The growth of rhododendrons in containers in soil,treated with either CaCO3, Ca(OH)2 or CaSO4

Summary Rhododendrons were grown in containers for a period of six and a half years (six growth cycles) in soil mixes which contained liberal amounts of either CaCO₃, Ca(OH)₂ or CaSO₄.No evidence was obtained to suggest that the plants were sensitive to liming of the soil or to excessive applications of calcium. The only reaction observed was a leaf chlorosis and veinal necrosis which developed for a brief period following the heavy application of CaSO₄ in the fifth season. The application of Ca(OH)₂ raised the pH throughout the soil profile to over 7, and CaSO₄ induced a consistent increase in leaf calcium.     

Maltobionic acid enhances intestinal absorption of calcium and magnesium in rats

ABSTRACT

In Experiment 1, the effects of calcium maltobionate (MBCa) on calcium and magnesium absorption were examined using male rats. Four diets were designed in which 25%, 50%, and 100% of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃, Control) were substituted with MBCa and were designated as MBCa-25, MBCa-50, and MBCa-100, respectively. The cecal concentration of short-chain fatty acids was significantly higher in groups MBCa-50 and MBCa-100; however, pH of cecal contents did not significantly differ among the groups. Retention rates of calcium and magnesium were significantly higher in all MBCa groups as compared to the Control. In Experiment 2, the efficiency of calcium absorption was compared using everted sacs of jejunum and ileum with CaCO₃ and MBCa as calcium sources. More calcium from MBCa was absorbed as the concentration of calcium increased in comparison to CaCO₃. It was concluded that MBCa is a better calcium source than CaCO₃ in terms of both calcium retention and absorption.

Abbreviations: ANOVA: analysis of variance; Ca: Calcium; CaCO_3: calcium carbonate; ICP-OES: Inductivity coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer; Mg: magnesium; MBCa: calcium maltobionate; OCPC: o-cresolphthalein complexone; SCFAs: short-chain fatty acids; SE: standard error; TRPM6: transient receptor potential melastatin 6.     

Effect of high rates of sulphur on the CaCO3 and CaSO4 content of calcareous soils

Samples of two calcareous soils from central Iraq were amended with 2, 6 and 10 mg g⁻¹ soil of agriculturegrade sulphur and incubated for 4, 8 and 12 weeks at 30°C and 70% water-holding capacity. At the end of each incubation period, soils were analyzed for sulphate, CaCO₃ and CaSO₄. The sulphate content of the soils increased, whereas the CaCO₃ content decreased, with increasing S levels and incubation time. The gypsum formed was in proportion to the sulphur oxidised and the calcium released from CaCO₃.     

Induction of Calcium Carbonate by Bacillus cereus

The purpose of this research was to study how the bacteria Bacillus cereus (DCB1) utilizes calcium ions in a culture medium with carbon dioxide (CO₂) to yield calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). The bacteria strain DCB1 was a dominant strain isolated from dolomitic surfaces in areas of Karst topographies. The experimental method was as follows: a modified beef extract-peptone medium (beef extract 3.0 g, peptone 10 g, NaCl 5.0 g, CaCl₂ 2.0 g, glass powder 2.0 g, distilled water 1 L, and a pH between 6.5 and 7.5) was inoculated with B. cereus to attempt to induce the synthesis of CaCO₃. The sample was then processed by centrifugation every 24 h during the 7-day cultivation period. The pH, carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity, and the concentrations of both HCO^- ₃ and Ca²⁺ in the supernatant fluid were measured. Subsequently, precipitation in the culture medium was analyzed to confirm, or otherwise, the presence and if present, the formation, of CaCO₃. Methods used included X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). Meanwhile, the carbon source in the carbonate was classified by its isotope composition. Results showed that B. cereus can improve its pH value in this culture medium; concentrations of HCO^- ₃ and Ca²⁺ showed a significant decline over the duration of the cultivation period. CA activity reached its maximum during the second day; XRD, SEM, TEM, and isotope analysis all revealed the presence of CaCO₃ as a precipitate. Additionally, these results did not occur in an aseptic control group: no detectable level of CaCO₃ was produced therein. In conclusion: B. cereus can metabolize active materials, such as secretase, by its own growth and metabolism, and can either utilize atmospheric CO₂, or respire, to induce CaCO₃ production. Experimental evidence is offered for a concomitant CO₂ reduction and CaCO₃ induction by microorganisms.     

