Hydromorphic Soils Research Articles

Genesis and properties of wetland soils by VIS-NIR-SWIR as a technique for environmental monitoring

Wetlands are important ecosystems characterized by redoximorphic environments producing typical soil forming processes and organic carbon accumulation. Assessments and management of these areas are dependent on knowledge about soil characteristics and variability. By reflectance spectroscopy, information about soils can be obtained since their spectral behaviors are directly related to their chemical, physical, and mineralogical properties reflecting the pedogenetic processes and environment conditions. Our aims were: (a) to characterize the main soil classes of wetlands regarding their spectral behaviors in VIS-NIR-SWIR (350–2500 nm) and relate them to pedogenesis and environmental conditions, (b) to determine spectral ranges (bands) with greater expression of the main soil properties, (c) to identify spectral variations and similarities between hydromorphic soils from wetlands and other soils under different moisture conditions, and (d) to propose spectral models to quantify some chemical and physical soil properties used as environmental quality indicators. Nine soil profiles from the Pantanal region (Mato Grosso State, Brazil) and one from the Serra do Espinhaço Meridional (Minas Gerais State, Brazil) were investigated. Spectral morphology interpretation allowed identifying horizon differences regarding shape, absorption features and reflectance intensity. Some pedogenetic processes of wetland soils related to organic carbon accumulation and oxide iron variation were identified by spectra. Principal Component Analysis allowed discriminating soils from wetland and outside this area (oxidic environment). Quantification of organic carbon was possible with R2 of 0.90 and low error. Quantification of clay content was masked by soils with organic carbon content over 2% where it was not possible to quantify with high R2 and low error both properties when dataset has soil samples with high organic carbon content. By reflectance spectroscopy, important characteristics of wetland soils can be identified and used to distinguish from soils of different environments at low costs, reduced time, and with environmental quality.

The amazing diversity of the genus Monospilus Sars, 1862 (Crustacea: Branchiopoda: Aloninae) in South America.

The main goal of this paper is to describe three new species of the genus Monospilus Sars, 1862 (Crustacea: Cladocera). Monospilus macroerosus sp. nov. differs from other species of the genus in several peculiar morphological traits, the most striking being the presence of a saw-shaped pecten of teeth on the postabdominal claw. This species inhabits semiterrestrial habitats (wet leaf litter on hydromorphic soil from gallery forest), exhibiting adaptations related to movement and food handling in this type of habitat. Monospilus brachyspinus sp. nov. inhabits truly aquatic habitats, where lives being associated with macrophytes and submerged leaves. It may be recognized by the postabdominal claw, which is armed with proximal spinulae modified in a short spine. In Monospilus sp., the proximal spinulae are modified in a long and slender spine. So far, Monospilus sp. occurs in southern South America, while Monospilus macroerosus sp. nov. and Monospilus brachyspinus sp. nov. occur in the Cerrado biome in Brazil, in the central portion of South America. Some conclusions about the conservation status of new species also are made.

Impacts of one century of wastewater discharge on soil transformation through ferrolysis and related metal pollutant distributions

Discharge of wastewater leading to notable soil surface contamination is widely reported. But few works highlight the fast dynamics of soils and their morphological transformations that may result from such anthropogenic activities. Near Paris (France), sandy Luvisols were irrigated with urban wastewater since the 1890s. Within and outside the discharge area, the soil cover presents decameter-sized cryogenic structures. We studied macro morphological soil characteristics, soil chemistry and clay mineralogy on selected bulk samples, as well as contemporary pedofeatures and related metal pollutant distribution patterns in soil thin sections from subsurface horizons. Annual repetitive waterlogging and drying cycles initiated a hydromorphic soil forming process: ferrolysis, based on iron reduction producing alkalinity under anaerobic conditions, and iron oxidation producing acidity in aerobic conditions. Its intensity was enhanced at the top of thick clay-rich B-horizons in the center of cryogenic structures. The polygonal soil structure favored the evacuating of soil water and alkalinity. Within one century, such recurrent alternating redox conditions have led to clay destruction, removal of iron, strong bleaching of the E horizon and formation of abiotic Fe-rich pedofeatures at depth. In addition, between anaerobic clay-rich B and aerated E or C horizons, the contrasting hydrodynamic conditions enhanced manganese (Mn) oxidizing fungal activity and the formation of biotic Mn-rich pedofeatures. Both types of pedofeatures trapped metal pollutants in deep soil horizons. In our work, the impacts of centenary anthropogenic activity were amplified by millenary cryogenic structures, acting together to promote fast soil dynamics, within a few decades.

