Soil Buffering Research Articles

Soil health assessment of dressing and smelting slag field based on heavy metal pollution-buffer-fertility three aspects

The soil health of heavy metals in dressing and smelting slag field varies soil physicochemical properties. This study proposed a new soil health index based on heavy metal pollution-buffer-fertility for dressing and smelting slag field. Consequently, spatial distribution of soil physicochemical properties and heavy metals were varied, and correlated to each other. Soil buffer function and fertility played a much more important role in soil health in the dressing and smelting slag field located in Gejiu city, which can result in that soil health indexes were higher than those in Huili county, although the soil heavy metal pollution in the former was severer than that in the latter. Maximum values of soil health indexes for dressing and smelting slag field in Gejiu city were 3.84, 0.61, and 1.75 corresponding to additive, multiplicative, and maximum value composite methods, which were higher than those in Huili county with 2.25, 0.61, and 0.17. The former's high value is concentrated in southeastern regions and low value in some western areas, the latter's high value occurred in southeastern districts and low value in northwestern places. So this study unveils a novel perspective on the soil health consequences associated with soil heavy metal pollution-buffer-fertility three aspects.

Soil organic matter interactions along the elevation gradient of the James Ross Island (Antarctica)

Abstract. Around half of the Earth's soil organic carbon (SOC) is presently stored in the Northern Hemisphere permafrost region. In polar permafrost regions, low temperatures particularly inhibit both the production and biodegradation of organic matter. Under such conditions, abiotic factors such as mesoclimate, pedogenic substrate or altitude are thought to be more important for soil development than biological factors. In Antarctica, biological factors are generally underestimated in soil development due to the rare occurrence of higher plants and the short time since deglaciation. In this study, we aim to assess the relationship between SOC and other soil properties related to the pedogenic factors or properties. Nine plots were investigated along the altitudinal gradient from 10 to 320 m in the deglaciated area of James Ross Island (Ulu Peninsula) using a parallel tea-bag decomposition experiment. SOC contents showed a positive correlation with the content of easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein (EE-GRSP; Spearman r=0.733, P=0.031) and the soil buffering capacity (expressed as ΔpH; Spearman r=0.817, P=0.011). The soil-available P was negatively correlated with altitude (Spearman r=-0.711, P=0.032), and the exchangeable Mg was negatively correlated with the rock fragment content (Spearman r=-0.683, P=0.050). No correlation was found between the available mineral nutrients (P, K, Ca and Mg) and SOC or GRSP. This may be a consequence of the inhibition of biologically mediated nutrient cycling in the soil. Therefore, the main factor influencing nutrient availability in these soils does not seem to the biotic environment; rather, the main impact appears to stem from the abiotic environment influencing the mesoclimate (altitude) or the level of weathering (rock content). Incubation in tea bags for 45 d resulted in the consumption and translocation of more labile polyphenolic and water-extractable organic matter, along with changes in the C content (increase of up to +0.53 % or decrease of up to −1.31 % C) and a decrease in the C:N ratio (from 12.5 to 7.1–10.2), probably due to microbial respiration and an increase in the abundance of nitrogen-binding microorganisms. Our findings suggest that one of the main variables influencing the SOC/GRSP content is not the altitude or coarse-fraction content (for which a correlation with SOC/GRSP was not found); rather, we suspect effects from other factors that are difficult to quantify, such as the availability of liquid water.

Does afforestation increase soil water buffering? A demonstrator study on soil moisture variability in the Alpine Geroldsbach catchment, Austria

Does afforestation increase soil water buffering? A demonstrator study on soil moisture variability in the Alpine Geroldsbach catchment, Austria

Exploring the spatial relationship between soil quality index and soil ecosystem services driven by social-ecological factors: A peri-urban case study in central China

Exploring the spatial relationship between soil quality index and soil ecosystem services driven by social-ecological factors: A peri-urban case study in central China

Consistency of landscape compositional effects on microclimate, arthropods and plant performance across different years and regions

