Implication of hydraulic properties of bioremediated diesel-contaminated soil

The hydraulic properties, such as hydraulic conductivity and water retention, of aged diesel-contaminated and bioremediated soils were examined and implications of the hydraulic properties for assessing bioremediation performance of soils were proposed. Bioremediation of diesel-contaminated soil was performed over 80 d using three treatments; (I) no nutrient added, column-packed soil, (II) nutrient added, column-packed soil, and (III) nutrient added, loosen soil. Diesel reduction in treatment I soil (control soil) was negligible while treatment III showed the greatest extent of diesel biodegradation. All treatments showed greatest rates of diesel biodegradation during the first 20 d, followed by a much retarded biodegradation rate in the remaining incubation period. Reduction of the degradation rate due to entrained diesel within inaccessible soil pores was hypothesized and tested by measuring the hydraulic properties of two column-packed soils (treatments I and II). The hydraulic conductivity of treatment II soil (nutrient added) was consistently above that of treatment I soil (no nutrient added) at pressure heads between 0 and 15 cm. In addition, the water retention of treatment II soil was greater at pressure heads <100 cm (equivalent to pore size of >30 microm), suggesting that biodegradative removal of hydrocarbons results in enhanced wettability of larger soil pores. However, water retention was not significantly different for control and biodegraded soils at pressure heads >100 cm, where smaller size soil pores were responsible for the water retention, indicating that diesel remained in smaller soil pores (e.g., <30 microm). Both incubation kinetics and hydraulic measurements suggest that hydrocarbons located in small pores with limited microbe accessibility may be recalcitrant to bioremediation.     

Research and application of method of oxygen isotope of inorganic phosphate in Beijing agricultural soils

Phosphorus (P) in agricultural ecosystems is an essential and limited element for plants and microorganisms. However, environmental problems caused by P accumulation as well as by P loss have become more and more serious. Oxygen isotopes of phosphate can trace the sources, migration, and transformation of P in agricultural soils. In order to use the isotopes of phosphate oxygen, appropriate extraction and purification methods for inorganic phosphate from soils are necessary. Here, we combined two different methods to analyze the oxygen isotopic composition of inorganic phosphate (δ¹⁸O_P) from chemical fertilizers and different fractions (Milli-Q water, 0.5 mol L^?1 NaHCO₃ (pH = 8.5), 0.1 mol L^?1 NaOH and 1 mol L^?1 HCl) of agricultural soils from the Beijing area. The δ¹⁸O_P results of the water extracts and NaHCO₃ extracts in most samples were close to the calculated equilibrium value. These phenomena can be explained by rapid P cycling in soils and the influence of chemical fertilizers. The δ¹⁸O_P value of the water extracts and NaHCO₃ extracts in some soil samples below the equilibrium value may be caused by the hydrolysis of organic P fractions mediated by extracellular enzymes. The δ¹⁸O_P values of the NaOH extracts were above the calculated equilibrium value reflecting the balance state between microbial uptake of phosphate and the release of intracellular phosphate back to the soil. The HCl extracts with the lowest δ¹⁸O_P values and highest phosphate concentrations indicated that the HCl fraction was affected by microbial activity. Hence, these δ¹⁸O_p values likely reflected the oxygen isotopic values of the parent materials. The results suggested that phosphate oxygen isotope analyses could be an effective tool in order to trace phosphate sources, transformation processes, and its utilization by microorganisms in agricultural soils.     

Local deposition of mercury in topsoils around coal-fired power plants: is it always true?

Mercury (Hg) is a toxic element that is emitted to the atmosphere through human activities, mainly fossil fuel combustion. Hg accumulations in soil are associated with atmospheric deposition, while coal-burning power plants remain the most important source of anthropogenic mercury emissions. In this study, we analyzed the Hg concentration in the topsoil of the Kozani–Ptolemais basin where four coal-fired power plants (4,065 MW) run to provide 50 % of electricity in Greece. The study aimed to investigate the extent of soil contamination by Hg using geostatistical techniques to evaluate the presumed Hg enrichment around the four power plants. Hg variability in agricultural soils was evaluated using 276 soil samples from 92 locations covering an area of 1,000 km². We were surprised to find a low Hg content in soil (range 1–59 μg kg^?1) and 50 % of samples with a concentration lower than 6 μg kg^?1. The influence of mercury emissions from the four coal-fired power plants on soil was poor or virtually nil. We associate this effect with low Hg contents in the coal (1.5–24.5 μg kg^?1) used in the combustion of these power plants (one of the most Hg-poor in the world). Despite anthropic activity in the area, we conclude that Hg content in the agricultural soils of the Kozani–Ptolemais basin is present in low concentrations.     

