Effects of ecological restoration on microbial activity,microbial functional diversity,and soil organic matter in mixed-oak forests of southern Ohio,USA

As a result of many decades of fire suppression and atmospheric deposition the deciduous forests of eastern North America have changed significantly in stem density, basal area, tree size-frequency distribution, and community structure. Consequently, soil organic matter quality and quantity, nutrient availability, and microbial activity have likely been altered. This study evaluated the effects of four alternative forest ecosystem restoration strategies on soil microbial activity, microbial functional diversity, soil organic C, and soil N status in two mixed-oak (Quercus spp.) forests in southern Ohio, USA. The soils of these forests were sampled during the fourth growing season after application of (1) prescribed fire, (2) thinning of the understory and midstory to pre-settlement characteristics, (3) the combination of fire and thinning, and (4) an untreated control. Prescribed fire, with or without thinning, resulted in increased bacterial but not fungal activity when assessed using Biolog^®. In contrast, assays of acid phosphatase and phenol oxidase activity indicated greater microbial activity in the thinning treatment than in the other three treatments. Functional diversity of both bacteria and fungi was affected by restoration treatment, with the bacterial and fungal assemblages present in the thin + burn sites and the fungal assemblage present in the thinned sites differing significantly from those of the control and burned sites. Treatments did not result in significant differences in soil organic C content among experimental sites; however, the soil C:N ratio was significantly greater in thinned sites than in sites given the other three treatments. Similarly, there were no significant differences in dissolve inorganic N, dissolved organic N, or microbial biomass N among treatments. Bacterial and fungal functional diversity was altered significantly. Based on Biolog^® utilization treatments the bacterial assemblage in the thin-only treatment appeared to be relatively N-limited and the fungal assemblage relatively C-limited, whereas in the thin + burn treatment this was reversed. Although effects of restoration treatments on soil organic matter and overall microbial activity may not persist through the fourth post-treatment year, effects on microbial functional diversity are persistent.     

Are higher taxa adequate surrogates for species-level assemblage patterns and species richness in stream organisms?

We examined the utility of using genera and families as surrogates of species-level assemblage patterns. We assessed cross-taxonomic level congruence, as well as taxonomic structure-environment and taxon richness-environment relationships in stream macroinvertebrate and diatom data surveyed across Finland. A number of interesting and important findings emerged from our analyses. For both macroinvertebrates and diatoms, species richness was strongly correlated with genus and family richness, and similarities in assemblage structure between species-, genus- and family-level matrices were also significant and relatively strong. For macroinvertebrates, the key environmental variables for assemblage structure and taxon richness remained the same irrespective of taxonomic level. For diatoms, however, the environmental variables related to variation in diatom taxon richness varied between taxonomic data sets, while determinants of assemblage structure remained largely the same. For macroinvertebrates, relatively similar amounts of variation in assemblage structure and taxon richness for species-, genus-, and family-level data were accounted for by the environmental variables, shared environmental and spatial variables, spatial variables, and total variation explained. By contrast, for diatoms, these components of variability differed somewhat between taxonomic levels. Our results suggest that, for macroinvertebrates, even family-level data could be used in rapid biodiversity assessments, where the objective is to examine biodiversity patterns and rank sites according to their conservation value in our study region. Families might also perform well in this task in other regions that are characterized by low faunal species diversity, but the situation is likely to be different for regions with higher species diversity. Although weaker than the relationships in macroinvertebrate data, species-level data for diatoms also showed rather similar patterns to genus- and family-level data. However, due to the low number of diatom families, it is likely that families do not provide enough variability in biodiversity patterns. Thus, for diatoms, genus-level data could perhaps be more efficient than family-level data in correlating with species-level data and portraying assemblage patterns for conservation purposes.     

Origin,retention and release of trace metals from sediments of the river seine

Metallic contents (Fe, Mn, Pb, Cu, Cd, Zn, Cr) of sediments were measured in 14 sites in the River Seine (France) along 110 km; in three sites surrounding the sewage treatment plant at Achères, vertical profiles were established from cores and dialysis cells, and interface exchanges have been studied. Metal contamination increases downstream, except for Pb for which contamination is higher immediately downstream of stormdrains (up to 130 mg kg^?1); that confirms its urban origin. Upstream of Achères, metallic contamination increases with depth while downstream, contribution to sediments of suspended matter from the treatment plant, loaded with organic matter, alters the behaviour of metals within the first ten centimeters. A strong link between particulate organic carbon (POC), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), polychlorobiphenyls (PCB) and metal contents has been established. The organic matter brought down by the treatment plant effluents induces a specific diagenesis downstream leading to metal release in summer as attested by a 30% metal contents decrease in sediments. Calculation of molecular diffusion fluxes shows that in september, the release phenomenon is ending.     

