Profile of Methane Concentrations in Soil and Atmosphere in Alpine Steppe Ecosystem on Tibetan Plateau

The methane concentration profile from -1.5m depth in soil to 32m height in air was measured in alpine steppe located in the permafrost area. Methane concentrations showed widely variations both in air and in soil during the study period. The mean concentrations in atmosphere were all higher than those in soil, and the highest methane concentration was found in air at the height of 16m with the lowest concentration occurring at the depth of 1.5m in soil. The variations of atmospheric methane concentrations did not show any clear pattern both temporally and spatially, although they exhibited a more steadystable state than those in soil. During the seasonal variations, the methane concentrations at different depths in soil were significantly correlated （R^2〉0.6） with each other comparing to the weak correlations （R^2〈0.2） between the atmospheric concentra- tions at different heights. Mean methane concentrations in soil significantly decreased with depth. This was the compositive influence of the decreasing production rates and the increasing methane oxidation rates, which was caused by the descent soil moisture with depth. Although the methane concentrations at all depths varied widely during the growing season, they showed very distinct temporal variations in the non-growing season. It was indicated from the literatures that methane oxidation rates were positively correlated with soil temperature. The higher methane concentrations in soil during the winter were determined by the lower methane oxidation rates with decreasing soil temperatures, whereas methane production rates had no reaction to the lower temperature. Relations between methane contribution and other environmental factors were not discussed in this paper for lacking of data, which impulse us to carry out further and more detailed studies in this unique area.     

National monitoring of PCDD/DFs in environmental media around incinerators in Korea

To examine the levels of PCDD/DFs pollution in environmental samples in the vicinity of various incinerators, the levels of PCDD/DFs in air and soil samples collected near 17 incinerators and stack emission gases were investigated between 2003 and 2006. A total of 434 soil, 28 stack emission gas, and 38 air samples were analyzed for their PCDD/DFs concentrations. The PCDD/DFs concentrations in the flue gas samples ranged from 0.02 to 16.41 ng I-TEQ/Sm(3), with an arithmetical mean value of 3.13 ng I-TEQ/Sm(3). The PCDD/DFs concentrations in the air samples ranged from 0.032 to 0.965 pg I-TEQ/Sm(3). The soil samples contained between N.D. and 153.23 pg I-TEQ/g-dry, with an average of 7.36 pg I-TEQ/g-dry. These levels were generally consistent with or lower than many previous studies. The average PCDD/DFs levels in the soil samples decrease with increasing distance from the incinerator. From the PCDD/DFs level gradient from each plant, a distance of 500 m is suggested as being under the influence of an incinerator.     

Predictions of in situ solid/liquid distribution of radiocaesium in soils

Previous work has demonstrated that plant uptake of radiocaesium (RCs) is related to the activity concentration of RCs in soil solution, which is linked to the soil/soil solution distribution coefficient, K(D). The solid-liquid distribution of RCs is generally studied in soil suspensions in the laboratory and there are few reported measurements for in situ soil solutions. From a data set of 53 different soils (contaminated with either 134CsCl or 137CsCl) used in pot trials to investigate grass uptake of RCs, we analysed the variation of in situ K(D) with measured soil properties. The soils differed widely in % clay (0.5-58%), organic matter content (1.9-96%) and pH (2.4-7.0, CaCl2). The K(D) varied between 29 and 375,000 L kg-' (median 1460 L kg(-1)). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed a significant correlation between the log K(D) and pH (p < 0.001), log %clay (p < 0.01) and log exchangeable K (p < 0.001) (overall R2 = 0.70). The in situ K(D) values were further compared to K(D)S predicted using an existing model, which assumes that RCs sorption occurs on specific sites and regular ion-exchange sites on the soil solid phase. Sorption of RCs on specific sites was quantified from the radiocaesium interception potential (RIP) measured for each soil and the soil solution concentrations of K+ and NH4+. The in situ log K(D) correlated well with the predicted K(D) (R2 = 0.85 before plant growth, R2 = 0.83 after plant growth). However, the observations were fivefold to eightfold higher than the predictions, particularly for the mineral soils. We attribute the under-prediction to the long contact times (minimum 4 weeks) between the RCs tracers and our experimental soils relative to the short (24 h) contact times used in RIP measurements. We conclude that our data confirmed the model but that ageing of RCs in soil is a factor that needs to be considered to better predict in situ KD values.     

