Impact of pig slurry on soil properties, water salinization, nitrate leaching and crop yield in a four-year experiment in Central Spain

Abstract. The repeated application of pig slurry to agricultural soils may result in an accumulation of salts and a risk of aquifer pollution due to nitrate leaching and salinization. Under Mediterranean conditions, a field experiment on a sandy loam soil (Typic Xerofluvent) was performed with maize (Zea mays) in 1998, 1999 and 2001 to study the effects of applying optimal (P1) and excessive rates (P3) of pig slurry on soil salinization, nitrate leaching and groundwater pollution. The rate of pig slurry was established considering the optimal N rate for maize in this soil (170, 162 and 176 kg N ha^?1 for 1998, 1999 and 2001, respectively). Pig slurry treatments were compared to an optimal N rate supplied as urea (U) and a control treatment without N fertilizer (P0). The composition of the slurries showed great variability between years. Mean NO₃^? leaching losses from 1998 to 2001 were 329, 215, 173 and 78 kg N ha^?1 for P3, P1, U and P0 treatments, respectively. The amount of total dissolved salts (TDS) added to the soil in slurry application between 1998 and 2001 was 2019 kg TDS ha^?1 for the P1 treatment and 6058 kg TDS ha^?1 for the P3 treatment. As a consequence, the electrical conductivity (EC) of the slurry‐treated soils was greater than that of the control soil. The EC correlated significantly with the sodium concentration of the soil solution. Over the entire experimental period, 2653, 2202 and 2110 kg Na ha^?1 entered the aquifer from the P3, P1 and P0 treatments, respectively. The P3 treatment did not significantly increase grain production in 1999 and 2001 compared with that achieved with the optimal N rate treatment (P1). This behaviour shows the importance of establishing application guidelines for pig slurry that will reduce the risk of soil and groundwater pollution.     

叶面施锌对苋菜生长的影响

采用0.28、0.40和1.00ml.L-1的锌肥禾丰锌〔氧化锌≥87%(W/V)〕进行叶面施肥,研究叶面施锌对苋菜生长的影响。结果表明:3个施锌处理均对苋菜株高、茎粗和叶面积有促进作用,并能改善苋菜品质,降低硝酸盐积累,增加产量,其中浓度为0.40ml.L-1的处理效果最佳。     

Accounting for uncertainty in pedotransfer functions in vulnerability assessments of pesticide leaching to groundwater

A simulation tool for site-specific vulnerability assessments of pesticide leaching to groundwater was developed, based on the pesticide fate and transport model MACRO, parameterized using pedotransfer functions and reasonable worst-case parameter values. The effects of uncertainty in the pedotransfer functions on simulation results were examined for 48 combinations of soils, pesticides and application timings, by sampling pedotransfer function regression errors and propagating them through the simulation model in a Monte Carlo analysis. An uncertainty factor, f(u), was derived, defined as the ratio between the concentration simulated with no errors, c(sim), and the 80th percentile concentration for the scenario. The pedotransfer function errors caused a large variation in simulation results, with f(u) ranging from 1.14 to 1440, with a median of 2.8. A non-linear relationship was found between f(u) and c(sim), which can be used to account for parameter uncertainty by correcting the simulated concentration, c(sim), to an estimated 80th percentile value. For fine-textured soils, the predictions were most sensitive to errors in the pedotransfer functions for two parameters regulating macropore flow (the saturated matrix hydraulic conductivity, K(b), and the effective diffusion pathlength, d) and two water retention function parameters (van Genuchten's N and alpha parameters). For coarse-textured soils, the model was also sensitive to errors in the exponent in the degradation water response function and the dispersivity, in addition to K(b), but showed little sensitivity to d. To reduce uncertainty in model predictions, improved pedotransfer functions for K(b), d, N and alpha would therefore be most useful.     

污泥混配土淋溶液中pH、氮磷及重金属含量的动态变化

以北京市大兴区庞各庄镇污水处理厂的堆肥污泥、生污泥和通州区的熟土为对象,探讨污泥混配土淋溶液中相关指标的动态变化.结果表明,生污泥、堆肥污泥和熟土混配后可降低土壤pH值,增加土壤全氮、全磷含量,同时也增加了土壤中重金属As、Cd、Ni、Cu、Ph的含量,生污泥系列淋滤液中Pb对地下水造成污染的可能性最大;堆肥污泥系列淋滤液中给地下水带来污染可能性最大的因子是As.但各处理中重金属的污染程度都很低,基本符合国家第II类地下水水质标准,因此淋滤液中的重金属基本不会对地下水造成污染.     