Calcium magnesium imbalance in clovers: A cause of negative yield response to liming

Three pot experiments, in which causes of negative yield responses to liming were investigated, are reported. The soil used, Waimumu silt loam (Fragiochrept), differed from others that have been reported to show negative yield response to liming, in that it is only moderately weathered and leached, only moderately acid and has previously shown positive yield responses to liming. Deficiencies of Zn and Mg were identified, but limed (pH 6.8) soils still showed a 40% yield depression even where all nutrients were supplied daily. Phosphorus availability was little affected by liming, and despite Mg and Zn addition, yields were depressed at high lime (pH 6.4) and high P while plants showed leaf symptoms of Mg deficiency. Neither plant nor soil analyses indicated low Mg levels but Ca: Mg ratios in soil were 22:1. When a pH range 5.2–6.1 was produced by liming with CaCO₃ and MgCO₃ at ratios between 100:0, and 50:50 on an equivalent basis, negative yield response was eliminated at Ca:Mg of 50:50. There was no evidence that Mg was fixed or rendered unavailable at the higher pH levels. A Ca induced Mg deficiency arising when exchangeable Ca:Mg>20 is suggested as the cause. The role of variable surface charge in converting soils that respond positively to lime to a negative response condition is discussed.     

CaCO3 and SrCO3 bioprecipitation by fungi isolated from calcareous soil

The urease‐positive fungi Pestalotiopsis sp. and Myrothecium gramineum, isolated from calcareous soil, were examined for their properties of CaCO₃ and SrCO₃ biomineralization. After incubation in media amended with urea and CaCl₂ and/or SrCl₂, calcite (CaCO₃), strontianite (SrCO₃), vaterite in different forms [CaCO₃, (Ca_xSr_1?x)CO₃] and olekminskite [Sr(Sr,Ca)(CO₃)₂] were precipitated, and fungal ‘footprints’ were observed on mineral surfaces. The amorphous precipitate mediated by Pestalotiopsis sp. grown with urea and equivalent concentrations of CaCl₂ and SrCl₂ was identified as hydrated Ca and Sr carbonates by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Liquid media experiments showed M. gramineum possessed the highest Sr²⁺ removal ability, and ～ 49% of supplied Sr²⁺ was removed from solution when grown in media amended with urea and 50 mM SrCl₂. Furthermore, this organism could also precipitate 56% of the available Ca²⁺ and 28% of the Sr²⁺ in the form of CaCO₃, SrCO₃ and (Ca_xSr_1?x)CO₃ when incubated in urea‐amended media and equivalent CaCl₂ and SrCl₂ concentrations. This is the first report of biomineralization of olekminskite and coprecipitation of Sr into vaterite mediated by fungi. These findings suggest that urease‐positive fungi could play an important role in the environmental fate, bioremediation or biorecovery of Sr or other metals and radionuclides that form insoluble carbonates.     

The effect of phosphate rock dissolution on soil chemical properties and wheat seedling root elongation

Soils of the Appalachian region of the United States are acidic and deficient in P. North Carolina phosphate rock (PR), a highly substituted fluoroapatite, should be quite reactive in these soils, allowing it to serve both as a source of P and a potential ameliorant of soil acidity. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of PR dissolution on soil chemical properties and wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Hart) seedling root elongation. Ten treatments including nine rates of PR (0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1600 mg P kg^-1) and a CaCO₃ (1000 mg kg^-1) control were mixed with two acidic soils, moistened to a level corresponding to 33 kPa moisture tension and incubated for 30 days. Pregerminated wheat seedlings were grown for three days in the PR treated soils and the CaCO₃ control. Root length was significantly (P<0.05) increased both by PR treatments and CaCO₃, indicating that PR dissolution was ameliorating soil acidity. The PR treatments increased soil pH, exchangeable Ca, and soil solution Ca while lowering exchangeable Al and 0.01 M CaCl₂ extractable soil Al. Root growth in PR treatments was best described by an exponential equation (P<0.01) containing 0.01 M CaCl₂ extractable Al. The PR dissolution did not reduce total soil solution Al, but did release Al complexing anions into soil solution, which along with increased pH, shifted Al speciation from toxic to nontoxic forms. These results suggest that North Carolina PR should contribute to amelioration of soil acidity in acidic, low CEC soils of the Appalachian region.     

