Biotransformation of atrazine and metolachlor within soil profile and changes in microbial communities

Biotransformation studies of atrazine, metolachlor and evolution of their metabolites were carried out in soils and subsoils of Northern Greece. Trace atrazine, its metabolites and metolachlor residues were detected in field soil samples 1 year after their application. The biotransformation rates of atrazine were higher in soils and subsoils of field previously exposed to atrazine (maize field sites) than in respective layers of the field margin. The DT₅₀ values of atrazine ranged from 5 to 18 d in the surface layers of the adapted soils. DT₅₀ values of atrazine increased as the soil depth increased reaching the value of 43 d in the 80-110 cm depth layer of adapted soils. Metolachlor degraded at slower rates than atrazine in surface soils, subsoils of field and field margins with the respective DT₅₀ values ranging from 56 to 72 d in surface soils and from 165 to 186 d in subsoils. Hydroxyatrazine was the most frequently detected metabolite of atrazine. The maximum concentrations of metolachlor-OXA and metolachlor-ESA were detected in the soil layers of 20-40 cm depth after 90 d of incubation. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of soil Phospholipid Fatty Acids (PLFAs), fungal/bacterial and Gram-negative/Gram-positive ratios of the PLFA profiles revealed that the higher biotransformation rates of atrazine were simultaneously observed with the abundance of Gram-negative bacteria while the respective rates of metolachlor were observed in soil samples with abundance of fungi.     

Application of arsenic baselines in the assessment of soil contamination in Finland

In Finland, a new Government Decree on the Assessment of Soil Contamination and Remediation Needs (214/2007) came into force on 1 June 2007. According to the Decree, natural baseline concentration levels should be taken into account when assessing potential soil contamination and the need for remediation. This applies particularly in the case of toxic metallic elements, since baseline concentrations may naturally be rather high. The new decree prescribes soil screening values for 52 substances or groups of substances. The natural baseline concentrations have been taken into account in the definition of the screening values for inorganic pollutants. The Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) carried out a nation-wide geochemical mapping of till on a reconnaissance scale in 1983 and on a regional scale during 1984–1992. These surveys have provided information on natural elemental distribution in subsoils of the glacial till. However, some important trace elements in regional mapping such as arsenic are missing from the analysis, and subsoil samples do not reflect the diffuse anthropogenic input. Thus, GTK has continued the survey work by determining geochemical baselines around suburban areas. Samples have been taken from humus, topsoil and subsoil layers, and the soil parent material has covered sandy soils, glacial tills and fine-grained sediments. According to the studies, a regional difference in the levels of arsenic and some other trace elements can be clearly seen, especially in minerogenic soils. The results illustrate the importance of information on regional baseline concentrations while assessing potential soil contamination.     

The combination of subsoil and the incorporation of corn stover affect physicochemical properties of soil and corn yield in semi-arid China

ABSTRACT

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of combining subsoil and incorporation of corn stover on soil profile, soil physicochemical properties, and corn yield. A five-year field trial was conducted that consisted of two treatments arranged in a completely random design and replicated three times. Two soil management operations were tested: subsoil + corn stover incorporation (plow construction [PC] treatment) and conventional rotary tillage (control check [CK] treatment). Compared with rotary tillage, it was found that combining subsoil and corn stover incorporation significantly affected corn grain yield in all seasons. Further, combining subsoil and corn stover incorporation significantly increased the thickness of the plow layer, quantity of plow layer soil, thickness of the plow pan and soil bulk density, as well as soil organic matter, available nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium. Evidence indicates that reconstructing the soil plow layer through combination of subsoil and corn stover incorporation improved soil structure, nutrient content, and corn yield. It is of interest that farmers are now applying subsoil and returning crop straw instead of solely relying on rotary tillage.     

灰土换填与CFG桩联合处理软弱地基

通过奥运备勤楼地基处理工程实践,阐述了灰土换填与CFG桩联合处理复杂软弱地基的设计方案、施工应注意的问题及应用效果,为同类场地条件下的地基处理提供借鉴。     

Identification of Residues of Sulfosulfuron and its Metabolites in Subsoil-dissipation Kinetics and Factors Influencing the Stability and Degradation of Residues from Topsoil to Subsoil Under Predominant Cropping Conditions

Long term stability of sulfosulfuron was investigated in subsoil under the natural wheat cropping conditions. Experiments were conducted by applying a commercial formulation of sulfosulfuron on soil at 50 g/ha and 100 g/ha. To understand the factors influencing the persistence of residues two different experiments were conducted. In one experiment wheat crop was cultivated once at the beginning of the two years study period and subsequently the plots were kept undisturbed for the remaining period. In another experiment cultivation of subsequent crops were continued during the study period. In both the cases sulfosulfuron was applied only once at the beginning of the study. Representative soil samples were collected from the depths viz., 0–5, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 90 cm on different pre determined sampling occasions 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 days after the application of the herbicide. The collected soil samples were analyzed for the residues of sulfosulfuron. Under the influence of continuous cropping conditions residues of sulfosulfuron were found to be relatively low when compared with the soil samples collected from the agriculture plots maintained without any cultivation. The residues detected are in the range 0.001 to 0.017 μg/g. Samples collected from the depth, at 30 to 45 cm showed higher residual concentrations. Soil samples were also showed the presence of break down products. The data has been confirmed by LC–MS/MS. The relation between residue content of sulfosulfuron and the factors contributing the stability of herbicide concentration were also studied.