Retention of chloride in soil and cycling of organic matter‐bound chlorine

Chloride (Cl_inorg) is generally considered to be a hydrologically and chemically inert substance. Past research suggests that Cl_inorg participates in a complex biogeochemical cycle involving the formation of organically bound chlorine (Cl_org). The present study examines whether Cl_org cycling is sufficiently extensive as to influence the geochemical cycling of Cl_inorg. Undisturbed soil cores were collected in a coniferous forest soil in SE Sweden. The cores were stored in climate chambers for three months, irrigated with artificial rain, and the leachate was collected and analysed. The water balance of the lysimeters could be well described, and we found that 20–50% of the chlorine leached from the lysimeters was organically bound and that the amounts lost did not decrease with time. This strongly suggests that a substantial amount of Cl_org forms in topsoil, and that subsequent leaching to deeper layers causes a considerable withdrawal of Cl_inorg. The concentration of both organic carbon and Cl_org in the leachate was considerably higher than concentrations observed in the runoff in the actual catchment, suggesting that organic matter precipitates or is mineralized on its way through the soil. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

天然有机质及其在地表环境中的重要性

天然有机质是地表各种环境介质中的重要化学组分,分布广泛.越来越多的研究已经表明:它在地表生态系统的物理、化学和生物过程中都起着十分重要的作用;它与生态系统的各个重要环节密切相关,是生态系统中能量与物质循环的重要途径.因此,天然有机质不仅是生物地球化学、生态学和环境科学等研究领域的重要内容之一,而且也是环境污染的评价、预测和治理研究中的基础理论问题,是目前环境质量、毒理学、环境立法和管理研究共同关注的科学问题.本文主要以陆地地表淡水湖泊与河流水环境为例,对天然有机质的来源、化学结构、循环特征,与养分循环的耦合关系,对有毒金属元素和有机污染物迁移转化和毒性影响机理等几个方面的研究进展进行了简要的总结;针对我国水体富营养化和环境污染等重要环境问题,阐述当前应该采取的研究思路和存在的主要科学内容,并对现代有机环境与生物地球化学学科的研究趋势进行了展望.     

湖沼学是研究内陆水体的多学科整合科学——兼论我国湖沼学发展面临的挑战与机遇

湖沼学是研究内陆水体的多学科交叉综合性科学,自从Forel F.A.于1892年首次对湖沼学做出定义以来已有近130年历史.湖沼学的主要分支学科包括地质湖沼学(包括古湖沼学)、物理湖沼学、化学(生物地球化学)湖沼学和生物湖沼学.湖沼学的关键自然属性是通过跨学科的整合,从水生态系统水平综合分析相关过程与机理,并对生态系统变化进行预测.因此,湖泊学也是支撑水资源与生态系统保护、管理与修复的核心科学.然而,目前我国湖沼学发展面临分支学科发展不平衡、研究碎片化等问题,而人类活动加剧和气候变化对内陆水体生态系统的影响及管理对策是湖沼学研究面临的挑战与机遇.我国湖沼学研究亟需围绕人类活动、气候变化的影响,重点开展以下几个方面的工作:1)水动力与水文地貌特征变化及其环境生态效应; 2)营养盐和有机质生物地球化学循环及其环境生态效应; 3)食物网结构与功能; 4)外来入侵物种的影响与控制对策; 5)与水环境有关的传染病防治; 6)地表水生态评价; 7)生态系统演变机理与退化生态系统修复等.     

Bio-Organic Geochemistry research in China: Advances,opportunities and challenges

The discipline of “Bio-Organic Geochemistry” is a cross research field between biogeochemistry and traditional organic geochemistry, which focuses on geochemical processes related to the biosynthesis of organic molecules (particularly lipids) by (micro) organisms, organic matter production by primary producers, degradation of organic matter by microbial processes recorded by retainable lipid biomarkers, and organic proxies for studies of paleo-climate, paleo-environments, paleoecology and Earth evolution. This field aims to go beyond the traditional petroleum-oriented Organic Geochemistry by integrating with biogeochemical concepts concerned mostly with biomolecules from cellular material such as DNA and lipids. A formal Chinese organization in Bio-Organic Geochemistry was established in 2012 when the first conference was held in Guangzhou. This organization has witnessed rapid growth over the past six years with focused research addressing organic proxies in paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental applications, with particular rapid development in glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers-derived proxies. Most progresses in China so far are made following or paralleling the international trend in biogeochemical studies. Things have begun to change with China’s ambitious initiatives in several bio-geo programs such as the Ocean Deep Drilling Program of China, the Microbial Hydrosphere Program, the Deep Carbon Observatory, and the Microbiome Program. Looking forward in the 21st Century, the growing Chinese research community in Bio-Organic Geochemistry faces grand opportunities and challenges as Chinese scientists propel themselves toward global research frontiers.     

