Whole-year-round Observation of N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O Profiles in Soil: A Lysimeter Study

Despite many studies of the N₂O emission, there is a lack of knowledge on the role of subsoil for N₂O emission, particularly in sandy soils. To obtain insight into the entrapment, diffusion, convection and ebullition of N₂O in the soil, the N₂O concentration in the soil atmosphere was measured over a period of 1 year in 4 lysimeters (agricultural soil monoliths of 1 m2 × 2 m) at 30, 50, 80, 155, and 190 cm depth with altogether 86 gas probes. Additionally the N₂O emission into the atmosphere was measured in 20 closed chambers at the soil surface. Concurrently the soil temperature and soil water content were recorded in order to quantify their effects on the fate of N₂O in the soil. Results of the continuous measurements between January and December 2006 were: N₂O concentrations were highest in the deeper soil; maximum concentration was found at a depth of 80 cm, where the water content was high and the gas transport reduced. The highest N₂O concentration was recorded after ‘special events’ like snowmelt, heavy rain, fertilization, and grubbing. The combination of fertilization and heavy rain led to an increase of up to 2,700 ppb in the subsoil.     

Concentrations and Pools of Heavy Metals in Urban Soils in Stockholm,Sweden

The concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb andZn) and arsenic (As) were surveyed and the metal pools estimatedin soils in Stockholm Municipality. The sampling sites were distributed all over the entire municipality with a higher sampling density in the city centre. Soils were sampled to a maximum depth of 25 to 60 cm. Soil texture, total-C content, electrical conductivity and pH were analysed. Heavy metal concentrations were determined after wet digestion with boiling7 M HNO₃.The results showed a wide range in heavy metal concentrations, as well as in other soil properties. The city centre soils constituted a rather homogeneous group whereas outside this areano geographical zones could be distinguished. These soils were grouped based on present land use, i.e. undisturbed soils, public parks, wasteland (mainly former industrial areas), and roadside soils. The city centre and wasteland soils generally hadenhanced heavy metal concentrations to at least 30 cm depth compared to park soils outside the city centre and rural (arable)soils in the region, which were used to estimate background levels. For example, the mean Hg concentration was 0.9 (max 3.3)mg kg^-1 soil at 0–5 cm and 1.0 (max 2.9) at 30 cm depth in the city centre soils, while the background level was 0,04 mg kg^-1. Corresponding values for Pb were 104 (max 444) and135 (max 339) mg kg^-1, at 0–5 and 30 cm, respectively, while the background level was 17 mg kg^-1.The average soil pools (0–30 cm depth) of Cu, Pb and Zn were 21,38 and 58 g m^-2 respectively, which for Pb was 3–4 timeshigher and for Cu and Zn 1.5–2 times higher than the backgroundlevel. The total amount of accumulated metals (down to 30 cm)in the city centre soils (4.5^*10 ⁶ m² public gardens and green areas) was estimated at 80, 1.1, 120 and 40 t for Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn, respectively. The study showed (1) thatfrom a metal contamination point of view, more homogeneous soilgroups were obtained based on present land use than on geographicdistance to the city centre, (2) the importance of establishing a background level in order to quantify the degree of contamination, and (3) soil samples has to be taken below the surface layer (and deeper than 30 cm) in order to quantify theaccumulated metal pools in urban soils.     

Mineralization and Transfer Processes of <Superscript>14</Superscript>C-labeled Pesticides in Outdoor Lysimeters

A recently designed two-chamber-lysimeter-test-system allows the detailed investigation of degradation, transport and transfer processes of ¹⁴C-labeled substances in soil–plant–atmosphere-systems under outdoor conditions. With this test system it is feasible to distinguish between ¹⁴C-emissions from soil surfaces and ¹⁴C-emissions from plant surfaces in soil monoliths under real environmental conditions. Special soil humidity sensors allow the measurement of soil water content near to the soil surface, in 1 and 5 cm depth. The behavior of organic chemicals can be followed for a whole vegetation period and a mass balance for the applied chemical can be established. Some selected results of the herbicides isoproturon and glyphosate – using the two-chamber-lysimeter-test-system – are presented to demonstrate its applicability for the identification and quantification of the processes that govern pesticide behavior in soil–plant-systems. Mineralization of ¹⁴C-isoproturon was very different in four different soils; the mineralization capacity of the soils ranged from 2 to 60%. Leaching of isoproturon in general was very low, but depending on the soil type and environmental conditions isoproturon and its metabolites could be leached via preferential flow, especially shortly after application. For the herbicide ¹⁴C-glyphosate no accumulation of residues in the soil and no leaching of the residues to deeper soil layers could be observed after three applications. Glyphosate was rapidly degraded to AMPA in the soil. Glyphosate and AMPA were accumulated in soy bean nodules.     