Mechanisms of Phosphorus Control in Urban Streams Receiving Sewage Effluent

Urban streams often are a major source of phosphorus (P) to rivers, primarily due to large inputs of sewage effluent. A good example of this is Chicago (Illinois, USA) area streams, which make up most of the flow of the upper Illinois River. Even though streams in this section of the Mississippi River basin are characteristic hard-water systems and exhibit high calcium and carbonate concentrations, the precipitation of Ca–P minerals is minimal and phosphate is not removed from the water column. The objective of this study was to determine the chemical mechanisms controlling P activity in Chicago area streams. Measurement of dissolved ion activities on filtered surface water samples demonstrated that an average of 79% of P in the study streams was dissolved and the remaining was particulate (<0.05 μm and >1.0 μm in diameter, respectively). Neither a P colloidal-size fraction nor a correlation between dissolved and particulate Fe and P was observed. Thermodynamic modeling and SEM-EDS analysis of particulate matter in filter residues indicated that dissolved P may adsorb and co-precipitate on the surface of calcite rather than precipitating in a pure Ca–P mineral phase. Although SEM-EDS results also suggested that P was adsorbed to silicate minerals, organic residues likely dominated the P-containing particulate fraction. Sediment extraction results indicated that organic P was one of two major P components in the stream bottom. The Fe-associated P fraction represented the largest sediment-P fraction, and with little association between Fe and P in the overlying water, dissolved inorganic P may have aided in the authigenic formation of an Fe–P sediment phase. Overall, results suggest that pH combined with Ca and Mg activity are the dominant chemical controls on P chemistry in this P enriched system.     

Assessing the Impact of Effluents from a Modern Wastewater Treatment Plant on Breakdown of Coarse Particulate Organic Matter and Benthic Macroinvertebrates in a Lowland River

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) with insufficient technologies for wastewater purification often cause a distinct nutrient pollution in the receiving streams. The increased concentrations of dissolved nutrients can severely disturb the ecological integrity of streams, which has been recently shown for basic ecosystem processes like mineralization of coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM). The present study investigated the impact of a modern WWTP (Zentralkläranlage Jena) on breakdown rates of CPOM exposed in net bags (1 mm mesh size) to the effluent of a large municipal WWTP and an upstream control site in the Saale River (Thuringia, Germany) from April to October 2005. Control and effluent site differed significantly in water chemistry with increased concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), ammonium, sulfate, and chloride at the effluent site, while the control site displayed higher concentrations of nitrate. However, breakdown rates of toothpickers and small twigs were not significantly different between the sites, whereas breakdown rate of leaf litter was significantly higher at the effluent site (k?=?0.0124 day^?1) than at the control site (k?=?0.0095 day^?1). Benthic invertebrate assemblages inhabiting the sandy stream bed at both sites were dominated by Chironomidae and Oligochaeta, typical inhabitants of fine sediments. Although the Shannon diversity of the benthic invertebrates was slightly higher at the effluent site (0.85) than at the control site (0.63), no significant difference could be detected. Bacterial numbers in water samples and surface biofilms on glass slides also displayed no significant differences between the two sites. This study showed that the effluents of a WWTP with modern technologies for wastewater purification did not directly affect breakdown rates of CPOM, bacteria numbers in epibenthic biofilms and the water column, and the community composition of sediment inhabiting aquatic macroinvertebrates in an effluent-receiving river with already increased concentrations of dissolved nutrients.     

Concordance of stream macroinvertebrate assemblage classifications: How general are patterns from single-year surveys?

