Surfactants in sludge-amended agricultural soils: a review

Surfactants are included in different detergent formulations and are one of the most ubiquitous and important families of organic compounds. Although the generic term applies to a great number of products, 80% of their demand is covered by only ten types of compounds. The global surfactant market volume size is more than 18 million tons per year. Large quantities of surfactants are continuously released into the environment, where they can or cannot be degraded depending on their structure. The alkylbenzenesulphonate (LAS) is the most widely used surfactant. LAS can be degraded under aerobic conditions but is persistent in the environment under anaerobic conditions. Surfactants may enter the terrestrial environment through several routes, with the use of sewage sludge as fertiliser on agricultural land being by far the most important. High concentrations of surfactants and their degradation products may affect the biota. On the other hand, due to their amphiphilic nature, surfactants may interact both with inorganic as well as organic contaminants affecting their bioavailability.     

Analytical methods of data gathering for risk assessment of contaminated soils in agricultural production

For the detection, analysis and assessment of contaminated land a procedure in separate steps is urgently recommended. During screening analyses informations about toxic gases, contents of heavy metals and halogenated organics are provided. When certain threshold values are exceeded, more sophisticated methods of residue analysis may help to decide on soil decontamination or change of exploitation.     

Metals in agricultural soils and plants in Egypt

Since analysis of both soil and plants are useful to assess contamination of a geographic area, concentrations of five representative metals: copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and iron (Fe) in soil and associated plants were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Samples were collected from four different Egyptian regions (El-mehala El-kobra, Kafr El-Sheikh, Kafr El-zayat, and Al-fayoum) during spring and summer 2010. Concentrations of the selected metals in agricultural soils were significantly different among locations and seasons. Concentrations of Cd and Fe in soils at the four locations exceeded the maximum allowable concentrations for Cd (8 mg/kg, dry mass (dm)) and Fe (1000 mg/kg, dm). Accumulation was different for clover and cotton. Clover blossoms grown in soil from Kafr El-zayat contained the greatest concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Fe. Cotton flowers from El-mehala El-kobra accumulated the highest levels of Cd. Concentrations of Cd and Pb in both clover and cotton flowers from the four locations exceeded maximum allowable concentrations (3 mg/kg, dm) for both Cd and Pb. Using such agricultural soils for cultivation of edible crops for consumption may result in chronic hazards to human health.     

How application of agricultural waste can enhance soil health in soils acidified by tea cultivation: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Tea is one of the world’s most consumed beverages and an important crop of many developing countries. Intensive tea cultivation has negative impacts on soil...     

中国城市土壤重金属污染研究现状及对策

中国城市土壤重金属污染的主要来源是工业“三废”排放，金属采矿和冶炼，家庭燃煤，生活垃圾，汽车尾气排放。重金属在城市土壤中的分布规律表现为城市土壤重金属含量高于郊区，人类活动密集区和交通拥挤区重金属含量较高；人类活动的干扰导致土壤剖面重金属污染特征不明显。应采取预防与治理相结合的措施综合控制土壤重金属污染，并加紧制定我国的城市土壤健康评价标准。     

中国农业水土环境存在的问题及对策探讨

中国农业水土环境问题十分严重。水土流失、土地沙漠化、水资源日显短缺、水体过度开采和污染加剧、土壤污染和次生盐渍化是水土环境恶化的根本原因。积极恢复植被、实施虚拟水土战略、对水土资源进行优化调控、构建节约型水土资源综合体系提高水土利用效率、通过国家生态税收建立生态补偿机制等,是解决农业水土环境问题的根本途径。     

Chemical Changes in Agricultural Soils of Korea: Data Review and Suggested Countermeasures