Characteristics,sources, and transport of tetrabromobisphenol A and bisphenol A in soils from a typical e-waste recycling area in South China

We studied the tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and bisphenol A (BPA) patterns and their sources and transport in different land-use soils from Longtang, South China, a typical electronic waste recycling center. We also studied the reductive debromination of TBBPA in paddy soils. TBBPA and BPA concentrations (on a dry weight basis) were undetected–220 and 0.50–325 ng/g, respectively, and both increased, by similar factors, in the following order: pond sediments?<?paddy soils?=?vegetable soils?<?wasteland?<?dismantling sites?<?former open burning sites. BPA concentrations were higher than TBBPA concentrations in all six land-use soils, and they correlated significantly. TBBPA and BPA were transported through the soil profiles, being found at relatively high concentrations in soil 0–40 cm deep, but only at low concentrations in soil 40–80 cm deep. The surface soil concentrations appear to have been strongly affected by crude recycling activities, and former open burning and dismantling sites were the main point sources. The areas surrounding the open burning sites and dismantling sites have been contaminated not only by the dumping of waste residues but also by fly ash deposition, even though the agricultural soils are far from the point pollution sources. Some BPA in the soils is likely to be the reductive debromination product of TBBPA because the long rainy season promotes TBBPA transformation and because BPA can persist for a long time. Incubation experiments confirmed that TBBPA could be transformed into BPA and that BPA could accumulate in waterlogged paddy soils, and this may be why BPA concentrations were higher than TBBPA concentrations in the Longtang area.     

Scavenging of BHCs and DDTs from soil by thermal desorption and solvent washing

Intensive remediation of abandoned former organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) manufacturing areas is necessary because the central and surrounding soils contaminated by OCPs are harmful to crop production and food safety. Organochlorine and its residues are persistent in environments and difficult to remove from contaminated soils due to their low solubility and higher sorption to the soils. We performed a comprehensive study on the remediation of OCPs-contaminated soils using thermal desorption technique and solvent washing approaches. The tested soil was thermally treated at 225, 325, 400, and 500 °C for 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, and 90 min, respectively. In addition, we tested soil washing with several organic solvents including n-alcohols and surfactants. The optimal ratio of soil/solvent was tested, and the recycling of used ethanol was investigated. Finally, activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), urease (URE), alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase (ACP), and invertase (INV) were assayed in the treated soils. The tested soil was thermally treated at 500 °C for 30 min, and the concentration of contaminants in soil was decreased from 3,115.77 to 0.33 mg kg^?1. The thermal desorption in soil was governed by the first-order kinetics model. For the chemical washing experiment, ethanol showed a higher efficiency than any other solvent. Using a 1:20 ratio of soil/solvent, the maximum removal of OCPs was achieved within 15 min. Under this condition, approximately 87 % of OCPs was removed from the soils. More than 90 % of ethanol in the spent wash fluid could be recovered. Activities of some enzymes in soils were increased after ethanol treatment. But ALP, ACP, and INV activities were decreased and PPO and URE showed slightly higher activities following remediation by thermal treatment. Both heating temperature and time were the key factors for thermal desorption of OCPs. The n-alcohol solvent showed higher removal of OCPs from soils than surfactants. The highly efficient removal of OCPs from soil was achieved using ethanol. More than 90 % of ethanol could be recovered and be reused following distillation. This study provides a cost-effective and highly efficient way to remediate the OCPs-contaminated soils.     

