Phenanthrene adsorption by soils treated with humic substances under different pH and temperature conditions

The mobility of phenanthrene (PHE) in soils depends on its sorption and is influenced by either the existing soil humus or exogenous humic substances. Exogenous humic acids (HAs) were added to soil to enhance the amount of soil organic carbon (SOC) by 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 g kg⁻¹. PHE desorption of the treated soils was determined at two pH levels (3.0 and 6.0) and temperatures (15 and 25 °C). Soil PHE adsorption was related to pH and the type and quantity of added HAs. Humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) derived from peat had different effects on adsorption of PHE. Adsorption increased at first and then decreased with increasing quantity of exogenous FA. When the soil solution pH (in 0.005 M CaCl₂) was 4.5 or 3.0, the turning points were 2.5 g FA kg⁻¹ at pH 3.0 and 5 g FA kg⁻¹ at pH 4.5. When soil solution pH was 6, the amount of adsorbed PHE was enhanced with increasing exogenous HAs (HA or FA) and amount of adsorption by soil treated with FA was higher than with HA. Adsorption of PHE in the FA treatment at 10.0 g kg⁻¹ was lower than the controls (untreated soil or treatment with HAs at 0 g kg⁻¹) when the soil solution pH was 3.0. This suggests that FA adsorbed by soil was desorbed at low pH and would then increase PHE solubility, and PHE then combined with FA. PHE adsorption was usually higher under lower pH and/or lower temperature conditions. PHE sorption fitted the Freundlich isotherm, indicating that exogenous humic substances influenced adsorption of phenanthrene, which in turn was affected by environmental conditions such as pH and temperature. Thus, exogenous humic substances can be used to control the mobility of soil PAHs under appropriate conditions to decrease PAH contamination.     

Aluminium in tea plantations: mobility in soils and plants, and the influence of nitrogen fertilization

The levels of extractable aluminum (Al) in soils of tea plantations, Al concentrations in tea leaves and the impact of nitrogen fertilization on these two parameters were investigated. In addition, the properties of soils from tea plantations were compared to those from soils of adjacent non-tea fields to evaluate the effect of land use conversion (from non-tea soils to tea soils). Exchangeable Al (extracted in 1 mol l⁻¹ KCl) ranged from 0.03 to 7.32 cmol_c kg⁻¹ in 94 tea fields and decreased rapidly with increasing soil pH. In comparison with non-tea soils, tea soils had a significantly lower pH and exchangeable Mg²⁺ concentration but higher organic matter contents and exchangeable K⁺ concentration. Contents of extractable Al were not different (P > 0.05) between these two soils. The concentrations of Al in mature tea leaves correlated significantly with exchangeable Al in soil samples taken at a depth of 20–40 cm and with exchangeable Al saturations in soil sampled at␣depths of 0–20 and 20–40 cm. In the pot experiment, nitrogen fertilization significantly increased extractable Al levels but decreased soil pH and the levels of exchangeable base cations. Nevertheless, the levels of Al in mature leaves and young shoots were significantly reduced by the application of large amounts of N fertilizer.     

Application of eggshell waste for the immobilization of cadmium and lead in a contaminated soil

Liming materials have been used to immobilize heavy metals in contaminated soils. However, no studies have evaluated the use of eggshell waste as a source of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) to immobilize both cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in soils. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of eggshell waste on the immobilization of Cd and Pb and to determine the metal availability following various single extraction techniques. Incubation experiments were conducted by mixing 0–5% powdered eggshell waste and curing the soil (1,246 mg Pb kg^?1 soil and 17 mg Cd kg^?1 soil) for 30 days. Five extractants, 0.01 M calcium chloride (CaCl₂), 1 M CaCl₂, 0.1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl), 0.43 M acetic acid (CH₃COOH), and 0.05 M ethylendiaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), were used to determine the extractability of Cd and Pb following treatments with CaCO₃ and eggshell waste. Generally, the extractability of Cd and Pb in the soils decreased in response to treatments with CaCO₃ and eggshell waste, regardless of extractant. Using CaCl₂ extraction, the lowest Cd concentration was achieved upon both CaCO₃ and eggshell waste treatments, while the lowest Pb concentration was observed using HCl extraction. The highest amount of immobilized Cd and Pb was extracted by CH₃COOH or EDTA in soils treated with CaCO₃ and eggshell waste, indicating that remobilization of Cd and Pb may occur under acidic conditions. Based on the findings obtained, eggshell waste can be used as an alternative to CaCO₃ for the immobilization of heavy metals in soils.     