Laboratory Measurement of Dry Deposition of Ozone onto Northern Chinese Soil Samples

We used laboratory experiments to investigate surface resistance (R _c) to dry deposition of ozone (O₃) on different types of soil samples collected from the arid deserts and the Loess Plateau of northern China. Furthermore, we measured the factors that affected R _c, which depends on the physical and chemical interaction between trace constituents and the deposition surface, and evaluated deposition velocity (V _d). There was little influence of geometric surface area, soil weight, or O₃ concentration on V _d of O₃. The effect of relative humidity (RH) (i.e. moisture content of the soil) on O₃ uptake was in agreement with results reported in the literature: a distinct RH dependence of V _d and little uptake under water-saturated conditions were observed. R _c values for all the soil samples examined were in the range 0.21–3.3 s mm⁻¹ and were exponentially related to the surface area of the particles and the organic carbon content of each soil sample at RH of both <10 and 60%.     

Levels and Characteristics of TOC in Throughfall, Forest Floor Leachate and Soil Solution in Undisturbed Boreal Forest Ecosystems

Total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations and fluxes in throughfall, forest floor leachate, soil solution (15 and 35 cm depths), and groundwater for coniferous forest sites in the boreal zone throughout Finland are described. Eight upland forest stands and one peatland forest stand are included in the study and the samples were collected during 1991–1997. Carbon (C) pools in the living tree biomass and soil compartments are presented, and the hydrophobic/hydrophilic and acidic components of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in samples collected in autumn 1999 and spring 2000 from two of the sites are compared. Biomass (aboveground and belowground) pools of C averaged 88 Mg ha^-1 and soil (humus layer + 20 cm soil layer) averaged 55 Mg ha^-1. Stand throughfall TOC monthly mean concentrations ranged from 4.0 to 18.6 mg L^-1 and annual fluxes averaged 4.0 g m^-2 yr^-1. TOC concentrations in the water passing through the forest floor and soil decreased with depth. Plot mean concentrations at 35 cm depth values ranged from 4.1 to 21.2 mg L^-1 and fluxes averaged 3.7 g m^-2 yr^-1. Throughfall TOC concentrations were lowest during the winter, snowfall period and highest during the growing season. No monotonic trends in throughfall TOC concentrations over the 1991–1997 period were found. Soil solution TOC concentrations varied considerably, both within and between years. DOC in throughfall, forest floor, and soil solutions and in both autumn and spring seasons was dominated by hydrophobic fractions, particularly acids. Spruce canopies and litter appear to be important sources of soluble organic carbon, particularly acidic and hydrophobic compounds. Further studies on the nature and dynamics of organic carbon fluxing through coniferous, boreal forest ecosystems are needed.     

Metabolic and Environmental Control on Methane Emission from Soils: Mechanistic Studies of Mesotrophic Fen in West Siberia

The biological mechanisms regulating methane emission fromnatural wetlands are the focus of this article. A novel techniqueprovides estimates of the distribution of CH₄ sources withinan undisturbed soil profile by recording the transient gasdynamics after soil enclosure by deep (50 cm) chamber. Thecombined use of conventional surface and soil chambers across a200-m fen transect allowed us to relate the observed methaneemission to its instant generation and uptake. Surprisingly, themethane generation was relatively constant (9–12 mg CH₄-C hr^-1 m^-2) and highly variable net emission (0.2–20 mg CH₄-C hr^-1 m^-2) was closely correlated (r = –0.809)with methane uptake. In laboratory incubations, CH₄ uptakefollowed Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Added chloride and nitrateirrespective of the cation's nature suppressed uptake as a strongnoncompetitive inhibitors (K _i 0.5 mM). The methaneformation turned out to be unstable and under anaerobicincubation, the formation of CH₄, CO₂ andH₂displayed sustained weekly oscillations. We conclude that effectsof environmental factors alone are not sufficient topredict the variation in emission, which depends also on metabolic control of respective soil organisms. The multitude ofsuch controls is dependent on diversity of respective soilorganisms and could be grouped into a limited number ofcategories considerably simplifying large-scale simulations.     

