ABSTRACT This study determines for first time determine levels of Hg in greenhouse soils and its ... more ABSTRACT This study determines for first time determine levels of Hg in greenhouse soils and its temporal trend in an Mediterranean area using a USEPA (2007) method and it investigates possible relationships between soil properties and elemental concentrations. The results show that the Hg concentration in these soils is in the same order than those reported by other authors working on Spanish agricultural soils, although a significant increased in Hg content in soils was detected with the period of soil cultivation. Significant correlations between mercury and soil properties were found which suggested that Hg is mainly retained by soil organic compounds
International Symposium on Growing Media, Composting and Substrate Analysis, 2013
ABSTRACT This study compares two phytotoxic tests; Zucconi (ZT) and plate bioassay (PB); to asses... more ABSTRACT This study compares two phytotoxic tests; Zucconi (ZT) and plate bioassay (PB); to assess the possible phytotoxicity of two composts and to determine the optimal rates of compost amendment to soil by PB. The TZ test was done using Lepidium sativum L., while the PB test utilised Hordeum vulgare L., Lactuca sativa L. and Lepidium sativum L. The composts employed came from a treatment plant that processes the organic fraction of solid municipal waste with low stability (C1), and from agro-industrial waste composts with a good maturity index (C2) (Experiment 1). Moreover, the PB using barley and lettuce seeds was done to assess its effects as a soil amendment and to estimate the optimal C2 application dose on an agricultural calcaric Fluvisol soil type (Experiment 2). The results of Experiment 1 show that both TZ and PB are useful for assessing the phytotoxicity degree of compost and indicate the phytotoxic effects and the positive effects for C1 and C2, respectively. The results of Experiment 2 indicate differences in root elongation and shoot development for both barley and lettuce depending on the dose applied to the soil, suggesting that PB is sensitive for this test type; in line with this, the results reveal that doses of 2% for barley and 16% for lettuce enhance plant growth. After considering the PB’s simplicity, speed, low cost and sensitivity, we recommend its use with seeds of species like lettuce and/or barley to assess the phytotoxic effects of compost and to estimate the most appropriate application dose.
Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987), Jan 25, 2014
Historical trends in trace element deposition were analyzed using herbaria specimens. We determin... more Historical trends in trace element deposition were analyzed using herbaria specimens. We determined Al, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ca, Na, P, K, S, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn contents in leaves of eight specimens collected in 1941. To assess changes, we collected the same plants from a botanical garden in 2012. The concentrations of major elements showed large species variability. However, temporal trends were predominately detected for heavy metals. The Cd, Ni and Cr contents in the 2012 leaves were 10, 13 and 16 times higher, respectively, than in 1941. Urban activities have substantially raised the levels of these metals in urban atmospheres due to changes in human activities over 70 years of urban growth. Nevertheless, Pb has decreased (-126%) in recent decades thanks to controlled lead fuel combustion. In short, metal deposition trend to increase Cr, Ni and Cd levels.
Due to their high metabolic diversity and high adaptability, microorganisms are able to live in t... more Due to their high metabolic diversity and high adaptability, microorganisms are able to live in the most varied of "natural" and "artificial" habitats created by environmen- tal contamination. Different microbes can use a great variety of refractory pollutants, thus permitting their use in ex and in situ bioremediation. The implementation of biotreatment processes requires the use of evaluation methods of
Heavy metal contaminated soils results in various negative environmental effects such as a decrea... more Heavy metal contaminated soils results in various negative environmental effects such as a decrease in biological diversity, decline crop productivity or human exposure to toxic elements in the others. The influence of heavy metal contamination in Spanish Mediterranean soils on its biological activity was studied. Non-polluted soils and heavy metal contaminated soils were sampled from different sites affected by several industrial activities. Soil characteristics, heavy metals (As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, Zn and V), soil organic matter, microorganism numbers, biomass microbial carbon, soil respiration and dehydrogenase activity were determined. Except to a rice farming soil, the results indicate that soils with high concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn showed low soil respiration, biomass carbon and dehydrogenase activity with respect non-polluted soils with similar characteristics. Our results provide evidence that these parameters are good approach to study ...