Influence of uraniferous black shales on cadmium,molybdenum and selenium in soils and crop plants in the Deog-Pyoun-g area of Korea

The influence of naturally occurring uraniferous black shales on cadmium, molybdenum and selenium concentrations in soils and plants is examined. The possible implications of element concentrations to animal and human health are considered for the Deog-Pyoung area. Geochemical surveys have been undertaken within 13 river tributary valleys in the area underlain by uraniferous black shales and black slates or grey chlorite schists. Sampling of rocks, soils and plants has been carried out along transect lines within each valley. Samples were analysed for trace elements by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) and for uranium by Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA). Soil pH, cation exchange capacity, loss on ignition and particle size distribution have been measured for selected samples. Average trace element concentrations of the Okchon uraniferous black shales were 6.3 μg g⁻¹ Cd, 136 μg g⁻¹ Mo and 8.6 μg g⁻¹ Se. Soils derived from these rocks tend to reflect their extreme geochemical composition. Trace element concentrations in alluvial soils derived in part from these black shales averaged 1.2 μg g⁻¹ Cd, 20 μg g⁻¹ Mo and 1.5 μg g⁻¹ Se. Trace element concentrations in plants were found to be influenced by those of soils. Cadmium accumulated in tobacco leaves up to 46 μg g⁻¹ (D.M.) and leafy plants such as lettuce contain up to 0.5 μg g⁻¹ Se (D.M.). In addition to total concentrations in soils, soil pH is a major factor influencing uptake of Mo into crop plants and soil texture for Se. Concentrations of trace elements in plants also varied between plant species. The relative concentrations of Cd were found to vary in the order tobacco > lettuce > red pepper > rice grain. Elevated concentrations of Cd in crop plants and in tobacco may possibly have deleterious effects on human health in this area. The low Cu:Mo ratio in rice stalk of 2.65:1 may be associated with disturbed Cu metabolism in ruminant animals which regularly consume this material.     

Effects of sulphur deposition on trace metal solubility in soils

Concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cu and Cd in soil solutions taken in the vicinity of a sulphur mine range from 354 to 9080 μM L⁻¹, and exceeded the concentrations measured in solutions from light acid arable soils. The content of each metal was a negative function of either the solution pH or of Ca concentration. Reclamation of S-contaminated soil by an application of 2000 tonnes of limestone per hectare did not significantly affect the solubility of trace metals, whereas equilibration of soil samples with CaCO₃ in the laboratory decreased solubility of metals, especially in the soil under moist conditions. Sulphur deposition may modify the natural cycling of metals in soils.     

Offensive and defensive sperm competition roles in the dung beetle Onthophagus taurus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Sperm competition is predicted to generate opposing selection pressures on males. On one hand, selection should favour ‘defensive’ adaptations that protect a male’s ejaculate from displacement, while, on the other hand, selection should favour ‘offensive’ adaptations that overcome paternity assurance mechanisms of rivals. Here, we use the sterile male technique to assess sperm precedence when a male dung beetle Onthophagus taurus mates in both a defensive (first male) and an offensive (second male) role. Significant variation in a male’s sperm precedence (both P ₁ and P ₂) was detected, and an individual’s defensive (P ₁) and offensive (P ₂) abilities were positively correlated. Thus, it appears that sexual selection simultaneously selects for ‘defensive’ and ‘offensive’ adaptations in O. taurus. We discuss a variety of male traits in O. taurus that potentially contribute to a male’s ability to be successful when mating in an ‘offensive’ and a ‘defensive’ role.     

