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.2015.3.144-152

10.18393/ejss.2015.3.144-152

Source identification of heavy metals in atmospheric dust using Platanus orientalis L. leaves as bioindicator

Samira Norouzi samiranorouzi@yahoo.com

Hossein Khademi

144 - 152

2014-07-01

2014-12-19

2015-02-02

2015-07-01

Studies on atmospheric dust have been limited by the high cost of instrumental monitoring methods and also sampling difficulties. The use of organisms acting as bioaccumulators has recently been proposed. In this study, the leaves of Platanus orientalis L., as a possible biomonitor of heavy metals in atmospheric dust, were evaluated to understand the likely source(s) of pollution in Isfahan, Iran. Concentration of Zn, Cu, Ni and Mn and Magnetic susceptibility (χlf) were determined in washed (WL) and unwashed leaves (UL), monthly sampled from May to Nov., 2012. By subtracting the amount of metal concentrations and χlf in UL and WL, the amount of these parameters in dust deposited on the leaves (UL-WL) were calculated. Enrichment factor analysis (EF), correlation coeficient, principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) on the UL-WL data were employed to trace the heavy metals sources. Results showed that the metal concentration in UL and WL in primary sampling times was not statistically different. As time passed, this difference became more noticeable. Seasonal accumulation trends of elements concentration in UL-WL, referred to as accumulative biomonitors showing the accumulation of dust on the leaves are considerable and the contamination of plants by metal occurs mainly by retention of particulate matter. All the heavy metals are well correlated with χlf, indicating the potential of magnetic measurement as an inexpensive and less laborious method to estimate heavy metals. Cu and Zn exhibited a very strong correlation with each other and the highest correlation with χlf, suggesting an anthropogenic nature of these two metals. High EF of Cu and Zn showed that anthropogenic sources contribute a substantial amount of these metals to dust deposited on leaves. Whereas, less EF for Mn and Ni shows that natural source and local polluted soils might be the main origins of these metals. PCA results showed 2 principal components. Factor 1 with significant loading for Cu and Zn and factor 2 for Mn and Ni. In an agreement with the PCA and correlation results, CA showed strong clusters for Zn and Cu and also for Mn and Ni. Zn seems to originate from vehicular emissions, oil combustion and wear and tear of vehicle tires. Cu seems to originate from industrial processes, traffic and combustion of fossil fuels. Polluted soils in the area appear to be the main natural source for Mn and Ni in dust, while anthropogenic activities could be considered as the second origin.

Tree leaves, Heavy metals, Magnetic susceptibility, Enrichment Factor, Multivariate statistics

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.2015.3.153-160

10.18393/ejss.2015.3.153-160

Assisted bioremediation tests on three natural soils contaminated with benzene

Maria Carvalho mmc@isep.ipp.pt

Maria Vila

Cristina Delerue-Matos

Maria Oliva-Teles

António Fiúza

153 - 160

2014-07-15

2015-01-18

2015-02-10

2015-07-01

Bioremediation is an attractive and useful method of remediation of soils contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons because it is simple to maintain, applicable in large areas, is economic and enables an effective destruction of the contaminant. Usually, the autochthone microorganisms have no ability to degrade these compounds, and otherwise, the contaminated sites have inappropriate environmental conditions for microorganism’s development. These problems can be overcome by assisted bioremediation (bioaugmentation and/or biostimulation). In this study the assisted bioremediation capacity on the rehabilitation of three natural sub-soils (granite, limestone and schist) contaminated with benzene was evaluated. Two different types of assisted bioremediation were used: without and with ventilation (bioventing). The bioaugmentation was held by inoculating the soil with a consortium of microorganisms collected from the protection area of crude oil storage tanks in a refinery. In unventilated trials, biostimulation was accomplished by the addition of a nutrient mineral media, while in bioventing oxygen was also added. The tests were carried out at controlled temperature of 25 ºC in stainless steel columns where the moist soil contaminated with benzene (200 mg per kg of soil) occupied about 40% of the column’s volume. The processes were daily monitored in discontinued mode. Benzene concentration in the gas phase was quantified by gas chromatography (GC-FID), oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations were monitored by respirometry. The results revealed that the three contaminated soils were remediated using both technologies, nevertheless, the bioventing showed faster rates. With this work it was proved that respirometric analysis is an appropriate instrument for monitoring the biological activity.

