A qualitative analysis of the stability of the root-microorganism soil system II. Combined effect of several factors

This is the second part of a study aimed at achieving some qualitative understanding of the stability properties of the root-microorganism soil system. The first part concentrated on the effect on this stability of different patterns of either nitrogen- or energy-limiting conditions. To this end, a mathematical model has been developed. The model, the theory and some results of the first part are extended here to more complex situations.A factor is first defined to measure the likelihood of the danger of extinction of the roots. It is found that this danger is increased with increasing specific mortality rates, decreasing nitrogen input and/or increasing periods of time during which decomposers are nitrogen-limited. It is also found that the danger of extinction is not directly proportional to absolute nitrogen losses from the system. Some possible explanations in terms of compensatory mechanisms of the roots are discussed.     

三峡库区典型农业小流域土壤溶解性有机质的紫外-可见及荧光特征

以三峡库区典型农业小流域土壤溶解性有机质(DOM)为研究对象,利用紫外-可见和荧光光谱,分析和讨论了不同土地利用类型(包括林地、田地、菜地和民用地)对土壤DOM地化特征的影响.结果表明,不同土地利用条件下DOM性质差异明显,以林地DOM的芳香性程度较高,腐殖化特征最强,其次为田地;尽管居民用地和菜地溶解性有机碳(DOC)含量高(均值分别为0.81 g·kg-1和0.89 g·kg-1),但是芳香化程度低,DOM中非生色组分对高DOC含量的贡献明显.所有样本荧光指数(FI)介于自生源特征(FI=1.9)和陆源特征(FI=1.4)之间,自生源(类蛋白组分)和异生源(类腐殖组分)对DOM均有贡献.大部分样本r(T/C)都大于2.0,说明该农业小流域土壤DOM受外来因素尤其是人类活动影响较大,尤以菜地为代表.另外,不同特征光谱参数对不同土地利用条件下DOM结构和性质差异性的灵敏程度不同,光谱斜率比值(SR)和腐殖化指数(HIX)不能反映DOM地化特征的差异性,因此单一光谱指标并不能全面提供DOM的特征信息,建议两种光谱分析方法联用.     

三峡库区消落带水体DOM不同分子量组分三维荧光特征

本研究利用超滤技术和三维荧光光谱,以三峡库区典型消落带水体溶解性有机质(DOM)不同分子量组分为对象,分析和讨论了不同分子量级分的组成差异和输入来源.结果表明,该区域DOM分子量分布情况较为分散,但胶体(M_r1×10~3~0.22μm)和真溶态组分(M_r1×10~3)均对DOC总质量贡献相当.不同分子量级分中均存在A、C、B、T峰,其相对含量分配均呈现出一致趋势,即真溶态(M_r1×10~3)低分子量组分(M_r1×10~3~10×10~3)中分子量组分(M_r10×10~3~30×10~3)高分子量组分(M_r30×10~3~0.22μm).另外,DOM随超滤分子量等级降低,FI和BIX值增加,"内源"输入特征增强;腐殖化程度降低(HIX值下降).陆源输入主要影响高、中分子组分,而内源输入主要影响低分子及真溶态部分.同时,沿岸不同土地利用类型对水体DOM性质和组成影响明显.土地利用类型多样性、生态景观结构复杂程度越高,水体DOM不同分子量等级中各荧光组分也越复杂.     

Future bioenergy trade in the EU: modelling trading options from a cost-effectiveness perspective

The purpose of this paper is to analyse under what conditions, with respect to CO₂ emission-reduction and biofuels-for-transport targets, the trading in the EU of CO₂ credits and solid and/or liquid biofuels is cost-effective from the perspective of an optimisation energy systems model. We use the PEEP model covering the EU27 (except Bulgaria, Malta, and Cyprus) to generate insights about the cost-effectiveness of different options under different policy scenarios. Trade in CO₂ credits is a cost-effective option, in all relevant policy scenarios. Trade in some biofuels (mainly from central and eastern European countries to the EU15) is cost-effective in all assessed scenarios. In the case of CO₂ targets (whether national or at the EU level) there is trade in solid biofuels. When biofuels-for-transport targets are also implemented, trading both solid and liquid biofuels is cost-effective.     

Soil erosion in Denmark: processes and politics

Denmark has been dealing seriously with wind erosion problems for the past 125 years whereas water erosion did not come into focus until serious euthrophication appeared in the coastal waters in 1986. This paper describes the problems and processes of soil erosion in Denmark and how these are inter-linked with the political system through subsidies, production systems, etc. The dominant soil erosion processes in Denmark are wind, sheet, rill, tillage and bank erosion. Whereas wind erosion is predominant on sandy soils with low soil fertility, sheet, rill and tillage erosion are mainly on till from the last glaciation and is largely caused by snowmelt events and prolonged rain on saturated and/or partly frozen soil. Danish laws and subsidies have played a major role in managing soil erosion. This has for instance been manifested by the extensive planting of windbreaks and the establishment of buffer zones along water courses. On the other hand, the focus on reducing nitrate leaching has led to increased sheet and rill erosion resulting from a larger number of fields with winter crops. When it comes to reducing phosphorous transport to the aquatic environment, soil erosion has been recognized as an important process but a thorough understanding of the mechanisms are lacking. Finally, the case study of the Water Environmental Protection Plan I shows that both the media and NGOs can play an important role in pushing environmental problems associated with soil erosion onto the political agenda and with the NGOs having a great say in the actual shaping of the laws.     

Environmentally relevant concentration of caffeine—effect on activity and circadian rhythm in wild perch

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - We studied the ecological consequences of widespread caffeine contamination by conducting an experiment focused on changes in the behavioral traits of...     

In-situ application of colloidal activated carbon for PFAS-contaminated soil and groundwater: A Swedish case study

Soil and groundwater contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been a significant concern to human health and environmental quality. Remediation of contaminated sites is crucial to prevent plume expansion but can prove challenging due to the persistent nature of PFAS combined with their high aqueous mobility. In this case study, we investigated the potential of colloidal activated carbon (CAC) for soil stabilization at the pilot scale, aiming to entrap PFAS and prevent their leaching from soil into groundwater. Monitoring of the site revealed the presence of two potential sources of PFAS contamination at concentrations up to 23 μg L⁻¹ for ∑₁₁PFAS in groundwater. After CAC application, initial results indicated a 76% reduction of ∑₁₁PFAS and high removal rates for long-chain PFAS, such as perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and perfluorooctanoic acid. A spike in concentrations was noticed 6 months after injection of CAC, showing a rebound of the plume and a reduction of treatment effectiveness. Based on long-term monitoring data, the treatment effectiveness for ∑₁₁PFAS dropped to 52%. The rebound of concentrations was attributed to the plume bypass of the barrier due to the presence of high conductivity zones, which likely occurred because of seasonal changes in groundwater flow directions or the CAC application at the site. This demonstrates the need for a detailed and accurate hydrogeological understanding of contaminated sites before designing and applying stabilization techniques, especially at sites with high geologic and hydrologic complexity. The results herein can serve as a guideline for treating similar sites and help avoid potential pitfalls of remedial efforts.