招远市区土壤及常见绿化植物汞污染特征

为查明长期黄金开采冶炼对城市汞污染的影响,以"金都"招远为研究对象,于2011年4月,采集了招远市区常见绿化植物柏树、落叶松、冬青的茎叶样品30份,并同步采集相应表层土壤样品34份。采用冷原子吸收法测定样品总汞含量,分析了土壤的理化性质。结果表明,招远市区表层土壤中汞含量范围为0.002~0.815 mg·kg-1,平均值为0.149 mg·kg-1。土壤汞含量与有机质呈极显著正相关,与p H、粗颗粒比例呈显著正相关关系,而与阳离子交换量、黏粒比例呈显著负相关。不同城市区域相比,处于金矿区污染源下风向、且与矿区距离较近的梦芝区土壤汞含量要显著高于其它区域。常见绿化植物茎叶汞含量范围为0.021~0.782 mg·kg-1,不同植物中的汞含量没有显著差异,但同种植物中茎、叶中汞含量存在极显著正相关。植物中的汞在各城市区域没有显著差异,与土壤汞含量也不存在显著相关性。研究结果显示,招远市区土壤和植物受周边金矿开采和黄金冶炼的影响,存在一定程度汞污染。     

Bioconcentration factors of mercury by Parasol Mushroom (Macrolepiota procera)

To examine bioconcentration factors (BCFs) of mercury by Parasol Mushroom (Macrolepiota procera) roughly similarly sized (a cap diameter) fruiting bodies of this fungus and underlying soil (0–10 cm) samples were collected at 15 sites in Poland between 1995 and 2003. The total mercury content of the individual caps and stipes of Parasol Mushroom ranged from 0.05 to 22 mg Hg/kg dry matter (d.m.) and from 0.05 to 20 mg Hg/kg d.m., while the means were from 1.1 to 8.4 mg Hg/kg d.m. and from 0.83 to 6.8 mg Hg/kg d.m., respectively. The caps generally contained higher concentrations of mercury when compared to stipes, and the means of the cap to stipe mercury concentration quotient ranged from 1.3 to 4.6. The range of mercury concentration in topsoil samples collected at the sites where the fruiting bodies were collected was from 0.01 to 0.54 mg/g d.m. (means ranged from 0.022 to 0.36 mg/g d.m.). The BCFs factors for total mercury varied from 0.52 to 470 for individual caps and 0.52 to 360 for stipes, while average values, depending on the site, were from 16 to 220 and from 7.6 to 130 for caps and stipes, respectively.     

Quantitative and structural analyses of hazardous elements in Chinese medicines and herbs

Thirty samples of Chinese medicines and herbs were analyzed using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods, mainly noting on the hazardous elements arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), chromium, antimony and cobalt. The three Niuhuang Jiedu Pian samples contained 8.6%, 8.3% and 2.2% As. Two out of four Liushen Wan samples contained approximately7% of both As and Hg. Despite being identically named, the other two Liushen Wan samples did not contain such high concentrations. Japanese Liushen Wan for children contained 1.2 ± 0.03% As and 31 ± 12 mg/kg Hg, whereas Liushen Wan for adults manufactured by another Japanese company contained 550 ± 22 mg/kg As and 1.2 ± 0.05 mg/kg Hg. All the chemical structural formulas of As and Hg in the high-concentration Niuhuang Jiedu Pian and Liushen Wan were realgar (As₄S₄), uzonite (As₄S₅) and cinnabar (HgS). Although the human body is generally not believed to absorb sulphides, continuous intake of these Chinese medicines is potentially no good because it is possible that some arsenic-sulfides will dissolve in gastric acid and then alter their chemical structures. Additionally, many herbs contained low concentrations of Hg, and their chemical structures were unknown.     

