Humus status of different soils affected by pollution with fluorides from aluminum production in the Baikal region

The effect of pollution by fluorides from aluminum production on the humus status in different types of arable soils was studied in field experiments. They included modeling of a high pollution level by addition of NaF prevailing in industrial air emissions. The negative effect of fluorides on the humus status, related to an increase in the mobility of humic substances, was more pronounced in gray forest soil than in sod-meadow soil. This depended on the soil physicochemical properties determining the buffer capacity toward NaF and the content of water-soluble fluorides.     

Changes in organic phosphorus composition in boreal forest humus soils: the role of iron and aluminium

Organic phosphorus (P) is an important component of boreal forest humus soils, and its concentration has been found to be closely related to the concentration of iron (Fe) and aluminium (Al). We used solution and solid state ³¹P NMR spectroscopy on humus soils to characterize organic P along two groundwater recharge and discharge gradients in Fennoscandian boreal forest, which are also P sorption gradients due to differences in aluminium (Al) and iron (Fe) concentration in the humus. The composition of organic P changed sharply along the gradients. Phosphate diesters and their degradation products, as well as polyphosphates, were proportionally more abundant in low Al and Fe sites, whereas phosphate monoesters such as myo-, scyllo- and unknown inositol phosphates dominated in high Al and Fe soils. The concentration of inositol phosphates, but not that of diesters, was positively related to Al and Fe concentration in the humus soil. Overall, in high Al and Fe sites the composition of organic P seemed to be closely associated with stabilization processes, whereas in low Al and Fe sites it more closely reflected inputs of organic P, given the dominance of diesters which are generally assumed to constitute the bulk of organic P inputs to the soil. These gradients encompass the broad variation in soil properties detected in the wider Fennoscandian boreal forest landscape, as such our findings provide insight into the factors controlling P biogeochemistry in the region but should be of relevance to boreal forests elsewhere.     

Study of humic substance transformation in phosphatic soil in terms of nucleophilicity and electrophilicity

The applicability of the nucleophilicity/electrophilicity concept to the explanation of mechanisms of formation and transformation of humic substances was considered. Sequential time changes in the structure and properties of humic substances in phosphatic soil have been revealed. Different elemental composition of humic and fulvic acids at different stages of humus transformation was due to different patterns of electron density distribution in phosphorus-modified fragments of humic molecules. The important role of metals and phosphorus in realization of different pathways of humic substance transformation was demonstrated.     

草原及开垦后土壤有机质性质研究

从土壤有机无机复合状况、腐殖质结合形态和腐殖质组成等方面,研究了供试土壤(草原淡黑钙土、草原风沙土和已开垦的风沙土)有机质的性质．结果表明,不同土壤类型及利用方式对土壤有机质性质的影响有很大的差异．与风沙土相比,淡黑钙土的全土碳、生物量碳、重组碳、可提取腐殖物质(HE)、松结态腐殖质的含量和全土腐殖化度较高．风沙土种向日葵后其全土碳、生物量碳、重组碳和HE含量及各种结合形态腐殖质含量均下降,但腐殖化程度相差不大．     

