Major Ion Chemistry of Soil Solution of Mountainous Soils,Alvand, Hamedan,Western Iran

Soil solution chemistry reflects the most dynamic processes occurring in soils and is responsible for their current status. This study was undertaken to determine the soil solution status in 25 mountainous soils. The major cations in the studied soil solutions are in the decreasing order of Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > Na⁺ > K⁺. The anions are also arranged in decreasing order as HCO^? ₃ > Cl^? > NO^? ₃ > SO ^2? ₄ . Concentrations of NO^? ₃ , P, and K⁺ in soil solutions were in the range of 12–364 mg l^?1, 1.75–34.8 mg l^?1, and 0.78– 198 mg l^?1, respectively. Results suggest that the concentration of P in the soil solutions could be primarily controlled by of the solubility of octacalcium phosphate and ß-tricalcium phosphate. In general, the greater the dissolved P concentration in the soil solution, the closer the solution was to equilibrium with respect to the more soluble Ca²⁺ phosphate minerals. Surface soil accumulations of P, NO^? ₃ , and K⁺ have occurred in these soils to such an extent that loss of these nutrients in surface runoff and the high risk for nutrient transfer into groundwater in concentrations exceeding the groundwater quality standard has become a priority management concern.     

Desodification from calcareous saline sodic soil through phytoremediation with Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. and gypsum

The reclamation of saline sodic soils requires sodium removal and the phytoremediation is one of the proven low-cost, low-risk technologies for reclaiming such soils. However, the role of Phragmites australis in reclaiming saline sodic soils has not been evaluated extensively. The comparative reclaiming role of P. australis and gypsum was evaluated in a column experiment on a sandy clay saline sodic soil with EC_e 74.7 dS m^?1, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) 63.2, Na⁺ 361 g kg^?1, and pH 8.46. The gypsum at 100% soil requirement, planting common reed (P. australis) alone, P. australis + gypsum at 50% soil gypsum requirements, and leaching (control without plant and gypsum) were four treatments applied. After 11 weeks of incubation, the results showed that all treatments including the control significantly reduced pH, EC, exchangeable Na⁺, and SAR from the initial values, the control being with least results. The gypsum and P. australis + gypsum were highly effective in salinity (EC_e) reduction, while sodicity (SAR) and Na⁺ reductions were significantly higher in P. australis + gypsum treatment. The reclamation efficiency in terms of Na⁺ (83.4%) and SAR (86.8%) reduction was the highest in P. australis + gypsum. It is concluded that phytoremediation is an effective tool to reclaim saline sodic soil.     

Microfluidic Leaching of Soil Minerals: Release of K+ from K Feldspar

The rate of K⁺ leaching from soil minerals such as K-feldspar is believed to be too slow to provide agronomic benefit. Currently, theories and methods available to interpret kinetics of mineral processes in soil fail to consider its microfluidic nature. In this study, we measure the leaching rate of K⁺ ions from a K-feldspar-bearing rock (syenite) in a microfluidic environment, and demonstrate that at the spatial and temporal scales experienced by crop roots, K⁺ is available at a faster rate than that measured with conventional apparatuses. We present a device to investigate kinetics of mineral leaching at an unprecedented simultaneous resolution of space (~10¹-10² μm), time (~10¹-10² min) and fluid volume (~10⁰-10¹ mL). Results obtained from such a device challenge the notion that silicate minerals cannot be used as alternative fertilizers for tropical soils.     