ContextReinforcement of agrobiodiversity in peri-urban areas requires a landscape lens. Relationships between land use composition and indicators of ecosystem services can depend on weather conditions and differ between regions.ObjectivesIn this study we present new empirical data on relationships between landscape composition and indicators of regulating and provisioning agroecosystem services. Furthermore, we check if these data are consistent between two different ecoregions and different years.MethodsWe apply an innovative methodology in a research landscape in the province of Antwerp (Flanders, Belgium) in 2021 with 1 m²-garden as phytometers along a landscape compositional gradient. Landscape composition at different scales is used as explanatory variable for microclimate variation, arthropod activity, leaf herbivory and crop yield in the 1 m²-gardens. Results are compared to an identical experiment in another ecoregion in East Flanders in 2018, 2019.ResultsWe found that the proportion of built-up areas is negatively related to local agroecosystem functioning. High-value herbaceous vegetation (e.g. extensive grasslands) promotes the activity of predators and high green vegetation buffers soil moisture and temperature variation, during dry and warm periods. Comparison between cases indicates that there is more consistency in the response of predatory invertebrates to the landscape composition than in the response of pollinators. The buffering effect of high green vegetation in the landscape increases when temperature and drought extremes occur.ConclusionsThe extent of high green vegetation can be enhanced at landscape level to maximise their ability to buffer extreme weather conditions. In peri-urban areas we should avoid further urban sprawl into the rural matrix and promote high-value herbaceous vegetation.

Long-term effects of conventional cultivation on soil cation exchange capacity and base saturation in an arid desert region

Land reclamation and subsequent management affect soil condition, which is critical for sustainable agricultural production. Soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) and base saturation (BS%) play an important role in the assessment of soil fertility and buffering capacity. However, the variation of these indicators in the evolution of oasis farmland in arid desert areas remains unclear. Therefore, this study was carried out aiming to evaluate the effect of desert reclamation and following long-term conventional cultivation on the CEC and BS%. For the study, we investigated the CEC and exchangeable bases (ExBas) content in oasis farmlands along a chronosequence (0-100years) of cultivation in arid region and identified the key factors affecting CEC and BS%. The results showed that soil CEC and ExBas significantly increased after desert reclamation, whereas the BS% dramatically decreased. However, all these changes were alleviated with the conventional cultivation age. Regression analysis showed that soil CEC, ExBas, and BS% all exponentially changed with cultivation years. Based on our findings, CEC and ExBas were closely related to soil particle size composition, total nitrogen (TN), soil organic matter (SOM) and soil water content (SWC). The multiple stepwise regression further indicated that the changes in CEC and ExBas after reclamation mainly depended on the silt content, SWC, SOM, and TN. Our findings highlight that although desert reclamation increases soil CEC and ExBas in arid area, this effect tends to disappear after about 100years of conventional cultivation, and meanwhile, the decline in BS% due to increased acids should also be noted.

Environmental monitoring of the agrosphere: theory, methodology, practice

The article deals with the theory, methodology and practice of conducting comprehensive ecological monitoring of the agrosphere of Ukraine, which is caused by ecologically unreasonable land use, insufficient technical and technological support, implementation of ineffective investment and innovative economic and technological solutions, and violation of balance of agrolandscapes due to their significant plowing, soil compaction, deterioration of the ratio of arable land to ecological stabilization lands and natural and nature reserve fund, ineffective implementation of ecological and emerald networks, destruction of soil cover (reduction of soil cover (reduction of soil buffering), and a decrease in the level of agrobiodiversity, an increase in the area of degraded land. A sciencebased methodology is proposed for improving environmental monitoring of the Ukrainian agrosphere for different types of agrolandscapes, their optimization, efficient use and conservation of biodiversity. The stages and specifics of conducting comprehensive environmental monitoring of the agrosphere are presented for different types of agrolandscapes, their functional and structural elements, the main directions and practical approaches are proposed. The necessity of conducting the proposed integrated system of environmental monitoring of the agrosphere for different types of agrolandscapes in the territory of the state and the creation of regional information and advisory centers on agro-environmental issues are proved. For the effective implementation of comprehensive environmental monitoring of Ukrainian agro-sphere for different types of agro-landscapes, it is recommended to create a bank of reference soils (for the purpose of comparative analysis). It is proposed to create appropriate environmental information databases for advisory and implementation centers on agro-environmental issues, which will make it possible to effectively implement programs for sustainable development of the agricultural sector of Ukraine.

Disentangling soil-based ecosystem services synergies, trade-offs, multifunctionality, and bundles: A case study at regional scale (NE Italy) to support environmental planning

Disentangling soil-based ecosystem services synergies, trade-offs, multifunctionality, and bundles: A case study at regional scale (NE Italy) to support environmental planning

Effect of Soil Buffer Capacity on the Transformation of Lead and Cadmium Compounds

Effect of Soil Buffer Capacity on the Transformation of Lead and Cadmium Compounds

Soil Acidification Can Be Improved under Different Long-Term Fertilization Regimes in a Sweetpotato-Wheat Rotation System.

