Manganese availability and microbial populations in the rhizosphere of wheat genotypes differing in tolerance to Mn deficiency

Plant genotypes differ in their capacity to grow in soils with low manganese (Mn) availability. The physiological mechanisms underlying differential tolerance to Mn deficiency are poorly understood. To study the relationship between Mn content in soil, plant genotypes, and rhizosphere microorganisms in differential Mn efficiency, two wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars, RAC891 (tolerant to Mn deficiency) and Yanac (sensitive), were grown in a Mn‐deficient soil to which 5, 10, 20 or 40 mg Mn kg^–1 were added. The shoot dry matter of both cultivars increased with increasing Mn addition to the soil. At all soil Mn fertilizer levels, the tolerant RAC891 had a greater shoot dry matter and a higher total shoot Mn uptake than the sensitive Yanac. The concentration of DTPA‐extractable Mn in the rhizosphere soil of RAC891 at Mn20 and Mn40 was slightly lower than in the rhizosphere of Yanac. The population density of culturable microorganisms in the rhizosphere soil was low (log 6.8–6.9 cfu (g soil)^–1) in both cultivars and neither Mn oxidation nor reduction were observed in vitro. To assess the non‐culturable fraction of the soil microbial community, the ribosomal intergenetic spacer region of the bacterial DNA in the rhizosphere soil was amplified (RISA) and separated in agarose gels. The RISA banding patterns of the bacterial rhizosphere communities changed markedly with increasing soil Mn level, but there were no differences between the wheat cultivars. The bacterial community structure in the rhizosphere was significantly correlated with the concentration of DPTA‐extractable Mn in the rhizosphere, fertilizer Mn level, shoot dry matter, and total shoot Mn uptake. The results obtained by RISA indicate that differential tolerance to Mn deficiency in wheat may not be related to changes in the composition of the bacterial community in the rhizosphere.     

Tracing Pharmaceuticals in the Unsaturated Zone (10 pp)

Background, Aim and Scope   One of the first occurrences of pharmaceutically active compounds in groundwater was reported from the sewage irrigation farms south of Berlin. At these sewage irrigation farms treated sewage effluent passed the soil and unsaturated zone before reaching the aquifer. Clofibric acid was detected in pore water from soils of those sewage irrigation farms in concentrations between 65 ng/L and 1430 ng/L. The aim of this study was to investigate the transport behavior of regularly detected clofibric acid, diclofenac, ibuprofen, and propyphenazone under conditions comparable to those at the sewage irrigation farms in a multiple compound sand column laboratory experiment. Materials and Methods   Sediment column experiments were conducted to study the transport of pharmaceuticals in the unsaturated zone. The migration was measured in fine to medium grained sand and leaching solution containing 1 mg/L of pharmaceutically active compounds and 61 mg/L of the tracer lithium chloride (LiCl). For the analysis of the pharmaceutical compounds the water samples were adjusted to a pH value of 2 and then extracted by solid-phase extraction (SPE). Before extraction, the samples were spiked with a surrogate standard for analytical quality control. The sample extracts were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with selected ion monitoring (SIM). Depending on the sample volume (100 to 200 mL) and the matrix, the limits of detection were between 1 and 10 ng/L, and the limits of quantitation were between 5 and 25 ng/L. Analysis for calcium, magnesium and lithium were carried out using a 'Trace Scan' ICP-AES from Thermo Jarrel Ash. Sodium, potassium, iron and manganese were analyzed using a Philips PU 9400 flame AAS. Analysis of anions was performed on a Dionex ion chromatograph DX 120. Results   At the sewage irrigation farms the average concentrations of clofibric acid in the unsaturated zone declined from higher values near ground surface (480 ng/L) to lower values near the groundwater table (65 ng/L). From the pharmaceuticals analyzed only clofibric acid, primidone and propyphenazone could be analyzed in the first (upper) aquifer at the sewage irrigation farms. All other pharmaceuticals could neither be detected in the first aquifer nor in the deeper aquifers. Breakthrough curves from soil column experiments revealed no transformation and no retardation for clofibric acid, whereas transformation of diclofenac was so high (79%) that no retardation factor could be calculated. Ibuprofen was significantly transformed (37%), transformation of propyphenazone (17%) was quite low and retardation (Rf = 2.05) was in the range of previously conducted column experiments. Discussion   The results confirm previously conducted experiments with clofibric acid where this compound was identified as highly mobile and persistent. The results that diclofenac and ibuprofen are significantly transformed where unexpected as other studies exhibited much lower transformation under saturated conditions at least for diclofenac. However, lower pH values and higher oxygen contents in the unsaturated zone compared to the aquifer may explain this observed high transformation of these compounds at the column experiments. Conclusions   We conclude that irrigation with sewage effluent containing the compounds used in our experiments will lead to an input into groundwater of clofibric acid, whereas diclofenac and ibuprofen will most likely be transformed during the passage. Propyphenazone will be retarded but will most likely occur in groundwater. These results from the column experiments coincide very well with the occurrence of the pharmaceuticals clofibric acid, primidone, and propyphenazone in the first aquifer. Recommendations and Perspective  : The results underline the need to study the sorption of pharmaceuticals on various materials. e.g. organic matter, surfaces at pH values occurring in the unsaturated zone. Future field studies will also include the investigation of desorption behavior in the unsaturated zone.     

