A simple ion-exchange resin procedure for extracting plant-available elements from soil

Summary A simplified procedure for extracting ions from soil with ion-exchange resins is reported. The resin, placed in nylon-netting bags, were immersed in soil suspensions and shaken. Compared to the conventional procedure, where the resin beads are freely suspended in the soil-water mixture, this bag-procedure allowed quicker separation of resin from the soil suspensions. Furthermore, the severe soil grinding as done in the conventional procedure was eliminated. Phosphate was extracted from 4 Danish soils using both procedures. The bag-procedure resulted in slightly higher values than did the conventional procedure. re]19760408     

Evaluation of polysulfone hollow fibres and ceramic suction samplers as devices for the in situ extraction of soil solution

An investigation was carried out to assess the potential of using polysulfone hollow fibres for the extraction of soil solution. In comparison to ceramic suction samplers the fibres were shown to contain very low levels of potential contaminants and a low exchange capacity. Carry over between individual samples was negligible permitting the accurate monitoring of temporal changes in solution chemistry. Their flexible and root sized nature makes them ideal for sampling small soil volumes. Some concern however remains about retention of colloidal Fe at the fibre interface. When comparing the soil solution of samples extracted with polysulfone fibres with those extracted by ceramic suction samplers, no significant differences in solute concentrations were observed. No sample contamination resulting from dissolution of Al or Si from the ceramic cup was detected. Analysis of soil solutions collected over a number of extractions, and during and after a rainfall event showed concentrations of elements in solution to remain relatively constant with time.     

Simultaneous and Repetitious Removal of 2,4-Dichlorophenol and Copper from Soils Using an Aqueous Solution of Ethyl-Lactate-Amended EDDS

Heavy metals and the transformation products of herbicides, such as 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), are toxic soil pollutants. We assessed the ability of an aqueous solution of the “green solvent” ethyl lactate alone and combined with [S,S]-ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS) to remove 2,4-DCP and copper simultaneously from soils. Ethyl lactate extracted 2,4-DCP from contaminated soil comparable to Triton X-100. Ethyl lactate/EDDS extracted more 2,4-DCP and Cu from contaminated soils than ethyl lactate alone. The enhanced extraction of Cu increased slightly with an increase in the EDDS/Cu molar ratio; the maximum Cu extraction efficiency was about 32.3% at an EDDS/Cu ratio of 5. An increase in the ionic strength (NaCl) of the ethyl lactate/EDDS solution decreased the amount of 2,4-DCP extracted by maximally 12% but increased the amount of Cu extracted by >500%. We tested the recycling of the ethyl lactate/EDDS solution with the cation-exchange resin 001×7 and the hyper-cross-linked polymer resin NDA-150. Fresh ethyl lactate/EDDS solution and two sequentially recycled solutions removed 31.4, 28.3, and 26.7% of the Cu in Cu-contaminated soil and 77.7, 62.9, and 56.8% of the 2,4-DCP in 2,4-DCP-contaminated soils, respectively. The ethyl lactate/EDDS solution removed 31.8% of the Cu and 73.0% of the 2,4-DCP in Cu- and 2,4-DCP-contaminated soils, and the solution remained effective even after two recyclings. The aqueous solution of ethyl lactate/EDDS can be used to effectively remove Cu and 2,4-DCP from complex contaminated soils and can be reactivated.     

Interacting effects of pH,aluminium and base cations on growth and mineral composition of the woodland grasses Bromus benekenii and Hordelymus europaeus

