Consideration Of Soil Properties Research Articles

A Review of the Negative Effects of Biochar on Soil in Green Infrastructure with Consideration of Soil Properties

A Review of the Negative Effects of Biochar on Soil in Green Infrastructure with Consideration of Soil Properties

The Development of a Draft Force Prediction Model for Agricultural Tractors Based on the Discrete Element Method in Loam and Clay Loam

In the field of agricultural machinery, various empirical field tests are conducted to measure design loads for the optimal design and implementation of tractors. However, conducting field tests is costly and time-consuming, with many constraints on weather and field soil conditions, and research utilizing simulations has been proposed as an alternative to overcome these shortcomings. The objective of this study is to develop a DEM-based draft force prediction model that reflects differences in soil properties. For this, soil property measurements were conducted in two fields (Field A in Daejeon, Republic of Korea, and Field B in Chuncheon, Republic of Korea). The measured properties were used as parameters for DEM-based particle modeling. For the interparticle contact model, the EEPA contact model was used to reflect the compressibility and stickiness of cohesive soils. To generate an environment similar to real soil, particle mass and surface energy were calibrated based on bulk density and shear torque. The soil property measurements showed that Field B had a higher shear strength and lower cone index and moisture content compared to Field A. The actual measured draft force was 19.47% higher in Field B than in Field A. In this study, this demonstrates the uncertainty in predicting draft force by correlating only one soil property and suggests the need for a comprehensive consideration of soil properties. The simulation results of the tillage operation demonstrated the accuracy of the predicted shedding force compared to the actual field experiment and the existing theoretical calculation method (ASABE D497.4). Compared to the measured draft force in the actual field test, the predictions were 86.75% accurate in Field A and 74.51% accurate in Field B, which is 84% more accurate in Field A and 37.32% more accurate in Field B than the theoretical calculation method. This result shows that load prediction should reflect the soil properties of the working environment, and is expected to be used as an indicator of soil–tool interaction for digital twin modeling processes in the research field of bio-industrial machinery.

Are Soil and Geology Characteristics Considered in Urban Planning? An Empirical Study in Izmir (Türkiye)

It is well acknowledged that sustainable soil management can play a crucial role in reducing the vulnerability of urban areas, but are soil characteristics properly evaluated in the decision-making process concerning urbanization? Within this work, we conducted an analysis of the land-use change trends in the city of Izmir (Turkey). We made an extended and detailed analysis of the urbanization processes between 2012 and 2018 in a geographic information system environment (Esri ArcGIS 10.8.1 and ArcGIS Pro 3.0). Then, we superimposed by spatial overlay different soil characteristics: land capability, hydraulic conductibility, soil groups, and fault lines. We discovered that although there is a joint agreement on soil and its geological importance in reducing urban vulnerabilities to flooding, urban heat islands, agricultural production, or earthquakes, there is scarce knowledge of its characteristics to inform land-use planning. This work sheds some light on how newly developed areas are planned without proper consideration of soil properties, following a fuzzy and irrational logic in their distribution. Results encourage the utilization and inclusion of soil knowledge to support the decision-making process concerning urban transformation to achieve more resilient and less vulnerable urban systems.

Modeling phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated soils through machine learning

As an important subtopic within phytoremediation, hyperaccumulators have garnered significant attention due to their ability of super-enriching heavy metals. Identifying the factors that affecting phytoextraction efficiency has important application value in guiding the efficient remediation of heavy metal contaminated soil. However, it is challenging to identify the critical factors that affect the phytoextraction of heavy metals in soil–hyperaccumulator ecosystems because the current projections on phytoremediation extrapolations are rudimentary at best using simple linear models. Here, machine learning (ML) approaches were used to predict the important factors that affecting phytoextraction efficiency of hyperaccumulators. ML analysis was based on 173 data points with consideration of soil properties, experimental conditions, plant families, low-molecular-weight organic acids from plants, plant genes, and heavy metal properties. Heavy metal properties, especially the metal ion radius, were the most important factors that affect heavy metal accumulation in shoots, and the plant family was the most important factor that affect the bioconcentration factor, metal extraction ratio, and remediation time. Furthermore, the Crassulaceae family had the highest potential as hyperaccumulators for phytoremediation, which was related to the expression of genes encoding heavy metal transporting ATPase (HMA), Metallothioneins (MTL), and natural resistance associated macrophage protein (NRAMP), and also the secretion of malate and threonine. New insights into the effects of plant characteristics, experimental conditions, soil characteristics, and heavy metal properties on phytoextraction efficiency from ML model interpretation could guide the efficient phytoremediation by identifying the best hyperaccumulators and resolving its efficient remediation mechanisms.

