EJSS

Eurasian Journal of Soil Science

Eurasian J Soil Sci

2147 - 4249

Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.284259

10.18393/ejss.284259

Tropical chemical weathering of a garnet rich micaschist in the rainforest zone of Cameroon

Désiré Tsozué

Rose Yongue-Fouateu tsozudsir@yahoo.fr

1 - 19

2016-03-22

2016-05-17

2016-06-01

2017-01-02

Soils developed on garnet-rich micaschist in the Southern Cameroon plateau were investigated. Morphologically, two weathering materials constituted the study profile, fine earth and nodules. Each material has a singular evolution from the coarse saprolite to the upper set of clayey and loose horizons. There is Al2O3 enrichment in the fine earth concomitantly to Fe2O3, Na2O and K2O enrichment in nodules in major element–Al2O3 variation diagrams. A–CN–K and A–CNK–FM diagrams show a progressive depletion of Al in nodules concomitantly to an enrichment of this element in the fine earth. Three pedogenetic processes emerge from the evolution of weathering products. There is a ferruginization process whose importance increases from the coarse saprolite to the upper set of clayey and loose horizons, giving rise to the formation of dense nodules composed of hematite, goethite and gibbsite. This ferruginization occurs concomitantly with a desaluminization process, which causes Al2O3 depletion in nodules. These nodules are formed by the process of induration where the hydrated amorphous hydroxide and oxides are dehydrated to their crystalline oxide form, due to condensation. In addition, there is aluminization, which occurs in the fine earth, leading to the development of a red clayey material composed of kaolinite and gibbsite.

Laterite, ferruginization, desaluminization, aluminization, Cameroon

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.284260

10.18393/ejss.284260

Fractal approach in characterization of spatial pattern of soil properties

Boško Miloš

Aleksandra Bensa abensa@agr.hr

20 - 27

2016-03-16

2016-05-23

2016-06-02

2017-01-02

The objective of the study was to characterize spatial pattern of soil properties (CaCO3, soil organic carbon, P2O5, K2O, and clay content) using fractal concept. Total of 141 top-soil samples (0-30 cm) were collected on 1850 ha in karst polje (Petrovo polje, Croatia) and analyzed for listed soil properties. The semi-variogram method was used to estimate fractal dimension (D) value which was performed from both of isotropic and anisotropic perspective. The D value of soil properties ranged between 1.76 to 1.97, showing a domination of the short-range variations. The SOC and K2O fractal D values 1.79 and 1.76 respectively, exhibited a spatial continuity at the entire analysed range of the scale. The D value for P2O5 (1.97) showed a nearly total absence of the spatial structure at all scales. The CaCO3 and clay content indicated a multifractal behavior mainly attributed to effects of alluviation, differences in geology and its spatial changes and transitions. The results of anisotropic analysis of soil properties pattern have showed strong relations with directions and partial self-similarity over limited ranges of scales defined by scale-break. Finally, our results showed that fractal analysis can be used as a appropriate tool for the characterization of spatial pattern irregularities of soil properties and detection of soil forming factors that cause it.

Fractal dimension, scale independency, self-similarity, semi-variogram

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.284261

10.18393/ejss.284261

Influence of the artisanal gold mining on soil contamination with heavy metals: A case study from Dar-Mali locality, North of Atbara, River Nile State, Sudan

Mushtaha Ali

Abdalla Elhagwa

Jamal Elfaki

Magboul Sulieman magboul@uofk.edu

28 - 36

2016-03-03

2016-05-25

2016-06-02

2017-01-02

Twenty soil samples were collected from North of Atbara (Dar-Mali locality),River Nile State, Sudan (17.82289 to 17.82389N and 33.99974 to 34.02127E) inside and outside gold mining area in order to assess the influence of the gold mining on the concentrations of selected heavy metals (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Hg) in study area. The soil contamination by heavy metals of study area was studied using two parameters; (i) Comparison of the heavy metals concentrations with mean concentrations in most world soils, (ii) Enrichment Factor (EF). Results revealed that the concentrations of heavy metals were varying in the study area, the highest concentrations were obtained at the center of mining area particularly inside the mining basins of gold extraction. The concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Co, Ni, and Pb were ranged from (4.85 to 34.65 mg kg-1 soil), (6,355 to 14,635 mg kg-1 soil), (37.35 to 655 mg kg-1 soil), (11.85 to 42.7 mg kg-1 soil), (0 to 16.5 mg kg-1 soil,) (2.5 to 47.3 mg kg-1 soil) and (2.65 to 823.5 mg kg-1 soil), respectively. The results also indicated that the soil samples which collected from inside mining basins have a highest EF for most heavy metals particularly Pb, which showed EF value of (676.3), suggesting that the Pb may be derived from anthropogenic source. This study recommends regular monitoring of heavy metals in the soils around the Artisanal gold Mining for conservation and protection from pollution.