The influence of base cation concentrations on pH and aluminium sensitivity of the woodland grasses Bromus benekenii and Hordelymus europaeus was studied in flowing solution culture experiments. Plants were exposed to low pH (3.9, experiment 1) and Al concentrations of 19 and 37 M (experiment 2) at two base cation (Ca+Mg+K) levels, all within the ranges measured in natural forest soil solutions. Elevated base cation concentrations ameliorated both H and Al toxicity, as indicated by increased root and shoot growth. In the third experiment, interactions between pH (4.3 and 4.0) and Al (0 and 19 M) were investigated. It was shown that the combined toxicity effects of H and Al were not greater than the separate H or Al effects. Tissue concentrations of base cations and Al increased with increasing concentrations in the solution, but were also influenced by the base cation : Al ratio. Relating the experimental evidence with the composition of forest soil solutions suggests an important role of soil pH and Al in controlling the distribution of the two species. Growth conditions also differ at various soil depths. Concentrations of free cationic Al were higher and base cation concentrations lower at 5–10 cm than at 0–5 cm soil depth. Increasing base cation concentrations may protect roots from both H and Al injury during periods of drought when concentrations of most elements increase in the soil solution, whereas molar ratios between base cations, H and Al remain unchanged.     

Effect of phosphorus supply to the surface roots of wheat on root extension and rhizosphere chemistry in an acidic subsoil

Seedlings of two cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) differing in tolerance to aluminium (Al) were grown using a split-root sand/soil culture technique. Each culture tube was divided horizontally into a surface (0–150 mm) compartment and a subsurface (150–250 mm) compartment separated by a root-permeable paraffin wax barrier. Thus phosphorus (P) supplied to surface roots could not percolate or diffuse into the soil in the subsurface compartment. The soil in the subsurface compartment was divided into ‘rhizosphere’ and ‘non-rhizosphere’ zones using a porous (5 μm) membrane. Root growth of both cultivars into the subsurface zone was enhanced by increased P supply to surface roots, but did not conform to known relationships between root growth and soil pH, extractable-Al, or pH, Al or P concentrations in soil solution. Concentrations of Al in soil solution in the rhizosphere were greater than those in solution in the bulk soil. Concentrations of Al reactive with pyrocatechol violet (30s-RRAI) in the rhizosphere soil solution were generally greater than those in non-rhizosphere soil. With the Al-sensitive cultivar, root dry weight and length increased as concentrations of RRAl in the rhizosphere soil solution increased. Increased concentrations of Al in rhizosphere soil solutions were not related to the presence of organic ligands in solution. The effect of P in promoting root penetration into the acidic subsurface stratum was not related to differential attainment of maturity by the plant shoots, but appeared to be related to the effect of P in enhancing the rate of root growth. Thus, suboptimal supply of P to the surface roots of a plant, even at levels sufficient to preclude development of nutritional (P) stress symptoms, may seriously reduce tolerance to Al, and hence diminish the ability of roots to penetrate into acidic subsoils.     

Alleviation of soil acidity in Ultisol and Oxisol for corn growth

Malaysian Ultisols and Oxisols are characterized by low pH, high soil solution Al concentration and Ca and/or Mg deficiencies, which are limiting to corn growth. An experiment was conducted to determine the changes in solid and soil solution phase properties of a representative Ultisol and Oxisol following applications of ground magnesium limestone (GML), gypsum and their combinations, and their effects on corn growth. A plot of pAl against lime potential (pH-1/2 pCa) showed that the points were mostly positioned between the theoretical lines for kaolinite-quartz and gibbsite equilibrium, reflecting the kaolinitic-oxidic mineralogy of the Ultisol and Oxisol. Gypsum application increased Al concentration in the soil solutions of the Ultisol, but had no significant effect on that of the Oxisol. The increase in Al concentration in the Ultisol was due to an increase in ionic strength. Gypsum application increased soil solution pH of the Oxisol due to release of OH as a result of ligand exchange between SO₄ and OH ions on the oxides of Fe and/or Al. Exchangeable Al in both soils was reduced by gypsum application. The reduction was associated with solid phase immobilization through alunite formation; the soil solutions of soil samples treated with 2 and 4 t gypsum ha⁻¹ were supersaturated with respect to alunite. Application of GML at 2 t ha⁻¹ together with 1–2t gypsum ha⁻¹ gave high top weight of corn. Relative top weight of corn was positively correlated with a soil solution Mg and Ca/Al concentration ratio, but negatively correlated with soil solution Al concentration. Foliar Al corn was positively correlated with soil solution Al concentration. Soil solution Al and Mg concentrations, and Ca/Al concentration ratio can be used as indices of soil acidity in Ultisols and Oxisols. ei]{gnB E}{fnClothier}     