Influence of processing on total,monoglutamate and polyglutamate folate contents of leeks,cauliflower, and green beans

Bioavailability of dietary folate might be impaired by the polyglutamate chain to which approximately 70% of dietary folates are bound. This chain must be removed enzymatically in the intestine before folate is absorbed as a monoglutamate. To increase formation of monoglutamate folate in vegetables, the vegetables were subjected to various processing treatments. Treatments included freezing (-18 degrees C, 16 h) and thawing (4 degrees C, 24 h) and hydrostatic high-pressure treatment (200 MPa, 5 min). Both freezing/thawing and high-pressure treatment increased the proportion of folate in the monoglutamate form in leeks, cauliflower, and green beans 2-3-fold. However, loss of total folate after these treatments was >55%. It is concluded that conversion of folate polyglutamate to the monoglutamate form in vegetables is possible by certain processing treatments. Potentially this could lead to vegetables with higher folate bioavailability. However, to prevent folate loss into processing water, processing in a closed system should be applied.     

Inorganic and organic carbon dynamics in forested soils developed on contrasting geology in Slovenia—a stable isotope approach

Purpose

Soil carbon dynamics were studied at four different forest stands developed on bedrocks with contrasting geology in Slovenia: one plot on magmatic granodiorite bedrock (IG), two plots on carbonate bedrock in the karstic-dinaric area (CC and CD), and one situated on Pleistocene coalluvial terraces (FGS).

Materials and methods

Throughfall (TF) and soil water were collected monthly at each location from June to November during 2005–2007. In soil water, the following parameters were determined: T, pH, total alkalinity, concentrations of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and Cl^? as well as δ¹³C_DIC. On the other hand, in TF, only the Cl^? content was measured. Soil and plant samples were also collected at forest stands, and stable isotope measurements were performed in soil and plant organic carbon and total nitrogen and in carbonate rocks. The obtained data were used to calculate the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and DOC fluxes. Statistic analyses were carried out to compare sites of different lithologies, at different spatial and temporal scales.

Results and discussion

Decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM) controlled by the climate can explain the ¹³C and ¹⁵?N enrichment in SOM at CC, CD, and FGS, while the soil microbial biomass makes an important contribution to the SOM at IG. The loss of DOC at a soil depth of 5 cm was estimated at 1 mol m^?2 year^?1 and shows no significant differences among the study sites. The DOC fluxes were mainly controlled by physical factors, most notably sorption dynamics, and microbial–DOC relationships. The pH and pCO₂ of the soil solution controlled the DIC fluxes according to carbonate equilibrium reactions. An increased exchange between DIC and atmospheric air was observed for samples from non-carbonate subsoils (IG and FGS). In addition, higher δ¹³C_DIC values up to ?19.4?‰ in the shallow soil water were recorded during the summer as a consequence of isotopic fractionation induced by molecular diffusion of soil CO₂. The δ¹³C_DIC values also suggest that half of the DIC derives from soil CO₂ indicating that 2 to 5 mol m^?2 year^?1 of carbon is lost in the form of dissolved inorganic carbon at CC and CD after carbonate dissolution.

Conclusions

Major difference in soil carbon dynamics between the four forest ecosystems is a result of the combined influence of bedrock geology, soil texture, and the sources of SOM. Water flux was a critical parameter in quantifying carbon depletion rates in dissolved organic and inorganic carbon forms.

     

The sensitivity of water extractable soil organic carbon fractions to land use in three soil types

Soil organic carbon (SOC) has a high impact on the sustainability of ecosystems, global environmental processes, soil quality and agriculture. Long-term tillage usually leads to SOC depletion. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of different land uses on water extractable organic carbon (WEOC) fractions and to evaluate the interaction between the WEOC fractions and other soil properties. Using an extraction procedure at 20°C and 80°C, two fractions were obtained: a cold water extractable organic carbon (CWEOC) and a hot water extractable organic carbon (HWEOC). The results suggest that there is a significant impact from different land uses on WEOC. A lower relative contribution of WEOC in SOC and a lower concentration of labile WEOC fractions are contained in arable soil compared to forestlands. Chernozem soil was characterized by a lower relative contribution of WEOC to the SOC and thus higher SOC stability in contrast to Solonetz and Vertisol soils. Both CWEOC and HWEOC are highly associated with SOC in the silt and clay fraction (<53 µm) and were slightly associated with SOC in the macroaggregate classes. The WEOC fractions were highly and positively correlated with the SOC and mean weight diameter.     

