Removal Of Humus Research Articles

HUMU CONTENT IN THE SOILS OF THE LOW ZONE OF THE TRANSCARPATHIAN REGION

On the basis of research carried out in the XI round of ecological and agrochemical certification, the humus condition of the soils of the lowland zone of the Zakarpattia region is shown.Qualitative and quantitative changes in soil properties and the content of humus and nutrients in it are influenced by long-term and systematic soil cultivation, application of mineral fertilizers, chemical land reclamation, as well as the introduction of crop rotation. In recent years, almost a third of the "golden" reserves of humus have been lost from the bank of national soil fertility in Ukraine. Every five years, the soils of Ukraine lose 0.04% - 0.05% of humus, that is, 300 - 350 kg disappear in one year [1]. The main accumulator of soil energy, the regulator of the water-absorbing capacity of the soil, its biological activity is the organic substance - humus. Therefore, the content, reserves and qualitative condition of humus are among the important indicators, the level of which depends on almost all the agronomically valuable properties of the soil. The growth of humus content is a long-term process, and its decrease is extremely fast. The problem of humus is extremely important for the soils of Transcarpathia, as a large amount of precipitation (more than 700 mm per year) contributes to its leaching. In addition, meager rates of organic fertilizers, due to the decrease in livestock, do not compensate for the removal of humus from the soil. Key words: soils, humus, biologization, agrochemical certification, lowland zone

Particle emissions from submerged combustion evaporation of membrane-concentrated leachate

The submerged combustion evaporation process, which is extensively utilized in the treatment of high salinity wastewater, inevitably confronts the challenge of particle emissions. These emissions significantly impact the local environment and pose substantial health risks to on-site workers. Currently, the understanding of particle emissions' characteristics and their critical conditions during direct-contact heat and mass transfer processes is limited, which hampers the development of effective strategies for particle control. Here, particles emitted from three evaporation projects with different membrane-concentrated leachate sources were first characterized. Most of the particles were ultrafine particles (≤100 nm) in the range of 6–500 nm, most of which were in the range of 30 nm and constituted 75.37%–89.98% of the total mass. The particles were mainly composed of inorganic ions (80.86%–86.88%), humus (1.95%–3.66%) and insoluble carbon (2.57%–4.26%). The particle concentrations range from 1.64 to 218.35 mg/m3, depending on factors such as bubble temperature, evaporation capacity, and leachate composition within evaporators. A model assessing particle release capacities showed an increase with rising bubble temperature and humus concentration. A critical bubble temperature of 1390 K was identified for significant particle release, highlighting the need to keep the bubble temperature below this level to manage heat-induced particle release within 2 mg/m3. Additionally, the high humus migration capacity to particles underscores the need to prioritize humus removal before evaporation in particle control strategies. The application of these strategies can significantly decrease particle emissions, fostering cleaner production during submerged combustion evaporation and other direct-contact heat and mass transfer processes.

Динамика гумуса и инвертазной активности в черноземе обыкновенном карбонатном при фолиарной обработке озимой пшеницы гуминовыми препаратами

The article presents the results of an experiment established at the FGBNU FRANZ field station in 2020-2022 to study the effect of single and double treatments of winter wheat crops with humic preparations BIO-Don and ECOSS. The preparations were used as part of tank mixtures with pesticides during the tillering and heading phases of wheat. In the experiment, the arable layer of ordinary chernozem was studied, samples were taken after the resumption of spring vegetation, after each treatment with humic preparations and after harvesting. Soil samples were selected and studied, among other things, for humus content and invertase activity, analytical data are presented after statistical processing in dynamics. According to the research results, a strong dependence of the enzyme activity on weather conditions was revealed. The dynamics of humus has a clearly pronounced seasonal character, its decrease is noted throughout the entire period of 2020-2021, by the end of the growing season, the amount of humus returns to its previous level. At the same time, the activity of invertase increases as the humus decreases. Dry season 2021-2022 in the variants with the use of the BIO-Don preparation, the removal of humus is less pronounced, but a decrease in invertase activity is observed before harvesting, after which the enzymatic activity returns to its previous level. Keywords: HUMIC PREPARATION, BIO-DON, ECOSS, FOLIAR TREATMENT, HUMUS, INVERTASE, ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY

