Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae in salt marshes in North Carolina

The primary objective of this research was to determine if vesicular-arbuscular (VA) mycorrhizal fungi are associated with the roots of common plant species found in North Carolina salt marshes. Root samples of Spartina alterniflora, S. patents, S. cynosuroides, Distichlis spicata, and Juncus roemerianus were collected from eight salt marsh sites. With the exception of S. alterniflora, all plant species were mycorrhizal. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine whether unfavorable soil conditions or inherent resistance by the plant inhibited development of mycorrhizal infection in field-collected S. alterniflora. Spartina alterniflora and S. patens were grown from seeds in soil collected from a pure stand of S. alterniflora (soil A) or a mixed stand of S. patens and D. spicata (soil P). Seedlings were harvested weekly for 8 wk, and roots were evaluated for infection by mycorrhizal fungi. Seedlings of S. patens were infected when grown for 2 wk in either soil A or soil P, indicating that soil collected from stands of S. alterniflora did not inhibit mycorrhizal infection in a susceptible host. Percent root length infected in S. patens was always greater in soil P than in soil A. Seedlings of S. alterniflora were not infected by mycorrhizal fungi in either soil A or soil P. Results of the greenhouse study indicate that S. alterniflora may be resistant to infection by vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.     

Sugarcane waste straw biochar and its effects on calcareous soil and agronomic traits of okra

Biochar has been considered a safe soil additive to enhance soil fertility and agronomic traits of different crops. This study was conducted to explore the impacts of sugarcane waste straw biochar on soil characteristics and some agronomic traits of okra. The experiment was carried out with four treatments, i.e., control, sugarcane waste straw biochar (10 ton ha^?1), farmyard manure (FYM, 10 ton ha^?1), and chemical fertilizers (NPK; 120:100:80 kg ha^?1) having three replications of each treatment. Soil samples were tested for texture, bulk density, particle density, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter content, nitrate nitrogen (NO₃-N), and extractable-P. The sugarcane waste straw biochar was characterized for plant major nutrient elements. The impact of various treatments was observed on soils and agronomic traits of okra like plant height, fruit size, fruit length, and yield of okra. Results revealed that sugarcane waste straw biochar expressed higher EC value and noticeable amounts of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur (S), and magnesium (Mg). The sugarcane waste straw biochar, in comparison with FYM and NPK, significantly improved the NO₃-N, extractable-P, OM and EC of the calcareous soil, and reduced the soil bulk density. Furthermore, plant growth and yield parameters were significantly improved under biochar application over the control, FYM and NPK. Overall, sugarcane waste straw biochar proved to be a good alternative to conventional organic and inorganic fertilizers under calcareous soil conditions.     

Evaluation of tropical seaweeds as feedstock for bioethanol production

Limited resources of freshwater and decreasing fossil fuel resources are two main reasons to consider the ocean as a huge resource for producing food, feed, fertilizer and feedstock for fuel. In this study, twenty-nine tropical seaweeds (11 green, 10 red and 8 brown seaweeds) collected in Malaysia were assessed as potential feedstock for bioethanol production. Total carbohydrate content ranged from 12.16 to 71.22% dry weight (DW) with total reducing sugar content ranging from 5.17 to 34.12% DW. During hydrolysis using dilute sulphuric acid, the dominant fermentation inhibitors were 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and phenolic compounds. Overliming was found to reduce the content of fermentation inhibitors by up to 79%. The red seaweeds, Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty) Doty ex P.C.Silva and Gracilaria manilaensis Yamamoto and Trono, were selected for optimization of saccharification and fermentation of the hydrolysate, because they had the highest carbohydrate contents and are commercially cultivated. The most suitable dilute acid conditions obtained in present study was sulphuric acid (2.5%, w v^?1) treatment at 121 °C for 40 min that produced 0.29 and 0.34 g g^?1 DW reducing sugar for K. alvarezii and G. manilaensis, respectively. Fermentation of the hydrolysates with Saccharomyces cerevisiae produced bioethanol yields of 20.90 g L^?1 (71.0% of theoretical yield) for K. alvarezii and 18.16 g L^?1 (67.9% theoretical yield) for G. manilaensis.     