We examined how the assemblage structure and assemblage-environment relationships of stream macroinvertebrates varied over three consecutive years in a boreal drainage system. We specifically examined whether classifications produced assemblage types that were stable through time, and how these assemblages could be predicted based on local environmental variables. We also used a combination of Procrustes rotation analysis and NMDS ordinations to examine the degree of year-to-year concordance of assemblage patterns. The composition of site clusters varied among years, resulting in only moderate among-year concordance of assemblage classifications. Stream width and in-stream habitat conditions, especially macrophyte cover, were the most important variables discriminating among the cluster groups. Despite temporally variable assemblage classifications, the overall macroinvertebrate assemblage structure was concordant among years. Among-year concordance was higher in-streams with low temporal variation in the physical environment, as well as high abundance and low variability of macrophytes. Due to among-year variability in cluster composition and weakly predictable assemblage-environment relationships, a posteriori assemblage classifications may be of limited value in the conservation planning of headwater streams.     

长期不同施肥对稻田土壤有机质和全氮的影响

通过对湖南新化、宁乡、株洲、桃江、武岗5个国家级稻田肥力长期定位试验点18年的田间定位试验,研究了不同施肥方式下0-20 cm土层土壤有机质和全N含量的演变规律。结果显示,中量和高量有机肥与化肥配合处理在提高土壤有机质和全N含量方面效果明显优于单施化肥和秸秆还田处理,且随有机肥用量的增加而增加,表明有机肥与化肥配合施用是提高土壤有机质和N素肥力的重要措施。在不同施肥方式下,稻田土壤有机质总体上呈现出上升或者下降的趋势,但在不同的年份会有波动。     

Insights into Human Impacts on Streams from Tolerance Profiles of Macroinvertebrate Assemblages

We present the concept of assemblage tolerance profiles (ATPs) as an aid to freshwater bioassessment, and illustrate it with a practical example. An ATP describes the proportion of taxa in an observed assemblage that is estimated to tolerate each level of a specific stressor within a defined range. We used an extensive compilation of biomonitoring field data to estimate the lower tolerances for pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) of common families of macroinvertebrates in rivers of south-eastern Australia. These limits were then used to establish ATPs for macroinvertebrate assemblages at 30 sites across six river systems with varying levels of exposure to drainage from disused mines and discharges from sewage treatment plants. We hypothesised that sites with more exposure to mine drainage would have ATPs indicating greater tolerance of low pH, whereas sites with more exposure to sewage discharges would have ATPs indicating greater tolerance of low DO, and found that these hypotheses were confirmed for five of the six river systems. We suggest that stressor-specific ATPs, based on tolerances derived from either field distributions or laboratory tests, can help to verify or eliminate candidate causes of inferred human impacts on aquatic ecosystems.     

Land use effects on soil carbon fractions in the southeastern United States. I. Management-intensive versus extensive grazing

Changes in grassland management intended to increase productivity can lead to sequestration of substantial amounts of atmospheric C in soils. Management-intensive grazing (MiG) can increase forage production in mesic pastures, but potential impacts on soil C have not been evaluated. We sampled four pastures (to 50 cm depth) in Virginia, USA, under MiG and neighboring pastures that were extensively grazed or hayed to evaluate impacts of grazing management on total soil organic C and N pools, and soil C fractions. Total organic soil C averaged 8.4 Mg C ha^–1 (22%) greater under MiG; differences were significant at three of the four sites examined while total soil N was greater for two sites. Surface (0–10 cm) particulate organic matter (POM) C increased at two sites; POM C for the entire depth increment (0–50 cm) did not differ significantly between grazing treatments at any of the sites. Mineral-associated C was related to silt plus clay content and tended to be greater under MiG. Neither soil C:N ratios, POM C, or POM C:total C ratios were accurate indicators of differences in total soil C between grazing treatments, though differences in total soil C between treatments attributable to changes in POM C (43%) were larger than expected based on POM C as a percentage of total C (24.5%). Soil C sequestration rates, estimated by calculating total organic soil C differences between treatments (assuming they arose from changing grazing management and can be achieved elsewhere) and dividing by duration of treatment, averaged 0.41 Mg C ha^–1 year^–1 across the four sites.     

