Impacts of wastewater irrigation on soils and crops in suburban area of Shiraz, Iran

This preliminary work reported here dealt with potential impacts of wastewater irrigation on soils and crops sampled along the Koshk River canal in the suburban area of Shiraz City, Iran. It also attempts to assess the extent of heavy metal contamination in soils and crops and human exposure risk. For this purpose, samples including soils and plants were collected from two wastewater irrigated sites and a tubewell-irrigated site （marked by A, B and C）. Concentrations of the six heavy metals Ni, Pb, Cd, Zn, Cr and Cu were determined by AAS. Physical and chemical properties of soil samples were also determined. The PLIs and CF for soils and HQ （Hazard quotient） for some vegetables were calculated. The results showed that organic matter content increased from 22% to 30 % in wastewater-irrigated soils as compared to tubewell water irrigated and admixture water irrigated ones. The soil pH was raised by 2 units as a result of wastewater irrigation at site A compared to sites B and C. Wastewater irrigation also result in relatively high concentrations of Ni, Pb and Zn （275.5, 441.3 and 177 mg/kg, respectively） in wastewater irrigated soils over tubewell water irrigated soils. These levels are higher than the maximum permissible limits in unpolluted soils, indicating that a degree of contamination has occurred. This was confirmed by calculated PLIs and contamination factors in soil samples, The results also showed some crops cultivated at sites A and B contained high levels of Ni and Cd beyond the maximum permissible concentrations and those cultivated at site C. The concentrations of these heavy metals are within or very close to the critical levels. HQ indices and daily intake calculated in respect of metal contents in some vegetables （spinach, lettuce and celery） showed that toxic risk due to Cd in these vegetables and crops was greater than one. This study generally concludes that although the content of heavy metals did not reach toxic level, extensive use of untreated wastewater drawn from the Koshk River has obviously increased the contamination of Ni and Pb in soils and Cd in some vegetables cultivated along the canal, causing potential health risk in the long-term scense for consumers or local residents.     

Transformation of organic carbon and its potential impact on lead weathering in firing range soils

Lead （Pb） is normally considered as a trace element in soils and sediments for geochemical study. However, the concentration of Pb in firing range soils is generally so high that it should be considered as a major element during the evaluation of the soil geochemical properties. Soil organic matter （SOM） has been reported as one of the major factors to expedite the corrosion of metallic lead （Pb） in acidic and organic-rich soils. The main impacts of SOM on the fate and transport of Pb in firing range soils lie in the following two aspects; （1） the complexation of organic matter with Pb, which has received lots of attention, and; （2） changes in soil redox potential due to the transformation of SOM and its subsequent impact on Pb speciation, which has rarely been investigated. Soils from 6 different firing ranges are selected for this study. These samples have been stored under a closed condition for more than 3 years. The soil moisture contents were well-retained, as all the samples were kept in closed plastic buckets. The analytical data showed that the summation of the soil total organic carbon content （TOC） and inorganic carbon contents （TIC） were consistent with soil total carbon contents （TC） measured in previous years, although the TOC and TIC contents have changed respectively after years of storage. In general, it is observed that the soil TOC decreased against an increase of TIC. The mass balance on such a transformation suggested a major conversion of organic carbon （Corg） to inorganic carbon （CO3^2-） in the stored soils.     

Risk based management approach in contaminated land management practices

The present Dutch approach is often addressed in Europe as an example of practical, innovative and cost effective soil management. During the last 25 years of finding the best practices the Dutch soil clean-up policy evolved from a sectoral soil remediation program, managed and financed mainly by the central government and provinces, towards an integrated contaminated sites management approach, managed by local and regional bodies, financed by tax money and private investments. The contamination perception evolved from very strict demands on ＂full remediation＂ to the more pragmatic and practical concept of reducing or eliminating risks associated with contamination to the acceptable levels for humans and ecosystem, the so-called ＂Risk based management＂. The environmental regulatory system is presently undergoing trough considerable modifications towards integrated risk based management to satisfy the changing needs of the Dutch society and to correspond with the new European legislation as Water Framework Directive, Waster Directive and EU Soil Strategy. Dutch Policy Development, Netherlands has a long history of contaminated land management. In the year of 1979 the major obstructions for finding successful solutions for soil contamination problems were： Absence of knowledge about contamination behaviour and fate in the natural environment and as a consequence incapability to make priorities and sound decisions. Absence of experience in treating soil contamination. Not enough financial resources to clean everything according to the standards set in the legislation. During the last 25 years of finding the best practices the Dutch went through a complex process of developing realistic, affordable and practical approaches towards soil contamination. Dutch soil clean-up policy evolved from a sectoral soil remediation program,     