Effect of Preozonation on the Formation of Chlorinated Disinfection By‐products for River Ruhr

The purpose of the study is to gain a better understanding about the formation of THM (trihalomethanes), HAA (haloacetic acids), and AOX (adsorbable organic halogen) in river water (river Ruhr, Essen) through a chlorination kinetics approach. The effect of chlorination time and preozonation on the formation of THM, HAA, and AOX substances was studied. Preozonation can reduce the chlorine demand and the precursors for AOX and THM. THM generation was reduced further, when the ozone dosage consumed increased from 3.5 to 12.5 mg in the 1.4 L reaction vessel. AOX and TCAA (trichloroacetic acid) concentrations also decreased dramatically when 3.5 mg of ozone had reacted with the river water, but a higher dose of ozone did not further reduce AOX and TCAA formations. Besides, the characteristics of organic matter in raw water, ozonated water, and preozonated/chlorinated water was investigated. The results suggest the formation of low‐molecular‐weight acids with low UV absorbance when high‐molecular refractive matter is oxidized.     

Deep pore water profiles reflect enhanced microbial activity towards tidal flat margins

Microbial activity in permeable tidal flat margin sediments is enhanced by two main processes. First, organic matter is supplied by rapid sedimentation at prograding tidal flat margins. Second, surface and deep pore water advection lead to a replenishment of the dissolved organic matter and sulfate pools. Increasing microbial activity towards the low water line is reflected in sulfate and methane profiles as well as in total cell numbers, sulfate reduction rates, and remineralization products. The impact of high sedimentation rates on pore water biogeochemistry is confirmed by inverse modeling reproducing the depth profiles obtained by measurements. In central parts of the tidal flats, low sedimentation rates and pore water flow velocities limit microbial activity despite the high availability of electron acceptors for microbial respiration such as sulfate. Therefore, tidal flat margins with high microbial activity are of special importance for budgeting biogeochemical cycling in tidal flat areas.     

Distribution and sources of sedimentary organic matter in a tropical estuary,south west coast of India (Cochin estuary): A baseline study

Surface sediments samples were collected from 9 stations of the Cochin estuary during the monsoon, post-monsoon and pre-monsoon seasons and were analyzed for grain size, total organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN) and stable isotopic ratios of carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) to identify major sources of organic matter in surface sediments. Sediment grain size is found to be the key factor influencing the organic matter accumulation in surface sediments. The δ¹³C values ranges from ?27.5‰ to ?21.7‰ in surface sediments with a gradual increase from inner part of the estuary to the seaward side that suggest an increasing contribution of marine autogenous organic matter towards the seaward side. The δ¹⁵N value varies between 3.1‰ and 6.7‰ and it exhibits complex spatial and seasonal distributions in the study area. It is found that the dynamic cycling of nitrogen through various biogeochemical and organic matter degradation processes modifies the OC/TN ratios and δ¹⁵N to a considerable degree. The fraction of terrestrial organic matter in the total organic matter pool ranges from 13% to 74% in the surface sediments as estimated by δ¹³C based two end member mixing model.     

淡水湖泊水体中溶解有机氮测定方法的对比

溶解有机氮(Dissolved Organic Nitrogen,DON)是天然水体中氮的重要组成部分,目前研究相对很少．本文对淡水中测定DON的两种常见方法即过硫酸钾湿氧化法(Persulfate Oxidation,PO)和高温催化氧化法(High Temperature Cata- lytic Oxidation,HTCO)进行了对比研究．结果表明:两种方法各有特点,湿氧化法相对较为理想．湿氧化法对不同氮标准化合物的回收率较高,平均为96．0±3．0％以上(杂环氮化合物除外);对湖泊淡水样品,用PO法测定溶解有机氮的相对标准偏差范围为6．2％-12．5％．高温催化氧化法对不同氮标准化合物的回收率较低,平均为68．4±13．6％,需作进一步条件优化．     

The POM-DOM piezophilic microorganism continuum(PDPMC)—The role of piezophilic microorganisms in the global ocean carbon cycle

The deep ocean piezosphere accounts for a significant part of the global ocean,hosts active and diverse microbial communities which probably play a more important role than hitherto recognized in the global ocean carbon cycle.The conventional biological pump concept and the recently proposed microbial carbon pump mechanism provide a foundation for our understanding of the role of microorganisms in cycling of carbon in the ocean.However,there are significant gaps in our knowledge and a lack of mechanistic understanding of the processes of microbially-mediated production,transformation,degradation,and export of marine dissolved and particulate organic matter(DOM and POM)in the deep ocean and the ecological consequence.Here we propose the POM-DOM piezophilic microorganism continuum(PDPMC)conceptual model,to address these important biogeochemical processes in the deep ocean.We propose that piezophilic microorganisms(bacteria and archaea)play a pivotal role in deep ocean carbon cycle where microbial production of exoenzymes,enzymatic breakdown of DOM and transformation of POM fuels the rapid cycling of marine organic matter,and serve as the primary driver for carbon cycle in the deep ocean.     

