Fractionation of organo-mineral complexes by sedimentation and density techniques

Soil samples were fractionated by sedimentation in water and by flotation in heavy liquids to separate complexed and uncomplexed organic and inorganic components. Flocculation of clays in heavy organic liquids was delayed by addition of a surfactant. Heavy liquids and surfactants sorbed by soil components were removed by washing with acetone-water mixtures.In a sample of a red-brown earth, the organic carbon and nitrogen contents were highest in the finest separates. In samples of a ground-water rendzina and a chernozemic soil, the coarse clay and silt separates had the highest organic carbon and nitrogen contents. Organic matter was concentrated in low density fractions in all separates. Carbon/nitrogen ratios were lowest in the finer and heavier separates. Calcium, and to a lesser extent manganese, iron and phosphorus, were concentrated in low density fractions: thus these elements appear to be associated with organic matter and may be important in organo-mineral complex formation. Carbonates, titanium, iron, silicon and potassium were concentrated at the highest densities.Organic fractions < 2.06 g cm^?3 from sand size separates were insoluble in alkali and had wide carbon/nitrogen ratios characteristic of plant debris. The light fractions from fine silt and coarse clay separates were more soluble in alkali but showed high ratios of humic to fulvic materials and high absorption at 280 nm. Such materials were considered to be microbial cell debris and were associated with high contents of disordered aluminium and iron oxides and expanding lattice silicates in 1 to 5 μm aggregates.Heavier fractions, particularly of finer clay separates, contained more fulvic and humic materials of a more aliphatic nature than those in < 2.06 g cm^?3 fractions. It is suggested that physical sorption on clay surfaces may be more important in these fractions. Ellite and kaolinite were concentrated in medium density fractions, and contents of some iron oxides and titanium minerals were highest in fractions > 2.06 g cm^?3. Such minerals plus quartz and feldspars were associated with minor amounts of organic matter or possibly were not involved in organo-mineral associations.     

Comparisons of soil organic matter and its fractions by pyrolysis mass-spectrometry

Pyrolysis mass-spectra from a sample of the A₁-horizon of a soil from southern Spain showed predominant peaks related to furan derivatives similar to those observed from complex polysaccharides in which not only hexoses but also pentoses and deoxyhexoses were constituent units. Smaller peaks, typical for protein materials and phenolic units, were also observed. On the other hand, typical peaks for the methoxyphenols of lignins were very small and indicated only limited amounts of undecomposed lignin residues in this soil sample. Peaks related to benzene or toluene were also very small.Humic acid samples from this soil showed much more prominent signals related to protein materials, benzene and phenolic derivatives and weaker polysaccharide-related signals than did the entire sample. Typical lignin related peaks were small or insignificant. Spectra from the grey or brown humidic acid fractions were much like those of the parent humic acid. Brown humic acid, however, showed stronger signals for nitrogen and sulphur compounds, indicating a higher content of protein-like materials in this fraction. Preparations of humic acid hydrolyzed by 6 N HCl showed in their pyrolysis products a marked increase in phenols and methoxyphenols.In its pyrogram, humin resembled humic acid, but signals for complex polysaccharides were more evident. Lignin-like materials seem not to be higher in this fraction. Hymatomelanic acid showed prominent signals related to polysaccharides and lignin. Pyrograms from the soil polysaccharides showed the characteristic pattern of a complex polysaccharide with the presence of fragments from polymers of amino acids or amino sugars. Fulvic acid spectra showed obvious dissimilarities to those from humic acid in that signals for protein, as well as those related to phenols, were low. Depending upon the isolation method, the fulvic acid preparations showed differing signals related to polysaccharide or phenolic materials.     

Stratigraphy and land use of the Post-Diamond Hill Paleosol,western Oregon

The Post-Diamond Hill Paleosol generally underlies Late Pleistocene sediments of the Willamette Formation. However, in numerous localities in the Willamette Valley, reddish gray clay paleosols either outcrop at the surface or occur within soil profile depth. Then they are part of soils of the modern landscape. Where the paleosols outcrop, the soils are mostly Typic Pelloxererts in the fine, montmorillonitic, mesic family. Because of the nature of the paleosols, these soils are poorly suited for nearly all intensive uses; the dominant use is hay and pasture.     