Sudan, River Nile State, gold mining, enrichment factor, mining basins

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.284262

10.18393/ejss.284262

Enzyme activity of Chromic Luvisols under different degree of erosion and land use

Kostadinka Nedyalkova nedyalkova.k@gmail.com

Radka Donkova

Darina Deribeeva

37 - 43

2016-03-14

2016-06-06

2016-06-09

2017-01-02

Soil erosion is a serious environmental problem and a threat to the sustainable agriculture production. Little information is available on enzyme activities of eroded soils in Bulgaria, especially on their relations to the degree of erosion and soil properties. In this work, slightly, moderately and severely eroded Chromic Luvisols under different land use (pasture, crop field and virgin) were studied. Enzyme activities (invertase, catalase and phosphatase), total nitrogen, total carbon, available phosphorus contents and soil particle distribution were determined and possible relations between them were examined. Data showed that enzyme activities tended to lower with increasing the degree of erosion. This was better pronounced for invertase and phosphatase in pasture and virgin soils. Depending on land use, all enzyme activities decreased in the order pasture > virgin > crop field soils, showing positive impact of soil cover and negative effect of cultivation practices. Soil invertase and phosphatase activities were in close relations with soil carbon content. The activities of catalase and phosphatase correlated positively with soil clay. Invertase only was in positive relation with soil silt and in negative relation with the sand content. Data obtained are intended to contribute to development of biological indicators of eroded soils.

Enzymes, eroded soils, degree of erosion, land use, soil properties

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.284264

10.18393/ejss.284264

Conductive and steam-diffuse constituents of thermotransfer in different soil moisture contents: case study of the Altai Region’s soils

Sergey Makarychev

Andrey Bolotov agbolotov@gmail.com

44 - 50

2015-08-08

2016-06-09

2016-06-10

2017-01-02

The goal of this study was to determine the conductive and steam-diffusive heat transfer constituents in the soil. Based on the solution of differential equation system of heat and mass transfer, the method to determine the conductive and steam-diffusive heat transfer constituents in wet soils was developed. To measure the thermophysical properties in laboratory setting, a pulse method of a two-dimensional heat source was used. The method takes into account the patterns of temperature field equalization in an unbounded medium after the heat source termination. A feature of this process is the occurrence of peak temperature at the investigated point of the medium at a given instant. In this experiment, the temperature was controlled not only at the investigated point of the medium, but also at the soil-heater interface. The proposed method was used to study the thermophysical indices of the chernozems of the Altai Region’s Priobye area (the Ob River area). The chernozem under study is of light-loamy particle-size composition; the illuvial horizon В is enriched by a sand fraction. It has been found that the soil conductive thermal diffusivity is reduced with increasing moisture content. The steam-diffusive thermal diffusivity has the extremum at the moisture close to the discontinuous capillary moisture. In humus horizons it plays a smaller role than in the mineral horizons. The thermal diffusivity determined by the steam molecule motion in the pore space of the soil exceeds the conductive thermal diffusivity two or three times. At the same time thermal steam diffusivity is more than ten time lower than the conductive constituent. Eventually, the stem molecules though dramatically accelerating the processes of heat transfer in the soil profile conduct a small amount of heat and make a weak contribution to soil thermal accumulation.