Plant uptake of major and minor mineral elements as influenced by soil acidity and liming

This study reports effects on soil solution chemistry and plant uptake of 55 elements (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, Fe, Gd, Ge, Hf, Hg, Ho, K, La, Li, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, P, Pb, Pr, Rb, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Sr, Tb, Th, Tl, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn, Zr) by raising the pH using addition of fine-grained precipitated calcium carbonate at 20 rates (yielding a soil solution pH range of 5.2 – 7.8) to A horizon samples of an acid Cambisol, cultivating a common grass (Agrostis capillaris L.) and determining the soil solution, root and shoot concentrations of these elements at the end of the experiment. For many of these elements, there is little or no previous information about concentrations in soil solutions, or in plant biomass, as related to soil pH/acidity or addition of calcium carbonate. Soil solutions were obtained by high speed centrifugation and ultrafiltration (0.2 m) of samples at 60% water-holding capacity. Concentrations of elements were determined by ICP-ES or (in most elements) ICP-MS, using isotopes specified. Soil solution pH, HCO₃ and organic C were also determined.Concentrations of elements in the biomass of A. capillaris were usually inversely related to soil solution pH. The most apparent (p<0.001) inverse, though often curvilinear, relationships between pH and concentrations in shoot biomass were measured for Ag, As, B, Ba, Eu, Ge, Li, Mn, Ni, P and Sr. Positive relationships (p<0.05) were only measured in Ca, Hg, Mg, Mo and S. For concentrations in root biomass, relationships were mostly, but not always, of the same sign and of a similar strength. Though soil solution pH and concentrations of elements were usually quite closely correlated, pH and/or HCO^– ₃ concentration more often accounted for a higher share of the variability in biomass concentration of elements than did soil solution concentration of the same element.     

In situ ion exchange resin bags to estimate forest site quality

Cation and anion exchange resin bags were placed just under the humus layer at five adjacent forest sample sites with differing site quality classes in order to assess the available nutrient supply. For comparison, humus samples were collected from the same sites. Nutrients were extracted from humus samples by conventional extraction methods and by shaking together with ion exchange resin bags. Ca and Mg corresponded best to differences in site quality class, of all analysed ions in thein situ resin bag eluates. Thein situ resin bag adsorption of NH₄−N, Na and Mn also showed a positive correlation with site quality. The adsorption of PO₄−P was negatively correlated to site quality class. Inadequate amounts of exchange resin, or leaving resin bagsin situ for too long a time result in the replacement of already adsorbed ions by ions with higher ion exchange constants.     

Equilibrium solution composition and exchange properties of disturbed and undisturbed soil samples from an acid forest soil

Microscalic heterogeneity of soil chemical properties caused by soil structure has been reported for several soils. We investigated exchange properties and soil solution composition of disturbed and undisturbed samples of an acid forest soil lacking visible structure. Cation concentrations in the soil solution resulting from two extraction procedures and two analytical methods were compared. The effective cation exchange capacity (CEC_e) of the undisturbed sample represented 56–69% of the bulk soil CEC_e. Base saturation of undisturbed samples equalled that of disturbed samples for EA, Bhs, and Bsh horizons, and was higher for the Bw horizon. Contradicting the results of other authors, soil pore solution obtained by percolating soil cores under conditions of low water tension offered more favourable conditions for plant roots when compared to the equilibrium soil solution of the bulk soil sample in all except the Bsh horizon. Ca²⁺/Al³⁺ molar ratios were higher and fractions of H⁺ + Al³⁺ on total cationic charge were lower in the soil pore solution. These results were obtained employing soil: solution ratios of about 1:0.5 during the extraction of soil pore solution, and by determination of free cations. Other authors used a water extraction with soil:solution ratios up to 1:2 and took total metal for ion concentrations. The combination of the latter extraction and analytical method in our study, too, led to unfavourable Ca²⁺/Al³⁺ ratios and high tractions of H⁺ + Al³⁺. The choice of analytical and extraction method are thus decisive for the valuation of the soil solution composition in view of plant nutrition.     