Impact of powdered and liquid laundry detergent greywater on soil degradation

Pressure on freshwater resources has resulted in greater greywater reuse for irrigation. Laundry greywater is one of the largest yet potentially soil damaging streams of domestic greywater. There is limited research on the susceptibility of soils with various properties to degradation by laundry greywater. Thus the aim of this laboratory study was to investigate the effect of typical liquid and powdered laundry detergent greywater application on humus removal and hydraulic conductivity on a range of urban soils from the Cape Town region, South Africa. Powdered detergent (PD) greywater was significantly more detrimental in terms of soil humus removal and decreasing hydraulic conductivity compared to the liquid detergent (LD) greywater attributed to its alkaline pH (pH 9.95) and 30-fold higher Na content. Sandy soils were the most susceptible to humus losses due to PD greywater application (7.5% soil C lost) while Fe oxide-rich chromic soils were the least (1.5% soil C lost). Granite-derived, kaolinitic soils were most susceptible to reduction in hydraulic conductivity (81% reduction) due to PD greywater application, while Fe-rich chromic soils were the least (47% reduction). PD greywater should not be used for irrigating soils due to its aggressive soil degrading qualities while LD greywater should be used cautiously.

Microwave-enhanced iron–carbon-activated hydrogen peroxide process for the advanced treatment of semi-aerobic aged refuse biofilter effluent

The microwave-enhanced iron–carbon-activated hydrogen peroxide process is efficient for organics and humus removal in the treatment of biologically treated landfill leachate.

Effect of site preparation under shelterwood on Norway spruce seedlings

ABSTRACT The effect of site preparation (mixed mounding and removal of the humus layer) under a shelterwood of mixed boreal forest along a forest interior-edge gradient on Norway spruce (Picea abies) seedlings was studied two years after planting. Mounds had a positive effect on root development, ectomycorrhiza formation and the absorption of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in the seedlings, and augmented their survival, growth and biomass. Humus removal had an adverse effect on the root biomass and ectomycorrhiza formation. A decreased soil fertility after the removal of humus led to a low N and P content in the seedlings. Two years after planting, humus removal had not affected the growth of the seedlings, but reduced their biomass. The influence of the forest edge, compared to the interior plot, was mostly associated with a decrease in the stand density, reduced amount of litter and increased light availability for the seedlings.

Humus removal efficiency from river water by a variety of methods and phycical-chemical properties of isolated humus

The efficiency of hwnic substances isolation, from river water was assessed utilizing a variety of techniques. Selected physical and chemical characteristics of isolates were analysed, in order to compare properties of the isolated material. It was found that the recovery of dissolved hwnus depends on a method employed for isolation. Thus it was equal to 70 % (extraction), 87 % (reverse osmosis), 33 % ( coprccipitation), 76 % (anion exchange), and ranged from 40 % to 87 % for a variety of solid sorbents. The efficiency of sorption/desertion on solid sorbents, measured as recovery of coloured substances (%), was equal to: activated carbon (100/40), weak anion exchanger DEAE (Cr) (95/95), styrene-divinylbenzene Amberlite XAD-2 (96/87), poliacrylamideAmberlite XAD-8 (98/87)

Honfoglalás kori sír Tiszapüspöki határában

A female burial of the Conquest period came to light on the outskirts of Tiszapüspöki, a settlement lying north of Szolnok, during the salvage excavations preceding the construction of the M4 Motorway. The west to east oriented burial was disturbed by a ditch and during the mechanical humus removal. Lying beside the skeletal remains were a pair of tinned bronze braid ornaments, a bracelet of sheet bronze, beads, the fragment of an iron awl and a bone bead. The burial and its finds can be dated to the 10th century.

