Biochemistry of nitrification in soil: 2. The site of soil nitrification.
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Journal Article↗
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Aggregate formation in soil. 2. Influence of various carbohydrates and proteins on aggregation of soil particles.
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Journal Article↗
Aggregate formation in soil. 1. Influence of some bacterial polysaccharides on the binding of soil particles.
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Journal Article↗
[Facility for treatment of night-soils attached to individual houses in Japan and the effect of the effluent from the facility on the pollution of rivers in Kumamoto city. I. Experimental studies on the facility for treatment of night-soils attached to individual houses in Japan].
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Chlorine↗
Evaluation of extraction procedures for removing lead from contaminated soil.
Soil extraction of lead contaminated soil collected from sites near an abandoned battery recycling and secondary lead-smelting factory was investigated for potential use in decontaminating soil at the sites. A fractionation study was conducted to elucidate soil retention mechanism for Pb at the site. Three soil pits were selected from an area surrounding the factory based on level of Pb contamination. Soil samples were collected from each pit in two layers: surface soil and subsoil (0-15 cm and 15-30 cm). Soil physical analysis showed that the soil texture was sandy loam and sandy clay loam with clay content between 11-21%. Soil pH was strongly acid to moderately acid (pH 4.8-5.9). Pb levels in the surface soil were 1620 and 153 mg kg(-1) (air-dried basis) respectively for heavily and slightly contaminated soil. A reference soil site contained 15 mg kg(-1) of Pb. Partitioning studies indicated that more than 90% of total Pb in the soil existed in three primary fractions: exchangeable, carbonate, and Fe-Mn oxide. This suggested that Pb sources entering the soil from the Pb factory remained in relatively weakly bound forms, which are mobile and have potentially biological availability. Mobility of Pb as in the soil assessed by mobility factor (MF) was as high as 75% indicating a high potential of Pb remobilization. Due to high mobility, the Pb would be amendable to remediation or removal by soil extraction procedures. To determine if such weekly bound Pb could be easily removed, both soil washing (ex situ) and soil flushing (in situ) techniques were evaluated for potential Pb remediation procedure. Particle size separation of soil into coarse (2.0-0.25 mm), medium (0.25-0.15 mm), and fine size (<0.15 mm) was conducted before initiating soil washing for comparing Pb removal efficiency in these fractions with the indigenous soil fraction. Using EDTA (2:1 mole to Pb) as a washing solution up to 85-95% of Pb was removed under the optimum conditions (retention time = 60 min), and liquid to solid ratio (L/S) at 5:1 for coarse fraction and 10:1 for smaller fraction. Pb could be removed from contaminated soil using EDTA extraction; however, the efficiency was higher in the coarse texture soil fraction. As a result particle size separation is recommended before application of the soil washing procedure. For smaller soil particle size fraction a series of extraction was needed for obtaining an adequate extraction efficiency. Three solvents tested as flushing solution showed 85, 84, and 74% of Pb was removed by EDTA (2:1 mole to Pb), 1M HNO3, and 0.2 M ammonium citrate, respectively after flushing with 20 pore volumes. The capacity of the three flushing solutions to remove Pb from the contaminated soil were ranked in the order: EDTA approximately 1 M HNO3 > 0.2 N ammonium citrate. However, in highly contaminated soil all solvent extract required several Pb leaching cycles. The flushing process using 1 M HNO3 increased soil acidity to extreme acid conditions (pH 2.0) resulting in adverse effects to physicochemical properties of the treated soil. In general, results showed three factors influenced Pb removal by the extraction techniques: (i) initial Pb concentrations, (ii) Pb partitioning within soil, and (iii) particle size of soil matrix.
Chelating Agents↗
Irrigation with effluents: effects of prewetting rate and clay content on runoff and soil loss.