黑土颗粒有机碳和氮含量对有机肥剂量响应的定量关系

黑土是一种非常重要的耕种土壤,但是由于过度地开发利用和水土流失导致土壤有机质含量迅速下降,严重影响了耕地生产力和作物产量。为了能够快速恢复黑土肥力,利用海伦国家野外科学观测研究站内的长期定位试验,定量分析了黑土颗粒有机碳和氮含量对有机肥剂量的响应。田间试验开始于2001年,设置了4个施肥处理,分别为:1单施化肥(OM0);2低剂量有机肥与化肥配施(OM1);3中剂量有机肥与化肥配施(OM2);4高剂量有机肥与化肥配施(OM3)。在2011年播种前,采集各处理0~20 cm耕层土壤样品。应用有机碳物理分组方法,测定分析了土壤有机碳、氮及各组分的含量。研究结果表明长期不同剂量有机肥输入能够显著增加黑土总有机碳和全氮含量(P0.05),每增施1 t有机肥,土壤有机碳含量增加0.186 kg,土壤全氮含量增加0.02 kg,表明增加有机肥投入量是提高黑土有机碳含量的有效措施。有机肥的施用增加了土壤中粗颗粒和细颗粒组分,不同剂量有机肥处理表现为OM3OM2OM1OM0,而减小了土壤中矿质结合态组分的含量;随着有机肥施入量的增加,粗颗粒和细颗粒土壤有机碳和氮的含量呈增加的趋势,而矿质结合态中的有机碳含量则略有下降,表明粗颗粒和细颗粒有机碳和氮是黑土有机碳和氮的主要储存库,有机无机配施对土壤有机碳、氮的提升作用主要集中于对活性组分颗粒有机质的形成和积累。与OM0处理相比,有机肥的施入显著降低了颗粒有机质和矿质结合态有机质的C/N,并且随着有机肥施入量的增加而逐渐降低。与单施化肥相比,化肥有机肥配施能够显著增加土壤的总有机碳,全氮,颗粒有机碳、氮含量,其中以化肥配施高剂量有机肥效果最佳,有利于黑土土壤肥力的快速提升,改善黑土的土壤质量。     

Response of Hard Red Spring Wheat to Copper Fertilization

To achieve optimum production of hard red spring wheat, growers should know if use of copper (Cu) in a fertilizer program is necessary. For this study, copper was broadcast and incorporated before planting in the sulfate or chelate form to supply both 6.7 and 13.4 kg Cu ha^?1 at six sites. The soils at the majority of the sites had a loamy fine sand texture with low organic‐matter content. Application of Cu increased grain yield at one site. Grain yield response, however, could not be predicted by amount of Cu extracted from soil by the diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) procedure. Concentrations of Cu in whole plant tissue did not match those reported in the literature. The results of this study do not support the addition of Cu to a fertilizer program for production of hard red spring wheat on mineral soils in the northern Great Plains.     

Aerosol and precipitation chemistry relationships at big bend national park

Aerosol chemistry, precipitation and visibility parameters are currently being measured at Big Bend National Park in Texas. This is part of a large-scale air resource evaluation program which the National Park Service is sponsoring in several southwestern national parks and monuments to determine the potential impact of local and distant pollutant sources on the environmental quality within these areas. Analysis of aerosol samples collected at six sites in the Southwest indicates that soil-derived components, organic materials and the acid-base ions of sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium are the major constituents of suspended airborne particulate matter in the remote areas of the arid region. Comparison of particulate matter chemistry and precipitation chemistry data at Big Bend National Park shows consistent features which indicate that the airborne alkaline soil material and NH₃ largely neutralize the atmospheric acidic species of H₂SO₄ and HNO₃. Given the similarity of the particulate matter composition and loading at the other monitoring sites, it is suggested that the trace chemical composition of precipitation will be similar in many remote regions of the Southwest.     

Distribution of artificial radioisotopes in granulometric and organic fractions of alluvial soils downstream from the Krasnoyarsk Mining and Chemical Combine (KMCC), Russia

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare the distribution of the most significant medium and long-lived radioisotopes, i.e., ⁶⁰Co, ¹³⁷Cs, and ¹⁵²Eu, in granulometric and organic fractions of alluvial soils downstream from the Krasnoyarsk Mining and Chemical Combine (KMCC), Russia, to reveal natural patterns of their behavior and accumulation.

Materials and methods

Soil samples collected at different elevations and depths in a floodplain of the Yenisey River downstream from the KMCC (20–250 km) were subjected to granulometric analysis by dry screening and a modified Petelin method. Fractions <0.05 mm were collected by a pipette method. Radionuclide activity in the different soil layers and in their fractions was determined using a spectrometer equipped with an HPGe detector. Concentration of total C (Ctot) and C of carbonates (Ccarb) was determined using a CHN analyzer before and after elimination of carbonates, organic C (Corg) being calculated as the difference between the obtained values. Organic fractions were separated by saturation of the air-dry sample with 0.1 M NaOH and further precipitation of humic acid from filtrate by 1 M HCl at pH 1. The separation resulted in three fractions of the fulvic acids, humic acids, and the residue containing the denuded mineral phase and the refractory organic residue. The selected bulk samples and fractions were analyzed for radionuclide activity.