生物土壤结皮研究：进展、前沿与展望

生物土壤结皮是由隐花植物和相关土壤微小生物与表层土壤颗粒胶结而形成的复合体,与维管束植物覆盖一样,它是干旱区地表的重要覆盖类型(其盖度达40%)。生物土壤结皮是荒漠生态系统组成和地表景观的重要特征,在不同生物气候区的荒漠景观过程、土壤生态过程、土壤水文过程、土壤生物过程和地球化学循环过程,以及干旱半干旱地区生态修复过程中发挥着重要作用。关于生物土壤结皮的研究是地学和生物学学科交叉的前沿研究领域,已成为国际干旱区地表过程研究的重要核心科学问题之一。综述了国内外该领域最新研究进展,分析了研究的趋势,讨论了其前沿科学问题和未来研究的重点,以期促进我国生物土壤结皮的研究,加深对我国干旱半干旱区地表过程的认识。     

Drinking water treatment residuals as an amendment to alkaline soils: Effects on the growth of corn and phosphorus extractability

Drinking water treatment residuals (alum) are waste products of water purification that have potential for environmental remediation as a soil amendment and a potential plant growth medium. In this study, the influence of added Drinking water treatment residuals on the extractability and availability of phosphorus to plants; determination of the agronomic rate of alum to different agricultural soils and evaluation of the alum as ameliorating material for soil conditions and plant growth were investigated. In all studied soils, increasing drinking water treatment residuals rate up to 30 g/kg significantly increased dry matter yield. Application of 10, 20 and 30 g/kg alum significantly increased plant P concentrations in the plant materials (shoots and roots) taken from clay, sandy and calcareous soils. Further increase in alum application rate has resulted in negative significant impact on plants P concentration, especially in clay and calcareous soils, but in sandy soils the increase in phosphorusconcentration extended to 40 g/kg alum rate. Application of alum at rates up to 30 g/kg significantly increased available phosphorus concentrations of the three studied soils. However, application of alum at a rate of 40 g/kg to clay and calcareous soils significantly decreased available phosphorus concentrations. Combined analyses of all soils and alum rates studied clearly indicated significant relationship between available phosphorus concentration and phosphorus uptake (r = 0.87, P < 0.001). Based on our experiment results, the rate of 30 g/kg is considered the best application rate of alum because of its positive effects on plant dry matter. Our study clearly demonstrates that alum has potential as a soil amendment to increase plant growth; however, more research is needed to determine beneficial and / or detrimental aspects of this practice under field conditions.     

喀斯特地区石漠化与土壤类型的空间相关分析——以贵州省为例

以贵州省2010年石漠化程度分布与土壤类型分布图为基础,运用地图代数原理,通过计算二者的转移矩阵,从而得出不同石漠化程度下土壤类型的空间分布情况,并探讨研究区石漠化背景下,土壤类型与石漠化的空间分布规律,分析石漠化的发生、分布与土壤类型的相关关系。其结果表明:喀斯特地区石质土的石漠化发生率最高达到46.41%,其次为黄棕壤的43.32%,综合排序为石质土>黄棕壤>山地草甸土>棕壤>红壤>粗骨土>石灰土>黄壤>紫色土>水稻土>潮土;分等级讨论时以中度石漠化为主导,且石质土的中度石漠化发生率最高,达到了21.68%。石漠化程度的空间分布在不同土壤类型中存在着明显差异,并且二者之间有一定联系,土壤本身的性质差异是重要的因素之一。      

Synthesis of biochar from sugarcane filter-cake and its impacts on physiological performance of lettuce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lettuce sativa</Emphasis>) grown on cadmium contaminated soil

Soil contamination with cadmium has become major concern all over the world because of its adverse impacts on ecosystem health and agricultural land. Soil amendment with biochar may have varied effects on physical and chemical properties of soil. The objective of the study was to explore the impact of sugarcane filter-cake biochar on physiological performance and growth of lettuce in an aged soil. Four different doses (0, 1.5%, 3%, and 5%) of biochar were used in the soil and conditioned for 1 month. After this, lettuce seedlings were grown in the soil. The results showed that the biochar treatment improved the fresh and dry biomass of leaves and roots as well as plant height while diminished the bioavailability of cadmium from the soil. As compared to control, biochar significantly enhanced the chlorophyll content in lettuce leaves. Due to the biochar amendment, the oxidative stress decreased in lettuce shoots over the control. As compared to control, concentration of cadmium in lettuce significantly decreased after the application of biochar. It was concluded that biochar could mitigate the toxicity of cadmium in lettuce by altering the biochemical and physiological processes in cadmium contaminated soil.     