Lead contamination of soil along road and its remediation

With a rapid development of road systems and an associated drastic increase in number of automobiles, the traffic has induced more and more obvious environmental pollution such as noise, dust, emission and heavy metal contamination. Lead, as one of the most harmful heavy metal contaminants, can execute a significant impact on soil quality and plant growth, depending on its form, as well as its transport and accumulation in soil. This paper describes the source and characteristics of Pb contaminant in soil along a road, and reviews the results of research on remediation of Pb-contaminated soils, aiming at identifying promising approaches to soil remediation along roads.     

Degradation of Microbes for the Crude Oil Contaminants

Production and storage-transportation of crude oil can not only give rise to soil pollution but also destroy ecological environment. Degradation of microbes for oily soil was studied with the instnunent, Geofina Hydrocarbon Meter (GHM), by experimental analysis qualitatively and quantitatively in the paper. Analytical result showed that the crude oil could be considerably degraded by eating-oil microbes in oily soil and the number of eating-oil microbes increased while the working hours of oil-well rising. As a result, contaminated oil could be degraded more quickly by a lot of eating-oil microbes in the soil. At the same time, the degradation rate of contaminated oil increased gradually as the time went on. In addition, amount of gaseous component in the oily soil samples increased with degraded time and the microbes could selectively consume contaminated oil strongly, so biedegradation might alleviate the degree of contamination and destruction to the soil and environment in the process of oil product     

Bioavailability of crops to environmental hormone Pb in soils and its remediation

Lead （Pb）, as an environmental hormone, acts as an estrogen in animal and human bodies, and its environmental pollution can result in many procreant anomalies, such as maladjustment of incretion, weakening of procreation function and descending of genital immunity. Experiments on pot-growth of paddies and corns in this study indicated that these crops did not show any macro-toxic symptoms in the observed contents of Pb added （0-4000 mg/kg） in soils. However, lead in soils can be easily absorbed by crops and accumulated in the different parts of plants. Statistical analysis showed that Pb contents in the crops are strongly positively correlated to the Pb contents in soils. In the crops, the Pb contents of roots are highest, tens to thousands of times those of straws and seeds. It is suggested that the root is a barrier of Pb absorbed by straws and seeds. Based on this fact, Pb pollution in soils can be gradually reduced by planting crops and subsequently removing the roots from the soil. This biotechnology may be used in environmental remediation, which embraces the quality of sustainable agricultural economy and a healthy environment.     

Lead in food and soil from a mining area in Brazil and human exposure

During the last century, several lead mines and a metal smelter were in production in the Upper Ribeira Valley, southeastern Brazil. After fifty years of activity, the refinery was shut down in November 1995 and, thereafter the last mines in production were closed. Since 1998, a multidisciplinary research group has carried out an ambitious investigation among the population of five municipalities in the Ribeira Valley （sampled population of 472 children and 523 adults） to assess the human exposure to lead. The highest blood lead levels were found among the population of two villages in the vicinity of the smelter where soil and indoor-dust are highly contaminated. During the present study, the lead contents of several food species that are part of local population diet were investigated. Greens, vegetables, corn, chicken eggs and cow milk, were sampled in two occasions, July 2004 and February 2005. The analytical procedures included burning of organic matter, pre-concentration of lead and, finally, determination by AAS using background correction. The quantification limit was 0.05 μg/g Pb. Soil samples were also collected and analyzed by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy with a quantification limit of 2 μg/g Pb. The results are very impressing since 100% of greens, vegetables and eggs yielded lead concentrations exceeding the upper limits established by Brazilian regulations whereas milk and maize samples presented lead contents below the regulated limit of 0.05 μg/g Pb. Lead concentrations in soil varied between 156 and 1292 μg/g Pb, resembling the results of previous studies and far exceeding the threshold of 200 μg/g Pb indicated as the intervention value. Lead contents in some species vary consistently with lead concentrations in soils, however, other factors may account for the bioavailability of lead and its intake by plants, like the soil pH, its cationic exchange capacity, clay and organic matter contents, characteristics of the plant species itself, climate, among others.     