淋洗与植物作用耦合对盐渍化土壤的改良效应

以甘肃秦王川引大灌区盐渍化土壤为背景,以当地5种耐盐植物为材料,采用根袋法盆栽试验动态研究了淋洗结合植物种植对盐渍化土壤改良的效应。结果表明:与种前相比,单纯的淋洗作用对土壤pH值影响不大,而淋洗结合植物种植明显降低了土壤pH值,且根际土壤pH值小于非根际土壤的,5种耐盐植物中霸王根际土壤pH值降低幅度最大,达0.6个单位。K+、Ca2+、Na+、Mg2+、Cl-和SO2-4在5种植物根际土壤中均有不同程度的富集,富集程度因物种的不同而不同,随培养时间的延长而呈波动状态。5种供试植物和对照组土壤中的6种主要的可溶性盐分离子随淋洗次数和培养时间的延长呈下降趋势。在培养120d后,单纯淋洗的土壤中K+、Ca2+、Na+、Mg2+、Cl-和SO2-4的含量相比种前平均分别降低了33.3%、26.1%、35.6%、32.5%、35.5%和36.3%,植物吸收带走的上述各离子的含量平均分别占种前的46.2%、8.1%、30.2%、7.2%和21.6%,其中霸王吸收带走的盐分离子最多,而淋洗结合种植植物的土壤中上述各离子的含量与种前相比平均分别降低了67.25%、63.73%、83.8%、67.5%、81.55%和78.46%,由此可见,淋洗结合植物种植的脱盐效果优于单纯淋洗,且土壤中主要的盐分离子Na+、Cl-和SO2-4的含量降低幅度最大,通过计算得出,在Cl-、SO2-4和Na+减少的总量中还有37.73%的Na+、38.22%的Cl-和35.14%的SO2-4的减少量是由植物根系的物理化学作用机制引起的。     

Mobility and Distribution of Zinc,Cadmium and Lead in Calcareous Soils Receiving Spiked Sewage Sludge

Leaching column experiments were conducted to determine the degree of mobility and the distribution of zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) because of an application of spiked sewage sludge in calcareous soils. A total of 20 leaching columns were set up for four calcareous soils. Each column was leached with one of these inflows: sewage sludge (only for two soils), spiked sewage sludge, or artificial well water (control). The columns were irrigated with spiked sewage sludge containing 8.5 mg Zn l^?1, 8.5 mg Cd l^?1, and 170 mg Pb l^?1 and then allowed to equilibrate for 30 days. At the end of leaching experiments, soil samples from each column were divided into 18 layers, each being 1 cm down to 6 cm and 2 cm below that, and analyzed for total and extractable Zn, Cd and Pb. The fractionation of the heavy metals in the top three layers of the surface soil samples was investigated by the sequential extraction method. Spiked sewage sludge had little effect on metal mobility. In all soils, the surface soil layers (0-1 cm) of the columns receiving spiked sewage sludge had significantly higher concentrations of total Zn, Cd and Pb than control soils. Concentration of the heavy metals declined significantly with depth. The mobility of Zn was usually greater than Cd and Pb. The proportion of exchangeable heavy metals in soils receiving spiked sewage sludge was significantly higher than that found in the control columns. Sequential extraction results showed that in native soils the major proportion of Zn and Pb was associated with residual (RES) and organic matter (OM) fractions and major proportion of Cd was associated with carbonate (CARB) fraction, whereas after leaching with spiked sewage sludge, the major proportion of Zn and Pb was associated with Fe-oxcide (FEO), RES, and CARB fractions and major proportion of Cd was associated with CARB, RES and exchangeable (EXCH) fractions. Based on relative percent, Cd in the EXCH fraction was higher than Zn and Pb in soils leached with spiked sewage sludge.     

Effect of Sodium and Magnesium on Kinetics of Phosphorus Release in Some Calcareous Soils of Western Iran