Production of Concentrated Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris Suspensions in Calcium Alginate Beads

The effect of simultaneous modification of medium composition and growth conditions on the production of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris biomass in calcium alginate beads was studied by the response surface method. Statistical methods of data analysis for unbalanced experiments are illustrated. The media tested were whey, whey supplemented with yeast extract and/or meat extract, milk, and the commercial medium Gold Complete (Nordica). Fermentations were performed at 23°C under pH control (5.6, 6.0, 6.4, or 6.8). In one complete series, 1% CaCO₃ was added to the growth media. There were strong interactions between CaCO₃ and media, CaCO₃ and pH level, and CaCO₃, media, and pH level. In media with CaCO₃, all first-order interactions between media, pH, and sampling time were significant. The addition of CaCO₃ increased cell counts in whey-meat extract medium, but no significant difference was found with the other media. Uncoupling between growth and acidification occurred between 16 and 22 h. Highest counts were obtained on milk and Gold Complete (6 × 10¹⁰/g). In CaCO₃-containing media, pH influenced cell counts only in whey and in Gold Complete (pH 5.6 and 6.0 giving the best results); pH also influenced the bead mass obtained at the end of the fermentation. Biomass production in alginate gels is proposed as a method of obtaining concentrated cell suspensions without centrifugation or filtration.     

Detection of hydrogen sulphide using cataluminescence sensors based on alkaline-earth metal salts

Detection of hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) was conducted based on cataluminescence (CTL) sensors, using alkaline‐earth metal carbonates as catalysts. Optimal working conditions, analytical characteristics and the response properties of the sensor were investigated. CTL intensity examination showed that sensors fabricated with CaCO₃, SrCO₃ or BaCO₃ could be used to detect H₂S gas sensitively. The optimal sensing temperature was about 320 °C. Under the sensing conditions with temperature at ca. 320 °C and gas flow rate in the range 180–200 mL/min, the linear range of CTL intensity vs H₂S concentration was 25–500 ppm, with a detection limit of 2 ppm. The response and recovery times of the sensor were within 5 and 25 min, respectively. Also, the sensor had the property of high selectivity to H₂S with very weak or no obvious response to 14 other gases, such as NO₂, NH₃, hydrocarbons and alcohol. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Phosphate and calcium carbonate saturation in a stratified coastal lagoon

Seasonal variation of phosphate concentration and saturation index for calcite in water of a small stratified coastal lagoon have been studied. In surface waters, where salinity was low and pH high, the saturation index increased to values near 20, whereas in bottom water, with high salinity and low pH, they were usually lower. The ionic product for H₃PO₄ was strongly correlated with the ionic product of Ca(OH)₂ in surface and bottom waters, and with the ionic product of CaCO₃ in bottom, which suggested that chemical composition was mainly controlled by a calcium-phosphate solid phase.The low concentrations of phosphate in surface were due to chemical precipitation and organic sedimentation, whereas in bottom, calcium phosphate redissolved and organic matter was mineralized producing high concentrations of soluble phosphate (> 60 µmol l^–1).Decrease of calcium-bound phosphate in the upper layers of sediment was in agreement with a diminution of calcium-phosphate precipitation, probably due to a lower influence of seawater in the past.     