Cs uptake by four plant species and Cs-K relations in the soil-plant system as affected by Ca(OH)2 application to an acid soil

Three rates of Ca(OH)₂ were applied to an acid soil and the ¹³⁴Cs uptake by radish, cucumber, soybean and sunflower plants was studied. The ¹³⁴Cs concentration in all plant species was reduced from 1.6-fold in the sunflower seeds to 6-fold in the soybean vegetative parts at the higher Ca(OH)₂ rate. Potassium (K) concentration in plants was also reduced, but less effectively. The significantly decreased ¹³⁴Cs-K soil to plant distribution factors (D.F.) clearly suggest a stronger effect of soil liming on ¹³⁴Cs than on K plant uptake. This observation was discussed in terms of ionic interactions in the soil matrix and within the plants. The results also indicated that the increased Ca²⁺ concentration in the exchange phase and in the soil solution along with the improved root activity, due to the soil liming, enhanced the immobilization of ¹³⁴Cs in the soil matrix and consequently lowered the ¹³⁴Cs availability for plant uptake.     

不同植茶年龄茶园蒸散速率的日变化——以宜兴市为例

以宜兴市盛道茶场3、9和20 a 3个不同植茶年龄的茶园为研究对象，基于静态箱/红外气体分析仪法，辅以植被生态监测和土壤湿度监测，研究茶园清明采茶前蒸散速率日变化特征。结果发现：（1）3个不同植茶年龄的茶园日蒸散速率变化趋势一致，呈以12〖DK〗∶00~15〖DK〗∶00蒸散速率为峰值的单峰曲线；（2）虽然3 a茶园叶面积指数（LAI）最低，但最大平均日蒸散速率、一日内蒸散速率的极值、6〖DK〗∶00~18〖DK〗∶00最大总蒸散量、一日内不同时段的蒸散速率最大变化幅度均出现在3 a茶园；（3）茶园日蒸散速率与气温的日变化趋势相似，且两者存在极显著相关性（R2=081*〖KG-*2〗*），在湿润条件下与土壤含水率日变化相关性不明显，但两者呈相反的变化趋势     

Radiocaesium soil-to-wood transfer in commercial willow short rotation coppice on contaminated farm land

The feasibility of willow short rotation coppice (SRC) for energy production as a revaluation tool for severely radiocaesium-contaminated land was studied. The effects of crop age, clone and soil type on the radiocaesium levels in the wood were assessed following sampling in 14 existing willow SRC fields, planted on radiocaesium-contaminated land in Sweden following Chernobyl deposition. There was only one plot where willow stands of different maturity (R6S2 and R5S4: R, root age and S, shoot age) and clone (Rapp and L78183 both of age category R5S4) were sampled and no significant differences were found. The soils differed among others in clay fraction (3-34%), radiocaesium interception potential (515-6884 meq kg(-1)), soil solution K (0.09-0.95 mM), exchangeable K (0.58-5.77 meq kg(-1)) and cation exchange capacity (31-250 meq kg(-1)). The soil-to-wood transfer factor (TF) of radiocaesium differed significantly between soil types. The TF recorded was generally small (0.00086-0.016 kg kg(-1)), except for willows established on sandy soil (0.19-0.46 kg kg(-1)). Apart from the weak yet significant exponential correlation between the Cs-TF and the solid/liquid distribution coefficient (R2 = 0.54) or the radiocaesium interception potential, RIP (R2 = 0.66), no single significant correlations between soil characteristics and TF were found. The wood-soil solution 137Cs concentration factor (CF) was significantly related to the potassium concentration in the soil solution. A different relation was, however, found between the sandy Tr?dje soils (CF = 1078.8 x m(K)(-1.83), R2 = 0.99) and the other soils (CF = 35.75 x m(K)(-0.61), R2 =0.61). Differences in the ageing rate of radiocaesium in the soil (hypothesised fraction of bioavailable caesium subjected to fast ageing for Tr?dje soils only 1% compared to other soils), exchangeable soil K (0.8-1.8 meq kg(-1) for Tr?dje soils and 1.5-5.8 meq kg(-1) for the other soils) and the ammonium concentration in the soil solution (0.09-0.31 mM NH4+ for the Tr?dje soils compared to 0.003-0.11 mM NH4+ for the other soils) are put forward as potential factors explaining the higher CF and TF observed for the Tr?dje soils. Though from the dataset available it was not possible to unequivocally predict the Cs-soil-to-wood-transfer, the generally low TFs observed point to the particular suitability for establishment of SRC on radiocaesium-contaminated land.     