Knowledge of the rate of release of phosphorus (P) from soils resulting from poor water quality application is essential for long-term planning of crop production while minimizing the impact on groundwater quality. In this study, we examined the effect of sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and Ca:Mg ratio of water on P release of some calcareous soils from western Iran. Nine different solutions at a total electrolyte concentration of 100 mmol_c l^?1 and three levels of SAR (5, 15, 45) each with Ca:Mg ratios of 1:3, 1:1, or 3:1, prepared using solutions of NaCl, CaCl₂, and MgCl₂, were used to extract P from the soils. The geochemical Visual MINTEQ was used to calculate saturation indices and P species at the initial and end of P release. Significantly different quantities of P were extracted by the solutions. The maximum (average of five soils) (233.6 mg kg^?1) and the minimum (162.9 mg kg^?1) P were extracted by an SAR 45 solution with a Ca:Mg ratio of 1:3 and SAR 15 solution with Ca:Mg ratio of 3:1, respectively. Elovich model adequately described P release. The release rate for SAR 15 with Ca:Mg of 3:1 and SAR 45 with Ca:Mg 1:3 ranges from 16.3 to 31.3 mg kg^?1 h^?1 and from 20.0 to 32.8 mg kg^?1 h^?1, respectively. In the initial stage of P release the solution samples in most soils were saturated with respect to hydroxyapatite, octacalcium phosphate, ß-tricalcium phosphate, and undersaturated with respect to dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, dicalcium phosphate, and mangnesium phosphates. At the end of P release, all solutions were saturated with respect to hydroxyapatite and under saturated with respect to other phosphate minerals. The results imply that P release from soils could be increased during use of saline and sodic irrigation water containing high Mg concentration and that P fertilization management may need modification.     

Silicon nutrition alleviates physiological disorders imposed by salinity in hydroponically grown canola (Brassica napus L.) plants

The effects of Si nutrition on transpiration, leaf anatomy, accumulation of Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^?, P, Fe and B and some reactive oxygen species related parameters were investigated in canola plants under salinity. Plants were grown hydroponically in growth chamber under controlled conditions at 0 and 100?mM NaCl each supplied with or without 1.7?mM silicon (Si) as sodium silicate. Salinity imposed significant reduction in growth parameters of plants like fresh weights of roots and shoots and leaf area. It also led to accumulation of Na⁺ and Cl^? and a decrease in the concentration of K⁺, P, B and Fe. Reduction of transpiration, stomatal density and specific leaf area in leaves and an increase in leaf thickness were amongst other symptoms in salt-affected plants. Salinity led to higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide, increased lipid peroxidation and decrease of catalase and peroxidase activity, which suggests the induction of oxidative stress in plants. Silicon nutrition could prevent toxic ions (Na⁺ and Cl^?) accumulation while higher levels of essential minerals like K⁺, P and Fe were maintained in plants. Consequently, silicon nutrition decreased oxidative stress in plants, evidenced by increase in antioxidant enzyme activity, reduction in hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation.     

Conditions controlling relative uptake of potassium and rubidium by plants from soils

Earlier studies have demonstrated close inverse relationships between Rb⁺ concentrations in plants and pH or base (including K⁺) saturation of soils. This study aims at elucidating conditions in soils influencing plant uptake of Rb⁺. Growth experiments with Carex pilulifera L. were performed, modifying the acidity and K⁺ supply of acid soils and solutions. We were unable to assess any reduction in Rb⁺ uptake by adding precipitated CaCO₃ to acid soil unless pH was raised to near neutrality. Though not fully compensating the loss of soil solution K⁺and exchangeable K⁺ from uptake by the growing plants, soil treated with 0.5 mM K⁺ (as KCl) reduced the Rb⁺ concentration in the shoots by 40% without measurably changing soil pH. Experiments varying the pH and K⁺ concentration of a nutrient solution (20% Hoagland), spiked with 6 uM Rb⁺, clearly demonstrated that plant uptake of Rb⁺ and K⁺ was unaffected by acidity in the pH range 3.6–5.0 tested, whereas Rb⁺ uptake was reduced by ca. 50%, when K⁺ concentration was increased from 1.2 to 3.6 mM. The sensitivity of this reaction indicates that shortage or low availability of K⁺ controls Rb⁺ uptake from acid soils, being probably more important than soil acidity per se. Secondary effects of high soil acidity, such as leaching losses of K⁺, might also be of importance in accounting for the high uptake of Rb⁺ from such soils. It is suggested that leaf analysis of Rb⁺ may be used as a method to assess early stages of K⁺ deficiency in plants on acid soils.     