Проблеми ідентифікації гідроморфних ґрунтів на осушених землях

Проблеми ідентифікації гідроморфних ґрунтів на осушених землях

The experience of using the rock magnetic methods for assessing the prospects of magnetic exploration in the territory of archaeological monuments of the Barabinsk forest steppe

The results of studying the magnetic properties of the components of the natural environment of the Barabinsk forest steppe accommodating the archaeological monuments dated to VI century B.C. to II century A.D. are presented. The rock magnetic model is constructed for a two-layer medium composed of modern soil and an underlying blanket substratum deposits (clay loam, sandy loam, sand). It is shown that the magnetism of the humic horizon of the soil depends on the topographic position and soil type, whereas the magnetic characteristics of the underlying substratum deposits are persistent throughout the studied territory. The ratio of the magnetic susceptibilities of the humus horizon to the substratum is K = 3–6 for the automorphic soil, K = 1–2.5 for semihydromorphic soil, and K = 0.8–1.0 for hydromorphic soil. Based on subdividing the studied territory in accordance with the values of K and the calculated amplitudes of the microanomalies of the magnetic field, the areas where application of the magnetic survey is highly promising, moderately efficient, and unpromising are outlined. The particular cases of the absence of magnetic anomalies above the archaeological objects, the false anomalies, and the chaotic patterns of the low-amplitude anomalies—all the situations when the magnetic survey is inefficient—are explained from the standpoint of the model.

Soil factors of floodplain soils that limit growth of energy crops

Nowadays it is hard to find a country with a big number of lands, which are non-used in any sphere of production. Taking into account hard ecological situation on the planet, each year more and more countries join to zero waste production. The agricultural branch is not an exception. Searching and creation of renewable energy sources are the main subjects of study for scientists in many fields of science. Starting from the 70s in Sweden government implemented the production of renewable energy. That energy based on burning the products of plant origin. At this period on the planet oil crises was increasing. This fact motivated scientists and businessmen for searching chip and effective energy sources. One of such sources is the biomass of fast-growing plant species which can be successfully recycled into biofuel. Renewable energy production in Ukraine is only on the first phase of development. A major limiting factor is the issue of determining the eligibility criteria of soils on which one can place the plantation of energy crops. It is noted that there is a possibility of growing energy crops on hydromorphic soils of floodplains, which are not used in traditional farming and forestry. Determining of soil limiting factors that can affect the growth of energy crops was conducted in the floodplain of river Vilhovatka, Novo-Vodolazhskiy district, Kharkiv region in 2016. Researches of the development and growth of energy crops (energy willow and giant miscanthus) were held on the meadow alluvial hard loamy soil and on meadow-marsh alluvial hard loamy soil. These soils by their genesis belong to azonal ones. High developed accumulative processes, which serve for organic and both macro and microelements conglomeration, are the specialty of their soil formation. Specific acid-base regime is inherent for hydromorfic soils. It’s caused by their periodical or constant water logging. For both soils the parent rock is an oxbow alluvium. The level of ground water occurrence was installed by drilling in spring, summer and fall. Energy willow – is one of the willow species that is processed for solid fuel. The usage of hydromorphic soils for willow planting has good perspectives. These soils can’t be used in agriculture without drainage. Here lies a clear parallel and duality of energy willow – the nature of its cultivation is more similar to food crops, but in contrast, willow grows on typical forest soils. In addition it can be mentioned that willow plantations have been used as a factor of preventing erosion for a long time already. The plants develop strong root system that allows consolidating river banks, gullies and ravines. Giant miscanthus – is a perennial grass that in botanical features reminds cane. The benefits of growing this crop lie not only in its growing for energy needs. Giant miscanthus has the following characteristics: tolerance to almost all types of soils; resistance to salinity (which is important in terms of its possible growth on alluvial-meadow saline soils); ability to grow on heavy soils; the ability to produce large amounts of biomass, which is relatively easy to collect and process with the existing technology and, of course, it’s ability for significantly improving of the environmental situation in forest landscapes. The paper presents the results of studies of the establishment of factors that affect the growth of energy crops in flooded soils. It was found that the main limiting factors are: the level of occurrence of groundwater and the concentration of heavy metals. Depending on the type of floodplain soils the level of groundwater occurrence varies considerably. This factor generally determines the character of the growth of the studied crops. Once again it was confirmed that the floodplain soils contain high concentrations of iron, including ferrous (Fe2 +) and oxide (Fe3+) forms. It is shown that the form of ferrous iron in high quantities is a limiting factor for normal growth and development of energy plants. On the meadow alluvial soil of the central floodplain energy crops grew much better (especially energy willow) than in the meadow-marsh soil of the terrace floodplain. Giant Miscanthus showed better stability, compared to energy willow, to its growing conditions. Also the article deals with the issue of energy willow phytoremediation ability, through which it is possible to partially solve the problem of some soils’ contamination with heavy metals.

