Soil Filter Research Articles

Plant–soil interactions in the native range of two congeneric species with contrasting invasive success

The aim of this study was to compare plant–soil interactions in the native range of two congeneric European species differing in their invasive success in the world: a globally invasive Cirsium vulgare and non-invasive C. oleraceum. We assessed changes in soil nutrients and soil biota following soil conditioning by each species and compared performance of plants grown in self-conditioned and unconditioned soil, from which all, some or no biota was excluded. The invasive species depleted more nutrients than the non-invasive species and coped better with altered nutrient levels. The invasive species had higher seedling establishment which benefited from the presence of unconditioned biota transferred by soil filtrate. Biomass of both species increased in soil with self-conditioned soil filtrate and decreased in soil with self-conditioned whole-soil inoculum compared to unconditioned filtrate and inoculum. However, the increase was smaller and the decrease greater for the invasive species. The invasive species allocated less biomass to roots when associated with harmful biota, reducing negative effects of the biota on its performance. The results show that in the native range the invasive species is more limited by self-conditioned pathogens and benefits more from unconditioned mutualists and thus may benefit more from loss of effectively specialized soil biota in a secondary range. Our study highlights the utility of detailed plant-soil feedback research in species native range for understanding factors regulating species performance in their native range and pinpointing the types of biota involved in their regulation.

Развитие мобильной энергетики с учётом агротехнологических ограничений

The problem of finding the optimal ratio of mass, power, and working speed has been and remains an urgent task since laying the groundwork of agricultural mechanics. The concept of development aimed at increasing the productivity and operating speeds of machine-tractor units, has led to an increase in unit power and the mass of machines. An analysis of the development trends of tractors and self-propelled machines showed an annual increase in the average power of newly designed tractors by 2 to 4 hp. Capacity implementation of equipment with increased energy saturation is possible due to an additional increase in the mass of machines, which results in increased soil compaction. Critical stresses reaching a significant depth do not contribute to the process of complete relaxation of the soil. In the uncultivated layer, a soil horizon is formed between 25 to 30 and 100 to 120 cm (with a hardness corresponding to a clay rolled road), limiting the development zone of the plant root system and disturbing soil filtration. The intensive use of energy-saturated units and self-propelled machines has led to the accumulated overconsolidation of the uncultivated layer of more than 60% of arable land. Soil overconsolidation along the wheel track leads to a decrease in the yield of grain crops by 10% and root crops by 20%. When modernizing or designing new models of machines, we suggest taking into account the negative environmental consequences of the use of units in the feasibility study and reworking the regulatory and methodological documents for assessing the specific pressures on the soil of the running gear parts of self-propelled machines. It is necessary to reduce the machine load on the soil by using smaller machines and by implementing measures to loosen the subsoil horizon. Equally important is to determine the parameters and design a line of robotic energy systems, a set of working equipment and a control system based on the principles of multi-agent control of sets of dynamic objects in relation to agricultural production.

Quantify distribution of topsoil erodibility factor for watersheds that feed the Al-Shewicha trough – Iraq using GIS

Abstract Soil functions such as water storage, soil filtration, and reducing reservoir life due to sediment load are directly affected by the process of “soil erosion.” The Universal Soil Loss Equation was adopted to predict the erodibility factor for watersheds feeding the Al-Shewicha trough. The K-average factor’s determined value was 0.156, indicating that the K-factor had substantial variability. The K-factor for erodibility values was linked to the high sand content in the topsoil of the study area because of the high sand content of the topsoil. The topsoil is coarse-textured and then permeable. ArcGIS (geographic information system) was used to obtain the distribution of soil types as well as the erodibility factor distribution.

Active Soil Filter System for Indoor Air Purification in School Classrooms.

An active soil filter system was newly designed and evaluated to obtain a higher removal efficiency of fine particulate matter (PM) for indoor air purification in schools. Unlike passive air purification systems that remove PM using only plant leaves, air purification can be maximized by filtering polluted indoor air directly between the soil particles supporting the plant. The novel system is composed of a composite soil layer and a suction blower that forces outside air into the soil layer. It was found that the air purification performance was improved as the inflow air velocity upstream of the soil is decreased and the soil stacking height increased. The lower the soil moisture, the better the air purification performance. Considering both the classroom environment and the system's energy consumption, it is recommended that the soil stacking height is 150 mm, the soil inflow air velocity is 2 cm/s, and the relative humidity is 35%. Under these conditions, the air purification efficiency for PM2.5 is 41.5%. The indoor air purification system using the soil filter system, along with the currently used plant leaves medium, is expected to improve the indoor air quality in public facilities, such as school classrooms.