A major role for nitrification in the weathering of minerals of brown acid forest soils

Experiments employing lysimeters and a comparison of soil leachates at >‐0.03 MPa and soil solutions extracted at ‐2.5 MPa showed the importance of nitrification in the weathering of minerals of brown acid forest soils (dys‐trochrept) which are formed over large areas in temperate climates.

Mineralization of litter from plants characteristic of such soils (in particular Festuca silvatica and Abies pectinata) produces large amounts of nitric acid. This bacterial nitrification is responsible for the solubilization of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and K⁺ and must be involved in the slow weathering of minerals by acidolysis and in the biogeochemical cycling of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and K⁺ in these soils. Soil solutions extracted at ‐2.5 MPa reflect much more the microbial activity than the leachates from soil and provide interesting information.     

Phosphorus adsorption characteristics of Hawaiian soils and their relationships to equilibrium phosphorus concentrations required for maximum growth of Millet

Summary Phosphorus adsor tion isotherms were constructed for six Latosols and one calcareous soil from Hawaii which differed greatly in their phosphorus adsorption capacities. Equilibration was in 0.01M CaCl₂ at 25°C for 6 or 8 days. P adsorption properties of the soils were characterised employing the linear form of Langmuir's equation and also by calculating the amount of P adsorbed between equilibrium concentrations of 0.25 to 0.35 ppm (estimates of P buffering capacities), following the procedure of Oaanne and Shaw¹³. The isotherms of all the soils were found to fit the Langmuir equation at low equilibrium concentrations (< 5 ppm) and the P adsorption maxima ranged from 520 to 10 500 ppm. The buffering capacity estimates correlated closely (r = 0.950) with the adsorption maxima of soils. However, in two soils, the estimates were much lower than expected from their adsorption maxima.Millet (Pennisetum typhoides) was grown in these soils in pots, at 6 phosphorus levels corresponding to 6 equilibrium concentrations chosen from the phosphorus adsorption isotherms. Equilibrium concentrations at maximum growth of millet (C_max) in Latosols varied inversely with the adsorption maxima of the soils. The relationship between these two parameters was expressed by the equation CmaX = a,b^–k, where C_max = equilibrium P concentration at maximum growth of millet, b = P adsorption maximum and a and k are constants. Quantitative expression of the constants are useful as they enable predictions of CmaX for a particular crop from the phosphorus adsorption maximum. This relation was found to hold also for the data on limed acid soils published by Woodruff and Kamprath²⁰.A part of the Ph.D. Thesis approved by the University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.A. (1971).     

Effect of Ionic Composition of Suspending Solution on Virus Adsorption by a Soil Column

The effect of various electrolytes on the adsorption of poliovirus was measured in 250-cm-long soil columns with ceramic samplers at different depths. Viruses suspended in deionized water moved much farther through the soil than those suspended in tap water, whereas movement in sewage water was intermediate. The salt content of the tap water and sewage water promoted virus adsorption, but evidently the organic compounds in sewage retarded adsorption. When viruses were suspended in chloride solutions of K⁺, Na⁺, Ca⁺, and Mg²⁺, virus adsorption increased as the cation concentration and valence increased. The depth of virus penetration was related to the ionic strength of the solutions. Virus penetration data for NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻, and H₂PO₄⁻ salts of K⁺, Na⁺, and Ca²⁺ indicated that other anions were more effective than Cl⁻ in promoting virus adsorption. Also, NH₄⁺ was more effective than other cations in limiting the penetration depth of viruses. It seems that ions composed of radicals are more effective than ions composed of single atoms in promoting virus adsorption. Al³⁺ was the most effective ion in limiting virus penetration, probably owing to flocculation of the viruses. Adding AlCl₃ concentrations to secondary sewage effluent to provide an Al³⁺ concentration of 0.1 mM reduced the virus penetration depth to 40 cm. These studies show that the ionic composition of the suspending solutions must be considered in predicting virus penetration depths, and it may be practical to add low concentrations of a flocculating agent such as AlCl₃ to sewage water to limit virus movement through very porous soils.     