Residence time effects on phase transformation of nanosilver in reduced soils

Residence time effects on phase transformation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) (15–50 nm, with and without polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coating) were investigated in reducing soils using experimental geochemistry and synchrotron-based x-ray techniques. After 30 days of anaerobic incubation, a substantial fraction of PVP-coated AgNPs (15 nm) were transformed into Ag₂S and or humic acid (HA) complexed Ag(I), whereas only the HA fraction was dominant in uncoated AgNPs (50 nm). Several investigations recently reported that sulfidation of AgNPs to Ag₂S was the predominant mechanism controlling the fate of AgNP in soil–water environments. However, this investigation showed each AgNP underwent particle-specific chemical transformations to different end compounds after 30 days. Considering the small contribution of Ag(I) dissolution from all AgNPs (less than 5 %), we concluded that changes in solid-state chemical speciation of sorbed AgNPs was promoted by particle-specific interactions of NPs in soil chemical constituents, suggesting a critical role of soil absorbents in predicting the fate of AgNPs in terrestrial environments.     

Spatial variations of concentrations of copper and its speciation in the soil-rice system in Wenling of southeastern China

Copper (Cu) is one of the essential elements for plant growth, while excessive Cu in soils has potential environmental risks. There is little information on spatial variation of Cu in practical paddy fields. This is now important for appropriate agricultural management. The spatial patterns of Cu, its fractions in soils, and its concentrations in rice were investigated in a typical rice production region—Wenling of southeastern China. A total of 96 pairs of rice grain and soil samples (0–15 cm) were collected. The total concentration of Cu and its fractions were very variable, with large skewness, kurtosis, and coefficient of variation (CV) values. Compared to the guideline value (50 mg kg^?1), Cu pollution in paddy fields was observed in the study area. All the measured Cu concentrations in rice were lower than 10 mg kg^?1, suggesting that they remained at a safe level. Spatial analyses including Moran’s I index and geostatistics results indicated that high-high spatial patterns for both Cu in soils and rice were found in the northwest part, which was mainly related to industrial and E-waste dismantling activities. The low-low spatial patterns of Cu in the soil-rice system were located in the south part of study area. The cross-correlogram results indicated that Cu concentration in rice was significantly spatially correlated with total Cu in soils, its fractions, and soil organic matter (SOM), but significantly negatively correlated with pH and electrical conductivity (EC). Most of the selected variables had a clear spatial correlation range with Cu in rice. The ranges of significant spatial correlation (p?<?0.05) could be obtained and further used for dividing agricultural management zones.     

Aminocyclopyrachlor sorption-desorption and leaching from three Brazilian soils

This study aimed to evaluate the sorption-desorption and leaching of aminocyclopyrachlor from three Brazilian soils. The sorption-desorption of ¹⁴C-aminocyclopyrachlor was evaluated using the batch method and leaching was assessed in glass columns. The Freundlich model showed an adequate fit for the sorption-desorption of aminocyclopyrachlor. The Freundlich sorption coefficient [K_{f (sorption)}] ranged from 0.37 to 1.34 µmol ^(1–1/n) L^1/n kg^?1 and showed a significant positive correlation with the clay content of the soil, while the K_{f (desorption)} ranged from 3.62 to 5.36 µmol ^(1–1/n) L^1/n kg^?1. The K_{f (desorption)} values were higher than their respective K_{f (sorption)}, indicating that aminocyclopyrachlor sorption is reversible, and the fate of this herbicide in the environment can be affected by leaching. Aminocyclopyrachlor was detected at all depths (0?30 cm) in all the studied soils, where leaching was influenced by soil texture. The total herbicide leaching from the sandy clay and clay soils was <0.06%, whereas, ～3% leached from the loamy sand soil. The results suggest that aminocyclopyrachlor has a high potential of leaching, based on its low sorption and high desorption capacities. Therefore, this herbicide can easily contaminate underground water resources.     

Fate of nickel in a lime-stabilized biosolid,a calcareous soil and soil–biosolid mixtures