Soil acidification is a significant form of agricultural soil degradation, which is accelerated by irrational fertilizer application. Sweetpotato and wheat rotation has emerged as an important rotation system and an effective strategy to optimize nutrient cycling and enhance soil fertility in hilly areas, which is also a good option to improve soil acidification and raise soil quality. Studying the effects of different fertilization regimes on soil acidification provides crucial data for managing it effectively. An eight-year field experiment explored seven fertilizer treatments: without fertilization (CK), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilization (PK), nitrogen (N) and K fertilization (NK), NP fertilization (NP), NP with K chloride fertilization (NPK1), NP with K sulfate fertilization (NPK2), and NPK combined with organic fertilization (NPKM). This study focused on the soil acidity, buffering capacity, and related indicators. After eight years of continuous fertilization in the sweetpotato-wheat rotation, all the treatments accelerated the soil acidification. Notably, N fertilization reduced the soil pH by 1.30-1.84, whereas N-deficient soil showed minimal change. Organic fertilizer addition resulted in the slowest pH reduction among the N treatments. Both N-deficient (PK) and organic fertilizer addition (NPKM) significantly increased the soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) by 8.83% and 6.55%, respectively, compared to CK. Similar trends were observed for the soil-buffering capacity (pHBC). NPK2 increased the soil K+ content more effectively than NPK1. NPKM reduced the sodium and magnesium content compared to CK, with the highest magnesium content among the treatments at 1.60 cmol·kg-1. Regression tree analysis identified the N input and soil magnesium and calcium content as the primary factors influencing the pHBC changes. Structural equation modeling showed that the soil pH is mainly influenced by the soil ammonium N content and pHBC, with coefficients of -0.28 and 0.29, respectively. Changes in the soil pH in the sweetpotato-wheat rotation were primarily associated with the pHBC and N input, where the CEC content emerged as the main factor, modulated by magnesium and calcium. Long-term organic fertilization enhances the soil pHBC and CEC, slowing the magnesium reduction and mitigating soil acidification in agricultural settings.

Overestimating the involvement of nitric acid derived from nitrification in carbonate dissolution under a calcareous soil system

Overestimating the involvement of nitric acid derived from nitrification in carbonate dissolution under a calcareous soil system

Theoretical research of impact vibration of multi-section serial pipeline inspection gauge in large drop pipeline

Theoretical research of impact vibration of multi-section serial pipeline inspection gauge in large drop pipeline

Response of weathering carbon sink effect to anthropogenic sulfuric acid in different lithological catchments: A case study from Southwest China

Response of weathering carbon sink effect to anthropogenic sulfuric acid in different lithological catchments: A case study from Southwest China

Manganese and phosphorus maize shoot concentrations are differently affected by nitrification inhibitor‐driven rhizosphere acidification

AbstractHigh soil pH can lead to Mn2+ and P deficiency and yield losses. In addition, it is unclear which process, nitrification‐induced acidification of bulk soil or nitrification inhibitor‐driven rhizosphere acidification, is more effective in increasing Mn2+ availability and shoot concentration. Thus, this topic was investigated in this study. Moreover, we also evaluated if applying NIs can avoid P deficiency in soil with high pH and high buffering capacity. Two greenhouse experiments were carried out to investigate the impact of applying 3,4‐Dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) in sandy soil subjected to the application of different lime rates, simulating several soil pH and buffering capacity conditions. The utilized lime rates were 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 g CaCO3 kg−1. The measured variables were bulk and rhizosphere soil pH, Mn2+ and P availability, maize biomass production, as well as Mn and P shoot concentrations. DMPP significantly reduced shoot biomass by 10% in unlimed soil; however, it promoted the overall shoot biomass by 30% in limed soil in both experiments. In addition, DMPP decreased the overall Mn shoot concentration by 24 and 21% in experiments I and II, respectively. In contrast, DMPP increased the overall P shoot concentration due to rhizosphere acidification by 24 and 17% in experiments I and II, respectively. The DMPP application did not avoid P deficiency under the highest lime rate (4 g CaCO3 kg−1) despite alleviating it. In conclusion, the application of NIs is not beneficial for increasing Mn2+ shoot concentration and, when performed to increase P availability in high pH soils, should consider the likelihood of causing Mn deficiency.

