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Extractable soil heavy metals following the cessation of biosolids application to agricultural soil.

Changes in soil heavy metal extractability following the cessation of biosolids applications were studied in a long-term field experiment. Two anaerobically digested biosolids from wastewater treatment plants in Madrid (Sur and Viveros) were applied to cropland from 1983 to 1990. Soil samples were collected in the 1st, 5th and 9th year after the last biosolids application. Soil pH did not vary significantly after biosolids applications. Organic matter and total heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr and Cu) concentrations initially increased but then declined over time, mostly after the first 5 years following biosolids application. Metal extracted with DPTA increased in Sur treatments during the 1st year and diminished thereafter. However, in Viveros treatments, heavy metals extracted increased during the 1st year, declined in 1995, and showed a slight increase in 1999. These changes in heavy metal extractability were widely observed in the percentage of extractable metal recovery (EMR). The differences observed in the pattern of the two sources of biosolids applied could be due to the different rates of decomposition of their organic matter.

Agriculture↗

Experimental study of the remediation of atrazine contaminated soils through soil extraction and subsequent peroxidation.

This paper presents a feasibility study in the field of the remediation of soils contaminated with atrazine. Experimental tests were performed on an artificially contaminated synthetic soil. Atrazine was removed from the soil by flushing with an aqueous solution at 5 vol.% of ethanol. Experimental tests of evaporation and Fenton's oxidation on the extracted solution were then performed in order to transform atrazine into its oxidation products. Tests were performed in the presence of a peroxide excess the ratio between Fe(2+) and H(2)O(2) was 1:10. Peroxide was first added in order to reduce the consumption of hydroxyl radicals by their reaction with the excess of Fe(2+). The degradation mechanism of atrazine during oxidation with Fenton's reagent in the presence of ethanol was investigated. Results showed that due to the non selective nature of Fenton's reagent a high consumption of reagent was needed to achieve a significant atrazine oxidation from solutions at 4.5 vol.% of ethanol. While at a Fe(2+) concentration of 3mM atrazine practically disappeared from pure aqueous solutions within 2h, a degradation yield of only 28.1% was observed in the presence of ethanol even when Fe(2+) concentration was 15 mM.

Atrazine↗

Soil-water partitioning and desorption hysteresis of volatile organic compounds from a Louisiana Superfund site soil.

The adsorption and desorption of three volatile organic compounds (1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1,2- trichloroethane and 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane) from a previously uncontaminated clayey soil sample from a Superfund site in North Baton Rouge, Louisiana was studied. In the linear range of the adsorption isotherm, the partition constants were not affected by the presence of the co-solutes. The adsorption isotherms over a wide concentration range on the soil followed the nonlinear Freundlich isotherm. The desorption of the compounds showed significant hysteresis at all concentrations studied. Approximately 20 to 70% of the adsorbed mass of organic compounds resisted the desorption even after five months of successive desorption steps. The desorption of four compounds (1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, 1,4-dichlorobenzene and hexachlorobutadiene) from a contaminated soil sample from the same site was also studied. The aqueous concentration declined as the successive desorption steps progressed. For hexachlorobutediene the desorption can be visualized as occurring in two stages. The first stage involved a 'loosely bound' or 'reversible' fraction and the second stage involved a 'tightly bound' or 'resistant' fraction.

Adsorption↗

The effects of application of poultry manure to crude oil polluted soils on maize (Zea mays) growth and soil properties.

An investigation of the effects of application of poultry manure to crude oil polluted soils on the growth of maize and soil properties was carried out under natural conditions at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria. Potted maize plants were treated to crude oil pollution at four different levels (0, 25, 50 and 75 mL) and amended with poultry manure at four rates of application (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha(-1)) two weeks after pollution. Results obtained showed that percent survival rate, plant height and dry matter yield decreased with increase in crude oil contamination. For example % seed germination decreased from 93 to 0% as crude oil increased from 0 to 75 mL without poultry manure application while plant height decreased from 97 to 20 cm. However when amended with poultry manure, statistical analysis showed that the highest rate of crude oil application (75 mL) and the 150 kg ha(-1) rate poultry manure application affected maize growth, dry matter yield and soil properties significantly. For example at the 75 mL crude oil application, plant height increased from 20 to 149 cm as level of manure applied increased from 0 to 150 kg ha(-1) while dry matter yield increased from 27 to 58 g.