Soil contamination with anthropogenic metals resulting from biosolid application is widespread around the world. To better predict the environmental fate and mobility of contaminants, it is critical to study the capacity of biosolid-amended soils to retain and release metals. In this paper, nickel adsorption onto a calcareous soil, a lime-stabilized biosolid, and soil–biosolid mixtures (30, 75, and 150 t biosolid/ha) was studied in batch experiments. Sorption experiments showed that (1) Ni adsorption was higher onto the biosolid than the calcareous soil, and (2) biosolid acted as an adsorbent in the biosolid–soil mixtures by increasing Ni retention capacity. The sorption tests were complemented with the estimation of Ni adsorption reversibility by successive applications of extraction solutions with water, calcium (100 mg/L), and oxalic acid (equivalent to 100 mg carbon/L). It has been shown that Ni desorption rates in soil and biosolid-amended soils were lower than 30 % whatever the chemical reagent, indicating that Ni was strongly adsorbed on the different systems. This adsorption/desorption hysteresis effect was particularly significant at the highest biosolid concentration (150 t/ha). Finally, an adsorption empirical model was used to estimate the maximum permissible biosolid application rate using French national guideline. It has been shown that desorption effects should be quantitatively considered to estimate relevant biosolid loadings.     

Sorption characteristics of cyromazine and its metabolite melamine in typical agricultural soils of China

A myriad of physical, chemical, and biological processes controls the fate of organic contaminants in soils. The knowledge of bioavailability of a contaminant in soil can be useful to conduct environmental risk assessment. We conducted batch equilibrium experiments to investigate the sorption of cyromazine (CA) and its metabolite melamine (MA) onto five typical soils of China belonging to suborders Ali-Perudic Ferrosols, Udic Argosols, Gleyic-Stagnic Anthrosols, Ustic Cambosols, and Udic Isohumosols. Results showed that sorption of CA and MA onto soils was linear, as indicated by the Freundlich and Langmuir models. Different sorption behaviors of CA and MA were observed on the five agricultural soils, with lgK _f values (Freundlich model) of 1.6505–2.6557 and 1.632–2.549, respectively. Moreover, the K _f values for CA and MA were positively correlated with soil organic matter (r?=?0.989, r?=?0.976) and significantly negatively correlated with pH (r?=??0.938, r?=??0.964). The free energy of sorption of CA and MA ranged from ?20.8 to ?23.0 kJ mol^?1 and ?20.8 to ?22.8 kJ mol^?1, respectively, suggesting that the sorption of CA and MA onto the soils is primarily a physical process.     

Residues of carbosulfan and its metabolites carbofuran and 3-hydroxy carbofuran in rice field ecosystem in China

The fate of carbosulfan (seed treatment dry powder) was studied in rice field ecosystem, and a simple and reliable analytical method was developed for determination of carbosulfan, carbofuran, and 3-hydroxyl carbofuran in brown rice, rice straw, paddy water, and soil. The target compounds were extracted using acetonitrile or dichloromethane, cleaned up on acidic alumina or florisil solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridge, and analyzed by gas chromatography. The average recoveries of carbosulfan, carbofuran and 3-hydroxy carbofuran in brown rice, rice straw, paddy water, and soil ranged from 72.71% to 105.07%, with relative standard deviations of 2.00–8.80%. The limits of quantitation (LOQs) of carbosulfan, carbofuran and 3-hydroxy carbofuran in the samples (brown rice, rice straw, paddy water and soil) were 0.011, 0.0091, 0.014, 0.010 mg kg^?1, 0.016, 0.019, 0.025, 0.013 mg kg^?1, and 0.031, 0.039, 0.035, 0.036 mg kg^?1, respectively. The trials results showed that the half-lives of carbosulfan, carbofuran and 3-hydroxy carbofuran in rice straw were 4.0, 2.6 days, 3.9, 6.0 days, and 5.8, 7.0 days in Zhejiang and Hunan, respectively. Carbosulfan, carbofuran and 3-hydroxy carbofuran were detected in soils. Carbosulfan and 3-hydroxy carbofuran were almost undetectable in paddy water. Carbofuran was detected in paddy water. The final residues of carbosulfan, carbofuran and 3-hydroxy carbofuran in brown rice were lower than 0.05 mg kg^?1, which were lower than 0.5 mg kg^?1 (MRL of carbosulfan) or 0.1 mg kg^?1 (MRL of carbofuran). Therefore, a dosage of 420 g active ingredient per 100 kg seed was recommended, which could be considered as safe to human beings and animals. These would contribute to provide the scientific basis of using this insecticide.     