Plant induced alteration in the rhizosphere and the utilisation of soil heterogeneity

Plant-soil interactions result in a special rhizosphere soil chemistry, differing from that of the bulk soil found only a few mm from the root. The aim of this study was to investigate adaptation mechanisms of herbs growing in acid soils through studying their rhizosphere chemistry in a greenhouse experiment and in a field study. Ten herbs were grown in acid soil (pH 4.2 in the soil solution) in the greenhouse. The concentrations of NO₃ ^-, SO₄ ^2-, phosphates, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄ ⁺ and pH were analysed in soil solutions obtained by centrifugation. The general pattern found was a depletion of nutrients in the rhizosphere compared with their concentrations in the bulk soil. The pH increase (up to 0.7 units) in the rhizosphere soil appeared to be caused by plant uptake of NO₃ ^- (r²=0.88). The ion concentrations in the soil solution of the rhizosphere were dependent on plant species and biomass increase. Although species with a larger biomass and higher growth rates showed a higher degree of ion depletion (except for Na⁺, SO₄ ^2-) in the rhizosphere, there were also species specific responses. A field study of five herbs at five oak forest sites in Southern Sweden (Scania) was also carried out. In addition to the soil solution concentrations, the loss on ignition (LOI) and the concentrations of 0.1 M BaCl₂ extractable K⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Al ions were measured. The amount of soil solution Al was determined as free ionic (quickly reacting) Al. For all species and sites, the LOI and the concentrations of exchangeable cations were higher in the rhizosphere than in the bulk soil, apparently due to the roots preferably growing at organic-rich microsites. The concentrations of the ions as measured in the centrifuged soil solution, were either higher in the rhizosphere than in the bulk soil or were the same in both, except for NO₃ ^- and quickly reacting Al. The lower concentrations of quickly reacting Al in the rhizosphere, compared with the bulk soil could indicate the uptake of Al by the plant or the exudation of complexing substances. The pH differences were only small and mostly non-significant. Plant-soil interactions and the ability of plants to utilise heterogeneity of the soil appear to be more important for plant growth in acid soils than recognised heretofore. Rhizosphere studies provide an important means of understanding plant strategies in acid soils. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Evaluation of separation and determination of phytoavailable and phytotoxic aluminium species fractions in soil, sediment and water samples by five different methods

The suggested research deals with the separation of phytoavailable and phytotoxic aluminium species fractions in soil, sediment and water samples by five different procedures (single and sequential extractions, membrane filtration, chelating solid phase extraction and kinetic strength discrimination method). The concentrations of Al in studied samples and relevant plant materials were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP OES) and UV/visible (VIS) spectrophotometry. The used separation procedures can be divided into three groups. The first group is consisting of weakly efficient single extraction procedures by H(2)O, dilute acetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), salicylic acid, ammonium salicylate and 8-hydroxyquinoline, chelating solid phase extraction by resins Iontosorb Oxin and salicyl and kinetic strength discrimination method using 8-hydroxyquinoline which release from the samples only small amounts of phytoavailable and phytotoxic Al by ion-exchange or complexation processes. The more efficient extractions with KCl, NH(4)Cl, CaCl(2), BaCl(2), CuCl(2), LaCl(3), NH(4)F and (NH(4))(2)C(2)O(4) leach approximately the same amounts of phytoavailable Al as the total Al concentrations in plant material (grass Festuca rubra) growing on analysed soils and sediments. The third group of separation procedures contains the most aggressive leaching with Na(4)P(2)O(7), dilute HCl, NH(2)OH.HCl in HNO(3) and H(2)O(2)/ammonium acetate in HNO(3). These extractants release the highest amounts of Al from solid samples, approximately 2-4-fold as the total Al concentrations in relevant plant material and they are unsuitable for purpose of this study.     