Soil, thermal capacity, thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, thermo-transference in soils, con

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.284265

10.18393/ejss.284265

Using microbiological leaching method to remove heavy metals from sludge

Zhuyu Gu

Yilahong Aikebaier

Valeria Arefieva pttcmoscow@bk.ru

Mikhail Mazirov

51 - 58

2016-05-13

2016-07-11

2016-07-13

2017-01-02

Microbial leaching is one of the most effective methods to remove heavy metals from sludge. In the conducted researches, the sludge samples were processed with Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and Thiobacillus thiooxidans obtained via cultivation, extraction and purification processes. Heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, Cu and Ni were leached from sludge by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and Thiobacillus thiooxidans within different substrate concentration and pH value conditions. It is defined that from the point of view of economy and efficiency the optimal concentration of FeSO4.7H2O and sulfur for bio-leaching process was 0.2 g. The leaching rates of heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, Cu and Ni of the same concentration were 74.72%, 81.54%, 70.46% and 77.35% respectively. However, no significant differences depending on the pH value among the leaching rates were defined, even for the pH value of 1.5. Along with the removal of heavy metals from sludge, the organic matter, N, P, K were also leached to some extent. The losing rate of phosphorus was the highest and reached 38.44%. However, the content of organic matter, N, P, K in the processed sludge were higher in comparison with level I of the National Soil Quality Standards of China. Ecological risk of heavy metals in sludge before and after leaching was assessed by Index of Geo-accumulation (Igeo) and comprehensive potential risk (RI). The results of research defined that the content of heavy metals in sludge meets the level of low ecological risk after leaching and their contents is lower in comparison with the National Agricultural Sludge Standard of China. Sludge leached by biological methods is possible to use for treatment for increasing soil fertility.

pH value, sludge, microbiological leaching, substrate concentration, heavy metals

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.284266

10.18393/ejss.284266

Contamination of soils with Cu, Na and Hg due to the highway and railway transport

Martin Šeda m_seda@centrum.cz

Jan Šíma

Tomáš Volavka

Jan Vondruška

59 - 64

2016-05-09

2016-07-20

2016-07-21

2017-01-02

Contamination of soils with three metals due to the highway and railway transport was studied. Copper was selected as a suitable indicator for both kinds of transportation. Sodium served to assess the level of contamination resulting from the road salting in winter. Mercury was determined in samples taken close to the railway in order to test its release from impregnated wooden ties. All analyses were determined using the methods of the trace element analysis; values are expressed as dry matter. The highest concentrations of copper, sodium and total mercury in soil samples were 52.7 mg/kg, 770 mg/kg and 0.181 mg/kg respectively. The highest copper content was observed in soils taken close to the railroad and the highway. Elevated sodium levels originated from winter road salting – the highest winter value was 770 mg/kg as compared with maximal summer value of 416 mg/kg. The concentration of total mercury in soils depended on the type of railway ties used – the highest values for location with wooden and concrete ties were 0.181 mg/kg and 0.145 mg/kg, respectively. Wooden railroad ties are considered as a potential source of mercury because of impregnation with antifungal mercury compounds.

Copper, environment protection, mercury, salting of roads, trace element analysis

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.284267

10.18393/ejss.284267

Soil organic matter content and composition in different pedoclimatic zones of Bulgaria

Biser Hristov bisseru@gmail.com

Ekaterina Filcheva

65 - 74

2016-05-13

2016-08-02

2016-08-03

2017-01-02

The present paper focused on content, quality and composition of soil organic matter in different pedoclimatic zones of Bulgaria. The country has temperate continental climate with Mediterranean influence. There are six combinations of soil temperature and moisture regimes over the territory of Bulgaria, such as Thermic-Xeric, Mesic-Xeric, Mesic-Ustic, Mesic-Udic, Cryic-Udic and Pergelic – Udic. Typical soil types for Bulgaria are Chernozems, Luvisols. Vertisols, Cambisols, Phaeozems, Leptosols, Regosols, Planosols, Umbrisols and etc. Fifteen soil profiles were studied which are representative for the area. The content and composition of organic matter were determined according to the method of Kononova-Belchikova. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of pedoclimatic conditions over soil organic matter content and composition of various areas with different soil cover, vegetation, management and etc. Grouping soil types in different soil temperature and moisture regimes shows that there are similarities in soil carbon content and composition. Soils developed under cooler and moister conditions accumulate more organic carbon. In such areas the content of organic carbon can reach about 255 t.ha-1 in a surface horizon and the type of humus is predominantly Fulvic. Respectively, soils developed under dry and warmer conditions have lower organic carbon content and the type of humus is usually Humic.