Stability of soil surface aggregates and irrigation water quality significantly affect runoff and soil erosion. Slow wetting of aggregates prevents slaking. We hypothesized that wetting rate will affect a soil's susceptibility to seal formation and soil erosion, and that this susceptibility will differ between effluent- and fresh water (FW)-irrigated soils. Effects of prewetting rate (2, 4, 8, and 64 mm h(-1)) on runoff and interrill erosion from five Israeli soils exposed to 60 mm of simulated rain were studied in the laboratory. Soils were taken from fields irrigated with FW or effluents for >15 yr. In general, for effluent- and FW-irrigated samples, runoff and soil loss were greatest for the soil with 22.5% clay; at lower or higher clay contents, less runoff and soil losses were noted. Runoff and soil loss decreased with decreasing prewetting rate (PWR) mainly in soils with clay content > or =38%. Total runoff and soil loss were higher in effluent-irrigated soils than in FW-irrigated ones in the loamy sand (8% clay) only. Greater soil losses occurred from effluent-irrigated soils exposed to fast PWR (64 m h(-1)) compared with FW-irrigated soils. In general, PWR had similar effects on total runoff and soil loss for effluent- and FW-irrigated soils. Use of wetting rates < or =8 mm h(-1) to prevent aggregate slaking decreased runoff and soil loss from loam and clayey soils exposed to simulated rainfall of high kinetic energy (15.9 kJ m(-3)). Long term irrigation with effluents in soils containing >20% clay did not seem to adversely affect soil susceptibility to runoff and soil loss in soils exposed to simulated rainfall, beyond that observed in FW-irrigated soils.
Agriculture↗
Nitrogen dynamics in an Australian semiarid grassland soil.
We conducted a four-week laboratory incubation of soil from a Themeda triandra Forsskal grassland to clarify mechanisms of nitrogen (N) cycling processes in relation to carbon (C) and N availability in a hot, semiarid environment. Variation in soil C and N availability was achieved by collecting soil from either under tussocks or the bare soil between tussocks, and by amending soil with Themeda litter. We measured N cycling by monitoring: dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), ammonium (NH4+), and nitrate (NO3-) contents, gross rates of N mineralization and microbial re-mineralization, NH4+ and NO3- immobilization, and autotrophic and heterotrophic nitrification. We monitored C availability by measuring cumulative soil respiration and dissolved organic C (DOC). Litter-amended soil had cumulative respiration that was eightfold greater than non-amended soil (2000 compared with 250 microg C/g soil) and almost twice the DOC content (54 compared with 28 microg C/g soil). However, litter-amended soils had only half as much DON accumulation as non-amended soils (9 compared with 17 microg N/g soil) and lower gross N rates (1-4 compared with 13-26 microg N x [g soil](-1) x d(-1)) and NO3- accumulation (0.5 compared with 22 microg N/g soil). Unamended soil from under tussocks had almost twice the soil respiration as soil from between tussocks (300 compared with 175 microg C/g soil), and greater DOC content (33 compared with 24 microg C/g soil). However, unamended soil from under tussocks had lower gross N rates (3-20 compared with 17-31 microg N x [g soil](-1) d(-1)) and NO3- accumulation (18 compared with 25 microg N/g soil) relative to soil from between tussocks. We conclude that N cycling in this grassland is mediated by both C and N limitations that arise from the patchiness of tussocks and seasonal variability in Themeda litterfall. Heterotrophic nitrification rate explained >50% of total nitrification, but this percentage was not affected by proximity to tussocks or litter amendment. A conceptual model that considers DON as central to N cycling processes provided a useful initial framework to explain results of our study. However, to fully explain N cycling in this semiarid grassland soil, the production of NO3- from organic N sources must be included in this model.
Carbon↗
Soil photolysis in a moisture- and temperature-controlled environment. 2. Insecticides.
The photolytic degradations of imidacloprid, carbofuran, diazinon, chlorpyrifos, pyridaben, propoxur, and esfenvalerate were independently compared in both moist (75% field moisture capacity at 0.33 bar) and air-dry microbially viable soils at 5 microg/g. All compounds were applied to sandy soil except for propoxur, which was applied to sandy loam soil. Diazinon was applied to both sandy soil and sandy loam soil. The samples were exposed for up to 360 h, depending on the half-life of the compound. Moisture and temperature were maintained through the use of a specially designed soil photolysis apparatus. Corresponding dark control studies were performed concurrently. With the exception of esfenvalerate, the other compounds exhibited significantly shorter half-lives in moist soils, attributed to the increased hydrolysis and microbial activity of the moist soil. The esfenvalerate metabolism was not first order due to limited mobility in the soil because of its very low water solubility. The overall half-life for esfenvalerate was 740 h, as the percent remaining did not drop below 60%. The imidacloprid half-life in irradiated moist soil was 1.8 times shorter than in air-dry soils. However, on dry soil the photodegradation showed poor first-order kinetics after 24 h of exposure. The metabolism of carbofuran and diazinon was highly dependent on soil moisture. Carbofuran exhibited 2.2 times longer half-lives when less moisture was available in the soil. Diazinon in moist sandy soil degraded rapidly, but slowed significantly in irradiated and dark control air-dry sandy soil. Diazinon photolysis on sandy loam soil was not first order, as it attained a constant concentration of 54.9%, attributed to decreased mobility in this soil. Chlorpyrifos photolysis was 30% shorter on moist sand than on air-dry sand. Pyridaben photolyzed rapidly throughout the first 72 h of irradiation but maintained 48% through 168 h. Propoxur metabolism in moist sandy loam soil was not first order and did not degrade below 50% after 360 h of exposure, but the overall half-life was still nearly half of that on irradiated air-dry soil. Three of the compounds showed differences in metabolism patterns during exposure on moist or air-dry soil. Typically, the moist soils produced a more linear decline than that seen in the dry soils, corresponding to the susceptibility of the particular chemical to hydrolysis and/or biodegradation. Four of the eight experiments had shorter half-lives in dark control moist soils than in irradiated dry soils.