Results and discussion

Based on earlier results, the distribution of the pelite (<0.01 mm) and aleurite (0.01–0.1 mm) fractions in alluvium and soil samples have been analyzed to evaluate the grain-size contribution to radionuclide fixation. A positive correlation between radionuclide activity and the portion of pelite fraction was established for ⁶⁰Co and ¹⁵²Eu, while ¹³⁷Cs accumulation was not related with this fraction. In organic matter (OM) extracts, more than 90 % of ¹³⁷Cs, at proportions similar to those attributable to ²³⁸Th and ⁴⁰K, were associated with the residue fraction, while 72 % of ¹⁵²Eu and 46 % of ⁶⁰Co were found in the mobile fraction of the low molecular fulvic acids. In successive layers of the soil vertical profile, approximately 94 % of the ¹⁵²Eu variation may be explained by a linear model with Corg and Ccarb values as independent variables.

Conclusions

Different associations of ¹³⁷Cs, ⁶⁰Co, and ¹⁵² Eu with particulate and organic fractions in river sediments and floodplain soils could be explained by the dominating discharge form (water soluble or particulate), affinity to organic substances of different mobility, sorption by minerals and their aggregates, and chemisorption.

     

Effect of High Organic Loading Rates of Particulate and Dissolved Organic Matter on the Efficiency of Shallow Experimental Horizontal Subsurface-flow Constructed Wetlands

Two identical experimental subsurface-flow constructed wetlands were operated at relatively high organic loading rates (23 g COD m^?2 day^?1) for 4 months to evaluate their relative ability to remove either dissolved organic carbon (glucose, considered to be a readily biodegradable substrate) or particulate organic carbon (starch, considered to be a slowly biodegradable substrate). The systems were built using plastic containers (0.93 m long, 0.59 m wide and 0.52 m high) that were filled with an 0.35 m layer of wetted gravel (D₆₀?=?3.5 mm, uniformity coefficient C_u?=?D₆₀/D₁₀?=?1.7) and the water level was maintained at 0.05 m under the gravel surface to give a water depth of 0.30 m. The results indicated that there was no significant difference in COD removal between the two systems. Both systems generally had COD removal rates of over 90%, which is quite high if the heavy load applied is taken into account. The removal of ammonium was greater in the glucose-fed system (57%) in comparison with the starch-fed system (43%). Based on mass balance calculations and stoichiometric relationships, it was estimated that denitrification and sulphate reduction were minor pathways for the removal of organic matter. Indirect observations allowed to assume that methanogenesis made a highly significant contribution to the removal of organic matter.     

长期不同施肥下肥料氮在黑土不同团聚体有机物中的固持差异

【目的】 不同粒级团聚体中有机氮库的稳定性不同,通过分析长期施肥后有机氮库在不同团聚体中的分布特征,可阐明土壤氮素固持对不同施肥的响应机制。 【方法】 采集黑土长期定位试验中的4个处理土壤,包括不施肥(CK) 和施用氮磷钾 (NPK)、氮磷钾 + 秸秆 (NPKS) 、氮磷钾 + 有机肥 (NPKM) ,模拟田间施肥量加入15N标记的尿素培养40天,采用Six湿筛法将团聚体分为粗游离颗粒有机物 (cfPOM,> 250 μm)、微团聚体有机物 (53～250 μm)、矿物结合有机物 (MOM,< 53 μm) 三大类,其中微团聚体有机物进一步分为细游离颗粒有机物 (ffPOM) 和物理保护有机物 (iPOM),矿物结合有机物分为团聚体内矿物结合有机物 (MOM团内) 和团聚体外矿物结合有机物 (MOM团外),研究了团聚体分布特征、平均重量直径 (MWD) 和各团聚体中氮的固持量及固持效率。 【结果】 NPKM和NPKS处理的粗游离颗粒含量较CK和NPK处理显著提高约10%,而矿物结合有机物含量显著降低约6%～10%,NPKM和NPKS处理下平均重量直径为0.34 mm,显著大于NPK和CK的值 (0.23～0.25 mm)。NPKM处理的土壤肥料氮固持量较CK和NPK处理显著提高了6.0%和10.5%;粗游离颗粒氮固持量为18～36 mg/kg,矿物结合有机氮固持量为18～30 mg/kg。 【结论】 长期有机无机肥配施或无机肥结合秸秆还田可促进肥料氮在粗游离颗粒中的积累,降低在矿物结合有机物中的积累,这可能是有机无机肥配施增强土壤氮的有效性、促进作物氮吸收的原因之一。      