Mineral composition and growth of Colorado spruce (Picea pungens) seedlings under calcareous soil conditions

Summary Field studies were conducted to assess the mineral nutrition and growth of Colorado spruce (Picea pungens Engln) seedlings (2–4 yr) from provenances selected for superior growth on calcareous prairie soils. Tissue nutrient concentrations and response to nitrogen were determined by use of foliar analysis and growth pattern studies. Soil conditions ranged from 7.6–7.8 for pH, 12–23% for total CaCO₃, and 5–6% for active CaCO₃. Foliage mineral composition showed relatively low phosphorus (0.09–0.15%) and high calcium (0.45–1.52%) assimilation. Seasonal growth and seedling response to added nitrogen was not adversely affected by the calcareous soil condition. Levels of nitrogen in the foliage required for optimum growth ranged from 1.5–2.0% and were similar to that of other conifer species.     

Effects of soil pH and calcium on mycorrhizas of Picea abies

The effects of lime, increased soil pH and increased soil Ca concentration on the mycorrhizas of Norway spruce. [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] were studied independently of each other to elucidate the different mechanisms through which lime may influence mycorrhizas in acidic soil. In a field experiment (mature Norway spruce in podzol), lime was applied as CaCO₃; increased Ca concentration without an increase in pH was achieved with CaSO₄; and soil pH was increased without calcium by means of Na₂CO₃ and K₂CO₃ (Na+K treatment). Treatments were done in October, and mycorrhizas were counted from samples collected in the following June and September. All treatments increased the percentage of dead short root tips compared to controls in September, and Na+K already in June. Cenococcum geophilum Fr. increased in proportion in plots treated with Na+K.In a sand culture experiment, Norway spruce seedlings were grown from seed and inoculated with Cenococcum geophilum, or root inoculum, or left uninoculated. When mycorrhizas were beginning to form, CaCO₃ and CaSO₄ treatments were applied. Six weeks later, the percent of dead short root tips in both salt treatments was significantly increased from control, but formation of mycorrhizas was not inhibited by treatments.As all the treatments increased the proportion of dead short root tips, it is concluded that lime directly and adversely affected mycorrhizas of Norway spruce in sand culture and in mor humus. Both increased ionic strength and increased pH may be reasons for this rather than Ca²⁺ specifically.     

Importance of B4 Medium in Determining Organomineralization Potential of Bacterial Environmental Isolates

B4 precipitation medium has been used as the preferred medium for studying mineral precipitation using bacterial strains in vitro since pioneer studies were performed by Boquet and coworkers in 1973. Using this medium, several authors have demonstrated that some environmental isolates were able to precipitate minerals, yet others did not. The main goal of the current study is to understand whether pH and buffer conditions would have a significant effect on mineral precipitation results for environmental isolates grown on B4. For this study, a total of 49 strains isolated from natural environments from Puerto Rico were grown on B4 plates, and their CaCO₃ precipitation potential was investigated. Our findings revealed a strong correlation between a lack of CaCO₃ precipitation and the acidification of the B4 plates by the colonies. The ability to precipitate CaCO₃ could be restored by buffering the B4 medium to a pH of 8.2. Buffering capacity of the medium was proposed to be involved in CaCO₃ precipitation: acid-base titrations conducted on the individual ingredients of B4 showed that yeast extract has a poor buffering capacity between pH 6.5–7.5. This pH range corresponds to the pH of B4 plates [6.87 (±0.05)] prior to the inoculation. This might explain why B4 is such a good precipitation medium: a small variation in the H⁺/OH^? balance during microbial growth and precipitation produces rapid changes in the pH of the medium. Finally, an amorphous matrix was distributed within 90% of the examined crystals generated on B4 medium by the environmental strains. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Geomicrobiology Journal to view the free supplemental file.     

