bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Profile of SGPT Levels in Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis Patients (MDR-TB)
Authors: Damayanti Meisika , Surati Surati
Published: September 2021

Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) has recently become a health threat in Indonesia. The clinical management of MDR TB is more complicated than that of ordinary TB. Hepatotoxicity or commonly known as Anti-Tuberculosis Drug-induced Hepatotoxicity (ATDH) is a serious effect of OAT that often occurs. The basic parameter for diagnosing or following up the presence of impaired liver function is the SGPT examination. The purpose of this study was to describe the level of SGPT in MDR-TB patients at the Kendal District Health Center. This study is an observational (non-experimental) study with descriptive research criteria with a cross sectional approach which was conducted on 7 MDR-TB patients at Kendal I Health Center, Kaliwungu Health Center, and South Kaliwungu Health Center with total sampling technique. The results of the study: obtained SGPT levels in 7 patients with MDR-TB there were 7 research respondents (100%) had normal SGPT levels with the lowest level of 2.17 U/L and the highest level of 37.75 U/L and the average level of SGPT ie 18.01 U/L. TB mostly attacks the age group of 56-65 years (57%). Males (57%) were the patients with the most TB cases. The most OAT consumption time was in the continuation phase (100%). Diabetes is a disease that often accompanies TB patients. The conclusion of this study is that from 7 research subjects, MDR-TB patients had SGPT levels that were in the normal range.
Measurement of soil aggregate stability using low intensity ultrasonic vibration
Authors: Mentler Axel , Mayer Herwig , E. H. Blum Winfried , Schomakers Jasmin , Degischer Nina
Published: September 2021

The objective of this study was to analyse the influence of tillage on soil aggregate stability using the ultrasonic dispersion method with different levels of energy. Experiments are performed with self-developed equipment at low vibration amplitudes of 0.5 μm, 2 μm and 5 μm. Ultrasonic power is 0.7 W, 8.9 W and 22.3 W for the three amplitudes. Samples of aggregates 2 000 - 250 μm of a degraded loamy silt Chernozem, a loamy clay Cambisol and a loamy sand Cambisol from eastern Austria were collected under different tillage regimes: conventional tillage (CT) with mechanical weed control and no tillage (NT) with inter cropping in winter. Measuring Soil Aggregate Stability (SAS) according to DIN norm showed that the stability decreased in the sequence loamy clay Cambisol > loamy sand Cambisol > loamy silt Chernozem. Influences of tillage could be observed with SAS for the last two samples mentioned. Ultrasonic dispersion tests at vibration amplitude 0.5 μm and 2 μm show higher stability of the Cambisol soils. Significant influences of soil tillage on aggregate stability for the loamy clay Cambisol and the degraded Chernozem were observed after short ultrasonic dispersion times and absorbed energies of 1 - 1.7 J ml-1. The measured aggregate stability decreased in the following order: Cambisol NT > Cambisol CT > Chernozem NT > Chernozem CT. Differences in loamy sand Cambisol could not be detected with the ultrasonic method due to a low aggregation level of the macro aggregates. This study highlights the importance of quantifying the energy output of the ultrasonic equipment when analysing changes in soil aggregate stability, for the evaluation of tillage treatments. A more comprehensive analysis of aggregate stability can be obtained when using both, the wet-sieving SAS method and ultrasonic dispersion at low energy levels.
Artificial chinampas soils of Mexico City: their properties and salinization hazards .
Authors: Krasilnikov Pavel , García Calderón Norma Eugenia , Ramos Bello Rosalía , Ortega Escobar Héctor Manuel
Published: September 2021

The chinampas agriculture is a traditional land use practice in the Valley of Mexico since Pre-Hispanic time. The chinampas soils were constructed by excavation of lake sediments that resulted in the creation of a system of islands separated by channels. The agricultural productivity of these artificial soils was high; also the land use practices included forestry, fish breeding and hunting. Nowadays, the chinampas soils are affected by excessive salinity. We studied 10 representative soil profiles in the chinampas zone of Mexico City in order to characterize their properties and origin, to provide their classification, and to evaluate soil salinization, vertical distribution of the salts and their chemical composition. The soils are characterized by a layered structure, uniform dark grey colour, irregular vertical distribution of organic carbon and clay, and high percentage of carbon. Some soils show an increase in organic matter with depth, and other profiles have maximum organic matter content in the surficial layers and in the subsoil. The dynamics of sedimentation resulted in the decrease in organic matter in the upper layers of lacustrine sediments, because of recent increase in erosion rate and consequent increase in the proportion of mineral particles in the sediments. Most probably high organic matter content in surficial layers of some soils is due to excavation and accumulation of organic-rich subsoil material in the course of digging the channels. The concentration of soluble salts in superficial horizons, expressed as electric conductivity, varies in a wide range from 5 to almost 50 dS·m-1. The salts concentrate mainly in the superficial layers of soils. The abundance of the cations of soluble salts is Na+>Mg2+>Ca2+>K+ and that of the anions is SO42->Cl->HCO3->CO32-. The alkaline reaction of soils is caused by exchangeable Na rather than by free sodium carbonates. The restoration of chinampas requires a complex approach, combining soil, water and ecosystems remediation.
Long-term effect of no-tillage on soil organic matter fractions in rainfed Aragon (NE Spain) .
Authors: Blanco-Moure Nuria , Bielsa Ana , Gracia Ricardo , López María Victoria
Published: September 2021