CH4/CO2 ratios indicate highly efficient methane oxidation by a pumice landfill cover-soil

Landfills that generate too little biogas for economic energy recovery can potentially offset methane (CH₄) emissions through biological oxidation by methanotrophic bacteria in cover soils. This study reports on the CH₄ oxidation efficiency of a 10-year old landfill cap comprising a volcanic pumice soil. Surface CH₄ and CO₂ fluxes were measured using field chambers during three sampling intervals over winter and summer. Methane fluxes were temporally and spatially variable (?0.36 to 3044 mg CH₄ m^?2 h^?1); but were at least 15 times lower than typical literature CH₄ fluxes reported for older landfills in 45 of the 46 chambers tested. Exposure of soil from this landfill cover to variable CH₄ fluxes in laboratory microcosms revealed a very strong correlation between CH₄ oxidation efficiency and CH₄/CO₂ ratios, confirming the utility of this relationship for approximating CH₄ oxidation efficiency. CH₄/CO₂ ratios were applied to gas concentrations from the surface flux chambers and indicated a mean CH₄ oxidation efficiency of 72%. To examine CH₄ oxidation with soil depth, we collected 10 soil depth profiles at random locations across the landfill. Seven profiles exhibited CH₄ removal rates of 70–100% at depths <60 cm, supporting the high oxidation rates observed in the chambers. Based on a conservative 70% CH₄ oxidation efficiency occurring at the site, this cover soil is clearly offsetting far greater CH₄ quantities than the 10% default value currently adopted by the IPCC.     

Evaluating effects of wind-induced pressure fluctuations on soil-atmosphere gas exchange at a landfill using stochastic modelling.

The impact of wind turbulence-induced pressure fluctuations at the soil surface on landfill gas transport and emissions to the atmosphere at an old Danish landfill site was investigated using stochastic modelling combined with soil property and gas transport data measured at the site. The impacts of soil physical properties (including air permeability and volumetric water content) and wind-induced pressure fluctuation properties (amplitude and temporal correlation) on landfill gas emissions to the atmosphere were evaluated. Soil-air permeability and pressure fluctuation amplitude were found to be the most important parameters. Wind-induced gas emissions were further compared with gas emissions caused by diffusion and by long-term pressure variations (due to passing weather systems). Here diffusion and wind-induced gas transport were found to be equally important with wind-induced gas transport becoming the most important at lower soil-air contents.     

Biodegradation of Low Molecular Weight Organic Acids in a Limed Forest Soil

The effect of liming (3.45 and 8.75 t ha^-1 dolomite; 16 yr after application) on the biodegradation of three low molecular weight organic acids (citrate, oxalate and propionate) in forest soils was investigated. The concentration of organic acids in the soil solution followed the series propionate > citrate > oxalate with liming having no significant impact on soil solution concentrations (mean organic acid concentration = 8.7 ± 2.3 M). Organic acid mineralization by the soil microbial community was rapid in surface organic horizons (mean half-life for citrate = 2–6 h), with biodegradation rate gradually declining with soil depth. Concentration-dependent biodegradation studies (0 to 350 M) showed that the mineralization kinetics generally conformed well to a single Michaelis–Menten equation with V_max values following the series oxalate > citrate > propionate (mean = 9.8 ± 1.0 nmol g^-1 h^-1) and K_M values following the series oxalate = citrate > propionate (mean 168 ± 25 M). The V_max values declined with soil depth, which was consistent with a general reduction in microbial activity down the soil profile. Liming induced a significant increase in V_max for citrate with no change for propionate and reduction in V_max for oxalate. The latter was probably due to adsorption and precipitation of Ca-oxalate making it unavailable for microbial uptake. The higher adsorption/precipitation capacity for oxalate in the limed soils was confirmed by adsorption isotherms. Generally, liming increased soil microbial activity by approximately 10 to 35% with calculations based on soil solution concentrations indicating that organic acid mineralization constituted approximately 3 to 15% of the total soil respiration.     