温郁金的石灰土栽培及其营养元素动态变化初步研究

为探索原产浙江温州地区的药用植物温郁金是否能在石灰土上生长,通过盆栽试验对比研究了温郁金在石灰土和红壤上生长及其生长过程中N、P、K、Ca、Mg、Fe 6种元素含量的动态变化。结果表明: 温郁金不但可以在石灰土上生长,而且其药用部位(莪术之一)的产量、莪术油的含量及莪术油中主要药用组分β -榄香稀等的含量都较大;石灰土上生长的温郁金在生长前期较快地表现出老叶明显发黄的缺肥症状,而红壤植株在追加N、P、K 3种大量元素后功能叶子呈现黄白色,且夹带有褐色斑点的缺肥症状;石灰土中Fe元素有效态含量比红壤低一个数量级,但在石灰土上种植的温郁金植株其Fe元素含量并不比红壤上的低。由此认为: ( 1)温郁金基本可以在石灰土上引种栽培;石灰土种植温郁金对施加化肥诱发的土壤元素缺乏具有较强的抵抗性; ( 2)温郁金元素的吸收受地质背景制约。      

西南天山东德沟镁铁-超镁铁岩中尖晶石的矿物学特征及其地质意义

中国西南天山东德沟镁铁-超镁铁岩出露于天山伊犁-中天山板块和塔里木板块之间的碰撞造山带中,岩石类型主要为(方辉)橄榄岩,且普遍经历了含水流体(熔体)的渗透交代作用,含有形态和成分变化复杂的尖晶石,表现为从红褐色到黄褐色、再到深绿色和浅绿色,尖晶石的Cr2O3和FeO的含量依次降低,Al2O3和MgO的含量逐渐增高。研究认为红褐色和黄褐色的铬尖晶是原生矿物,而绿色的镁铝尖晶石为次生矿物。原生铬尖晶石的Cr#为0.41~0.87,Mg#为0.21~0.61,且成分变化大,显示其可能具多期熔融的复杂成因;次生绿色的尖晶石形态不一、成分相对有较大变化,表明其至少形成于两个期次的变质作用或流体交代过程。原生铬尖晶石具有SSZ环境橄榄岩的特征,指示其寄主岩石可能是俯冲上板片地幔楔岛弧环境的橄榄岩残片。     

Phosphorus release kinetics in a soil amended with biosolids and vermicompost

Wastewater biosolids are large potential sources of macronutrients for agriculture, conservation and restoration of soils; there are, however, few studies on phosphorus (P) release in soils amended with biosolids. Biosolids and vermicomposted biosolids were tested in concentrations (5–30 g amendment kg^?1 soil) equivalent to 18–100 Mg ha^?1. Desorption of P was determined by successive extractions for 65 days. Soil P was low, and biosolid and vermicompost addition released 8 and 6 times more P, respectively, than soil alone. To describe the release of P, zero-, first- and second-order equations, simple Elovich and power functions and the parabolic diffusion law were compared based on their coefficient of determination (r ²) and standard error (SE). In all treatments, the power function and especially the parabolic diffusion law were the best fit, with 0.898–0.996 r ² and 0.022–0.732 SE. The general behavior of the kinetic parameters mostly depended on the amendment doses. Eutrophication posited to start beyond 16 mg P kg^?1 soil was more likely allayed by a maximum vermicompost dose of 50 Mg ha^?1, higher than the 36 Mg ha^?1 maximum biosolid dose. The higher vermicompost P addition and lower P release could favor gradual and longer-term P absorption by plants and may reduce leaching or runoff P losses.     