Carbofuran↗
[Studies on survival of Salmonella typhimurium in different types of soils under outdoor climatic conditions (author's transl)].
Subsequent to experimental contamination of the surface of different soils--sand, loam and clay types--persistence of S. typhimurium had been investigated under outdoor climatic conditions over the period June 1977 to Dec. 1978 to judge public health problems resulting from land application of animal manures. The studies showed the following results:--in general survival time of Salmonellae reduced with decreasing temperature both at the soil surface and in deeper soil layers of the correspondent soil-type. Relative to average soil temperatures of 14.1, 3.2 and -0.6 degrees C the Salmonellae showed average survival times of 46.8 d, 32.1 d and 3.3 d respectively (p < 0.01).--by means of infiltration Salmonellae penetrated into the soils. Below soil surface the pathogens exhibited mean survival times approximative twice as long as pathogens remaining at the soil surface. At the soil surface the Salmonellae persisted over an average period of 26 d (3-69 d as a function of soil type), while out of deeper soil layers the pathogens could be reisolated over an average period of 44.7 d (7- > 120 d as a function of soil type), (p < 0.05).--with increasing depth of soil (5-50 cm) frequency of isolation of Salmonellae reduced (p < 0.01). In this connection rate of infiltration seemed to be restricted mostly within the first 15 cm.--the heavier soil types gave better chances for survival of S. typhimurium than the sandy soil types (p < 0.01). This could be shown by the higher isolation rate of Salmonellae from the loam- and clay-type soils (15.9%), compared with the isolation rate of 7.8% from the sandy soil-types.--genuine soil microorgnisms took part in elimination of Salmonellae. The degree of self-decontamination however was not related to the biomass contents of the investigated soils. From the viewpoint of environmental hygiene, the results point to distinct organic loading capacities of soils. This leads to the conclusion that the degree of manuring should be devoted to the capability of self-decontamination of the corresponding soil-type. Relative to heavier soils, this results in longer intervalls of manuring. Related to the spreading of liquid manures, methods have been developed to avoid odor emission by injecting the liquid manures into the soil. These methods seem to be critical from the viewpoint of hygiene, because beneath soil surface pathogenic bacteria, as it could be shown, exhibited survival times for much longer periods than at the surface of the soils. The presented data point to the urgency of decontaminative pretreatments of animal manures (esp. to regions with high density of livestock) before spreading on land.
Bacteriological Techniques↗
Changes of soil microbiological properties caused by land use changing from rice-wheat rotation to vegetable cultivation.
A survey was done recently in Jiaxing city of Zhejiang Province in the Yangtze River Delta to compare the differences of soil microbiological properties among paddy soils with different land use including continuous open-field vegetable cultivation (OFVC), plastic-greenhouse vegetable cultivation (PGVC) and traditional rice-wheat rotation (RWR). The soil types included are percolating, permeable and waterlogged paddy soils. The results indicate that the microbial flora was markedly changed as the land use changed for all the three soil types. In continuous vegetable cultivation soils, especially in PGVC soils, the bacteria amounts decreased dramatically, but the fungal and actinomyce amounts increased as compared with RWR soils. The dehydrogenase activities decreased significantly in vegetable soils, especially in PGVC soils as compared with RWR soils. The microbial biomass C and the total phospholipid contents (TPL) in vegetable cultivation soil greatly decreased as compared with RWR soils. Biolog analysis indicated that the kinds of carbon sources that could be metabolized by native microbes in PGVC soils greatly decreased as compared with OFVC soils and RWR soils, revealing that microbial diversity had decreased since land use change. The activities of some soil enzymes including urease, invertase and phosphase were all lower in OFVC soils than those in RWR soils, and those in PGVC soils were the lowest. The degradation of microbiological activities in continuous vegetable cultivation soils, especially in PGVC soils, as compared with RWR soils might have been caused by soil acidification and accumulation of salts due to overuse of both organic and inorganic fertilizers in vegetable cultivation.
