Phosphorus and iron erosion from non-vegetated sites in a post-mining landscape,Lusatia, Germany: Impact on aborning mining lakes

Particulate phosphorus (P) can be transported via soil erosion in overland flow to waters, where it provides a long-term source of P for aquatic biota, and can accelerate freshwater eutrophication. Hence, knowledge of P sources is important for good environmental management. However, data on P, and related Fe, losses from various structures of a post-mining landscape are lacking. A year-long monitoring, and ten short rainfall simulations on plot scale, at ridges and rills and a combination of them, revealed high erosion from bare lignite mining dumps at Schlabendorf-North, Lusatia, Germany. The mean annual soil erosion rate from the year-long monitoring site was 18 × 10⁶ kg km^− 2 yr^− 1, corresponding to 0.034 g m^− 2 min^− 1. The erosion rates were lowest at rill plots (1.9–4.4 g m^− 2 min^− 1), intermediate at ridge plots (14.3–37.1 g m^− 2 min^− 1), and highest at a combined rill and ridge plot (48.7–63.4 g m^− 2 min^− 1). These differences in extent were due to small scale differences in morphology and extreme water repellency. The hydrophobicity leads to very low infiltration, thus generating surface runoff even at low rainfall intensities. Loss rates of P and Fe, as deduced from the year-long erosion rate, were 470–650 kg km^− 2 yr^− 1, and 37.9 × 10³–71 × 10³ kg km^− 2 yr^− 1 respectively. However, these P inputs from lignite mining dump erosion, consisting of P-poor (17–90 μg g^− 1) tertiary spoil materials, into aborning mining lakes, are negligible since they are accompanied by high Fe inputs, which favour an efficient P co-precipitation in the water column.     

The δ18O signatures of HCl‐extractable soil phosphates: methodological challenges and evidence of the cycling of biological P in arable soil

Soil phosphates exchange oxygen atoms rapidly with soil water once recycled by intracellular enzymes, thereby approaching an equilibrium δ¹⁸O_P signature that depends on ambient temperature and the δ¹⁸O_W signature of soil water. We hypothesized that in the topsoil, phosphates reach this equilibrium δ¹⁸O_P signature even if amended by different fertilizers. In the subsoil, however, there might be phosphates with a smaller δ¹⁸O_P value than that represented by the isotopic equilibrium value, a condition that could exist in the case of limited biological P cycling only. We tested these hypotheses for the HCl‐extractable P pool of the Hedley fractionation scheme of arable soil in Germany, which integrates over extended time‐scales of the soil P cycle. We sampled several types of fertilizer, the surface soil that received these fertilizer types and composites from a Haplic Luvisol depth profile under long‐term agricultural practice. Organic fertilizers had significantly smaller δ¹⁸O_P values than mineral fertilizers. Intriguingly, the fields fertilized organically also tended to have smaller δ¹⁸O_P signatures than other types of surface soil, which calls into question full isotopic equilibrium at all sites. At depths below 50 cm, the soil δ¹⁸O_P values were even depleted relative to the values calculated for isotopic equilibrium. This implies that HCl‐extractable phosphates in different soil horizons are of different origins. In addition, it supports the assumption that biological cycling of P by intracellular microbial enzymes might have been relatively inefficient in the deeper subsoil. At depths of 50–80 cm, there was a transition zone of declining δ¹⁸O_P values, which might be regarded as the first evidence that the degree of biological P cycling changed at this depth interval.     

How effectively does a single or continuous iron supply affect the phosphorus budget of aerated lakes?

Purpose

In lake restoration, the redox sensitivity of iron (Fe)?Cphosphorus (P) compounds has been regarded as detrimental for a sustainable increase in sedimentary P retention since developing low redox potentials release Fe-bound P. Thus, Fe salts alone have rarely been used successfully to inactivate sediment P, and there are no studies on the long-term effects of in-lake Fe applications on P retention. Here, we analyzed for how long, and how efficiently, a single and continuous Fe application can affect the P budget of lakes.

Materials and methods

Two aerated lakes in Berlin, Germany were compared: Lake Tegel (TEG) experienced a continuous Fe supply via its tributaries, while Lake Gro?-Glienicke (GGS) was treated once with Fe in the winter of 1992/1993. By controlling the operation of aerators, their effectiveness on P exchange at the sediment?Cwater interface (non-aerated vs. aerated) was directly compared in spring and autumn between 2008 and 2010. The amount of P controllable by aeration (P _control) was experimentally determined by non-aerated vs. aerated sediment cores (at 10 and 16?°C). Core stratigraphy of Fe was observed by high-resolution ??X-ray fluorescence analysis.

