soil for mixed community soil). A liner relationship between methane emission rates against pmoA/mcrA ratios (R ²?=?0.5818, p?<?0.05, n?=?15) was observed. The community structures of the methane-cycling microorganism based on mcrA and pmoA suggested that acetoclastic methanogens belonging to Methanosarcinaceae and a particular type II methanotroph, Methylocystis, were dominant in these two plant communities.

Conclusions

The introduction of A. trabeculosa would promote the proliferation of methanotrophs, especially the dominant Methylocystis, but not methanogens, ultimately diminishing methane emission in the wetland.

     

Coupled effects of biochar use and farming practice on physical properties of a salt-affected soil with wheat–maize rotation

Purpose

Being carbon-rich and porous, biochar has the potential to improve soil physical properties, so does conventional farming practice. Here, a field trial was conducted to investigate the combined effects of biochar use and farming practice on the physical properties of a salt-affected compact soil for wheat–maize rotation in the Yellow River Delta region.

Materials and methods

Salix fragilis L. was used as feedstock to produce biochar in the field via aerobic carbonization at an average temperature of 502 °C, terminated by a water mist spray, for use as a soil amendment at 0, 1, 2, and 4 g kg^?1 doses (CK, T1, T2, and T3, respectively). Farming practices included rotary tillage/straw returning for wheat sowing, spring irrigation, no-tillage seeding of maize, and autumn irrigation. Both cutting ring and composite samples of the soil were collected at four stages of wheat–maize rotation (22, 238, 321, and 382 d after the benchmark date of land preparation for wheat sowing) for the determination of soil properties by established methods.

Results and discussion

Rotary tillage/straw returning reduced soil bulk density (BD) from 1.48 to 1.27 g cm^?3 (CK) and 1.14 g cm^?3 (T3) and increased saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) from 0.05?×?10^?5 to 0.75?× 10^?5 cm s^?1 (CK) and 1.25?× 10^?5 cm s^?1 (T3). This tillage effect on BD and Ks gradually disappeared due to the disturbance from the subsequent farming practice. Biochar use lessened the disturbance. At maize harvest, BD was 1.47 (CK) vs. 1.34 g cm^?3 (T3), and Ks was 0.06?×?10^?5 (CK) vs. 0.28?×?10^?5 cm s^?1(T3); in comparison with CK, T3 increased Na⁺ leaching by 65%, Cl^? leaching by 98%, organic carbon content by 40.3%, and water-stable aggregates (0.25–2 mm) by 38%, indicating an improvement in soil properties.

Conclusions

Biochar use and rotary tillage improved soil physical properties (BD, Ks) and favored soil aeration, water filtration, and salt leaching, which further helped the accumulation of soil organic carbon, the formation of water-stable aggregates, and the amelioration of salt-affected compact soil.

     

Wetland conversion to beef cattle pasture changes in soil properties

Background and Objective  Largely influenced by the passage of the Swamp Land Act of 1849, many wetlands have been lost in the coastal plain region of southeastern United States primarily as a result of drainage to convert land for agriculture. While further wetland conversion or loss is universally acknowledged, the process continues with little public recognition of the causes or consequences. This study examined changes in soil carbon, pH, and Mehlich extractable nutrients in soils following conversion of wetland to beef cattle pasture. Methods  To better understand the chemical response of soils during wetland conversion to beef cattle pasture, soil samples were collected from the converted beef cattle pastures and from the adjoining reference wetland. Soil samples were collected from eleven sites in the beef cattle pasture, and from four in the adjoining reference wetland. Data that were collected from the reference wetland sites were used as the reference/baseline data to detect potential changes in soil properties associated with the conversion of wetlands to beef cattle pastures from 1940 to 2002. Results and Discussion  Compared with the adjoining reference wetland, the beef cattle pasture soils in 2002, 62 years after being drained, exhibited: (1) a decrease in organic carbon, TOC (-172.3 g kg^-1), nitrogen, TN (-10.1 g kg^-1), water soluble phosphorus, WSP (-5.1mg kg^-1), and potassium, K (-0.7 mg kg^-1); (2) an increase in soil pH (+1.8 pH unit), calcium, Ca (+88.4 mg kg^-1), magnesium, Mg (+7.5 mg kgc), manganese, Mn (+0.3 mg kg^-1), and iron, Fe (+6.9 mg kg^-1); and (3) no significant changes in sodium (Na), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and aluminum (Al). In 2002, the amount of TOC and the concentration of soil organic matter (OM) in pasture fields were significantly lower than the concentration in the reference wetland with average values of 7.8 ± 8 g kg^-1 and 36 ± 26 g kg^-1 and 180.1 ± 188 g kg^-1 and 257 ± 168 g kg^-1, respectively. It appeared that conversion of wetlands was proceeding toward a soil condition/composition like that of mineral soils. Conclusion and Outlook  Overall, conversion of wetland had significant effects on soil carbon, pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and extractable nutrients. Results of our study have shown a decrease in TOC, TN, WSP, and K and an increase in soil pH, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Fe. These results are important in establishing useful baseline information on soil properties in pasture and adjoining reference wetland prior to restoring and converting pasture back to its original wetland conditions as a major part of the restoration effort being underway.     