Erodibility of soil and organic matter: independence of organic matter resistance to interrill erosion

The enrichment of organic matter in interrill sediment is well documented; however, the respective roles of soil organic matter (SOM) and interrill erosion processes for the enrichment are unclear. In this study, organic matter content of sediment generated on two silts with almost identical textures, but different organic matter contents and aggregations, was tested. Artificial rainfall was applied to the soils in wet, dry and crusted initial conditions to determine the effects of soil moisture and rainfall and drying history on organic matter enrichment in interrill sediment. While erosional response of the soils varied significantly, organic matter enrichment of sediment was not sensitive to initial soil conditions. However, enrichment was higher on the silt with a lower organic matter content and lower interrill erodibility. The results show that enrichment of organic matter in interrill sediment is not directly related to either SOM content or soil interrill erodibility, but is dominated by interrill erosion processes. As a consequence of the complex interaction between soil, organic matter and interrill erosion processes, erodibility of organic matter should be treated as a separate variable in erosion models. Further research on aggregate breakdown, in particular the content and fate of the organic matter in the soil fragments, is required. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reductive dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls is coupled to nitrogen fixation by a legume-rhizobium symbiosis

Chlorinated persistent organic pollutants, including polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs), represent a particularly serious environmental problem and human health risk worldwide. Leguminous plants and their symbiotic bacteria(rhizobia) are important components of the biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen in both agricultural and natural ecosystems. However, there have been relatively few detailed studies of the remediation of PCB-contaminated soils by legume-rhizobia symbionts. Here we report for the first time evidence of the reductive dechlorination of 2,4,4′-trichlorobiphenyl(PCB 28) by an alfalfa-rhizobium nitrogen fixing symbiont. Alfalfa(Medicago sativa L.) inoculated with wild-type Sinorhizobium meliloti had significantly larger biomass and PCB 28 accumulation than alfalfa inoculated with the nitrogenase negative mutant rhizobium Sm Y. Dechlorination products of PCB 28, 2,4′-dichlorobiphenyl(PCB 8), and the emission of chloride ion(Cl-) were also found to decrease significantly in the ineffective nodules infected by the mutant strain Sm Y. We therefore hypothesize that N2-fixation by the legume-rhizobium symbiont is coupled with the reductive dechlorination of PCBs within the nodules. The combination of these two processes is of great importance to the biogeochemical cycling and bioremediation of organochlorine pollutants in terrestrial ecosystems.     

A field,laboratory, and literature review evaluation of the water retention curve of volcanic ash soils: How well do standard laboratory methods reflect field conditions?

Accurate determination of the water retention curve (WRC) of a soil is essential for the understanding and modelling of the subsurface hydrological, ecological, and biogeochemical processes. Volcanic ash soils with andic properties (Andosols) are recognized as important providers of ecological and hydrological services in mountainous regions worldwide due to their large fraction of small size particles (clay, silt, and organic matter) that gives them an outstanding water holding capacity. Previous comparative analyses of in situ (field) and standard laboratory methods for the determination of the WRC of Andosols showed contrasting results. Based on an extensive analysis of laboratory, experimental, and field measured WRCs of Andosols in combination with data extracted from the published literature we show that standard laboratory methods using small soil sample volumes (≤300 cm³) mimic the WRC of these soils only partially. The results obtained by the latter resemble only a small portion of the wet range of the Andosols' WRC (from saturation up to −5 kPa, or pF 1.7), but overestimate substantially their water content for higher matric potentials. This discrepancy occurs irrespective of site-specific land use and cover, soil properties, and applied method. The disagreement limits our capacity to infer correctly subsurface hydrological behaviour, as illustrated through the analysis of long-term soil moisture and matric potential data from an experimental site in the tropical Andes. These findings imply that results reported in past research should be used with caution and that future research should focus on determining laboratory methods that allow obtaining a correct characterization of the WRC of Andosols. For the latter, a set of recommendations and future directions to solve the identified methodological issues is proposed.     