Effect of nine years of animal waste deposition on profile distribution of heavy metals in Abeokuta,south-western Nigeria and its implication for environmental quality

Uncontrolled deposition of waste from animal farms is a common practice in south-western Nigeria, and the presence of heavy metals in soil constitutes environmental and health hazards by polluting the soil, ground water, adjoining streams and rivers. The study investigated the profile distribution of Mn, Pb, Cd, Zn, Fe, Cu, Ni and Cr in some tropical Alfisols in south-western Nigeria after nine years disposal of animal wastes. The amount of these metals in the soil horizons was high enough to cause health and phytotoxic risks. All the metals except Zn and Cr increased down the profile, while Mn, Pb, Cd, Fe, Cu and Ni accumulated at 80–120 cm depth. The increment of these metals at this depth over the top soil were 26%, 143%, 72%, 47%, 328% for Mn, Pb, Cd, Cu and Ni, respectively. It thus, shows their mobility and the possibility of polluting ground water. The Mn content at the poultry and cattle waste sites increased by 127% and 25%, respectively over the control, while that of cattle and swine dump site for Cd content were 9.82 and 15.63 mg kg^?1, respectively. Lead content also increased by 8.52 and 5.25 mg kg^?1, respectively.There was the accumulation of Zn and Cu at the swine dump site while the cattle dump site had the highest amounts of nickel and chromium. The least amount of Fe was recorded at the swine waste dump site. The reduction in organic matter with depths together with the reduced pH might have favored the mobility of the metals. The ranking of pollution among the sites was poultry > swine > cattle > sheep and could be due to the type of ration fed, the vaccination programmes, sanitation programmes and other management practices.     

Spatial variability of soil gas concentration and methane oxidation capacity in landfill covers

In order to devise design criteria for biocovers intended to enhance the microbial oxidation of landfill methane it is critical to understand the factors influencing gas migration and methane oxidation in landfill cover soils. On an old municipal solid waste landfill in north-western Germany soil gas concentrations (10, 40, 90 cm depth), topsoil methane oxidation capacity and soil properties were surveyed at 40 locations along a 16 m grid. As soil properties determine gas flow patterns it was hypothesized that the variability in soil gas composition and the subsequent methanotrophic activity would correspond to the variability of soil properties. Methanotrophic activity was found to be subject to high spatial variability, with values ranging between 0.17 and 9.80 g CH₄ m⁻² h⁻¹_. Considering the current gas production rate of 0.03 g CH₄ m⁻² h⁻¹, the oxidation capacity at all sampled locations clearly exceeded the flux to the cover, and can be regarded as an effective instrument for mitigating methane fluxes. The methane concentration in the cover showed a high spatial heterogeneity with values between 0.01 and 0.32 vol.% (10 cm depth), 22.52 vol.% (40 cm), and 36.85 vol.% (90 cm). The exposure to methane raised the oxidation capacity, suggested by a statistical correlation to an increase in methane concentration at 90 cm depth. Methane oxidation capacity was further affected by the methanotroph bacteria pH optimum and nutrient availability, and increased with decreasing pH towards neutrality, and increased with soluble ion concentration). Soil methane and carbon dioxide concentration increased with lower flow resistance of the cover, as represented by the soil properties of a reduced bulk density, increase in air capacity and in relative ground level.     

Impact of Land Use on Soluble Organic Nitrogen in Soil

Although it has been hypothesized that soluble organic nitrogen (SON) plays a central role in regulating productivity in some terrestrial ecosystems, the factors controlling the size of the SON pool in soil remain poorly understood. Therefore our principal aim in this work was to assess the impact of seven different land use systems (rough and managed grassland, deciduous and coniferous woodland, heathland, wetland and tilled land) on the size of the SON and inorganic N (NO ₃ ^– , NH ₄ ⁺ ) pools in the surface soil layer (0–15 cm). After extraction with deionised water, we found that in most cases the size of the water extractable organic N (WEON) pool was similar in size to the inorganic N pool. In contrast, the KCl extractable organic N (KClEON) pool constituted the dominant form of soluble N in soils under all land uses, perhaps indicating that significant amounts were held on the soil exchange phase. In contrast to inorganic N, which varied significantly with land use, the size of the KClEON and WEON pool was similar for all land uses with the exception of KClEON in tilled land, where significantly lower amounts were observed. We conclude that SON constitutes an important soil N pool in a broad range of land uses, and that its role in microbial N assimilation, plant nutrition and ecosystem responses to atmospheric N deposition warrants further attention. SAFRD, University of Newcastle, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 7RU, U.K.     