Bioremediation, bioventing, respirometry, soils, benzene

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.2015.3.161-168

10.18393/ejss.2015.3.161-168

Effects of poultry litter biochar on soil enzyme activities and tomato, pepper and lettuce plants growth

Muhittin Akça

Ayten Namlı aytenkrc@gmail.com

161 - 168

2014-08-15

2015-01-25

2015-02-12

2015-07-01

Biochar application to soils is being considered as a means to sequester carbon (C) while concurrently improving soil functions. A greenhouse experiment was carried out to determine the effects of biochar from the pyrolysis poultry litter (PL) on the soil enzyme activities, organic matter content and growth of tomato, pepper and lettuce plants. In the experiment, the combination of 15.15.15 composite fertilizer with 0, 200, 400 and 600kg/da doses of PL biochar were applied into the clay loam soil. Compared to the control and chemical fertilizer alone, the soil organic matter was significantly increased after biochar amendments. β-glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase, urease and arylsulphatase enzyme activities in soils were increased by the biochar applications significantly (P

Biochar, soil, β-glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase, urease, arylsulphatase, organic matter, plants g

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.2015.3.169-177

10.18393/ejss.2015.3.169-177

Depth function of manganese (Mn) concentration in soil solutions: Hydropedological translocation of trace elements in stratified soils

Martin Reiss reissm@geo.uni-marburg.de

Peter Chifflard

169 - 177

2014-08-01

2015-01-28

2015-02-12

2015-07-01

Periglacial cover beds are an important trigger of slope-water paths in sloped terrain of the mid-latitudes. Most hydropedological studies focus on the quantitative analysis about the interrelation between subsurface layering and runoff processes at the slope scale. In this research we emphasis on a qualitative environmental geochemical analysis of trace elements and dissolved organic carbon in a small forest hydrological study area in the central parts of the subdued mountains of Germany (Location: KrofdorferForst, +50° 41' 3.69", +8° 38' 38.87"). The main objective is to assess the effect of lithological discontinuities of stratified soils within the depth functions of trace elements concentration in soil solutions (soil water and its dissolved and mobile fraction in a vertical distribution). Lorz (2008) show that depth functions of manganese (Mn) are characterized by strong pedogenic dynamics, analysing a shortened sequential extraction of solid soil material. We investigated the hypothesis that lithological discontinuities act like aquicludes. Therefore we expect abrupt changes within the depth function of manganese as a result of such water-blocking effect (= geochemical barriers) as a consequence of mobilization under wet soil conditions. In a preliminary case study we sampled soil solutions from three different plots within a 400m-toposequence. We use in situ trench installed suction lysimeters with ceramic tips (Irrometer Soil Solution Access Tube) to extract soil water samples each 20 cm from top- (10 cm) to subsoil (110 cm). For geochemical element analysis we use an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results: A clear character of abrupt changes within the depth function could be illustrated for most of the plots. For example, at the upper slope plot a contrast of the depth function is from 1013 ppb mean concentration at 50 cm profile depth to 290 ppb mean concentration at 70 cm profile depth (17 month sampling period). To conclude, these results demonstrate that hydrochemical quality and translocation processes of soil solutions determining an interrelation between subsurface layering and run off processes - respectively could be seen as an environmental consequence of it.