Diversity and functions of microscopic fungi: a missing component in pelagic food webs

Fungi are a highly complex group of organisms of the kingdom Eumycota (i.e. the true-fungi) and other fungus-like organisms traditionally studied by mycologists, such as slime molds (Myxomycota) and oomycota (Straminopiles or Heterokonts). They constitute a significant proportion of the as yet undiscovered biota that is crucial in ecological processes and human well-being, through at least three main trophic modes: saprophytism, parasitism, or symbiosis. In addition to direct benefit (sources of antibiotics) or adverse effects (agents of disease), fungi can impact many environmental processes, particularly those associated with the decomposition of organic matter. They are present in almost all regions and climates, even under extreme conditions. However, studies have focussed mostly on economically interesting species, and knowledge of their diversity and functions is mainly restricted to soil, rhizosphere, mangrove, and lotic ecosystems. In this study, we review the diversity and potential functions of microscopic fungi in aquatic ecosystems, with focus on the pelagic environments where they often are regarded as allochthonous material, of low ecological significance for food-web processes. Recent environmental 18S rDNA surveys of microbial eukaryotes have (1) unveiled a large reservoir of unexpected fungal diversity in pelagic systems, (2) emphasized their ecological potentials for ecosystem functioning, and (3) opened new perspectives in the context of food-web dynamics. In spite of persisting methodological difficulties, we conclude that a better documentation of the diversity and quantitative and functional importance of fungi will improve our understanding of pelagic processes and biogeochemical cycling.     

溶解性有机质与水生生物的直接相互作用研究进展

溶解性有机质广泛存在于天然水体中,具有重要的生态与环境意义.然而在环境科学领域内,天然水体中的溶解性有机质长期以来仅仅被作为惰性的吸附剂对待,其自身的与生物的直接作用却一直被忽视.近年来,越来越多的研究证据表明溶解性有机质自身即具有生物效应.它能在生物表面吸附.并影响细胞膜的电化学性质与膜渗透性,能被生物吸收,进而诱导...     

Quantifying the sources of dissolved inorganic carbon within the sulfate-methane transition zone in nearshore sediments of Qi’ao Island,Pearl River Estuary,Southern China

The significance of the various biogeochemical pathways that drive carbon cycling and the relative fractions of dissolved inorganic carbon(DIC) produced by these reactions within the sulfate-methane transition zone(SMTZ) are still being debated. Unraveling these processes is important to our understanding of the benthic DIC sources and their contributions to the global carbon cycle. Here, we measure pore water geochemistry(chlorine, sulfate, methane, Ca~(2+), Mg~(2+), DIC and δ~(13)C-DIC) as well as solid geochemistry(sedimentary organic carbon(SOC) and δ~(13)C of SOC) in nearshore sediments from Qi'ao Island in the Pearl River Estuary of the Southern China Sea. Our analysis indicates that SOC originates from the mixing of carbon from terrestrial and marine sources, and that terrestrial materials dominate the net loss of SOC during the degradation of organic matter, especially at sites located near the river outlets. Sulfate reduction via SOC degradation is not appreciable in the upper sediment layer due to conservative mixing-dilution by freshwater. However, below this layer, the anaerobic oxidation of methane(AOM) and methanogenesis occur. Within the SMTZ, the δ~(13)C mass balance shows that the proportions of DIC derived from organoclastic SO_4~(2-) reduction(OSR) and AOM are 50.3% to 66.7% and 0.1% to 17.9%, respectively, whereas methanogenesis contributes 17.0% to 43.9%. This study reveals that the upward diffusion of DIC from ongoing methanogenesis significantly influences carbon cycling within the SMTZ in these estuarine sediments. As a result, we suggest that the plots of the ratio of change in sulfate to change in DIC in pore water should be used with caution when discriminating between sulfate reduction pathways in methane-rich sediments.     

Formation of Trihalomethanes in Soil and Groundwater by the Release of Sodium Hypochlorite

Trihalomethanes (THMs) are formed by the reaction of reactive chlorine species, such as hypochlorous acid, with naturally occurring organic matter. THMs are also found in soil and groundwater at sites where releases of organic solvents have occurred and are often ascribed to the biological degradation chlorinated solvents. This research was prompted by the discovery of THMs in groundwater at a site with a reported discharge of sodium hypochlorite. This paper reports the formation of THMs in soil and water resulting from the reaction of sodium hypochlorite with soil. Soil samples were reacted with dilute bleach solutions (sodium hypochlorite) and the solution collected for analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. All THMs were detected in test samples after treatment. Concentrations of chloroform up to 2450 µg/L in aqueous extracts were detected compared to 40 µg/L in bleach and 1 µg/L in blank samples.     