Coupling of strontium and calcium cycles in Lake Constance

The contents of Sr and Ca were measured weekly in Lake Constance in 1986. Epilimnetic concentrations of Ca changed between 1.30 × 10^-3 mol l^-1 (during homothermy) and 0.9 × 10 -3 mol l^-1 (during thermal stratification). The seasonal fluctuations of Ca were correlated with those of Sr (between 4.61 and 5.36 mol l^-1). The epilimnion was permanently oversaturated with respect to calcite but not with respect to SrCO₃. Analysis of the settling process by use of sedimentation traps revealed two short episodes of very high authigenic settling fluxes of CaCO₃, triggered by phytoplankton diatoms. Seasonal changes of the Ca contents (between 4.1 and 30.7 percent of the dry weight) and of the Sr concentrations (from 12 to 75 × 10^-3 percent) in the settling material were closely correlated. This suggests a coprecipitation mechanism with a nearly constant stoichiometry of (atoms Sr/atoms Ca) × 1000 of 0.84. Coprecipitation of Sr or Ca with organic matter was insignificant. In the hypolimnion some Sr and Ca were released from the settling material. These results strongly suggest that the cycle of Sr in Lake Constance is driven predominantly by coprecipitation with calcite. The principal chemical mechanisms leading to coprecipitation are discussed.     

Carbonate Mineral Precipitation for Soil Improvement Through Microbial Denitrification

Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) and associated biogas production may provide sustainable means of mitigating a number of geotechnical challenges associated with granular soils. MICP can induce interparticle soil cementation, mineral precipitation in soil pore space and/or biogas production to address geotechnical problems such as slope instability, soil erosion and scour, seepage of levees and cutoff walls, low bearing capacity of shallow foundations, and earthquake-induced liquefaction and settlement. Microbial denitrification has potential for improving the mechanical and hydraulic properties of soils because it promotes precipitation of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and produces nitrogen (N₂) gas without generating toxic by-products. We evaluated the potential for inducing carbonate precipitation in soil via bacterial denitrification using bench-scale experiments with the facultative anaerobe Pseudomonas denitrificans. Bench-scale experiments were conducted (1) without calcium in an N-rich bacterial growth medium in 2.0 L glass batch reactors and (2) with a source of calcium in sand-filled acrylic columns. Changes of pH, alkalinity, NO₃^? and NO₂^? in the batch reactors and columns, quantification of biogas production and observations of calcium-carbonate precipitation in the sand-filled columns indicate that denitrification led to carbonate precipitation and particle cementation in the pore water as well as a substantial amount of biogas production in both systems. These results document that bacterial denitrification has potential as a soil improvement mechanism.     

The geochemistry of two hard water rivers,the Rhine and the Rhone. Part 2: The apparent solubility of calcium carbonate

The ionic products of CaCO₃ have been calculated for 7 stations in the Rhine and for 7 stations in the Rhone over periods of 9 and 7 years respectively. The ionic products exceed the solubility product, indicating a supersaturation with CaCO₃. It is demonstrated that the ionic product is related to the pH according to IP_c = A.pH^B.The values obtained for A and B for the different stations vary per station and per year. The four regression lines, however, differ numerically very little between pH 7 and 8. Supersaturation with CaCO₃ of hard waters thus seems to depend on the pH.     

Effects of liming and boron fertilization on boron uptake of Picea abies

The effects of liming on concentrations of boron and other elements in Norway spruce [Picea abies (L) Karst.] needles and in the mor humus layer were studied in long-term field experiments with and without B fertilizer on podzolic soils in Finland. Liming (2000+4000 kg ha^-1 last applied 12 years before sampling) decreased needle B concentrations in the four youngest needle age classes from 6–10 mg kg^-1 to 5 mg kg^-1. In boron fertilized plots the corresponding concentrations were 23–35 mg kg^-1 in control plots and 21–29 mg kg^-1 in limed plots. Both liming and B fertilizer decreased the Mn concentrations of needles. In the humus layer, total B concentration was increased by both lime and B fertilizer, and Ca and Mg concentrations and pH were still considerably higher in the limed plots than controls. Liming decreased the organic matter concentration in humus layer, whilst B fertilizer increased it.The results about B uptake were confirmed in a pot experiment, in which additionally the roles of increased soil pH and increased soil Ca concentration were separated by means of comparing the effects of CaCO₃ and CaSO₄. Two-year-old bare-rooted Norway spruce seedlings were grown in mor humus during the extension growth of the new shoot. The two doses of lime increased the pH of soil from 4.1 to 5.6 to 6.1, and correspondingly decreased the B concentrations in new needles from 22 to 12 to 9 mg kg^-1. However, CaSO₄ did not affect the pH of the soil or needle B concentrations. Hence the liming effect on boron availability in these soils appeared to be caused by the increased pH rather than increased calcium concentration.     

