Purpose Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) are the standard for protecting organisms from chemical hazards. Species Sensitivity Distribution (SSD), a typical derivation method of the SQGs, has been widely used for organic pollutants, whereas there are few studies applied on metals. This study investigated the toxic effects of Cu, Cd, Zn, and Pb to Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri and Chironomus larvas, obtained

Purpose Soil erosion is one of the most significant environmental problems in the Ethiopian highlands. The study was conducted in the main Gumara-Maksegnit watershed and at the sub-catchment scale with and without soil and water conservation (SWC) measures to estimate event-based sediment yield and evaluate the effectiveness of level stone bunds on sediment reduction. Materials and methods The runoff

Purpose Potassium (K) in soil minerals is an important factor affecting rice production in red paddy soil of subtropical China under intensive agricultural production. The long-term application of green manure might affect the soil K availability through accumulative effects of microbial activity on K-bearing minerals. This study aims to investigate the effect of green manure applications (GMs) on

Purpose Soil net nitrogen (N) mineralization is a vital process that impacts the global N cycling and regulates the N availability for plant development. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the response of N mineralization to long-term organic versus inorganic fertilization and to quantify the relationships between N mineralization and soil microbial characteristics in the ferrosol (red soil)

Purpose Water availability influences soil ecosystem functioning by shaping soil microbial community composition and regulating metabolic rate. These moisture effects are mirrored in taxonomic and functional attributes of actively growing microorganisms. Methods Stable isotope probing (SIP) technique with 18O-H2O as the labeling substrate was used to capture the active microbiome in a saline soil under

Purpose Microplastics have been widely reported to contaminate aquatic environments, particularly impacting marine organisms, but little is known of microplastic contamination of the soil environment. This study compared the distribution of microplastics in forest, urban, and agricultural soils, investigating the reasons for differences in abundance associated with land use. Materials and methods We

Background, aim, and scope The release of trace elements (TE) associated with the development of human activities has accelerated since the nineteenth century, leading to the pollution of river systems. Despite a drastic reduction in industrial inputs in northern Europe, diffuse pollution originating from urban areas still prevents achieving the good status required by the European Water Framework

Purpose Wetland gaseous carbon (C) emissions have been widely used to evaluate temperature sensitivity of soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition (indicated by Q10). However, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) flux as an important pathway for soil solid-phase organic carbon losses has seldom been considered in such estimations, which may introduce bias in predictions of wetland soil C-climate feedback

Purpose Literature reported that soils characterized by heterogeneity would reveal the different direction of clay minerals transformation. Hence, in this study, four soils developed on menilite shales slope deposits were investigated to test if the clay minerals transformations in soils with varied calcium carbonate distribution would show multidirectional paths of clay mineral weathering, or if transformation

Purpose The response of forest soil organic carbon (SOC) to atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition is generally studied via understory N addition, whereas canopy processes are often ignored. This implies potential bias in the response to N addition. Experiments incorporating both understory and canopy N addition in forests can explore the consistency of N addition approaches. Materials and methods An

Purpose Establishing the spatial distribution of soil properties in agro-ecosystems is critical to increasing the productivity of intensive tillage soils and reducing environmental pressure. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of soil’s heavy metal distribution characteristics is important for optimal management. The goal of this study was to determine the most accurate soil Cd interpolation method

Purpose Soil erosion has received enormous attention from the scientific community and government across the world. This study aims to detect those important driving factors and their potential interactions on soil erosion. Findings would facilitate the rational development of soil and water conservation. Materials and methods Here, soil erosion was simulated using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation

Purpose The main aim of this work was to determine the efficiency and mechanism of iron (Fe)-modified calcite (FMCA) capping for preventing the release of phosphorus (P) from sediments. Methods The performance of phosphate removal by FMCAs with different iron loading amounts was investigated using batch experiments, the mechanism for the phosphate removal by FMCA was explored by X-ray photoelectron

Purpose Heavy metal/metalloid pollution in sewage-irrigated soils (SIS) is one of the major environmental issues in China. Mobility of heavy metals/metalloids in the contaminated soils and their potential threats to groundwater are needed to be understood. This study investigated impacts of organic matter, solution pH, and water level on forms and migration of heavy metals/metalloids (As, Cr, Cu, Pb

Purpose We studied the profitable phytoremediation method with commercial chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum indicum L.) in order to remediate the soils contaminated with heavy metals and generate economy income from the contaminated sites. Materials and methods A field experiment was carried out to remediate the contaminated soil through growing the commercial chrysanthemum plants in a farmland polluted