Agriculture↗
Forest thinning and soil respiration in a ponderosa pine plantation in the Sierra Nevada.
Soil respiration is controlled by soil temperature, soil water, fine roots, microbial activity, and soil physical and chemical properties. Forest thinning changes soil temperature, soil water content, and root density and activity, and thus changes soil respiration. We measured soil respiration monthly and soil temperature and volumetric soil water continuously in a young ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex P. Laws. & C. Laws.) plantation in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California from June 1998 to May 2000 (before a thinning that removed 30% of the biomass), and from May to December 2001 (after thinning). Thinning increased the spatial homogeneity of soil temperature and respiration. We conducted a multivariate analysis with two independent variables of soil temperature and water and a categorical variable representing the thinning event to simulate soil respiration and assess the effect of thinning. Thinning did not change the sensitivity of soil respiration to temperature or to water, but decreased total soil respiration by 13% at a given temperature and water content. This decrease in soil respiration was likely associated with the decrease in root density after thinning. With a model driven by continuous soil temperature and water time series, we estimated that total soil respiration was 948, 949 and 831 g C m(-2) year(-1) in the years 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively. Although thinning reduced soil respiration at a given temperature and water content, because of natural climate variability and the thinning effect on soil temperature and water, actual cumulative soil respiration showed no clear trend following thinning. We conclude that the effect of forest thinning on soil respiration is the combined result of a decrease in root respiration, an increase in soil organic matter, and changes in soil temperature and water due to both thinning and interannual climate variability.
California↗
Ectomycorrhizal fungal associates of Pinus contorta in soils associated with a hot spring in Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Molecular methods and comparisons of fruiting patterns (i.e., presence or absence of fungal fruiting bodies in different soil types) were used to determine ectomycorrhizal (EM) associates of Pinus contorta in soils associated with a thermal soil classified as ultra-acidic to extremely acidic (pH 2 to 4). EM were sampled by obtaining 36 soil cores from six paired plots (three cores each) of both thermal soils and forest soils directly adjacent to the thermal area. Fruiting bodies (mushrooms) were collected for molecular identification and to compare fruiting body (above-ground) diversity to below-ground diversity. Our results indicate (i) that there were significant decreases in both the level of EM infection (130 +/- 22 EM root tips/core in forest soil; 68 +/- 22 EM root tips/core in thermal soil) and EM fungal species richness (4.0 +/- 0.5 species/core in forest soil; 1.2 +/- 0.2 species/core in thermal soil) in soils associated with the thermal feature; (ii) that the EM mycota of thermal soils was comprised of a small set of dominant species and included very few rare species, while the EM mycota of forest soils contained a few dominant species and several rare EM fungal species; (iii) that Dermocybe phoenecius and a species of Inocybe, which was rare in forest soils, were the dominant EM fungal species in thermal soils; (iv) that other than the single Inocybe species, there was no overlap in the EM fungal communities of the forest and thermal soils; and (v) that the fungal species forming the majority of the above-ground fruiting structures in thermal soils (Pisolithus tinctorius, which is commonly used in remediation of acid soils) was not detected on a single EM root tip in either type of soil. Thus, P. tinctorius may have a different role in these thermal soils. Our results suggest that this species may not perform well in remediation of all acid soils and that factors such as pH, soil temperature, and soil chemistry may interact to influence EM fungal community structure. In addition, we identified at least one new species with potential for use in remediation of hot acidic soil.
Fresh Water↗
[Characteristics of soil water infiltration in sub-alpine dark coniferous ecosystem of upper reaches of Yangtze River].
Dark coniferous forest is the predominant type of vegetation in the upper reaches of Yangtze River. Difference among different types of soil exists. The sand content of soil is higher and the soil texture is coarser in the early stage of forest succession. The sand content of soil decreases with the advancement of the forest succession while that of soil in Abies fabri over-mature forest is the lowest. In slope wash soil, the sand content of soil decreases with the increasing soil depth. The soil porosity and soil water-holding capacity increases and soil bulk density decreases with the advancement of forest succession and decrease of soil depth. The deeper soil depth or the smaller soil water content are, the smaller the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of soil measured by CGA method. Moreover, the correlation of soil water content with unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of soil can be simulated by an exponential function. The saturated hydraulic conductivity of soil decreases exponentially with the increasing soil depth. The time to attain the stable infiltration rate is different among different soil depth, while the deeper the soil depth is, the longer the time needs. The variation in soil texture, soil physical properties and the high infiltration rate of soil there implicated that there are scarce surface runoff, but abundant in subsurface flow, return flow and seepage, which is the result of regulation by dark coniferous forest on hydrological processes.