Simple assessment of the reactive aluminium in sediments

The mobility of aluminium in sediments was evaluated through a one-step extraction with a strong chelating agent. Single and sequential extraction procedures for the extraction of Al were applied to four sediments from a polluted region. A single-step extraction with 0.05 mol L⁻¹ ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was used, and compared with a standardized SEP as reference. The Al contents extracted into Na₂EDTA were in good agreement with the sequential extraction that yeilds mobile and potentially mobile portion of Al. Extracted EDTA contents make up more than 70% of the first-three-step sum of the five-step extraction procedure. Thus, Na₂EDTA extraction of Al could be applied to assess aluminium mobility changes in sediments and soils.     

Cadmium-hazard mapping using a general linear regression model (Irr-Cad) for rapid risk assessment

Research undertaken over the last 40 years has identified the irrefutable relationship between the long-term consumption of cadmium (Cd)-contaminated rice and human Cd disease. In order to protect public health and livelihood security, the ability to accurately and rapidly determine spatial Cd contamination is of high priority. During 2001–2004, a General Linear Regression Model Irr-Cad was developed to predict the spatial distribution of soil Cd in a Cd/Zn co-contaminated cascading irrigated rice-based system in Mae Sot District, Tak Province, Thailand (Longitude E 98°59′–E 98°63′ and Latitude N 16°67′–16°66′). The results indicate that Irr-Cad accounted for 98% of the variance in mean Field Order total soil Cd. Preliminary validation indicated that Irr-Cad ‘predicted’ mean Field Order total soil Cd, was significantly (p < 0.001) correlated (R ² = 0.92) with ‘observed’ mean Field Order total soil Cd values. Field Order is determined by a given field's proximity to primary outlets from in-field irrigation channels and subsequent inter-field irrigation flows. This in turn determines Field Order in Irrigation Sequence (Field Order^IS). Mean Field Order total soil Cd represents the mean total soil Cd (aqua regia-digested) for a given Field Order^IS. In 2004–2005, Irr-Cad was utilized to evaluate the spatial distribution of total soil Cd in a ‘high-risk’ area of Mae Sot District. Secondary validation on six randomly selected field groups verified that Irr-Cad predicted mean Field Order total soil Cd and was significantly (p < 0.001) correlated with the observed mean Field Order total soil Cd with R ² values ranging from 0.89 to 0.97. The practical applicability of Irr-Cad is in its minimal input requirements, namely the classification of fields in terms of Field Order^IS, strategic sampling of all primary fields and laboratory based determination of total soil Cd (T-Cd_P) and the use of a weighed coefficient for Cd (Coeff_W). The use of primary fields as the basis for Irr-Cad is also an important practical consideration due to their inherent ease of identification and vital role in the classification of fields in terms of Field Order^IS. The inclusion of mean field order soil pH (1:5_water) to the Irr-Cad model accounted for over 79% of the variation in mean Field Order bio-available (DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid)-extractable) soil Cd. Rice is the staple food of countries of the Greater Mekong Sub-region (includes Vietnam, Myanmar, Lao PDR, Thailand and Yunnan Province, China). These countries also have actively and historically mined Zn, Pb, and Cu deposits where Cd is likely to be a potential hazard if un-controlled discharge/runoff enters areas of rice cultivation. As such, it is envisaged that the Irr-Cad model could be applied for Cd hazard assessment and effectively form the basis of intervention options and policy decisions to protect public health, livelihoods, and export security.     

Influence of fertilizer and sewage sludge compost on yield and heavy metal accumulation by lettuce grown in urban soils