有机肥及DMPP对蔬菜生产及硝态氮淋失的影响

研究在等氮条件下有机无机肥配施及添加硝化抑制剂DMPP(3,4-二甲基吡唑磷酸盐)对蔬菜产量、品质及土壤硝态氮淋失的影响,旨在为蔬菜安全生产和地下水环境质量保护提供理论依据。采用大型原状土柱系统,连续种植3季蔬菜(蕹菜、苋菜和萝卜),以施有机肥的氮素量占总氮施用量的质量分数为依据,设置8个施肥处理:不施肥(CK)、纯化肥(CF)、30%有机肥+70%无机肥(30%OM)、50%有机肥+50%无机肥(50%OM)、70%有机肥+30%无机肥(70%OM)、纯化肥+DMPP(CF+DMPP)、30%有机肥+70%无机肥+DMPP(30%OM+DMPP)和50%有机肥+50%无机肥+DMPP(50%OM+DMPP)。结果表明:1)随有机肥施用比例增大,蔬菜产量呈下降趋势,但施用比例不高于50%时产量下降不显著;随有机肥施用比例增大土壤硝态氮淋失量及蔬菜硝酸盐均降低,50%OM处理土壤淋失液硝态氮平均浓度及淋失量较CF处理显著降低了29.29%和25.39%,氮肥表观利用率及表观淋失率分别为22.60%和8.82%。2)硝化抑制剂DMPP对蔬菜产量和硝酸盐含量的影响与蔬菜种类和种植季候密切相关,降低土壤硝态氮淋失的效果为CF+DMPP30%OM+DMPP50%OM+DMPP,但DMPP的抑制效果会随有机肥的比例增加而降低。50%OM+DMPP处理氮肥表观淋失率和表观利用率分别为4.70%和26.26%。3)试验期间,3季蔬菜水分输入(降雨和灌溉)分别为总水分输入量的49.82%(蕹菜季)、23.03%(苋菜季)和27.15%(萝卜季);水分淋失量为总淋失量的46.75%(蕹菜季)、19.66%(苋菜季)和33.59%(萝卜季);硝态氮淋失量为总淋失量的73.77%(蕹菜季)、2.31%(苋菜季)和23.92%(萝卜季)。研究表明,50%OM+DMPP处理,是保证蔬菜产量品质,同时有效降低土壤硝态氮淋失量的最优处理;降雨和施肥措施是影响土壤硝态氮淋失的重要因素,合理配施有机肥及添加DMPP并根据蔬菜生长需肥特性进行施肥能有效应对连续降雨造成的硝态氮大量淋失。     

Nutrient leaching from the plow layer by water percolation and accumulation in the subsoil in an irrigated paddy field

To estimate the impact of water percolation on the nutrient status in paddy fields, the seasonal variations of the concentrations of cations, anions, inorganic carbon (IC), and of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in percolating water that was collected from just below the plow layer (PW-13) and from drainage pipes at the 40 em depth (PW-40), as well as in irrigation water were measured in an irrigated paddy field. Total amounts of Ca, Mg, K, Fe, and Mn leached from PW-13 during the period of rice cultivation were estimated to range from about 390 to 770, 65 to 130, 33 to 66, 340 to 680, and 44 to 87 kg ha^-1, respectively. Amounts of losses that were estimated from the differences between the input by irrigation water and the output by percolation water from the plow layer corresponded to 11 to 26, 22 to 47,5.9 to 12, and 13 to 26% of exchangeable Ca and Mg, amorphous Fe, and easily reducible Mn in the plow layer, respectively. The concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, Fe, and Mn in PW13 were higher than those in PW-40. The amounts of these nutrients that were retained in the subsoil between the 13 em and 40 em soil depth corresponded to 83, 86, 61, 99, and 89% of the amounts that percolated from the plow layer, respectively. Total amounts of IC and DOC that percolated from the plow layer ranged from 750 to 1,500 and 85 to 170 kg-C ha^-1, which corresponded to 5.0 to 10.0% and 0.6 to 1.1% of the total carbon content in the plow layer, respectively. Eighty eight % of IC in the percolating water from the plow layer was also retained in the subsoil.     

甜玉米填闲减缓菜田土壤硝酸盐淋溶的研究

为提高菜田氮肥的利用率,降低氮肥对环境的污染风险。在中德合作项目东北旺试验田（土壤类型为潮土）,三年（1999～2001）9季蔬菜长期传统施氮灌水与推荐施氮灌水处理的地力基础上,于高温多雨的夏季选择甜玉米作为填闲作物,以休闲处理作对照,研究甜玉米在土壤硝态氮淋溶关键期对土壤残留硝态氮素分布及对后茬蔬菜产量的影响。研究结果表明甜玉米生长迅速、生物量大、吸收氮素能力强,吸氮量可达205.6～246.1 kg/hm²;与休闲处理相比,种植甜玉米能有效的吸收0～60 cm土壤中残留氮素,实现了土壤残留氮素的再利用。0～180 cm剖面中土壤硝态氮的残留量都有不同程度的降低,有效阻抑了氮素向土壤深层的淋洗。甜玉米也获得了较高的经济产量,穗净鲜重达9.2～10.2 t/hm²。后茬作物菠菜收获后未被利用的氮素大部分残留在土壤浅层;甜玉米处理与休闲处理相比未显著影响后季菠菜的生长,产量达18.4～20.7 t/hm²。该研究表明：甜玉米是较为理想的填闲作物。     