Chelex 100 as a medium for simple extraction of DNA for PCR-based typing from forensic material

Procedures utilizing Chelex 100 chelating resin have been developed for extracting DNA from forensic-type samples for use with the PCR. The procedures are simple, rapid, involve no organic solvents and do not require multiple tube transfers for most types of samples. The extraction of DNA from semen and very small bloodstains using Chelex 100 is as efficient or more efficient than using proteinase K and phenol-chloroform extraction. DNA extracted from bloodstains seems less prone to contain PCR inhibitors when prepared by this method. The Chelex method has been used with amplification and typing at the HLA DQ alpha locus to obtain the DQ alpha genotypes of many different types of samples, including whole blood, bloodstains, seminal stains, buccal swabs, hair and post-coital samples. The results of a concordance study are presented in which the DQ alpha genotypes of 84 samples prepared using Chelex or using conventional phenol-chloroform extraction are compared. The genotypes obtained using the two different extraction methods were identical for all samples tested.     

A Rapid Method,Combining Microwave-Assisted Extraction and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry with a Database,for Determining Organochlorine Pesticides and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Soils and Sediments

A rapid method for determining organochlorine pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils and sediments was developed to allow pollution surveys to be performed in emergencies. The method involves microwave-assisted extraction and uses an automated identification/quantification system with a gas chromatography mass spectrometry database. A sample (3 g) is extracted with a 3:2 v/v hexane:water mixture (10 mL) for 30 min using a microwave-assisted extraction system at 120°C. The hexane extract is then cleaned using silica gel, then analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The total analysis time is approximately 4 h. The precision of the quantitative results and accuracy of the analyte identification were determined. The total analyte concentrations were generally comparable to (61%–110% of) the concentrations determined using a Soxhlet extraction method, but the concentrations of individual high-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were unacceptably low compared with the concentrations determined using the Soxhlet method. However, these compounds (e.g., benzo(ghi)perylene and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene) were subsequently efficiently extracted using a hexane:water:ethanol mixture. The accuracy of identification was evaluated using accurate masses determined by gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and the mass error was 2 ppm for 21 of the 22 compounds identified using the new method.     

An investigation of the anion-exchange resin method for soil phosphate extraction

Summary The anion-exchange resin method for soil-phosphate extraction was investigated on 4 different soils under varying experimental conditions. The variables were: (a) the type of anion-exchange resin, (b) the anionic form of the resin, (c) the ratio between the amounts of resin, soil, and water, and (d) the time of shaking. The amount of P extracted was dependent on the anionic form of the resin. For resins in the chloride form both the amount of P extracted psr soil unit and the pH of the soil suspension varied with the type of resin and the soil-water ratio. Resins in the bicarbonate form stabilized the system, so that the amount of P extracted and the suspension pH were almost independent of the type of resin and the soil-water ratio. The results indicated that the rate-determining step in the overall process of P transport from the soil phase through the water phase to the resin phase is the P desorption from the soil phase to the water phase, provided the resin is added in excess. The rate of this P desorption is dependent on the chemical composition of the water phase, which in turn is governed by the type of soil, the soil-water ratio, the time of shaking and the anionic form of the resin. In a final experiment a resin was used in the chloride- and the bicarbonate form, respectively, for extraction of phosphate from 34 soils. The available P of these soils had been determined 15 years before in a pot experiment with ryegrass and by different laboratory methods². The degree of correlation between the ryegrass P uptake and the P. determined by the laboratory methods decreased according to the following order: resin (bicarbonate form), resin (chloride form), 0.5M sodium bicarbonate, L value, E value, ammonium lactate solution, sodium zeolite, 0.01M calcium chloride, phosphate potential, and 0.1M sulphuric acid. It is recommended that resins in the bicarbonate form should be used for both routine as well as more advanced analyses of the ability of soils to supply phosphate to plants. A final procedure for the analysis is given in the paper.     

Hot water percolation (HWP): A new rapid soil extraction method

A new, easily applicable soil extraction method has been developed using the coffee percolator principle. The hot water percolation method (HWP) was examined on 36 soils with different properties. During hot water percolation the available, desorbable, easily soluble elements are extracted by hot water (102–105°C) at 120–150 kPa pressure. The average time for one extraction is 2.6 mm. It is possible to carry out kinetic measurements too. Nearly every nutrient is extracted by this method in measurable quantities, and the macroelements in appreciable quantities. The variation coefficient (CV%) of the method is in average 11%. The results are in close correlation with those of conventional soil testing methods and with the nutrient uptake of the sunflower and ryegrass used as test plants.     