Selectivity of interaction of univalent cations with mammalian ribosomes studied by equilibrium dialysis in the presence of the K+ analogue, 204Tl+

The interaction of K⁺ with mammalian ribosomes was studied by equilibrium dialysis and compared with that of other univalent cations. The heavy K⁺ analogue, Tl⁺, binds more firmly than K⁺ to ribosomes and, unlike K⁺, has a practically useful isotope. With ²⁰⁴Tl⁺ as a marker of K⁺-selective binding the ribosome-cation interaction could be followed down to levels below 0.1 average Tl⁺-occupied site per ribosome. The Tl⁺/ribosome ratio varied with the free Tl⁺ concentration in a multiple way. At high Tl⁺ saturation Tl⁺ was easily displaced by Mg²⁺. With decreasing Tl⁺ saturation the competitive activity of Mg⁺⁺ was strikingly reduced, indicating that Tl⁺ and Mg⁺⁺ compete with different efficiency for different classes of sites.The experiments on univalent cations were performed at 1.5 mM Mg²⁺ under two complementary conditions: (1) Ribosomes were pretreated with 5 × 10^?2, 5 × 10^?3, and 5 × 10^?4 M LiNO₃, NaNO₃, KNO₃, and CsNO₃, and then equilibrated with different concentrations of ²⁰⁴TlNO₃ in the same buffers. (2) Ribosomes were pretreated with 10^?2, 10^?4, and 10^?6 M ²⁰⁴TlNO₃, and then equilibrated with different concentrations of LiNO₃, NaNO₃, KNO₃, and CsNO₃ (displacement experiments). At high Tl⁺ saturation Na⁺ and Li⁺ were about as active as K⁺ and Cs⁺ in competing with ²⁰⁴Tl⁺. With decreasing Tl⁺ saturation a differentiation occurred in favor of K⁺ and Cs⁺, with some preference for K⁺. It is concluded that ribosomes contain a limited number of sites with pronounced ion specificity. Of physiological cations K⁺ is most firmly bound to these sites.     

First-principles study of water desorption from montmorillonite surface

Knowledge about water desorption is important to give a full picture of water diffusion in montmorillonites (MMT), which is a driving factor in MMT swelling. The desorption paths and energetics of water molecules from the surface of MMT with trapped Li⁺, Na⁺ or K⁺ counterions were studied using periodic density functional theory calculations. Two paths—surface and vacuum desorption—were designed for water desorption starting from a stationary structure in which water bonds with both the counterion and the MMT surface. Surface desorption is energetically more favorable than vacuum desorption due to water–surface hydrogen bonds that help stabilize the intermediate structure of water released from the counterion. The energy barriers of water desorption are in the order of Li⁺?>?Na⁺?>?K⁺, which can be attributed to the short ionic radius of Li⁺, which favors strong binding with the water molecule. The temperature dependence of water adsorption and desorption rates were compared based on the computed activation energies. Our calculations reveal that the water desorption on the MMT surface has a different mechanism from water adsorption, which results from surface effects favoring stabilization of water conformers during the desorption process.     

Electrolyte distribution in rabbit superior cervical ganglion

Abstract— Superior cervical ganglia of the rabbit were removed and analysed for Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Cl^?. The mean electrolyte content in μmole/g wet wt. was as follows: Na⁺, 64.7 ± 1.3; K⁺, 65.1 ± 2.7; Ca²⁺, 3.71 ± 0.28; Mg²⁺, 3.70 ± 0.50; and Cl^?, 50.15 ± 2.26. Water content was 0.76 ± 0.01 ml/g wet wt. Extracellular space was 0.37 ± 0.01 ml/g, and the vascular space 0.0238 ± 0.0002. The mean resting potential of the rabbit superior cervical ganglion was – 68.6 mv. After correction for extracellular electrolyte content, the potential differences, E_Na, E_K and E_cl, were estimated to be +33.6 mv, –96.9 mv and -41.1 mv, respectively, in the ganglia. Permeability coefficients for K⁺, Na⁺, and Cl^? were estimated to be 1:0.06:0.02. Replacement of sodium in physiological saline solution by lithium results in a displacement of 94 per cent of the sodium content of the ganglion and 69 per cent of the potassium after 30 min of equilibration.     