Prediction of phthalate acid esters degradation in soil using QSAR model: A combined consideration of soil properties and quantum chemical parameters

Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are predominant hazardous substances and endocrine-disrupting compounds to be controlled in soil. The degradation behaviors of PAEs in soil had been long term concerned. Thus, the degradation rate (K) is important for assessing theexposure risk and is of great significance in evaluating the ecological risk of PAEs in soil environment. But by far, quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) models for PAEs degradation have rarely been considered in soil environment. In this study, quantum chemical parameters were considered along with soil properties as two kinds of descriptors in QSAR model. A total of 32 logk of PAEs were collected from reference and experiment. Degradation kinetics in soils were determined by pseudo-first order kinetic models. The residual concentration of PAEs in Udic ferrosols and Aquic cambisols suggesting a potential expose risks of PAEs to ecosystem in soil. The QSAR model between logk and quantum chemical parameters revealed that EHOMO and qC- are two predominant factors in determining logk value. Furthermore,our study further indicated that soil organic matter (SOM) as new predictor contributes more to predict logk values of PAEs during degradation process than pH. Results from this study make a new contribution for methods to predict the degradation of PAEs in soil environment and highlight the potential to evaluate the environmental risks of degradation of PAEs.

Validating the Use of a Toxicity Database for Prediction of Plant Cover and Biodiversity in Multi-Metal Mining-Impacted Soils.

The validity of soil toxicity databases for predicting ecological impacts in the field is rarely explored. The present study was set up to test whether laboratory toxicity data and the combined concepts of metal availability and mixture toxicity can predict ecological impact in mining-affected soils. Metal and As contamination gradients were sampled approximately 5 different mines in Mexico where plant cover and abundances exhibited clear dose-related responses. Soils were analyzed for total and isotopically exchangeable (labile) concentrations of Ni, Cu, Cd, Pb, and As and for soil properties affecting the availability of these elements. Six different indices of toxic doses were compared to evaluate their accuracy in describing the field response expressed as relative abundance and cover. Each index was based on a different method to calculate the sum of toxic units ( TUs) in soil, with 1 toxic unit equal to the concentration of the element in soil yielding 50% adverse effect on plants with median sensitivity as recorded in a recent database of salt-spiked soils. Toxic concentrations in the mine-impacted soils were dominated by Zn and As. In the field, 50% reduced cover or abundance was found at 10 to 13 TUs if these were based on total soil concentrations and thresholds derived from freshly spiked soils, indicating a largely overestimated toxic effect. If thresholds were corrected for differences in availability among freshly spiked soils and spiked and laboratory-aged soils, the overestimation of field toxicity was 5- to 6-fold, irrespective of the consideration of soil properties. Finally, the TU calculated only with labile metals and As overestimated the field toxicity by factors 1.1 to 1.6 (95% confidence interval 1-7; i.e., rather accurate and indicating some Zn-As antagonism as confirmed in experimental studies). That latter index of dose yielded a bell-shaped response on species richness peaking at approximately 1.6 TU. Overall, the present study shows that the current toxicity databases of metals can predict the impact of metal contamination on plant communities within factor 2, expressing the dose as soil-labile concentrations and using the concentration addition concept in these mixed polluted environments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1826-1838. © 2020 SETAC.

Soil abiotic and biotic properties constrain the establishment of a dominant temperate tree into boreal forests

Abstract Climate warming is expected to cause the poleward and upward elevational expansion of temperate plant species, but non‐climatic factors such as soils could constrain this range expansion. However, the extent to which edaphic constraints on range expansion have an abiotic (e.g. soil chemistry) or biotic (e.g. micro‐organisms) origin remains undetermined. We conducted greenhouse experiments to test if the survival and growth of a major North American temperate tree species, Acer saccharum (sugar maple), is independently or jointly constrained by abiotic and biotic properties of field‐collected soils from within and beyond the species' elevational range. Abiotic factors, particularly low base cation concentrations, were major constraints to seedling establishment in boreal forest soils (beyond the range edge), but insufficient arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inoculum (biotic factor) also strongly reduced seedling performance in these soils. Synthesis. Our results suggest that forecasting future changes in forest composition under climate warming requires consideration of soil properties as well as the mycorrhizal status of tree species.