Evaluation of amendments used to prevent sodification of irrigated fields

Gypsum and S are applied to soils being irrigated with Na–HCO₃ dominated coalbed natural gas (CBNG) produced water to protect soil structure and fertility. Wyoming law requires beneficial use of produced water and irrigation with CBNG produced water in the semi-arid Powder River Basin is becoming more common. Strontium isotopes were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the gypsum and S applications in preventing sodification of these irrigated soils. The isotope ratio of Sr on the cation exchange complex of irrigated soil falls between that of the gypsum amendment (0.7074) and that of local soil (0.712–0.713). Strontium isotopes indicate that, to a depth of 30 cm, as much as 50% of the Sr on the irrigated soil cation exchange sites originated from the applied gypsum amendment on a field irrigated for 3 a. This was also true to a depth of 5 cm on a field irrigated less than 1 a. Strontium isotope ratio measurements of vegetation illustrate plant utilization of Sr from gypsum amendments, thereby reinforcing the conclusions about the presence of Sr from gypsum on the soil’s exchange sites. This Sr tracing technique may be useful in a wide variety of settings where monitoring soil health is necessary, especially in settings where poor quality water is used for irrigation: a more common occurrence as demand for fresh water increases.     

Immobilization of Cd,Zn and Pb in sewage sludge using red mud

Sewage sludge is an inevitable end by-product of sewage treatment. Land application provides a cost-effective alternative for sewage sludge disposal. However, sewage sludge contains heavy metals that may limit its application. In this work, red mud was employed for the immobilization of heavy metals in sewage sludge. The effect of red mud amendment on heavy metal immobilization was evaluated using Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) method. The TCLP results showed that the immobilization efficiency of Cd, Zn and Pb was 100, 92, and 82%, respectively, when sewage sludge was mixed with 10% red mud. Tests carried out in leaching columns demonstrated that heavy metal concentrations in the leachate of 10% red mud amended sludge were lower than those of the unamended sludge. Moreover, red mud decreased plant available heavy metal (Cd, Zn and Pb) content from 18.1, 17.2 and 14.6% to 6.9, 11.4 and 7.6%, respectively. Sequential chemical extraction experiments showed that after sludge was amended with 10% red mud, exchangeable fraction was reduced and iron and manganese oxides fraction was increased. Red mud amendment can effectively immobilize Cd, Zn and Pb in sewage sludge before land application.     

Fluorescence spectral analysis of resinite macerals from coals of the Hanna Formation, Wyoming, U.S.A.

Flourescence spectral analysis indicates that resinite macerals from Tertiary Hanna Formation coals (Hanna Coal Field, southcentral Wyoming, U.S.A.) can be separated into five distinct groups. The first resinite group fluoresces a a medium green (in blue light); its average spectral maximum occurs at or below 440 mm with a red/green quotient of 0.22. The second resinite group fluoresces yellow-green with an average spectral maximum of 500 nm and a red/green quotient of 0.53. The third resinite group displays a yellow fluorescence having an average spectral maximum of 580 nm and a red/green quotient of 0.86. The fourth resinite group fluorescence orange-brown having an average spectral maximum of 610 nm and a red/green quotient of 1.20. These four groups mostly occur as primary globular resinites exhibiting scratches and fractures, indicating that they are brittle, solid substances. Primary cell-filling and secondary fracture-filling resinites also occur in these four groups. The fifth group only occurs as a secondary void-filling material and lacks evidence of br of brittle properties. It fluoresces a reddish-brown, has a spectral maximum at 690 nm, and a red/green quotient of 1.54. The fifth group has properties resembling exsudatinite. The five resinite groups can be separated on the basis of their nine spectral properties alone, without qualitative petrographic interpretation.The relative quantities of the five resinite groups vary among Hanna Formation coals. The origins of these five resinite groups are probably related to their botanical properties and pre- and post-depossitional conditions. Overall, Hanna Formation resinites have petrographic characteristics similar to other North American resinites; however, only four resinite groups have been distinguished in in certain coals from Utah and New Mexico (U.S.A.), and western Canada.     

