Abstract
A voltammetric method was used to estimate the complexing capacity of water extracts from both desert soils sampled at the root zone of creosote and salt cedar plants, and in soils from interspace or background regions where no vegetative influence was apparent. The copper complexing capacity of water extracts of these desert soils was influenced by contact time and pH. In soils from the root zones of creosote and salt cedar plant, copper complexation capacities at pH 8 were from 5 µM to 60 µM after five min contact periods, while 18 h contact periods yielded copper complexation capacities of 40 µM–80 µM. Soils with no vegetative influence had copper complexing capacities of less the 2 µM. The copper complexing capacities of these soils are well correlated with the concentration of organic carbon in the water extract (r2 = 0.86). The abundance of soluble organic matter in the root zone of desert shrubs has the potential to control the solution speciation of Cu2+. The formation of soluble complexes should also have an important influence on the plant uptake and transport of copper, as well as other heavy metals in the root zones of desert shrubs and beyond.
Highlights
Considerable spatial heterogeneity in soil properties is apparent in many desert soils due to the accumulation of nutrients and organic matter in the surface soil under shrubs such as Larrea tridentate, Ambrosia dumosa (White bursage), and Lycium pallidum
The results indicate that the water extract from the creosote root as well, and could correspond to the increasing favorable ionization of carboxylic acid and phenolic zone soil sample has significant complexing capacity (~10 μM), which is absent from the other functional groups that are responsible for binding copper
The results indicate that the water extract from the creosote root zone soil sample has significant complexing capacity (~10 μM), which is absent from the other samples recovered from
Summary
Considerable spatial heterogeneity in soil properties is apparent in many desert soils due to the accumulation of nutrients and organic matter in the surface soil under shrubs such as Larrea tridentate (creosote bush), Ambrosia dumosa (White bursage), and Lycium pallidum (pale desert-thorn). These structures are often referred to as fertile islands that tend to promote plant growth and retain water [1]. These fertile islands are common throughout southern Nevada and southern California. Salt cedar plants have been reported to significantly alter soil properties forming islands of higher organic matter content, higher nutrient availability, and increased electrical conductivity [3,4]
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