Comparison of methods for evaluating soil quality of semiarid ecosystem and evaluation of the effects of physico-chemical properties and factor soil erodibility (Northern Plateau, Spain)

The objective of this study was to compare two different methods for the calculation of the soil quality index for agricultural land in the province of Salamanca in the semiarid ecosystem of the Northern Plateau, Spain. The integrated quality index (IQI) and Nemoro quality index (NQI) were applied using the following indicator selection methods: total data set (TDS) and minimum data set (MDS). A total of 16 soil parameters were used for the TDS method. The evaluation of the soil quality index using only the properties of surface soil provides incomplete information because crop productivity is influenced by both the surface and subsoil properties [e.g. lithic contact, petrocalcic horizon, clayey horizon (Bt)]. The quality indexes were calculated using data from 75 soil profiles considering the soil surface properties (between 0 and 25 cm depth) and control section properties (between 0 and 100 cm).The results show that the consideration of soil properties of both the surface and subsurface horizons is very important to establish a good relationship between soil quality, soil functions, and agricultural management.The results based on the IQI index provide a better estimate of the soil quality compared with the NQI index; higher values were obtained with the TSD than with the MSD. However, the results obtained from the IQIMSD method provide an adequate evaluation of the soil quality. This is relevant because the use of a limited number of indicators reduces the analysis cost and increases the sampling density.

Landscape-scale analysis of cropping system effects on soil quality in a context of crop-livestock farming

Crop-livestock systems are complex farming systems in which many agricultural practices are combined. Sustainable management of soils in these farming systems requires comprehensive assessment of soil quality and consideration of soil properties and functions in an integrated way. This study evaluated soil quality in a 12-km² watershed that contains intensive crop-livestock farming systems typical of western France and characterized by high animal density and the co-existence of annual crops (cereals and forages, sometimes in rotation with temporary grasslands) and permanent grasslands. Physical (bulk density, aggregate stability), chemical (pH, copper, organic carbon, nitrogen, available phosphorus, C:N) and biological properties (bacterial and fungal abundance and diversity) of the soil were measured in the upper 15 cm of soil at 164 sampling points. Cropping systems at each point were described in detail from farm surveys, which collected data on crop rotations, manure and crop-residue management, fertilizer application and tillage. The variability in soil properties and the impact of cropping systems were quantified at the watershed scale. The percentage of variance of soil properties explained by the cropping system ranged from 6 to 47%, reaching 47%, 36% and 29% for aggregate stability after a fast wetting test, total nitrogen and organic carbon, respectively. Soil biological properties were explained less, but significantly so, by the cropping system as well. Soil properties were combined into a soil quality index. Among variables, crop rotation influenced soil quality the most, much more than manure application. Permanent grasslands and crop rotations with temporary grasslands had significantly higher soil quality indices than annual crops. This approach requires further development to analyze trade-offs among soil properties in crop-livestock systems.

Experimentally supported consideration of operating point dependent soil properties in coupled dynamics of offshore wind turbines

The consideration of soil properties is necessary to predict the time domain dynamic behavior of offshore wind turbines. Accurate soil-structure interaction models are in essence very expensive in terms of computing time and therefore, not directly applicable to transient calculations of wind energy converters. In this work, the incorporation of dynamic soil properties is addressed. The basic model, previously developed by the authors, is based on a linearized approach using stiffness and mass matrices representing the soil-structure interaction. This approach already leads to significant reductions of the eigenfrequencies compared to clamped boundary conditions which are still commonly used. Here, the basic approach is enhanced by two aspects. Firstly, different numerical soil models, based on nonlinear springs, to calculate the matrices are compared to experimental results for embedded piles at conditions similar to the North Sea. Comparisons of numerically and experimentally determined eigenfrequencies of the piles show that nonlinear spring models are only suitable for dynamic analyses to a limited extent. Secondly, a piecewise defined response surface, which enables a linearization of the nonlinear soil behavior at different approximated operating points, is introduced. This approximation proves to be sufficiently accurate in the current setting. By analyzing two full offshore wind turbine examples in time domain, a monopile substructure and a jacket substructure anchored by piles, further shifts of the eigenfrequencies, being caused by the load-dependent mechanical properties of the soil, are determined by considering the operating point.