Impact of woodchip biochar amendment on the sorption and dissipation of pesticide acetamiprid in agricultural soils

Pyrolysis of vegetative biomass into biochar and application of the more stable form of carbon to soil have been shown to be effective in reducing the emission of greenhouse gases, improving soil fertility, and sequestering soil contaminants. However, there is still lack of information about the impact of biochar amendment in agricultural soils on the sorption and environmental fate of pesticides. In this study, we investigated the sorption and dissipation of a neonicotinoid insecticide acetamiprid in three typical Chinese agricultural soils, which were amended by a red gum wood (Eucalyptus spp.) derived biochar. Our results showed that the amendment of biochar (0.5% (w/w)) to the soils could significantly increase the sorption of acetamiprid, but the magnitudes of enhancement were varied. Contributions of 0.5% newly-added biochar to the overall sorption of acetamiprid were 52.3%, 27.4% and 11.6% for red soil, paddy soil and black soil, respectively. The dissipation of acetamiprid in soils amended with biochar was retarded compared to that in soils without biochar amendment. Similar to the sorption experiment, in soil with higher content of organic matter, the retardation of biochar on the dissipation of acetamiprid was lower than that with lower content of organic matter. The different effects of biochar in agricultural soils may attribute to the interaction of soil components with biochar, which would block the pore or compete for binding site of biochar. Aging effect of biochar application in agricultural soils and field experiments need to be further investigated.     

Geostatistical analysis of soil hydrologic properties in a field plot

A 91-m transect was set up in an irrigated field near Las Cruces, New Mexico to obtain soil water tension and water content data to investigate their spatial variability. A total of 455 sampling points were monitored along a grid consisting of 91 stations placed 1 m apart by 5 depths per station (at 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2 and 1.5 m below the surface). Post-irrigation tension and wetness measurements were recorded over 45 days at 11 time periods. Soil water tension was measured with tensiometers using a hand-held pressure transducer. A neutron probe was used to obtain volumetric water content. Using the observed wetness and tension data, unsaturated hydraulic conductivity values were derived (using a cubic spline function to estimate the gradient), and an exponential model was used to fit the calculated conductivity-tension curves to obtain hydraulic conductivity parameter values. The spatial and temporal variability of wetness, tension, saturated hydraulic conductivity and pore-size distribution parameters, and texture at the 0.3-m depth were examined using geostatistical techniques.The exponential model was found to inadequately describe the hydraulic conductivity/tension relationship for the full range of tension, particularly in the tension range near saturation. The derived values of the saturated hydraulic conductivity parameter were much greater than expected and do not correspond to reasonable saturated hydraulic conductivity values.All of the soil parameters studied exhibited large spatial variability horizontally and vertically in the field. Ranges of dependence determined from semivariogram analysis over the 44-day drainage period are 3–32 m for wetness, 6–34 m for soil water tension, 5–35 m for natural log of saturated hydraulic conductivity parameters, 5–11 m for pore-size distribution parameter, and 8–24 m for percent sand, silt and clay at the 0.3 m depth. An alternate hole-effect model is suggested to describe the texture semivariograms.It was determined that the variance of volumetric water content generally increased at each depth over the measured time periods, which is consistent with certain past field studies and a stochastic analysis of unsaturated flow in heterogeneous soils. Future research is recommended relating soil texture to soil hydrologic parameters with the goal of predicting soil behavior with less extensive sampling schemes.     

RAPD Marker and Substrate Utilization Pattern Applied to Study Microbial Community Diversity in the Soil Affected by Agricultural Chemicals

Abstract

Present analyses of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Biolog GN substrate utilization pattern are combined to further study the diversity of microbial communities in four soils affected by agricultural chemicals. The results showed that the four soil microbial communities were apparently distinguishable in the diversity at RAPD level in terms of the richness and modified richness in the summer, which supports our previous report using the same soils in winter. A significant difference for the average well color development (AWCD) at 72 h incubation was found among the soils in winter using Biolog GN substrate utilization pattern, but this difference was not found among the soils in summer. However, Shannon-Weaver indices for microbial communities in the summer soils polluted by agricultural chemicals were significantly higher than those in winter at metabolic level; in contrast, no significant difference existed between the two seasons for microbial communities in the soil without chemical pollution. Present results suggest that the combined approach using RAPD and substrate utilization pattern could be used to effectively quantify microbial community diversity and its changes among the seasons in the soils affected by agricultural chemicals, simultaneously at molecular and physiological levels.     