Exploring viral particle, soil, and extraction buffer physicochemical characteristics and their impacts on extractable viral communities

Exploring viral particle, soil, and extraction buffer physicochemical characteristics and their impacts on extractable viral communities

Isolation and Potential Testing of Cellulolytic Fungi from Tea Processing Waste

Tea as one of the long-established agricultural commodities in Indonesia, generates significant amounts of solid waste throughout the year. Tea waste, which has a low C/N ratio, can be used as compost to replace inorganic fertilizers, because it contains high nitrogen. The high carbon content can also be utilized as a soil ameliorant that acts as a soil buffer, because it has a high water absorption capacity. This research was conducted at the Soil Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatra Utara. Cellulolytic microorganisms from tea factory waste were isolated using Carboxyl Methyl Cellulase (CMC) media, and superior fungal isolates were tested for their potential to degrade organic materials in raw tea factory waste. The results of the study revealed the presence of 5 fungal isolates, with isolate J3 showing potential in decomposing organic materials, resulting in a C/N ratio of 12.62, followed by a pH of 6.96. Fungal with the best potential test results can be used as decomposers in organic matter that is high in cellulose content which is difficult to decompose.

Soil buffering capacity enhances maize yield resilience amidst climate perturbations

Soil buffering capacity enhances maize yield resilience amidst climate perturbations

Major drivers of soil acidification over 30 years differ in paddy and upland soils in China

Elevated nitrogen (N) fertilization has largely increased crop production in China, but also increased acidification risks, thereby threatening crop yields. However, natural soil acidification due to bicarbonate (HCO3) leaching and base cation (BC) removal by crop harvest also affect soil acidity whereas the input of HCO3 and BC via fertilizers and manure counteract soil acidification. Insights in rates and drivers of soil acidification in different land use types is too limited to support crop- and site-specific mitigation strategies. In this study, we assessed the historical changes in cropland acidification rates and their drivers for the period 1985-2019 at 151 sites in a typical Chinese county with the combined nutrient and soil acidification model VSD+. VSD+ could well reproduce long-term changes in pH and in the BC concentrations of calcium, magnesium and potassium between 1985 and 2019 in non-calcareous soils. In paddy soils, the acidity production rate decreased from 1985 onwards, mainly driven by a pH-induced reduction in HCO3 leaching and N transformations. In upland soils, however, acidity production was mainly driven by N transformations and hardly changed over time. Crop BC removal by harvesting played a minor role in both paddy and upland soils, but its relative importance increased in paddy soils. The acidity input was partly neutralized by HCO3 input from fertilizers and manure, which decreased over time due to a change from ammonia bicarbonate to urea. Soil buffering by both BC and aluminium release decreased in paddy soils due to a reduction in net acidity production, while it stayed relatively constant in upland soils. We conclude that acidification management in paddy soils requires a focus on avoiding high HCO3 leaching whereas the management in upland soils should focus on balancing N with recycling organic manure and crop residues.

Degradation of Polylactic Acid/Polypropylene Carbonate Films in Soil and Phosphate Buffer and Their Potential Usefulness in Agriculture and Agrochemistry.

Blends of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) are currently in the phase of intensive study due to their promising properties and environmentally friendly features. Intensive study and further commercialization of PPC-based polymers or their blends, as usual, will soon face the problem of their waste occurring in the environment, including soil. For this reason, it is worth comprehensively studying the degradation rate of these polymers over a long period of time in soil and, for comparison, in phosphate buffer to understand the difference in this process and evaluate the potential application of such materials toward agrochemical and agricultural purposes. The degradation rate of the samples was generally accompanied by weight loss and a decrease in molecular weight, which was facilitated by the presence of PPC. The incubation of the samples in the aqueous media yielded greater surface erosions compared to the degradation in soil, which was attributed to the leaching of the low molecular degradation species out of the foils. The phytotoxicity study confirmed the no toxic impact of the PPC on tested plants, indicating it as a "green" material, which is crucial information for further, more comprehensive study of this polymer toward any type of sustainable application.

DETERMINATION OF THE COMPRESSION MODULUS WITH A DYNAMIC CIRCULAR PLATE

<p><span class="fontstyle0">Geotechnical soil tests in order to achieve the best possible performance of new buildings or rehabilitation of existing buildings occupy one of the leading places in construction. Due to the lack of investigative work, a large number of buildings are exposed to danger. In order not to have bad effects on buildings in the future, it is necessary to minimize ground subsidence. Testing of the compressibility modulus / determination of the compressibility modulus is performed during the construction of roads, railways, buildings, parking lots and embankments, on the foundation soil, replacement layers, bedding and embankment layers and buffer. The purpose of the test is to ensure that, due to insufficiently compacted layers during installation, they do not settle after some time, as well as cracking of the floor in the building, deterioration of part of the building, deterioration of the pavement structure of roads and parking lots (potholes), etc. A circular plate is the name for an instrument used to test the compressibility module of a building's foundation. A dynamic test with a falling weight plate enables simpler and faster testing and immediate results.</span></p>