Salinization of Irrigated Soils in the Middle-Asian Region: Old and New Issues

The article provides information on the genesis and distribution of saline soils in the Turan Plain region of middle Asia. It is demonstrated that, prior to the start of active irrigation in the 20th century, the modern salt-accumulation process was developed mainly in naturally hydromorphic soils. On floodplains, the process was regulated by natural floods; it has not developed actively in automorphic soils. Due to irrigation, natural automorphic soils have been transformed into irrigated hydromorphic soils. This resulted in the activation of salt-accumulation processes, even with a drainage of 2.5–3 m deep. In the 21st century, new issues arose in the region: a freshwater deficiency; increased eolic salt transfer; deteriorating climatic, environmental, and social conditions.

SENSITIVITY OF LAND TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE SUBMEDITERRANEAN KARST AREA OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

UDK 631.4:551.583(497.6)
 The value of the landscape in the karst region of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) is the foundation of its existence and the key role in its appearance and formation is played by geomorphology and the soil. Through history the man has created a „cultural landscape” which is completely adapted to the natural conditions. He further enriches the space and makes it more appealing. Soils in B&H karst are extremely heterogeneous and form a real pedological mosaic. Found on the Mesozoic sediments of limestone and dolomite of the Middle and Upper Jurassic and Early and Late Cretaceous are Bare rocks (barren land), Rocky grounds (Lithosol), Limestone-dolomite Black soil (Calcomelanosol) and Brown soil on limestone and dolomite (Calcocambisol). A specificity of these rocks are the screes that are transported down the hillside. A series may occur on them in which, if shale materials are contained, Rendzina appears as a calcareous soil. In addition to the above mentioned limestone and dolomite, there are marly limestones of Jurassic and Cretaceous age and Quaternary sediments on which Alluvial soils (Fluvisol) developed as well as the soils of karst fields which are sometimes very porous and skeletal and sometimes heavy and clayey on impermeable substrate (hydromorphic soils).
 The paper will provide an overview of characteristic soil types in the Sub-Mediterranean upper and lower karst region of B&H taking into account a range of properties that make them sensitive and vulnerable within the ecosystem. These should include a lack of water on the surface and large fluctuations in the amount of water during the rainy and dry seasons and whimsicality of climate in general, which has a huge impact on the state of biodiversity and human lives in this region.

Ferramentas de pedometria para caracterização da composição granulométrica de perfis de solos hidromórficos

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar ferramentas pedométricas para caracterização da composição granulométrica (areia, silte e argila) e comparação de perfis de solos hidromórficos. O estudo foi realizado na bacia hidrográfica do rio Guapi-Macacu, RJ. Foram aplicados o algoritmo "slice-wise" para o fatiamento do perfil em intervalos de 1 cm, e a função "spline" para harmonizar o conjunto de dados segundo seis intervalos de profundidade predefinidos. A análise do conjunto de perfis, por meio das funções de profundidade (slice-wise e spline) e de dendrograma de dissimilaridade, revelou que Planossolos e Gleissolos são relativamente rasos e apresentam camadas arenosas nos horizontes superficiais e teores de argila e silte irregulares em subsuperficie. Essas duas ordens ocorrem na área da bacia hidrográfica geralmente em planícies aluviais, em vales e em sopés de elevação. Os Neossolos Flúvicos apresentaram maiores quantidades de argila e silte em superfície, as quais decrescem em profundidade, e são mais profundos e ocorrem nos terraços aluviais. A abordagem permitiu descrever a variabilidade da textura dos solos hidromórficos em perfil e realizar a análise de similaridade entre as ordens, o que pode apoiar a distinção de fases em unidades de mapeamento e a identificação de critérios quantitativos para a classificação dos solos.