China↗
Bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-contaminated saline-alkaline soils of the former Lake Texcoco.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as phenanthrene, anthracene and Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) are toxic for the environment. Removing these components from soil is difficult as they are resistant to degradation and more so in soils with high pH and large salt concentrations as in soil of the former lake Texcoco, but stimulating soil micro-organisms growth by adding nutrients might accelerate soil restoration. Soil of Texcoco and an agricultural Acolman soil, which served as a control, were spiked with phenanthrene, anthracene and BaP, added with or without biosolid or inorganic fertilizer (N, P), and dynamics of PAHs, N and P were monitored in a 112-day incubation. Concentrations of phenanthrene did not change significantly in sterilized Acolman soil, but decreased 2-times in unsterilized soil and >25-times in soil amended with biosolid and NP. The concentration of phenanthrene in unsterilized soil of Texcoco was 1.3-times lower compared to the sterilized soil, 1.7-times in soil amended with NP and 2.9-times in soil amended with biosolid. In unsterilized Acolman soil, degradation of BaP was faster in soil amended with biosolid than in unamended soil and soil amended with NP. In unsterilized soil of Texcoco, degradation of BaP was similar in soil amended with biosolid and NP but faster than in the unamended soil. It was found that application of biosolid and NP increased degradation of phenanthrene, anthracene and BaP, but to a different degree in alkaline-saline soil of Texcoco compared to an agricultural Acolman soil.
Alkalies↗
Leaching of heavy metals (Cu, Ni and Zn) and organic matter after sewage sludge application to Mediterranean forest soils.
In Mediterranean dry and semiarid areas, soil organic matter is often depleted due to ancient and intensive human activity. Under these conditions the use of sewage sludge as a land reclamation technique may be a means to revert desertification processes and to enhance soil function and nutrient cycling. However, applications of heavy metal-contaminated sewage sludges can significantly increase potentially toxic metal concentrations in soils and metal transfer to freshwater and plants. The aims of this study are 1) to investigate the leaching of Cu, Zn and Ni from three contrasted Mediterranean forest soils (a basic loam, a basic clay, and an acid loam) treated with sewage sludges and 2) to explore the relationships between metal mobility and soil properties and with the leaching of organic matter. The selected soils were incubated in columns (5 replicatesx3 soilsx3 treatments). Treatments were (a) soil application of low metal content sewage sludge (LMS), (b) soil application of metal-enriched sewage sludge (MES), and (c) control. The sewage sludge application represented a dose of 6 kg dry weight m-2. Soil columns were incubated at room temperature for 110 days and were irrigated weekly with deionised water to make a total of a 1130 mm. Leachates were collected and analysed for pH, EC, organic carbon Cu, Ni and Zn concentrations. The concentration of metals and organic matter in the leachates depended on the soil characteristics and on the type of sewage sludge added to the soil. Basic soils with a high amount of clay showed the highest metal retention capacity, while acid soils with low clay content showed the lowest. Of the three metals studied, Ni exhibited the greatest mobility. Zn mobility was also rather high, particularly in the acid soil. Despite the fact that basic soils showed greater OM content than the acid soil, organic carbon in leachates after sludge addition was of the same order of magnitude in all studied soils. OM mobility may enhance the leaching of metals while the OM bound to soil particles may enhance the retention of metals. The rate of leaching per unit of metal in the soil, for Cu in all soils and for Zn in the basic soils, did not increase even in soils amended with metal-enriched sewage sludge. However, the total amount of Cu, Zn, and Ni leached through the 30 cm columns of the metal-enriched sewage sludge increased in comparison to the control soils. In spite of this fact, metal concentrations were in most cases well below limit for drinking water quality criteria of Spanish legislation. Thus, after one single addition of metal-enriched sewage sludge, for the studied Mediterranean soils, the risk of heavy metal pollution of groundwater appears to be low.
Journal Article↗
Environmental fate of methyl bromide as a soil fumigant.