Heavy metal contents in soil of major towns in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia

A total of 63 soil samples from 3 different soil profiles （urban, suburban and industrial areas） in major towns in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia were analyzed for the total concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni and Cr. The soil samples were subjected to acid digestion and the concentrations of total metals extracted were measured or flame atomic absorption spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectrometry. According to the result of this study, Pb and Zn concentrations in urban soils are much higher than those of industrial and suburban soils. Total concentrations of Cu and Cr in industrial soil samples are high compared to other two soil profiles and Ni concentrations in the suburban area are slightly higher those of urban and industrial soils. Since Malaysia has not yet to come up with her own soil maximum allowable limit, the heavy metal concentrations were compared with the Dutch maximum allowable limit. The results indicated that the median of heavy metals values in the three different soil profiles is still below the Dutch system limit. From the maximum allowable value obtained from the Dutch system, a contamination/pollution （C/p） index for each site was calculated for the set of these five heavy metals. An advantage of using this method is to make a differentiation between pollution （C/p〉1） and contamination （C/p〈1） status in soils as well as being able to characterize each status into 5 different categories （slight, moderate, severe, very severe and excessive）.     

Distribution of heavy metals in soils of Port Harcourt and its environs,Niger Delta,Nigeria

Geochemical evaluation of the distribution of heavy metals in soils of Port Harcourt and its environs in the Niger Delta region is presented in respect of anthropogenic factor and index of geoaccumulation. Sixteen (16) soil samples were collected from two horizons (0-10 cm and 100 cm) from the various grids and analyzed. The geo-chemical analyses showed the vertical and horizontal distributions of heavy metals. The results showed the ranges of the metals determined as follows: Pb (6.86-2.49)×10-6, with an average of 4.63×10-6; Cd (0.05-0.00)×10-6, with an average of 0.02×10-6, As (0.01-0.00)×10-6, with an average of 0.00×10-6. Cu (15.36-10.80) ×10-6, with an average of 13.36×10-6, and V (1.36-0.20)×10-6, with an average of 0.94×10-6. Quantification of the degree of pollution was carried out using anthropogenic factor (AF) and index of geoaccumulation (Igeo). The Igeo values of 0.06, 0.02 and 0.00 for Pb, Cd and As, respectively indicate low-level contamination while Zn (1.14) and V (1.40) show me-dium-level contamination. The sources of contamination are attributed to urbanized anthropogenic activities. The majority of the samples analyzed show that the AF values are less than 1 with the exception of vanadium (V) whose AF values range from 2.73 to 13.60×10-6. Vanadium is more enriched than As, Cd, Pb, and Cu. The order of degrees of anthropogenic contamination and index of geoaccumulation in the soil is V >Zn >Pb >Cu >Cd >AS. Metals were retained near the top soil and their concentrations in the deepest horizons were lower and normal for uncontaminated soils. Metal concentrations in the top soil horizons were significantly related to distance from the industrial and hu-man activities.     

Degradation of Microbes for the Crude Oil Contaminants

Production and storage-transportation of crude oil can not only give rise to soil pollution but also destroy ecological environment．Degradation of microbes for oily soil was studied with the strument，Geofina Hydrocarbon Meter（GHM），by experimental analysis qualitatively and quantitatively in the paper．Analytical result showed that the crude oil could be considerably degraded by eating-oil microbes in oily soil and the number of eating-oil microbes increased while the working hours of oil-well rising．As a result，contaminated oil could be degraded more quickly by a lot of eating-oil microbes in the soil．At the same time，the degradation rate of contaminated oil increased gradually as the time went on．In addition，amount of gaseous component in the oily soil samples increased with degraded time and the microbes could selectively consume contaminated oil strongly，so biodegradation might alleviate the degree of contamination and destruction to the soil and environment in the process of oil production at oilfield．The law of oily soil degraded by microbes was investigated and some useful conclusions were drawn in the paper．     

The Integration of Farmers and Nomads: Archaeological Evidence for the Human Subsistence Strategy in Northwestern China during the Han Dynasty