This paper assesses the long-term effect of no-tillage (NT) on soil organic carbon (OC) content and its distribution among different organic matter fractions in rainfed agrosystems of Aragón (NE Spain). Adjacent fields of NT, conventional tillage (CT) and natural soils (NAT) were compared in three different cereal production areas. In the soil surface, the higher OC content found in the NAT soils was due to the particulate organic matter. In the case of agricultural soils, in general, the fractions responsible for the OC increase under NT were the fine particulate organic matter and the mineral-associated organic matter occluded within stable microaggregates.
Soil property variability in a humid natural Mediterranean environment: La Rioja, Spain .
Authors: Navarro Pedreño José , Gómez Lucas Ignacio , Meléndez-Pastor Ignacio
Published: September 2021

Estimating the spatial variability of soil properties is significant for evaluating environmental impacts. For example, many soil properties are directly used in the modelling of environmental processes such as global climate change. These aspects have not previously been studied at this level in La Rioja (a region of Spain with a humid Mediterranean environment). The intention of this study was to provide quantitative information on soil assessment and mapping methods for natural soils in a humid Mediterranean environment. The properties considered included: pH and organic matter, calcium carbonate and clay contents. For testing, samples were selected from several different soil types which, in theory, were only affected by pedogenetic processes and had developed on different parent materials. More than half of the samples did not contain any CaCO3, while the rest of the samples presented a variety of CaCO3, forms, with high percentages being present in certain cases (up to 65% on the surface). It was possible to establish two different areas: one predominantly acidic and the other principally basic. The predominately basic samples were due to the high percentage of carbonate in the parent materials. The clay content on the surface was similar to that in the subsurface layers. Finally, the organic matter contents in the uppermost layers presented average values of 3.9%,with a range of from 0.3 to 17.5%. The major variations in soils were determined by soil type (therefore by soil forming processes), parent material composition, and vegetation type. This study reveals that these methods are useful to determine the spatial distribution of some soil properties in undisturbed soils. The contour maps of soil property variability could be used to improve future sampling designs and management decisions.
Effects of a Canary pine forest wildfire (Tenerife, Canary Islands, summer 2007) on selected soil properties and their relationship with short- to medium-term soil water repellency .
Authors: Hernández Alexis , Rodríguez Natalia , del Arco Marcelino , Arbelo Carmen Dolores , Notario del Pino Jesús , Rodríguez-Rodríguez Antonio
Published: September 2021

Forest fires modify the soil environment, often triggering severe soil degradation. In this paper, we studied the impact of a large northern Tenerife Canariy pine forest wildfire on a set of relevant soil properties, focusing on their evolution in time and relationship with soil water repellency. To do this, soils were sampled at four sites (burned and non-burned) and several soil physical and chemical parameters were measured. The results show significant variations for soil pH, electric conductivity (CE1:5), and NH4+-N between burned and non-burned samples, whereas non-significant increases were found in burned soils for oxidizable carbon (Cox), total nitrogen (Ntot) , Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+, and soil hydrophobicity. The differences caused by the fire were no longer evident one year later. Furthermore, in one sampling site (Vitric Leptosols under low pine forest with a mixed heath/beech tree understory) a wide variation in the content of Cox and Ntot and high water repellency was observed relative to the other sites. These differences can be attributed to the composition of the understory vegetation. Significant correlations between soil hydrophobicity with CE1:5, aggregate stability and the contents of Cox, Ntot, NH4+-N, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+ were found.
A micromorphological evaluation of pedogenesis on Isla Santa Cruz (Galápagos) .
Authors: Stoops Georges
Published: September 2021

Thin sections of about 200 horizons or layers, representing 60 soil profiles in the coastal area and on the windward slopes of Isla Santa Cruz (Galápagos Islands) were analysed. Based on the fabric and the composition of the groundmass and the presence of pedofeatures in individual layers or horizons, clusters of similar material are made and 7 units and 3 subunits distinguished. Plotting these units on a survey map gives a good insight in the spatial distribution of soil materials, expressing different combinations of parent material and precipitation. In the coastal area and the lowest slopes, with a summer dry climate, respectively reddish and greyish and brown materials with a porphyric c/f related distribution pattern and striated b-fabrics, and often with fragmented illuvial clay coatings are observed. The coarse material contains mainly holocrystalline basalt fragments, unweathered in the coastal area, or basalt derived individual minerals. The micromass has a halloysitic-smectitic composition. On the higher slopes, with a permanent moist climate, materials have also a porphyric or fine monic c/f related distribution pattern, but the b-fabric is undifferentiated and no illuvial features are present, gibbsitic features sometimes occur and the micromass consists mainly of halloysite and gibbsite. Subunits are distinguished here according to the microstructure, and the quantity and type of coarse material. Mesocrystalline basalt, often vesicular, dominates over holocrystalline, pointing to the influence of scoria. Soils on the higher slopes are more strongly weathered than those on the drier lower slopes and the coastal area. In depressions in the higher areas, materials with a yellowish or brownish grey micromass with a striated b-fabric, and well developed limpid illuvial clay coatings and impregnative iron oxide nodules occur. The micromass has a halloysite-smectite composition. Contrary to existing hypotheses the reddish soils in the coastal area are not considered as palaeosoils (roots of tropical soils), but as modern soils developed in colluvium on the lower slopes, which was deposited on totally eroded surfaces (marine terraces?). On the slopes the distribution of units is not only determined by hypsometric zones, as suggested in literature, but is rather clustered according to types of parent material. The soils on Santa Cruz are supposed to be formed after the last interglacial period, different from the red soils of San Cristóbal which are older.
History of pedogenesis and geomorphic processes in the Valley of Teotihuacán, Mexico: Micromorphological evidences from a soil catena .
Authors: González-Arqueros M. Lourdes , Gama Castro Jorge E. , Sedov Sergey , Vázquez-Selem Lorenzo
Published: September 2021