The great variation among results of recent experiments measuring the total emission of MeBr from fields implies that many factors influence MeBr transport and transformation in the soil-water-air system and its ultimate loss from the soil surface. It has been demonstrated that variables related to application methods (e.g., injection depth, use and type of surface tarp), soil properties (e.g., water content, bulk density, soil organic matter), and climatic conditions (e.g.. air temperature, wind speed, barometric pressure) have pronounced effects on MeBr volatilization following soil injection. The following conclusions can be drawn from this experimental information. Tarping consistently, increased the residence time and concentration of MeBr residing in the soil. Prolonged retention of MeBr in the soil resulted in more extensive degradation and reduced cumulative emissions. Research indicates that the polyethylene film typically used for the surface cover is relatively permeable to MeBr and allows significant emissions compared to virtually impermeable plastic films. This effect is more pronounced during periods of high temperature. Soil type, soil water content, and bulk density are important factors affecting MeBr transport and transformation in soil, which ultimately affect volatilization. The total volatilization from a soil with high organic matter content may be drastically reduced relative to that from a low organic matter soil. Amendment of the surface soil with organic matter or nucleophilic compounds that promote increased degradation may offer another method for reducing volatilization. MeBr volatilization may also be decreased by increasing soil water content and bulk density, mainly because of the reduced gas-phase diffusion resulting from reduced soil air-filled porosity. To minimize volatilization, MeBr should be applied during periods of cool temperature, injected relatively deep in organic-rich, moist soil, and the soil surface packed and tarped immediately after the application. Depending on site-specific conditions, a new high-barrier plastic should be used. Injecting MeBr during periods of warm temperature, at a shallow depth in dry, loose soil without the use of low-permeability plastic barriers, will likely result in maximum volatilization rates and therefore should be discouraged. Before adopting any new emission reduction technology, the pest control characteristics of the new methodology should be assessed under soil and environmental conditions typical of the region to optimize efficacy while minimizing environmental contamination. There is considerable current scientific evidence indicating that eliminating MeBr use for soil fumigation may not have a significant impact on stratospheric ozone depletion. Management practices can and have been developed that essentially eliminate atmospheric emissions of MeBr and other fumigant compounds following soil application. Some scientists have suggested that there are natural buffers and various unknown sources of MeBr that make it impossible to ascertain that eliminating soil fumigation with MeBr will significantly improve stratospheric ozone levels. It is quite certain, however, that the phase-out will make it much more difficult for growers to economically provide an adequate and healthful food supply in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world. As the phase-out date approaches, there remains a great need for information about MeBr and stratospheric ozone depletion. Stratospheric ozone must be protected, but recent experiments suggest that it can be protected while still allowing MeBr to be used for soil fumigation. A new approach may be warranted in which state and federal regulations recognize that every chemical is a potential environmental contaminant, depending on the properties of the chemical and the environmental conditions prevailing following its application. Ideally, regulations should incorporate incentives to develop technology that minimizes the likelihood that a chemical becomes an environmental and/or public health problem. Rather than instituting an irrevocable ban, allowing for a suspension of chemical use until the appropriate technology is developed to control the undesirable characteristic(s) of the chemical use would provide much more flexibility to growers and may enhance environmental protection by adopting a proactive approach in which growers, chemical manufacturers, regulators, and the public can have confidence.
Adsorption↗
Levels of lead in urban soils from selected cities in a central region of the Philippines.