Soil organic matter, soil carbon, pedoclimate, soil temperature, moisture regimes

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.284269

10.18393/ejss.284269

Optimizing land use pattern to reduce soil erosion

Reza Sokouti rezasokouti@gmail.com

Davood Nikkami

75 - 83

2016-05-14

2016-08-26

2016-08-28

2017-01-02

Soil erosion hazard is one of the main problems can affect ecological balance in watersheds. This study aimed to determine the optimal use of land to reduce erosion and increase the resident's income of Qushchi watershed in West Azerbaijan province, Iran. Income and expenses for the current land uses were calculated with field studies. Damages resulting from the soil erosion were estimated by soil depth equal to the specified land uses. For three different options including the current status of land uses without and with land management, and the standard status of land uses, multi-objective linear programming model was established by LINGO software. Then the optimization problem of the land use was solved by simplex method. Finally, the best option of land use was determined by comparing erosion rate and its cost in each scenario. Then the circumstances and the recommended conditions were compared. The results indicated that the current surface area of current land uses is not suitable to reduce erosion and increase income of residents and should change in the optimum conditions. At the optimum level, there should change horticulture area of 408 to 507 (ha), irrigated land area of 169 to 136 (ha) and dry farming of 636 to 570 (ha), while conversion of rangeland area not indispensable. In addition, the results showed that in case of the optimization of land use, soil erosion and the profitability of the whole area will decrease 0.75% and increase 3.68%, respectively. In case of land management practices, soil erosion will decrease 42.27% and the profitability increase 21.39% while in the standard conditions, soil erosion will decrease 60.95% and profitability will increase 24.20%. The results of the sensitivity analysis showed that the changes in the horticulture and range land areas have the greatest impact on the increasing profitability and reducing soil erosion of Qushchi watershed. So, it is recommended using Education and Extension to promote the importance of land management to understand how proper use of the land.

Linear programming, land management, soil erosion sensitivity analysis, profitability

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.284270

10.18393/ejss.284270

The effects of CaCl2 on fruit yield, quality and nutrient contents of tomato under NaCl stress conditions

Ahmet Korkmaz akorkmaz@omu.edu.tr

Arife Karagöl

Güney Akınoğlu

84 - 91

2016-05-16

2016-08-26

2016-08-29

2017-01-02

In this study, the effects of CaCl2 on fruit yield, quality Ca/Na and K/Na ratios and Na content of tomato leaves under NaCl stress conditions were determined. The doses of 0, 6.8 and 16.8 mM CaCl2 were combined with the doses of 0, 44.4, 70.4 mM NaCl in complete nutrient solution. General, NaCl and CaCl2 decreased fruit yield, NaCl decreased stem amount, whereas it increased at 6.8 mM CaCl2. CaCl2 decreased fruit yield without NaCl, but it increased fruit yield significantly at 44.4 mM dose and caused tolerance to NaCl. The 6.8 mM dose of CaCl2 increased stem amount without NaCl. However, CaCl2 did not cause tolerance at high doses of NaCl in terms of growth. CaCl2 decreased brix of fruit, while NaCl increased it. CaCl2 increased brix without NaCl, but decreased it at 44.4 and 70.4 mM NaCl. CaCl2 and NaCl decreased fruit juice pH significantly. Besides, CaCl2 decreased fruit juice pH at 0 and 44.4 mM of NaCl. The number of fruits which were found to have blossom-end rot (NFBER) did not change without NaCl with the influence of CaCl2. However, CaCl2 applied at high doses of NaCl decreased the NFBER and provided tolerance to NaCl. Increasing dose of NaCl increased significantly the Na content in leaves, but the addition CaCl2 decreased significantly the Na content in leaves. Increasing the dose of CaCl2 applications at 0 and 44.4 mM NaCl levels increased the Ca/Na ratio in tomato leaves. But, the effect of CaCl2 on Ca/Na ratio of leaves was statistically insignificant. The addition of NaCl into the solution nutrient decreased the Ca/Na and K/Na ratios in tomato leaves. The effect of CaCl2 on the K/Na ratio of leaves was not found significant.

Tomato, NaCl stress, tolerance, CaCl2, yield, quality, Ca/Na, K/Na ratios