Investigating Landfill Leachate Influence on Soil Microbial Biodiversity and Its Cytotoxicity

The most important problem related to the collection of waste in landfills is the presence of harmful substances contained in leachate resulting from the flow of atmospheric precipitation through the deposited waste, which may end up in the soil. As a result, the soil’s chemical degradation occurs, which may result in a change in the structure and activity of microorganisms. In addition, leachate can end up in groundwater that may be hazardous to human health. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of landfill leachate on selected physicochemical, biological and biochemical properties of soils. The cytotoxicity of soil filtrates (SF) in human cell lines and their effect on apoptosis were also analyzed. In the pot experiment, leachate was added to the soil in two doses: 50LL (50% of the N dose) and 100LL (100% of the N dose). Selected physicochemical properties, activity of enzymes, diversity of bacteria and fungi by the T-RFLP approach were determined in soil samples. As a result of the analyses, it was found that LL causes an increase in the activity of dehydrogenases and a decrease in β-glucosidase. In the soils treated with LL, bacterial T-RF (144) bp, (179) bp and (413) bp were specific, while fungal were T-RF (390) bp, (441) bp and (595) bp. Potentially cytotoxic effects of SF and reduction in apoptosis in neoplastic cells were found in in vitro tests. LL and SF are complex matrices with a variable composition, which means that their impact on the soil environment must be constantly monitored.

Comparative analytical study of the results of environmental risk assessment of urban landfills approach: bowtie, network analysis techniques (ANP), TOPSIS (case study: Gilan Province).

Most landfill projects run in a dynamic and complex environment; therefore, uncertainty and risk are inherent. To improve the performance and reduce the damage caused by waste, risk study and its management have become necessary in implementing landfill location projects. As a result of the biodegradation of organic matter in waste, landfills produce various materials such as leachate, and gas. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct environmental risk assessments so that the destructing factors and their effects on the environment can be identified, and subsequently, control and management solutions offered. In the present study, the author has identified the most critical risks of construction phases and operation of landfills in Gilan province, using the Analytic Network Process (ANP), Delphi, and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) techniques. According to the results, the environmental sector represents the highest risk in the construction and operation phases. Therefore, solutions for reducing or eliminating adverse outcomes have been proposed according to the bowtie method. Solutions to reduce or eliminate the adverse effects of leachate leakage from the landfill floor that causes pollution and infiltration into groundwater: installation of a conventional control system. Routing of landfill gases by passing soil filters at the highest points of landfills using the bowtie method is recommended. The results showed that anthropogenic activities related to sanitary landfilling of waste have greatly affected Gilan province in recent years.

Effect of microplastics on nasal and gut microbiota of high-exposure population: Protocol for an observational cross-sectional study.

Microplastics have the characteristics of small size, high specific area, strong ability to adsorb pollutants, and difficult to degrade. They have become a major global environmental problem that humans urgently need to address. A balanced microecosystem is essential to human health. Animal studies have shown that long-term exposure to microplastics can change the characteristics of the microbiota in organisms, leading to respiratory, digestive, immune, and other system diseases. However, the current research on microplastics is still dominated by animal experiments, and the impact of microplastics on human health is still in its infancy, so relevant research is urgently needed. Twenty participants with high exposure to microplastics will come from a plastic factory in Chengdu, China. We will perform 16S rDNA sequencing on participants’ nasal secretions, and stool samples. Additionally, we will perform 8700 LDIR laser infrared imaging of environmental soil and air filter membrane samples. For comparison, we will also collect samples from 20 volunteers from an area with good environmental quality in Chengdu. To find out the potential predictors and to access the difference between the groups, statistical analysis will be performed in the end. The study will be the first observational cross-sectional study focusing on the effects of microplastics on nasal and gut microbiota of high-exposure population. The study is expected to provide reliable evidence to fill the gaps in the impact of microplastics on human health.