Evolução de atributos físicos, químicos e biológicos em solo hidromórfico sob sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária no bioma Pampa

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a evolução de atributos físicos, químicos e biológicos de um solo hidromórfico sob sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária, no bioma Pampa. O estudo foi desenvolvido em área experimental manejada com sistema plantio direto desde 2006, no Município de Capão do Leão, RS, em um Planossolo Háplico eutrófico típico. Três áreas foram utilizadas, com os seguintes tipos de manejo: área de lavoura sem pastejo; área de integração lavoura-pecuária (ILP), com soja e milho alternados em sucessão à pastagem de inverno; e campo nativo pastejado. As coletas de solo foram realizadas em duas épocas, em todas as áreas, às camadas de 0,00-0,05, 0,05-0,10 e 0,10-0,20 m profundidade, para análises dos seguintes atributos do solo: físicos, macroporosidade, microporosidade e densidade; químicos, carbono orgânico total, nitrogênio total e relação carbono/nitrogênio; e biológicos, diversidade e abundância da macrofauna edáfica. Na área com pastejo, a macroporosidade aumentou ao longo do tempo. A densidade do solo diminuiu na camada 0,00-0,05 m, enquanto o carbono orgânico total aumentou na camada de 0,10-0,20 m, em todas as áreas. O sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária favorece a abundância e a diversidade da fauna edáfica do solo.

Veredas da região sudeste: peculiaridades florísticas e estruturais e situação de conservação

The Mauritia flexuosa L. f. (Arecaceae) palm swamps (known as veredas in Brazil) are hygrophilous communities associated with hydromorphic soils in areas of headwaters, and feature special importance for water and biodiversity maintenance in the Cerrado biome. In northern Minas Gerais, the veredas have more complex structure and floristic composition in comparison with the veredas located in other parts of central Brazil, in the same biome. However, these areas are less studied and suffering various environmental impacts, which can uncharacterize them even before they are properly known. In the present work, a literature review was carried out, in which the age and the development of vegetation in the veredas of central Brazil and north of Minas Gerais were addressed. The conservation status and the importance of these areas for the biome were also discussed. Hence it was concluded that the veredas of the north of Minas Gerais are older than the veredas of central Brazil, suggesting that they are in a more advanced stage of ecological succession. However, many factors can influence the floristic composition and structure of these plant communities, requiring further studies involving ecological processes in veredas in order to elucidate those matters. Keywords: vegetational structure, ecological succession, palynological analysis.

Chemodestructive fractionation of soil organic matter

The method of chemodestructive fractionation is suggested to assess the composition of soil organic matter. This method is based on determination of the resilience of soil organic matter components and/or different parts of organic compounds to the impact of oxidizing agents. For this purpose, a series of solutions with similar concentration of the oxidant (K2Cr2O7), but with linearly increasing oxidative capacity was prepared. Chemodestructive fractionation showed that the portion of easily oxidizable (labile) organic matter in humus horizons of different soil types depends on the conditions of soil formation. It was maximal in hydromorphic soils of the taiga zone and minimal in automorphic soils of the dry steppe zone. The portion of easily oxidizable organic matter in arable soils increased with an increase in the rate of organic fertilizers application. The long-lasting agricultural use of soils and burying of the humus horizons within the upper one-meter layer resulted in the decreasing content of easily oxidizable organic matter. It was found that the portion of easily oxidizable organic matter decreases by the mid-summer or fall in comparison with the spring or early summer period.

