Soil salinization of the Baer Mounds in the Volga River delta

The Baer Mounds are elongated hills arranged in parallel rows stretched from the east to the west in the Astrakhan steppe. The distance between the mounds varies from 200 to 1500 m (300 m on the average). The width of the mounds is about 250 m and their length is from 450 m to 4.5–5 km long (sometimes, up to 15–20 km). The height of the mounds varies from 7 to 10 m and increases in the southward direction. The mounds are composed of clayey sand; loamy sand; light loam; and, sometimes, loam. Their top (1–3 m) parts consist of clayey sand and loamy sand with thin interlayers of loam, clay, and argillite pebbles. The upper horizons of the brown semidesert soils are not saline. Soluble salts are leached off from them into deeper horizons. On the slopes, the deep soil horizons are saline, and salts are transported from the deep soil layers into the upper layers. This can be explained by the regular flooding of the foots of the mounds with floodwater and the capillary rise of water. Alternation of salinization and desalinization processes is responsible for the nonuniform distribution of salts in the soil profiles and along the soil catena.     

Effect of glucose in removal of microcystin-LR by viable commercial probiotic strains and strains isolated from dadih fermented milk

The removal of the cyanobacterial peptide toxin microcystin-LR at 4 and 37 degrees C by six commercial probiotic strains and Lactobacillus plantarum strains IS-10506 and IS-20506 isolated from dadih, Indonesian traditional fermented milk, was assessed in this study. The aim was to evaluate the main factors influencing the viability and metabolic activity of the probiotic strains, as well as their capacity to remove microcystin-LR. Both L. plantarum strains isolated from dadih, as well as Bifidobacterium lactis strains Bb12 and 420, were shown to be more resistant, and >85% remained viable in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution for 48 h of incubation at either temperature, while the viability of the other four commercial bacteria decreased markedly over time. The effect of glucose on viability and removal of toxin was shown to be a strain-specific and strain-dependent property, but in general, the efficiency of microcystin-LR removal increased when glucose was added to the solution. A maximum removal of 95% was observed for L. plantarum strain IS-20506 (37 degrees C, 10 (11) colony-forming units mL(-1)) with 1-2% glucose supplementation and 75% in PBS alone.     

Salinity and sodicity effects on respiration and microbial biomass of soil

An understanding of the effects of salinity and sodicity on soil carbon (C) stocks and fluxes is critical in environmental management, as the areal extents of salinity and sodicity are predicted to increase. The effects of salinity and sodicity on the soil microbial biomass (SMB) and soil respiration were assessed over 12weeks under controlled conditions by subjecting disturbed soil samples from a vegetated soil profile to leaching with one of six salt solutions; a combination of low-salinity (0.5dSm⁻¹), mid-salinity (10dSm⁻¹), or high-salinity (30dSm⁻¹), with either low-sodicity (sodium adsorption ratio, SAR, 1), or high-sodicity (SAR 30) to give six treatments: control (low-salinity low-sodicity); low-salinity high-sodicity; mid-salinity low-sodicity; mid-salinity high-sodicity; high-salinity low-sodicity; and high-salinity high-sodicity. Soil respiration rate was highest (56–80mg CO₂-C kg⁻¹ soil) in the low-salinity treatments and lowest (1–5mg CO₂-C kg⁻¹ soil) in the mid-salinity treatments, while the SMB was highest in the high-salinity treatments (459–565mg kg⁻¹ soil) and lowest in the low-salinity treatments (158–172mg kg⁻¹ soil). This was attributed to increased substrate availability with high salt concentrations through either increased dispersion of soil aggregates or dissolution or hydrolysis of soil organic matter, which may offset some of the stresses placed on the microbial population from high salt concentrations. The apparent disparity in trends in respiration and the SMB may be due to an induced shift in the microbial population, from one dominated by more active microorganisms to one dominated by less active microorganisms.     

New insights into the structural characteristics of the arabinogalactan-protein (AGP) fraction of gum arabic