Parameters Optimization and Test of Caterpillar Self-Propelled Tiger Nut Harvester Hoisting Device

Aiming at the problem of a poor separation of tiger nut, soil and grass during harvest, a hoisting device consisting of a combined-type hoisting sieve, vibrating wheels and soil roller was designed in combination with the requirements of the planting and harvesting of tiger nut. Through a theoretical analysis of the movement of the mixture of tiger nut, sand and grass in the process of hoisting, the basic law that affects the soil filter rate was determined, and the parameters affecting the soil-sieving rate were determined, and the hoisting angle, linear hoist speed and range of related parameters of vibrating wheels were obtained. Based on the DEM-MBD method, a simulation model of an excavating and hoisting device was built. With the hoisting angle, linear hoist speed, vibrating frequency and vibrating amplitudes of vibrating wheels as test factors, and the soil-sieving rate as test index, an orthogonal rotating-center combination test with four factors and three levels was carried out. The results showed that the influence of various factors on soil-sieving rate was as follows: vibrating frequency of vibrating wheels > linear hoist velocity > vibrating amplitudes of vibrating wheels > hoisting angle. When the vibrating frequency of the vibrating wheels was 9 Hz, the linear hoist speed was 0.66 m/s, vibrating amplitude of vibrating wheels was 25 mm and hoisting angle was 26°; the maximum value of the soil-sieving rate was 42.5%. The optimized parameters were applied to field test for verification, and the soil-sieving rate of the field test was 44.7%, which was better than the simulation test. The research results can provide a theoretical reference for design optimization and simulation analysis of tiger nut harvesters.

The combined application of γ-PGA-producing bacteria and biochar reduced the content of heavy metals and improved the quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.).

Plant growth-promoting bacteria and biochar have been widely used as immobilizers to remediate heavy metal contaminated soil. However, few studies have unraveled the effect and synergistic mechanism of combined application of plant growth-promoting bacteria and biochar on in situ heavy metal contaminated soil remediation and plant yield and quality improvement under heavy metal pollution stress. In this study, the effects of biochar, γ-PGA-producing bacteria (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain W25) and their combined application on Cd and Pb immobilization, γ-PGA production in soil filtrate, the bacterial community in rhizosphere soil, physicochemical properties of soil, heavy metal uptake, and quality and yield of tomato in heavy metal-contaminated soil were investigated. The application of W25, biochar, and their combinations significantly reduced Cd content in mature tomato fruits by 22-60%, increased the single fruit weight and lycopene content by 7-21% and 23-48%, respectively, and the combination of biochar and W25 had the best effect. All the treatments significantly reduced DTPA-Cd and DTPA-Pb contents in rhizosphere soil (42-53% and 6.5-35%), increased the pH value and the activities of urease-alkaline phosphatase of soil, but did not affect the expression of heavy metal transporter gene LeNRAMP1 in tomato roots. Biochar + W25 increased the relative abundance of plant growth-promoting bacteria such as Bacillus and Streptomyces. Biochar-enhanced plant growth-promoting bacteria to settle and colonize in soil significantly improved the ability of strain W25 to produce γ-PGA, and immobilized Cd in soil filtrate. The combination of biochar and plant growth-promoting bacteria ensures safe crop production in heavy metal-contaminated soil.

Methodology for preparing a reference sample in the air filter matrix

The proficiency tests are widely used to evaluate the analytical capacity of laboratories and also as part of the accreditation processes. The National Intercomparison Program is a Proficiency Test that uses radioactive reference materials in soil, vegetation, water and air filters. This work is a study of the choice of composition of radionuclides ideal to be used in the air filters to be produced by LNMRI as reference material for PNI. 
 Five cocktails composed of different radionuclides chosen for their energies in the range of 30 to 2000 keV were prepared, each cocktail was distributed in three glass fiber air filters using a pantograph using the pycnometer technique, contaminating each filter with 19 (nineteen) drops, totaling fifteen (15) air filter samples, with the objective of homogeneous distribution of the droplets at the sites determined by the geometry chosen without the need for marking in the filters, in order to choose the best composition to be used in the preparation of reference material.

Reclaimed water reuse system on water quality, growth of irrigated crops, and impact of ecology: case study in Taiwan.

In rapidly urbanized regions, the development of sustainable and resilient urban agriculture is essential to reduce environmental pollution and ensure reusable resources. The purpose of this study was to design, implement, and analyze the effects of reclaimed water reuse systems on crop growth, water purification, and ecology. A simulated experimental field near the side of Li Tse Lake at MingDao University in Changhua County, Taiwan, was chosen as the research field. A reclaimed water reuse system was established to collect domestic sewage discharged from the student dormitory, and a soil filter bed and plants in the system were used to purify the sewage, so as to detect its effects on water quality, soil, plant growth, and ecology throughout the year. According to the results, the water purified by the reclaimed water reuse system met the agricultural irrigation water quality criteria. While the soil filter bed showed that the purified water was alkaline and had low electrical conductivity, this did not affect plant growth. In the reclaimed water reuse system, the cultivation of fruiting and leafy vegetables increased the habitats of a number of organisms, and a total of 49 families of arthropods in 13 orders were found. This study showed that the reclaimed water reuse system could not only purify water and promote water reuse but also improve the ecology and develop the potential for food production.

