Organic Matter Content Values Research Articles

Organic matter in the lacustrine sediments of the Kama-Keltma lowland (Cis-Urals): assessment of distribution and dynamics in the Late Pleistocene and Holocene

The short communication article presents the results of analyses of the lacustrine sediments of Novozhilovo and Chelvinskoe lakes, located at the Kama-Vychegda watershed. Big set (209) of sediments samples from three wells were analyzed by the loss on ignition (550 °C) method. Age of cores and the rate of sediment accumulation were based on the 14 radiocarbon dates. Six stages of deposits accumulation and nature dynamics during the Late Glacial and Holocene in the lakes catchment area are proposed. The first stage (14.15 – 13.5 cal. kyr BP) is characterized by high rates of deposits accumulation at low values of organic matter content, indicating alluvial sedimentogenesis. Peak of accumulation rates as well as a sharp rise in bioaccumulation were observed during the second stage (13.5 – 12.4 cal. kyr BP), which is interpreted as stabilization of the lake level and external environmental conditions. During the third stage (12.4 – 10.7 cal. kyr BP), the sediment accumulation rate decreases rapidly, reaching a minimum by the end of the period. The organic matter content also decreases significantly (to 30 %). The short-term fourth period (10.7 – 10.0 cal. kyr BP) records the transition from the Late Pleistocene (dominance of rarefied periglacial vegetation) to the Early Holocene (predominance of forest communities). This is marked by a drastic increase in the loss on ignition values (up to 92-95%). During the fifth stage (10.0 – 8.8 cal. kyr BP), the sediments accumulation rate increases and the organic matter content decreases to 77-82%. Synchronously with some increase in the concentration of mineral particles. Smoothing of the loss on ignition curve (average values - 92-96%), a marked increase in the sediment accumulation rate during the sixth stage (8.8 - 5.0 cal. kyr BP) probably indicates the stabilisation of external conditions in the lake catchment.

Application of Geospatial Techniques in Analyst Distribution Patttern of Some Soil Properties in Erbil Province, Kurdistan Region-iraq

The study area is located in Erbil province, Kurdistan region, Iraq (that extends from Latitude 35.436151N to 37.319894N and from Longitude 43.374316E to 45.080122E) and aimed explain the distribution of some soil properties depending on geospatial techniques. Fourteen geo-referenced soil pedons have been elected. The ArcMap 10.7 software has been used in this study. Bulk density generally increases with depth in studied pedons. Interpolated map for distribution of clay particles, appears the higher values of clay particles and fine soil texture are located at the north, northwest, and decreasing into the south, southwest. Clay content has different distribution patterns. An alkaline studied soil pH with low salts content. Organic matter and total carbonate decreased with depth and an increase pedogenic carbonate that has a positive significant correlation with both slope and elevation. Active carbonate has a strong correlation with clay particles. Soil gypsum and total nitrogen decreased with depth in most pedons. The study concluded that decreasing into the south and southwest. Soil organic matter tends to increase as the clay content increases and higher values of organic matter content are located at northwest and decreasing gradually to south and southwest. Soils have different distribution patterns of total and active carbonates along pedons. CEC decreased from northwest toward a southeast

Ecological and geological determination of the initial pedogenesis on devastated lands in the Kryvyi Rih Iron Mining & Metallurgical District (Ukraine)