Effects of Soil Moisture Variations on Deposition Velocities Above Vegetation

The parameterized subgrid-scale surface flux (PASS) modelprovides a simplified means of using remote sensing data from satellites and limited surface meteorological information to estimate the influence of soil moisture on bulk canopy stomatalresistances to the uptake of gases over extended areas.PASS-generated estimates of bulk canopy stomatal resistance were usedin a dry deposition module to compute gas deposition velocitieswith a horizontal resolution of 200 m for approximately 5000 km² of agricultural crops and rangeland. Results were compared with measurements of O₃ flux and concentrations made during April and May 1997 at two surface stations and from an aircraft. The trend in simulated O₃ deposition velocityduring soil moisture drydown over a period of a few days matchedthe trend observed at the two surface stations. For areas underthe aircraft flight paths, the variability in simulated O₃ deposition velocity was substantially smaller than the observedvariability, while the averages over tens of kilometers were usually in agreement within 0.1 cm s^-1. Model results indicated that soil moisture can have a major role in depositionof O₃ and other substances strongly affected by canopy stomatal resistance.     

Air Pollution Effects on Forest Trees in Balikesir,Turkey

Air pollution has become an actual problem in Balikesir because of rapid urbanisation and increasing of the polluting sources. Air pollutionproblems occur under the unfavorable meteorological conditions which increase in frequency of occurrence in winter due to use of low quality lignite coals for heating. The `Protection of Air Quality' in Turkey dated 1986 is based on the human health criteria. But the critical limit values are lethal for the forest trees as far as SO₂ is concerned. The field observations showed that leaves of the trees have yellow spots indicating acid burns in Balikesir. This study aims at determining the relationships between the SO₂ concentrationsin the air under selected climatic conditions, and the effects of air pollution on forest trees in Balikesir. Samples of leaves were collected from the City Parks in Balikesir, Deirmenboaz forested area located 10 km far fromBalikesiron the Balikesir-Bursa highway, and from the forestation areas near the Balikesir-Edremit highway. Sulfur contents of the leaves were very high especially in the city (2650–5300 g m^-3).Samples from other areas had values lower than this range but above the usual values (850–3612 g m^-3). The diameter increments of the trees were found to be lower and these results clearly showed the adverse impacts. Negative correlations were found between these sulfur concentrations and the daily mean temperatures and wind speeds. Positive correlation was seen between these concentrations and pressures, humidities. Emission sources must be controlled in order to safeguard the forests which protects the soil, facilitate water production, assimilate carbon dioxide in air and produce oxygen. It must be considered that the problems are not only regional but have a global identity.     

Temperature Effects on Soil Mineralization of Polylactic Acid Plastic in Laboratory Respirometers

A respirometric system was used to analyze the biodegradation of high molecular weight (120,000 to 200,000 g mol^–1) polylactic acid (PLA) plastic films in soil under laboratory conditions. The respirometric system consisted of air-conditioning pretraps, a soil reactor, and a carbon dioxide (CO₂) posttrap. A 200-g homogeneous soil mixture of all-purpose potting soil : manure soil : sand [1 : 1 : 1 (w/w)] and 1.5 g of PLA plastic films in 1 × 1-cm² squares was added to each bottle. The respirometers were placed in a 28, 40, or 55°C water bath for 182 days. Treatments (three replicates) included native corn starch (positive control), polyethylene (Glad Cling Wrap; negative control), and three PLA films: Ca-I (Cargill Dow Polymers LLC, monolayer), GII (Cargill Dow Polymers LLC, Generation II), and Ch-I (Chronopol; monolayer). The degree of polymer mineralization was indicated by the cumulative CO₂ liberated from each respirometer. The initial average mineralization rate and total percentage mineralized of the PLA plastic films at 28, 40, and 55°C was 24.3, 41.5, and 76.9 mg/day with a 27, 45, and 70% carbon loss, respectively. No decrease in soil pH was observed after 182 days of mineralization. Hence, increase in soil temperature drastically enhanced the biodegradation of PLA plastic films in soil under laboratory conditions (P < 0.0001).     