半干旱黄土丘陵区纯林土壤腐殖质异化特征及与其他性质的关系

纯林长期生长或多代连栽必然会导致土壤腐殖质含量和构成发生异化,探究这种异化特征及其与土壤其他性质的关系可以为纯林管理或混交改造提供科学依据。通过对半干旱黄土丘陵区南泥湾林场8种典型纯林土壤腐殖质及其他性质进行系统检测,结果表明:(1)侧柏林土壤腐殖质含量最高(34.61 g/kg),腐殖化程度和稳定性一般;白榆和白桦林土壤的腐殖质含量中等(19.69—23.58 g/kg)、腐殖化程度和稳定性最佳;茶条槭和小叶杨林土壤的腐殖质含量(20.59—22.53 g/kg)和构成均为中等水平;油松、沙棘和刺槐林土壤的腐殖质质量较低(11.77—13.81 g/kg),且腐殖化程度较低,稳定性相对最差;(2)与胡敏酸含量存在显著相互促进作用(P0.05)的土壤性质为CEC、N、微生物量和蛋白酶活性(相关系数0.769—0.926,下同),存在显著相互抑制作用的为有效Cu(-0.793);与富啡酸存在显著相互促进作用的为N、CEC、微生物量、蔗糖酶和磷酸酶活性(0.836—0.955),存在显著相互抑制作用的为有效Cu(-0.822);与胡敏素存在显著相互促进作用的为N、CEC、微生物量、磷酸酶活性和有效Zn(0.766—0.951),存在显著相互抑制作用的为脱氢酶活性(-0.784)。(3)腐殖质构成与其他性质的相关性均不显著(P0.05),其中相对有利于提高胡敏酸/腐殖酸含量之比的土壤性质为蛋白酶、蔗糖酶和过氧化氢酶活性,而不利的是脱氢酶活性;相对有利于提高胡敏酸/富啡酸含量之比的为速效K、CEC和脲酶活性,而不利的是脱氢酶活性。(4)总体而言土壤腐殖质含量较之腐殖质构成与其他性质之间具有更大的相关性;向土壤增施N肥可以促进腐殖质的形成,增加K肥则有利于腐殖质构成的改善,而通过混交改造或增加林下植被是促进纯林土壤腐殖质化过程和解决土壤退化的根本措施。     

Changes in the Structure and Properties of Alkali-Soluble Humic Substances in Phosphorus-Enriched Gray Forest Soil

The dynamics of spectral and kinetic properties of alkali-soluble humic substances in the gray forest soil were studied in the course of its incubation with NH₄H₂PO₄ (44.5 mg P per 100 g soil) for seven days, one year, and three years. The results provided evidence for consistent changes in the energy state of electrons in the functional groups of humic molecules extracted from the phosphorus-enriched soil. The structure of these molecules markedly changed by the end of the experiment, which was manifested in the increased number of coupled chromophores (due to the formation of additional C=C bonds) and the accumulation of new strongly polar functional groups (P=O). These changes provided for an increased solubility of soil humus in 0.1 N NaOH, higher saturation of dissolved humic substances with metals, and a different pattern of the distribution of carbon, metals, and phosphorus between the fractions of humic and fulvic acids.     

内蒙半干旱低山区不同纯林土壤腐殖质分异特征及其与其他生物化学性质的关系

纯林土壤腐殖质含量及其构成是否会因枯落叶组成的单一性和单优群落环境的特殊性而发生分异变化是关系到森林可持续经营的关键问题.本文以内蒙半干旱低山区的6种典型纯林为研究对象,研究了不同树种纯林土壤腐殖质分异特征及其与其他生物化学性质的关系.结果表明：云杉和白桦林地土壤的腐殖质含量、缩合程度和稳定性均较高,其次为小叶杨和落叶松林地,再次为白榆林地,而油松林地土壤的腐殖质含量和缩合程度均最低、稳定性最差.土壤微生物生物量和磷酸酶活性与腐殖质各组分的积累及其稳定性存在相互促进作用;过氧化氢酶和脱氢酶活性则与土壤腐殖质存在相互抑制作用,且脱氢酶活性的提高可能破坏腐殖质的稳定性.速效N含量与腐殖质积累及其稳定性呈正相关,而全量Cu、Fe、Zn含量与腐殖质呈负相关,全Cu、Fe的增加可能会破坏腐殖质的稳定性.纯林环境及其枯落叶性质的特殊性是造成腐殖质分异的重要原因,混交改造或增加林下植被是改善土壤腐殖质构成的根本措施.     

