The Effect of Soil Cultivation on the Humus State of Gray Forest Soil in the Middle Urals

The results of studies on the humus state of soils in agrosystems of the Middle Urals (1984–1997) are described. It is shown that the change of agricultural technologies (crop rotation, doses of organic fertilizers, etc.) transforms environmental conditions and the direction of humus formation processes. Parameters such as the concentrations of humus and water-soluble carbon and soil potential for humus accumulation reliably characterize the humus state of arable soil and allow the mobility and migration rate of humic substances to be monitored.     

Accumulation of metals by vegetation in a small drainage area exposed to aerotechnogenic pollution

Trends in the accumulation of metals by different plant species have been analyzed in a forest phytocenosis of the southern taiga zone of the Middle Urals, which is polluted by emissions from a copper-smelting plant. The rate of metal accumulation in the course of annual and net phytomass production and metal outflow with surface waters beyond the biogeocenosis boundaries have been estimated.Translated from Ekologiya, No. 1, 2005, pp. 26–31.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Fedorova, Odintseva.     

Specific features of xylogenesis in Dahurian larch, Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Rupr., growing on permafrost soils in Middle Siberia

Processes of xylem formation in Dahurian larch have been studied at three sites differing in the hydrothermal regime of soils in the permafrost zone of Middle Siberia. It has been found that the start and end dates of different phases of tree ring formation may differ between the sites by up to 14 days, depending on site conditions. The data obtained contribute to knowledge of possible changes in larch forest phytomass production and provide the possibility of predicting its dynamics under conditions of climate change.     

Biogeochemical C and N cycles in urban soils

The percentage of urban population is projected to increase drastically. In 2030, 50.7 to 86.7% of the total population in Africa and Northern America may live in urban areas, respectively. The effects of the attendant increases in urban land uses on biogeochemical C and N cycles are, however, largely unknown. Biogeochemical cycles in urban ecosystems are altered directly and indirectly by human activities. Direct effects include changes in the biological, chemical and physical soil properties and processes in urban soils. Indirect effects of urban environments on biogeochemical cycles may be attributed to the introductions of exotic plant and animal species and atmospheric deposition of pollutants. Urbanization may also affect the regional and global atmospheric climate by the urban heat island and pollution island effect. On the other hand, urban soils have the potential to store large amounts of soil organic carbon (SOC) and, thus, contribute to mitigating increases in atmospheric CO(2) concentrations. However, the amount of SOC stored in urban soils is highly variable in space and time, and depends among others on soil parent material and land use. The SOC pool in 0.3-m depth may range between 16 and 232 Mg ha(-1), and between 15 and 285 Mg ha(-1) in 1-m depth. Thus, depending on the soil replaced or disturbed, urban soils may have higher or lower SOC pools, but very little is known. This review provides an overview of the biogeochemical cycling of C and N in urban soils, with a focus on the effects of urban land use and management on soil organic matter (SOM). In view of the increase in atmospheric CO(2) and reactive N concentrations as a result of urbanization, urban land use planning must also include strategies to sequester C in soil, and also enhance the N sink in urban soils and vegetation. This will strengthen soil ecological functions such as retention of nutrients, hazardous compounds and water, and also improve urban ecosystem services by promoting soil fertility.     

Determining the relative importance of soil sample locations to predict risk of child lead exposure

Soil lead in urban neighborhoods is a known predictor of child blood lead levels. In this paper, we address the question where one ought to concentrate soil sample collection efforts to efficiently predict children at-risk for soil Pb exposure. Two extensive data sets are combined, including 5467 surface soil samples collected from 286 census tracts, and geo-referenced blood Pb data for 55,551 children in metropolitan New Orleans, USA. Random intercept least squares, random intercept logistic, and quantile regression results indicate that soils collected within 1 m adjacent to residential streets most reliably predict child blood Pb outcomes in child blood Pb levels. Regression decomposition results show that residential street soils account for 39.7% of between-neighborhood explained variation, followed by busy street soils (21.97%), open space soils (20.25%), and home foundation soils (18.71%). Just as the age of housing stock is used as a statistical shortcut for child risk of exposure to lead-based paint, our results indicate that one can shortcut the characterization of child risk of exposure to neighborhood soil Pb by concentrating sampling efforts within 1 m and adjacent to residential and busy streets, while significantly reducing the total costs of collection and analysis. This efficiency gain can help advance proactive upstream, preventive methods of environmental Pb discovery.     