Purpose Soil erosion is a major threat to agricultural sustainability in the hills of Nepal. However, little is known about the soil erosion rates at a small catchment scale in this region. Materials and methods In this study, the soil redistribution rates in a typical small hilly catchment in the Ramechhap District of Nepal were evaluated using the 137Cs and 210Pbex tracer techniques. Nine representative

Purpose Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which was encoded by bacterial phoD genes, hydrolyzes organic phosphorus (P) into dissolved phosphorus in soils and is therefore vital for absorbing phosphorus (P) in vegetation. However, the unreasonable application of chemical fertilizer will inhibit this process of dissolving phosphorus. Until now, although the fact that straw is the optimal C source has been

Purpose Soil loss by rainfall is a serious problem in civil and environmental engineering. In this study, microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) was applied to reduce rainfall-induced soil loss. Furthermore, the effects of particle size and organic matter content were investigated. Materials and methods A mixture of Sporosarcina pasteurii, 450 mM urea, and 450 mM calcium ions was introduced

Purpose The pesticide DDT and its metabolites represent a contamination risk for the aquatic environment, especially the polar metabolite DDA. The study provides a quantitative assessment of long-term pollution risks from sedimentary DDT residues with a special focus on DDA. It presents an overview of the contamination range of different DDX compounds in the sediments of a canal in Berlin (Germany)

Purpose Successive mineral fertilization might have side effects on soil environmental quality, such as aggregate structure, contamination, and enzyme activity. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the influences of mineral fertilization on biotic and abiotic properties of forest soils, we investigated the effects of successive nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on physical structures,

Purpose This paper reports the development of a non-coupled algorithm and its application in a real case study. The main objective was to provide 2D/3D, long-term simulation of dam reservoir sedimentation by removing the part of calculations which did not significantly affect the results. The model was used to simulate sedimentation in the Zonouz dam reservoir, Iran, over a 30-year period. Method The

Purpose Subsurface soil acidity in conjunction with aluminium (Al3+) toxicity is a major limitation to agricultural production globally. The conventional use of surface-applied lime is often insufficient at correcting subsurface acidity; therefore, new practices and ameliorants are required. Methods This 3-month leaching experiment investigated whether animal wastes and other novel ameliorants in combination

Purpose Changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) stock have major impacts on global terrestrial carbon cycling. However, their responses to land use conversions are poorly characterized for karst areas with extremely fragile geology and intensive human disturbance. Methods To investigate the effects of soil type and land use on SOC stock in a typical karst region of southwestern China, 0–15 cm topsoil

Purpose Phosphorus (P) is the main factor limiting crop production in red soils. Examining the bacterial community harboring phoD gene under different long-term cropping systems may supply meaningful insights for improving soil P availability. Here, we analyzed how the cropping systems affect community structure of phoD-harboring bacteria by changing physicochemical properties in red soils. Materials

Purpose Different growth stages of vegetation are vital factors controlling soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration on the tableland of the Loess Plateau. To ascertain the SOC sequestration process and direction, we studied the changes in SOC fractions and the relationships with enzyme activities in different stages of restoration with different vegetation types. Materials and methods Soils from different

Purpose Heavy metal soil-pollution is of concern due to its adverse effects on the ecosystem and human health. However, conventional ecological risk assessments considering only chemical concentration have limitations because of an increased uncertainty in assessing soil-risk. Therefore, this study applied the Triad approach, using a tier system, for assessing site-specific ecological risk in heavy

Purpose The knowledge about the impact of BPA on soil health does not correspond to the great interest in its analogues. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine the potentially negative impact of BPA on the biochemical properties of soil. The study also evaluated the effectiveness of two biostimulants in eliminating potential homeostasis disorders caused by BPA. Materials and methods A pot experiment

Purpose To identify the sources and levels of contamination with anthropogenically derived heavy metals (HMs) for appropriate pollution control. We quantified anthropogenic influences with respect to HM pollution in soil, based on multiple pollution indices and cluster analysis derived from the results of an annual nationwide survey conducted in Korea. Methods Contamination levels of HMs in soils were

Purpose Sb is a metalloid that naturally occurs in traces in the Northern German Lowland Area, only. Its frequent and still growing demand for industrial purposes and its release during coal combustion and by vehicular emissions lead to an enrichment of Sb in topsoils. Numerous analyses on heavy metals have been conducted in the urban environment so far, but although Sb can be ecologically harmful

Purpose Urban greening is politically fostered as an adaptation strategy to climate change. Therefore, the demand for fertile planting substrates increases. Such substrates are usually mixed from mined geogenic resources but should rather be produced from recycled materials. Furthermore, their hydraulic properties should be designed according to their application, e.g., by optimizing the mixing ratio