Relationship between decomposition of cellulose strips and chemical properties of humus layer in natural boreal forests

The relationships between the decomposition of cellulose strips buried completely within the humus layer (Of + Oh) for two 1-year periods and humus layer properties were studied at forested sites with minimal anthropogenic influence. The 18 study sites are clustered in four catchments located between 61° and 69° N in Finland. The stands were composed of varying proportions of Scots pine, Norway spruce and deciduous species. Of the 23 humus layer properties studied, significant correlations were found between decomposition and soil pH, effective cation exchange capacity, base saturation, C/N ratio, the concentrations of P, Mn, Pb, Zn and Cu. The relationships, however, were inconsistent except for heavy metal concentrations which were positive in all cases. Decomposition was more strongly and consistently correlated to tree stand characteristics (mean height and stem volume) than to the humus layer properties. Both the decomposition of cellulose strips and the concentrations of heavy metals were intercorrelated with climate and the stand characteristics. Partial correlation analysis revealed that the relationships between decomposition and humus layer heavy metal concentrations were more strongly affected by the tree stand characteristics than by climate. After the statistical elimination of the effects of stand characteristics, no significant positive correlations between decomposition and humus layer heavy metal concentrations remained and, in some cases for total and extractable Zn, the correlations became significant and negative. Results from litterfall chemistry (nutrients and heavy metals) also underlined that any specific effects of humus layer heavy metal concentrations on decomposition may be masked if the effects of stand characteristics are not accounted for. We conclude that the relationships between decomposition and soil chemical properties can not be elucidated without considering stand structure and composition of the forest stand.     

Influence of agricultural soil management on humus composition and dynamics: Classical and modern analytical techniques

In-source pyrolysis-field ionization mass spectrometry (Py-FIMS), in combination with complementary elemental, wet-chemical, biochemical, and microbiological data, has been used to characterize humus composition and dynamics in soil samples from several field plots that have been cultivated in long-term experiments under different management conditions. Thermograms and Py-FI mass spectra of whole-soil samples from field plots that under very different management show significant differences in humus composition, which may be due to varying stages of decomposition of plant residues and humus genesis. The intensity of soil management significantly affects high-molecular-weight subunits such as dimeric lignin0, arylalkyl-, and aliphatic constituents, even though humus quantity is similar for plots under more practically oriented management, such as crop rotation. The differences in molecular humus subunits of soil samples from different plots, in combination with complementary data, demonstrated that less parent (i.e. primary) material is incorporated in the humus matrix under intense soil management conditions. Samples from different field plots can thus be objectively differentiated on the basis of humus properties using multivariate statistical techniques such as principal component and cluster analyses. This statistical discrimination, using Py-FI mass spectra of the samples, corresponds well with microbial biomasses but is somewhat inconsistent with elemental data and results of chemical degradation procedures. The microflora populations in soils under intense management are limited by low availability and/or quality of carbon substrates. The resulting restricted internal nitrogen cycle causes those soils to have a reduced capacity to immobilize N, leading to relative enrichment of heterocyclic nitrogen compounds that are resistant to mineralization.     

Soil humic compounds and microbial communities in six spruce forests as function of parent material, slope aspect and stand age

The influences on soil chemical and microbial properties of parent material, north south aspect and time measured as stand age were investigated in six spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) forests located in the alpine range of Northern Italy. Soil samples from A horizons were analysed for humic substances and in parallel Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Analysis (ARDRA) community profiles and microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen content were determined. Chemical data were analyzed by canonical discriminant analysis while the ARDRA fingerprints were ordered in clusters using image analysis software. The geologic parent material was the most determining factor and the aspect-dependent microclimate features also played a distinct role in defining both soil chemistry and microbial community composition; in contrast the composition of the deeper humus layers (OH, A) was stable and similar within a spruce forest cycle time. Most important variables in the construction of the discriminating models resulted soil pH, Dissolved Organic Carbon content and Dissolved Organic Matter phenolic compounds. Bacterial communities appeared to be shaped first and foremost by the substratum, secondly by mountain slope orientation, and thirdly by forest stage, thus confirming the CDA model.     