Characteristics of Cajander Larch (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix cajanderi</Emphasis> Mayr) on Dredging Waste Dumps in the Amur Region

Former dredging sites were studied in the taiga zone of the Amur region (in Khabarovsk Krai). The involvement of Larix cajanderi in plant succession on dredging waste dumps was revealed. Some morphological-anatomical parameters of L. cajanderi needles were compared in trees growing on the dumps and in adjacent open larch stands on waterlogged peaty soils.__________Translated from Ekologiya, No. 4, 2005, pp. 259–263.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Osipov, Burundukova.     

Biodiversity of plants and soils in landscapes adjacent to the Buzuluk Pine Forest

The influence of the Buzuluk Pine Forest on biodiversity of plants and soil properties in adjacent territories has been studied. The results show that in the immediate vicinity of the pine forest, under the influence of the relatively mild and humid mesoclimate, natural phytocenoses are dominated by mesophytic species. Biodiversity reaches a peak at a distance of 17–18 km from the forest, which is explained by the presence of both mesophytes and xerophytes in the same phytocenosis. The same zone is also characterized by the maximum diversity of soil properties and structural complexity of the soil cover. Grass communities on ordinary chernozems with a homogeneous soil cover, typical of the steppe zone, are formed at greater distances from the forest.     

Soil microbiocenosis as an indicator of stability of meadow communities in the environment polluted with heavy metals

The soil microbiota, a key component of natural ecosystems, is considered as a factor determining the stability of meadow communities. The diversity and abundance of the main ecologically significant groups of microorganisms in meadow soils have been studied along a gradient of long-term soil pollution with heavy metals in the Middle Urals. The results provide evidence for stability of the microbial assemblage formed in these soils. It has been found that the functional activity of certain physiological groups of microorganisms (nitrogen-fixing, denitrifying, and cellulolytic bacteria) and the respiratory activity of microbial communities are stimulated under conditions of heavy-metal soil pollution. Probable effects of the observed changes on mineralization of plant remains in meadow communities are discussed.     

Simulation of 137Cs Migration over the Soil–Plant System of Peat Soils Contaminated after the Chernobyl Accident

A mathematical model was constructed to simulate the processes of ¹³⁷Cs migration in peat soils and its uptake by vegetation. Model parameters were assessed and the pattern of ¹³⁷Cs distribution over soil profile was predicted in case of peat soils, which are typical of the Russian regions contaminated after the Chernobyl accident. The ecological half-life of ¹³⁷Cs in the plant-root soil zone was calculated, and a long-term prognosis of the radionuclide uptake by plants was made.     

城市土壤重金属含量及其对儿童健康风险的初步评价——以四川省宜宾市为例

通过对宜宾市主要街道47个土壤样中Pb、As、Zn和Cu含量的调查研究,并利用健康风险评价模型,初步评价了城市土壤中重金属对儿童(6~12岁)的健康风险。Pb、Zn和Cu采用火焰 原子吸收光谱仪测定,As采用氢化物发生 原子荧光光谱测定。结果表明,宜宾市城市土壤中Pb、Zn和Cu含量显著高于四川省土壤背景值,表现出明显的累积效应(〖WTBX〗p〖WTBZ〗=0000),As含量显著低于四川省土壤背景值(〖WTBX〗p〖WTBZ〗=002);与四川省土壤基线值相比,土壤中Pb、Zn和Cu含量的超标率分别为362%、297%和511%,As含量尚未超标。城市土壤中Pb、As、Zn和Cu的单危害指数大小(〖WTBX〗HI)依次为HIAs>HIPb>HICu>HIZn,总危害指数THI〖WTBZ〗为346×10-1。单危害指数和总危害指数均低于可接受水平1,未对儿童表现出非致癌危害。土壤中As的总致癌风险〖WTBX〗TCR〖WTBZ〗为872×10-6,在可接受水平内(1×10-6~1×10-4),未对儿童表现出致癌风险。     