The paper provides new evidence on the pedogeomorphic history of the Valley of Teotihuacán, Mexico. The soil landscape here consists of Luvisol and "black soil", the micromorphology of which allowed us to (a) distinguish between in situ and inherited processes and (b) establish spatial relationships of erosion and sedimentation along a toposequence of three soil profiles. Soil profiles sites were selected by photointerpretation followed by verification on a toposequence from middle mountain slope to colluvial piedmont. Samples of these profiles were characterized by physical and chemical analyses, including micromorphological observation under a petrographic microscope. The results are summarized as geomorphic observations, description and analysis of soil profiles along a catena, and micromorphological features. The final data set permits recognition and interpretation of both present-day pedofeatures and inherited pedofeatures due to past hillslope processes. In the “black soil”, the key processes include development of vertic features, humification and CaCO3 accumulation; while micromorphology revealed fragments of illuvial clay along with disorthic ferruginous nodules. In the Luvisol, clay illuviation dominates and is associated with redoximorphic features. Strongly weathered pumice fragments and less weathered mineral and rock fragments were observed in the vertic horizons. Because the pedofeatures of the “black soil” strongly differ from those of the Luvisol, we can readily identify the cases where Luvisol materials were inherited by the “black soil”. Thus, the micromorphological observations allow us to propose that the “black soil” was likely to incorporate Luvisol materials that were earlier colluviated. The presumed erosional phase may correspond with climatic aridization.
Dark humic alluvial paleosols in Central and Southern Mexico: Micromorphological indicators of Late Pleistocene megafauna habitats .
Authors: Tovar Rosa E. , Solís Berenice , Sedov Sergey , Solleiro Elizabeth
Published: September 2021

During the Late Pleistocene, Mexico had a richer fauna than today with many different forms of megafauna that are now extinct. However, the ecosystems they inhabited and the particular ecological niches that they occupied are still poorly understood. Most of the findings of Pleistocene megafauna have been in alluvial deposits that present rich opportunities for paleoecological studies using paleopedological records. Floodplain paleosols commonly are poorly developed. However, micromorphological analysis provides information about the grade of development of the soil at a microscale, discriminating between genetic and sedimentary processes; thus helping in the identification of the environmental setting in which they formed. We analyzed the micromorphology of six pedogenetic units in the sequences of Santa Cruz Nuevo and Axamilpa, in the south of Puebla, and Huexoyucan, in the state of Tlaxcala. These pedosequences correspond to the second half of marine isotopic stage 3 (MIS3), MIS2 and the early Holocene. All studied units are characterized by strong pigmentation with dark humus. The micromorphological analysis of MIS3 paleosols reveals aquatic conditions with evidence of freshwater biota and microlamination as well as pedogenetic features of hydrogenic carbonate precipitation and redoximorphic processes. The dark paleosols of MIS2 and the early Holocene demonstrate signs of stronger coprogenic aggregation, weathering and fewer gleyic features. Comparison with modern soils shows that the latter were formed under better-drained, aerated conditions that exclude redoximorphic processes. We conclude that the dark colored Pleistocene paleosol units are indicative of different paleo-landscapes: wetlands in the MIS3 and moist meadows in MIS2 – early Holocene. The swampy ecosystems could play an important role as a megafauna habitat.
Determination of dissolved organic carbon in soils with UV spectroscopy, ultrasonic dispersion pre-treatment and separation with size exclusion chromatography .
Authors: Jasmin Schomakers , Axel Mentler , Mayer Herwig
Published: September 2021