Partitioning of Hg Between Solid and Dissolved Organic Matter in the Humus Layer of Boreal Forests

The mobility of mercury (Hg) deposited on soils controls the concentration and toxicity of Hg within soils and in nearby streams and lakes, but has rarely been quantified under field conditions. We studied the in situ partitioning of Hg in the organic top layer (mor) of podsols at two boreal forest sites differing in Hg deposition and climatic regime (S. and N. Sweden, with pollution declining to the north). Soil solution leaching from the mor layer was repeatedly sampled using zero-tension lysimeters over 2 years, partly in parallel with tension lysimeters. Concentrations of Hg and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were higher while pH was lower at the southern site (means ± SD: Hg?=?44?±?15 ng L^?1, DOC?=?63.0?±?31.3 mg L^?1, pH?=?4.05?±?0.53) than at the northern site (Hg?=?22?±?6 ng L^?1, DOC?=?41.8?±?12.1 mg L^?1, pH?=?4.28?±?0.43). There was a positive correlation over time between dissolved Hg and DOC at both sites, even though the DOC concentration peaked during autumn at both sites, while the Hg concentration remained more constant. This correlation is consistent with the expected strong association of Hg with organic matter and supports the use of Hg/C ratios in assessments of Hg mobility. In the solid phase of the overlying O_f layer, both Hg concentrations and Hg/C ratios were higher at the southern site (means ± SD: 0.34?±?0.06 μg g^?1 dw and 0.76?±?0.14 μg g^?1 C, respectively) than at the northern site (0.31?±?0.05 μg g^?1 dw and 0.70?±?0.12 μg g^?1 C, respectively). However, concentrations in the solid phase differed less than might be expected from the difference in current atmospheric input, suggesting that the fraction of natural Hg is still substantial. At both sites, Hg/C ratios in the upper half of the mor layer were only about two thirds of those in the lower half, suggesting that the recent decrease in anthropogenic Hg deposition onto the soil is offset by a natural downward enrichment of Hg due to soil decomposition or other processes. Most interestingly, comparison with soil leachate showed that the average Hg/C ratios in the dissolved phase of the mor layers at both sites did not differ from the average Hg/C ratios in the overlying solid organic matter. These results indicate a simple mobilisation with negligible fractionation, despite differences in Hg deposition patterns, soil chemistry and climatic regimes. Such a straight-forward linkage between Hg and organic matter greatly facilitates the parameterisation of watershed models for assessing the biogeochemical fate, toxic effect and critical level of atmospheric Hg input to forest soils.     

Fertilization effects on organic matter of arable soils in diverse environmental conditions of the Czech Republic

Site specific variables and anthropogenic factors influence composition of soil organic matter (SOM). We evaluated quantity and quality of SOM under different fertilization regimes and site conditions. The study combines data based on repeated measurements obtained from six long-term field experiments, which have been established between 1955 and 1983 at ten locations, resulting in thirteen site and experiment combinations. The experimental sites cover a wide spectrum of pedological and climatic conditions of the Czech Republic. Four basic fertilization regimes were selected: unfertilized plots, mineral-only fertilized plots, plots with application of farmyard manure, and both organic and mineral fertilized plots. The study employs compositional data analysis, principal component analysis, and mixed effect linear models for statistical inference. Under combined organic and mineral fertilization, total soil organic C (SOC) increased by 1?3 g kg^?1. Evidence of possible priming effect was obtained for mineral-only fertilization. Local site conditions were the dominant factor shaping SOM properties. The positive relationship between proportion of clay in soil and decomposition index (DI) was confirmed. In the absence of fertilization, DI was eleven times higher in clay-rich than in clay-poor soil. This effect was moderated by fertilization, decreasing to a seven-fold difference under the full fertilization regime.     