三峡库区172 m蓄水位实现后干流水体溶解态重金属含量变化特征

从2008年至2010年连续两年,对三峡库区涪陵至巴东段水体溶解态重金属含量进行监测,分析三峡水库自2008年首次以172 m高水位试验性蓄水以来水体溶解态重金属含量变化特征及其影响因素。结果表明：水体溶解态重金属含量在丰水期低水位时含量较高,而在平水期和枯水期高水位蓄水时,水体重金属含量较低,丰水期时水体溶解态重金属含量虽然相对较高,但仍然达到《地表水环境质量标准》(GB 3838 2002)Ⅰ类水域标准。重金属在水体与沉积物和消落带土壤中含量并无明显相关性,沉积物和消落带土壤重金属对水体溶解态重金属含量分布影响较小。库区水环境因素在丰水期和平水期、枯水期呈现出明显差异特征,特别是汛后水体悬浮物SS含量远低于丰水期。三峡水库水环境因素的变化对重金属的分配有着重要作用,丰水期过后三峡库区水体pH值和DO升高,水温和Eh降低,SS含量显著下降,水环境因素、气象条件、水位调度等因素的变化致使水体溶解态重金属含量降低     

137Cs and 90Sr behavioural regularities in the southeastern part of the Baltic Sea

Variations in 137Cs concentrations were investigated over the period 1986-1997 in the southeastern part of the Baltic Sea, following the Chernobyl power plant accident. The rate of "self-cleaning" was demonstrated to be very slow, the average concentration of 137Cs in 1996 being almost the same as that measured directly after the accident, in 1986. Measurements of both 137Cs and 90Sr concentrations generally revealed homogeneous distributions in this region of the Baltic Sea, though patchy distributions did develop under some hydrometeorological conditions. Specifically, the 137Cs concentration distribution became heterogeneous with values varying in the range 60-92 Bq/m3 under south-southwesterly wind conditions whilst the 90Sr concentration distribution developed similar characteristics with values ranging from 15 to 64 Bq/m3 under east-southeasterly wind conditions. In addition, in coastal waters, over extensive periods of north-northwesterly winds in 1995, 137Cs concentrations increased to values 1.5-2 times the overall average concentration, which was registered in 1986 and 1996. These data therefore reveal a continuing significant pollution of the waters of the Baltic Sea resulting from the Chernobyl power plant accident, a pollution compounded by the slow rate of radionuclide self-cleaning and significant probability of sudden regional concentration increase.     

The rate of concentration of faecal coliforms in shellfish under different environmental conditions

As filter-feeding organisms, bivalves present a potential health hazard to consumers due to pathogens which may be present in the marine environment. The effects of temperature and concentration of faecal coliforms (FC) in seawater on the rate of concentration in mussels and oysters were studied in both field and experimental conditions. The rates of FC concentration in bivalves were high at the beginning of the experiments, when the initial concentrations of FC in bivalves were low, and decreased as the concentration in bivalves increased. At low initial concentrations of FC in bivalves, the rate of FC concentration increased with the concentration of FC in seawater and with changes of temperature toward optimum. As the concentration of FC in bivalves increased, the rate of FC concentration decreased more rapidly as the concentration of FC in seawater increased and as the temperature was closer to optimum. Maximum concentrations of FC observed in bivalves (level-off concentrations) were the highest at minimum temperature (at which rates of FC concentration were the lowest), whereas the concentration of FC in seawater had no effect on the level-off concentrations of FC in bivalves.     

