Soil degradation in central Spain due to sheet water erosion by low‐intensity rainfall events

Runoff and sediment lost due to water erosion were recorded for 36 (1 m²) plots with varying types of vegetative cover located on sloping gypsiferous fields in the South of Madrid. 75% of the events had maximum 30‐minute intensity (I₃₀) less than 10 mm h^?1 in the period studied (1994–2005). As for the vegetative cover, maximum correlation between runoff and soil loss was found in the least protected plots (0–40% cover) during the most intense rainfall events; however, a significant positive correlation was also observed in plots with greater coverage (40–60%). If coverage exceeded 60%, rainfall erosivity declined. The average amount of sediment produced in high‐intensity events was significantly greater (approximately 7 g m^?2 per I₃₀ event >10 mm h^?1) than that produced in the rest of the moderate‐intensity events (approximately 3 g m^?2 per I₃₀ event <10 mm h^?1), but due to the high rate of occurrence of the latter throughout the year sediment loss during the period studied totaled 128 g m^?2. By comparison, only 40 g m^?2 was produced by the I₃₀ events greater than 10 mm h^?1. Even though the amount of soil lost is relatively insignificant from a quantitative standpoint, the organic matter content lost in the sediment (six times more than in the soil) is a permanent loss that threatens the development of the surface of the soil in this area when the vegetative cover is less than 40%. The soil here experiences a chronic loss of 0·02 mm annually as a consequence of frequent, moderate events, in addition to any loss produced by extraordinary events, which, though less frequent, are much more erosive. If moderate events are ignored, an important part of soil loss will be lost in the long run. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spectroscopic Investigation on Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Fractions of Dissolved Organic Matter Extracted from Soils at Different Salinities

Organic matter can be considered one of the most important indicators of the extent of soil desertification processes. Among the causes of desertification, salinization induced by different factors is raising the greatest concern in the Mediterranean area. In the present research, hydrophilic (HI) and hydrophobic (HO) fractions of dissolved organic matter (DOM) extracted from soils at different degrees of salinization have been investigated by means of spectroscopic techniques such as tridimensional fluorescence spectroscopy in the mode of emission excitation matrix (EEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). The FT‐IR spectra were distinctive in differentiating HI from HO fractions and each DOM fraction as a function of soil salinity. The EEM spectra of HO fractions exhibited a shift toward longer emission wavelengths and higher fluorescence intensity (FI) values as compared to that of the HI fractions. These results could be ascribed to the different molecular complexities of HI and HO fractions. Further, a marked quenching effect was observed in the FI of both the DOM fractions with increasing soil salinity, which allowed to obtain immediate information on the soil salinity degree by comparing the fluorescence intensity.     

Elemental and stable isotopic constraints on river influence and patterns of nitrogen cycling and biological productivity in Hudson Bay

Elemental (carbon and nitrogen) ratios and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) are examined in sediments and suspended particulate matter from Hudson Bay to study the influence of river inputs and autochthonous production on organic matter distribution. River-derived particulate organic matter (POM) is heterogeneous, nitrogen-poor and isotopically depleted, consistent with expectations for OM derived from terrestrial C3 vascular plant sources, and distinct from marine OM sources. Both δ¹³C and C/N source signatures seem to be transmitted to sediments with little or no modification, therefore making good tracers for terrigenous OM in Hudson Bay. They suggest progressively larger contributions from marine sources with distance from shore and secondarily from south to north, which broadly corresponds to the distribution of river inputs to Hudson Bay. Processes other than mixing of marine and terrigenous OM influence sedimentary δ¹⁵N values, including variability in the δ¹⁵N of phytoplankton in the Bay's surface waters due to differences in relative nitrate utilization, and post-production processes, which bring about an apparently constant ¹⁵N-enrichment between surface waters and underlying sediments. Variability in the δ¹⁵N of phytoplankton in the Bay's surface waters, in contrast, seems to be organized spatially with a pattern that suggests an inshore–offshore difference in surface water nitrogen conditions (open- vs. closed-system) and hence the δ¹⁵N value of phytoplankton. The δ¹⁵N patterns, supported by a simple nitrate box-model budget, suggest that in inshore regions of Hudson Bay, upwelling of deep, nutrient-rich waters replenishes surface nitrate, resulting in ‘open system’ conditions which tend to maintain nitrate δ¹⁵N at low and constant values, and these values are reflected in the sinking detritus. River inflow, which is constrained to inshore regions of Hudson Bay, appears to be a relatively minor source of nitrate compared to upwelling of deep waters. However, river inflow may contribute indirectly to enhanced inshore nutrient supply by supporting large-scale estuarine circulation and consequently entrainment and upwelling of deep water in this area. In contrast to previous proposals that Hudson Bay is oligotrophic because it receives too much fresh water (Dunbar, 1993), our results support most of the primary production being organized around the margin of the Bay, where river flow is constrained.     

内蒙古乌兰泡湿地环带状植被区土壤有机质及全氮空间分异规律

本文以乌兰泡湿地为研究对象,对该区环带状植被区湿地土壤有机质有全氮的空间分布规律进行了初步研究,结果表明不同植被区养发含量分异趋势一致,但水平分异显著,沿土壤水分梯度变化而变化,表现为蓼区＞香蒲区＞芦苇区,反映出距泡心越远含量越低的规律;各植被区土壤碳氮比都相对较低（在5－12之间）,表层土壤碳氮经值也沿土吉水分梯度变化,表现为芦苇区＞香莆区＞蓼区;泡沼湿地土壤与草原土壤的碳氮比对水分条件及有机质和全氮的含量的响应差异显著;水分和植被是影响其水平分异的关键因子,而湿地土壤pH值并不是影响土壤有机质及全氮分异的主要因子。     