Characterization and Heavy Metal Retention Capacity of Soils in Mangrove Forest of the Niger Delta,Nigeria

Abstract

Soils under the main mangrove (Rhizophora racemosa and Avicennia germinans) forest in the Niger Delta, Nigeria, were characterized, and their capacities to retain heavy metals were examined by using soil column leaching experiments, using 20 mg L^?1 Cu, 50 mg L^?1 Zn, 20 mg L^?1 Cd, and 100 mg L^?1 Mn solutions. At the end of the leaching experiments, soil samples from each column were divided into two layers (0–5 cm and 5–10 cm) and analyzed for total metal retained. The fractionation of heavy metals in the surface soil samples (0–5 cm) was investigated by the sequential extraction technique. The study showed that the soils were influenced by tidal flow and characterized by the presence of very fine textured, thin (0–5 cm) to moderately thick (10–15 cm) layer of alluvium (mud) on the surface. The fibric soil material beneath the surface mud varies in thickness from about 70 to 100 cm, and beyond the histic layer is the plastic, very sticky, massive clay. In situ, the soils were neutral in reaction (pH 7.0–7.2), but became strongly acid (pH 3.3–4.8) upon drying. They are saline, high in soluble salts, highly reduced, with CEC that is low in the fibric layer, but high in the mineral, clayey subsoil horizon. The soils are saturated with water for much more than 30 days in a year and have fiber content that is more than 40 cm thick, with the fibric sphagnum constituting more than three‐fourths by volume to a depth greater than 90 cm. The soils, classified as Typic Sphagnofibrists, sequestered considerable amounts of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), and manganese (Mn) with most of the metals retained in the surface soils. The anthropogenic heavy metals were mostly adsorbed probably to the negatively charged sites of organics and clay. These loosely bound metals may be desorbed and reenter the aqueous phase, thus becoming a secondary source of metal pollution.     

Evaluation of New Container Media for Aglaonema Production

Mandated processing of waste by‐products in the United States has inspired national interest in addressing the effectiveness of using composted biosolids and yard trimmings to grow containerized plants. Diamond bay Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema ‘Diamond Bay’) was transplanted in containers filled with one of eight formulated media (components added by volume). Medium 1 was a standard mix commonly used in Aglaonema production (5:2:3 peat–vermiculite–perlite); medium 2 was formulated on site to contain peat–bark–stalite–rice hulls–coir (2:2:3:1:2); media 3 and 4 contained 40% biosolid–yard waste compost instead of peat and with or without 20% stalite, respectively; and media 5, 6, 7, and 8 were commercially formulated to contain peat–bark–perlite–rice hulls–coir (4:1.5:2.5:1:1, 4:1.5:2.5:1:1, 4:2:2:1:1, and 3.0:2.5:2:1:1.5, respectively). Physical and chemical properties of the eight media were in ranges 50–65% container water‐holding capacity, 2.9–7.8% air‐filled porosity, 55–80% moisture (w/w), 0.11–0.37 g·cm³ bulk density, 0.34–0.96 g·cm³ particle density, 4.2–7.2 pH, 0.12–4.4 dS·m^?1 electrical conductivity (EC), 27.3–54.5 meg/100 g cation exchange capacity (CEC), 17.9–39.0% carbon (C), and 0.22–1.7% nitrogen (N). Medium 4 (40% compost) had 5.5 times more ammoniacal N (NH₄‐N) and 1.7 times more nitrate N (NO₃‐N) than that of the standard commercial mix. At week 8, plants grown in media 2 and 5 were 8.9% to 9.5% taller than plants grown in medium 1 (commercial standard). At week 16, there were no significant differences in plant heights or growth indices among media. At week 24, there were no significant differences in plant height, growth index, visual quality, shoot dry weight, and root dry weight among media. However, cumulative phosphorus (P) leaching from media 1, 4, and 5 was significantly more than leaching from media 2 and 8. This study suggests that compost may serve as a horticulturally suitable and cost‐effective alternative to peat‐based media for Aglaonema production.     

Sulfate and Calcium Movement in an Allophanic Soil—The Relevance of Ion‐Pair Adsorption in the Soil–Plant System

Cooperative adsorption involving anions and cations, termed ion‐pair adsorption (IPA), is reported to increase the retention of some ions in certain soils. Sulfate and calcium can exhibit such interaction, and this affects their movement through the soil. Ion‐pair adsorption is shown here in miscible displacement experiments with a variable‐charge soil. The relevance of IPA under more realistic conditions is further investigated in a pot experiment. Rapeseed (Brassica napus) was grown at two different irrigation regimes and with two sulfur fertilizer sources. Calcium sulfate (CaSO₄·2H₂O) was used to induce IPA in contrast to potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄). The results suggest that IPA reduces sulfate and calcium leaching only in the short term. Continued irrigation dissipates the differences between the two fertilizer sources. Final soil ion concentrations and the plant uptake could not be related to IPA, evidencing the short‐term relevance of IPA. The influence of IPA on the bioavailability of calcium and sulfate to plants still demands further study.