The integration of farmers and nomads in northwestern China during the Han Dynasty(206 BCE ～ 220 CE) provides a crucial opportunity to reconstruct the material exchanges, formation and development of the Silk Road in antiquity. The subsistence strategy is arguably an effective proxy for the integration of various groups of people(e.g. farmers and nomads). In this paper, we have reported new stable isotope data from the Huangwan tombs dated to the Han dynasty in middle Gansu, which was the key juncture between the Han and Xiongnu empire, in order to fill the gap and further understand the substance strategies employed by the local people. According to the results of plant remains and stable isotopic data, millet farming, the typical agricultural activities for the Han Chinese in the Central Plains, was also the primary lifestyle for the Huangwan people in the mid Gansu. More importantly, this shows fundamentally remarkable difference from the agricultural practices in the Bronze Age Gansu Corridor, which were based on a variety of crops, including wheat, barley and millet. This major shift in the subsistence production at Huangwan can be correlated to a wider historical background in which the Han empire showed increasing political and military presence in the Gansu Corridor, indicating that local indigenous nomads followed the lifestyle of Han Chinese(e.g., millet farming), and/or the Han immigrates maintained millet farming.     

Selection of better extractants to indicate Pb bioavailability in lead-contaminated agricultural soils of Zhejiang Province

The accumulation of Pb in the food chain is one of the great concerns as it can cause chronic health problems and the available Pb is easily absorbed by crops. To shed light on Pb bioavailability in lead-contaminated agricultural soils of Zhejiang Province, a series of plant growth experiments were performed in a greenhouse to select more suitable extractants from five commonly used extractants (0.1 M HCl, 1 M NH4OAc, 0.1 M CaCl2, DTPA-TEA and Mehlich 3). The results showed that 1 M NH4OAc can extract Pb best, indicating the Pb bioavailability, then, DTPA-TEA and 0.1 M HCl in the tested soils. In case 1 M NH4OAc was used as an extractant, the critical Pb concentrations in soils were 50.19 mg/kg, 21.16 mg/kg and 114.00 mg/kg (1 M NH4OAc extracted Pb) in silty loam, yellowish-red soil and purplish soil, respectively. When the values exceed the above ones, the contents of Pb in Chinese cabbage leaves will exceed the Chinese Tolerance Limit of Lead in Foods (GB14935-94), as a result, potential ecological risk and hazard to human health via the food chain will appear.     

A multi-isotope approach （Pb, S, N, O and Sr） to estimate the impact of long distance air pollution

The impact of air pollution is a substantial European and global problem which has been observed even in the most remote areas of our planet. Not only surface water, but also groundwater resources are partly endangered by dry and wet deposition from the air. Karst and other sensitive aquifers contribute up to 90 % to the total drinking water supply in some European regions. However, they are more vulnerable to contamination than other aquifers due to short transfer times from recharge to source. Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to show possibilities to quantify the impact of air pollution on sensitive water resources （e.g. karst）, to develop an innovative surveillance tool based on isotopes and meteorological considerations. Comparisons of lead isotope measurements in precipitation, spring waters, soil profiles and dolomite bedrock in a relatively pristine and remote area at the front-range of the Northern Calcareous Alps in Austria with literature data indicate that radiogenic Australian gasoline-lead still dominates with 60%-80% the composition of the trace lead in the spring waters. In addition to the lead leached from the dolomite bedrock a third source contributes about 5%-10%. This second long distance Pb-contribution may originate from coal burning and/or Ag-Pb-ore smelting in central Europe in the past. The monthly precipitation （May and September 2005） samples show ^18O-rich sulphate ions, whereas the soil sulphates change in the direction to lower ^18O- and higher ^34S values with depth. The spring waters and bedrock dolomites show relatively low delta ^34S values （4‰-9 ‰）. Assuming the precipitation samples and the dolomite bed rocks are end-members the contribution of atmospheric sulphate can estimated to be 20% in the spring waters and between 10% to 45% in the soil samples. The ^87Sr/^86Sr-isotope results in the precipitation （0.7092） support at least a more radiogeradiogenic, far transported source in addition to a possible recycling of local dolomite and limestone （0.7080-0.7083） dust.     