INFLUENCE OF FERTILIZERS AND BIOLOGICAL PREPARATION BIOGRAN ON THE VERTICAL MIGRATION OF BIOGENIC ELEMENTS’ COMPOUNDS IN POTATO PLANTS

The paper presents the results of lysimetric experiments on potatoes grown on sod-podzolic soils. The positive influence of the microbial preparation Biogran on the restriction of biogenic elements and water-soluble humus removal through the soil profile was observed. The effect of preparation is primarily explained due to the increase of the nutrients removal with the yield.

Effect of Heat Treatment on Sorption of Polar and Nonpolar Compounds to Montmorillonites and Soils

Batch sorption isotherms of 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene, 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, and tetracycline to organic-free montmorillonites and soils receiving heat treatment (375°C for 24 h) were compared with those to unheated sorbents. Sorption of the nonpolar 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene to soil was lowered after the removal of humus by heating, consistent with the mechanism of hydrophobic partition into organic matter. For 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene, the enhanced sorption to heated soils was attributed to specific interactions with exchangeable cations facilitated by heating-induced irreversible partial dehydration of the clay interlayer. For tetracycline, an additional mechanism for sorption enhancement could be due to increased exposure of strong complexation sites on clay minerals after removal of the humic coating. These hypotheses were supported by the sorption data to heated and unheated Na-, K-, and Cs-saturated montmorillonites. The combustion method is commonly adopted to measure the content of black carbon in soils and sediments. However, findings from the present study indicate that combustion may greatly modify the structural properties of clay minerals, leading to misinterpreted sorption contributions of different soil components to sorption of polar or ionic compounds.

Responses of fungal and plant communities to partial humus removal in mid-boreal N-enriched forests

Partial removal of the forest humus layer was performed in nitrogen-enriched urban Scots pine forest stands in the northern Finland in order to improve soil conditions for ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi, important symbionts of trees. Aboveground part of understory vegetation and the uppermost half of the humus layer were removed (REMOVAL treatment) from sample plots in six urban and eight rural reference forest sites at the beginning of the 2001 growing season. During the seasons 2001–2005, we inventoried sporocarp production of ECM and saprophytic fungi, and in 2003 the recovery of understory vegetation. The REMOVAL treatment resulted in a higher number of fruiting ECM species and sporocarps than controls at the rural, but not at urban sites. The sporocarp number of saprophytic fungi declined in the REMOVAL subplots at the urban sites. The recovery of bryophytes and lichens in the REMOVAL treatment was slow at both the urban and rural sites, whereas Vaccinium dwarf shrub cover, and herb and grass cover returned rapidly at the urban sites. We conclude that the partial vegetation and humus layer removal as a tool to promote the reproduction of ECM fungal species is limited in the boreal urban forests.

Effect of stand density and humus removal on regeneration of Pinus densiflora seedlings in a mixed conifer and broad-leaved forest

We studied the impact of stand density and forest floor humus removal on regeneration of Pinus densiflora in a mixed conifer and broad-leaved forest on the Daimonji-Yama Mountain, Kyoto, Japan. Three levels of stand density were set, i.e., a clear-cut site, a heavily thinned site and a lightly thinned site. In each density treatment, comparisons were carried out between humus removal (A0-free) and humus intact (A0-intact) subplots. We counted the emergence of sown pine seeds and measured survival and growth of pine seedlings over the next four years. In addition, light conditions and the recovery of understory were monitored. Results show that thinning intensity and humus removal promoted the establishment and growth of seedlings. One exception, however, was that seedling growth was minimal in the heavily thinned A0-intact subplots. This was due to a strong response of understory vegetation growth on the treatment combination, which hindered the pine seedling growth. Furthermore, we found that the canopy openness measured at 1.3-m height remained at least 35% for the heavily thinned site in 2008. The results suggest that the removal of the A0 layer after heavy thinning is the most effective and labor-saving operation for P. densiflora regeneration.