Model‐based evaluation of impact of soil redistribution on soil organic carbon stocks in a temperate hedgerow landscape

Agroforestry systems are promoted for providing a number of ecosystem services and environmental benefits, including soil protection and carbon sequestration. This study proposes a modelling approach to quantify the impact of soil redistribution on soil organic carbon (SOC) storage in a temperate hedgerow landscape. Evolution of SOC stocks at the landscape scale was examined by simulating vertical and horizontal SOC transfers in the 0–105 cm soil layer due to soil redistribution by tillage and water processes. A spatially explicit SOC dynamics model (adapted from RothC‐26.3) was used, coupled with a soil‐redistribution model (LandSoil). SOC dynamics were simulated over 90 years in an agricultural hedgerow landscape dedicated to dairy farming, with a mix of cropping and grasslands. Climate and land use were simulated considering business‐as‐usual scenarios derived from existing information on the study area. A net decrease in SOC stocks was predicted at the end of the simulation period. Soil redistribution induced a net SOC loss equivalent to 2 kg C ha^?1 yr^?1 because of soil exportation out of the study site and an increase in SOC mineralization. Hedgerows and woods were the only land use in which soil redistribution induced net SOC storage. Soil tillage was the main process that induced soil redistribution within cultivated fields. Soil exportation out of the study area was due to erosion by water, but remained low because of the protective role of the hedgerow network. These soil transfers redistributed SOC stocks in the landscape, mostly within cultivated fields. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of EC50 Values for Cu,Zn, and Cr on Microorganisms Activity in a Mediterranean Sandy Soil

Ecotoxicity of three potentially toxic metals (PTM) (Cu, Zn, and Cr) in a slightly acidic sandy soil is tested using the soil respiration test (OECD‐217) in order to determine EC₅₀ values for the carbon transformation activity of microorganisms. Addition of an organic amendment of Populus leaves is also crossed with metal spiking in order to investigate possible interaction with metal toxicity. Soil respiration is measured at day 1 and 28 after the soil spiking with the PTM to assess short‐term effects on soil microbial activity. Of the three metals tested, Cu shows the highest toxicity at the longest exposure times (day 28) and Zn shows a strong inhibitory effect in the short‐term (day 1), even though later toxicity diminish significantly. Cr is the least toxic studied PTM. Organic amendment outweighs any adverse effects of these metals, increasing soil respiration, even in the treatments with high doses of metals.     

Effects of eastern redcedar encroachment on soil hydraulic properties along Oklahoma's grassland‐forest ecotone

In north‐central Oklahoma eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), encroachment into grassland is widespread and is suspected of reducing streamflow, but the effects of this encroachment on soil hydraulic properties are unknown. This knowledge gap creates uncertainty in understanding the hydrologic effects of eastern redcedar encroachment and obstructs fact‐based management of encroached systems. The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of eastern redcedar encroachment into tallgrass prairie on soil hydraulic properties. Leaf litter depth, soil organic matter, soil water repellency, soil water content, sorptivity, and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity were measured near Stillwater, OK, along 12 radial transects from eastern redcedar trunks to the center of the grassy intercanopy space. Eastern redcedar encroachment in the second half of the 20th century caused the accumulation of 3 cm of hydrophobic leaf litter near the trunks of eastern redcedar trees. This leaf litter was associated with increased soil organic matter in the upper 6 cm of soil under eastern redcedar trees (5.96% by mass) relative to the grass‐dominated intercanopy area (3.99% by mass). Water repellency was more prevalent under eastern redcedar than under grass, and sorptivity under eastern redcedar was 0.10 mm s^?1/2, one seventh the sorptivity under adjacent prairie grasses (0.68 mm s^?1/2). Median unsaturated hydraulic conductivity under grass was 2.52 cm h^?1, four times greater than under eastern redcedar canopies (0.57 cm h^?1). Lower sorptivity and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity would tend to decrease infiltration and increase runoff, but other factors such as rainfall interception by the eastern redcedar canopy and litter layer, and preferential flow induced by hydrophobicity must be examined before the effects of encroachment on streamflow can be predicted. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bensulfuron‐methyl Biodegradation and Microbial Parameters in a Riparian Soil as Affected by Simulated Saltwater Incursion

Soil salinization due to saltwater incursion, is a major threat to microbial population and thus strongly alters biogeochemical processes in a freshwater riparian of coastal estuary region. An incubation experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of simulated saltwater treatments with different percentages of artificial seawater on biodegradation dynamics of herbicide bensulfuron‐methyl (BSM) and microbial ecophysiological parameters in a riparian soil in Chongming Island, China. The results showed that saltwater addition with 10% seawater significantly increased the biodegradation efficiency of BSM with the lowest residual concentration among all the treatments. However, BSM degradation was markedly decreased in the riparian soil with high levels of saltwater treatment. The half‐lives for 20% and 50% seawater treatments were prolonged by 4.9% and 21.1%, respectively, as compared to no saltwater treatment. Throughout the incubation period, 10% seawater treatment showed significantly stimulating effects on microbial parameters in the BSM‐spiked riparian soil. At the end of incubation experiment, flourescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis rate, soil microbial adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and basal soil respiration (BSR) in the BSM‐spiked riparian soil with 10% seawater were 64.2%, 48.9%, and 39.4% higher than those with no saltwater treatment, respectively. In contrast, saltwater treatment with 50% seawater significantly inhibited microbial activities, relative to no saltwater treatment. Especially, FDA hydrolysis rate, microbial ATP, and BSR were decreased by 74.1%, 69.8%, and 63.4%, respectively, as compared to no saltwater treatment. Our data indicate that different levels of simulated saltwater incursion can exert variable effects on microbial ecophysiological parameters, and consequently resulted in the difference in biodegradation dynamics of herbicide in the herbicide‐spiked riparian soil.