Organic soil amendments are increasingly being examined for their potential use to improve soil f... more Organic soil amendments are increasingly being examined for their potential use to improve soil functions and quality. We studied the effect of compost amendment on soil organic matter (SOM) and humic substances. The study was carried out on Luvic Calcisol in the Valencian Community (East Spain) used as a citrus fruit orchard. Four plots were amended at dose 0, 6, 12 and 36 Mg ha-1 of rice residue and sewage sludge compost. Seven soil samples for each treatment at depths of 0-10 and 10-20 cm were taken in the first seven months after application. Soil characteristics, SOM, mineral nitrogen, total nitrogen, NH4+-N, and fulvic and humic acids were determined. The results demonstrated that the use of organic compost considerably increases SOM, total nitrogen and the humic substances such as the applied dose. The level of humic substances remained without significant variations during the experimental period. The dose of 36 Mg ha-1 proved the most efficient. We would like to thank Spani...
Soil constitutes the greatest reservoir of mercury in terrestrial ecosystems and is the main poll... more Soil constitutes the greatest reservoir of mercury in terrestrial ecosystems and is the main pollution route for aquatic systems and the food chain. We determined the mercury total content in Mediterranean calcareous soils by thermal decomposition, amalgamation and atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and on the base of the background level and geochemical baseline concentration concepts the contamination degree in some agricultural soils were assessed. Fifty-three samples from five soil use groups (natural, dry land, greenhouse, irrigated and rice farming soils) were analysed. The results showed that the levels of mercury in these soils were 9.4 to 1585 mug kg-1. Soil organic matter has been related to mercury content in soils. The background level, geochemical baseline concentrations and the reference value were established from natural soils being the followings: 25.1, 9.8-64.3, and 64.3 mug kg-1. These results indicated that rice farming soils (gleyic-calcaric Fluvisols, Fluvaqu...
This study compares heavy metals contents and the main edaphic parameters in greenhouse soils fro... more This study compares heavy metals contents and the main edaphic parameters in greenhouse soils from the W Almería region one of the most productive agricultural systems in Europe, with agricultural soils (arable soils) in western Andalusia, SW Spain. Heavy metals input in agricultural soils mainly occur through pesticides and phytosanitary control products. The hazardousness of the studied elements (Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd) is particularly relevant in soils used for intensive greenhouse farming where such agricultural practices, which centre on maximising production, end up with products that finally enter the human food chain directly. Here we explore a total of 199 greenhouse soils and 142 arable soils, representing two scales of variation in this Mediterranean area. Despite their similar edaphic characteristics, the main differences between arable soils and greenhouse soils lie in nutrients contents (P and K) and in certain heavy metals (Cd, Pb and Zn), which reflect widespread ...
Composting is an alternative for recycling agricultural residues and sewage sludge, and the end p... more Composting is an alternative for recycling agricultural residues and sewage sludge, and the end pro- duct can be used as fertilizer for land application. In order to study the composting process with sludge from water sewage treatment plants and rice straw, environmental factors should be controlled. The aim of our study was to investigate the optimum C/N ratio, moisture and pH to maximize microbial activity. The incubation of sewage sludge and rice straw mixtures were conducted using an experiment design with three different C/N ratios (17, 24 and 41), moistures (40, 60 and 70 %) and pH (5.65, 6.65 and 8.75). The micro- bial activity was measured as manometric measurement of oxygen consumption. The enhancement of microbial activity is induced by low C/N ratio, high moisture content, and pH basic. Our results suggest that the initial blend with these raw materials must be about 17 C/N ratio, while moisture content must be between 60 % and the pH 8.75 in the composting process.
ABSTRACT The relationship between cobalt, copper and zinc content of soils and the vegetables gro... more ABSTRACT The relationship between cobalt, copper and zinc content of soils and the vegetables grown in them is discussed. Samples of soil and edible vegetables were taken from 15 different sites, corresponding to four agricultural areas exposed to different degrees of environmental pollution: high industrial and traffic, high industrial and urban, and low industrial and urban pollution. Elements were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy.Variance analysis (ANOVA) was applied to cobalt, copper and zinc content of vegetables and soils in order to detect significant differences among soils of different areas and the vegetables grown there.The possible relationship between the heavy metal content of soils (total and extractable) and of the vegetables grown in them was estimated by the correlation coefficient value. Statistically significant correlations were observed between the total and extractable cobalt content of soils and of roots and bulbs (p < 0.1) and between the total copper content of soils and of inflorescences (p < 0.05). In the case of zinc no correlation was found.Beziehung zwischen dem Gehalt an Kobalt, Kupfer und Zink in Bodenproben und GemüsenEs werden die Beziehungen zwischen dem Gehalt an Kobalt, Kupfer und Zink in Bodenproben und darin gewachsenen Gemüsen diskutiert. Boden- und Gemüseproben werden an 15 verschiedenen Stellen aus 4 landwirtschaftlichen Arealen entnommen, die in unterschiedlichem Umfang Umweltverunreinigungen ausgesetzt sind: Hohe Industrie- und Verkehrsverunreinigungen, hohe Industrie- und Stadtverunreinigungen sowie geringe Industrie- und Stadtverunreinigungen. Die Elemente werden durch Atomabsorptions-Spektroskopie bestimmt.Zur Ermittlung signifikanter Unterschiede zwischen Bodenproben verschiedener Areale und den darauf gewachsenen Gemüsen werden Varianzanalysen (ANOVA) zum Gehalt an Kobalt, Kupfer und Zink beider Probenarten vorgenommen.Mögliche Beziehungen zwischen dem Schwermetallgehalt der Bodenproben (gesamt und extrahierbar) und den darin gewachsenen Gemüsen werden mittels des Korrelationskoeffizienten bestimmt. Statistisch signifikante Korrelationen werden zwischen Gesamt- und extrahierbarem Kobaltgehalt von Bodenproben und von Wurzeln und Knollen (p < 0,1) sowie zwischen dem Gesamtkupfergehalt von Bodenproben und von Blütenständen (p < 0,05) ermittelt. Im Fall von Zink werden keine Korrelationen festgestellt.