This study aimed to reveal differences in UV (ultraviolet) -absorbing dissolved organic carbon (DOC) between three prominent Austrian soil types: a Cambisol and a Chernozem developed from Tertiary marl, both under agricultural management, and a Podzol from a mixed coniferous beech forest stand. Topsoil samples (0–300 mm) were pre-treated, air-dried, sieved and four grams of each probe was added to 80 cm3 of de-ionized water and subjected to ultrasonic treatment with specific energies of 6.7 J cm-3 and 161 J cm-3, respectively, which dispersed the macroaggregates and released formerly occluded soluble carbon. The soils were investigated for morphological differences with a scanning electron microscope after sonication. The suspensions were filtered < 0.45 µm and UV-spectroscopy at 254 nm was performed after the dispersion pre-treatment. In addition the suspension was separated by high performance size exclusion chromatography linked to an UV-vis detector measuring at 254 nm and 210 nm and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was determined. More DOC was released with higher specific energies for all soil types in the sequence Podzol > Cambisol > Chernozem but the differences in SOM/DOC ratio became less significant with increasing ultrasonic energy. The detected molecules were in the range of 1300-1600 Da for Cambisol, 1500-5400 Da for Chernozem and 1700-10400 Da for Podzol. The different energy levels reached different carbon pools. Based on a model according to von Lützow et al. (2008), the applied energy levels of 6.7 J cm-3 reached the active carbon pool consisting of plant residues and exudates, and microbial/faunal biomass and residues. Sonication with 161 J cm-3 dispersed more aggregate fractions and released carbon from the intermediate carbon pool where biogenic aggregation preserves the organic matter pool.
Organic matter mineralisation in contrasting agricultural soils amended with sewage sludge .
Authors: Navarro Pedreño Jose , Gómez Lucas Ignacio , Soriano Disla Jose Martín
Published: September 2021

The mineralisation of organic matter (OM) when sewage sludge was used as amendment in 70 contrasting agricultural soils from Spain was analysed. Soils received a single dose of sewage sludge (equivalent to 50t dry weight ha-1) and the O2 consumption was continuously monitored for 30 days using a multiple sensor respirometer in a laboratory experiment. The cumulative O2 consumption and rates after 8 and 30 days of incubation (O2 cum 8d, 30d and O2 rate 8d, 30d), the respiratory quotient (RQ), the maximum O2 rates over the incubation period (O2 max) and time from the beginning of the incubation when O2 max occurred (Tmax), were determined in both amended and non-amended soils. Sewage sludge application resulted in increased values for O2 max, O2 rate 8d, and O2 cum 30d. Differences were minor for Tmax, RQ 8d and O2 rate 30d. A considerable amount of the initial OM applied was mineralised during the first 8 days. Organic matter decomposition (as expressed by O2 cum 30d) was favoured in soils with high values of pH, carbonates, soil organic carbon and low values of amorphous Mn. Soils with these characteristics may potentially lose soil C after sewage sludge application.
Magnetic susceptibility and trace element distribution in compost size fractions .
Authors: Paradelo Remigio , Barral María Teresa
Published: September 2021

Magnetic susceptibility can be used for assessing anthropogenic pollution in solid matrices, including soils and composts. This work studies the distribution of trace elements and magnetic susceptibility in the different size fractions of six composts, for the development of measures aimed at reducing compost pollution at the production stage. The results showed that magnetic susceptibility decreased with increasing particle size in all composts, and the same was true for most trace element concentrations. Magnetic susceptibility was significantly correlated with Fe, as well as with Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr and Ni, which proves the relationship between the presence of ferric particles and trace element contamination in compost. Our results suggest that the association of trace elements and magnetic susceptibility is a characteristic feature in municipal solid waste composts.
Resilience of humification process to evaluate soil recovery in a semiarid agroecosystem of central Argentina .
Authors: Matias Romero Carlos , Abril Adriana , Noe Laura , Ariel Rampoldi Edgar
Published: September 2021

Resilience has become a key concept in agricultural management for sustaining soil quality and preventing soil degradation. Land use is a factor that affects soil organic matter (SOM) concentration, distribution and dynamics. In consequence, several recovery practices have been proposed in order to maintain or enhance SOM contents in agroecosystems, such as zero soil disruption (no-till), farm enclosures and crop rotation. We evaluated the efficiency of recovery practices (after a 5-yr period) in reversing SOM losses in a Typic Haplustoll of the central semiarid region of Argentina. A comparative assessment of the resilience of SOM synthesis (humification process) was performed between the recently adopted restorative management and traditional systems (45 years of plow-tillage) using a native woodland as a baseline. In soil samples (0-20 cm), total SOM, its fractions (non-humic substances, humic substances, humic acids, and fulvic acids), and structure (humification index and polymerization index) were analyzed. Degradation rates, recovery rates and soil resilience classes were calculated. Results showed that in our semiarid environment, plowing has significantly affected the resilience of the humification parameters by high degradation rates, whereas the adoption of recovery practices did not reverse ongoing degradative processes. All the analyzed land uses were included in the same resilience class, suggesting that soils have established a new equilibrium (at low values) with high resistance in front of short-term changes. However, a small tendency of minor degradation rates in the farm enclosure site may indicate the beginning of recovery processes.
Mesotrione dissipation and response of soil microbial communities in a soil amended with organic residues
Authors: Pose Juan Eva , Igual José Mariano , Curto Noemí , Sánchez-Martín María Jesús , Rodríguez-Cruz María Sonia
Published: September 2021