Results and discussion

In TEG, the mobility of Fe was limited due to its sulfidic fixation, and thus Fe only accumulated slightly at the sediment surface (Fe/P ratio, ??3). P _control corresponded to only 4?% of the P content of the lake and 18?% of P loading. Hence, aeration only slightly influenced trophy-relevant epilimnetic P. In GGS, the single Fe application still ensures a high P binding ability of sediment since Fe relocated towards the surface (Fe/P ratio, ??7). P _control corresponded to 38?% of the P content of the lake and 74?% of annual P loading. Thus, the P release is not relevant for the P supply to the epilimnion since with the lake??s overturn P is co-precipitated by the hypolimnetically accumulated Fe.

Conclusions

When external P loading is sufficiently reduced, as in GGS, amendments to Fe precipitants can increase sediment P retention in a redox-dependent manner over the long term. Thus, the redox-dependent mobility of Fe should no longer be regarded as a disadvantage of Fe-containing precipitants. To compensate for co-precipitation and complexation of Fe with sediment organic matter, a high Fe dosage (??200?g?m^?2) is needed.     

Kettle holes reflect the biogeochemical characteristics of their catchment area and the intensity of the element-specific input

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Kettle holes are small inland water bodies known to be dominated by terrigenous material; however, the processes and structures that drive the enrichment and...     

Efficacy of leaf extract fractions of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. against downy mildew of cucumber (Pseudoperonospora cubensis)

An ethanolic leaf extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (licorice) was highly effective in former bioassays and semi-commercial trials in controlling cucumber downy mildew (efficacy up to 99.0?% in bioassays and 83.0?% in semi-commercial trials). In order to elucidate the active ingredients and the mode of action, licorice leaf extract was fractionated into six fractions of defined substance classes, of which the fraction containing acidic substances (F6) showed highest efficacy (97.6?%). The calculated EC₅₀ values after a probit analysis of concentration series of crude extract and fraction F6 were concentrations of 1.0?% (crude extract) and 0.6?% (fraction F6). Interestingly, the slopes of the resulting graphs were significantly different, pointing to different modes of action for the two treatments. Three flavonoid compounds could be detected. The substances were glabranin, licoflavanon and pinocembrin. All three are known for their antimicrobial and antifungal capacity against plant and human pathogens. Besides these flavonoids, results, such as the different EC₅₀ values, indicated that other compounds may be involved in the activity of fraction F6 against P. cubensis on cucumber.     

Phosphorus Entrainment Due to Resuspension in a Lowland River, Spree, NE Germany – A Laboratory Microcosm Study

Resuspension of benthic phosphorus (P) often constitutes a high percentage of the annual P flux in lowland rivers. To study P entrainment at controlled shear velocity (u*) sediment from lowland River Spree of slower flowing (0.1–0.3 m s^?1) stretch Kossenblatt (KOB) and of faster flowing (0.5–0.7 m s^?1) stretch Freienbrink (FRB) was incubated in a microcosm at incrementally enhanced u* (0.34–1.9 cm s^?1). Particle and P entrainment rates as well as the number of particle-associated bacteria of fine-grained mud-like KOB sediment were much higher (16.7 g m^?2 h^?1, 104.9 mg P m^?2 h^?1, 15.47 10⁶ cells ml^?1) than those (4.3 g m^?2 h^?1, 2.1 mg P m^?2 h^?1, 3.06 10⁶ cells ml^?1) of coarser sandy FRB sediment. The microcosm used so far in marine research is suited to compare riverine resuspension suggesting the lower u* the more particles are deposited and the more P can be retained (KOB ? FRB). Conversely, correspondingly more and easier particulate P and bacteria can again be remobilised (KOB ? FRB) if u* increases. The general relationship found for u* and the entrainment of particulate P and bacteria as well as their decelerated and selective deposition where bacteria may stay longer in the water implies a temporarily enhanced P bioavailability, turnover and subsequent P transformations.     