Pedohydrology, trace elements, periglacial cover beds, hillslope hydrology, geochemical barriers

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.2015.3.178-184

10.18393/ejss.2015.3.178-184

Predicting the yield and quality of winter wheat grown on calcareous chernozem in the lower Don Region

Olga Biryukova olga_alexan@mail.ru

Ivan Elnikov

Dmitry Bozhkov

Tatiana Minkina

178 - 184

2014-07-15

2015-02-19

2015-02-22

2015-07-01

Long-term studies have revealed a system of indicators for predicting the yield of winter wheat grown on a calcareous chernozem. It has been established that the prediction and integrated assessment of the yield and quality of grain should be performed with consideration for the balance of macro- and micronutrients in the grain and the above-ground biomass of plants. It has been shown that the contents of protein and gluten in winter wheat grain are mainly determined by the supply of plants with nitrogen and its balance with Mn, Р, Fe, Zn, and K. Possibility of predicting the contents of macro- and micronutrients in wheat grain from the chemical composition of plants at the shooting stage has been revealed.

Chernozem, winter wheat, plant chemical composition, protein, gluten, multinutrient diagnostics, pla

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.2015.3.185-190

10.18393/ejss.2015.3.185-190

Effects of rice husk compost application on soil quality parameters in greenhouse conditions

Coşkun Gülser

185 - 190

2014-07-03

2015-02-25

2015-02-28

2015-07-01

Effects of rice husk compost (RHC) on some soil quality parameters under greenhouse conditions were investigated. Experiment were conducted in a randomized plot design with different application doses of RHC (0, 3, 6 and 9%) into surface soil (0-20 cm) with three replications in a greenhouse of Agricultural Faculty in Ondokuz Mayıs University. RHC application generally improved the soil quality parameters according to the control treatment during the experiment carried out with growing tomato plant in the greenhouse in 2010. The soil organic matter (OM) contents significantly increased by the application of RHC in the following order; 9%>6%>3%>0%. While RHC applications in the greenhouses significantly reduced pH contents of soils according to the control, the RHC application increased the values of respiration rate (CO2), EC, NO3-N and available phosphorus (P). While the exchangeable Ca values of soils generally decreased, the exchangeable Mg and K values generally increased according to the control with RHC application. Bulk density (BD) values in the greenhouse were reduced with RHC application doses in the following order 0%>3%> 6%>9%. The values of field capacity (FC), permanent wilting point (PWP) and available water capacity (AWC) generally increased according to the control with the application of RHC dosses in the following order 9%>6%>3%. The highest positive correlations among the physical, chemical and biological properties were found between OM and PWP (0.924**), AWC and FC (0.907**), OM and FC (0.897**), CO2 and PWP (0.862**), PWP and FC (0.791**); while the highest negative correlations were found between BD and FC (-0.854**), BD and PWP (-0.871**), BD and OM (-0.868**), BD and CO2 (-0.838**), BD and P (-0.821**), Ca and FC (-0.812**). The highest tomato yield (7.77 ton/da) was obtained with the 9% of RHC application. RHC application to the soil in greenhouse generally improved soil quality and tomato yield.

Rice husk compost, soil quality, tomato, greenhouse

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.2015.3.191-197

10.18393/ejss.2015.3.191-197

The contact angle of wetting of the solid phase of soil before and after chemical modification