湿地“淹埋深-历时-频率”阈值研究的理论和方法

针对"淹埋深-历时-频率"(S, D, F)阈值研究存在的问题,根据土壤学、植物生态学、系统论、地理系统学说以及反演理论等的相关原理,系统分析了湿地(S, D, F)阈值确定的理论和方法。结果表明:在正常情况下,水饱和至地表的最大地下水埋深、湿地植物主要根系分布层下限和沉水植物分布下界淹水深分别是湿地土壤上界、湿地植被上界和湿地下界的S阈值;D阈值只能通过湿地土壤或湿地植被边界界定在水位过程线上反演,稳定湿地边界的D阈值应取与50%频率值对应的D值或D值的多年平均值,波动湿地边界的D阈值是常数;"非正常情况下"湿地的D阈值应参照湿地水文地貌分类的同一区域子类中"正常情况下"的湿地的D阈值;检验D阈值科学性的标准是利用D阈值确定的湿地水文边界必须与湿地土壤边界或湿地植被边界耦合。     

一个大型的古河流-三角洲沉积体系——论苏皖中-上三叠统黄马青组沉积环境

通过对苏皖地区黄马青组的学特征及其积学研究,确认其为发育于前陆盆地内的大型海退河流－三角洲沉积体系。根据岩石成因类型划分了８个微相,并对其所反映的沉积环境进行了分析。整个层序自下而上可分为前三角洲,一角洲前缘及三角洲平原３个亚环境,并对亚环境内的微环境进行了讨论。     

Seasonal variations in biomass and species composition of seaweeds along the northern coasts of Persian Gulf (Bushehr Province)

This study was carried out to evaluate the seasonal variations of seaweed biomass and species composition at six different sites along the coastal areas in Bushehr Province. Sampling depths varied among sites, from 0.3 to 2.0 m below mean sea level. A total of 37 (i.e., 10 Chlorophyta, 12 Phaeophyta and 15 Rhodophyta) seaweed species were collected. Studies were conducted for quantifying the seaweeds during four seasons from October 2008 until July 2009. During present research, Ulva intestinalis and Cladophora nitellopsis of green, Polycladia myrica, Sirophysalia trinodis and Sargassum angustifolium of brown and Gracilaria canaliculata and Hypnea cervicornis of red seaweeds showed highest biomass in coastal areas of Bushehr Province. The Cheney‘s ratio of 2.1 indicated a temperate algal flora to this area. All sites exhibited more than 50% similarity of algal species, indicating a relatively homogenous algal distribution. Total biomass showed the highest value of 3280.7 ± 537.8 g dry wt m^− 2 during summer and lowest value of 856.9 ± 92.0 g dry wt m^− 2 during winter. During this study, the highest and lowest seaweed biomass were recorded on the site 2 (2473.7 ± 311.0 g dry wt m^− 2) and site 5 (856.7 ± 96.8 g dry wt m^− 2), respectively.     

内蒙古二连盆地早三叠世地层及孢粉组合的发现

二连盆地曾被认为是缺失三叠纪沉积的地区。通过阿拉坦合力凹陷坦参１井的孢粉化石分析,首次证实了在二连盆地存在早三叠世地层。坦参１井的下三叠统的视厚度１ ３３９ｍ （井深５５８～１ ８９７ｍ ）,以紫红色、棕红色的泥岩为主,夹灰绿色泥岩,向下岩性变粗,含砾泥岩、砂砾岩增加,与上覆侏罗系及下伏上二叠统皆呈不整合接触。井深７００～１ ８９６ｍ 产以Ｌｉｍ ａｔｕｌａｓｐｏｒｉｔｅｓ大量出现、Ｔａｅｎｉａｅｓｐｏｒｉｔｅｓ具一定含量、出现Ｌｕｎｄｂｌａｄｉｓｐｏｒａ、Ａｒａｔｒｉｓｐｏｒｉｔｅｓ和Ｌｕｅｃｋｉｓｐｏｒｉｔｅｓ为主要特征的早三叠世孢粉化石组合。这一发现对重新认识二连盆地的地质发育历史颇有意义     