WAYS TO IMPROVE THE METHOD OF CALCULATING THE VOLUME OF RUNOFF FROM THE SOIL SURFACE

The article considers the problem, which is becoming increasingly important in the environmental and economic spheres. It is noted that due to the trend of global warming, the dangers of floods and their harmful environmental and economic consequences are becoming worldwide importance. In this regard, we need to solve the problem in the field of strategies for timely response to floods, mitigating their consequences and preservation of natural floodplain resources. The article analyzes additional factors influencing floods in Western Ukraine through climatic changes, unauthorized scarring forests, anthropogenic changes. To solve the problem of flood forecasting and reducing their consequences, a systematic approach is proposed, which takes into account the environmental risks of floods. A scenario approach is used, which reproduces the tree of possible developments during and after the flood. Arrays of initial input emergencies, probable emergencies and probable consequences are formed. Based on the considered scenarios, strategies and risks management options are constructed. Meaning the scenario approach, the article shows that the normative calculation of the volume of the drain from the soil surface to the reservoir does not take into account some important factors such as soil filtration capacity, surface slope and other parameters. For a more accurate determination of the number of drains it is recommended to improve the estimated formula. To do this, it is proposed to use a double integral over time and mass of water on the surface, which takes into account the mass of water arrival and water outflow, which in turn take into account the properties of the study area, evaporation and the ability of the soil to retain moisture, follow the balance sheet. In this case, conclusions are made to develop a set of measures to reduce the risk of floods and malicious effects.

Plastic pollution risks in bioretention systems: a case study

ABSTRACT We investigated plastic pollution in soil-based stormwater bioretention systems (BRS), which are potentially important pollutant receptors and pathways. Our integrated study is the first of its kind, focusing on plastic abundance, size fractionation, composition, and interactions with urban metrics (including housing density and auxiliary stormwater treatment infrastructure) in BRS filter media. Our results revealed that mesoplastic (MEP) and microplastic (MP) concentrations in BRS are comparable with those reported in other stormwater systems (e.g. wetlands) as well as soils in other land use areas (e.g. agriculture). Distributional sampling within the BRS revealed MP abundances do not change with horizontal distance from the inlet to the outlet. However, MEP abundances drastically decreased towards the outlet, indicating plastic accumulation within BRS. This is important because MEPs can breakdown into MPs which can affect BRS function as well as mobilise downstream. Yet our data uncovered more complex mechanisms involved in BRS plastic fate, with composition data revealing that MPs are not simply breakdown products of MEPs but are instead derived from different sources. Composition, morphology and colour analysis confirmed that BRS polymer liners are a key source of MPs and MEPs in soil filter media. Multivariate analysis of the data with urban design metrics showed gross pollutant traps are effective at decreasing MP concentrations in BRS but not as effective at controlling MEPs. Our results point to complex plastic transmission and accumulation pathways in BRS. Interception measures can partially alleviate plastic risk, but more work is needed to elucidate plastic long-term fate in BRS.

Field Study of the Road Stormwater Runoff Bioretention System with Combined Soil Filter Media and Soil Moisture Conservation Ropes in North China

Growing concerns about urban runoff pollution and water scarcity caused by urbanization have prompted the application of bioretention facilities to manage urban stormwater. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of proposed bioretention facilities regarding road runoff pollutant removal and the variation characteristics of the media physicochemical properties and microbial diversity in dry-cold regions. Two types of bioretention facilities were designed and then constructed in Tianjin Eco-city, China, on the basis of combined soil filter media screened by a laboratory-scale test with a modified bioretention facility (MBF) containing soil moisture conservation ropes. Redundancy analysis was performed to evaluate the relationships between the variation in media physicochemical properties and microbial communities. An increase in media moisture could promote an increase in the relative abundance of several dominant microbial communities. In the MBF, the relatively low nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) (0.75 mg/L) and total nitrogen (TN) (4.71 mg/L) effluent concentrations, as well as better removal efficiencies for TN and NO3-N in challenge tests, were mainly attributed to the greater relative abundance of Proteobacteria (25.2%) that are involved in the microbial nitrogen transformation process. The MBF also had greater media microbial richness (5253 operational taxonomic units) compared to the conventional bioretention facility and in situ saline soils. The results indicate that stormwater runoff treated by both bioretention facilities has potential use for daily greening and road spraying. The proposed design approach for bioretention facilities is applicable to LID practices and sustainable stormwater management in other urban regions.