Measuring Aerosol and Heavy Metal Deposition on Urban Woodland and Grass Using Inventories of 210Pb and Metal Concentrations in Soil

The deposition of aerosols to trees has proved very difficult to quantify, especially in complex landscapes. However, trees are widely quoted to be efficient scavengers of particles from the atmosphere, and a growing proportion of the pollutant burden in the atmosphere is present in the aerosol phase. In this study, the deposition of aerosols onto woodland and grass was quantified at a range of locations throughout the West Midlands of England. The sites included mature deciduous woodland in Edgbaston, and Moseley, and mixed woodland at sites within Sutton Park, a large area of semi-natural vegetation. Aerosol deposition to areas of grassland close to the woodland at each site was also measured. Detailed inventories of ²¹⁰Pb in soils within the woodland and in grassland soils, together with concentrations in the atmosphere and precipitation, provided the necessary data to calculate the long-term (about 40 years) annual deposition of sub-micron aerosols onto grassland and woodland. The soil inventories of ²¹⁰Pb under woodland exceeded those under grass, by between 22% and 60%, with dry deposition contributing 24% of the total input flux for grass and 47% for woodland. The aerosol dry deposition velocity to grassland averaged 3.3 mm s^-1 and 9 mm s^-1 for woodland. The large deposition rates of aerosols onto woodland relative to grass or other short vegetation (× 3), and accumulation of heavy metals within the surface horizons of organic soils, leads to large concentrations in soils of urban woodland. Concentrations in the top 10 cm of these woodland soils averaged 252 mg kg^-1 for Pb with peaks to 400 mg kg^-1. Concentrations of Cd averaged 1.4 mg kg^-1, Cu, 126 mg kg^-1, Ni 23 mg kg^-1 and Zn 173 mg kg^-1. The accumulated Pb in urban woodland soils is shown to be large relative to UK emissions.     

Regional Assessment of Nutrient and Pesticide Leaching in the Vegetable Production Area of Rattaphum Catchment, Thailand

Regional groundwater vulnerability maps to indicate the impact of leaching of chemicals under different management scenarios were prepared for the Rattaphum Catchment using several leaching models and GIS techniques. The Attenuation Factor (AF) model was used to simulate the leaching potential of several pesticides for selected soils in the catchment under different rates of recharge from irrigation. The LEACHN model was used to simulate the NO₃ ⁻ leaching potential and LEACHP was used to simulate leaching potential of metolachlor under different management scenarios. The results showed that only a small number of pesticides have the potential to contaminate the shallow groundwater. However, the risk of contamination with nutrients is much higher due to the mobility and conservative nature of the NO₃ ⁻. The LEACHP results indicated that the intensive use of agrochemicals in the vegetable growing area, especially during the rainy season when the groundwater is near the surface, increases the risk of pesticide contamination. The results of upscaling from the farm to the catchment scale using soil maps and GIS techniques under various management scenarios and chemical application rates showed that the most effective strategy to reduce chemical leaching is by reducing pesticide application rates and optimizing the application of irrigation water. The identification of potential high risk farms by ranking soils and agricultural practices could be used to formulate management practices that reduce pesticide contamination of the surface and ground water resources in the area.     

Improving the aeration of critical fine-grained landfill top cover material by vegetation to increase the microbial methane oxidation efficiency