In our time, a very urgent problem is the cessation of negative impacts on the environment and the return to the practical use of the territories of devastated lands. In this regard, it is important to find out the basic laws of primary soil formation in the area of these man-made neoplasms. The initial soil formation conditions were analyzed on 19 experimental sites which represent the main varieties of devastated land in the Kryvyi Rih Iron Mining and Metallurgical District (Central Ukraine): (i) waste rock dumps of old iron mines (old name “Forges”), (ii) tailing storage facility of underground iron mines, (iii) waste rock dumps of the Iron Ore Mining and Dressing Plant, (iv) waste rock dumps of the Granite Quarry Plant. It was established that on the devastated lands in Kryvyi Rih District, the initial soil formation occurs in very difficult conditions. Therefore, over 25- 100 years only very primitive soils were formed. The following features are inherent to them: (1) primitive soil profile (thickness 10-100 mm), (2) low levels of soil organic substance content (9.5-11.5 %), (3) alkaline indicators of the soil solution (pHH2O – 8.08-8.92, pHKCl – 7.42-8.23), (4) low levels of cation exchange capacity (6.34-8.47 mMol /100 g). By results of correlation calculations, among the factors of soil formation time (duration of soil formation) and input of plant ash elements’ fall are characterized by the maximum number of statistically significant correlation coefficients and their numerical values. In terms of chemical composition of the technosol, the values of organic matter content and exchangeable acidity (pHKCl) were the most predictable soil formation factors. Generally physical / chemical characteristics of geological rocks (as parent material) and time were the two most important factors in determining the initial pedogenesis on devastated lands in the Kryvyi Rih Iron Mining & Metallurgical District (Ukraine).

Structural plasticity and species distribution in a peri-urban mangrove of Southeastern Brazil

The goal of this study was to evaluate the structural plasticity and distribution of mangrove species in the Estuarine System of Greater Vitoria (ESGV). Four areas distributed along the estuary were analyzed. Fringe and basin forests were sampled in each station. Concomitantly to the forest sampling, interstitial salinity was measured in the field, and sediment was collected for analysis of organic matter (OM) content. There was variation in species distribution along the ESGV. Regarding the structural variables, comparative analysis between physiographic types indicated that basin forests were more mature than fringe forests. OM content values were higher in basin forests. There was an inverse relationship between values of mean DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) and live trunk density (R2 = 0.8795, p <0.0001), and a positive relationship between OM content in the sediment and mean DBH (R2 = 0.3215, p = 0.00593). Multivariate analysis evidenced the formation of three groups: The first with higher structural development and dominated by Rhizophora mangle, in areas with higher OM content; the second dominated by Laguncularia racemosa with more impoverished soils; and third group, which aggregated plots subjected to environmental and anthropic stress (like tree cutting), restricted to more urbanized areas. Key words: Forest maturity, organic matter, multivariate analysis.

Influence of soil specimen preparation on results of its organic matter content laboratory determination

Paper deals with influence of soil specimen preparation on values of its organic matter content, determined by laboratory tests. Totally 54 specimens of soils CG, CL, CI and CH from Lipnik, Międzyrzecze and Nieboczowy, Poland were tested. To obtain values of soils organic matter content, the oxidation method introduced in the Polish Standard PN-88/B-04481 was applied. The tests were carried out for particles smaller than 2 mm. For every sample, 3 specimens (every with a mass about 10 g of dry soil) were prepared by such a way that the first one is taken from whole sample after drying about 200 g of wet soil. The second and third one were taken from 50 g of remaining sample mass after taking the first one. As an oxidizing agent, the 30% hydrogen peroxide solution was used. The results show that values of organic matter content of soils range from 0.03% to 2.74%. The largest difference in values of organic matter content, caused by specimen preparation, was 0.38% (absolute difference), corresponding to relative difference 15.86%. The smallest difference was null. Mentioned difference causes negligible difference in soil erodibility factor K hence negligible difference in soil erosion rate in mentioned locations.

Study of a tropical soil in order to use it to retain aluminum, iron, manganese and fluoride from acid mine drainage

The Ore Treatment Unit (UTM-Caldas), in the city of Caldas, Minas Gerais, Brazil, nowadays in decommissioning stage, was the first uranium extraction mine in Brazil. Several negative environmental impacts in the area have occurred, because of mining, treatment and beneficiation processes. Waste rock pile 4 (WRP-4) generates acid mine drainage (AMD), which is discharged in the Nestor Figueiredo retention pond (NFP). However, leakage of acid water by the NFP dam foundation has been constantly observed. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate a typical tropical soil, in order to use it as mineral liner for the NFP to minimize the leakage of acid water through the dam foundation and to retain predominant chemical species. Geotechnical, chemical and mineralogical tests were performed to characterize the soil and a column test was carried out using the acid mine drainage as contaminant, which contained aluminum (Al), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe) and fluoride (F−). The soil presented micro aggregation, acid pH, and low values of organic matter content and cation exchange capacity, which are characteristics of highly weathered soils. Diffusion was the predominant transport mechanism in the column test. Effluent solutions with pH less than 6.0 indicated the formation of insoluble Al-F complexes in the soil and desorption of iron and manganese at concentrations above those allowed by the Brazilian legislation. At pH greater than 6.0, the desorption of iron and manganese and release of aluminum and fluoride in the free form occurred, with concentrations also higher than the allowed by the Brazilian legislation.