Purpose Vast expanses of climatically sensitive ecosystems, such as tropical montane, remain unstudied in terms of factors controlling nitrogen (N) availability and in turn productivity. Temperature and elevation are two important, yet understudied, factors which decide the fate of N in montane ecosystems. Therefore, the present study aimed to quantify and understand changes in rates of N transformation

Purpose Nitrate (NO3−) leaching has been recognized as a worldwide problem, and NO3− is a major pollutant in ground and surface waters. The gradual leaching of residual NO3− into soil layers below the root zone is the main way of nitrogen (N) loss in cropping systems. The interception of NO3− by subsurface roots is crucial for crops or vegetables to utilize N. However, few studies were focused on the

Purpose Raindrop impact causes splash erosion, the initial form of water erosion, which splashes and disperses surface soil particles. To date, there have been several wide-ranging studies of the Loess Plateau; however, a single soil type was generally studied. This meant that the large differences in the characteristics of different soil types because of variation in topography and soil-forming conditions

Purpose Comparatively few field experiments have been conducted to monitor the long-term effects of Si fertilizer amendments on the mitigation of Cd and As accumulation in rice grains. Materials and methods A 4-year field trial (eight growing seasons) was established in paddy fields to investigate the effects of different Si fertilizers on the mitigation of Cd and As uptake in rice cultivars. Cultivars

Purpose This communication aims to foster the integration of biorefinery and soil management for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Methods The latest advances in biomass waste utilization and soil quality improvement are reviewed, based on which we identify the opportunity of bridging the two research areas and suggest strategic approaches for mutual benefits to waste management and soil

Purpose Biochar has the characteristics of loose porosity, high specific surface area, and strong adsorption properties. Recently, the compacted biochar amended clay has been proposed as a sustainable alternative material for the final cover of landfills. However, the effect of biochar on saturated hydraulic conductivity (ksat) is not yet conclusive. The objective of this study was to determine the

Purpose Being the most widespread soil in the Chengdu Plain in Sichuan Basin, China, paddy soil has a great importance in agriculture and ecology. Anthropogenic activities alter the concentrations and stoichiometric ratios (C:N, C:P, and N:P) of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) in paddy soil. This study aims to investigate whether the cycling of C, N, and P in paddy soil is influenced by

Purpose Rock phosphate (RP) and farm yard manure (FYM) can promote plant growth, but little is known about the effect of sugar juice residues (FMC) on Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb phyto-availability. This study investigated the effects of FYM and FMC added alone or each in combination with RP on wheat growth and Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb uptake. Methods Wheat was grown in a soil amended with 0.25, 0.5, or 0.75 g RP

Purpose Droughts and heat waves are expected to occur in combination more frequently under climate change; however, the interactive effect of these extreme events on soil microorganisms remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effects of drought, heat wave, and rehydration on bacterial diversity and community composition in Solanum lycopersicum grown soil. Materials and methods A growth

Purpose Nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) has been widely proposed to reduce nitrogen (N) loss and improve N availability in paddy soil. However, little knowledge exists regarding the optimum dose of DMPP required for inhibiting nitrification in different soil types. Materials and methods In undisturbed soil columns under greenhouse conditions, dynamics of ammonium (NH4+–N)

Purpose To reveal whether microaerophilic Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) participate in the Fe(II) oxidation at the oxic-anoxic interface in flooded paddy field soil, distribution of microaerophilic FeOB belonging to Gallionellaceae (Gallionella-related FeOB) in the surface layer of a flooded paddy soil microcosm and O2 conditions for the Fe(II) oxidation by a microaerophilic Fe(II) oxidizer, Ferrigenium

Purpose The residual phosphorus (P) in Hedley’s sequential fractionation procedure is considered to be a relatively stable soil P pool and unavailable for plant uptake. In the present study, we investigated the effect of wetting-drying events on the dynamics of the residual soil P fraction in a flooded rice and aerobic wheat rotation. Methods Soils were taken from a long-term field trial after flooded

Purpose Nitrate (NO3−) is the second preferred terminal electron acceptor after oxygen (O2), as it plays an essential role as the main electron acceptor for respiration under oxygen-depleted conditions. Dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) is an increasingly important process of microbial-driven nitrate reduction in wetland ecosystems, making it necessary to study the biogeographical

Purpose Micronutrient presence and concentration are strongly influenced by soil aggregate size. Seasonal freeze-thaw patterns are known to modify soil aggregate distributions, thereby contributing to the transformation and redistribution of available soil micronutrients. Few studies, however, have evaluated the response of aggregate-associated available micronutrients to freeze-thaw cycles (FTCs)