黑土坡耕地侵蚀和沉积对物理性组分有机碳积累与损耗的影响

以侵蚀和沉积过程明显的黑土坡耕地为研究对象,通过测定不同地形部位表层和典型剖面土壤不同粒级的水稳性团聚体、颗粒态有机碳（POC）以及团聚体结合态有机碳含量,探讨土壤侵蚀和沉积对土壤有机碳（SOC）损失、迁移和累积过程的影响。研究结果表明：上坡三个侵蚀部位表层土壤大团聚体、矿质结合态有机碳（MOC）以及团聚体结合态有机碳含量随侵蚀速率增加而减小;沉积部位（尤其是坡脚）POC含量和POC/SOC较低,而MOC含量和MOC/SOC较高。始终处于沉积状态的坡脚部位,各粒级有机碳组分的深度分布均表现出土壤累积和埋藏特征,并随着粒级的减小累积现象趋于明显。上述结果反映了土壤侵蚀优先使与细颗粒和微团聚体结合的SOC迁移流失,并在低洼的沉积区累积;埋藏层中的侵蚀物质（如微团聚体、颗粒态有机质）通过深埋作用和重新团聚作用形成稳定的大团聚体,最终促进SOC的固定。     

Effects of long-term treatments of different organic fertilizers complemented with chemical N fertilizer on the chemical and biological properties of soils

Continuous cultivation has been known to decrease soil organic matter content. Application of organic matter to cultivated soil is an important practice from the point of view of maintaining an adequate amount of soil organic matter. Soil organic matter content significantly affects soil microbial activity, which is an important index of soil quality. In this study, a field experiment was conducted to examine the long-term effects of different kinds of organic matter in combination with inorganic nitrogen (N) fertilizer on chemical and biological properties of soils. There were seven treatments, namely (1) CK (without fertilization), (2) Chem-N (applying chemical N fertilizer only), (3) Comp (applying compost with the same rate of N as the Chem-N treatment), (4) Comp + l/3 N (applying compost complemented with 33% of the chemical N fertilizer of the Chem-N treatment), (5) Comp + 2/3 N (applying compost complemented with 66% of the chemical N fertilizer of the Chem-N treatment), (6) GM + 1/3 N (applying green manure complemented with 33% of the chemical N fertilizer of the Chem-N treatment) and (7) Peat + 1/3 N (applying peat complemented with 33% of the chemical N fertilizer of the Chem-N treatment). After continuous treatment for 12 years and with cultivation of 24 crops on the same area, soils were sampled for analyses of chemical and biological properties, enzymatic activities and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles. The results showed that compared with CK and Chem-N treatments, applications of compost and peat increased soil organic carbon (SOC) content and altered microbial activities and microbial community structure. However, application of green manure for 12 years had no effect on SOC content. Both microbial activities and PLFA profiles were clearly dependent on the characteristics of the applied organic amendments. In summary, a peat application led to the highest increase in SOC content compared to compost and green manure; however, compost-treated soil had a higher microbial population and higher microbial and enzyme activities, while the effects of both green manure and chemical N fertilizer on soil properties were similar.     

Monitoring of Submicron Particulate Matter Concentrations in the Air of Turin City, Italy. Influence of Traffic-limitations

Several studies have shown the association between ambient particulate matter (PM) and adverse health effects, thus highlighting the need to limit the anthropogenic sources of PM, especially motor vehicle emissions. PM exposure is commonly monitored as mass concentration of PM10 or PM2.5, although increasing toxicity with decreasing aerodynamic diameter has been reported. In the present study an analysis was performed of the concentration and size distribution of airborne PM fractions collected at street level in the city center of Turin, Italy, to verify the usefulness of “ecological” days with traffic limitations. PM levels were determined daily at five different outdoor sites, from Thursday to Tuesday for 7 weeks (five with “ecological” Sunday, two with normal traffic density). Air sampling was performed using a six-channel laser particle counter to determine the number of particles (n°/l) in six size ranges between 0.3 and 10 μm. Climatic conditions and indoor PM levels were also monitored. The PM size distribution was constant for all the samples tested, with the 90% of the particles smaller than 0.5 μm, suggesting that measurements for count are needed in addition to the traditional ones based on the mass. The total number of particles was highly variable comparing days or weeks of monitoring, but much less among the sites of air sampling. The restriction of motor vehicle circulation has not determined any significant effect on PM levels and, in the winter period, PM0.5 peak concentrations were measured also on the ecological days.