The application of different organic residues as a soil amendment is an agricultural practice used to improve soil fertility by increasing the soil organic matter (OM). However, the OM from these residues can influence the behavior of pesticides applied jointly to the soil. Modification of the pesticide bioavailability in soils is of special interest since it can affect the activity and/or functioning of soil microbial community. Accordingly, the dissipation kinetics of mesotrione in unamended soil (S) and soils amended with sewage sludge (S+SS), green compost (S+C) and commercial pellets (S+P) and its possible effects on the soil microbial communities were studied. Soil biological parameters were determined as indicators of the soil microbial activity, functioning and structure: microbial biomass, dehydrogenase activity, respiration, and analysis of the phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profile extracted from the soil. Dissipation was more rapid in unamended soil than in amended soils and half-life (DT50) values followed the order S+SS > S+C ≥ S+P > S. The biomass values increased in the amended soils with the exception of the P-amended soil. However, mesotrione had different effects on this parameter depending on the soil treatment. In general, dehydrogenase activity was stimulated by the addition of the amendment and herbicide to soil. Initially, respiration was higher in the unamended soil (control and treated soils) than the amended soils and mesotrione did not have any effect on this parameter. PLFAs analysis indicated that the overall structure of active microbial communities as well as the relative abundance of certain groups of microorganisms clearly changed according to the type of amendment and the incubation time, but remained unaffected by the application of mesotrione.
Soil organic carbon in northern Spain (Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and País Vasco)
Authors: Luis Calvo Elías , Casás Sabarís Francisco , Galiñanes Costa Juan Manuel , Matilla Mosquera Natividad , Macías Vázquez Felipe , Camps Arbestain Marta , Vázquez García Noemí
Published: September 2021

The soil organic carbon content was analyzed in more than 7 000 soil samples under different land uses, climates and lithologies from northern Spain (Galicia, Asturias, Cantábria y País Vasco). GIS maps (1:50 000) were made of the % SOC and SOC stocks. The % SOC varies according to land use (higher in forest and scrub soils and lower in agricultural soils) and climate, and there is a highly significant correlation between SOC content and mean annual precipitation. There are significant differences between the soils of Galicia/Western Asturias (GAw) and those of the rest of the study area (Central and Eastern Asturias, Cantabria and País Vasco) (AceCV), although these are neighbouring regions. In forest and/or scrub soils with a udic soil moisture regime, in GAw, the SOC is usually > 7% and the average stocks 260 t ha -1 (0-30 cm), and >340 t ha-1 (0-50 cm) in soils with thick organic matter rich horizons (> 40 cm); these values greatly exceed the average contents observed in forest soils from temperate zones. Under similar conditions of vegetation and climate in soils of AceCV the SOC average is 3% and the mean stocks 90-100 t ha-1 (0-30 cm). The andic character of acid forest soils in GAw and the formation of C-Al,Fe complexes are pointed out as the SOC stabilization mechanism, in contrast to the neutral and calcareous soils that predominate in AceCV, where the main species of OC are easily biodegradable.
Copper content and distribution in vineyard soils from Betanzos (A Coruña, Spain)
Authors: Gómez-Armesto Antía , Carballeira-Díaz Jéssica , Pérez-Rodríguez Paula , Fernández-Calviño David , Arias-Estévez Manuel , Novoa Muñoz Juan Carlos , Álvarez-Rodríguez Esperanza , Fernández-Sanjurjo María José , Núñez-Delgado Avelino
Published: September 2021

The sustained use of cupric compounds in grape production has contributed to a pronounced Cu accumulation in vineyard soils. We studied 32 surface (0-20 cm) vineyard soil samples from the Atlantic-influenced NW Iberian Peninsula, in order to assess the Cu levels in these soils. The total Cu (CuT) contents were high and variable (between 63-730 mg kg-1), similar to those previously found in the Ribeira Sacra and O Ribeiro denominations of origin, which were until now the areas with the highest CuT concentrations detected in vineyard soils of the NW Iberian Peninsula. Most Cu in the solid phase of the soil was bound to organic matter (18-373 mg kg-1), contrary to what happens in natural soils or with elements from natural sources, such as Zn, for which the residual fraction is quantitatively the most important. The exchangeable Cu fraction was the fraction that showed the highest geochemical mobility and its variance in the studied soils was mainly related to CuT and, secondly, to exchangeable Ca levels. The results of fractionation were clearly different from those of Zn, an element with a mainly natural origin, which was characterized by a dominant residual fraction. Finally, agricultural practices aimed at maintaining or increasing the amount of organic matter in vineyard soils should be encouraged, due to its role in decreasing the eventual toxic effects of high Cu levels both on plants and on soil microorganisms.
Remediation of a copper mine soil with organic amendments: compost and biochar versus Technosol and biochar
Authors: Rodríguez-Vila Alfonso , Asensio Verónica , Forján Rubén , F. Covelo Emma
Published: September 2021