Microorganism-induced weathering of clay minerals in a hydromorphic soil

In order to improve the understanding of factors influencing weathering in hydromorphic soils, the clay mineral and chemical compositions, iron (hydr)oxides, organic compounds, and Sr and Nd isotopic compositions, of hydromorphic soils on the banks of the Liangzi Lake, Hubei province, south China, were investigated. The B horizon in the lower profile exhibits a distinct net-like pattern, with abundant short white veins within the red-brown matrix. Their various 87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd isotopic compositions showed only small variations of 0.7270–0.7235 and 0.51200–0.51204, respectively, consistent with the composition of Yangtze River sediments, indicating that the soils were all derived from alluvium from the catchment. The white veins contained notably more SiO2, Al2O3, TiO2, and mobile elements relative to the red-brown matrix, while they both showed similar values for the chemical index of alteration of 86.7 and 87.1, respectively, and displayed similar degrees of weathering. The clay minerals in A, AE, and E horizons of the soil profile were illite, kaolinite, and mixed-layer illite–smectite. These same three clay minerals comprised the white net-like veins in the soil B horizon, whereas only illite and kaolinite were observed in the red-brown matrix. Iron (hydr)oxides in A, AE, and E horizons of the soil profile were hematite and goethite, whereas in the red-brown matrix of the B horizon they were hematite, goethite, and ferrihydrite. Different organic compounds were observed for the white vein and the red-brown matrix in the soil B horizon: an 18:2 fatty acid biomarker for fungi in the net-like vein, but not in the red-brown matrix. Compared with the red-brown matrix, the white net-like vein also clearly contained more mono-unsaturated fatty acids, which are sometimes associated with bacteria that have the capacity to reduce Fe(III). Thus, migration of iron and the formation of the net-like veins involved the participation of biota during the hydromorphic pedogenesis process, as ferrihydrite is usually formed with the assistance of biota. Redoximorphic processes will chemically affect phyllosilicates by changing their charge, and Fe(III) in illite may serve as electron acceptor for Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms. This leads to an increase in negative charge in the illite structure which could be neutralized by electrostatic displacement of interlayer cations and adsorption of protons, thereby promoting transformation of illite to mixed-layer illite–smectite and dissolution of the pre-existing illite mineral. Our results suggest that microorganisms brought about iron leaching and dominated the alteration of clay minerals by redox processes, and different mineral volumes formed in the net-like B horizon of the hydromorphic soil were attributed to the microorganism-induced weathering process.

The influence of climate cycles on the water regime and carbonate profile in chernozems of Central European Russia and adjacent territories

The influence of long-term “dry” and “wet” climatic cycles on the water regime, hydrological parameters, and carbonate profiles of chernozems in Central European Russia and adjacent territories was studied. The hydrological and carbonate profiles were found to change during the wet cycle. However, the upper part of the hydrological profile is basically unchanging, whereas in its lower part, the number of hydrological horizons and contrast in their moistening decrease in the forest-steppe chernozems and increase in the steppe chernozems. The frequency of through wetting of chernozems increases during the wet cycles. The vertical lithological heterogeneity of the parent material affects the soil moisture status. In the wet climatic cycle, the moisture content above the lithological contact increases resulting in the development of the features of soil hydromorphism. In the carbonate profile, the character of pedofeatures is changing: some carbonate neoformations disappear, while the other ones develop. Possible variations of the periodically percolative water regime were revealed in chernozems. The classification of water regime proposed by A.A. Rode may be updated based on the data obtained during the dry climatic cycle. Rode’s hypothesis about cyclic variations in the soil water regime is confirmed.

Difference in the pH values of hydromorphic soils in field and laboratory analyses

There are marked differences in the pH values determined in water suspension under laboratory conditions and in soil solution under field conditions in hydromorphic soils (gleysols and stagnosols). The value δpH = pHsusp–pHsol can be either positive or negative. Among the main factors that affect the value of δpH are the laboratory preparation of soil samples and the suspension effect. The sign of the pH effect (value of δpH) depends on the participation of humus, carbonate, and exchange bases in the formation of aggregates destructed in the laboratory. The value of δpH is negative in noncalcareous soils with low content of exchangeable bases and fulvate composition of humus and positive in calcareous soils or soils enriched with exchangeable bases and humate composition of humus. In cases of a significant δpH effect, the value of pHsusp cannot be regarded as an adequate measure of soil acidity.