Effects of forms and rates of potassium fertilizers on cadmium uptake by two cultivars of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum, L.)

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to study the influence of potassium fertilizers in different forms and rates on cadmium (Cd) uptake by two cultivars of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum, L.): Brookton and Krichauff. Potassium fertilizers were added to soil at four levels: 0, 55, 110 and 166 mg K kg(-1) soil as KNO(3) (N), KCl (C) or K(2)SO(4) (S). CdCl(2) was added to all the treatments at a uniform rate equivalent to 15 mg Cd kg(-1) soil. Plant shoot and root dry weights (DW) of both cultivars were reduced significantly by the addition of K-fertilizer in C and S treatments but there were only marginal changes in the N treatments. The Cd concentrations in shoots and whole plants increased significantly (P<.001) with increasing K addition, from 37.5 to 81.4 mg kg(-1) and from 42.9 to 86.8 mg kg(-1) for Brookton and Krichauff, respectively. However, no obvious effect was observed in the N treatments, except for the highest K level (K3) where there was a sharp increase in Cd concentration compared to the lower additions. Forms of K-fertilizers significantly influenced the Cd concentrations in plant shoots and roots (P<.001), but there was no significant difference between C and S treatments. This experiment showed that anions Cl(-) and SO(4)(2-) increase Cd uptake by plants, which can be interpreted as Cl(-) and SO(4)(2-) complexing readily with Cd(2+) and thereby increasing the bioavailability of Cd(2+) in soils. The effect of potassium itself on plant uptake of Cd was also observed. We suggest that when applying potassium fertilizer to Cd-contaminated soils, the forms and rates should be considered.     

Specific activity and hazards of granite samples collected from the Eastern Desert of Egypt

Fifty granitic rock samples were collected from different plutons in the central part of the Eastern Desert of Egypt and were analyzed for specific concentrations of (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K radionuclei. The measurements were carried out using a high performance and stability Nomad Plus spectroscopy system attached to a 1.7 keV (FWHM) HPGe detector. The spectra were analyzed using the direct gamma counting comparison method as well as the traditional absolute efficiency curve method. The highest average value of (238)U concentration (1184 Bq kg(-1)) was observed at EI Misikat region whereas the highest average values of (40)K and (232)Th concentration (2301.8 and 162.5 Bq kg(-1) respectively), were detected at Gabal Homret Waggat area. The radium equivalent activity (Ra(eq)), the absorbed dose rate (D), the external hazard index (H(ex)) and the annual gonadal dose equivalent were also calculated and compared to the international recommended values. Radon exhalation rate from the rock samples were measured using the activated charcoal canister method. The average value of radon exhalation varies from 0.052 to 0.69 Bq m(-2) h(-1) and depends on the specific concentration of uranium.     

Modelling 137Cs uptake in plants from undisturbed soil monoliths

A model predicting 137Cs uptake in plants was applied on data from artificially contaminated lysimeters. The lysimeter data involve three different crops (beans, ryegrass and lettuce) grown on five different soils between 3 and 5 years after contamination and where soil solution composition was monitored. The mechanistic model predicts plant uptake of 137Cs from soil solution composition. Predicted K concentrations in the rhizosphere were up to 50-fold below that in the bulk soil solution whereas corresponding 137Cs concentration gradients were always less pronounced. Predictions of crop 137Cs content based on rhizosphere soil solution compositions were generally closer to observations than those based on bulk soil solution composition. The model explained 17% (beans) to 91% (lettuce) of the variation in 137Cs activity concentrations in the plants. The model failed to predict the 137Cs activity concentration in ryegrass where uptake of the 5-year-old 137Cs from 3 soils was about 40-fold larger than predicted. The model generally underpredicted crop 137Cs concentrations at soil solution K concentration below about 1.0 mM. It is concluded that 137Cs uptake can be predicted from the soil solution composition at adequate K nutrition but that significant uncertainties remain when soil solution K is below 1 mM.     