Urban forest regeneration: Responses of Scots pine seedlings to partial humus removal in mid-boreal N-enriched forests

Nitrogen (N) deposition results in accumulation of N-rich organic matter in urban forests. Partial removal of vegetation and humus layer (REMOVAL treatment) was used to reduce N content of soil and to improve the establishment and performance of planted Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) seedlings in urban boreal forest sites. Corresponding rural sites of a similar forest type with background N deposition were used as a reference. The REMOVAL treatment increased shoot and root biomass of the seedlings, but did not affect fungal biomass in the roots. The treatment decreased peroxidase activity, an indicator of physiological stress, in roots, which suggests an overall improvement of soil conditions. Present results thus imply amelioration of stress in Scots pine roots in urban soil environment by partial removal of vegetation and the humus layer.

Difference of pine ectomycorrhizal biomass in relation to forest conditions

In this study, two plots in a secondary and another two in planted Pinus densiflora stands were exposed to different forest treatments, and the ectomycorrhizal (EM) biomass and its ergosterol content was measured for a year. The unmanaged plot in the secondary stand had greater EM biomass than those in any other plots. Whereas understory cutting had less effect on EM biomass, litter and humus removal decreased pine EM biomass and its ergosterol content, suggesting that such forest treatment alters EM biomass and its structure.

Difference of pine ectomycorrhizal biomass in relation to forest conditions

In this study, two plots in a secondary and another two in planted Pinus densiflora stands were exposed to different forest treatments, and the ectomycorrhizal (EM) biomass and its ergosterol content was measured for a year. The unmanaged plot in the secondary stand had greater EM biomass than those in any other plots. Whereas understory cutting had less effect on EM biomass, litter and humus removal decreased pine EM biomass and its ergosterol content, suggesting that such forest treatment alters EM biomass and its structure.

Effect of partial removal of adsorbed humus on kinetics of potassium and silica release by tartaric acid from clay - humus complex from two dissimilar soil profiles

The aim of this investigation is to study how adsorbed humus on clay minerals affects kinetics of dissolution of clay mineral by an organic acid in terms of K and Si release. Clay–humus complexes were isolated from soil samples collected from different depths of 2 soil profiles from an Inceptisol of North India under long-term rice–wheat and maize–wheat cropping systems. Clay–humus complexes were subjected to repeat extraction with 100 mg/L of tartaric acid solutions before and after removal of humus with 30% hydrogen peroxide and the resultant release of potassium and silica was measured. Before removal of humus, K release followed Elovich kinetics for the maize–wheat cropping system.For the rice–wheat cropping system, except surface soil, which followed Elovich kinetics, other subsurface soils followed the power form of kinetic equations. But when humus was partially removed, K release increased exponentially, therelease rate increasing with time. This indicated that for humus-depleted clay, initial release triggered further release of K. Silica was released at a constant rate. The dissolution reaction was incongruent, i.e. the amount of constituents released in solution was not proportional to their mole fraction present in the mineral. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that micaceous mineral was partially dissolved and vermiculite was completely dissolved when humus was partially removed from clay before extraction. This observation indicates that humus adsorbed on clay plays an important role in preventing clay dissolution by organic acids.

Diversity of humus stocks in the arable soils of the Late Pleistocene ground morains in Mecklenburg, West Pomerania, Germany

Local humus stocks (= contents of soil organic matter, SOM in kg · m−2) of arable soils were investigated in several regions of the seemingly uniform ground moraine-landscape. Depending on relief position, quantifiable effects of humus removal or enrichment are evident, caused by denudation or colluviation. The depth (thickness) of the investigated humus-bearing topsoil horizons varies between 15 and 150 cm overall and amounts on average to 67 cm. Extreme values of SOM (resp. Corg) stocks are 2.73 (1.58) and 137.41 (79.70) kg · m−2. The average values of all found SOM (resp. Corg) stocks in the investigated arable soils amount to 10.78 (6.25) kg · m−2. Humus stocks are not only of importance for the agricultural yield potential but also because of their function as a sink for, or a source of, atmospheric CO2, which is of special current interest due to its influence on menacing climate change. The total carbon content of the corresponding column of atmosphere, 1.60 kg · m−2, amounts to only one quarter of the average in our arable soils.