Evaluation of the frequency of micronucleus in epithefial cells of children exposed to arsenic and heavy metals pollution in a mining area of Mexico

Mining industry is one of the most important economical activities of Latin America, where As, Pb and Cd are commonly associated with the extraction of precious and base metals. Mining activities become a source of contamination if control measures are not adapted to avoid the pollution of soils by these potentially toxic elements （PTE） for the human, because they have the capacity to produce damage to the DNA generating a genomic instability in the individual and this directly can lead to the development of chronic diseases like cancer. The considered population of greater risk is the infantile since they have an exceptional vulnerability to the acute or chronic effects of environmental toxics and in addition have a higher susceptibility to these PTE compared with the adults. For that reason, it is assumed that the infantile population exposed to soil contaminated by the mixture of As, Pb and Cd, has damage in the DNA of its cells and this provokes a greater susceptibility to develop neoplasics processes or other environmental diseases. Individual sensitivity to the cytogenetics effects produced by the polluting agents or their metabolites is based on the differences in the magnitude of the repair systems induction, reason why it is necessary to determine the genotoxicity in exposed children by means of the evaluation of a damage biomarker that allows to establish a biological meaning to predict the adverse effects in health.     

Environmental investigation for causality and remediation of cadmium contaminated soils in Tak Province, Thailand

Highly elevated cadmium concentrations in paddy soil in the Mae Sod District, Tak Province, Thailand, was detected and widely reported in 2003. This emergence provoked public interest and demands for responsibility and remedial actions. As zinc mines and concentrator were located in the upstream area, mining activities were proclaimed a contamination source. Department of Primary Industries and Mines （DPIM）, a governmental organization responsible for mining and mineral processing, was thus challenged to verify the reliability of post monitoring data displaying consistently low heavy metal concentrations in compliance with the standard limits for over 15 years. Detailed survey and deep-going research on the causes, boundary and severity of cadmium contamination as well as the environmental impact alleviation were consequently conducted. Environmental samples were accumulated systematically for 2 years throughout the areas of upstream and downstream mining sites. A total of 259 soil samples from 53 spots at the depths of 0-20, 20-40, 40-60 and 60-200 cm were drilled with hand auger. Samples of water, stream sediment and mine tailing were also collected. Chemical analysis for cadmium （Cd）, zinc （Zn） and lead （Pb） concentrations with AAS and ICP were undertaken. The contaminated area was finally defined to spread over approximately 18 square kilometer mainly of mountainous mineralizing land and colluvium.     

Geochemical contamination in the mine affected soil of Raniganj Coalfield——A river basin scale assessment

The study aimed to assess the heavy metals(K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Pb, Sr, Zr) contamination in the soil of mine affected Singaran river basin and to analyse spatial variation in the contamination level considering 32 soil samples. Elemental analysis of soil samples has been performed through Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis(EDX) to quantify the elemental concentration(mg kgà1). Heavy metal concentrations have been assessed through geo-accumulation index(Igeo) and enrichment factor(EF).Indices showed soils have moderate accumulation of most of the metals with moderate enrichment of Sr,Zr, Zn, Cu and Ni. Soil contamination level assessment has been carried out using indices like Contamination Factor(CF), degree of contamination(C_(deg)), modified degree of contamination(m C_(deg)) and Pollution Load Index(PLI). CF shows moderate to considerable contamination by Sr, Zr, Ca, Cu, Mn, Zn and Ni. Mean indices values(m C_(deg)and PLI for the entire basin are 3.38 and 2.23 respectively) show low to moderate level of soil contamination. These indices result have been mapped and analysed in GIS platform to get spatial variation of pollution level. Opencast mines dominate middle catchment area and so is comparatively contaminated. Sample sites 11, 18 and 25 evidenced high values of all indices of pollution load. From the ecological standpoint Ecological Risk Factor(Er) and Potential Ecological Risk Index(RI) have been estimated to assess regional threat to native soil environment and it shows low ecological risk potential. Analysis shows that mine dominated soil of the entire Singaran basin is less contaminated in all respect but tends to the moderate contamination level at the mid-catchment area,especially by Sr, Zr, Zn, Cu and Ni.     