The natural methane oxidation potential of methanotrophic bacteria in landfill top covers is a sustainable and inexpensive method to reduce methane emissions to the atmosphere. Basically, the activity of methanotrophic bacteria is limited by the availability of oxygen in the soil. A column study was carried out to determine whether and to what extent vegetation can improve soil aeration and maintain the methane oxidation process. Tested soils were clayey silt and mature compost. The first soil is critical in light of surface crusting due to vertical erosion of an integral part of fine-grained material, blocking pores required for the gas exchange. The second soil, mature compost, is known for its good methane oxidation characteristics, due to high air-filled porosity, favorable water retention capacity and high nutrient supply. The assortment of plants consisted of a grass mixture, Canadian goldenrod and a mixture of leguminous plants. The compost offered an excellent methane oxidation potential of 100% up to a CH₄-input of 5.6 l CH₄ m⁻² h⁻¹. Whereas the oxidation potential was strongly diminished in the bare control column filled with clayey silt even at low CH₄-loads. By contrast the planted clayey silt showed an increased methane oxidation potential compared to the bare column. The spreading root system forms secondary macro-pores, and hence amplifies the air diffusivity and sustain the oxygen supply to the methanotrophic bacteria. Water is produced during methane oxidation, causing leachate. Vegetation reduces the leachate by evapotranspiration. Furthermore, leguminous plants support the enrichment of soil with nitrogen compounds and thus improving the methane oxidation process. In conclusion, vegetation is relevant for the increase of oxygen diffusion into the soil and subsequently enhances effective methane oxidation in landfill cover soils.     

Scaling methane oxidation: from laboratory incubation experiments to landfill cover field conditions

Evaluating field-scale methane oxidation in landfill cover soils using numerical models is gaining interest in the solid waste industry as research has made it clear that methane oxidation in the field is a complex function of climatic conditions, soil type, cover design, and incoming flux of landfill gas from the waste mass. Numerical models can account for these parameters as they change with time and space under field conditions. In this study, we developed temperature, and water content correction factors for methane oxidation parameters. We also introduced a possible correction to account for the different soil structure under field conditions. These parameters were defined in laboratory incubation experiments performed on homogenized soil specimens and were used to predict the actual methane oxidation rates to be expected under field conditions. Water content and temperature corrections factors were obtained for the methane oxidation rate parameter to be used when modeling methane oxidation in the field. To predict in situ measured rates of methane with the model it was necessary to set the half saturation constant of methane and oxygen, K_m, to 5%, approximately five times larger than laboratory measured values. We hypothesize that this discrepancy reflects differences in soil structure between homogenized soil conditions in the lab and actual aggregated soil structure in the field. When all of these correction factors were re-introduced into the oxidation module of our model, it was able to reproduce surface emissions (as measured by static flux chambers) and percent oxidation (as measured by stable isotope techniques) within the range measured in the field.     

Pools and Fluxes of Cations,Anions and Doc in Two Forest Soils Treated With Lime and Ash

The effect of liming and ash treatment on pools, fluxes and concentrations of major solutes was investigated at two forestedsites (Norway spruce) in S. Sweden. One site was treated 15 yrprior to sampling (Hasslöv-Hs; dolomite: 3.45 and 8.75 t ha^-1) and the other 4 yr before (Horröd-Hd; dolomite: 3.25 t ha^-1; wood ash: 4.28 t ha^-1). Effects of limingwere most pronounced in the O horizon solutions where higher pH,elevated Ca (120–700 M) and Mg (50–600 M) were observed as compared to control plots. The impact on the mineralsoil was more moderate. Soil solution concentrations were combined with modelled hydrological flow to calculate mass flows,which largely followed the trends of the solution composition. Liming also resulted in large increases of both exchangeable Caand Mg as well as effective cation exchange capacity (CEC_E;2–5 times the controls). The base saturation (BS%) was raised to 60–100% in the O horizon while in the mineral soil elevated values were only seen at the Hs site (20–60%; down to 10–15 cm depth for 8.75 t ha^-1). Ash treatment did notaffect either the soil solution nor the exchangeable pool to thesame extent as lime. In general, the impact at the Hd site was less pronounced especially in the mineral soil, which might be due to shorter treatment time (4 vs. 15 yr) and also differentthickness of the O horizon. Budget calculations for Ca and Mg originating from the lime showed that a major part of the Ca (40–100%) was retained in the top 30 cm of the soil, of which30–95% was present in the O horizon. The mobility of Mg wasgreater and it was estimated that a significant part had been leached from the profile (30 and 50 cm depth) after 15 yr. Increased mass flows of NO₃ ^- due to nitrification resulting from liming at the Hs site were calculated in the range120–350 mmol m^-2 yr^-1 (or 1.2–3.5 kmol ha^-1 yr^-1). There was significant leaching of Al (25–60 mmol m^-2 yr^-1), of which about 70% was inorganic, in thelower B horizon at both sites with no influence of liming.