Sensitivity to H- and Al ions limiting growth and distribution of the woodland grass Bromus benekenii

One pH experiment and two aluminium experiments were conducted in order to investigate the effects of H- and Al ions on growth of Bromus benekenii. Continuously flowing solution cultures were used with ion concentrations simulating natural soil solutions. In all experiments, treatment effects were more pronounced on root than on shoot growth. In the pH experiment, root growth decreased with decreasing pH within the pH range 4.5 to 3.5. The critical pH for root growth of Bromus benekenii was between 3.8 and 4.0. In the Al experiments, root growth started to decrease at 20 M of quickly reacting Al and almost ceased at 70 M Al. This characterizes Bromus benekenii as an Al sensitive species. In the pH experiment, shoot concentrations of Ca, Mg, K and P decreased with decreasing pH, but root concentrations were not affected. In the Al experiments, the Al concentrations of both shoots and roots increased with Al in the nutrient solution. At treatments of 70 M Al or higher, Ca, Mg, K and P concentrations in the shoots were reduced. The critical concentrations of H- and Al ions in the experiments were similar to the highest concentrations found at field sites of Bromus benekenii, analysed in soil solutions obtained by centrifugation technique. Both Al and H toxicity were considered to be of importance as limiting factors for the distribution of Bromus benekenii in south Sweden. Probably, Al toxicity starts to limit growth when also pH itself influences growth negatively. The importance of simulating natural soil solutions in experiments is emphazised, in order to obtain information on the importance of chemical soil factors to the distribution of plants.     

Soil solution chemistry in the rhizosphere of roots of sessile oak (Quercus petraea) as influenced by lime

This study describes the soil solution chemistry in the rhizosphere of fine roots of sessile oak ( Quercus petraea (M.) Liebl.) grown in rhizotrons. A control was compared with soils treated with an equivalent CaCO₃ of 1.4 t ha^-1 CaO. Solution samples were extracted from the B-horizon using micro suction cups with a suction of _∼40 kPa. Two series of experiments were carried out: one irrigated with rain water (age of seedling 2 to 4 months) and one irrigated with demineralized water (age of seedlings 1.5 to 2 months). Half of the sampling points were choosen close to the roots and half in the bulk soil. In both experiments there was generally no rhizospheric gradient after liming. In contrast, in the control, depletion in the rhizosphere occurred for most of the ions studied (Mg, Ca, Al, K, NO₃ ^-, NH₄ ⁺, Cl^-) in the demineralized water experiment, but this was different when rainwater was used. The latter effect is probably due to the higher solution concentrations in the rainwater experiment but could also be a result of root damage due to low Ca/Al ratios in the rhizosphere solution. It was concluded, that liming improved the chemical composition in the rhizosphere soil solution by increasing overall solute concentration to levels enabling sufficient and easier nutrient uptake by roots. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Cadmium and zinc in plants and soil solutions from contaminated soils