The contamination produced by metal mining activities is a major environmental problem; for this reason, sustainable management strategies are required for remediating mine soils. The present study focused on the effect of applying organic amendments combined with vegetation in a settling pond soil of a depleted copper mine of Touro (Spain). Two different amendments were applied in different soil/substrate ratios: (1) a mixture made of Technosol and biochar and (2) a mixture of compost and biochar. A 3-month greenhouse experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of both amendments and mustard plants on the chemical characteristics of the mine soil and the metal uptake by plants. The results showed that the addition of both amendments and planting mustards significantly increased soil pH as well as C and N soil concentrations. The treatments also reduced the CaCl2-extractable metal concentrations in the soil. However, the amendments increased the pseudototal concentration of Zn in the mixtures, since Zn was present in the Technosol and the compost used. Mustard plants extracted Ni from the soil amended with compost and biochar, and Zn from the soil amended with Technosol and biochar. These results suggest Brassica juncea L. is a potential candidate to revegetate mine soil for their tolerance to Ni and Zn.
Use of elemental sulphur as an acidifying soil amendment for Brassica napus cultivation
Authors: López-Mosquera Mª Elvira , López-Fabal Adolfo , Illera Vives Marta , Seoane Labandeira Socorro
Published: September 2021

Elemental sulphur is applied to alkaline soils as an acidifying material in order to improve nutrient availability and soil productivity. The oil industry extracts crude oils with ever higher concentrations of sulphur (S) that should not be released to the atmosphere and can be recovered by desulphurisation processes. The elemental S thus obtained has diverse applications, such as the manufacture of sulphuric acid, retreaded tyres, fungicides and acidifying agents. When used as a soil acidifying agent, S undergoes an oxidation process that depends on several soil-related factors: temperature, aeration, texture and organic matter content. The most important parameter appears to be the particle size of the S form applied to the soil.  This study investigated the acidifying effects of two forms of elemental S, derived from an oil refinery, on an alkaline soil planted with oilseed rape. A trial was established in 300 L containers maintained outdoors in a site that received more than 1000 mm of precipitation during the study period, between October and the end of April. The treatments consisted of powdered  (<0.5 mm) S at a dose of 1.5 t ha-1, and sieved  (0.5-2 mm) S at doses of 3 and 5 t ha-1. Control soils were not treated with sulphur. The effects of the different treatments were studied by analysing leachates collected after every episode of rain during the crop cycle, foliar analysis of the crop produced, quantification of seed production and oil yield, and, finally, analysis of aqueous extracts of the soil obtained after harvesting the crop. The results obtained show that under the study conditions, sieved S (0.5-2 mm) was at least as effective as powdered S as a treatment for acidifying the alkaline calcareous soil used in the study. The sieved form offers two advantages relative to the powdered form: it requires less grinding and its storage and distribution in the field are simpler because the material does not disperse in the air (as the particles are larger) and is not explosive.
Heavy metals in pastureland soils situated in A Pastoriza (NW Spain) treated with cattle slurry and NPK fertilizers
Authors: Seco-Reigosa Natalia , Fernández-Sanjurjo María J. , Núñez-Delgado Avelino , Cutillas-Barreiro Laura , Gómez-Armesto Antía , Nóvoa-Muñoz Juan Carlos , Arias-Estévez Manuel , Álvarez-Rodríguez Esperanza
Published: September 2021

In Galicia (NW Spain), pasturelands cover a broad extension and are mainly used to feed cattle. Farms are managed in an intensive manner, using cattle slurry and inorganic fertilizers to increase pasture production, but also increasing risks of heavy metal pollution. In this work we studied the influence of fertilization practices on total concentrations and in-depth distribution of heavy metals and related elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in two forest soils (SN1, SN2) and five pastureland soils (P1-P5) fertilized with cattle slurry and NPK, in a broadly exploded farmland area (A Pastoriza, Lugo). Soils SN2 and P4 were developed over slate, whereas soils SN1, P1, P2, P3 and P5 evolved on Candana quartzite. Forest soils presented acid pH (4.58-4.68), high Al saturation (75-90%), and low available P concentration (4.78-11.96 mg kg-1), whereas those parameters exhibited better scores in the pastureland soils, due to previous amendment and fertilization practices, thus giving pH 5.17-7.02, Al saturation 0.58-59.24%, and available P 5.24-42.07 mg kg-1. Regarding heavy metals, soil depth did not affect significantly to total concentrations, contrary to that happening with parent material, with higher As, Cu, Fe, and Ni concentrations found in soils over slate (possibly due to the presence of pyritic materials). In most cases, heavy metal total concentrations were lower than that considered as reference background levels for soils developed over each of the parent materials, and were always lower than that considered phyto-toxic. In this study, natural soils usually presented heavy metal total contents similar or even higher than that of the fertilized soils (unless Zn in the P4 pastureland), thus indicating that the spread doses of fertilizers did not influence significantly their concentration levels.
A microcosm study of permeable reactive barriers filled with granite powder and compost for the treatment of water contaminated with Cr (VI)
Authors: Cancelo-González Javier , Prieto Diego Martiñá , Paradelo Remigio , Barral María Teresa
Published: September 2021