Determination of optimal irrigation rates of agricultural crops under consideration of soil properties and climatic conditions

Abstract In conditions of increasing water shortage, further development of irrigated agriculture production is impossible without improving the methods of cultivation of agricultural crops, primarily irrigation technology. In 2015 the experiment have been conducted on the territory of irrigation farming area of village Tamarisi (Marneuli Municipality), according to which comprehensive study of local climatic and soil conditions were conducted. Received data were used for computation crop water requirements for tomato and melon under the different irrigation treatments. Obtained results have shown the possibility of water use efficiency and obtaining sufficiently high yields of crops that participated in the experiment that became possible in a case of usage of drip irrigation technology in combination with plastic mulch.

English

Ninety nine surface soils and the corresponding rice grain samples from Wenling County in 2011 were used for the spatiotemporal variability investigation and evaluation of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations to compare with values found in 2006. All heavy metals pose potential pollution risks in soil, especially Cd and Cu. The trend of increasing Cd contamination in rice was obvious. There were large percentage increases in Cd and Cu concentrations in soil and Cd and Ni in some rice regions. The regions with increased soil Cd concentrations were located in the north of Wenling with presence of intensive private small E-waste recycling companies. Concentrations of Cu in soil increased mainly in the east. Increases in the concentrations of Cd and Ni were observed for rice in the southwest and significantly different. Redundancy analysis (RDA) was used to provide a survey of variations in soil metal concentrations and then interpreted by consideration of soil properties and socio-economical observations. It was concluded that Zn concentration was related to the rapid development of local industry. The socio-environmental factors explained 43.3% of the variations in metal concentrations in soil. This study demonstrates the situation and accumulating trend of heavy metal concentrations in a soil-rice system caused by intensive human activities in Wenling County. © 2016 Friends Science Publishers

Soil and plant response to used potassium silicate drilling fluid application

Use of drilling waste generated from the oil and gas industry for land reclamation has potential to be a practical and economical means to improve soil fertility and to decrease landfills. A four month greenhouse experiment with common barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) on three different textured soils was conducted to determine soil and plant response to incorporated or sprayed potassium silicate drilling fluid (PSDF). Two PSDF types (used once, used twice) were applied at six rates (10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 120m3ha−1) as twelve PSDF amendments plus a control (non PSDF).Effects of PSDF amendment on plant properties were significant, and varied through physiological growth stages. Barley emergence and below ground biomass were greater with used once than used twice PSDF at the same application rate in clay loam soil. Used twice PSDF at highest rates significantly increased barley above ground biomass relative to the control in loam and sand soil. All PSDF treatments significantly increased available potassium relative to the control in all three soils. Soil electrical conductivity and sodium adsorption ratio increased with PSDF addition, but not to levels detrimental to barley. Soil quality rated fair to poor with PSDF amendments in clay loam, and reduced plant performance at the highest rate, suggesting a threshold beyond which conditions are compromised with PSDF utilization. PSDF application method did not significantly affect plant and soil responses. This initial greenhouse research demonstrates that PSDF has potential as a soil amendment for reclamation, with consideration of soil properties and plant species tolerances to determine PSDF types and rates to be used.

Limitations and recommendations for successful DNA extraction from forensic soil samples: a review.

Soil is commonly used in forensic casework to provide discriminatory power to link a suspect to a crime scene. Standard analyses examine the intrinsic properties of soils, including mineralogy, geophysics, texture and colour; however, soils can also support a vast amount of organisms, which can be examined using DNA fingerprinting techniques. Many previous genetic analyses have relied on patterns of fragment length variation produced by amplification of unidentified taxa in the soil extract. In contrast, the development of advanced DNA sequencing technologies now provides the ability to generate a detailed picture of soil microbial communities and the taxa present, allowing for improved discrimination between samples. However, DNA must be efficiently extracted from the complex soil matrix to achieve accurate and reproducible DNA sequencing results, and extraction efficacy is highly dependent on the soil type and method used. As a result, a consideration of soil properties is important when estimating the likelihood of successful DNA extraction. This would include a basic understanding of soil components, their interactions with DNA molecules and the factors that affect such interactions. This review highlights some important considerations required prior to DNA extraction and discusses the use of common chemical reagents in soil DNA extraction protocols to achieve maximum efficacy. Together, the information presented here is designed to facilitate informed decisions about the most appropriate sampling and extraction methodology, relevant both to the soil type and the details of a specific forensic case, to ensure sufficient DNA yield and enable successful analysis.