The structural characteristics of the gum exudate of Acacia senegal (gum arabic) have been investigated by monitoring the composition and physicochemical properties before and after treatment with proteolytic enzyme and various alkaline systems. Molecular mass ( M w) and radius of gyration ( R g) measurements were performed using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) coupled to refractive index, UV absorbance, and multiangle light scattering detectors and indicated that the macromolecules present have a compact structure. It was found that treatment with proteolytic enzyme caused the arabinogalactan-protein component (AGP) with average molecular mass approximately 2 x 10 (6) Da to degrade, yielding material of molecular mass approximately 4 x 10 (5) Da, whereas the bulk of the material corresponding to the protein-deficient arabinogalactan component (AG) with molecular mass 4 x 10 (5) remained unaffected. Barium hydroxide was found to hydrolyze the polysaccharide component (AG) itself in addition to the proteinaceous component as demonstrated in control experiments using dextran. However, sodium borohydride/sodium hydroxide treatments were unable to hydrolyze dextran and were assumed to hydrolyze only the proteinaceous component of gum arabic. The AGP component was completely degraded, yielding material of molecular mass approximately 4.5 x 10 (4) Da. It has been concluded, therefore, that the enzyme did not fully hydrolyze all of the protein present and that the AGP component of gum arabic consists of carbohydrate blocks of approximately 4.5 x 10 (4) Da linked to a polypeptide chain consistent with the wattle blossom structure. Because the AGP was degraded to differing extents using a mild and more severe sodium borohydride/sodium hydroxide treatment, it was concluded that the polysaccharide moieties were linked through both O-serine and O-hydroxyproline residues. The gum arabic sample was deglycosylated by treatment with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride and revealed the presence of two putative core proteins of approximately 3 x 10 (4) and approximately 5 x 10 (3) Da, respectively, which correspond to proteins of approximately 250 and 45 amino acids in length. A new model for the structure of the AGP component has been proposed.     

Influence of land use (savanna,pasture, Eucalyptus plantations) on soil carbon and nitrogen stocks in Brazil

In Brazil, most Eucalyptus stands have been planted on Cerrado (shrubby savanna) or on Cerrado converted into pasture. Case studies are needed to assess the effect of such land use changes on soil fertility and C sequestration. In this study, the influence of Cerrado land development (pasture and Eucalyptus plantations) on soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (SON) stocks were quantified in southern Brazil. Two contrasted silvicultural practices were also compared: 60 years of short‐rotation silviculture (EUC_SR) versus 60 years of continuous growth (EUC_HF). C and N soil concentrations and bulk densities were measured and modelled for each vegetation type, and SOC and SON stocks were calculated down to a depth of 1 m by a continuous function. Changes in SOC and SON stocks mainly occurred in the forest floor (no litter in pasture and up to 0.87 kg C m^?2 and 0.01 kg N m^?2 in EUC_SR) and upper soil horizons. C and N stocks and their confidence intervals were greatly influenced by the methodology used to compute these layers. C/N ratio and ¹³C analysis showed that down to a depth of 30 cm, the Cerrado organic matter was replaced by organic matter from newly introduced vegetation by as much as 75–100% for pasture and about 50% for EUC_HF, poorer in N for Eucalyptus stands (C/N larger than 18 for Eucalyptus stands). Under pasture, 0–30 cm SON stocks (0.25 kg N m^?2) were between 10 and 20% greater than those of the Cerrado (0.21 kg N m^?2), partly due to soil compaction (limit bulk density at soil surface from 1.23 for the Cerrado to 1.34 for pasture). Land development on the Cerrado increased SOC stocks in the 0–30 cm layer by between 15 and 25% (from 2.99 (Cerrado) to 3.86 (EUC_SR) kg C m^?2). When including litter layers, total 0–30 cm carbon stocks increased by 35% for EUC_HF (4.50 kg C m^?2) and 53% for EUC_SR (5.08 kg C m^?2), compared with the Cerrado (3.28 kg C m^?2), independently of soil compaction.     

Modified technique to assess the wettability of soil aggregates: comparison with contact angles measured on crushed aggregates and bulk soil

Wettability parameters determined for individual soils often show a considerable variation depending on the kind of sample (aggregated or homogeneous material) and the method used. To investigate the causes of this variation, we assessed wettability of both intact and crushed aggregates and bulk soil using different methods. Wettability of intact aggregates was characterized by a modified technique where the specific infiltration rates of water and a completely wetting liquid were used to define a repellency index. Contact angles were determined on crushed aggregates and bulk soil using the Wilhelmy plate and capillary rise methods. The repellency index was found to be sensitive to slight differences in wettability and was in good agreement with Wilhelmy plate contact angles. Contact angles measured with the capillary rise method showed a strong deviation from those determined with the Wilhelmy plate method. This can be ascribed to the underlying assumptions of the capillary rise method (i.e. cylindrical and parallel capillaries) resulting in an over‐estimation of contact angle, particularly for the small‐sized particle fraction because of the impact of inertia and pore structure. No significant differences were found between intact and crushed aggregates whereas the bulk soil was slightly more water‐repellent, probably because of a somewhat larger organic carbon content. We conclude that the contact angle determined by the Wilhelmy plate method and the repellency index are appropriate parameters for characterizing soil water repellency because they detected small changes in wettability over a wide range extending from subcritical water repellency to hydrophobicity.     

Heavy metal pollution of urban soils

The chemical properties of urban soils (southeastern administrative district, Moscow) affecting the behavior of heavy metals were studied. The current heavy metal pollution level of the soils was assessed. The use of different approaches for the pollution standardization is shown to produce different results. The fractional composition of the metal compounds in the soils and the factors affecting its formation under technogenic pollution were investigated. In the district studied, the distribution of heavy metals by the fractions primarily depended on the chemical properties of the heavy metals themselves; the pollution level; and, to a lesser degree, on the soil properties. Zinc and cadmium were the most mobile metals in the soils studied.     