Impact of sewage sludge spreading on nickel mobility in a calcareous soil: adsorption–desorption through column experiments

A soil column adsorption–desorption study was performed on an agricultural calcareous soil to determine the impact of sewage sludge spreading on nickel mobility. Ni adsorption experiments were followed by desorption tests involving the following liquid extractants: water, calcium (100 mg/L), oxalic acid (525 mg/L equivalent to 100 mg carbon/L), and sludge extracts (0.5 and 2.5 g/L). Desorption tests were also conducted after sewage sludge spreading at three application rates (30, 75, and 150 t/ha). According to the breakthrough curve, Ni adsorption was irreversible and occurred mainly through interactions with calcite surface sites. Nickel desorption from the soil column was promoted in presence of significant dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration as observed with oxalic acid elution and sludge extract at 2.5 g/L. In sludge-amended soil columns, the maximum Ni levels occurred in first pore volumes, and they were positively correlated to the sludge application rate. The presence of DOC in leaching waters was the main factor controlling Ni desorption from the sludge-amended soil columns. This finding implies that DOC generated by sludge applied on calcareous soils might facilitate the leaching of Ni due to the formation of soluble Ni–organic complexes. Thus, sludge application can have potential environmental impacts in calcareous soils, since it promotes nickel transport by decreasing Ni retention by soil components.     

Fate of napropamide herbicide in selected Malaysian soils

This study was carried out to determine the sorption-desorption, degradation and leaching of napropamide in selected Malaysian soils. The sorption capacities of the selected Malaysian soils for napropamide were the following in descending order: Linau > Teringkap > Gunung Berinchang > Jambu > Rudua > Baging soil. The results indicate that napropamide degradation decreased with increasing soil sorption capacity. Napropamide was leached out earlier in the Baging soil than the other soils. Overall, the application of napropamide in the selected Malaysian soils would not pose a threat to the environment except in soil with low organic matter and clay content and high hydraulic conductivity, such as the Baging soil.     

Dolomite phosphate rock (DPR) application in acidic sandy soil in reducing leaching of phosphorus and heavy metals—a column leaching study

A column leaching study was designed to investigate the leaching potential of phosphorus (P) and heavy metals from acidic sandy soils applied with dolomite phosphate rock (DPR) fertilizers containing varying amounts of DPR material and N-Viro soils. DPR fertilizers were made from DPR materials mixing with N-Viro soils at the ratios of 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 %, and applied in acidic sandy soils at the level of 100 mg available P per kilogram soil. A control and a soluble P chemical fertilizer were also included. The amended soils were incubated at room temperature with 70 % field water holding capacity for 21 days before packed into a soil column and subjected to leaching. Seven leaching events were conducted at days 1, 3, 7, 14, 28, 56, and 70, respectively, and 258.9 mL of deionized water was applied at each leaching events. The leachate was collected for the analyses of pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), major elements, and heavy metals. DPR fertilizer application resulted in elevations up to 1 unit in pH, 7–10 times in EC, and 20–40 times in K and Ca concentrations, but 3–10 times reduction in P concentration in the leachate as compared with the chemical fertilizer or the control. After seven leaching events, DPR fertilizers with adequate DPR materials significantly reduced cumulative leaching losses of Fe, P, Mn, Cu, and Zn by 20, 55, 3.7, 2.7, and 2.5 times than chemical fertilizer or control. Even though higher cumulative losses of Pb, Co, and Ni were observed after DPR fertilizer application, the loss of Pb, Co, and Ni in leachate was <0.10 mg (in total 1,812 mL leachate). Significant correlations of pH (negative) and DOC (positive) with Cu, Pb, and Zn (P?<?0.01) in leachate were observed. The results indicated that DPR fertilizers had a great advantage over the soluble chemical fertilizer in reducing P loss from the acidic sandy soil with minimal likelihood of heavy metal risk to the water environment. pH elevation and high dissolved organic carbon concentration in soils after DPR fertilizer application are two influential factors.     