Plant induced changes in concentrations of caesium, strontium and uranium in soil solution with reference to major ions and dissolved organic matter

For a better understanding of the soil-to-plant transfer of radionuclides, their behavior in the soil solution should be elucidated, especially at the interface between plant roots and soil particles, where conditions differ greatly from the bulk soil because of plant activity. This study determined the concentration of stable Cs and Sr, and U in the soil solution, under plant growing conditions. The leafy vegetable komatsuna (Brassica rapa L.) was cultivated for 26 days in pots, where the rhizosphere soil was separated from the non-rhizosphere soil by a nylon net screen. The concentrations of Cs and Sr in the rhizosphere soil solution decreased with time, and were controlled by K+NH(4)(+) and Ca, respectively. On the other hand, the concentration of U in the rhizosphere soil solution increased with time, and was related to the changes of DOC; however, this relationship was different between the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil.     

Uptake of 40K and 137Cs in native plants of the Marshall Islands

Uptake of 137Cs and 40K was studied in seven native plant species of the Marshall Islands. Plant and soil samples were obtained across a broad range of soil 137Cs concentrations (0.08-3900 Bq/kg) and a narrower range of 40K soil concentrations (2.3-55 Bq/kg), but with no systematic variation of 40K relative to 137Cs. Potassium-40 concentrations in plants varied little within the range of 40K soil concentrations observed. Unlike the case for 40K, 137Cs concentrations increased in plants with increasing 137Cs soil concentrations though not precisely in a proportionate manner. The best-fit relationship between soil and plant concentrations was P = aSb where a and b are regression coefficients and P and S are plant and soil concentrations, respectively. The exponent b for 40K was zero, implying plant concentrations were a single value, while b for 137Cs varied between 0.51 and 0.82, depending on the species. For both 40K and 137Cs, we observed a decreasing concentration ratio (where concentration ratio=plant concentration/soil concentration) with increasing soil concentrations. For the CR values, the best-fit relationship was of the form CR = aSb/S = aSb(-1). For the 40K CR functions, the exponent b - 1 was close to - 1 for all species. For the 137Cs CR functions, the exponent b - 1 varied from -0.19 to -0.48. The findings presented here, aswell as those by other investigators, collectively argue against the usefulness of simplistic ratio models to accurately predict uptake of either 40K or 137Cs in plants over wide ranges of soil concentration.     

三峡库区消落带下部区域土壤氮磷释放规律模拟实验研究

三峡库区消落带形成后其下部区域（145~155 m）由于长期处于淹没状态,其表层土壤将类似底泥状态,研究选择嘉陵江江底沉积物模拟其在好氧及厌氧淹水条件下N、P向上覆水体的释放规律。结果表明：土壤处于淹水期间,均向上覆水释放N、P,其中好氧状态下上覆水中TN以硝态氮为主,厌氧环境下上覆水中TN以氨氮形式为主;淹水前期,N、P释放速率均较快,随时间增加逐渐减缓,且在厌氧环境下TP释放能力较好氧环境强。好氧淹水中曝气量对上覆水中TN平衡浓度无显著影响,但对氨氮、硝态氮释放过程有影响,从而影响TN浓度变化;底泥状土壤落干过程对N素释放有正影响,对P素释放有负影响;在短暂的落干期间,如果进行农业利用,将增加库区水环境污染和水体富营养化的风险.     

Redox reaction of iodine in paddy soil investigated by field observation and the I K-Edge XANES fingerprinting method

In order to elucidate the cause for the leaching of iodine in a flooded paddy field, we investigated the transformation of an iodine species affected by the water management of the paddy field. The increased concentration of iodide (I(-)) in soil solution of a flooded paddy field suggested that I(-) was leached from the soil under anaerobic conditions. The post-edge feature of X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) for iodate (IO(3)(-)) spiked to soil totally disappeared after anaerobic incubation of the soils, and I(-) was dissolved in the solution. On the other hand, I(-) in contact with the soil was not likely to be oxidized to IO(3)(-) under aerobic incubation. Iodine was leached out in soil solution as I(-) under anaerobic conditions, whereas part of the iodine species was retained by soil as I(2) or organoiodine both under anaerobic and aerobic conditions.     