Attenuation of Nitrogen,Phosphorus and <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. coli</Emphasis> Inputs from Pasture Runoff to Surface Waters by a Farm Wetland: the Importance of Wetland Shape and Residence Time

Water quantity and quality were monitored for 3 years in a 360-m-long wetland with riparian fences and plants in a pastoral dairy farming catchment. Concentrations of total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and Escherichia coli were 210–75,200 g N m⁻³, 12–58,200 g P m⁻³ and 2–20,000 most probable number (MPN)/100 ml, respectively. Average retentions (±standard error) for the wetland over 3 years were 5 ± 1%, 93 ± 13% and 65 ± 9% for TN, TP and E. coli, respectively. Retentions for nitrate–N, ammonium–N, filterable reactive P and particulate C were respectively −29 ± 5%, 32 ± 10%, −53 ± 24% and 96 ± 19%. Aerobic conditions within the wetland supported nitrification but not denitrification and it is likely that there was a high conversion rate from dissolved inputs of N and P in groundwater, to particulate N and P and refractory dissolved forms in the wetland. The wetland was notable for its capacity to promote the formation of particulate forms and retain them or to provide conditions suitable for retention (e.g. binding of phosphate to cations). Nitrogen retention was generally low because about 60% was in dissolved forms (DON and NO_X–N) that were not readily trapped or removed. Specific yields for N, P and E. coli were c. 10–11 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, 0.2 kg P ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ and ≤10⁹ MPN ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, respectively, and generally much less than ranges for typical dairy pasture catchments in New Zealand. Further mitigation of catchment runoff losses might be achieved if the upland wetland was coupled with a downslope wetland in which anoxic conditions would promote denitrification.     

Implications of municipal wastewater irrigation on soil health from a study in Bangladesh

This study evaluated soil health in fields of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv Shatabdi) and potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) irrigated by different blends of municipal wastewater (hereafter called wastewater). The crops were grown with and without added fertilizers over three consecutive years. The wastewater contained high concentrations of organic carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulphur (S), zinc (Zn) and boron (B). It also contained negligible concentrations of a few heavy metals. Irrigation by wastewater resulted in an increase in the porosity of the surface soil and thus a reduced bulk density. Wastewater enhanced the saturated hydraulic conductivity and water retention capacity of the soils. The organic carbon, total N, available P and S, and exchangeable Na, K, Ca and Mg of the soils increased proportionately with the quantity of applied wastewater. C, N and K increased significantly (α = 0.05) when fields were irrigated using raw wastewater after applied fertilizers; the other elements accumulated in the soil insignificantly under both fertility levels. Electrical conductivity (EC) and pH of the upper 0–20 and 20–40 cm soil layers increased with the application of wastewater; the increase was significant only under raw wastewater irrigation. In the 40–60 cm soil layer, both EC and pH remained unchanged. The applied inorganic fertilizers raised EC but reduced soil pH. The wastewater contained large counts of total coliform (TC: 17.2 × 10⁶ cfu/100 mL) and faecal coliform (FC: 13.4 × 10³ cfu/100 mL). Irrigation using municipal wastewater is proposed for improving soil fertility as well as for alleviating water scarcity with the exception of some crops whose edible parts come in direct contact with wastewater and/or are eaten uncooked.     

Natural 13C abundance and soil carbon dynamics under long‐term residue retention in a no‐till maize system

Residue retention and reduced tillage are both conservation agricultural practices that may enhance soil organic carbon (SOC) stabilization in soil. We evaluated the long‐term effects of no‐till (NT) and stover retention from maize on SOC dynamics in a Rayne silt loam Typic Hapludults in Ohio. The six treatments consisted of retaining 0, 25, 50, 75, 100 and 200% of maize residues on each 3 × 3 m plot from the crop of previous year. Soil samples were obtained after 9 yrs of establishing the experiment. The whole soil (0–10 and 10–20 cm of soil depths) samples under different treatments were analysed for total C, total N, recalcitrant C (NaOCl treated sample) and ¹³C isotopic abundance (0–10 cm soil depth). Complete removal of stover for a period of 9 yrs significantly (P < 0.01) decreased soil C content (15.5 g/kg), whereas 200% of stover retention had the maximum soil C concentration (23.1 g/kg). Relative distribution of C for all the treatments in different fractions comprised of 55–58% as labile and 42–45% as recalcitrant. Retention of residue did not significantly affect total C and N concentration in 10–20 cm depth. ¹³C isotopic signature data indicated that C₄‐C (maize‐derived C) was the dominant fraction of C in the top 0–10 cm of soil layer under NT with maize‐derived C accounting for as high as 80% of the total SOC concentration. Contribution of C₄‐C or maize‐derived C was 71–84% in recalcitrant fraction in different residue retained plots. Residue management is imperative to increase SOC concentrations and long‐term agro‐ecosystem necessitates residue retention for stabilizing C in light‐textured soils.