A comparative study of soil formation in primary stands of Scots pine (planted) and poplar (natural) on calcareous dune sands in the Netherlands

Initial soil formation under primary stands of Scots pine (planted) and European black poplar (natural) on calcareous dune sands was studied, paying particular attention to the humus forms and their spatial variability. The stands studied are both about 80 years old and are situated, at close distance, in the coastal dunes near Wassenaar (the Netherlands).Under Scots pine, soils with a mor-type humus form were observed, exhibiting slight podzolisation. Soil variability is rather slight and soil development is comparable to that under primary Scots pine stands on non-calcareous inland drift sands. Under poplar, mull-type humus forms occur which tend towards moder and exhibit a markedly stronger litter decomposition and bioturbation. In contrast to the soils under pine, soil variability is considerable. Results from chemical analyses of two representative soil profiles are in conformance with these trends.It is concluded that the observed trends in soil formation are in line with those described in the literature, and that a period of 80 years is sufficient for a strong vegetation related divergence in soil properties. Soil variability within the stands probably results from redistribution of litter by wind and/or gravity and will be rather site-dependent.     

稻田免耕和稻草还田对土壤腐殖质和微生物活性的影响

为了阐明免耕和稻草还田土壤固碳机制,研究了无稻草还田免耕（NT）、无稻草还田常耕（CT）、稻草还田免耕（NTS）和稻草还田常耕（CTS）对水稻不同生育期不同土层（0—5,5—12,12—20cm）土壤腐殖质形态、含量及微生物活性的影响。结果表明,免耕（NT和NTS）处理显著增加0—5 cm土层土壤游离松结态、联结态和稳紧结态腐殖质含量和游离松结态腐殖质占总腐殖质的比例,且免耕对土壤各结合态腐殖质含量的影响程度有随生育期的推后而增加的趋势;5—12cm和12—20cm土层土壤各结合态腐殖质含量和0—20cm各土层微生物活性有减少趋势;在水稻分蘖期免耕对微生物活性影响很弱,在水稻拔节—灌浆期免耕处理显著降低5—12 cm土层土壤微生物活性,相反,免耕却增加水稻成熟期0—5 cm土层的微生物活性;另一方面,稻草还田（CTS和NTS）显著提高土壤各结合态腐殖质含量,尤其是0—5 cm土层、游离松结态腐殖质及水稻生育后期;CTS处理显著增加分蘖期—孕穗期0—20 cm土层的呼吸强度,而稻草还田显著增加孕穗期—成熟期0—5cm土层的纤维素分解强度。可见,通过增加土壤腐殖质含量和各结合态腐殖质含量并改变微生物活性免耕有利于表土层碳的固定作用,而免耕与稻草还田相结合更有利于土壤碳的积累。     

Agronomic properties of a volcanic ash-derived soil as affected by uncomposted organic materials

A sandy soil from the Vesuvian volcanic area, low in organic matter, was treated in pot experiments with raw farm-yard manure, green horse bean and wheat straw in order to study the effects of organic amendments on physical, chemical and biological properties. Farm-yard manure, rawly composted, caused a significant decrease of bulk density and improved water retention and the content of available phospate and potassium. It also showed the higher conversion co-efficient to stable humus during two years of the incubation period. It depressed the wheat seed germination and cotyledon growth for a one-year incubation period. Horse bean green manure was rapidly mineralized and did not remarkably improve the physical properties of the soil. Furthermore, it produced the lowest humus content and negatively affected seed development for eight months, but remarkably increased nutrient elements' contents (P and K). Wheat straw, added with N (2% urea form), improved humus formation and soil structure compared to horse bean; it increased K and P content and negatively affected seedling development for two months only.     

Influence of soil acidification and liming on selected enzymes of the carbohydrate metabolism and the contents of two major organic acids of mycorrhizal roots of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.)