Immunolocalization of an Acid Phosphatase from Pearl Oyster (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinctada fucata</Emphasis>) and Its In Vitro Effects on Calcium Carbonate Crystal Formation

Distribution of an acid phosphatase, AcPase I, from pearl oyster (Pinctada fucata) in different tissues was investigated via enzyme activity determination and immunohistochemistry. Positive reactions were observed in sections of digestive gland, base of gill filaments, and epithelia of the outer side of the middle fold and the inner side of the outer fold, which indicated AcPase I might participate in processes besides immune defense, such as calcium metabolism or shell formation. Its effects on CaCO₃ crystal formation were studied in vitro. Results revealed that AcPase I inhibited CaCO₃ precipitation in a dose-dependent manner and had no affinity for calcium. CaCO₃ crystals induced by AcPase I exhibited a cluster needle-like morphology, which proved to be aragonite. The morphology and size of the aragonites varied with different concentrations of AcPase I. Our observations described here may provide important clues to further understanding of the correlations between mineralization and immune defense in the oyster.     

Laboratory measurements and simulations of ammonia volatilization from urea applied to calcareous Chinese loess soils

Ammonia volatilization is the major pathway for mineral nitrogen loss in the calcareous soils of the Chinese loess plateau, with maximum losses reaching 50% of the fertilizer-N applied. A volatilization-diffusion experiment was carried out in the laboratory using a forced-draft system and soil columns of 15.5 cm depth. Urea was surface applied at rates of 210 kg N ha^-1 to a soil with 10% CaCO₃ and a pH of 7.7. The amount of ammonia volatilized as well as the concentration profiles of ammoniacal-nitrogen and soil pH in the upper 50 mm of the soil columns after 4, 7 and 10 days were measured and subsequently modelled. The mechanistic model of Rachhpal-Singh and Nye, originally developed for neutral, non-calcareous soils, was modified to include the pH-buffering action of the soil carbonates. Model parameters were independently determined or taken from the literature. Measured and predicted cumulative NH₃ losses agreed very well in the first 10 days following fertilizer application. However, in contrast to the simulations, NH₃-volatilization was still proceeding in the experiment even after 13 days, with cumulative losses reaching 60% of the applied N. In addition to the high initial soil pH, the low bulk density and high volumetric air content of the soil columns used for the experiment proved decisive for the high rates of ammonia volatilization, provoking a strong increase in the amount of ammoniacal-N diffusing towards the soil surface as gaseous NH₃. The simulations showed that due to the high soil pH, the buffering action of the soil carbonates played a comparatively smaller role.     

Soil acidity and nutrient deficiency in central Amazonian heath forest soils

Experiments were carried out to test the effects of liming and nutrient additions on plant growth and soil processes such as C and N mineralisation in three contrasting forest types in central Amazonia: the stunted facies of heath forest (SHF), the tall facies of heath forest (THF) and the surrounding lowland evergreen rain forest (LERF). Calcium-carbonate additions increased soil respiration in the field plots in the SHF; in laboratory incubations, soil respiration was higher in the SHF when soils were fertilised with N, and in THF and LERF after S additions. The addition of N alone or in different combinations generally induced a net immobilisation of soil N. Net nitrification increased during the incubation in SHF and THF soils fertilised with N+P, and in LERF soils fertilised with either N, or P, or CaCO₃. In a field experiment using ingrowth bags, a higher fine root production was observed in all forest types when bags were fertilised with CaCl₂ or CaCO₃, suggesting that Ca may be a limiting nutrient in these soils. Calcium-carbonate addition in a glasshouse bioassay experiment with rice showed an overall positive effect on the survival and growth of the seedlings. In other treatments where soil pH was not raised, the rice showed acute toxicity symptoms, poor root and shoot growth and high mortality. Similar results were yielded in a field experiment, using naturally established seedlings in the field plots in SHF, THF and LERF. It is concluded that the acute H⁺ ion toxicity is a major growth-limiting factor for non-adapted plants in heath forest soils in central Amazonia.