The permeable reactive barrier (PRB) is a technology developed for the removal of contaminants in groundwater. It consists of a screen perpendicular to the flow of contaminated groundwater filled with a material capable of adsorbing, precipitating or degrading pollutants. Several materials have been tested for their use as reactive substrates for the construction of PRBs. Waste materials are of particular interest for this purpose due to the possibility of their reuse and their generally lower cost. With this aim, the Cr (VI) retention capacity of filler material consisting either of pine bark compost (PB) or a 50% mixture of compost and granite powder (PB50) was evaluated using an experimental device specifically designed for this study, which reproduces a permeable reactive barrier at the laboratory scale. Percolation experiments were carried out with a solution of 100 mg L-1 Cr (VI) in 0.01M KNO3, followed by a leaching step with the saline background. The results show that compost is a highly efficient filler for permeable reactive barriers with almost 100% retention of Cr, whereas the retention efficiency of the mixture of PB50 oscillated between 18 and 46% during the experiment. The Cr retained by the filling material is strongly fixed, since no desorption was detected by leaching with the saline background, and concentrations in the standard Toxic Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) extracts were lower than 1 mg L-1. This behaviour minimizes the risk of release of the Cr retained by the material of the barrier in the event of it being traversed by water not contaminated with Cr. Modelling with Visual Minteq indicates that in the experiments with PB, the reduction of Cr (VI) to Cr (III) occurs and that Cr (III) is associated with dissolved organic matter, which is a form of lower toxicity than the initial Cr (VI) species. In turn, in the experiments with PB50, Cr (III) and Cr (VI) coexist and the oxidised form is not associated with dissolved organic matter, which suggests greater toxicity. The results indicate that pine bark compost is a potential candidate for use as filler material permeable reactive barriers.
Digital tools in soil science related field studies: Training support and lifelong learning
Authors: Bosch Serra Ángela D. , Estudillos Germán , Yagüe María Rosa , Virgili Josep M.
Published: September 2021

The acquisition of professional skills can be helped by using digital tools (DT). The adaptation of the Spanish curricula to the European Higher Education zone has brought with it further demands to improve students’ foreign language performance. Any tool requires to be evaluated by potential users. We aimed to assess the usefulness for learning of two multilingual DTs, dealing with water quality for irrigation and fertigation planning through a case-study approach. Our hypothesis was that the tools will be useful for students, and also for professionals as Decision Support Systems (DSS). During three academic years, the DTs were evaluated in the context of regular university subjects, and in lifelong learning courses for professionals. A questionnaire with a Likert scale was completed by the DT users. The technical-scientific content, the pedagogical content, and the friendliness for users were evaluated. Data analysis was done by analysis of variance and according to the classes of user: gender, age, previous studies and current activities. Saving time in routine calculations using DTs brought benefits in lighter workloads for students, which was balanced with an increase in discussions. It also led to a sustained interest, even when the use of a foreign language was introduced. Time saving and the teaching content were also appreciated by professionals. The general average score given to the materials was 4.15 out of 5.The multilingual DTs designed for solving real-life problems were appreciated by students to support learning in agronomic engineering subjects and in foreign languages. The DTs can be disseminated to professionals, as they appreciate the up-to-date technical-scientific content as well as the effectiveness of the calculations.
Biomass assessment in annelids: A photogrammetric method suitable for hatchlings and adults developed for Eisenia andrei
Authors: Ortega Hidalgo Maria Mercedes , Iparraguirre Bolaños Esther , Brea San-Nicolás Carlos
Published: September 2021

A simple photogrammetric, non-destructive method for measuring individual biomass in tubular soft-bodied organisms has been developed using Eisenia andrei. Photographic procedures can be easily performed with low cost digital cameras and the number of pictures to be processed can be reduced to two per animal (Variation Coefficient ≤ 3.5%) even at sizes ~10 mg live weight. Image analysis was undertaken using CobCal 2.0© software. No bias was induced by body position. Accuracy in terms of the regression coefficient of the equation (y=a*xb) relating portrayed area (mm2) to live weight (mg) was 98%. Two different procedures were designed for laboratory and field uses. No differences between methods appeared at sizes over eight mg live weight, resulting in a common function relating image area to live weight results (PS = 3.27*LW0.681). Below 8 mg, the weight exponent remained unchanged but the value for the elevation rose to 4.21 indicating an increase of surface exposure to the camera lens in newly-hatched worms: the visible part of the geometric area (cylinder shape) enlarged from 34% to 43.52%.  As a conclusion this non-invasive procedure proved suitable for worms ranging from sizes of 0.2 to 3 000 mg live weight to determine biometric parameters such as length, volume, surface or body weight, which are key factors for interpreting physiological responses to underlying growth patterns.
Availability and fractionation of Cu, Pb and Zn in an acid soil from Galicia (NW Spain) amended with municipal solid waste compost
Authors: Paradelo Remigio , Barral María Teresa
Published: September 2021