In an experiment using ten heavy metal-contaminated soils from six European countries, soil solution was sampled by water displacement before and after the growth of radish. Concentrations of Cd, Zn and other elements in solution (K, Ca, Mg, Mn) generally decreased during plant growth, probably because of uptake by plants and the subsequent redistribution of ions onto soil exchange sites at lower ionic strength. Speciation analysis by a resin exchange method showed that most Cd and Zn in non-rhizosphere solutions was present as Cd2+ and Zn2+, respectively. The proportion of free ions was slightly lower in rhizosphere solutions, mainly due to an increase in dissolved organic carbon during plant growth. Solution pH increased during plant growth, although the bulk soil pH generally remained constant. Cd concentrations in leaves and tubers were more closely correlated with their total or free ionic concentrations in rhizosphere solutions (adjusted R2 0.90) than with their concentrations in soils (adj. R2 0.79). Cd concentrations in non-rhizosphere solutions were only poorly correlated with Cd concentrations in leaves and tubers. In contrast to Cd, there were no soil parameters that individually predicted Zn concentrations in leaves and tubers closely. However, multiple correlation analysis (including Zn concentrations in rhizosphere solutions and in bulk soils) closely predicted Zn concentrations in leaves and tubers (adj. R2 = 0.85 and 0.70, respectively). This suggests that the great variability among soils in the solubility of Zn affected the rate of release of Zn into solution, and thus Zn uptake. There was no such effect for Cd, for which solubility varied much less. Furthermore, the plants may have partly controlled Zn uptake, as they took up relatively less at high solution concentrations of Zn.Free ionic concentrations in soil solution did not predict concentrations of Cd or Zn in plants better than their total concentrations in solution. This suggests that with these soils, analysis of Cd and Zn speciation is of little practical importance when their bioavailability is assessed.     

Assessment of Metal Availability in Soils from a Pb-Zn Mine Site of South-Central Spain

Heavy metal pollution of the soils around an abandoned Pb-Zn mine site located in the Alcudia Valley (South Central Spain) have been characterized by analysis of extractable and total metal concentrations in 60 samples of arable, pasture, and mine lands. The samples showed a broad range of size-particle distribution, cation exchange capacity, and pH values as well as high levels of total metal concentrations (up to 98510 mg kg^?1 of Pb, up to 20912 mg kg^?1 of Zn, and up to 61 mg kg^?1 of Cd). In order to assess the potential availability of metals the metal partitioning in two different soil size fractions (<2 mm and <63 μm) was determined using EDTA and CaCl₂ as sequestering reagents. The average contents of Pb, Zn, and Cd in the <63 μm particle size fraction for both extractions were higher than those of the <2 mm fraction due to the high metal adsorption capacity of the fine soil particles. Concentrations of heavy metals extracted by CaCl₂ were up to three orders of magnitude lower than those extracted by EDTA, because CaCl₂ only extracts the easily mobile fraction. Metal concentrations extracted by both procedures in the two granulometric fractions increased with total metal concentrations, thus increasing the potential environmental risk associated to heavy metal pollution.     

Soil test measures of available P (Colwell, resin and DGT) compared with plant P uptake using isotope dilution

Background and aims

Recent research has demonstrated the high accuracy of a new method for assessment of plant available P in soil called diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT). The process of P released by additions of bicarbonate to soil samples simulating common soil P tests is yet to be assessed by the new method (DGT). The aim of this study was to identify the pools of soil P extracted by soil test methods (DGT, Colwell and resin) by comparing, in ³²P–labelled soils, the specific activity (SA) of phosphorus extracted by common soil test extracts with the SA of wheat plants grown in a range of agricultural soils from southern Australia.

Methods

Wheat (cv. Frame) was grown for 4 weeks in 14 soils that were labelled uniformly with carrier-free ³²P. The specific activity (SA) of P (MBq ³²P kg ³¹P^?1) in each soil test extract was compared to the SA of P in the wheat plants.

Results

The SA of P in plants were similar to P extracted by the Colwell extractant in only 4 of the 14 soils; while SA in plants and extractants corresponded in 10 of the soils for the resin method and in 12 of the soils for the DGT method. Phosphorus in the Colwell and resin extract solutions had significantly lower SAs compared to P in the plants for 10 and 4 of the soils, respectively, indicating greater extraction of non-labile P sources (unlabelled ³¹P). Phosphorus in the DGT extractant had significantly lower SA than the plants for 1 soil and in 1 soil the SA was higher. Overall, across all soils, 25 % of P extracted by the Colwell method was non labile compared to 9 % and 2 % for the resin and DGT methods, respectively.

Conclusion

The new DGT method for extraction of soil P has the potential to accurately predict occurrences of P deficiency because it generally extracts the same pool of labile soil P accessed by wheat plants, while methods using bicarbonate solution (e.g. Colwell, Olsen) or water (resin) at wide soil:solution ratios are more likely to measure more non-labile forms of P in soil.