Animals↗

Effect of treatment of soil with keratinaceous material on soil fungi.

In the early periods of soil storage, the total number of fungi almost regularly and significantly increased with the concentration of keratinaceous material (ground buffalo hooves) between 1% and 10%. A concentration of 20% was stimulative after 7 days and became toxic after 15 days and remained so through the end of the experiment. With increase in the storage period, the beneficial effect of all concentrations was lost and in the case of high concentrations (5-20%) toxic ammonia was produced. The occurrence of Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Cephalosporium acremonium, Chrysosporium tropicum, C. indicum, and C. keratinophilum increased markedly, especially at the higher concentrations of the keratinaceous material and after long periods of incubation. With increase in the concentration of keratinaceous material, the rate of evolution of ammonia from the soil sharply increased during the second week after treatment and fell off sharply during the third and fourth weeks. In soil stored at 35 C, the rate of decline in total fungi after longer periods of incubation was sharper at 35 C than at 25 C. Also the amount of evolved ammonia during the first and the second weeks was almost always higher at 35 C than at 25 C. Fourteen species were tested for keratinolytic activity. Three of them were highly keratinolytic and five moderately so.

Animals↗

Effects of potassium azide on soil microbial populations and soil enzymatic activities.

Preplant applications of potassium azide (KN3) to pine nursery beds were evaluated for effect on the soil microflora and on soil enzyme activity where either plastic-sealing or water-sealing techniques were used. Two weeks after incorporation of azide (0-224 kg/hs), soil samplings revealed reduced populations of bacteria and fungi and a corresponding decline in invertase and amylase activities. These effects were proportionate to the amount of azide used and were more pronounced in plastic-sealed plots. Phosphatase activity was little affected. Five weeks after azide application, bacterial populations were higher in treated plots than in controls. Greater numbers of bacteria were recorded from plastic-sealed plots and highest populations coincided with plots receiving the highest rates of azide, regardless of the sealing technique. Fungal populations at this sampling were generally less in treated plots than in the controls, but were higher under plastic seal. At this time, changes in invertase and amylase activities did not correspond to increased microbial numbers. Sixteen weeks after applications of KN3, bacterial populations in treated plots did not differ significantly from controls, but remained higher in plastic-sealed than water-sealed plots. Fungal populations under plastic seal had changed little and remained significantly lower in treated water-sealed plots than in controls. The earlier recorded reduction in invertase and amylase activities was still evident at the final sampling;

Amylases↗

Microcosm studies on the persistence of peanut inoculant in acid soil and its interaction with indigenous soil micro-organisms.

The effect of a native peanut (Arachis hypogaea) microsymbiont strain (streptomycin resistant mutant) introduced into acid soil on the indigenous micro-organism population as well as the survival of this isolate was studied. Although the isolate survived at a fairly low population level after the 3 month period of soil incubation, it maintained its antibiotic resistance. Slight changes in the total bacteria and fungi soil populations as a result of this inoculation were also detected.

Arachis↗

[An off site petroleum-contaminated soil bioremediation technology: soil compositing in windrow].

With off-site bioremediation technology, a soil contaminated by crude oil from Liaohe Oil Field was treated on a 20 x 10 m prepared bed. 8 composting windrow units were set, each measured 8 m in length, 2 m in width, and 0.35 m in height. The results showed that when the pollutant petroleum hydrocarbon(TPH) was within the range of 4.16-7.72 g.100 g-1 soil, the total degradation rate of TPH reached 45.19%-56.74% after 53 days operation, which indicated that a technological basis would be provided for the bioremediation of oil-contaminated soil.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

[Research advances in soil persistence characteristics of toxins released by transgenic bt crops and their relationships with soil properties].