北京地区表层土壤中多环芳烃的分布特征及污染源分析

根据北京地区不同环境功能区62个样品的分析结果,讨论了研究区表层土壤中多环芳烃的分布特征及污染源类型。结果表明：（1）研究区表层土壤中检测到的多环芳烃主要包括萘、苊、菲、惹烯、三芴、荧蒽、芘、、苯并蒽、苯并[b]荧蒽、苯并[k]荧蒽、苯并[e]芘、苯并[a]芘、苝、二苯并[a,h]蒽、茚并[1,2,3–cd]芘、苯并[g,h,i]苝及其同系物;（2）不同环境功能区表层土壤中多环芳烃的组成及质量分数均存在一定的差别,16种优先控制的多环芳烃质量分数为175.1~10 344 ng.g-1,其中城市中心区表层土壤中多环芳烃的质量分数最高,交通干线附近、工矿企业附近表层土壤中PAHs的质量分数较高,林地、果园和农田表层土壤中PAHs的质量分数较低;（3）表层土壤中PAHs既有来源于石油源,也有来源于化石燃料燃烧产物的,但不同功能区二者贡献存在差别,其中农业用地（林地、果园、农田）中PAHs主要来源于石油源（或部分来源于土壤母岩中的有机质）,城区、交通干线附近及工矿企业附近表层土壤中PAHs污染源以化石燃料燃烧产物输入为主。     

Principal biogeochemical factors affecting the speciation and transport of mercury through the terrestrial environment

It is increasingly becoming known that mercury transport and speciation in the terrestrial environment play major roles in methyl-mercury bioaccumulation potential in surface water. This review discusses the principal biogeochemical reactions affecting the transport and speciation of mercury in the terrestrial watershed. The issues presented are mercury-ligand formation, mercury adsorption/desorption, and elemental mercury reduction and volatilization. In terrestrial environments, OH-, Cl- and S- ions have the largest influence on ligand formation. Under oxidized surface soil conditions Hg(OH)2, HgCl2, HgOH+, HgS, and Hg0 are the predominant inorganic mercury forms. In reduced environments, common mercury forms are HgSH+, HgOHSH, and HgClSH. Many of these mercury forms are further bound to organic and inorganic ligands. Mercury adsorption to mineral and organic surfaces is mainly dictated by two factors: pH and dissolved ions. An increase in Cl- concentration and a decrease in pH can, together or separately, decrease mercury adsorption. Clay and organic soils have the highest capability of adsorbing mercury. Important parameters that increase abiotic inorganic mercury reduction are availability of electron donors, low redox potential, and sunlight intensity. Primary factors that increase volatilization are soil permeability and temperature. A decrease in mercury adsorption and an increase in soil moisture will also increase volatilization. The effect of climate on biogeochemical reactions in the terrestrial watershed indicates mercury speciation and transport to receiving water will vary on a regional basis.     

Studies on mercuric sulfide,a component of cinnabar,a Chinese herbal medicine,on celluar functions in mouse lung and fibroblasts

Although the cytotoxic effects of mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) and methylmercury chloride (MeHg) have been extensively studied, the insoluble mercuric sulfide (HgS) has been the subject of fewer studies. Since the traditional Chinese mineral drug, cinnabar (containing >95% HgS) continues to be used as an ingredient for infant sedation, the pharmacological and toxicological effects of HgS need to be clarified. In previous experiments, HgS and cinnabar were shown to be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and distributed in various tissues including the lungs. Thus, a preliminarily examination of whether HgS might exert any oxidative stress on a mouse lung was undertaken. HgS reduced GSH content and increased lipid peroxidation in the lung. Further studies on the cytotoxic effects and the possible mechanisms of action of HgS were compared with HgCl₂ and MeHg in cultured lung fibroblast V₇₉ cells. The results showed that HgS produced cytotoxicity at a concentration (400–1200 µM)in a dependent manner with IC₅₀ of 795.6 µM, as compared to HgCl₂ and MeHg, 8.1 µM and 5.9 µM, respectively. In addition, the HgS induced the phenomena of DNA fragmentation, increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential, accompanied by decreased levels of intracellular ATP and GSH and higher lipid peroxidation levels, similar to HgCl₂ and MeHg, but with different toxicokinetic properties. These findings provide evidence for understanding the mechanisms underlying the toxic effects of HgS.     