The monitoring of chemical properties, including heavy metals, in soils is necessary if better management and remediation practices are to be established for polluted soils. The National Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology initiated a monitoring study that investigated fertility and heavy metal contents of the benchmarked soils. The study covered paddy soils, upland soils, and horticultural soils in the plastic film houses, and orchard soils throughout the Korea from 1990 to 1998. Likewise,4047 samples of paddy and 2534 samples of plastic house in 1999 and 2000 were analyzed through the Soil Environment Conservation Act. Soil chemical properties such as pH, organic matter, availablephosphate and extractable calcium, magnesium and potassium contents, and heavy metal contentssuch as cadmium, copper, lead, zinc, arsenic, mercury, and cobalt contents were analyzed. The studyshowed that the average contents of organic matter, available phosphate, and extractable potassiumrapidly increased in plastic house soils than in upland or paddy soils. Two kinds of fertilizer recommendation systems were established for the study: the standard levels by national soil average data for 77 crops and the recommendation by soil test for 70 crops. Standard nitrogen fertilizer application levels for cereal crops changed from 94 kg/ha in 1960s, 99 kg/ha in 1970s, 110 kg/ha in 1980s to 90 kg/ha in 1990s. The K₂O-fertilizer also changed from 67 kg/ha in 1960s, 76 kg/ha in 1970s, 92 kg/ha in 1980s, andonly 44 kg/ha in 1990s. In rice paddy fields, the average contents of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in surface soils(0–15 cm depth) were 0.11 mg kg^–1(ranged from 0 to 1.01), 4.70 mg kg^–1(0–41.59), 4.84 mg kg^–1(0–66.44), and 4.47 mg kg^–1(0–96.70), respectively. In the uplands, the average contents of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn,and As in surface soils (0–15 cm depth) were 0.135 mg kg^–1(ranged from 0 to 0.660), 2.77 mg kg^–1(0.07–78.24), 3.47 mg kg^–1(0–43.00), 10.70 mg kg^–1(0.30–65.10), and 0.57 mg kg^–1(0.21–2.90), respectively. In plastic film houses, the average contents of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, and As in surface soil were 0.12 mg kg^–1(ranging from 0 to 1.28), 4.82 mg kg^–1(0–46.50), 2.68 mg kg^–1(0–46.50), 31.19 mg kg^–1(0.19–252.0), and 0.36 mg kg^–1(0–4.98), respectively. In orchard fields, the averagecontents of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, As, and Hg in surface soils (0–20 cm depth) were 0.11 mg kg^–1(ranged from 0–0.49), 3.62 mg kg^–1(0.03–45.30), 2.30 mg kg^–1(0–27.80), 16.60 mg kg^–1(0.33–105.50),0.44 mg kg^–1(0–4.14), and 0.05 mg kg^–1(0.01–0.54), respectively. For polluted soils with over thewarning content levels of heavy metals, fine red earth application, land reconsolidation and soilamelioration such as lime, phosphate, organic manure, and submerging were recommended. For the countermeasure areas, cultivation of non-edible crops such as garden trees, flowers, and fiber crops; landreformation; and heavy application of finered earth (up to 30 cm) were strongly recommended. Landuse techniques should be changed to beharmonious with the environment to increase yield andincome. Soil function characteristics should betaken into account.     

铅锌污染耕地中重金属耐受细菌调查

对铅锌矿冶炼厂周围耕地中的细菌总数和抗性细菌群体数进行了调查。结果表明 ,随着污染的加重 ,土壤中可培养的细菌数量急剧减少 ,抗性细菌的比例增加。但是 ,细菌对Pb、Zn胁迫的适应进化反应不一样。经过长期的选择作用后 ,多数细菌群体能够耐受低浓度的Pb污染 (<2mmol·L-1) ,部分群体对低浓度Pb(0 .5mmol·L-1)有依赖性 ,但没有观察到能够耐受Pb浓度大于 4mmol·L-1的群体 ;0 .5mmol·L-1的Zn对细菌有抑制作用 ,但在所调查的样品中都存在能够耐受 4～ 6mmol·L-1Zn污染的群体 ,有的群体甚至能耐受 8mmol·L-1的Zn污染。能同时耐受Pb、Zn 2种重金属污染的群体数量较少 ,且耐受水平也较低 ,仅达到 2mmol·L-1。     