Previous research has demonstrated that many urban soils are enriched in Pb, Cd and Zn. Culture of vegetable crops in these soils could allow transfer of potentially toxic metals to foods. Tanya lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was grown in pots of five urban garden soils and one control agricultural soil to assess the effect of urban-soil metal enrichment, and the effect of soil amendments, on heavy metal uptake by garden vegetables. The amendments included NPK fertilizer, limestone, Ca(H₂PO₄)₂, and two rates of limed sewage sludge compost. Soil Cd ranged from 0.08 to 9.6 mg kg^–1; soil Zn from 38 to 3490 mg kg^–1; and soil Pb from 12 to 5210 mg kg^–1. Lettuce yield on the urban garden soils was as great as or greater than that on the control soil. Lettuce Cd, Zn and Pb concentrations increased from 0.65, 23, and 2.2 mg kg^–1 dry matter in the control soil to as high as 3.53, 422 and 37.0 mg kg^–1 on the metal-rich urban garden soils. Adding limestone or limed sewage sludge compost raised soil pH and significantly reduced lettuce Cd and Zn, while phosphate fertilizer lowered soil pH and had little effect on Zn but increased Cd concentration in lettuce. Urban garden soils caused a significant increase in lettuce leaf Pb concentration, especially on the highest Pb soil. Adding NPK fertilizer, phosphate, or sludge compost to two high Pb soils lowered lettuce Pb concentration, but adding limestone generally did not. On normally fertilized soils, Pb uptake by lettuce was not exceptionally high until soil Pb substantially exceeded 500 mg kg^–1. Comparing garden vegetables and soil as potential sources of Pb risk to children, it is clear that the risk is greater through ingestion of soil or dust than through ingestion of garden vegetables grown on the soil. Urban dwellers should obtain soil metal analyses before selecting garden locations to reduce Pb risk to their children.     

Strong adsorption of DNA molecules on humic acids

Analysing soil microbial communities is often hampered by DNA adsorption on soil organic compounds such as humic acids. However the role of humic acids in DNA adsorption and stability in soils remains controversial. To characterize DNA–humic acid interactions, we studied DNA adsorption on two commercially available humic acids and a soil humic acid extracted from an Andosol. Desorption of the adsorbed DNA using 4 different solutions—distilled water, 0.1 M NaCl, 0.1 M sodium phosphate buffer (pH 6.0), and 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate solution—was also studied to understand the mechanism of DNA adsorption on humic acids. Here, we show that humic acids play an important role in DNA adsorption to soils. DNA molecules were adsorbed on the humic acids, with adsorption increasing proportionally with the DNA concentrations in the solution. The adsorption on all humic acid samples was fitted with Freundlich equation, and the parameters obtained from the equation indicated a high affinity between the humic acids and DNA molecules. The total amount of DNA desorbed by the 4 solutions was less than 2% of the total DNA adsorbed on all the humic acids. The results demonstrate that DNA molecules are able to bind strongly to humic acids by ligand binding, hydrophobic interaction, aggregation, or precipitation.     

土壤水溶态铜对小白菜的毒害效应及其预测模型

土壤中铜(Cu)重金属的生物毒性/有效性主要取决于它们在土壤液相中含量和土壤溶液的性质。探寻土壤有效态Cu的生物毒害效应,表征量化其与土壤溶液性质关系,可为土壤Cu的环境风险评价提供参考。选取17种典型农田土壤,探讨了有效态Cu(土壤孔隙水以及CaCl_2浸提态)对小白菜生长的毒性效应及其预测模型。结果表明:土壤孔隙水中Cu对小白菜生长10%抑制的毒性阈值值(EC_(10))和50%抑制的毒性阈值(EC_(50)),最大值与最小值相差为14.7和14.6倍;同样,对于CaCl_2提取态Cu的EC_(10)和EC_(50),最大值与最小值相差12.7和7.7倍,表明土壤溶液性质对水溶性Cu对小白菜的毒性阈值影响很大。建立了土壤溶液的重要因子(溶解性有机碳、土壤溶液pH值、电导率、全硫含量、Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)、K~+、Na~+)和水溶性Cu阈值之间的多元回归关系,结果显示,土壤溶液性质可以较好地预测水溶性Cu对小白菜的毒性阈值。同时,土壤溶液中Mg~(2+)、K~+和S的含量是控制孔隙水中Cu对小白菜生长毒性的最重要因子,单一的S能分别解释34%的EC_(10)变异,K~+解释26%的EC_(50)变化。本研究结果可为陆地环境中水溶性Cu的风险评价提供基础。     

Sequential extraction of cadmium in different soil phases and plant parts from a former industrialized area