Changes in K+, Cl− and P contents in stomata of Zea mays leaves exposed to different light and CO2 levels

Maize plants (Zea mays L. hybrid INRA 508) were placed under controlled conditions of light and CO₂ partial pressure. The K⁺, Cl^? and P contents were then determined by X-ray microanalysis in the bulbous end of guard cells and in the center of subsidiary cells. The results were interpreted in connection with the stomatal conductance at the time of sampling. In normal air, the K⁺ and Cl^? contents in guard cells only rose from a light threshold of about 300 μmol m^?2 s^?1 at which stomata were already largely open. At 600 μmol m^?2 s^?1, the K⁺ and Cl^? levels in guard cells attained values that were 3- and 8-fold greater, respectively, than the values observed in darkness. The K⁺ and Cl^? contents in the subsidiary cells remained quite constant irrespective of the light conditions. CO₂-free air in darkness induced a significant K⁺ influx towards guard and subsidiary cells. Under light and in CO₂-free air, the K⁺ and Cl^? contents dramatically increased in the guard cells, but slightly decreased in the subsidiary cells. Thus, when subjected to strong light in CO₂-free air, the K⁺ and Cl^? contents in the subsidiary cells were approximately equal to those measured in normal air conditions. In the guard cells, stomatal opening was associated with a marked shift of the Cl^?/K⁺ ratio – from 0.3 for closed stomata to ca 1 for fully open stomata. This could imply a slow change in the nature of the principal counterion accompanying K⁺ during stomatal opening. The content of P in guard cells appeared, in contrast to that of K⁺ and Cl^?, to be practically independent of stomatal aperture.     

Characterization of the stimulation of neuronal Na+, K+-ATPase activity by low concentrations of ouabain

Low concentrations (< 10^?7 M) of ouabain stimulate the activity of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase in whole homogenates of rat brain. The magnitude of this stimulation varies from 5 to 70%. The concentrations of ouabain which induces maximal stimulation is also highly variable and ranges between 10^?9 to 10^?7 M. The ouabain stimulation disappears following 1:50 dilution and 2 h preincubation or freezing and thawing of the membranes or their treatment with deoxycholate. “Aging” of a preparation of ATPase also results in loss of its ability to be stimulated by ouabain but ouabain inhibition is preserved. No stimulation of enzyme activity by ouabain is observed in rat brain microsomal fraction. The β-adrenergic blocker propranolol does not inhibit the ouabain induced stimulation of ATPase activity. It is suggested that the stimulation of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity by low concentrations of cardiac glycosides if a result of either the displacement of an endogenous ouabain-like compound from the enzyme or an indirect effect by changing membrane surrounding environment of the Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase.     

Effect of heavy metal pollution on mineral absorption in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids

The present study was conducted in a potted experiment to examine the effects of chromium pollution on absorption of mineral nutrients and some morpho-physiological attributes of two sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids (FH-331 and FH-259) in the presence and absence of ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) used as a chelating agent. Four concentrations of chromium (Cr³⁺) i.e., 0, 20, 30 and 40 mg kg^?1 with and without 0.3 g kg^?1, EDTA as chelating agent were applied to 25-day-old sunflower plants. A gradually decreasing trend in absorption of all minerals and other parameters studied were observed. Different treatments of Cr³⁺ as well as Cr³⁺ and EDTA significantly reduced root and shoot fresh weight; however, root, shoot and achene Cr³⁺ contents of two sunflowers hybrids under higher chromium and EDTA stress varied significantly whereas movement of Cr³⁺ contents to leaves was non-significant. Absorption of Na⁺, K⁺, N₂ and P through roots and shoots significantly reduced with increasing concentration of Cr³⁺ treatments. In fact addition of EDTA to the medium further enhanced the toxicity of chromium.     