Pflanzenschutz mit Pflanzenextrakten (Botanicals): Hintergründe,zwei Fallstudien,Schlussfolgerungen und Standortbestimmung

Plant extracts (botanicals) are of special significance for plant protection, especially in organic farming. This is due to their origin, specific modes of action, toxicological and ecotoxicological properties as well as to ever changing legal, patent, economic and social/political issues. This paper surveys this complex background and presents data on two selected botanicals which pertain to the use of extract fractions from Glycyrrhiza glabra (sweet wood) for control of Bremia lactucae (downy mildew) in lettuce and azadirachtin for control of leafhoppers in Melissa officinalis L. Both compounds exhibited good effects in the greenhouse which were less pronounced or absent in the field. The effects of sweet wood were strongest when applied twice preventively at 5?% concentration. In the greenhouse, this resulted in a lower number of infected plants and smaller leaf areas attacked by the downy mildew pathogen at high disease pressure. Azadirachtin (plant protection chemical NeemAzal®-T/S in combination with the additive Trifolio S-forte; 1.5 l/ha + 3 l/ha in 600 l water per hektar, 3 applications, interval 7 days) was better in controlling leaf hoppers than natural pyrethrins in combination with rapeseed oil (Spruzit Schädlingsfrei; 6 l/ha in 1,000 l water per hektar, 1 application) in the greenhouse and exhibited very high insecticidal efficacy almost equivalent to that of thiacloprid (Calypso 480 SC; 0.12 l/ha in 400 l water per hektar, 1 application) at moderate disease pressure. Thiacloprid, however, is not applicable in organic farming. In order to introduce these promising results in practical plant protection further fundamental studies are needed. These can only be realized by a joint effort of private companies, research and plant protection institutions, as well as public funding bodies. This article is not meant as a presentation of “perfect” results, it is rather an example of the problems and pitfalls that need to be overcome during development of a botanical and its applications. They are the reason why the market for botanicals will remain small.     

Interactions Between Benthic Phosphorus Release and Sulfur Cycling in Lake Scharmützelsee (Germany)

Sulfur (S) conversions were determined during summer stratification in 1995/96 to assess the extent to which benthic release of phosphorus (P) is influenced by the S cycling in eutrophic, dimictic, sulfate-rich (61.33 ± 10.41 mg SO42- l-1) freshwater Lake Schamützelsee. Hypolimnetic SO42- reduction (4.56 ± 0.73 g (S) m-2 d-1) forming ΣH2S (44.71 ± 17.57 mg ΣH2S m-2 d-1), leading to iron sulfide precipitation (5.62 ± 1.72 mg FeS m-2 d-1) and dissolved iron depletion in the hypolimnion has a major influence on benthic P mobilization and release. The most important inorganic S pool is the CRS (FeS2 + S° + H2S; 15.1 % total S), being 1.3 to 6.6 times higher than the AVS (FeS + H2S) in the uppermost 0 - 8 cm sediment. This diminishes the ability of the sediment to bind P (indicated by 14.6 % loosely bound P (NH4Cl-P) and an exhaustion of the redox-sensitive P (BD-P)), leading to interstitial water P concentrations up to 10.8 mg l-1 and P release rates of 2.64 ± 0.56 mg P m-2 d-1. As a consequence the P content of the lake increased fourfold within 58 days.     

The Quantification of Sulfate Reduction in Sulfate-Rich Freshwater Lakes - A Means for Predicting the Eutrophication Process of Acidic Mining Lakes?

A comparison of neutral freshwater lakes and acidic coal mining lakes with respect to both, in-lake alkalinity generation and P mobilization, has been made to predict the extent of the possibility of P remobilisation in acidic mining lakes creating eutrophication. It is hypothesized that the maturing process of an acid mining lake is comparable to the recent history of the increasing productivity observed in SO42--rich freshwater lakes. This hypothesis is based on the observation that (1) with rising pH over time the atomic S:Fe ratio in the acidic waters is increasing because only a fraction of the SO42--S but nearly all Fe is usually buried in the sediment; (2) the potential of their sediments to immobilize P is at present linked to its continuous accumulation at the sediment together with the stock of its binding partners, mainly Fe(III) compounds; (3) the input of organic matter stimulating the SO42- reduction and the formation of insoluble complexes of sulfide with ferrous Fe will enhance not only the generation of alkalinity, but will also increase the mobility and release of P.