Soil phosphorus status and turnover in central-European beech forest ecosystems with differing tree species diversity

Problems in phosphorus (P) nutrition of forest trees raise questions concerning the soil P concentrations, pools and turnover in forests. In addition, it is not clear if, and to what extent, tree species diversity has an influence on the soil P status and turnover. The aim of this study was to investigate the P status and turnover in beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.) -dominated forest ecosystems on loess over limestone and to elucidate what role heterogeneities in tree species diversity would play. The soils of mixed species stands contained more organically bound P (710–772 kg ha⁻¹) than those of pure beech stands (378 kg ha⁻¹), whereas the inorganic P content differed little between the stand types. A large proportion (44–55%) of the total soil P was organically bound. This fraction was mainly dependent on the clay content of the soils and not on the tree diversity. The P input with leaf litter (1.4–2.1 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) showed a tendency to increase with increasing diversity. The apparent P turnover times in the organic surface layers differed, with shorter turnover times in mixed species stands (2–3 years) than in pure beech stands (10 years). Possible explanations for the different turnover times were differences in the litter quality, interactions in mixed species litters and the soil pH and base saturation. Hence, the tree species mainly influence the apparent P turnover time in the organic surface layer, whereas the P concentrations and pools in the mineral soil are determined by the soil properties, particularly the clay content.     

Nitrogen fertilizer–induced mineralization of soil organic C and N in six contrasting soils of Bangladesh

A 90‐day laboratory incubation study was carried out using six contrasting subtropical soils (calcareous, peat, saline, noncalcareous, terrace, and acid sulfate) from Bangladesh. A control treatment without nitrogen (N) application was compared with treatments where urea, ammonium sulfate (AS), and ammonium nitrate (AN) were applied at a rate of 100 mg N (kg soil)^–1. To study the effect of N fertilizers on soil carbon (C) turnover, the CO₂‐C flux was determined at nine sampling dates during the incubation, and the total loss of soil carbon (TC) was calculated. Nitrogen turnover was characterized by measuring net nitrogen mineralization (NNM) and net nitrification (NN). Simple and stepwise multiple regressions were calculated between CO₂‐C flux, TC, NNM, and NN on the one hand and selected soil properties (organic C, total N, C : N ratio, CEC, pH, clay and sand content) on the other hand. In general, CO₂‐C fluxes were clearly higher during the first 2 weeks of the incubation compared to the later phases. Soils with high pH and/or indigenous C displayed the highest CO₂‐C flux. However, soils having low C levels (i.e., calcareous and terrace soils) displayed a large relative TC loss (up to 22.3%) and the added N–induced TC loss from these soils reached a maximum of 10.6%. Loss of TC differed depending on the N treatments (urea > AS > AN >> control). Significantly higher NNM was found in the acidic soils (terrace and acid sulfate). On average, NNM after urea application was higher than for AS and AN (80.3 vs. 71.9 and 70.9 N (kg soil)^–1, respectively). However, specific interactions between N‐fertilizer form and soil type have to be taken into consideration. High pH soils displayed larger NN (75.9–98.1 mg N (kg soil)^–1) than low pH soils. Averaged over the six soils, NN after application of urea and AS (83.3 and 82.2 mg N (kg soil)^–1, respectively) was significantly higher than after application of AN (60.6 mg N (kg soil)^–1). Significant relationships were found between total CO₂ flux and certain soil properties (organic C, total N, CEC, clay and sand content). The most important soil property for NNM as well as NN was soil pH, showing a correlation coefficient of –0.33** and 0.45***, respectively. The results indicate that application of urea to acidic soils and AS to high‐pH soils could be an effective measure to improve the availability of added N for crop uptake.     

Occurrence and Distribution of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate and Perfluorooctanoic Acid in the Rivers of Tokyo

Comprehensive survey of major rivers in the Tokyo metropolitan area was conducted for clarifying the emission sources of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in Tokyo. PFOS was found at all sampling sites at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 58 ng L^?1; in addition to this, it was also indicated that unknown PFOS emission sources are present in the midstream of the Tama River basin. The relationship between PFOS and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was constant at a ratio of 10:3 (PFOS/PFOA) throughout the Tama River basin. The sum of daily load amounts of PFOS from Tokyo’s major rivers to Tokyo Bay reached 215 g day^?1. This value corresponds to 12.8 μg day^?1 per person using the sum of wastewater treatment district populations. In contrast, an estimation of PFOS contribution of domestic wastewater was also attempted, and the contribution was 1.6 μg day^?1 per person. We took samples up trunk sewers in the Tama River and finally found at the highest PFOS concentration (58,000 ng L^?1) from one of the wastewater of the electronic parts manufacturing facilities.