Cd concentrations in mobile phases of soil are more representative than total Cd concentration for estimating Cd bioavailability, physicochemical reactivity and mobility. In this study, selective sequential extraction procedures were used to determine Cd in different soil phases. Soil samples and plants grown in these soils were collected from a serpentine and copper-mining area in Maden-Elazig-Turkey. The extracted fractions were exchangeable/carbonate, reducible-iron/manganese oxides, oxidizable-organic matter and sulfides, and residual phases except silicates. Concentrations of Cd in soils and plant samples were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. We found that Cd concentrations in the EDTA and NH₂OH·HCl extracts are higher in most soil samples compared to the other extracts. We conclude that Cd levels in mobile phases are unexpectedly high. The observed Cd concentrations are in ranges of 0.03–3.4 mg kg⁻¹ for soil and 0.02–2.5 mg kg⁻¹ for plant parts. The percentages of cadmium up to 56% in exchangeable and carbonates fractions were observed to be significantly higher than in those values less than 2% reported in literature. This study has shown that the modified extraction method can be usefully applied to determine Cd concentrations in potentially mobile phase of soil. Furthermore, it was concluded that Brassicasea and Rumex leaves can be used as hyperaccumulator plants because their translocation factor and/or enrichment coefficient values were found to be higher than 1.0.     

Photoinhibition of Symbiodinium spp. within the reef corals Montastraea faveolata and Porites astreoides: implications for coral bleaching

It is speculated that differences in coral bleaching susceptibility may be influenced by the genotype of in hospite Symbiodinium and their differential responses to bleaching stressors. Photoinhibition of photosystem II (PSII), damage to the D1 (psbA) PSII reaction centre protein and production of reactive oxygen species by in hospite Symbiodinium are likely precursors of coral bleaching. In order to assess whether photorepair rates of in hospite Symbiodinium underlie the bleaching susceptibility of their hosts, photoinhibition (net and gross), photoprotection and photorepair rates were assessed in a bleaching-‘tolerant’ coral (P. astreoides) and a bleaching-‘sensitive’ coral (M. faveolata) using non-invasive fluorometric techniques and by blocking de novo synthesis of psbA. Previous studies using such techniques have demonstrated that in vitro Symbiodinium types ‘sensitive’ to bleaching stressors had reduced rates of photorepair relative to ‘tolerant’ Symbiodinum types. Our measurements demonstrated that Symbiodinium in the more bleaching tolerant P. astreoides had higher photorepair rates than Symbiodinium in M. faveolata. Higher repair rates in P. astreoides resulted in lower net photoinhibition relative to M. faveolata, where both corals exhibited similar susceptibility to photodamage (gross photoinhibition). Photoprotective mechanisms were observed in both corals; M. faveolata exhibited higher antennae-bed quenching than P. astreoides at low-light intensities, but at and above light-saturating intensities, which are different for each coral species, P. astreoides displayed more efficient non-photochemical quenching (Stern–Volmer quenching) of chlorophyll fluorescence than M. faveolata. Increased NPQ by P. astreoides at E/E _k ≥ 1 was not driven by antennae-bed quenching. The ability of in hospite Symbiodinium in P. astreoides to mitigate the effects of photoinhibition under high light conditions compared with Symbiodinium in M. faveolata, and their high repair capacity following photoinhibition, may be a key factor to consider in future bleaching studies and may underlie the relative bleaching tolerance of P. astreoides compared to M. faveolata.     

Trace elements in wild grasses: a phytoavailability study on a remediated field

There have been significant efforts to establish a widely usable method for the prediction of trace element bioavailability in soil. In this work, we used extraction with 0.01 M CaCl₂ and 0.05 M ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to estimate bioavailable concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in a soil moderately contaminated with trace elements 1 and 2 years after the application of three amendments. The experiment took place in a field plot of a soil affected by the toxic spill of the Aznalcóllar mine. Four treatments were established: three with amendments (biosolid compost, sugar beet lime, and a combination of leonardite plus sugar beet lime) and a control without amendment. Trace element concentrations of two representative species in each year (Lamarckia aurea and Poa annua in 2004 and Lamarckia aurea and Bromus rubens in 2005) were analyzed. The results showed a positive effect of the amendments both on soil and vegetation. Trace element concentrations in plants growing in the amended subplots were lower than those in plants from nonamended subplots. As a rule, concentrations of CaCl₂-soluble Cd, Cu, and Zn in soil were positively correlated with trace elements in plants, whereas EDTA extraction was scarcely correlated with plant concentration. For species of grasses, especially L. aurea, CaCl₂ seems to be a more suitable extractant to predict trace element bioavailability in this contaminated soil.     