BACKGROUND, AIMS, AND SCOPE: Lead (Pb) is a naturally occurring element that poses environmental hazards when present at elevated concentration. It is being released into the environment because of industrial uses and from the combustion of fossil fuels. Hence, Pb is ubiquitous throughout global ecosystems. The existence of potentially harmful concentrations of Pb in the environment must be given full attention. Emissions from vehicles are major source of environmental contamination by Pb. Thus, it becomes imperative that concentrations of Pb and other hazardous materials in the environment not only in the Philippines, but elsewhere in the world be adequately examined in order that development of regulations and standards to minimize risk associated with these materials in urban areas is continued. The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the levels of Pb in soil from selected urbanized cities in central region of the Philippines; (2) to identify areas with soil Pb concentration values that exceed estimated natural concentrations and allowable limits; and (3) to determine the possible sources that contribute to elevated soil Pb concentration (if any) in the study area. METHODS: This study was limited to the determination of Pb levels in soils of selected urbanized cities located in central region in the Philippines, namely: Site 1--Tarlac City in Tarlac; Site 2--Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija; Site 3--Malolos City in Bulacan; Site 4--San Fernando City in Pampanga; Site 5--Balanga City in Bataan; and Site 6--Olongapo City in Zambales. Soil samples were collected from areas along major thoroughfares regularly traversed by tricycles, passenger jeepneys, cars, vans, trucks, buses, and other motor vehicles. Soil samples were collected from five sampling sites in each of the study areas. Samples from the selected sampling sites were obtained approximately 2 to 3 meters from the road. Analysis of the soil samples for Pb content was conducted using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. This study was conducted from 2003 to 2004. Since this study assumed that vehicular emission is the major source of Pb contamination in urban soil, other information which the researchers deemed to have bearing on the study were obtained such as relative quantity of each gasoline type disposed of in each city within a given period and volume of traffic in each sampling site. A survey questionnaire for gasoline station managers was prepared to determine the relative quantity of each fuel type (diesel, regular gasoline, premium gasoline, and unleaded gasoline) disposed of or sold within a given period in each study area. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Analysis of soil samples for Pb content showed the presence of Pb in all the soil samples collected from the 30 sampling sites in the six cities at varying concentrations ranging from 1.5 to 251 mg kg(-1). Elevated levels of Pb in soil (i.e. greater than 25 mg kg(-1) Pb) were detected in five out of the six cities investigated. Site 4 recorded the highest Pb concentration (73.9 +/- 94.4 mg kg(-1)), followed by Site 6 (56.3 +/- 17.1 mg kg(-1)), Site 3 (52.0 +/- 33.1 mg kg(-1)), Site 5 (39.3 +/- 19.0 mg kg(-1)), and Site 2 (38.4 +/- 33.2 mg kg(-1)). Soil Pb concentration in Site 1 (16.8 +/- 12.2 mg kg(-1)) was found to be within the estimated natural concentration range of 5 to 25 mg kg(-1). Site 1 registered the least Pb concentration. Nonetheless, the average Pb concentration in the soil samples from the six cities studied were all found to be below the maximum tolerable limit according to World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The high Pb concentration in Site 4 may be attributed mainly to vehicular emission. Although Site 4 only ranked 3rd in total volume of vehicles, it has the greatest number of Type B and Type C vehicles combined. Included in these categories are diesel trucks, buses, and jeepneys which are considered the largest contributors of TSP (total suspended particles) and PM10 (particulate matter less than 10 microns) emissions. CONCLUSION: Only one (San Juan in Site 4) of the thirty sampling sites recorded a Pb concentration beyond the WHO permissible limit of 100 mg kg(-1). San Juan in Site 4 had a Pb concentration of >250 mg kg(-1). On the average, elevated Pb concentration was evident in the soil samples from San Fernando, Olongapo, Malolos, Balanga, and Cabanatuan. The average soil Pb concentrations in these cities exceeded the maximum estimated natural soil Pb concentration of 25 mg kg(-1). Average soil Pb concentration in Site 1 (16.8 mg kg(-1)) was well within the estimated natural concentration range of 5 to 25 mg kg(-1). Data gathered from the study areas showed that elevated levels of Pb in soil were due primarily to vehicular emissions and partly to igneous activity. RECOMMENDATION AND OUTLOOK: The findings of this study presented a preliminary survey on the extent of Pb contamination of soils in urban cities in central region of Philippines Island. With this kind of information on hand, government should develop a comprehensive environmental management strategy to address vehicular air pollution in urban areas, which shows as one of the most pressing environmental problems in the country. Basic to this is the continuous monitoring of Pb levels and other pollutants in air, soil, and water. Further studies should be conducted to monitor soil Pb levels in the six cities studied particularly in areas with elevated Pb concentration. The potential for harm from Pb exposure cannot be understated. Of particular concern are children who are more predisposed to Pb toxicity than adults. Phytoremediation of Pb-contaminated sites is strongly recommended to reduce Pb concentration in soil. Several studies have confirmed that plants are capable of absorbing extra Pb from soil and that some plants, grass species in particular, and can naturally absorb far more Pb than others.
Cities↗
Assessing the efficacy of dredged materials from Lake Panasoffkee, Florida: implication to environment and agriculture. Part 1: Soil and environmental quality aspect.