Purpose The assessment of soil quality related to different reclamation years and land use/cover types is the key parameter to evaluate the success of reclamation activities in coastal saline soil. Materials and methods Soil samples were collected from natural bare flat and coastal wetlands that have been reclaimed for different times (7, 32, 40, and 63 years) to investigate the change in soil quality

Purpose We compared the patterns of natural abundance of nitrogen (N) isotope ratio (δ15N) of total soil N among cropland, forest, and grassland soils, with special interests in the effects of farming system on cropland and grassland, and climate zone on forest soils, as well as the general effect of land-use change and site disturbance. Material and methods We analyzed data on δ15N of terrestrial

Purpose Intensive urbanization decreases the self-regulation of urban ecosystems, leading to accumulation of persistent pollutants such as trace metals and metalloids in urban environments. Road-deposited sediments (RDS) are important carriers of trace metals and metalloid contaminants that could contribute to urban runoff pollution. This study aims to investigate the concentration and speciation systemically

Purpose Biochar mediation of soil structure and carbon (C) sequestration has been tested, but the underlying mechanisms in this process are poorly understood. We investigated the effects of different organic matter applications on soil aggregation and associated C in Northeast China. Materials and methods Non-disrupted soil samples (0–20 cm in depth) were collected from the field improvement experiment

Purpose A 6-year (2011–2016) field experiment was performed to explore the effects of partial substitution of chemical fertilizer by green manure on rice yield, sustainability yield index, and the building-up of different fractions of soil organic carbon, soil nitrogen, and phosphorus. Materials and methods The experiment included no fertilization (NF), chemical fertilizer only (CF100), and Chinese

Purpose High water-level fluctuations (WLFs) usually lead to the periodic drying and rewetting of littoral sediment, proven to influence the transformation of various sediment contaminants. However, details regarding metal bioavailability variations remain unclear. In this study, oxidation–reduction status transition, metal fraction transformation, and the development of the acid volatile sulfide (AVS)

Purpose Texcoco saline lake in Mexico is an important habitat for over 300 species and recharges the Mexico City aquifer. Presently, it is on the verge of disappearance due to increasing anthropogenic pressure and comprises only a few wetland remnants. The impacts of human activities on these wetlands are unknown and uninvestigated. In this regard, this study investigates the degree of metal contamination

Purpose Different amendments have diverse adsorption capacity for heavy metals. The objectives of this study were to evaluate adsorption efficiency of different kinds of amendments for heavy metals and to provide theoretical guidance for alleviation of heavy metals. Materials and methods The indoor oscillating experiments were carried out to investigate the adsorption efficiency of five amendments

Purpose To understand the impact of geochemical sedimentation history for arsenic (As) distribution in the sediment profiles of the Hetao Basin, we (1) evaluated sediments provenance and variations of weathering intensities, (2) attempted to reconstruct the depositional environments, and (3) explored the As and Fe speciation in the sediments. Combining the information above, different sedimentation

Purpose Comparing to conventional laboratory methods, visible–near-infrared reflectance (vis–NIR) spectroscopy is a more practical and cost-effective approach for estimating soil physical and chemical properties. Materials and methods This paper aims to build statistical machine learning models to investigate the efficiency of spectral data for comprehensive evaluation of the soil quality indicators

Purpose Industrial organic waste (IOW) from slaughter and processing of poultry and swine might be potential crop fertilizer. The use of IOW is known to alter the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) and exchangeable cations. However, its effects on soil physical properties and processes are still unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the isolated and combined application of

Purpose Increasing organic matter input and phosphorus fertilization are employed extensively to restore degraded grasslands. Nevertheless, little is known about their effects on microbes, especially on active microbial populations. Therefore, this study is aimed at examining the short-term influences of litter and phosphorus addition on microbes in degraded grassland soils. Materials and methods A

Purpose There have been many studies about the effects of long-term fertilizations on crop yields and soil organic carbon. However, little attention has been paid to the response of soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC) to fertilization practices. The aims of this work were to investigate the variations of the content and the chemical composition of soil DOC under long-term different fertilizations and

Purpose The contribution of hydroxylamine (NH2OH) and nitrite (NO2−) to nitric oxide (NO) and nitrous oxide (N2O) production remains unclear in vegetable production soils. Materials and methods Soils collected from six typical greenhouse vegetable fields were incubated for 48 h following amendment with 1 mM NaNO2, 10 μM NH2OH, or 1 mM NaNO2 + 10 μM NH2OH. The importance of abiotic processes on the

Purpose Emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) have greatly impacted the global warming by altering the composition of the atmosphere. The effect of biochar on GHG mitigation has been mainly studied in amended mineral soils and agricultural soils. However, the interactive effects of waterlogging and biochar application on GHG emissions, in coastal wetlands, are still poorly understood, which is important