With the popularization and application of transgenic Bt crops, and increasing attention has been paid to their potential impact on ecological environment and other aspects. And, as the development of detecting techniques for Bt toxin protein and soil were made by oversea researchers. This paper reviewed the current situation of the studies on the insecticidal characteristics and detecting methods of toxin proteins released by transgenic Bt crops, the potentical risk of their field release, the impact of soil mineral, organic matter and organo-mineral complex on the persistence of purified Bt toxins, and the behavior of Bt toxins in rhizospheric soil. Based on our researches, several problems which should be paid attention to in related studies were also pointed out.

Bacillus thuringiensis↗

[Functions of different cultivation modes in oasis agriculture on soil wind erosion control and soil moisture conservation].

During 2001-2002, the effects of different cultivation modes including winter irrigation and zero tillage, crop-grass intercropping, and early spring film mulching on sand entrainment, wind velocity gradient and soil moisture conservation were studied in the middle reaches of the Heihe River in the Hexi Corridor region. The results showed that all these modes could reduce soil wind erosion and halt sand entrainment to different degrees. Compared with the bare fields exposed by spring plowing, early spring film mulching could increase soil moisture storage by 35.6%. At present, spring plowing and sowing was a main factor responsible to the occurrence of sand storms and the increase in suspended dust content. Farmlands in the upper and middle reaches of the Heihe River generally produced a dust transport up to 4.8-6.0 million tons per year, which was higher than that of sandy desert in the same region. In the Hexi Corridor region, the suspended dust amount produced from 1 hm2 farmland was equivalent to that of 1.5 hm2 desert.

Crops, Agricultural↗

[Contribution to the problem of microbially induced urea transformation in soil. I. On the ability of urea utilization by soil micro-organisms (author's transl)].

The present publication is the first of a series on the enzymatic urea tranformation in soil. With about 2,000 pure cultures of micro-organisms it was possible to prove the very good urea utilization by the soil micro-organisms (bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi). Above all the fungi showed an excellent utilization of urea, while bacteria and actinomycetes were somewhat poorer. Contrary to this is the urease activity of these organisms, and that is the reason why fungi in soil may be regarded as short-time accumulators for urea nitrogen and must not be suppressed by inhibitors.

Actinomycetales↗

Impact of artificial ammonium-enriched rainwater on soils and young coniferous trees in a greenhouse. Part I-effects on the soils.

A pot experiment was used to investigate whether ammonium sulphate, when applied in amounts comparable to those deposited in the Dutch forests, is detrimental to trees. Young coniferous trees were planted in pots and treated with artificial ammonium-enriched rainwater in a greenhouse. The deposition of ammonium resulted in a strong acidification of the soil solution, leaching of base cations and an increased solubility of aluminium, manganese and zinc. Ammonium accumulated in the soil solution, causing severe imbalances between plant nutrients. The effects of these chemical changes in the soil on tree performance are described in a second paper.

Journal Article↗

Effects of methylisocyanate on soil microflora and the biochemical activity of soils.

Methylisocyanate at 500, 1000 and 2500 microg ml(-1) h(-1) markedly affected the fungal propagules in treated soils. Immediately after exposure to gas, both bacteria and actinomycetes were appreciably reduced, although by the seventh day, their populations had gradually increased. Increased soil respiration was evident at 500 microg ml(-1) of methylisocyanate, whereas, inhibition of respiration occurred at 1000 and 2500 microg ml(-1) h(-1). Methylisocyanate adversely affected soil nitrification; inhibition increased with increasing concentration. Up to 2500 microg ml(-1) h(-1), it stimulated ammonification, but the NH(4)-N level gradually declined with increased incubation.

Journal Article↗

PHENOPSIS, an automated platform for reproducible phenotyping of plant responses to soil water deficit in Arabidopsis thaliana permitted the identification of an accession with low sensitivity to soil water deficit.