Tyugai Zemfira zemfira53@yandex.ru

Evgeny Milanovskiy

191 - 197

2014-09-18

2015-02-26

2015-03-01

2015-07-01

Wettability of soil affects a wide variety of processes including infiltration, preferential flow and surface runoff. Wettability of surface is usually expressed in terms of contact angle (CA) measurement. If the CA between liquid and solid surface is less than 90°, the surface is called hydrophilic, otherwise the surface is called hydrophobic. If the CA of water droplet on hydrophilic surface is in a range of 0-30° this surface is called superhydrophilic. In case of superhydrophobic surfaces the CA exceeds 150° that means that these surfaces are extremely difficult to wet. CA of wetting of mineral soil particles depends on the overlying organic and iron compounds. The object of study is a sample of the humus-accumulative horizon of typical chernozem (Kursk, Russia) and two samples (horizons A1, B2) of red ferrallitic soils (Fr. Norfolk, NE Oceania). The soil samples were analyzed for organic carbon, forms of non-silicate iron and hydrophobic-hydrophilic composition of humic substances. CA of wetting was determined in the intact samples and after removal of organic matter (H2O2 treatment), amorphous and crystallized forms of iron. Static contact angles were determined with the sessile drop method using a digital goniometer (Drop Shape Analysis System, DSA100, Krüss GmbH, Hamburg, Germany). The contact angle was calculated by the Young–Laplace method (fitting of Young–Laplace equation to the drop shape). The measurements were repeated 10-15 times for every sample. Oxidation of organic matter (H2O2 treatment) causes an increase in the values of CA of wetting (in chernozem from 9.3 to 28,0-29.5º, in ferrallitic soil from 18.0 − 27.3 to 22.4 − 33.4º). CA remained constant for chernozem and slightly decreased in the case of ferrallitic soil, when the removal of amorphous and crystallized forms of iron was performed on samples pretreated with H2O2. CA increase occurs after successive removal of nonsilicate forms of iron from soil samples of chernozem (9.3 − 17,9 − 29.5º) and ferrallitic soils (27.3 − 30.6 − 33,4 and 18.0 − 29.0 − 29.2 º). Relative hydrophobicity of the soil solid phase surface after treatment by Mehra and Jackson (1957) occurs in parallel to the carbon content reduction. Loss of carbon in the samples after the extraction of iron is related to the solubility of the hydrophilic components of humic substances. These results indicate that the main factor, which determines the wettability of soil solid phase, is the organic substance.

Soil solid phase, contact angle, organic matter, hydrophobic-hydrophilic humic substances, nonsilica

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.2015.3.198-202

10.18393/ejss.2015.3.198-202

Rheological properties of different minerals and clay soils

Dolgor Khaydapova dkhaydapova@yandex.ru

Evgeny Milanovskiy

Evgeny Shein

198 - 202

2014-08-11

2015-02-27

2015-03-02

2015-07-01

Rheological properties of kaolinite, montmorillonite, ferralitic soil of the humid subtropics (Norfolk island, southwest of Oceania), alluvial clay soil of arid subtropics (Konyaprovince, Turkey) and carbonate loess loam of Russian forest-steppe zone were determined. A parallel plate rheometer MCR-302 (Anton Paar, Austria) was used in order to conduct amplitude sweep test. Rheological properties allow to assess quantitatively structural bonds and estimate structural resistance to a mechanical impact. Measurements were carried out on samples previously pounded and capillary humidified during 24 hours. In the amplitude sweep method an analyzed sample was placed between two plates. The upper plate makes oscillating motions with gradually extending amplitude. Software of the device allows to receive several rheological parameters such as elastic modulus (G’, Pa), viscosity modulus (G", Pa), linear viscoelasticity range (G’>>G”), and point of destruction of structure at which the elastic modulus becomes equal to the viscosity modulus (G’=G”- crossover). It was found out that in the elastic behavior at G '>> G " strength of structural links of kaolinite, alluvial clay soil and loess loam constituted one order of 105 Pa. Montmorillonit had a minimum strength - 104 Pa and ferrallitic soil of Norfolk island [has] - a maximum one -106 Pa. At the same time montmorillonite and ferralitic soil were characterized by the greatest plasticity. Destruction of their structure (G '= G") took place only in the cases when strain was reaching 11-12%. Destraction of the kaolinite structure happened at 5% of deformation and of the alluvial clay soil and loess loam - at 4.5%.

Soil mechanics, soil structure, rheology, storage modulus, loss modulus, linear viscoelastic range

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.2015.3.203-210

10.18393/ejss.2015.3.203-210

Temperature and water potential of grey clays in relation to their physical, chemical and microbiological characteristics and phytocoenology within the scope of the Radovesice Dump