Variation in Phosphorus Sorption with Soil Particle Size

Phosphorus (P) is considered a primary cause for surface water eutrophication that leads to anoxia. Understanding the relationships between soil particle size and P sorption helps devise effective best management practices (BMPs) to control P transport by erosion, leaching, and overland flow from agricultural land. Consequently, this study examined the effect of surface soil particle size on the sorption of P in five soil series (four Ultisols and one Entisol) from the Mid-Atlantic region. The sorption of P in each soil was assessed by equilibrating (after shaking for 24?h) 5?g soil containing varied amounts of KH₂PO₄ in 20?mL of 0.01?M KCl solution. Phosphorus in solution was determined by the molybdate blue method of Murphy and Riley. The P adsorption characteristics of these soils were described using the Langmuir isotherm. Results indicated that variability in P sorption was related to particle size and soil type. Soil organic matter content contributed a great deal to P sorption in the Entisol. However, soil clay had influence on the P sorption characteristics of each soil. The maximum P retentive capacities of soils (as determined by Sm from Langmuir equation) and P sorbed at 500?mg P kg^?1 addition showed a linear relationship (r2 = 0.94). Therefore, based on the results obtained, the single point method of Bache and Williams may be appropriate to describe the maximum P sorption capacity of non-sandy soils, as observed in this study.     

Relationship between proton motive force and potassium ion transport in Halobacterium halobium envelope vesicles.

Membrane vesicles prepared from Halobacterium halobium extrude protons during illumination, and a pH difference (inside alkaline) and an electrical potential (inside negative) develop. The sizes of these gradients and their relative magnitudes are dependent on a complex interaction among the proton-pumping activity of bacteriorhodopsin, Na⁺ extrusion through an antiport system, and the ability of K⁺ and Cl^? to act as counterions to the electrogenic movement of H⁺. The net result of these variable effects is that the electrical potential is relatively independent of external pH, whereas the pH difference tends toward zero when the pH is increased to 7.5–8. Although the light-induced pH difference is greater in KCl than in NaCl, and the electrical potential smaller, this is not caused by a high permeability of the vesicle membranes to K⁺. The vesicle membrane is poorly permeable to K⁺, as shown by: lack of a K⁺ diffusion potential in the absence of valinomycin, light-induced electrical potentials which are in excess of the chemical potential difference for K⁺, and direct measurements of the slow rate of K⁺ influx during illumination. The finding that the rate of K⁺ uptake is a linear function of external K⁺ concentration between 0 and 1 m is inconsistent with the existence of a specific K⁺ permeation mechanism in these vesicles. Since at external K⁺ concentrations < 1.4 m the extrusion of Na⁺ during illumination proceeds much more rapidly than K⁺ influx, it must be concluded that the vesicles also lose Cl^? and water. Measurements of light-scattering changes confirm that under these conditions the vesicles collapse. The light-induced collapse is diminished only when the inward movement of K⁺ is increased, either by increasing the external K⁺ concentration or by adding valinomycin.     

The ionic relations of Porphyra purpurea(Roth) C.Ag. (Rhodophyta, Bangiales)

Abstract Radioisotope equilibration techniques have been used to determine the intracellular concentration of K⁺, Na⁺ and Cl_?, together with the unidirectional ion fluxes across the plasmalemma of Porphyra purpurea. Influx and efflux of ⁴²K⁺, ²⁴Na⁺ and ³⁶C1^? are biphasic, the rapid, initial uptake and loss of tracer from individual thalli being attributable to desorption from extracellular regions. Cellular fluxes are slower and monophasic, cells discriminating in favour of K⁺ and Cl^? and against Na⁺. A comparison between the equilibrium potential of individual ion species and the measured membrane potential demonstrates that there is an active component of K⁺ and Cl^? influx and Na⁺ efflux. ‘Active’ uptake and ‘passive’ loss of K⁺ and Cl^? are reduced when plants are kept in darkness, suggesting that a fraction of the transport of K⁺ and Cl^? may be due to ‘exchange diffusion’ (K⁺/K⁺ and Cl^?/Cl^?antiport).