Hexabromocyclododecanes in soils and plants from a plastic waste treatment area in North China: occurrence,diastereomer- and enantiomer-specific profiles,and metabolization

Plastic waste is a source of organic contaminants such as hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs). HBCDs have been found to cause developmental and reproductive toxicity; it is important to investigate the occurrence and metabolization of HBCDs in the soil environments with plastic waste contamination. This work analyzed HBCDs and their metabolites in soil and plant samples collected from Xinle and Dingzhou—the major plastic waste recycling centers in North China. Results showed that total HBCD concentrations in soils followed the order: plastic waste treatment site (11.0–624 ng/g) > roadside (2.96–85.4 ng/g) ≥ farmland (8.69–55.5 ng/g). HBCDs were detected in all the plant samples with total concentrations ranging from 3.47 to 23.4 ng/g. γ-HBCD was the dominant congener in soils, while α-HBCD was preferentially accumulated in plants. Compositions of HBCD isomers in soils and plants were significantly different (P < 0.05) among sampling sites and among plant species. HBCDs in farmland soil and all plant samples exhibited high enantio-selectivity based on the enantiomeric fractions (EFs). Furthermore, metabolites of pentabromocyclododecenes (PBCDEs) were frequently identified in soils, and mono-OH-HBCDs were the most common ones in plants. This study for the first time provides evidences of HBCD contamination in the soil-plant system caused by plastic waste, their stereo-selectivity, and metabolization behavior, improving our understanding of the environmental behavior and fate of HBCDs.     

Properties of biochars from conventional and alternative feedstocks and their suitability for metal immobilization in industrial soil

In contaminated soils, excessive concentrations of metals and their high mobility pose a serious environmental risk. A suitable soil amendment can minimize the negative effect of metals in soil. This study investigated the effect of different biochars on metal (Cu, Pb, Zn) immobilization in industrial soil. Biochars produced at 300 and 600 °C from conventional (MS, maize silage; WP, wooden pellets) and alternative (SC, sewage sludge compost; DR, digestate residue) feedstocks were used as soil amendments at a dosage of 10 % (w/w). The type of feedstock and pyrolysis temperature affected the properties of the biochars and their ability to immobilize metal in soil. Compared to production at 300 °C, all biochars produced at 600 °C had higher pH (6.2–10.7), content of ash (7.2–69.0 %) and fixed carbon (21.1–56.7 %), but lower content of volatile matter (9.7–37.2 %). All biochars except DR biochar had lower dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content (1.4–2.3 g C/L) when made at 600 °C. Only MS and SC biochars had higher cation exchange capacity (25.2 and 44.7 cmol/kg, respectively) after charring at 600 °C. All biochars contained low concentrations of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn; Cd was volatilized to the greatest extent during pyrolysis. Based on FTIR analysis and molar ratios of H/C and O/C, biochars had a greater degree of carbonization and aromaticity after charring at 600 °C. The efficiency of the biochars in metal immobilization depended mainly on their pH, ash content, and concentration of DOC. SC and DR biochars were more effective for Cu and Zn immobilization than MS and WP biochars, which makes them attractive options for large-scale soil amendment.     

Soil pH and Anion Abundance Affects on Copper Adsorption

Abstract

Copper (Cu) input to agricultural soils results from Cu containing pesticides and/or that in soil amendments, such as manure or sewage sludge. Soil and soil solution properties influence the adsorption and desorption of Cu by the soil, which in turn determines its plant availability and/or phytotoxicities. Effects of different anion enrichment in the equilibrium solution on Cu adsorption by different soils (pH range of 6.2–9.9) were investigated in this study over a range of Cu concentrations. With Cu concentrations in the range of 0–100 mg L^?1 in the equilibration solution, 95–99% of applied Cu was adsorbed by all three soils. The adsorption of Cu was similar regardless of using either 0.01 M CaCl₂ or Ca(NO₃)₂ as the equilibration solution. When the Cu concentration in the equilibration solution was further increased in the range of 500–2000 mg L^?1, the adsorption of Cu decreased from 60 to 24% of applied Cu in two soils with pH 6.2–7.9. In a high pH soil (pH = 9.9), the Cu adsorption decreased from 77 to 34%. Addition of incinerated sewage sludge (ISS) to a Palouse silt loam soil (pH = 6.2) increased the Cu adsorption as compared to that by unamended soil. This was, in part, due to an increase in the soil suspension pH with ISS amendment.