Phosphorus leakage from various phosphorus sources in terms of the risk of water pollution

A pot experiment was carried out with spring wheat on soil, the pH of which was differentiated with calcium carbonate into three pH levels. At each pH level, the effects of four phosphorus fertilizers, which differed in the forms of phosphorus, were tested. During the vegetation period, soil filtrates were collected three times in order to determine the concentration of phosphate ions in the water filtered through the soil. It was found that the amount of phosphorus penetrating deep into the soil from fertilizers depended on the type of fertilizer, soil pH and the time that elapsed from the application of the fertilizer. The greatest amount of phosphates was found in soil filtrates from fertilizers containing mono- and diammonium phosphates, as well as ortho- and polyphosphates. For this type of fertilizers, there is a high risk of phosphorus contamination of waters, therefore their doses should be determined with great care.

Treatment of olive mill wastewaters using infiltration/percolation system: effect on microbial communities in the soil filter

Treatment of olive mill wastewaters using infiltration/percolation system: effect on microbial communities in the soil filter

A new framework for assessing the environmental impacts of circular economy friendly soil waste-based geopolymer cements

Portland cement is one of the principal constituents used as a building material and is responsible for high energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Any attempt to reduce cement usage would make savings in energy usage and GHG emissions. A case study of Portland cement (CEM-I) replacement using alkali activated soil filter cake as a geopolymer mortar is presented to demonstrate application of a three-stage GHG emission estimation and comparison methodology using a process-based life cycle assessment (LCA) study, with a focus on benchmarking environmental sustainability. Results indicate that the alkali activated soil filter cake reduced total GHG emissions by 31% compared with CEM-I, which equates to 110 kgCO2-eq/m3. Transportation by rail was found to be more sustainable compared with by road, with an overall higher GHG emission reduction of between 5 and 10%. For road transport, heavy goods vehicles (HGV) of between 3.5t and 5.7t recorded the highest GHG emissions whilst articulated lorries recorded the lowest GHG emissions. Furthermore, the results also demonstrated that a bulk carrier is the most environmentally sustainable option for overseas raw material transportation. Monte-Carlo simulations signified the likelihood of achieving lowered GHG emissions when considering commercial production and inventory changes across different countries varies from 18% to 71%. These results highlight the importance of critical analysis of several factors which contribute towards overall environmental sustainability, prior to decision making on sustainable materials. Further research is encouraged on developing processes and methodologies to prioritize selection of sustainable materials to optimize sustainable benefits.

The Degradation of the Territories of Snow Polygons

The assessment of the degree of degradation of the soil and vegetation cover in the territory of storage of snow masses was carried out. It is established that in the soils of the polygons there is a decrease in the reserves of organic carbon, an increase in the power of the abiotic alluvial layer, a reduction in the power of the upper part of the soil profile, washouts and algae are formed. It is determined that the soil filtration coefficients are low. Stagnation of water near the surface and prolonged waterlogging against the background of low temperatures during the entire period of snowmelt were revealed. The soils of all snow polygons are characterized as highly degraded. They have lost their valuable functions for humans and need to be reclaimed.

Mathematical Modeling of Unsaturated Filtration in Swelling Soils Using the Capillary-Rise Problem as an Example

Mathematical Modeling of Unsaturated Filtration in Swelling Soils Using the Capillary-Rise Problem as an Example

Alternative Engineered Soils and Seed Mixes Used for Seepage Troughs

Green Infrastructure measures such as seepage troughs are an integral part of sustainable urban rainwater management. In Austria, seepage troughs are currently almost exclusively produced with a 30 cm thick active soil filter passage made of topsoil. A standard seed mix is used as vegetation, which usually consists of only three different turfgrass species. During a three-year trial, engineered soils with improved properties (increased water storage capacity, infiltration rate and pore volume) were tested for their suitability as seepage troughs compared to topsoil. In addition to the standard turf seed mix, a flowering turf seed mix (34 species) and flowering meadow seed mix (53 species) were applied. The engineered and reference soils were analyzed for infiltration rate, vitality, cover ratio and inflorescence. The results were further assessed with the evaluation chart showing quantitatively the suitability of the tested soils for rainwater management. The investigations showed that engineered soils in combination with flowering meadow seed mix lead to the best results. Therefore, this type of vegetation for seepage troughs is recommended for future applications. The reference alternatives cannot be recommended.