Geochemical characterization of soil organic matter and variability of a postglacial detrital organic supply (chaillexon lake,france)

Geochemical analysis of sedimentary organic matter in recent lacustrine sediments appears to be a useful tool in providing information concerning past environmental conditions. However, such analysis is often made without knowing the geochemical characteristics of the organic matter derived from the watershed and, more explicitly, its soils. The present work deals with (i) a geochemical investigation (Rock-Eval pyrolysis) of soil organic matter sampled in a lake watershed, and (ii) the study of the sedimentary organic matter trapped in the lake deposits. The research was conducted on Chaillexon Lake which was created by a rock collapse that dammed the palaeovalley of the Doubs River about 12 000 years ago. Since this event, the sediment trap provides a continuous palaeoclimatic record for the Postglacial period. Results obtained lead to two main conclusions. First, the variability of Rock-Eval pyrolysis values observed in soils modifies the common interpretation given to these parameters in the characterization of sedimentary organic matter. Indeed, variations in these parameters point not only to varying proportions of terrestrial and lacustrine organic matter in a lacustrine infilling but also to variations of the terrestrial supply linked with the evolution of vegetal cover in the catchment. The second conclusion is that the story of the Chaillexon lacustrine system is marked by a rather sudden soil and forest development at the Preboreal–Boreal transition (9000 BP ). Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The role of sediments in the phosphorus cycle in Lake Lugano. II. Seasonal and spatial variability of microbiological processes at the sediment-water interface

P, Fe, Mn, and S species were analyzed in water samples from the sediment-water interface collected at four seasonally different times during the course of a year at two sampling sites in the southern basin of Lake Lugano (Lago di Lugano). The results reveal the strong influence of the biogeochemical processes in the sediment on the chemical composition of the lake water above. Consumption of oxygen and nitrate under oxic to microoxic conditions in the water column as well as sequential release of reduced manganese and iron under anoxic conditions was observed as a direct or indirect consequence of microbially mediated degradation of organic matter. The seasonal pattern observed for the release and the retainment of dissolved reduced iron and manganese correlates well with the one for dissolved phosphate. Iron, manganese and phosphorus cycling are coupled tightly in these sediments. Both sediment types act as sinks for hydrogen sulfide and sulfate. An inner-sedimentary sulfur cycle is proposed to couple iron, manganese and phosphorus cycling with the degradation of organic matter. Nutrient cycling at the sediment-water interface might thus be driven by a microbially regulated electron pumping mechanism. The results contribute to a better understanding of the role of sediment processes in the lake's internal phosphorus cycle and its seasonal dynamics.     

The accuracy of drainage network delineation as a function of environmental factors: A case study in Central and Northern Sweden

Drainage networks delineated from Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), are the basis for the modelling of geomorphological and hydrological processes, biogeochemical cycling, and water resources management. Besides providing effective models of water flows, automatically extracted drainage networks based on topography can diverge from reality to varying degrees. The variability of such disagreement within catchments has rarely been examined as a function of the heterogeneity of land cover, soil type, and slope in the catchment of interest. This research gap might not only substantially limit our knowledge of the uncertainty of hydrological prediction, but can also cause problems for users attempting to use the data at a local scale. Using 1:100000 scale land cover maps, Quaternary deposits maps, and 2 m resolution DEMs, it is found that the accuracy of delineated drainage networks tends to be lower in areas with denser vegetation, lower hydraulic conductivity, and higher erodibility. The findings of this study could serve as a guide for the more thoughtful usage of delineated drainage networks in environmental planning, and in the uncertainty analysis of hydrological and biochemical predictions. Therefore, this study makes a first attempt at filling the knowledge gap described above.     

The effects of soil organic matter on soil water retention and plant water use in a meadow of the Sierra Nevada,CA

Tuolumne Meadows is a groundwater dependent ecosystem in the Sierra Nevada of California, USA, that is threatened by hydrologic impacts that may lead to a substantial loss of organic matter in the soil. In order to provide a scientific basis for management of this type of ecosystem, this paper quantifies the effect of soil organic content on soil water retention and water use by plants. First, we show a substantial dependence of soil water retention on soil organic content by correlating Van Genuchten soil water retention parameters with soil organic content, independent of soil texture. Then, we demonstrate the impact of organic content on plants by simulating the degree to which root water uptake is affected by soil water retention with the use of a physically based numerical model of variably saturated groundwater flow. Our results indicate that the increased water retention by soil organic matter contributes as much as 8.8 cm to transpiration, or 35 additional water‐stress free days, during the dry summer when plants experience increased water stress.