BACKGROUND, AIMS AND SCOPE: Dredged materials because of its variable but unique physical and chemical properties are often viewed by society and regulators as pollutants, but many have used these materials in coastal nourishment, land or wetland creation, construction materials, and for soil improvement as a soil amendment. Environmental impact assessment is an important pre-requisite to many dredging initiatives. The ability to reuse lake-dredge materials (LDM) for agricultural purposes is important because it reduces the need for off-shore disposal and provides an alternative to disposal of the materials in landfills. Additional research on disposal options of dredged materials are much needed to supply information on criteria testing and evaluation of the physical and chemical impacts of dredged materials at a disposal site, as well as information on many other aspects of dredging and dredged material disposal. While preliminary efforts are underway to provide information to establish criteria for land disposal, testing procedures for possible land disposal of contaminated sediments are still in their developing stage. The objective of this study (Part 1) was to quantify the effect of applied LDM from Lake Panasoffkee (LP), Florida on soil physico-chemical properties (soil quality) at the disposal site. This series of two papers aims at providing assessment of the efficacy of lake-dredged materials from LP especially its implication to environment (soil quality, Part 1) and agriculture (forage quality and pasture establishment, Part 2). METHODS: The experimental treatments that were evaluated consisted of different ratios of natural soil (NS) to LDM: LDM0 (100% NS:0% LDM); LDM25 (75% NS:25% LDM); LDM50 (50% NS:50% LDM); LDM75 (25% NS:75% LDM); and LDM100 (0% NS:100% LDM). Field layout was based on the principle of a completely randomized block design with four replications. The Mehlich 1 method (0.05 N HCl in 0.025 N H2SO4) was used for chemical extraction of soil. Soil P and other exchangeable cations (Ca, Mg, K, Al, and Fe) were analyzed using an Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Spectroscopy. The effects of dredged materials addition on soil quality and compaction were analyzed statistically following the PROC ANOVA procedures. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Sediments that were dredged from LP have high CaCO3 content (82%) and when these materials were incorporated into existing topsoil they would have the same favorable effects as liming the field. Thus, sediments with high CaCO3 may improve the physical and chemical conditions of subtropical sandy pastures. The heavy and trace metal contents of LDM were below the probable effect levels (PEL) and threshold effect levels (TEL). Average values for Pb, Zn, As, Cu, Hg, Se, Cd, and Ni of 5.2 +/- 1.3, 7.0 +/- 0.6, 4.4 +/- 0.1, 8.7 +/- 1.2, 0.01 +/- 0.02, 0.02 +/- 0.02, 2.5 +/- 0.1, and 14.6 +/- 6.4 mg kg(-1), respectively, were below the TEL and the PEL. TEL represents the concentrations of sediment-associated contaminants that are considered to cause significant hazards to aquatic organisms, while, PEL represents the lower limit of the range of the contaminant concentrations that are usually or always associated with adverse biological effects. As such, the agricultural or livestock industry could utilize these LDM to produce forages. LDM should be regarded as a beneficial resource, as a part of the ecological system. Addition of LDM had significant (p < or = 0.001) effects on soil physico-chemical properties and soil quality. Compared with the control plots, the soils in plots amended with LDM exhibited: (1) lower degree of soil compaction; (2) an increase in soil pH, Ca, and Mg; (3) decrease in the levels of soil Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn, and Si; and (4) no significant change in the level of Na in the soil. Results have shown the favorable influence that LDM had on soil compaction. The treatment x year interaction effect was not significant, but the average soil compaction varied widely (p < or = 0.001) with LDM application. In 2002 and 2003, soil compaction of plots was lowered significantly as a result of LDM additions. The least compacted soils in 2002 and 2003 were observed from plots with LDM75 with mean soil compaction of 300 x 10(3) and 350 x 10(3) Pa, respectively. CONCLUSION: Beneficial uses of dredged materials from LP, Florida are both economical and environmental. Often these materials can be obtained at little or no cost to the farmers or landowners in south Florida. Environmentally, dredging of sediments that are rich in CaCO3 should restore the 19.4-sq km LP by removing natural sediments from the lake bottom to improve the fishery, water quality, and navigation of the lake. The bottom sediment materials from lakes, river, and navigational channels usually are composed of upland soil enriched with nutrients and organic matter. These materials should be regarded as a beneficial resource to be used productively and not to be discarded as spoil materials. RECOMMENDATION AND OUTLOOK: Land application of LDM from LP may not only provide substantial benefits that will enhance the environment, community, and society in south Florida, but also in other parts of the world especially those areas having tropical and subtropical climate with forage-based beef cattle pastures. The heavy and trace metal contents of LDM from LP were below the PEL and TEL. As such, the agricultural or livestock industry could utilize these LDM to produce forages (Part 2 of this study). LDM should be regarded as a beneficial resource, as a part of the ecological system. Further studies are still needed to determine whether the environmental and ecological implications of LDM application are satisfied over the longer term.
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