北京地区表层土中饱和烃组成特征及成因分析

根据北京地区不同环境功能区62个样品检测结果,分析了研究区表层土壤中饱和烃类化合物的化学组成及其分布特征,并对其来源进行了讨论。结果表明：（1）北京地区表层土壤中分布有多种类型的烃类污染物,已检测到的饱和烃化合物主要包括正构烷烃、无环类异戊间二烯烷烃、单甲基取代支链烷烃（异构与反异构烷烃）、烷基环己烷和甾、萜烷类等系列化合物中的数百种单体化合物;（2）不同环境功能区,同一地区土地使用情况不同或周围环境不同的土壤样品中饱和烃的质量分数和组成特征均存在较大的差别,其中正构烷烃的质量分数为0.25~4.72μg.g-1;（3）随着距离城中心的距离减小,表土中饱和烃质量分数增高,南部地区饱和烃的质量分数高于北部地区;（4）表层土壤中饱和烃的来源比较复杂,主要来自于化石燃料及木材的不完全燃烧产物,部分地区有少量矿物油及其衍生物的输入。     

Vertical distribution and environmental significance of PAHs in soil profiles in Beijing,China

Vertical distribution of both the concentration and composition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in ten profiles in Beijing has been investigated. The results showed that PAH concentrations and compositions in topsoil from different sampling sites were different. PAH concentrations were much higher in topsoil of the investigated urban area, industrial region, and paddy field with wastewater irrigation than in other areas. Moreover, PAH concentrations in topsoil were much higher than those at greater depth, where the concentrations were relatively consistent in most soil profiles. The fingerprints of PAHs in the samples from topsoil (0–30 cm) in the same profiles were similar and were obviously different from those at greater depth, suggesting that PAH sources were consistent in topsoil samples and were discriminating between topsoil and deeper soils. PAHs in topsoil mainly arose from mixed sources of combustion of liquid fuel, coal, and/or wood, as well as wastewater irrigation, while those at greater depth were derived from soil genesis and the process of soil formation.     

Principal Biogeochemical Factors Affecting the Speciation And Transport of Mercury through the terrestrial environment

It is increasingly becoming known that mercury transport and speciation in the terrestrial environment play major roles in methyl-mercury bioaccumulation potential in surface water. This review discusses the principal biogeochemical reactions affecting the transport and speciation of mercury in the terrestrial watershed. The issues presented are mercury-ligand formation, mercury adsorption/desorption, and elemental mercury reduction and volatilization. In terrestrial environments, OH^–, Cl^– and S^– ions have the largest influence on ligand formation. Under oxidized surface soil conditions Hg(OH)₂, HgCl₂, HgOH⁺, HgS, and Hg⁰ are the predominant inorganic mercury forms. In reduced environments, common mercury forms are HgSH⁺, HgOHSH, and HgClSH. Many of these mercury forms are further bound to organic and inorganic ligands. Mercury adsorption to mineral and organic surfaces is mainly dictated by two factors: pH and dissolved ions. An increase in Cl^– concentration and a decrease in pH can, together or separately, decrease mercury adsorption. Clay and organic soils have the highest capability of adsorbing mercury. Important parameters that increase abiotic inorganic mercury reduction are availability of electron donors, low redox potential, and sunlight intensity. Primary factors that increase volatilization are soil permeability and temperature. A decrease in mercury adsorption and an increase in soil moisture will also increase volatilization. The effect of climate on biogeochemical reactions in the terrestrial watershed indicates mercury speciation and transport to receiving water will vary on a regional basis.     

Distribution of mercury in the sediments of some freshwater bodies in Ethiopia

Sediment samples were collected from Tinishu Akaki River (TAR), Lake Awassa, and Lake Ziway, Ethiopia for determination of mercury. The air-dried samples were analyzed for mercury with a differential atomic absorption spectrometer after thermal evaporation of bound mercury converting it to its atomic form. Certified reference materials (CRMs) of sediments and soils were used to validate the method. The recovery of mercury from CRMs and sediments was in the range of 95–100%. The limit of detection for the determination of mercury was 50?ng?kg^?1. The concentration of total mercury in the sediments varied from 3.9 to 110?µg?kg^?1 for TAR, 14 to 67?µg?kg^?1 for Lake Awassa, and 17 to 110?µg?kg^?1 for Lake Ziway. It was found that the total mercury concentrations in all samples were below the United States Environmental Protection Agency guideline of 200?µg?kg^?1.     