Lenka Zoubková lenka.zoubkova@ujep.cz

Iva Roubíková

Jiří Šefl

Ivana Rybářová

Petr Banýr

203 - 210

2014-08-11

2015-02-28

2015-03-03

2015-07-01

Radovesice Dump is a part of brown-coal Most basin, which is situated in the northern part of the Czech Republic. Grey clays are the anthropogenic substrates, which have been used here as a reclamation material in most cases. Water potential of these substrates corresponds to their physical properties, annual precipitation, soil temperature and terrain exposition. All of these characteristics are the limiting factors of soil water, which is available to plants. Area left to spontaneous succession and reclaimed area served as the serviced ones. Water potential was studied in three depths (10, 20 and 30 cm) of soil profile and the evaluated values showed significant difference between individual depths as well as exposition. As far as chemical analyses are concerned, the highest values were recorded in case of reclaimed area, whereas the levels of soil moisture here were medium. On the other hand, area left to spontaneous succession showed the lowest values in this sense, however specific representation of vegetation was much large-scale. As far as microbiological characteristics are concerned, the concentrations of phospholipid fatty acids were relatively low in both cases. To the dominant herb species belonged Calamagrostis epigejos, Urtica dioica,Alopecurus pratensis and Astragalus glycyphyllos. It was found that spontaneous succession was more variable as far as the specific representation of vegetation is concerned, though favourable soil physical and chemical properties were provided by technical reclamation too.

Radovesice Dump, grey clays, soil water potential, soil moisture, soil temperature, phytocoenology

http://ejss.fesss.org/10.18393/ejss.2015.3.211-219

10.18393/ejss.2015.3.211-219

Central Russia agroecosystem monitoring with CO2 fluxes analysis by eddy covariance method

Joulia Meshalkina jlmesh@list.ru

Alexis Yaroslavtsev

Ilya Mazirov

Miljan Samardzic

211 - 219

2014-09-17

1970-01-01

2015-03-03

2015-07-01

The eddy covariance (EC) technique as a powerful statistics-based method of measurement and calculation the vertical turbulent fluxes of greenhouses gases within atmospheric boundary layers provides the continuous, long-term flux information integrated at the ecosystem scale. An attractive way to compare the agricultural practices influences on GHG fluxes is to divide a crop area into subplots managed in different ways. The research has been carried out in the Precision Farming Experimental Field of the Russian Timiryazev State Agricultural University (RTSAU, Moscow) in 2013 under the support of RF Government grant # 11.G34.31.0079, EU grant # 603542 LUС4С (7FP) and RF Ministry of education and science grant # 14-120-14-4266-ScSh. Arable Umbric Albeluvisols have around 1% of SOC, 5.4 pH (KCl) and NPK medium-enhanced contents in sandy loam topsoil. The CO2 flux seasonal monitoring has been done by two eddy covariance stations located at the distance of 108 m. The LI-COR instrumental equipment was the same for the both stations. The stations differ only by current crop version: barley or vetch and oats. At both sites, diurnal patterns of NEE among different months were very similar in shape but varied slightly in amplitude. NEE values were about zero during spring time. CO2 fluxes have been intensified after crop emerging from values of 3 to 7 µmol/s∙m2 for emission, and from 5 to 20 µmol/s∙m2 for sink. Stabilization of the fluxes has come at achieving plants height of 10-12 cm. Average NEE was negative only in June and July. Maximum uptake was observed in June with average values about 8 µmol CO2 m−2 s−1. Although different kind of crops were planted on the fields A and B, GPP dynamics was quite similar for both sites: after reaching the peak values at the mid of June, GPP decreased from 4 to 0.5 g C CO2 m-2 d-1 at the end of July. The difference in crops harvesting time that was equal two weeks did not significantly influence the daily GPP patterns. Cumulative assimilation of CO2 at the end of the growing season was about 150 g C m−2 for both sites. So the difference in NEE was the consequence of essentially higher respiration rates in case of vetch and oats (about 350 g C m−2) comparing to barley (250 g C m−2) that needs additional research. The results have shown high daily and seasonal dynamic of CO2 emission too as a result of different and contrasted conditions: crop type, crop development stage, soil moisture and air temperature. Obtained unique for Russian agriculture data are useful for land-use practices environmental assessment, for soil organic carbon dynamics analysis and agroecological evaluation.

Agroecology, soil functions, greenhouse gases, eddy fluxes, ecological monitoring, agroecosystems