Effects of soil acidification and liming on the activities of three enzymes of the carbohydrate metabolism and the quantities of two of the major organic acids of mycorrhizal roots of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.) Karst.) were studied at Höglwald Forest in southern Germany. The enzymes investigated were glucosephosphate isomerase, pyruvate kinase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. The organic acids studied were citric acid and malic acid.Annual mean activities of the three enzymes were equal in mycorrhizal roots of the humus and the upper mineral soil. But in autumn and winter the activities of each of the three enzymes were higher than in summer. Of the various soil treatments only soil acidification affected the activities of the three enzymes. It stimulated activities by a factor of 1.5 in mycorrhizal roots of the humus but had no effect on mycorrhizal roots from the upper mineral soil.Mycorrhizal roots in the humus contained approximately 10 times more citrate and two times more malate than mycorrhizal roots from the upper mineral soil (0–5 cm). In mycorrhizal roots from the humus citrate and malate were of similar concentrations. In mycorrhizal roots from the upper mineral soil malate was approximately four times more concentrated than citrate. In the humus the citric acid concentration of mycorrhizal roots decreased under soil acidification by a factor of 1.4 while it increased under liming and compensatory liming (acid irrigation after liming) by a factor of 1.5. Malic acid concentrations increased exclusively under liming in mycorrhizal roots of the humus by a factor of 1.3.     

Microbial indicators for sawdust and bark compost stability and humification processes

To what extent some microbial index ratios are suitable for use as early criteria for the level of compost stability during aerobic composting of coniferous sawdust and bark at mesophilic conditions was studied. Evolution of the specific respiration activity (CO₂-C/biomass C) and the ratios between some groups of microorganisms were followed as a function of composting time. The specific respiration activity was found to be an early and most reliable indicator of compost stability. The peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase enzyme activity during composting, as well as the composition of newly-formed humus substances were studied. The duration of composting increased the quality of newly-formed humus substances (C_h.a.:C_f.a ratio; Ca-complexed humic acid and resistance of organo-mineral complexes). The quality of humus substances could be used to assess compost stability. However, the results can be applied only under defined conditions.     

Autoregressive Linear Mixed Models for Investigating Humus Disintegration

We examine the hypothesis of an increase of humus disintegration in central European forests by modeling data from the case study “Zierenberg”, which is carried out in Germany. We analyse a spatio‐temporal regression model, which was constructed after an exploratory data analysis. The data are unbalanced repeated measurements collected at several sites and soil depths between 1989 and 1995 with a huge amount of missing observations. Spatial dependencies are considered by coupling linear models for the distinct depths using autoregressive terms and adding random effects. Under the assumption of normality, we provide formulae for maximum likelihood estimation as well as test statistics. As a result of the data analysis, we find that some chemical substances might be influential in the process of humus disintegration.     

Hydrolytic enzyme activities of extracted humic substances during the vermicomposting of a lignocellulosic olive waste

Humic substances and three hydrolytic enzymes (beta-glucosidase, phosphatase and urease) were extracted by neutral sodium pyrophosphate from an olive waste (dry olive cake), alone or mixed with municipal biosolids, during a nine month vermicomposting process. Easily degradable compounds decreased during the vermicomposting process because of microbial consumption. When municipal biosolids were added to dry olive cake, microbial activity increased and the amounts of compounds extracted by pyrophosphate were three times lower than olive cake alone. In both instances, beta-glucosidase, phosphatase and urease activities of the organic extracts either increased or remained the same after a nine month period of vermicomposting, thus suggesting that the humus enzyme complexes resisted microbial and earthworm attack. It is known that humus immobilised enzymes also remain active in soil environments, reactivating the nutrient cycles in soil. The use as amendments of vermicomposted olive cake, alone or when mixed with biosolids, could be a good alternative to reactivate the C, P and N-cycles in degraded soils for regeneration purposes.     

Ecosystem disturbance reduces the allelopathic effects of Empetrum hermaphroditum humus on tundra plants

