Cross‐linked polyacrylates in post‐mining substrates: persistence and effects on plant growth

Application of hydrophilic polymers composed of cross‐linked polyacrylate can improve soil water‐holding capacity and accelerate the restoration of post‐mining substrates. In this work, we studied the persistence of a polyacrylate polymer incorporated into a soil and its impact on plant nutrients at a reclamation site of former lignite mining in Lusatia (Germany). In contrast to autumn application, the incorporation of the polymer enhanced the sequestration of plant‐derived carbon in the soil, which was reflected by a significant increase in the concentration of a lignin marker. Attenuated total reflexion–Fourier transform infrared spectra (ATR‐FTIR) and total elemental contents in the applied polymer suggested an intensive cation exchange between the polymer framework and the soil‐forming substrate. In addition, there was an enrichment of carbonaceous material, which seems to reduce the swelling and thus the water‐holding capacity of the cross‐linked polyacrylate. Conversely, this process protected the polymer structure from rapid decomposition.     

Ein Elektrodensystem zur Messung des Redoxpotentials im Kontaktbereich Boden/Wurzel

An electrode matrix for Eh measurements in the root/soil interface For redox potential measurements in the rhizosphere an electrode matrix was constructed from a teflon disc, in which 37 short Pt wires were placed with a 3.5 mm distance between two electrodes. The potentials of these electrodes were recorded periodically by a data logger and were stored on punched tape. With this arrangement, redox potential patterns for the rhizosphere of single roots could be recorded and plotted by a small computer.     

Physical carbon‐sequestration mechanisms under special consideration of soil wettability

The protective impact of aggregation on microbial degradation through separation has been described frequently, especially for biotically formed aggregates. However, to date little information exists on the effects of organic‐matter (OM) quantity and OM quality on physical protection, i.e., reduced degradability by microorganisms caused by physical factors. In the present paper, we hypothesize that soil wettability, which is significantly influenced by OM, may act as a key factor for OM stabilization as it controls the microbial accessibility for water, nutrients, and oxygen in three‐phase systems like soil. Based on this hypothesis, the first objective is to evaluate new findings on the organization of organo‐mineral complexes at the nanoscale as one of the processes creating water‐repellent coatings on mineral surfaces. The second objective is to quantify the degree of alteration of coated surfaces with regard to water repellence. We introduce a recently developed trial that combines FTIR spectra with contact‐angle data as the link between chemical composition of OM and the physical wetting behavior of soil particles. In addition to characterizing the wetting properties of OM coatings, we discuss the implications of water‐repellent surfaces for different physical protection mechanisms of OM. For typical minerals, the OM loading on mineral surfaces is patchy, whereas OM forms nanoscaled micro‐aggregates together with metal oxides and hydroxides and with layered clay minerals. Such small aggregates may efficiently stabilize OM against microbial decomposition. However, despite the patchy structure of OM coating, we observed a relation between the chemical composition of OM and wettability. A higher hydrophobicity of the OM appears to stabilize the organic C in soil, either caused by a specific reduced biodegradability of OM or indirectly caused by increased aggregate stability. In partly saturated nonaggregated soil, the specific distribution of the pore water appears to further affect the mineralization of OM as a function of wettability. We conclude that the wettability of OM, quantified by the contact angle, links the chemical structure of OM with a bundle of physical soil properties and that reduced wettability results in the stabilization of OM in soils.     

Microanatomic features of pancreatic islets and immunolocalization of glucose transporters in tissues of llamas and alpacas

OBJECTIVE: To describe the microanatomic features of pancreatic islets and the immunohistochemical distribution of glucose transporter (GLUT) molecules in the pancreas and other tissues of New World camelids. ANIMALS: 7 healthy adult New World camelids, 2 neonatal camelids with developmental skeletal abnormalities, and 2 BALB/c mice. PROCEDURE: Samples of pancreas, liver, skeletal muscle, mammary gland, brain, and adipose tissue were collected postmortem from camelids and mice. Pancreatic tissue sections from camelids were assessed microscopically. Sections of all tissues from camelids and mice (positive control specimens) were examined after staining with antibodies against GLUT-1, -2, -3, and -4 molecules. RESULTS: In camelids, pancreatic islets were prominent and lacked connective tissue capsules. Numerous individual endocrine-type cells were visible distant from the islets. Findings in neonatal and adult tissues were similar; however, the former appeared to have more non-islet-associated endocrine cells. Via immunostaining, GLUT-2 molecules were detected on pancreatic endocrine cells and hepatocytes in camelids, GLUT-1 molecules were detected on the capillary endothelium of the CNS, GLUT-3 molecules were detected throughout the gray matter, and GLUT-4 molecules were not detected in any camelid tissues. Staining characteristics of neonatal and adult tissues were similar. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In New World camelids, microanatomic features of pancreatic islets are similar to those of other mammals. Data suggest that the poor glucose clearance and poor insulin response to hyperglycemia in adult camelids cannot be attributed to a lack of islet cells or lack of GLUT molecules on the outer membrane of those cells.     

Differenzierung oxalatlöslicher Eisenoxide

Differentiation of oxalate soluble iron oxides According to their mode of formation the oxalate soluble Fe(III)-oxides show different rates of dissolution especially within the first 30 min of oxalate extraction. Precipitates formed by bacterial or oxidative decomposition of ferric citrate have a very high dissolution rate with more than 90 percent being dissolved within 30 min. Ferrihydrites prepared by alkaline hydrolysis of Fe(III) salts, after slow drying, dissolve to about 60 to 80 percent within this period, whereas similar products quenched with liquid N₂ dissolve more rapidly. A plot of (Fe₃₀/Fe_o) vs. (Fe_o/Fe_d) allows to draw a boundary line between the field of podzol values and the field of the other pedogenic iron oxides, as from brown earths and black earths (chernozems).     

Mikrosymptome des Bor-Mangels an Mentha piperita L.

Microsymptoms of boron deficiency in Mentha piperita L. The influence of boron deficiency on the development of oil glands and glandular hairs and on leaf and stem tissue development was studied. The experiments were carried out with Mentha piperita L. – var. Mitcham – under controlled experimental conditions in solution culture. Boron deficiency resulted in disturbances in the development of the vascular bundles and cambium extension. Excretions of dark substances could also be observed. Oil glands as well as glandular hairs were severely damaged under boron deficiency; the production of the essential oil decreased.