Urban Geochemistry: A Multimedia and Multielement Survey of a Small Town in Northern Europe

The concentrations and distributions of chemical elements (Ag, Al, As, Au, Ba, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hg, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sr, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, W and Zn) were studied in till, humus and urban soil in Jakobstad, a small town (20,000 inhabitants) in W. Finland. The analyses were performed with ICP-MS after aqua regia leaching of till (n = 37), urban topsoil (n = 32) and subsoil (n = 32), and HNO3 leaching of humus (n = 37). The till and humus samples, collected at the same sites, were divided into urban and rural samples. The urban till was not significantly enriched in metals. In contrast, a majority of the elements occurred in higher concentrations in the urban than the rural humus samples. Statistical and spatial interpretations of the humus data revealed that traffic (Pb, V and Ni), metal industry (Pb, Zn, Bi, Sb and Cr), an abandoned shooting range (Pb and Sb) and other sources contribute to higher metal levels in the urban humus. The urban soil samples were collected at parks, yards, abandoned industrial sites, roadsides, etc. The topsoil samples were enriched in most elements, also by elements not enriched in the urban humus (e.g. Cd). At several sites, the concentrations far exceeded the limit concentrations for contaminated soils in Finland. A large variety of sources were identified or indicated.     

Mercury pollution in a mining area of Guizhou,China: Fluxes over contaminated surfaces and concentrations in air,biological and geological samples

A dynamic flux chamber has been used to estimate fluxes of mercury over different types of surfaces in an abandoned open‐cut mine of Tongren prefecture, Guizhou province, China during spring and summer of 1996. The highest fluxes were obtained over cinnabar slag and contaminated soils, whereas the emissions above cinnabar ore were substantially lower. These fluxes was scaled up to estimate the contribution of mercury emissions to air from mercury wastes, compared to anthropogenic activities in the province of Guizhou, China. Atmospheric mercury concentrations measured were enhanced in the mining area (<1.3 μg m^‐3) compared to regional background sites (1.8–5.1 ng m^‐3). The spreading of mercury was estimated by using biological and geological samples. Moss bags have been employed to estimate long‐time dry‐ and wet‐deposition to this area.     

北京市郊再生水灌区土壤有机氯农药垂向分布特征

在北京市郊再生水灌区采用正三角型布点法进行了3个钻孔的采样工作,钻孔间隔为1m,从表层开始每隔0.5m取一个样,3个钻孔共36组样品,同时采集钻孔附近的灌溉水及地下水,分别测试了土壤的理化参数及其土壤、灌溉水及地下水中9种有机氯农药的质量分数。测试结果表明：表层土壤是有机氯农药的主要残留层,表层土壤中检出的DDTs和BHCs质量分数较高,分别为2814.21ng·kg^-1和1130.41ng·kg^-1,但均符合土壤环境质量一级标准,残留污染程度较轻;其他层位以七氯和艾氏剂为主要检出物,最高质量分数分别为1286.19ng·kg^-1和781.23ng·kg^-1;其中艾氏剂未在表层土壤中检出;灌区内未检出的γ-BHC和（DDE＋DDD）/DDT的计算值为1.80,都说明近期内没有新污染源的输入;检出的有机氯农药在土壤剖面上的迁移能力有HEP〉ALD〉BHCs〉DDTs〉HCB,与地下水中检出的规律一致。     

Mercury pollution in the Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh,India, and its health impacts

The Sonbhadra district in the Singrauli area of Uttar Pradesh, India, has many coal mines and thermal power plants and is a critically polluted area. Many residents of this area reported adverse health conditions which may be linked to metal pollution, especially of mercury investigated here.

In May 2012, samples of water (23), soil (7), blood, hair, and nails from persons showing adverse health conditions selected at random were collected and analyzed for total mercury by atomic absorption spectrometry.

Twenty percent drinking water samples contained mercury from 3 to 26 μg L^?1 (3–26 times the permissible limit). Soil samples had 0.5–10.1 mg kg^?1 Hg.