Composition of pied flycatcher (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ficedula hypoleuca</Emphasis> Pall.) nestling diet in industrially polluted area

The composition of pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca Pall.) nestling diet was studied in the zone of strong pollution with emissions from the Middle Ural Copper Smelter (Revda, Sverdlovsk oblast) and in the background area from 2005 to 2007. The results show that diversity of the diet decreases and prevalence in it of one insect taxon (Lepidoptera) increases near the source of emissions. The proportion of uncharacteristic food objects (orthopterans, herpetobiont invertebrates) and variation in the size of invertebrates brought by parents to their nestlings increase, which is explained by degradation of forest habitats in the polluted area. Pied flycatchers provide nestlings with sufficient quantities of food, but its quality in the polluted zone is lower than in the background area.     

Cesium and strontium sorption by selected tropical and subtropical soils around nuclear facilities

The dynamics of Cs and Sr sorption by soils, especially in the subtropics and tropics, as influenced by soil components are not fully understood. The rates and capacities of Cs and Sr sorption by selected subtropical and tropical soils in Taiwan were investigated to facilitate our understanding of the transformation and dynamics of Cs and Sr in soils developed under highly weathering intensity. The Langmuir isotherms and kinetic rates of Cs and Sr sorption on the Ap1 and Bt1 horizons of the Long-Tan (Lt) and the A and Bt1 horizons of the Kuan-Shan (Kt), Mao-Lin (Tml) and Chi-Lo (Cl) soils were selected for this study. Air-dried soil (<2 mm) samples were reacted with of 7.5 × 10⁻⁵ to 1.88 × 10⁻³ M of CsCl (pH 4.0) or 1.14 × 10⁻⁴ to 2.85 × 10⁻³ M of SrCl₂ (pH 4.0) solutions at 25 °C. The sorption maximum capacity (q_m) of Cs by the Ap1 and Bt1 horizons of the Lt soil (62.24 and 70.70 mmol Cs kg⁻¹ soil) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those by the A and Bt1 horizons of the Kt and Cl soils (26.46 and 27.49 mmol Cs kg⁻¹ soil in Kt soil and 34.83 and 29.96 mmol Cs kg⁻¹ soil in Cl soil, respectively), however, the sorption maximum capacity values of the Lt and Tml soils did not show significant differences. The amounts of pyrophosphate extractable Fe (Fe_p) were correlated significantly with the Cs and Sr sorption capacities (for Cs sorption, r² = 0.97, p < 1.0 × 10⁻⁴; for Sr sorption, r² = 0.82, p < 2.0 × 10⁻³). The partition coefficient of radiocesium sorbed on soil showed the following order: Cl soil ? Kt soil > Tml soil > Lt soil. It was due to clay minerals. The second-order kinetic model was applied to the Cs and Sr sorption data. The rate constant of Cs or Sr sorption on the four soils was substantiality increased with increasing temperature. This is attributable to the availability of more energy for bond breaking and bond formation brought about by the higher temperatures. The rate constant of Cs sorption at 308 K was 1.39-2.09 times higher than that at 278 K in the four soils. The activation energy of Cs and Sr sorbed by the four soils ranged from 7.2 to 16.7 kJ mol⁻¹ and from 15.2 to 22.4 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. Therefore, the limiting step of the Cs⁺ or Sr²⁺ sorption on the soils was diffusion-controlled processes. The reactive components, which are significantly correlated with the Langmuir sorption maxima of Cs and Sr by these soils, substantially influenced their kinetic rates of Cs and Sr sorption. The data indicate that among components of the subtropical and tropical soils studied, short-range ordered sesquioxides especially Al- and Fe-oxides complexed with organics play important roles in influencing their capacity and dynamics of Cs and Sr sorption.     