Efecto del Uso del Suelo en la Capacidad de Almacenamiento Hídrico en el Páramo de Sumapaz - Colombia

Los páramos son ecosistemas importantes por su función natural como reguladores hídricos donde sus suelos juegan un papel fundamental. Sin embargo, son sistemas frágiles que pueden sufrir degradación con cambios en el uso del suelo. Este estudio se realizó con el fin de evaluar cambios en las propiedades físicas de un suelo de páramo relacionadas con su capacidad de almacenamiento de agua cuando se someten a diferentes usos. El trabajo se llevó a cabo en el área del Parque Natural Nacional del Sumapaz (Cundinamarca-Colombia), donde se seleccionó un tipo de suelo representativo de una misma unidad cartográfica de suelos bajo diferentes usos (cultivos de papa, ganadería, suelo en descanso con vegetación de barbecho y suelos con vegetación nativa, como tratamiento testigo); se realizaron tres calicatas por cada uso, se tomaron muestras de los cuatro lados de la calicata por horizonte y se evaluaron propiedades del suelo como retención de humedad, densidad aparente, porosidad total, distribución de la porosidad y contenido de carbono orgánico. Se encontró que la capacidad de almacenamiento de humedad del suelo se percibió disminuida para todos los usos hasta en un 60%; la densidad aparente aumentó hasta un 16% y la porosidad total disminuyó hasta en un 23% de los suelos con diferente uso al ser comparados con el suelo del tratamiento testigo. El cultivo de papa y los lotes en descanso presentaron los menores valores de porcentaje de carbono orgánico, porosidad, retención de humedad, a capacidad de campo y punto de marchitez permanente; y altos valores de densidad aparente en comparación con el suelo con vegetación nativa. El cambio del uso del suelo disminuyó la capacidad de retención de agua, afectando la función ambiental de los páramos como reguladores hídricos.

Evaluation of Organic Matter Stability in Wood Compost by Chemical and Thermogravimetric Analysis

This study investigated maturation and stability levels during composting of Quercus robur (QR) woodchips mixed with different nitrogen sources (horse manure, HM and lake mud, LM) for potential agronomic utilisation. The woodchips were mixed with HM and LM, respectively, at mixing ratios of 1QR:2HM or 1QR:2LM. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse over 100 days. During composting, organic carbon and its fractioning and humification constituents were quantified. In the final compost product, pH, organic matter (OM), cation exchange capacity (CEC) and selected available nutrients were measured. Thermostability of compost, compared with that of soil and compost mixed with charcoal were also quantified. Results showed OM evolution during the composting process with total organic and extractable carbons and humification indices decreasing, while the degree of humification increased. Compost produced from the 1QR:2HM mix resulted in the highest available nutrients, CEC and OM content values in the final product. Thermogravimetric profiles indicated that compost OM thermostability was higher than that in soil and higher for the 1QR:2HM than the 1QR:2LM mix. Application of charcoal revealed no additional stabilising effect of OM in wood compost.

Microbial activity in soils under fast-growing Paulownia ( Paulownia elongata x fortunei) plantations in Mediterranean areas

Most agroforestry projects and plantations for biomass production may affect soil properties and status. The objective of this work was to know the effects of paulownia ( Paulownia ssp.) plantation on the chemical, physical and microbiological properties of soils in Mediterranean agricultural areas. Aleppo pine ( Pinus halepensis L.) forestations, maize ( Zea mays L.) crops and soils without human interference were also selected in the same area in order to compare results obtained. Paulownia plantations and maize crops showed higher values of organic matter content, total N, total organic carbon and heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni and Zn). However, Aleppo pine forestations and control plots presented higher enzymatic activities (phosphatase, β-glucosidase and dehydrogenase) and soil respiration than agricultural uses or paulownia plantations. Thus, the ploughing operations with the consequent increased soil aeration, fertilization and cropping practices, as well as the vegetation management and composition negatively influence microbial populations and enzyme activity. Paulownia plantation should avoid the use of machinery and fertilization, which incorporate heavy metals into the soil or increases soil aeration, reducing the soil respiration and enzymatic activity levels. Moreover, enzymes and soil respiration might be useful as early indicators of biological changes.