桂林西北郊光明山峰丛坡地土壤210Pb与226Ra分布与迁移规律研究

利用单一210Pb技术来估算岩溶区土壤侵蚀、水土流失和泥沙来源等还存在一定问题。岩溶区土层厚度不一,难以准确地确定支持性210Pb放射比活度是制约该方法应用的一大关键问题。文章选取桂林西北郊光明山岩溶峰丛坡地的4个土壤剖面,测试了土壤剖面210Pb与226Ra放射性比活度,探讨其分布规律及影响因素,初步确定土壤中支持性210Pb放射性比活度。测试结果表明4个土壤剖面中210Pb垂向分布服从指数衰变规律, 226Ra放射性比活度随土壤深度增加基本不变。光明山峰丛山坡土壤中约95%的210Pbex主要聚集在0~10 cm深度处,地表20~30 cm以下基本为支持性210Pb。土壤中支持性210Pb放射性比活度约为56.60±11.97 Bq?kg-1,与226Ra放射性比活度值64.93±8.83 Bq?kg-1在误差范围内一致。进一步研究发现,土壤剖面中210Pb受研究区大气干湿沉降、植被覆盖类型、地形条件、土壤特性（特别是有机质）的影响。此外,研究区土壤剖面226Ra的差异主要与土壤特性和植被类型有关。      

Effects of soil types and forms of arsenical pesticide on rice growth and development

For decades, repeated and widespread use of arsenical pesticides has significantly contributed to arsenic contamination in soils. Residues from the overuse of these arsenicals may result in phytotoxicity to crops, which will depend on soil types, plant species and the toxicity of arsenical pesticides. A greenhouse column study was conducted to evaluate the effect of two pesticides, i.e. one organic (dimethylarsinic acid) and one inorganic (sodium arsenate), on the vegetative response of rice as a function of soil properties. Four soils with varying arsenic retention capabilities at two different pesticide amendment rates (675 and 1500 mg/kg) representing the worst case scenarios in superfund sites were used. Results showed that arsenic availability to rice was mainly influenced by soil physicochemical properties. The soil with the lowest arsenic retention capacity had the highest arsenic concentration in the leachate as well as in the plant tissue. In contrast, for soils with higher arsenic retention capacity, higher concentrations of arsenic were found in the surface soil which resulted in the inhibition of plant growth. There was no significant difference between labile arsenic / plant-available arsenic irrespective of the form of arsenical pesticide used. Plant growth parameters such as biomass, shoot height, root length decreased with increased arsenic concentrations in all soils. A significant negative correlation (P<0.05) was observed between the phytoavailable arsenic and plant growth response. Interestingly, the form of arsenical pesticide used did not impact arsenic uptake or shoot growth but significantly impacted root growth.     

Relationship of chemical fractions of heavy metals with microbial and enzyme activities in sludge and ash-amended acid lateritic soil from India

The influence of metals, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn, on the microbial biomass and enzyme activities of an amended acid lateritic soil were investigated under field conditions receiving a one-time application of 52 t ha^–1 of sludge, coal ash and their mixtures at 1:3, 1:1 and 3:1 proportions, and including control and chemical fertilizer treatment at crop-specific recommended doses. Paddies and peanuts were grown in the experimental plots and soil was sampled twice after 6 months and 1 year after amendment application. The heavy metals in the soil were fractionated using sequential extraction and the increments in their concentrations in amended soil with respect to the control were determined. Concentrations of Cd, Ni and Zn were determined to have increased in their mobile fractions and were more pronounced in soil collected during the second sampling, which was associated with a decrease in soil organic carbon. The size of the microbial biomass carbon and the soil enzyme activities increased with the addition of an amendment and was highest at equal proportions of coal ash and sludge. Further increase in the proportion of sludge resulted in a significant decrease in biomass carbon. Simple correlation revealed significant and strong negative relations of mobile fractions of Cd and Ni with the ratio between microbial biomass C and organic carbon in soil, while the organic carbon content and the pH were positively correlated. The microbial activities were determined to be sensitive to the concentrations of some heavy metals in mobile fractions and therefore indicated possibilities of being useful as indicators for evaluation of toxic effects of sludge-borne metals on soil organisms.