The high-throughput phenotypic analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana collections requires methodological progress and automation. Methods to impose stable and reproducible soil water deficits are presented and were used to analyse plant responses to water stress. Several potential complications and methodological difficulties were identified, including the spatial and temporal variability of micrometeorological conditions within a growth chamber, the difference in soil water depletion rates between accessions and the differences in developmental stage of accessions the same time after sowing. Solutions were found. Nine accessions were grown in four experiments in a rigorously controlled growth-chamber equipped with an automated system to control soil water content and take pictures of individual plants. One accession, An1, was unaffected by water deficit in terms of leaf number, leaf area, root growth and transpiration rate per unit leaf area. Methods developed here will help identify quantitative trait loci and genes involved in plant tolerance to water deficit.

Arabidopsis↗

Ammonium, nitrate, and total nitrogen in the soil water of feedlot and field soil profiles.

A level feedlot, located in an area consisting of Wann silt loam changing with depth to sand, appears to contribute no more NO(3) nitrogen, NH(4) nitrogen, and total nitrogen to the shallow water table beneath it than an adjacent cropped field. Soil water samples collected at 46, 76, and 107 cm beneath the feedlot surface generally showed NO(3) nitrogen concentrations of less than 1 mug/ml. During the summer months, soil water NO(3) nitrogen increased at the 15-cm depth, indicating that nitrification took place at the feedlot surface. However, the low soil water NO(3) nitrogen values below 15 cm indicate that denitrification takes place beneath the surface.

Journal Article↗

Effect of soil microstructure on the relationship between the intensity of nitrification and soil moisture.

The relationship between the logarithm of nitrification intensity and moisture (expressed as pF) did not have an ideal linear course in structural soils in which pores of a certain size predominated. When increasing the incubation moisture it could be observed that the intensity of nitrification decreases at pF 3.5-4.4 and increases again on further increasing the incubation moisture. The detected anomaly was observed when applying moistures corresponding to peaks of derivation pF-curves. It can be assumed that the relationship between the intensity of nitrification and moisture is modified by soil microstructure; therefore, this relationship was studied in more detail in the present communication.

Bacteria↗

Qualitative estimates of soil disturbance in the vicinity of CANDU stations, utilizing measurements of 137Cs and 210Pb in soil cores.

Anthropogenically derived 14C has been used to trace recent carbon input in a study of carbon accumulation and turnover in Canadian soils. In order to do so, documentation of the undisturbed nature of the soil horizons sampled was of prime concern. Although all the sites chosen for coring were currently uncultivated, detailed information on long-term land usage was not available. To overcome this problem, 137Cs profiles were measured in all the cores used in the study. 210Pb measurements were also made in cases where total 137Cs deposition was lower than predicted. For some sample sites, the data obtained showed correlated losses of both radionuclides, indicating that land disturbance and/or erosion had indeed occurred in these areas over the past 50 years, hence invalidating the use of those cores for carbon cycling studies. In a few cases a marked lack of correlation between these two radionuclides has made it necessary to hypothesize that chemical, rather than physical, processes have been partially responsible for the observed anomalies. Since results of this nature raise doubts about the reliability of the 137Cs method for identification of land disturbance, further investigation is warranted.

Agriculture↗

Isolation and 16S DNA characterization of soil microorganisms from tropical soils capable of utilizing the herbicides hexazinone and tebuthiuron.

Six non-fermentative bacteria were isolated from Colombian (South America) and Hawaiian (USA) soils after enrichment with minimal medium supplemented with two herbicides, hexazinone (Hex) and tebuthiuron (Teb). Microscopic examination and physiological tests were followed by partial 16S DNA sequence analysis, using the first 527 bp of the 16S rRNA gene for bacterial identification. The isolated microorganisms (and in brackets, the herbicide that each degraded) were identified as: from Colombia. Methylobacterium organophilum [Teb], Paenibacillus pabuli [Teb], and Micrmbacterium foliorum [Hex]; and from Hawaii, Methylobacterium radiotolerans [Teb], Paenibacillus illinoisensis [Hex], and Rhodococcus equi [Hex]. The findings further explain how these herbicides, which have potential for illicit coca (Erythroxylum sp.) control, dissipate following their application to tropical soils.

Bacteria↗