Agronomic and environmental aspects of phosphate fertilizers varying in source and solubility: an update review

This review discusses and summarizes the latest reports regarding the agronomic utilization and potential environmental effects of different types of phosphate (P) fertilizers that vary in solubility. The agronomic effectiveness of P fertilizer can be influenced by the following factors: (1) water and citrate solubility; (2) chemical composition of solid water-soluble P (WSP) fertilizers; (3) fluid and solid forms of WSP fertilizers; and (4) chemical reactions of P fertilizers in soils. Non-conventional P fertilizers are compared with WSP fertilizers in terms of P use efficiency in crop production. Non-conventional P fertilizers include directly applied phosphate rock (PR), partially acidulated PR (PAPR), and compacted mixtures of PR and WSP. The potential impacts of the use of P fertilizers from both conventional (fully acidulated) and non-conventional sources are discussed in terms of (1) contamination of soils and plants with toxic heavy metals, such as cadmium (Cd), and (2) the contribution of P runoff to eutrophication. Best practices of integrated nutrient management should be implemented when applying P fertilizers to different cropping systems. The ideal management system will use appropriate sources, application rates, timing, and placement in consideration of soil properties. The goal of P fertilizer use should be to optimize crop production without causing environmental problems.

Avoidance test with Enchytraeus albidus (Enchytraeidae): Effects of different exposure time and soil properties

Enchytraeids are ecologically relevant soil species and are commonly used in standardized toxicity tests. Their rapid reaction to a chemical exposure can be used as a toxicological measurement endpoint that assesses the avoidance behavior. The objectives of this investigation were to determine the effects of soil properties on the avoidance behavior of Enchytraeus albidus and to optimize the duration of avoidance test. The avoidance tests included (1) exposures in OECD artificial soil with standard or modified properties (pH, clay or peat content), and (2) exposures to copper chloride, cadmium chloride, and to the organic pesticides dimethoate and phenmedipham for different time periods. Results showed that alteration of OECD soil constituents significantly affected the avoidance behavior of enchytraeids, and that the 48-h exposure was the optimal duration of the test. Consideration of soil properties is important for selecting appropriate experimental design and interpreting the results of the enchytraeid avoidance test.

Consideration of soil properties in assessment of human health risk from exposure to arsenic‐enriched soils

Encroachment of residential development on agricultural lands in the United States where arsenical pesticides were extensively used prior to the 1990s has increased the potential for human exposure to arsenic (As), a group A carcinogen. Soil ingestion by children is a critical issue in assessing health risks from exposure to As-enriched soils. In the absence of a universal "soil model" on As bioavailability, many baseline risk assessment studies use the assumption that all (100%) As present in soil is bioavailable. However, As exists in many geochemical forms as dictated by soil chemical properties. Because As bioavailability is a function of soil speciation, using total soil arsenic values potentially overestimates human health risk, thereby increasing site cleanup expenses. A laboratory incubation study was conducted to estimate in vitro As bioavailability as a function of soil properties in four chemically variant soil types contaminated with sodium arsenite pesticide. Results demonstrate that As speciation in certain soils translates to significant lowering of As bioavailability and hence potential cancer risk.

Simulating trends of soil organic carbon in seven long-term experiments using the SOMM model of the humus types

Using the SOMM model of the humus types (Mor, Moder, Mull), simulations of SOM dynamics at seven long-term experiments were attempted as a part of a model evaluation exercise. The model comprises three compartments (undecomposed litter, partially humified litter, humus of mineral topsoil) and considers six processes of mineralization and humification as influenced by litter nitrogen and ash contents, soil C N ratio, temperature and moisture. Results of simulations performed without any site-specific calibration mostly underestimate soil organic matter (SOM). Despite this lack of precision, general trends in SOM over time were often captured. Success of simulation was limited by difficulties in obtaining direct information about soil moisture regime, litter quantity and litter quality (nitrogen and ash content). Inadequacies in the model, such as no consideration of soil properties, may also account for some of the errors. Despite the limited success of the evaluation, it is encouraging that the model conceived for forested ecosystems, with additional development, may be applicable to non-forested systems. The exercise underlines the necessity of constant direct contact between modeller and data holder for a success of an evaluation.

Relation of solute and sorbed boron to the boron hazard in irrigation water

The current criteria for evaluating the boron (B) hazard of irrigation water for specified crops are based on the concentration of B in the irrigation water without consideration of soil properties or the leaching fraction. Experiments were conducted to determine the influence of B sorption capacity on plant uptake of B at rates of 0.1, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 ppm B in the irrigation water with a leaching fraction of 0.5. A relatively B sensitive crop, oats (Avena sativa), was grown on four arid-region soils of varying B sorption capacities. The results show that B in solution rather than sorbed B influenced B toxicity.