Variability of soil-ecological indexes in typical agrolandscapes of Southern Karelia

Soil-ecological indexes were calculated for zonal and azonal automorphic and hydromorphic soils. The investigations were conducted on three test plots in Southern Karelia. It is shown that the soil-ecological indexes reflect well the limiting factors of soil fertility under conditions of humid climate of the Nonchernozemic zone: insufficient heat supply, excessive moistening, and low reserves of organic matter.

Desarrollo de plantas atraves de la interferencia de auxinas, citoquininas, etileno y giberelinas

The rice plant is very demanding in nutrients, with potassium being that the plant nutrient further accumulates, and is essential to many physiological and biochemical processes in the plant. The objective of this study identify appropriate doses of potassium in the culture of rice, grown in sandy soils of lowland tropical rainforest in the state of Tocantins. The experiment was conducted in hydromorphic soil type Gleysol Humic of irrigated lowland, in the Araguaia-TO Formoso region. We used the experimental randomized block design, in a factorial 2 x 5, with four replications, two cultivars (Irga-424 and Irga-423) and five doses of K (60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 kg ha K -1), applied in the form of potassium chloride. Each experimental plot consisted of twenty-seven lines of 15 m in length, spaced 0.17 m between rows. The floor area was composed of the four central lines in the length of two linear meters. The characteristics evaluated were plant height, number of panicles m2, grain yield, weight of hundred grains, potassium content and chlorophyll index. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and regression at 5% probability by F test The cultivaresnao responded to the increased potassium fertilization in sandy soils of tropical lowland; the average yield was reached with the basic fertilization, sedo 6827.42 and 5215.35 kg ha-1 for Irga-424 and Irga-423, respectively.

Iron, zinc, copper and manganese availability in four contrasting hydromorphic soils of Egbema, south-eastern Nigeria

Iron, zinc, copper and manganese availability in four contrasting hydromorphic soils of Egbema, south-eastern Nigeria

A comparative assessment of the biological properties of soils in the cultural and native cenoses of the Central Caucasus (using the example of the Terskii variant of altitudinal zonality in Kabardino-Balkaria)

The biological properties of the most widespread automorphic and hydromorphic soils of cultural and native cenoses in the Terskii variant of the altitudinal zonality (Kabardino-Balkaria) are compared. The data on the humus reserves in the 0- to 20-cm soil layer and those on the carbon content in the microbial biomass calculated on the basis of the results of substrate-induced respiration measurements are presented. The share of carbon in the microbial biomass of the total organic carbon in the soils was determined. Long-term (more than 70 years) farming on the studied soils significantly changed their biological properties. The humus content and its reserves became lower by 25–40%. The physiological activity of the microbial biomass in the cultural soils decreased by more than 60%. Presently, the soils of the cultural cenoses function as an entire natural system, but at a lower level of fertility; the loss of more than 30% of the bioorganic potential (the critical threshold of soil system stability) indicates the disturbance of soil ecological functions, their stability, and the capability of self-restoration.

Nitrogen doses in rice grown in a tropical lowland

The rice plant is characterized by having high nutrient demand, being nitrogen (N) the main limiting factor to its productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of two rice cultivars according to doses of nitrogen fertilization. The experiment was carried out in an irrigated lowland area with hydromorphic soil (humic gleysol) at the region of Formoso do Araguaia-TO, Brazil. The experiment design consisted of five N doses (30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 kg ha -1) applied as urea, and two rice cultivars (Irga-424 and Irga-423). Each experimental plot consisted of twenty-seven lines with 15 m in length, spaced 0.17 m between rows. The useful plot size was made up of four central lines with two linear meters of length. The evaluated characteristics were plant height, number of panicles per m2 , grain yield in kg ha -1, hundred grain mass in g, nitrogen content in dag kg-1, and total chlorophyll index in CFI. Data were submitted to variance analysis and regression at 5% probability by F test. The maximum yield was obtained at a dose of 96 and 126.38 kg N ha -1 for Irga- 424 and Irga-423, respectively. The highest grain yield was 7800 and 5860 kg ha -1 for Irga-424 and Irga-423, respectively.