广州市农业土壤中六六六(HCHs)和滴滴涕(DDTs)的残留特征

采集了广州市农业土壤表层(0～20 cm)样品118个,采用气相色谱方法对土壤中六六六(HCHs)和滴滴涕(DDTs)进行分析,初步揭示了广州市土壤中有机氯农药的分布及残留情况,并做出潜在生态风险评价.研究结果表明:HCHs的检出率为95.8%,残留范围在ND～17.96 ng·g-1之间,平均值2.10 ng·g-1,DDT的检出率为92.4%,残留范围在ND～327.87 ng·g-1之间,平均值为1 8.97 ng·g-1.HCHs的4种异构体中,β-HCH质量分数最高,平均质量分数为0.86 ng·g-1,而p,p'-DDT是4种DDTs异构体中质量分数最高的,平均质量分数为11.89 ng·g-1.不同土壤利用类型中,耕地土壤中的有机氯农药残留量明显高于林地和果园地.与国内外部分地方和我国土壤环境质量标准相比,广州市农业土壤中DDTs和HCHs污染程度较低.     

Chemical availability of arsenic and antimony in industrial soils

Total concentrations and extractable fractionations of As and Sb were determined in soil samples from former mining sites in Scotland and Italy. Pseudo-total levels of As and Sb in the sample were between 50–17,428 mg/kg and 10–1,187 mg/kg (Scotland), and 16–691 mg/kg and 1.63–11.44 mg/kg (Italy). Between 0.001–0.63% and <0.001−8.82% of the total soil As and Sb, were extractable using, a single extraction bioavailability estimate. Data from an As-specific extraction procedure revealed that up to 60% of As was associated to amorphous Fe-Al oxyhydroxide phase in all soils. A non-specific-sequential extraction test also showed As to be strongly associated with Fe (and Al) oxyhydroxides at both locations. In the case of Sb, in addition to the crystalline Fe-oxide bound Sb the Al-silicate phase also appeared to be significant. At both sites Sb appears to be chemically more accessible than As with consistent availability despite the varied origin and host soil properties.     

Metal contamination of soils and dusts in Seoul metropolitan city,Korea

To investigate the dispersion patterns and the characteristics of heavy metal contamination due to urbanisation and industrialisation, soils and dusts collected from the Seoul area were analysed for Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd. The metal concentrations in most soils and dusts are higher than the world averages. The pollution index (( Metal concentrations in soils/Permissible level for metal)÷(Number of metals)) of soils and dusts is > 1 in most of the Seoul area, a result that concurs with the industrialisation and urbanisation index of the Seoul area. The soils are contaminated with Cu, Zn, Cd and particularly Pb. This suggests that the contamination of the soils in the Seoul area are mainly caused by vehicular emissions. The pollution index of soil is the highest in the Kuro area where Cu and Zn contamination in soils are due to the indigenous brass and bronze factories. From the discriminant analysis, the Seoul area may be partitioned into control, traffic and industrialized areas by the metal concentrations in the order of Zn > Cu > Pb.     

Phosphates for Pb immobilization in soils: a review

In its soluble ionic forms, lead (Pb) is a toxic element occurring in waters and soils mainly as the result of human activities. The bioavailability of lead ions can be decreased by complexation with various materials in order to decrease their toxicity. Pb chemical immobilization using phosphate addition is a widely accepted technique to immobilize Pb from aqueous solution and contaminated soils. The application of different P amendments cause Pb in soils to shift from forms with high availability to the most strongly bound Pb fractions. The increase of Pb in the residual or insoluble fraction results from formation of pyromorphite Pb₅(PO₄)₃X where X = F, Cl, Br, OH, the most stable environmental Pb compounds under a wide range of pH and Eh natural conditions. Accidental pyromorphite ingestion does not yield bioavailable lead, because pyromorphite is insoluble in the intestinal tract. Numerous natural and synthetic phosphates materials have been used to immobilize Pb: apatite and hydroxyapatite, biological apatite, rock phosphate, soluble phosphate fertilizers such as monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, phosphoric acid, biosolids rich in P, phosphatic clay and mixtures. The identification of pyromorphite in phosphate amended soils has been carried out by different non destructive techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray absorption fine structure, transmission electron microscopy and electron microprobe analysis. The effectiveness of in situ Pb immobilization has also been evaluated by selective sequential extraction, by the toxicity leaching procedure and by a physiologically based extraction procedure simulating metal ingestion and gastrointestinal bioavailability to humans. Efficient Pb immobilization using P amendments requires increasing the solubility of the phosphate phase and of the Pb species phase by inducing acid conditions. Although phosphorus addition seems to be highly effective, excess P in soil and its potential effect on eutrophication of surface water, and the possibility of As enhanced leaching remains a concern. The use of mixed treatments may be a useful strategy to improve their effectiveness in reducing lead phyto- and bioavailability.     