The average concentrations of mercury in human blood, hair, and nails were found to be 34 μg L^?1, 7.4 mg kg^?1, and 0.8 mg kg^?1, respectively. Mercury concentrations in the blood of these persons were 45 and 28 μg L^?1 on average in the case of men and women. This is much higher than the safe level of 5.8 μg L^?1 set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).

It was concluded that all residents of Sonbhadra sampled could be suffering from mercury toxicity as the area is polluted by Hg released from the coal-fired thermal power plants.     

Assessment of solid waste and dumpsite leachate and topsoil

Dumpsite leachate contains different hazardous substances, some of which threaten the environment. In this study, municipal solid waste, dumpsite leachate and topsoil from seven different dumpsites in Lagos and Ibadan, Nigeria were analysed using standard methods. The parameters analysed in the composite leachate samples collected are pH, solids, alkalinity, chloride, nitrate, sulfate, phosphate, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand turbidity, heavy metals (e.g. Zn, Pb, Co, Ni, Cd) and some persistent organic pollutants (e.g. polyaromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs] and polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs]). Total organic carbon, heavy metals (e.g. Zn, Pb, Co, Ni, Cd) and organic pollutants (e.g. PAHs, PCBs) were analysed in the dumpsite topsoil and the control samples. The samples for heavy metal determination were digested using concentrated nitric acid and the digestate was analysed using atomic absorption spectrometry, whereas organic pollutants were extracted using cold extraction and quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The study revealed that dumpsites in Ibadan have ～90% domestic and 10% industrial waste, whereas the figures for Lagos are 80% and 20%, respectively. In the leachate samples, concentrations of PAHs and PCBs ranged from 0.85 to 1.47 mg/L and 0.01 to 0.08 mg/L, respectively; the values were 0.94–2.79 mg/kg and 10.0–412 μg/kg in the topsoil. If not properly managed, dumpsite leachate can seep into groundwater and surface water via run-off, and can have adverse effects on human health and the entire ecosystem.     

Environmental contamination and risk assessment of mercury from a historic mercury mine located in southwestern China

A field survey of mercury pollution in environmental media and human hair samples obtained from residents living in the area surrounding the Chatian mercury mine (CMM) of southwestern China was conducted to evaluate the health risks of mercury to local residents. The results showed that mine waste, and tailings in particular, contained high levels of mercury and that the maximum mercury concentration was 88.50 μg g^?1. Elevated mercury levels were also found in local surface water, paddy soil, and paddy grain, which may cause severe health problems. The mercury concentration of hair samples from the inhabitants of the CMM exceeded 1.0 μg g^?1, which is the limit recommended by the US EPA. Mercury concentrations in paddy soil were positively correlated with mercury concentrations in paddy roots, stalks, and paddy grains, which suggested that paddy soil was the major source of mercury in paddy plant tissue. The average daily dose (ADD) of mercury for local adults and preschool children via oral exposure reached 0.241 and 0.624 μg kg^?1 body weight per day, respectively, which is approaching or exceeds the provisional tolerable daily intake. Among the three oral exposure routes, the greatest contributor to the ADD of mercury was the ingestion of rice grain. Open-stacked mine tailings have resulted in heavy mercury contamination in the surrounding soil, and the depth of appreciable soil mercury concentrations exceeded 100 cm.     

Reagenzienfreie Bestimmung von Quecksilberspuren in Wasserproben

A comprehensive ecological monitoring of hazardous substances is indispensable to preserve our health and environment. Therefore, fast and inexpensive techniques for routine analysis of pollutants are essential. However, in the measuring procedure itself often toxic reagents are used producing hazardous waste. Omitting environmentally hazardous substances in the analysis procedure is an important contribution to a more sustainable and green analytical chemistry. A reagent-free method for ultra-trace (pg to ng?L^-1) mercury determination in water samples was developed and validated. An active nanogold collector integrated in a fully automated flow injection system is the core of this new method. All mercury species dissolved in the water sample are adsorbed and preconcentrated on the nano-structured gold surface of the collector. After rinsing and drying of the collector, the enriched mercury is thermally desorbed and finally measured by atomic fluorescence spectrometry. This method was optimized and validated for the determination of mercury in natural waters. The influence of various water constituents was investigated and only high contents of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) showed interferences of mercury preconcentration due to the strong complexation of mercury by DOC. This restriction can be solved by UV-irradiation, i.?e. reagent-free digestion of DOC rich samples prior to the preconcentration procedure. Mercury concentration of several natural river and sea waters and water from the discharge of a waste water treatment plant were determined with this new analytical method. Accuracy and precision of the method were demonstrated by several recovery experiments in natural water samples (recoveries: 96–102?%) and by analysis of the certified reference material BCR-579 (Mercury in Coastal Sea Water; recovery: 101?±?1?%). With a detection limit of only 80?pg?Hg?L^–1 the proposed method is highly sensitive. Furthermore the method avoids potential contamination of the sample by reagent addition and is due to the reagent-free procedure environment-friendly. Hence this work is an important contribution to sustainable environmental analysis and at the same time improves accurate routine mercury trace analysis.     