长江中游城市群城市效率水平测度及空间分异研究

运用超效率DEA模型对2013年长江中游城市群城市效率进行测度评价。结果发现:长沙、天门、常德、黄冈、南昌、景德镇、武汉、娄底、新余、衡阳、仙桃、鄂州、潜江和九江为城市效率相对高水平区;抚州、湘潭、鹰潭、上饶、岳阳、黄石、荆州和株洲为城市效率相对较高水平区;萍乡、宜春、益阳、吉安、咸宁、孝感、襄阳、宜昌和荆门为城市效率相对低水平区。在此基础上,分析长江中游城市群城市效率的空间分异特征,发现长江中游城市群城市效率发展水平相似的地区在空间分布上呈现出一定的异质性特征,但并不显著。     

基于“耦合距离”的长江中游城市群一体化空间范围定量测度

国内外研究者贡献了大量城市群边界识别研究的成果,但少见从城市群一体化角度定量界定城市群空间范围的研究,不足以给盲目"组群"、不合时宜"入群"的"城市群病"问题提供可行的解决方案。该文借用金属价键理论,定位城市群为内部个体共享共建资源、以整体形态与外部合作竞争、边界范围具有时空可变性的"利益共同体",在此基础上,构建了城市群一体化动态耦合关系模型,以"耦合距离"为媒介测度了长江中游城市群一体化区域规模与空间范围。研究结果表明:(1)泛武汉城市圈、环长株潭城市群分别具备发展边界半径100、150 km城市群一体化区域的潜力,长江中游城市群较长时期内不具备发展边界半径超过200 km的条件;(2)城市群等级层次分明,泛武汉城市圈环长株潭城市群环鄱阳湖城市群,武汉、长沙区域中心性强,但均不具备绝对中心辐射能力;(3)二级城市群中,环长株潭城市群发育程度最高,泛武汉城市圈中存在"洼地",环鄱阳湖城市群出现"脱群"现象;(4)长江中游城市群目前实际空间范围包括"武汉—黄冈—孝感"及"长株潭—益阳",不到原规划规模的1/4,具备形成"武汉长沙"双中心一体化的城市群模式的潜力。研究结论为决策长江中游城市群一体化发展规划提供了科学参考。     

Strategy of Biological Reclamation of Chemically Polluted Ecosystems

The strategy of biological reclamation of ecosystems in the zones of chemical pollution with asymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (ADMH), a highly toxic propellant, is proposed. The strategy is based on the results of comprehensive studies on trends in the interactions of soils, plants, and accompanying microorganisms with ADMH at rocket stage drop sites and in specially established test areas, under natural and controlled conditions.__________Translated from Ekologiya, No. 3, 2005, pp. 193–200.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Ermakov, Panova, Stepanova.     

半月周期的潮汐对滨海湿地土壤理化性质的影响

周期性的潮汐是滨海湿地重要的水文特征,为了探讨潮汐的半月周期(包括小潮期和大潮期)对土壤理化性质的影响及可能的机制,于2009年7月中下旬测定了长江口崇明东滩湿地土壤理化性质在小潮期和大潮期交替周期内的变化规律。结果表明,与小潮期相比,由于频繁的潮水淹没,大潮期0～5 cm土壤含水量的增加量从低潮滩向高潮位依次为:44.8%、18.5%、10.9%和14.3%,5～10 cm含水量的增加量从低潮滩向高潮位依次为:19.2%、9.8%、12.6%和16.2%,10～20 cm则依次为:5.6%、6.1%、2.5%和7.3%。大潮期,从低潮滩向高潮滩增加的盐度依次为0.18、0.13、0.10和0.09 ms·cm^-1,增加的硫酸盐依次为0.32、0.21、0.16、0.13 mg·g^-1。与小潮期相比,大潮期氧化还原电位(Eh)显著降低;土壤容重、pH、可溶性有机碳和可溶性氮在大小潮期间无明显差异。此外,在潮汐的半月周期内,低潮滩土壤比高潮滩有更高淹水频率和更长淹水时间,受潮水的影响更明显,大潮期低潮滩土壤含水量、盐度和硫酸盐的增加幅度大于高潮滩,低潮滩土壤Eh降低幅度则小于高潮滩。半月周期的潮汐可以显著影响滨海湿地的部分土壤理化性质,且不同潮位的土壤性质对潮汐的响应程度不同,进而可能会对湿地植物生长和相关生态过程起到重要的调控作用。     

Model projected heat extremes and air pollution in the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East in the twenty-first century

The eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, a region with diverse socioeconomic and cultural identities, is exposed to strong climatic gradients between its temperate north and arid south. Model projections of the twenty-first century indicate increasing hot weather extremes and decreasing rainfall. We present model results, which suggest that across the Balkan Peninsula and Turkey climate change is particularly rapid, and especially summer temperatures are expected to increase strongly. Temperature rise can be amplified by the depletion of soil moisture, which limits evaporative cooling, prompted by the waning of large-scale weather systems that generate rain. Very hot summers that occurred only rarely in the recent past are projected to become common by the middle and the end of the century. Throughout the region, the annual number of heat wave days may increase drastically. Furthermore, conditions in the region are conducive for photochemical air pollution. Our model projections suggest strongly increasing ozone formation, a confounding health risk factor particularly in urban areas. This adds to the high concentrations of aerosol particles from natural (desert dust) and anthropogenic sources. The heat extremes may have strong impacts, especially in the Middle East where environmental stresses are plentiful.     

黔中石漠化地区不同土地利用方式对土壤环境的影响

在贵州省普定县喀斯特石漠化地区通过调查分析,对3种土地不同利用方式（Ⅰ封山育林地、Ⅱ退耕还林地、Ⅲ农耕地）土壤物理性质、化学性质及土壤种子库进行了研究。结果表明利用方式的不同对土壤物理性质、化学性质及土壤种子库均产生了显著的影响。土壤容重、土壤毛管孔隙度随土壤扰动的加剧而下降,表现为Ⅰ＞Ⅱ＞Ⅲ;土壤总孔隙度与非毛管孔隙度呈现出随土壤扰动程度增加而增加的趋势,表现为Ⅲ＞Ⅱ＞Ⅰ;不同层次之间容重的变异较小,土壤质地比较均一;Ⅱ土壤有机质低于类型Ⅲ和Ⅰ;Ⅰ初步形成了林地环境,林地土壤表现出良性转变。随土壤深度的增加,有机质、全氮、全磷、速效氮表现出减少的趋势,土壤扰动降低了土壤化学性质层次间变异。不同利用方式下土壤种子库物种组成变化不大,土壤中的种子集中分布在表层0～5 cm内,随土层的加深所含种子数量、物种数逐渐降低。不同利用类型的土壤种子数量在0～5 cm层次差异显著（〖WTBX〗p〖WTBZ〗=0.021 897）,种子种类差异不显著（〖WTBX〗p〖WTBZ〗=0.097 628）。土壤扰动促进种子向深层传播,退耕还林有利于土壤质量的恢复。     

Soil respiration of forest ecosystems in gradients of environmental pollution by emissions from copper smelters

The effect of industrial pollution on soil respiration measured in situ has been studied along two gradients formed by emissions from large copper smelters: the Middle Ural Copper Smelter (spruce-fir forests) and Karabash Copper Smelter (birch forests). Pollution has proved to have a slight effect on soil respiration: its rate drops only in the zone of industrial barren. There is no correlation between soil respiration and distance to the emission source, metal contents in the litter, or litter acidity. A hypothesis is proposed that this may be due to a shift in the ratio of the root and microbial components of respiration in the pollution gradient.     

A soil sampling intercomparison exercise for the ALMERA network

Soil sampling and analysis for radionuclides after an accidental or routine release is a key factor for the dose calculation to members of the public, and for the establishment of possible countermeasures. The IAEA organized for selected laboratories of the ALMERA (Analytical Laboratories for the Measurement of Environmental Radioactivity) network a Soil Sampling Intercomparison Exercise (IAEA/SIE/01) with the objective of comparing soil sampling procedures used by different laboratories. The ALMERA network is a world-wide network of analytical laboratories located in IAEA member states capable of providing reliable and timely analysis of environmental samples in the event of an accidental or intentional release of radioactivity. Ten ALMERA laboratories were selected to participate in the sampling exercise. The soil sampling intercomparison exercise took place in November 2005 in an agricultural area qualified as a “reference site”, aimed at assessing the uncertainties associated with soil sampling in agricultural, semi-natural, urban and contaminated environments and suitable for performing sampling intercomparison. In this paper, the laboratories sampling performance were evaluated.