The potential availability and chemical fractionation of trace elements in soil after compost addition was studied in a laboratory incubation. An acid agricultural soil, developed on biotitic schists, was amended with two rates of a municipal solid waste compost (3% and 6% weight) or lime (2.5 g CaCO3 kg-1, calculated to raise soil pH to values close to those of the compost-amended soil), and incubated in the laboratory for five months. Compost addition increased the availability of Cu, Pb and Zn (measured in DTPA extract) with respect to the control, whereas lime reduced it. Compost amendment increased soil total Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations, and their chemical distribution, assessed by means of the BCR (Bureau Communautaire de Reference) fractionation scheme, was different for each element. Compost addition increased Pb in the reducible (iron oxide-bound) fraction, Cu in the organic and iron oxide fractions, and Zn in the soluble and reducible fractions. Lime did not change the fractionation or total concentrations of the metals analysed. The most problematic element in the compost-amended soil from an environmental point of view is Zn, because it was found in highly mobile forms, while for Cu and Pb this risk is low.
Effect of waste mixed with biochar as soil amendment on trace element solubility in a mine soil
Authors: Rodríguez-Vila Alfonso , Forján Rubén , Guedes Rafael S. , Covelo Emma F.
Published: September 2021

Abandoned mining sites often cause contamination of surface and subsurface waters. A 3-month pot experiment was performed to evaluate the influence of waste mixed with biochar as a soil amendment on a series of chemical characteristics and trace element solubility in a mine soil. Trace element concentrations were measured in pore water of the mine soil reclaimed with different proportions of waste-biochar amendment (20, 40, 80 and 100%) and grown with Brassica juncea. The results showed that amendment application improved soil conditions such as pH, total carbon, dissolved organic carbon, total nitrogen, and strongly reduced the concentration of Al (99.99%), Co (99.95%), Cu (99.97%), Fe (99.79%) and Ni (99.91%) in pore water, compared to the unamended soils. Waste and biochar also promoted the establishment of B. juncea in the mine soil. These results highlight the importance of mitigating the impacts from abandoned mines sites on water quality. The use of waste and biochar as soil amendment combined with B. juncea plants was effective in reducing metal concentrations in pore water and the associated toxicity risk.
Estimation of soil aggregate stability indices using artificial neural network ‎and multiple linear regression models
Authors: Marashi Maryam , Mohammadi Torkashvand Ali , Ahmadi Abbas , Esfandyari Mehrdad
Published: September 2021

During recent decades, an artificial intelligence system has been used for developing the pedotransfer functions (PTFs) for estimation of soil properties. In the present study, the capabilities of multiple linear regression (MLR) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) in developing PTFs for estimating mean weight diameter (MWD) from routine soil properties (P1) and combination of routine soil properties and fractal dimension of aggregates (P2) were evaluated. The results showed that the ANN model for estimating MWD is more accurate than the MLR model. Application of fractal dimension of aggregates as a predictor in both methods improved the accuracy of PTFs.
Transfer of natural radionuclides from soil to plants in Savar Dhaka
Authors: Haque M. , Ferdous J.
Published: September 2021

The radioactivity of environmental samples from nuclear reactor sites must be analyzed before the public is given free access to the plants grown in these soils. Plant and corresponding soil samples were collected from a sample site around the Savar research reactor near Dhaka (Bangladesh) and the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides 226Ra (238U-chain), 228Ra (232Th-chain) and non-chained 40K were measured using gamma ray spectrometry. Soils of Savar contained more radioactive 40K than 226Ra and 228Ra. The influence of certain soil properties on the activity concentrations and transfer factors (TF) of natural radionuclides were investigated by correlating the observed data with those of soil properties. The activity concentrations of 40K were much higher than those of 226Ra and 228Ra in plants due to higher uptake from soils. The transfer factors for 226Ra, 228Ra and 40K were found to range from 0.04 to 0.10, 0.12 to 0.32, and 0.24 to 0.72, respectively. The soil to plant transfer factors for 40K was found to be much higher in plants, which might be due to this element being vital in plants. This study showed that activity concentrations of these radionuclides in plants and their plant transfer factors seem to depend on the activity concentrations of the same radionuclides in soil.

 
Efficient use of water and nutrients in irrigated cropping systems in the Alqueva region
Authors: Tomaz Alexandra , Patanita Manuel , Guerreiro Isabel , Dôres José , Boteta Luis , Ferro Palma José
Published: September 2021

In the region of Alentejo, Southern Portugal, as a consequence of the implementation of the Alqueva global irrigation system, agriculture intensification is challenging the sustainability of the farming systems. The demand for water and for fertilizers is increasing but so is the demand for water use efficiency (WUE) and for nutrient use efficiency (NUE). Increasing resource-use efficiency while reducing yield gaps can be addressed by suitable agricultural management practices, as in the case of crop rotations. Based on a demonstration project carried out in two farms located in Baixo Alentejo, within the Alqueva irrigation network, soil fertility parameters, WUE and NUE (for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) were studied in three maize-based cropping systems: a maize monoculture (M-M) and two rotations, barley+maize-barley (BM-B) and sunflower-barley+maize (S-BM). The total soil organic matter content increased in the two rotations, an important observation especially in soils with low organic content. The final balance of extractable phosphorus and potassium was positive in the BM-B rotation. Water use efficiency values point to a less balanced performance of the S-BM rotation. The WUE and the nitrogen NUE in the different crops and rotations followed a similar pattern. The M-M and BM-B crop successions showed the best indicators of NUE for nitrogen and phosphorus. In all the cropping systems, the potassium NUE was low, suggesting the need to carefully equate the additions of this nutrient by fertilization.