Question: Do naturally occurring ecosystem disturbances interfere with allelopathic effects and alleviate growing conditions for plants typical of more productive ecosystem states? Location: An unproductive tundra ecosystem in Northern Fennoscandia. Methods: We designed a factorial phytotron experiment to monitor the growth of seedlings of two herbaceous species in undisturbed and disturbed humus of the dominant dwarf shrub Empetrum hermaphroditum, which releases allelopathic substances that accumulate in soil over time. Herbivore defecation and wildfire are two major ecosystem disturbances likely to alleviate effects of these allelopathic substances. Humus and seeds of herbaceous species were sampled from Empetrum‐dominated heaths. Disturbance effects on humus were simulated by adding reindeer faeces and by low‐severity burning. Results: The concentration of the allelopathic substance batatasin‐III in Empetrum humus was 0.32±0.16 (SE) μg g^?1, which is similar to previous reports from boreal areas. Reindeer faeces addition and burning treatments to Empetrum humus caused three‐ and five‐fold increases in growth of the herbaceous species Avenella flexuosa and Solidago virgaurea respectively. Changes in soil chemistry caused by the disturbance, i.e. increased pH and nutrient availability, likely interfered with allelopathic effects and improved conditions for growth. Conclusions: Humus from Empetrum‐dominated tundra areas is infertile for seedlings of local herbaceous plants. Simulated herbivore defecation and wildfire can alleviate this infertility. Based on our results, we discuss the potential role of these naturally occurring disturbances in switching vegetation composition from Empetrum to herbaceous dominance, i.e. from an unproductive to a more productive tundra ecosystem.     

Effects of Pinus sylvestris root growth and mycorrhizosphere development on bacterial carbon source utilization and hydrocarbon oxidation in forest and petroleum-contaminated soils

The hypothesis that Pinus sylvestris L. root and mycorrhizosphere development positively influences bacterial community-linked carbon source utilization, and drives a concomitant reduction in mineral oil levels in a petroleum hydrocarbon- (PHC-) contaminated soil was confirmed in a forest ecosystem-based phytoremediation simulation. Seedlings were grown for 9 months in large petri dish microcosms containing either forest humus or humus amended with cores of PHC-contaminated soil. Except for increased root biomass in the humus/PHC treatment, there were no other significant treatment-related differences in plant growth and needle C and N status. Total cell and culturable bacterial (CFU) densities significantly increased in both rhizospheres and mycorrhizospheres that actively developed in the humus and PHC-contaminated soil. Mycorrhizospheres (mycorrhizas and extramatrical mycelium) supported the highest numbers of bacteria. Multivariate analyses of bacterial community carbon source utilization profiles (Biolog GN microplate) from different rhizosphere, mycorrhizosphere, and bulk soil compartments, involving principal component and correspondence analysis, highlighted three main niche-related groupings. The respective clusters identified contained bacterial communities from (i) unplanted bulk soils, (ii) planted bulk PHC and rhizospheres in PHC-contaminated soils, and (iii) planted bulk humus and rhizosphere/mycorrhizosphere-influenced humus, and mycorrhizosphere-influenced PHC contaminated soil. Correspondence analysis allowed further identification of amino acid preferences and increased carboxylic/organic acid preferences in rhizosphere and mycorrhizosphere compartments. Decreased levels of mineral oil (non-polar hydrocarbons) were detected in the PHC-contaminated soil colonized by pine roots and mycorrhizal fungi. These data further support our view that mycorrhizosphere development and function plays a central role in controlling associated bacterial communities and their degradative activities in lignin-rich forest humus and PHC-contaminated soils.     

不同肥力条件下黑土及其有机无机复合体的腐殖质组成

采用Kumada法研究了不同肥力黑土及其复合体的腐殖质组成.结果表明,黑土培肥后,粉粒和细砂复合体含量增多;土壤及各级复合体游离态和结合态腐殖质含量得到不同程度提高,但游离态腐殖质的腐殖化度降低.这种作用在粉粒和细砂复合体中表现得更为明显.随复合体粒径增大,复合体有机碳含量、腐殖质提取率、游离态腐殖质含量及游离态胡敏酸的腐殖化度等均有降低趋势.胡敏酸分类结果表明,高肥土壤游离态胡敏酸均为R_p型,低肥则为R_p型和B型.随复合体粒径增大,游离态胡敏酸类型变化序列主要为:A型(粘粒)→B型(粉粒)→R_p型(细砂);无论粒径大小,结合态胡敏酸大多为A型.土壤培肥后,可使全土及各级复合体的游离态腐殖质的腐殖化度降低,进而会发生型变.在黑土中,游离态胡敏酸的型变主要体现在粉粒复合体中,结合态胡敏酸的型变主要体现在细砂复合体中.