农田N2O排放研究进展

农田土壤是大气中N2O的重要来源，与1990年相比，2000年我国氮肥用量升高了40％，因此，迫切需要对我国农田土壤N2O的排放通量作出新的估算。土壤理化性状的空间变异和不同生态条件下进行长期的、多点的农田N2O原位监测数据的匮乏成为提高N2O排放测定精度的制约因素。目前，航空采样法-驰豫涡动技术(微气象学方法)能够成功克服空间变异，且已经被成功应用在农业生态系统N2O排放的定量化观测上；另外Century-NGAS和DNDC模型是目前应用较广泛的机理模型，但应用不同模型所获得的N2O排放量相差较大。因此，今后农业土壤N2O排放的工作重点应集中在如何提高N2O原位观测精度，寻找合适的机理模型和提出相应的减排措施。     

Selenium and arsenic content of agricultural soils from Bangladesh and Nepal

Arsenic (As) contamination of the available domestic drinking water from shallow aquifers to villagers in Bangladesh often exceeds the newest WHO standard of <10 µg As L^?1 and the older Bangladeshi standard of <50 µg As L^?1. An estimated 9.2 million shallow tube wells in Bangladesh deliver water to 97% of the rural population, placing an estimated 57 million people at risk for arsenicosis. The contamination of drinking water by As extends to W. Bengal, India and Nepal. The same shallow aquifers used for domestic water are also used to irrigate food crops, particularly rice. Irrigation adds As to soils and increases exposure of the population to additional As via foods consumed. Selenium (Se), an essential trace mineral found in soils, is absorbed by plants, entering the human food chain. It was suggested that a low dietary intake of Se may be contributing to the problem of human arsenicosis in Bangladesh. Dietary Se acts as a natural antidote to As by (1) accelerating As excretion, (2) sequestering As by complexation and (3) as an antioxidant component of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase that may counteract the prooxidant effects of As that contribute to arsenicosis and cancer. Analysis of 70 agricultural soil samples from Bangladesh by fluorimetry, ICP-AES and Neutron Activation Analysis showed the soils analyzed to be high in As (～33 µg g^?1) and biologically low in soluble Se (～0.02 µg g^?1). A low dietary intake of Se related to low soil content and this mineral in foods may be contributing to human arsenicosis in the Ganges–Brahmaputra delta.     

当前我国农业发展中存在的深层次问题及对策

农业现代化是保障国家粮食安全、农民持续增收、缩小城乡发展差距的重要举措之一。文章结合我国农业发展的现状,分析了当前农业发展中暴露出的一些深层次的问题,如土地流转不规范、耕地污染日益突显、盐碱地增产潜力不够、种子创新能力较弱、农业科技投入较少、农业发展理念有待革新等,并针对性地提出了相应的对策建议,为进一步推动我国农业转型发展和提高农村社会生产力提供决策依据。     

Evaluation of SWAT sub-daily runoff estimation at small agricultural watershed in Korea