Germination and growth of Glomus caledonius spores: The effects of inhibitors and nutrients

Spores of the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal endophyte Glomus caledonius (Nicol. and Gerd.) Trappe and Gerdemann readily germinated in the absence of soil or host roots. Hyphal growth was improved by incorporation of nutrients into the medium and by the addition of pieces of cotyledon from boiled seeds, but was still dependent on the spore reserves. The response of ungerminated and pregerminated spores to inhibitors of protein and nucleic acid synthesis (cycloheximide, actinomycin D, proflavine hemisulphate, 5-fluorouracil and ethidium bromide) resembled those of saprophytic fungi more than other obligate biotrophs.     

Interactions between Escherichia coli and allophane—I. Adsorption

Sorptive interactions between Escherichia coli (ATCC 11303B) and a purified allophane clay fraction were studied quantitatively using electronic particle counting and electrophoresis. Adsorption was influenced by pH and ions present at the allophane surface. These effects could be rationalized by considering changes in the net surface charge of the components. Electronic particle counting studies at pH 5.5 and above gave adsorption isotherms that obeyed single-term Langmuir kinetics. At pH 4.5, a more complex two-step isotherm was obtained, which was attributed to aggregation of unadsorbed cells by Al solubilized from the allophane surface.     

Fusarium species in soil,thatch and crowns of Poa pratensis turfgrass treated with fungicides

Little information exists concerning the effects of long-term fungicide programs on the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of fusaria in turfgrasses and in turfgrass soils. These effects were studied on Poa pratensis L, turfgrasses at three locations, using 14 fungicides, one nematicide, and five mixed fungicide programs. Some fungicides increased the numbers of fusaria in soil and thatch, some had no effect, and others greatly reduced the numbers. Changes in Fusarium species' compositions occurred independently from the changes in propagule numbers. The proportion of Fusarium-colonized turfgrass crowns was generally higher in fungicide-treated than in nontreated turfgrasses.     

Phytotoxins from anaerobically decomposing wheat straw

Phytotoxicity was demonstrated in the aqueous extract of wheat (Triticum aestivum, L.) straw suspensions. When extracts were incubated under anaerobic conditions, the development of phytotoxicity was greater at 20°C than at 10°C. The toxic products formed during incubation depended upon the incubation medium. Acetic and butyric acids were the major toxins produced in liquid straw fermentations during the first 2 weeks. However, after that time the acids did not account for the total toxicity, suggesting formation of unidentified phytotoxins. Acetic, propionic and butyric acids were the toxins formed in sand culture. The development and accumulation of phytotoxins were favored where the sand-straw mixtures were water-saturated. The implications of these findings to wheat cultural practice is discussed.     

Aquatic turtles of Amazonia: An endangered resource

Turtles have long served man as an important food resource in Amazonia. During the colonial period, Portuguese traders disturbed nesting beaches on a large scale in search of eggs which were converted into oil for cooking and lighting. Exploitation was increasingly intense by the end of the 19th century and turtle populations had declined drastically. Although legislation has been passed to protect them, enforcement is lax and turtles face increasing pressure from man not only for food but as a result of habitat disturbance.     

The Prince Edward Islands: A sanctuary for seabirds in the Southern Ocean

This paper reviews the breeding distribution and numerical status of selected species of seabirds at 23 oceanic island groups in the Southern Ocean (between latitudes 35 and 70°S), based on census data and population estimates which have become available through increased scientific endeavour in the region during the last 15 years or so. The paper focuses on the avifauna of the Prince Edward islands, in the southern Indian Ocean, and points to the importance of these islands as a breeding station and sanctuary for seabirds. Only one oceanic island group, the Crozets, contains more species of breeding seabirds than the Prince Edward islands. Substantial segements (about 10% and greater) of the world breeding populations of the king and macaroni penguins, and the wandering, grey-headed, yellow-nosed and sooty albatrosses are based at the Prince Edward group. We recommend that Prince Edward Island (sensu stricto) should be a wilderness area, and that development at Marion Island should be kept to an absolute minimum.