Evaluating the respiratory bioaccessibility of nickel in soil through the use of a simulated lung fluid

Simulated lung fluids are solutions designed to mimic the composition of human interstitial lung fluid as closely as possible. Analysis of mineral dusts using such solutions has been used to evaluate the respiratory bioaccessibility of various elements for which solubility in the lungs is a primary determinant of reactivity. The objective of this study was to employ simulated lung fluid analysis to investigate the respiratory bioaccessibility of nickel in soils. Current occupational guidelines in Australia regulate nickel compounds in terms of water solubility, though this may not be an accurate estimation of the total nickel that will dissociate in the lungs. Surface soils were collected from the city of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, the site of an operational nickel smelter and metal mining activities. The fraction of the samples less than 10 μm was extracted from the soil, and it was this sub-10-μm fraction that was found to hold most of the total nickel present in the soil. The fine fraction was analyzed using a simulated lung fluid (modified Gamble’s solution) to isolate the nickel phases soluble in the lungs. In addition, a sequential extraction was employed to compare the bioaccessible fraction to those dissolved from different binding forms in the soil. In all samples, the simulated lung fluid extracted more nickel than the two weakest leaches of the sequential extraction combined, providing a more representative nickel bioaccessibility value than the current water leach method.     

Distribution and mobility of metals in agricultural soils near a copper smelter in South China

The distribution and mobility of heavy metals in the paddy soils surrounding a copper smelting plant in south China was investigated. We assessed the degree of metal contamination using an index of geoaccumulation. The metals were divided into two groups: (1) Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd, whose concentrations were heavily affected by anthropogenic inputs, and (2) Ni, Co and Cr, which were mainly of geochemical origin. Concentrations of Cu, Cd, Zn, and Pb in the polluted soils were higher than the Chinese soil quality criteria. The chemical partitioning patterns of Pb, Zn and Cu indicated that Pb was largely associated with the residual and NH₂OH HCl extractable fractions. In contrast, Cd was predominantly associated with the MgCl₂ extractable fraction. A large proportion of Cu was bound to the acidic H₂O₂ extractable fractions, while Zn was predominantly found in the residual phase. The fraction of mobile species, which potentially is the most harmful to the environment, was found to be elevated compared to unpolluted soils in which heavy metals are more strongly bound to the matrix. The mobility of the metals was studied by water extraction using a modification of Tessier’s procedure, and the order of mobility was Zn > Cd > Cu  > Pb.     

Oral bioaccessibility of metals in an urban catchment,Newcastle upon Tyne

The metal content was determined in soils from a former, historic, contaminated land site and now a ‘green’ public open space in N.E. England. Using a systematic sampling grid approach, 32 soil samples were taken from locations across the site and analyzed for six potentially toxic elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn). Initially, the pseudo-total metal content of the soils was determined using acid digestion followed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis. This data was evaluated against published soil guideline value (SGV) and generic assessment criteria (GAC) values; it was found that 21% (i.e., 41 samples) exceeded the stated lower values. The data was then compared to the oral bioaccessibility of the soils, which was assessed by an in-vitro gastrointestinal extraction procedure. The results, determined as the % BAF, indicated that overall bioaccessibility was low (<10% BAF) for all the elements studied; the exception was Cd. Given that SGV/GAC values are based on generic land-use categories and not a public open space, as investigated in this work, further work is recommended on developing a qualitative risk assessment at the site to estimate the risks posed to human health via the direct and indirect soil ingestion pathway.     