Immediate Impact of the Flood (Bohemia, August 2002) on Selected Soil Characteristics

In August 2002 extreme floods affected Bohemia a part of the Czech Republic, along Vltava and Labe rivers. After the flood had culminated, soil samples of arable and meadow soil (flooded and control-non-flooded) have been collected in the surroundings of the cities of ?eské Budějovice (CB, South Bohemia, the Vltava river, the upper flood stream) and Ústí nad Labem (UL, the Labe river, the lower flood stream). Different parameters of arable soils have been affected more significantly than those of meadow soils. Soil texture e.g. has been shifted from sandy loam to loam (CB) and clay loam (UL). Organic carbon, total phosphorus and nitrogen contents have been increased as well as the content of some hazardous elements such as arsenic. A shift of soil pH from 6.1 to 4.8 has been noticed in CB and an opposite one from 5.1 to 7.1 was measured in UL. Available phosphorus decreased in CB by 56% while a four-fold increase was measured in UL. Chlorinated organic pesticides level was significantly reduced, but that of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) increased up to the maximum values of legal limits. The UL arable soil also became heavily contaminated by PAH. The CB arable soil demonstrated high microbial activity, while UL arable soil suffered under stress conditions in this respect. The flooded meadow soils became covered with a layer of drifted soil sediment, which retained enhanced content of the PAH's different hazardous elements, and, in addition, the soil aeration was reduced.     

Fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins in salted herring (Clupea harengus) products

The fatty acid composition and contents of fat and fat-soluble vitamins of three salted products prepared from Icelandic herring were analyzed. The effects of storage on the products over their shelf life, 6 or 12 months, were investigated. The average oil content of salted, gutted herring and salted fillets in vacuum remained constant, 17 and 12% of wet weight, respectively. In the pickled product the oil content decreased during the 12 months of storage from 13 to 12%. The composition of the products was typical for herring, the most abundant fatty acids being oleic (18:1n-9), palmitic (16:0), cetoleic (22:1n-11), and gadoleic (20:1n-9) acids. Monounsaturated acids constituted clearly the main group with a proportion of >50% of all fatty acids. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) comprised together >12% of all fatty acids. During storage, some hydrolysis of triacylglycerol (TAG) occurred, causing a slight reduction in practically all esterified fatty acids. In none of the three products was the loss of polyunsaturated fatty acids from TAG greater than the loss of saturated ones, indicating that the loss of EPA and DHA was not due to oxidation. After packing, the average content of vitamins A, D, and E in the products varied between 27 and 87 microg/100 g (wet weight), between 17-28 microg/100 g (wet weight), and between 77-120 microg/100 g (wet weight), respectively. During storage, the level of vitamin A decreased significantly, whereas no loss of vitamin D was observed. The content of vitamin E was low in all products and showed wide variation. When compared to the recommended daily intake, it could be concluded that the products investigated were good and stable sources of long-chain n-3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA) and vitamin D.     

N. I. Vavilov — Persönlichkeit und Mensch

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Contamination of Forest Soils in the Vicinity of the Sedimentation Pond after Zinc and Lead Ore Flotation (in the Region of Olkusz,Southern Poland)

In the technological processes of ore flotation in the non-ferrous metal industry flotation, tailings constitute up to 98% of the total of the processed material. They are stored in sedimentation ponds as fine-grained drift containing an excess of heavy metals, mainly zinc, cadmium, lead and copper. After the dehydration and drying up of the surface of sedimentation ponds, these metals are carried with dust by the wind and they are accumulated in the vicinity of the ponds in humus horizons of soils causing considerable degradation and even devastation. In this publication, we have presented the results of research on the negative influence of such a structure on the soils of an adjacent fragment of forest and its dependence on the distance from the sedimentation pond. The level of degradation of the soils under research has been assessed on the basis of changes and transformations of the morphological soil profiles, the level of alkalization and accumulation of heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cd) in the topsoil layers and their translocation in the soil horizons. The following soils have been distinguished in the investigated area: Haplic Podzols distorted and degraded as well as Urbic Anthrosols. The acquired results have served to depict the spatial accumulation of these heavy metals in the topsoil layers. The highest accumulation of heavy metals and the degradation of the forest sites connected with it has occurred in the vicinity of a sedimentation pond drain channel. Soil remediation has been recommended in this area.