北京市某废弃焦化厂不同车间土壤中多环芳烃（PAHs）的分布特征及风险评价

以北京市某废弃焦化厂为研究对象,系统采集了6个车间0～4m深的26个土壤样本,利用GC/MS检测了U.S.EPA优控的16种多环芳烃(PAHs)的含量,分析了PAHs在焦化厂不同车间表层土壤的污染状况和深层土壤中的垂直分布特征并对土壤污染风险进行了评估.结果表明,1)该废弃焦化厂不同车间表层土壤(0～20cm)总PAHs(∑PAHs)的残留量介于672.8～144814.3ng·g-1之间;污染程度排序为:回收车间>老粗苯车间>焦油车间>炼焦车间>水处理车间>制气车间.2)该厂未受扰动的土壤样品显示PAHs主要聚集在表层土壤,并随着土壤深度的增加而迅速减少;其他样点由于土壤扰动,∑PAHs含量最大值出现在第三层土壤(80～180cm);该厂4m深底层土壤仍有高浓度PAHs,∑PAHs含量最高值出现在炼焦车间,达12953.1ng·g-1.3)焦化厂土壤PAHs污染主要集中在3环和4环的PAHs单体上,分别占到污染总量的51.3%和31.7%.4)根据Maliszewska-Kordybach的PAHs总量标准及加拿大土壤PAHs单体治理标准,该厂回收、老粗苯、焦油和炼焦车间表层和深层土壤PAHs含量均达到重污染水平,并对其周围土地带来较大风险,需要治理.     

Preliminary study on health risk from mercury exposure to residents of Wujiazhan town on the Di’er Songhua river, Northeast China

Mercury concentrations in hair are typically used as a biomarker to assess exposure to mercury. A total of 108 hair samples were collected from residents (age range 5–73 years) of Wujiazhan town, northeast China, to determine total mercury concentrations. Hair mercury concentrations ranged from 0.16 to 199 mg kg^–1 with an average value of 3.41 mg kg⁻¹. The relationships between mercury concentration and gender and between hair mercury concentration and age were not significant. Overall, 16.7% of all samples were above the RfD value published by the United States Environmental Protection agency. The results indicate that there may be some been health risk from mercury exposure to the residents in the study area.     

Vertical distributions of soil carbon and nitrogen fractions as affected by land-uses in the Ili River Valley

In this study, soil samples were collected to a depth of 100?cm from different land-uses, including maize field (MZ), wheat field (WT), paddy field (PD), apple orchard (OC), grassland (GL) and wetland (WL) in the Ili River Valley in northwest China, to investigate the effects of land-use on vertical distributions of soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) fractions, and examine whether such effects were different between topsoil (0–40?cm) and subsoil (40–100?cm). The results showed that soil organic C, water-extractable organic C, microbial biomass C, total N and microbial biomass N of croplands (MZ, WT, PD and OC) were significantly lower than those of natural lands (GL and WL) in both topsoil and subsoil, indicating that contents of soil C and N fractions can be reduced by agricultural land-uses, and the reductions are not limited to topsoil. However, the contents of soil ammonium N and nitrate N showed complex trends under different land-uses, possibly due to that the plant species and agricultural practices (e.g. application rate of fertiliser and irrigation) are considerably different among land-uses. Therefore, we suggest that more nutrient inputs should be applied to croplands to improve soil fertility in the Ili River Valley.