Photocatalytic inactivation of E. faecalis in secondary wastewater plant effluents

Photocatalytic inactivation of Enterococcus faecalis using TiO(2) suspensions was investigated and compared to the inactivation of the most commonly used faecal indicator strain Escherichia coli. In contrast to the inactivation in pure deionized water, disinfection of effluents from the biological process of an urban wastewater plant showed a longer initial lag phase and higher survival fractions after several hours of irradiation. Moreover, the fluctuation of the composition of the effluents strongly affects the overall inactivation rate, not directly related to changes in the values of organic matter content. Additionally, it was found that E. faecalis seems to be more resistant than E.coli towards the photocatalytic treatment. These results could be related to the differences in the cell wall structure of both microorganisms. The main conclusion of this work is that attention must be paid when transferring results obtained for model organism to real bacteria consortia and from laboratory experiments with deionized water to effluents from sewage plants.

Evaluation Of Management Properties Of Wetland Soils Of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria For Sustainable Crop Production

Management properties of soils of three wetland types in Akwa Ibom State were investigated. The wetland types are Inland Valley, Flood plain and Mangrove. The soils had silt/clay ratios above 0.15 and 0.25 indicating that they are of young soils. The pH of the wet soils was very slightly acidic (>6.4) while that of the air-dried samples was extremely acidic (>3.5). This suggests that the soils are potential acid sulphate soils. Organic matter content values were high with mean of 12.59, 60.01, and 3.20 percent for Inland valley, Flood plain and mangrove soils respectively. Effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC) was below the >20 cmol/kg reported by FAO (1976) as indicative of high suitability of soil for crop production. There was negative and significant correlation between ECEC and pH in Flood plain soils (r= -0.76) and positive but non-significant correlation between ECEC and organic matter in all the wetland types. The soil had low base saturation (

Manganese Adsorption and Desorption in Calcareous Lebanese Soils

AbstractAdsorption data for 20 calcareous soils, obtained by equilibrating soil samples with 9 different concentrations of Manganese, were evaluated using Langmuir adsorption equations. When the data were plotted according to the conventional Langmuir equation, the isotherms were curvilinear at low Mn concentrations and linear at higher concentrations. Where the data were fitted to a “competitive” Langmuir equation, the isotherms were again found to be nonlinear, indicating that more than one population of adsorption sites existed in these soils. Manganese adsorption maxima, estimated from the linear parts of the conventional Langmuir isotherms, were highly correlated with the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the soils but not with values of organic matter content, calcium carbonate equivalent or free iron. A desorption study confirmed that part of the adsorbed Mn was held quite tightly.

Gamma Radiation Compared with Steam and Methyl Bromide as a Soil Sterilizing Agent

AbstractRed Bay loamy fine sand and Everglades muck were sterilized with gamma radiation, steam, and methyl bromide. Exchangeable NH4+; extractable N, P, and S; moisture equivalent; cation‐exchange capacity; and organic matter were measured. None of the sterilization treatments significantly altered cation‐exchange capacity. Steam significantly increased the amounts of N, P, and S extracted and the organic matter content values, compared to the check and the other two soil treatments; it also significantly decreased the moisture equivalent percentage. Gamma ray and methyl bromide sterilization generally increased the release of N, P, and S above the check. There was also a strong indication, based on the N data, that sterilization by gamma rays disrupted the soil organic materials more than methyl bromide. Finally, the intensity of all these factors is most closely associated with the organic matter content of the soil. Therefore, a sand, for example, would not be altered nearly as much as a loam or an organic soil.