EPIC modeling of soil organic carbon sequestration in croplands of Iowa

Depending on management, soil organic carbon (SOC) is a potential source or sink for atmospheric CO(2). We used the EPIC model to study impacts of soil and crop management on SOC in corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) croplands of Iowa. The National Agricultural Statistics Service crops classification maps were used to identify corn-soybean areas. Soil properties were obtained from a combination of SSURGO and STATSGO databases. Daily weather variables were obtained from first order meteorological stations in Iowa and neighboring states. Data on crop management, fertilizer application and tillage were obtained from publicly available databases maintained by the NRCS, USDA-Economic Research Service (ERS), and Conservation Technology Information Center. The EPIC model accurately simulated state averages of crop yields during 1970-2005 (R(2) = 0.87). Simulated SOC explained 75% of the variation in measured SOC. With current trends in conservation tillage adoption, total stock of SOC (0-20 cm) is predicted to reach 506 Tg by 2019, representing an increase of 28 Tg with respect to 1980. In contrast, when the whole soil profile was considered, EPIC estimated a decrease of SOC stocks with time, from 1835 Tg in 1980 to 1771 Tg in 2019. Hence, soil depth considered for calculations is an important factor that needs further investigation. Soil organic C sequestration rates (0-20 cm) were estimated at 0.50 to 0.63 Mg ha(-1) yr(-1) depending on climate and soil conditions. Overall, combining land use maps with EPIC proved valid for predicting impacts of management practices on SOC. However, more data on spatial and temporal variation in SOC are needed to improve model calibration and validation.     

Modeling Biodegradation of Nonylphenol

Nonylphenol is the primary breakdown product of nonylphenol ethoxylates, a certain class of nonionic surfactants. Nonylphenol has been found to be toxic to aquatic organisms and has been suspected of being harmful to humans due to its xenoestrogenic properties. Although there are known releases of nonylphenol to the environment, there is a lack of data describing the extent of biodegradation. This study thus focuses on much needed information on the biodegradation kinetics of nonylphenol. Oxygen uptake, cell growth and nonylphenol removal data were collected using batch reactors in an electrolytic respirometer. Nonylphenol removal, cell growth and substrate removal rates were modeled by the Monod, Haldane, Aiba, Webb, and Yano equations. The differential equations were solved by numerical integration to simulate cell growth, substrate removal, and oxygen uptake as a function of time. All models provided similar results with the Haldane model providing the best fit. The values of the kinetic parameters and the activation energy for nonylphenol were determined. These values can be used for predicting fate and transport of nonylphenol in the environment. The validity of applying each model to the biodegradation of nonylphenol was analyzed by computing the R ² values of each equation.     

Note--On the Timing of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions: A Final Rejoinder to the Symposium on "The Economics of Climate Change: The Stern Review and its Critics"

In this final rejoinder to the symposium on "The Economics ofClimate Change: The Stern Review and Its Critics," we respondto comments published in the last issue of this journal by RobertMendelsohn, Thomas Sterner and U. Martin Persson, and John P.Weyant (Mendelsohn et al. 2008). In particular, we examine thepoint of debate with arguably the greatest practical importancefor ongoing negotiations over an international agreement tosucceed the Kyoto Protocol: namely the appropriate timing ofglobal reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Too often in the past, this debate has been presented as onebetween the poles of "act now" and "wait-and-see". Weyant (seeWeyant's     

The use of recreation planning tools in U.S. Forest Service NEPA assessments

U.S. Forest Service managers are required to incorporate social and biophysical science information in planning and environmental analysis. The use of science is mandated by the National Environmental Policy Act, the National Forest Management Act, and U.S. Forest Service planning rules. Despite the agency’s emphasis on ‘science-based’ decision-making, little is known about how science is actually used in recreation planning and management. This study investigated the perceptions of Forest Service interdisciplinary (ID) team leaders for 106 NEPA projects dealing with recreation and travel management between 2005 and 2008. Our survey data show how managers rate the importance of social and biophysical science compared to other potential ‘success factors’ in NEPA assessments. We also explore how team leaders value and use multi-disciplinary tools for recreation-related assessments. Results suggest that managers employ a variety of recreation planning tools in NEPA projects, but there appears to be no common understanding or approach for how or when these tools are incorporated. The Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) was the most frequently used planning tool, but the Visitor Experience and Resource Protection (VERP) framework was the most consistently valued tool by those who used it. We recommend further evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of each planning tool and future development of procedures to select appropriate planning tools for use in recreation-related NEPA assessments.     

除草剂草甘膦在土壤中的吸附行为

研究了除草剂草甘膦在3种土壤中的吸附行为, 观察了pH和离子强度等因素对吸附的影响. 结果表明:草甘膦在3种土壤中的吸附过程均符合一级动力学规律, 吸附等温线均为直线,吸附常数K_d 2.2207～3.5280mL/g; 随着离子强度的降低, 草甘膦在3种土壤中的吸附量明显增大; 随着pH(9～3)逐渐减小, 草甘膦在呼和浩特特市土壤和东胜土壤中的吸附量增大, 在杭锦2号土中的吸附量先增大, 在pH=7时达到最大值, pH=5时开始下降, 下降到4时的吸附量与pH=9时的相等.     

不同配比农业废物堆肥过程中堆肥的阴阳离子和大分子对种子发芽的影响

为揭示不同配比农业废物堆肥过程中阴阳离子和大分子对植物毒性的影响机理，开展了以鸡粪和猪粪为主料，稻草秸秆为辅料的条垛堆肥试验，设置的试验处理包括：等质量的鸡粪+稻草秸秆+包菜（1∶1∶1）处理（T1）、鸡粪+稻草秸秆（1∶1）处理（T2）、大量猪粪+少量稻草秸秆（85∶15）处理（T3）.测定了各处理的堆温、堆肥的水溶性无机阴阳离子和有机大分子变化，以及对大白菜（Brassica rapa L.）和水堇（Lepidium sativum. L.）种子发芽指数（Germination Index， GI）等指标变化的影响.试验结果表明，T3处理堆肥的高温（>55 ℃）持续期最长，杀灭病原微生物和杂草种子的能力最好，且其堆肥的Cl^-、SO42-、K⁺、Na⁺、Ca²⁺和Mg²⁺浓度最低；T2处理堆肥的NH4+ 浓度最低.T1和T2处理堆肥过程中堆肥的脂肪烃可转化为稳定的芳香烃.T3处理堆肥对大白菜和水堇的种子发芽指数大于80%.堆肥中抑制种子发芽的阴阳离子及大分子浓度分别为：Ca²⁺浓度>0.98 mmol·L^-1，Mg²⁺浓度>0.92 mmol·L^-1，NH4+浓度均>5.75 mmol·L^-1，芳香C/多糖比值>0.33，羧基C/多糖比值>0.30.堆肥中脂肪族大分子增加、多糖类大分子减少可抑制种子发芽.综上所述，猪粪与稻草秸秆的质量配比为85∶15、初始C/N比为25、初始水分含量为60%、 堆肥期周为35 d是条垛式堆肥处理猪粪和稻草秸秆的最佳工艺参数.大白菜比水堇种子更能准确反映农业废物堆肥的植物毒性.本研究可为优化不同畜禽粪便与农作物秸秆的条垛堆肥工艺参数、减少土地利用的风险提供重要的决策支持.