Predicting the risk of cobalt deprivation in grazing livestock from soil composition data

The objective was to derive predictive equations for acetic acid-extractable cobalt (A-ECo) in soils so that extensive national databases for total (T) Co in soils and stream sediments could be converted to plant available concentrations for the purpose of predicting risk of Co deficiency in grazing livestock. Data on the chemical and physical properties of 103 soils from 15 different parent materials and 54 soil series in England and Wales were used. Ranges for the mean values for parent materials were: TCo, 5.0–20.4 and A-ECo, 0.20–1.30 mg kg^–1; percentage (P) A-ECo, 3.4–13.5; soil manganese (Mn) 268–1174 mg kgDM^–1; pH, 3.7–8.0. There were significant effects of parent material on all parameters with Chalks, Old and New Red Sandstones particularly low in A-ECo. Multiple linear regression yielded the following equation for predicting A-ECo, which accounted for 56% of the variance with 12 outliers, including the lowest pH values, omitted:A-ECo(mg kg^-1) = 1.4 - 0.0619TCo (mg kg^-1) - 0.432TMn(g kg^-1) - 0.171pHPrediction of PA-ECo was less precise:PA-ECo(%) = 21.1 - 4.5TMn(g kg^-1) - 1.77pH(r ² = 44.8%; 88 d.f.REML was used on the complete, unbalanced, log-transformed data set to fit a Generalised Mixed Model with parent material as random effect and soil Mn and pH as fixed effects; the effect of parent material was no longer significant. It was concluded that A-ECo can be satisfactorily predicted for most soils in England and Wales from TCo, TMn and soil pH.     

添加植物物料对2种酸性土壤可溶性铝的影响

在室内培养试验条件下,研究了添加非豆科的油菜秸秆、小麦秸秆、稻草、玉米秸秆和豆科的大豆秸秆、花生秸秆、蚕豆秸秆、紫云英、豌豆秸秆对酸性茶园黄棕壤和红壤可溶性铝总量及其形态的影响.结果表明,黄棕壤除添加油菜秸秆、小麦秸秆和稻草处理外,其余添加植物物料处理土壤可溶性铝总量、总单核铝和3种无机单核铝的含量有不同程度的降低,因为加入这些植物物料均使土壤pH值增大.5种豆科植物物料对黄棕壤pH值的影响大于非豆科植物物料,前者对土壤中3种无机单核铝含量的影响也大于后者.9种植物物料也使红壤pH值有不同程度升高,土壤可溶性铝含量降低,其中4种非豆科植物物料、花生秸秆和蚕豆秸秆处理效果较好.因此,施用植物秸秆能够有效改良土壤酸度,缓解土壤中铝对植物的毒害.总体而言,9种植物物料中花生秸秆增加酸性土壤pH值和降低土壤有毒形态铝含量效果最好.     

Geochemistry of soil around a fluoride contaminated area in Nayagarh District,Orissa, India: Factor analytical appraisal

Fluoride contamination in soil was studied in the vicinity of a hot spring in Nayagarh district of Orissa. Both bulk soil from 0 to 30 cm depth and profile soils from 0 to 90 cm depth were analyzed for total fluoride (F_t) and 0.01 M CaCl₂ extractable fluoride (F_ca), major elements, pH, EC and Organic Carbon (OC). High concentrations of both F_t and F_ca were observed in the area surrounding the hot spring and the village of Singhpur. Principal factor analysis (PFA) on the parameters of the bulk soils suggests that two major chemical processes due to three factors, control the soil geochemistry of the area. Factor-1 contributes 37.11% of the total variance and is strongly loaded with Al, Si, Fe, F_tand F_ca, and explains the fluoride enrichment of the soil, whereas the second and the third factors contribute 16.6 and 12.2%, respectively and explain the controlling process of carbonate precipitation and soil alkalinity. Multiple regression analysis of the scores of the factors was performed to derive a fluoride contamination index in soil. The magnitude of the factor effect on the contamination index follows the order of Factor-1 > Factor-2 > Factor-3. The spatial distribution of the contamination index is used to classify the area into highly contaminated, moderately contaminated and uncontaminated zones.