Effects of landforms on the erosion rate in a small watershed by the Cs tracing method

It's very important to analyze and evaluate quantitatively the effects of landforms on soil erosion for the prevention and treatment of soil loss in a small watershed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of landform factors on erosion rate by the ¹³⁷Cs tracing method in a small watershed in the Purple Hilly Area of China. The erosion rates under different slope lengths, slope gradients and slope aspects were estimated in Xiangshuitan watershed in the Purple Hilly Area in Sichuan Basin by the ¹³⁷Cs tracing method. The results showed that the erosion rate decreased exponentially with downslope distance, and it increased with increasing slope gradient during the scope of 5°-16°. The slope aspect had great impact on the erosion rate, and the hillside on the sunny slope had larger erosion rate than that on the shady slope, particularly for the farmland.     

Estimation of 14CO2 flux at soil-atmosphere interface and distribution of 14C in forest ecosystem

To realize the dynamical behavior of 14C among exchangeable carbon reservoirs in terrestrial environment, a method for in situ determination of 14CO2 flux at soil-atmosphere interface and a high flow rate CO2 sampler were developed. This method allowed us to collect integrated quantity of CO2 for determining 14C activity over an extended time period under environmental conditions with minimal site disturbance. The 14CO2 flux from ground surface was estimated to be 1.59 x 10(-5) Bq m (-2) S (-1) in a forest floor with the method. The specific activities of 14C in environmental materials such as some biological and air samples were also determined in the vicinity of the place, where the flux measurement was made, to discuss the behavior of 14C in the forest ecosystem. The results indicated that fresh pine needles had a similar 14C specific activity to the atmospheric CO2 at the same height due to its fairly rapid equilibrium, 14C specific activity in the atmospheric CO2 has a concentration gradient near the ground surface and, at least in this site, CO2 with high 14C specific activity was generated by decomposition of soil organic matter which may be accumulated in soil as a result of former nuclear weapons tests.     

Seasonal variations of Rn concentrations in the air of a tunnel located in Nagano city

The seasonal variation of 222Rn concentrations in the air of tunnels constructed during World War II at Nagano City has been investigated. The determination of 222Rn concentrations in tunnel air was performed using a solid-state nuclear track detector technique. The monthly radon concentrations changed smoothly, decreasing towards winter and increasing towards summer, and it was found that the concentrations strongly correlate with the temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the tunnel. In the innermost areas of the tunnel, the maximum concentration was observed in July, its value being about 6500 Bq m (-3). The concentrations of radon in the tunnel air decrease exponentially towards the openings of the tunnel, which indicates that the radon concentration in the tunnel is basically governed by diffusion and mixing of radon gas with air. These observations lead to the conclusion that the seasonal variation of the radon concentration in the tunnel air is mainly caused by a convection current due to a stack effect induced by the temperature difference between the tunnel air and the outside air.     

Seasonal variations of 222Rn concentrations in the air of a tunnel located in Nagano city

The seasonal variation of 222Rn concentrations in the air of tunnels constructed during World War II at Nagano City has been investigated. The determination of 222Rn concentrations in tunnel air was performed using a solid-state nuclear track detector technique. The monthly radon concentrations changed smoothly, decreasing towards winter and increasing towards summer, and it was found that the concentrations strongly correlate with the temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the tunnel. In the innermost areas of the tunnel, the maximum concentration was observed in July, its value being about 6500 Bq m (-3). The concentrations of radon in the tunnel air decrease exponentially towards the openings of the tunnel, which indicates that the radon concentration in the tunnel is basically governed by diffusion and mixing of radon gas with air. These observations lead to the conclusion that the seasonal variation of the radon concentration in the tunnel air is mainly caused by a convection current due to a stack effect induced by the temperature difference between the tunnel air and the outside air.