Black spruce seedlings in a Kalmia–Vaccinium association: microsite manipulation to explore interactions in the field

We established a field trial on an ericaceous-dominated clearcut in Quebec to determine the effect of Kalmia angustifolia L., Vaccinium angustifolium (Ait.), and V. myrtilloides (Michx.) on the growth and physiology of black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) seedlings and on soil characteristics over the first two growing seasons. Plots undergoing one of three treatments (shrub removal, humus removal, or undisturbed control) were planted with black spruce seedlings that were either unfertilized or spot fertilized at time of planting. In some of the undisturbed control plots, we also used 15NH415NO3 to compare uptake of broadcast N fertilizer by vegetation. The ericaceous shrubs had a significant negative impact on seedling growth. Growth reductions were not related to water stress, soil temperature, or soil moisture. Extractable NH4-N and P concentrations in mineral soil tended to decrease in the presence of ericaceous shrubs, but effects were not significant. Seedling foliar N concentration was also reduced in the presence of ericaceous shrubs. Of the total amount of 15N fertilizer found in vegetation, 64% was immobilized in Vaccinium spp., 31% in Kalmia, and 5% in black spruce, but spruce took up more 15N per unit of root biomass than the ericaceous shrubs. Kalmia had consistently higher predawn xylem water potentials than black spruce.

Effects of different soil treatments on growth and net nitrogen uptake of newly planted Picea abies (L.) Karst. seedlings

Five soil treatments in a 4-year-old clearcut in southern Sweden affected biomass increase and net nitrogen uptake by planted Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings through their on net mineralisation and root growth. The patch soil treatments studied were: (i) soil inversion in an old clearcut; (ii) mineral soil from the clearcut remaining, (iii) mineral soil from the clearcut with fertiliser application during the first season; (iv) mineral soil from a nearby uncut forest replacing the clearcut mineral soil; and (v) an untreated control. Growth increased in seedlings in treatments (i) and (iii), but growth in soil treatments with humus removal was not better than that of seedlings in untreated soil. High N uptake early in the first growing season resulted in increased growth during this season in contrast to late N uptake that resulted in a high N concentration in the seedlings after the first growing season. This in turn led to a high growth rate during the next growing season. Generally, both root growth and net N mineralisation were positively correlated to N uptake in the soil treatments. Therefore, a combination of low net N mineralisation and poor root growth as a result of high soil density appears to explain the low N uptake in seedlings in undisturbed soil. The importance of competition with field vegetation for N and water was not clear. Net mineralisation was larger in soil treatments where the humus layer was retained than where it was removed. Net N mineralisation in soil from old clearcuts was the same as in soil from fresh clearcuts.

Site Preparation and Planting in a Picea abies Shelterwood Stand

Many heathland plantations in western Denmark are currently being transformed by shelterwood regeneration from even-aged single-species stands of Norway spruce into mixed stands of species that can fit into a future close-to-nature silvicultural system. The aims of this study were: (1) to evaluate six site-preparation methods in a shelterwood; (2) to study the planting; and (3) to assess the mortality of the planted seedlings. Seedling mortality varied considerably between tree species. Beech had a high mortality, while oak had a very low mortality. All mechanical site-preparation treatments resulted in lower mortality compared with manual removal of humus. The high mortality after manual removal of humus seemed to be caused by poor planting. The boom-mounted soil auger prepared the best site for planting, but the costs exceeded those for tractor-drawn implements, especially in row-thinned stands. Site preparation by the inversion method (digging up a full bucket and inverting the profile with an excavator) led to greater windthrow.