A study was undertaken for the prediction of runoff flow from 0.8 ha field-sized agricultural watershed in South Korea using Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) sub-daily. The SWAT model with sub-daily configuration predicted flow from the watershed within the range of acceptable accuracy. The SWAT sub-daily simulations were carried out for a total of 18 rainfall events, 9 each for calibration and validation. Overall trend and extent of matching simulated flow for the rainfall events in 2007-2008 with measured data during the calibration process were coefficient of determination (R²) value of 0.88 and Nash and Sutcliffe Efficiency (E_NS) value of 0.88. For validation, R² and E_NS values were 0.9 and 0.84, respectively. Whereas R² and E_NS values for simulation results using daily rainfall data were 0.79 and -0.01, respectively, that were observed to be out of acceptable limits for the model simulation. The importance of higher time resolution (hourly) precipitation records for flow simulation were evaluated by comparing R² and E_NS with 15 min, 2 h, 6 h and 12 h precipitation data, which resulted in lower statistics with increases in time resolution of precipitation data. The SWAT sub-daily sensitivity analysis was performed with the consideration of hydraulic parameter and was found as in the rank order of CN2 (curve number), ESCO (soil evaporation compensation factor), GW_DELAY (ground water delay time), ALPHA_BF ( base flow alpha factor), GWQMN ( a threshold minimum depth of water in the shallow aquifer required for return flow to occur) , REVAPMN (minimum depth of water in shallow aquifer for re-evaporation to occur) , LAT_TIME (lateral flow travel time) respectively. These sensitive parameters were evaluated at 10% higher and lower values of the parameters, corresponding to 70.5% higher and 23.2% lower in simulated flow out from the SWAT model. From the results obtained in this study, hourly precipitation record for SWAT sub-daily with Green-Ampt infiltration method was proven to be efficient for runoff estimation at field sized watershed with higher accuracies that could be efficiently used to develop site-specific Best Management Practices (BMPs) considering rainfall intensity, rather than simply using daily rainfall data.     

Cadmium contamination in Tianjin agricultural soils and sediments: relative importance of atmospheric deposition from coal combustion

Cadmium (Cd) in coal, fly ash, slag, atmospheric deposition, soils and sediments collected from Tianjin, northern China, were measured to provide baseline information and determine possible Cd sources and potential risk. The concentrations of Cd in coal, fly ash and atmospheric deposition were much higher than the soil background values. Fallout from coal-fired thermal power plants, heating boilers and industrial furnaces has increased the Cd concentration in soils and sediments in Tianjin. The concentrations of Cd in soils of suburban areas were significantly higher than in rural areas, suggesting that coal burning in Tianjin may have an important impact on the local physical environment. Cd from coal combustion is readily mobilized in soils. It is soluble and can form aqueous complexes and permeate river sediments. The high proportion of mobile Cd affects the migration of Cd in soils and sediments, which may pose an environmental threat in Tianjin due to the exposure to Cd and Cd compounds via the food chain. This study may provide a window for understanding and tracing sources of Cd in the local environment and the risk associated with Cd bioaccessibility.     

北京市郊农业土壤中多环芳烃的污染分布和来源

采集了3个北京市郊发展新区(昌平区、大兴区、房山区)共计20个不同类型表层农业土壤样品,通过微波萃取和高效液相色谱分析其中多环芳烃(PAHs)含量.结果显示,研究区表层土壤已受到不同程度的污染,16种优先控制的多环芳烃总含量为1.20—3.35μg.g-1,表层土壤中的多环芳烃主要源于燃烧源,且受燃汽油型汽车尾气的影响更显著.     

施用化肥对农业生态环境的负面影响及对策

论述了肥料的过量使用对我国的农业生态环境质量的负面影响，提出了合理施用化肥防治环境污染的对策。认为过量施用化肥引起土壤酸化和板结、重金属污染、硝酸盐污染和土壤次生盐渍化，从而导致土壤肥力下降，并且造成水体富营养化，淋溶污染地下水，致使作物品质下降，硝酸盐含量超标，并通过食物链危害人体健康。此外，认为化肥对大气环境的影响主要集中在氮肥上，氨挥发和NOx、CH4及CO2的释放，不仅能引起温室效应，而且还能够引起臭氧层的破坏。提出了相应的对策：增加科技教育的投入，提高农民的科学文化素质，提高全民的环境意识；合理施肥；结合国家的调控政策，在粮食产量与环境保护、作物产量与产品品质之间找到平衡点。