Critical Loads of Heavy Metals in a Highly Polluted Catchment Area in Egypt

Heavy metals in different environmental compartments can be hazardous to ecosystems. Budgets of Cd, Pb and Zn in small ecosystems of the Shubra E1-Kheima area in Egypt are presented. The budgets are not in steady state because they change with time. So the concentrations of the metals are a function of time. The critical loads of heavy metals to soils can be calculated from an inventory of inputs and outputs of the trace components in the catchment area.Critical time is an important parameter for critical load evaluation because it can indicate which of the heavy metals may be the most acute threat to the soils. Egyptian soil in the Shubra ElKheima area seems to be in danger of heavy metal pollution by Zn, Cd and Pb. The calculated critical loads and their exceedances are approximate indicators of the hazards in the soil system.The critical time is a warning signal to initiate an environmental evaluation of possible pollution hazards.     

Environmental Geochemistry of Heavy Metal Contaminants in Soil and Stream Sediment in Panzhihua Mining and Smelting Area,Southwestern China

Mining and smelting activities are the main causes for the increasing pollution of heavy metals in soil, Water body and stream sediment. An environmental geochemical investiga-tion was carried out in and around the Panzhihua mining and smelting area to determine the ex-tent of chemical contamination in soil and sediment. The main objective of this study was to in-vestigate the environmental geochemistry of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Cu, Pb, Zn and As in soil andsediment and to assess the degree of pollution in the study area. The data of heavy metal con-centrations reveal that soils and sediments in the area have been slightly contaminated. Geo-chemical maps of Igeo of each heavy metal show that the contaminated sites are located in V-Ti-magnetite sloping and smelting, gangues dam. The pollution sources of the selected elementscome mainly from dusts resultant from mining activities and other three-waste-effluents. The areaneeds to be monitored regularly for trace metal, especially heavy metal enrichment.     

Heavy metal content in untreated forest soils in Southwest China

The rapid industrial development in China has caused a range of environmental problems. Along with emissions of ＂conventional＂ air pollutants, such as sulfur and nitrogen oxides, there are also increasing emissions of heavy metals to the atmosphere. Little information is available on metal contamination due to atmospheric deposition in forest soils in China. In order to get an overview of the extent of the problem, we conducted analyses of metal content in soil samples from three forested research catchments in Southwest China [Tieshanping （TSP） in Chongqing, Liuchongguan （LCG） and Leigongshan （LGS） in Guizhou]. Total concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sn and Zn were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry after microwave digestion. The Hg content was determined using a Direct Mercury Analyzer. The concentrations of most of the analyzed metals were below the National Grade A standard limits in China for most samples, except for Cd and Pb where the limits were slightly exceeded at some of the sampling sites. In general, there were small differences between the different sites, although Cd and Co show a tendency to be higher at the most remote site （Leigongshan）. This site receives the lowest deposition of conventional air pollutants among the sites and the higher metals concentrations are possibly related to higher content in the soil parent material. There is no apparent general gradient in metal concentrations with proximity to cities, major air pollution emission sources, nor with sulphur deposition loads.     

Advances on bioremediation of off-contaminated soil in cold region

Petroleum pollution in the soil is a common problem in the world. The pollution may not only cause resource waste, but also may result in environment destruction, biology subsistence crisis and human health damage gradually. Biological techniques can be used to remove and transfer petroleum contaminants in the soil. Bioremediation of petroleum-contaminated soil, which is cost-effective,safe and friendly to environment, is promising. Low temperatures and lack of available nutrients often limit the rate of microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in contaminated soils in cold region. Some scholars carried out bioremediation technology research on oily soil in cold area. Scientists attempted many measures to increase the temperature of the field. A multidisciplinary team of engineers, microbiologists and electricians has designed and installed a thermally （TIS） enhanced biopile in oil-contaminated soil in Prudhoe Bay, AK. Covered with a black plastic sheet, the pile can also improve temperature condition. Nutrient is another important factor affecting bioremediation. Because of the different constituents in the soil, the proportion of elements is different. To optimize nutrient amendments for the remediation of a long-term hydrocarbon-contaminated site at the Old Casey Station in Antarctica, results showed that the effects of nitrogen （and phosphorus） on microbial are evident. If the method of fertilizing inorganic nutrients is improper, salinity of the soil may be increased and the osmotic potential may be impacted. J.L.Walworth et al.