Soil degradation processes include erosion, organic matter decline, compaction, salinization, lan... more Soil degradation processes include erosion, organic matter decline, compaction, salinization, landslides, contamination, sealing and biodiversity decline. In the Mediterranean region the climatological and lithological conditions, together with relief on the landscape and anthropological activity are responsible for increasing desertification process. It is therefore considered to be extreme importance to be able to measure soil degradation quantitatively. We studied soil characteristics, microbiological and biochemical parameters in different calcareous soil sequences from Valencia Community (Easter Spain), in an attempt to assess the suitability of the parameters measured to reflect the state of soil degradation and the possibility of using the parameters to assess microbiological decline and soil quality. For this purpose, forest, scrubland and agricultural soil in three soil sequences were sampled in different areas. Several sensors of the soil biochemistry and microbiology rela...
ABSTRACT This study determines for first time determine levels of Hg in greenhouse soils and its ... more ABSTRACT This study determines for first time determine levels of Hg in greenhouse soils and its temporal trend in an Mediterranean area using a USEPA (2007) method and it investigates possible relationships between soil properties and elemental concentrations. The results show that the Hg concentration in these soils is in the same order than those reported by other authors working on Spanish agricultural soils, although a significant increased in Hg content in soils was detected with the period of soil cultivation. Significant correlations between mercury and soil properties were found which suggested that Hg is mainly retained by soil organic compounds
International Symposium on Growing Media, Composting and Substrate Analysis, 2013
ABSTRACT This study compares two phytotoxic tests; Zucconi (ZT) and plate bioassay (PB); to asses... more ABSTRACT This study compares two phytotoxic tests; Zucconi (ZT) and plate bioassay (PB); to assess the possible phytotoxicity of two composts and to determine the optimal rates of compost amendment to soil by PB. The TZ test was done using Lepidium sativum L., while the PB test utilised Hordeum vulgare L., Lactuca sativa L. and Lepidium sativum L. The composts employed came from a treatment plant that processes the organic fraction of solid municipal waste with low stability (C1), and from agro-industrial waste composts with a good maturity index (C2) (Experiment 1). Moreover, the PB using barley and lettuce seeds was done to assess its effects as a soil amendment and to estimate the optimal C2 application dose on an agricultural calcaric Fluvisol soil type (Experiment 2). The results of Experiment 1 show that both TZ and PB are useful for assessing the phytotoxicity degree of compost and indicate the phytotoxic effects and the positive effects for C1 and C2, respectively. The results of Experiment 2 indicate differences in root elongation and shoot development for both barley and lettuce depending on the dose applied to the soil, suggesting that PB is sensitive for this test type; in line with this, the results reveal that doses of 2% for barley and 16% for lettuce enhance plant growth. After considering the PB’s simplicity, speed, low cost and sensitivity, we recommend its use with seeds of species like lettuce and/or barley to assess the phytotoxic effects of compost and to estimate the most appropriate application dose.
Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987), Jan 25, 2014
Historical trends in trace element deposition were analyzed using herbaria specimens. We determin... more Historical trends in trace element deposition were analyzed using herbaria specimens. We determined Al, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ca, Na, P, K, S, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn contents in leaves of eight specimens collected in 1941. To assess changes, we collected the same plants from a botanical garden in 2012. The concentrations of major elements showed large species variability. However, temporal trends were predominately detected for heavy metals. The Cd, Ni and Cr contents in the 2012 leaves were 10, 13 and 16 times higher, respectively, than in 1941. Urban activities have substantially raised the levels of these metals in urban atmospheres due to changes in human activities over 70 years of urban growth. Nevertheless, Pb has decreased (-126%) in recent decades thanks to controlled lead fuel combustion. In short, metal deposition trend to increase Cr, Ni and Cd levels.
Due to their high metabolic diversity and high adaptability, microorganisms are able to live in t... more Due to their high metabolic diversity and high adaptability, microorganisms are able to live in the most varied of "natural" and "artificial" habitats created by environmen- tal contamination. Different microbes can use a great variety of refractory pollutants, thus permitting their use in ex and in situ bioremediation. The implementation of biotreatment processes requires the use of evaluation methods of
Heavy metal contaminated soils results in various negative environmental effects such as a decrea... more Heavy metal contaminated soils results in various negative environmental effects such as a decrease in biological diversity, decline crop productivity or human exposure to toxic elements in the others. The influence of heavy metal contamination in Spanish Mediterranean soils on its biological activity was studied. Non-polluted soils and heavy metal contaminated soils were sampled from different sites affected by several industrial activities. Soil characteristics, heavy metals (As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, Zn and V), soil organic matter, microorganism numbers, biomass microbial carbon, soil respiration and dehydrogenase activity were determined. Except to a rice farming soil, the results indicate that soils with high concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn showed low soil respiration, biomass carbon and dehydrogenase activity with respect non-polluted soils with similar characteristics. Our results provide evidence that these parameters are good approach to study ...
Organic soil amendments are increasingly being examined for their potential use to improve soil f... more Organic soil amendments are increasingly being examined for their potential use to improve soil functions and quality. We studied the effect of compost amendment on soil organic matter (SOM) and humic substances. The study was carried out on Luvic Calcisol in the Valencian Community (East Spain) used as a citrus fruit orchard. Four plots were amended at dose 0, 6, 12 and 36 Mg ha-1 of rice residue and sewage sludge compost. Seven soil samples for each treatment at depths of 0-10 and 10-20 cm were taken in the first seven months after application. Soil characteristics, SOM, mineral nitrogen, total nitrogen, NH4+-N, and fulvic and humic acids were determined. The results demonstrated that the use of organic compost considerably increases SOM, total nitrogen and the humic substances such as the applied dose. The level of humic substances remained without significant variations during the experimental period. The dose of 36 Mg ha-1 proved the most efficient. We would like to thank Spani...
Soil constitutes the greatest reservoir of mercury in terrestrial ecosystems and is the main poll... more Soil constitutes the greatest reservoir of mercury in terrestrial ecosystems and is the main pollution route for aquatic systems and the food chain. We determined the mercury total content in Mediterranean calcareous soils by thermal decomposition, amalgamation and atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and on the base of the background level and geochemical baseline concentration concepts the contamination degree in some agricultural soils were assessed. Fifty-three samples from five soil use groups (natural, dry land, greenhouse, irrigated and rice farming soils) were analysed. The results showed that the levels of mercury in these soils were 9.4 to 1585 mug kg-1. Soil organic matter has been related to mercury content in soils. The background level, geochemical baseline concentrations and the reference value were established from natural soils being the followings: 25.1, 9.8-64.3, and 64.3 mug kg-1. These results indicated that rice farming soils (gleyic-calcaric Fluvisols, Fluvaqu...
This study compares heavy metals contents and the main edaphic parameters in greenhouse soils fro... more This study compares heavy metals contents and the main edaphic parameters in greenhouse soils from the W Almería region one of the most productive agricultural systems in Europe, with agricultural soils (arable soils) in western Andalusia, SW Spain. Heavy metals input in agricultural soils mainly occur through pesticides and phytosanitary control products. The hazardousness of the studied elements (Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd) is particularly relevant in soils used for intensive greenhouse farming where such agricultural practices, which centre on maximising production, end up with products that finally enter the human food chain directly. Here we explore a total of 199 greenhouse soils and 142 arable soils, representing two scales of variation in this Mediterranean area. Despite their similar edaphic characteristics, the main differences between arable soils and greenhouse soils lie in nutrients contents (P and K) and in certain heavy metals (Cd, Pb and Zn), which reflect widespread ...
Composting is an alternative for recycling agricultural residues and sewage sludge, and the end p... more Composting is an alternative for recycling agricultural residues and sewage sludge, and the end pro- duct can be used as fertilizer for land application. In order to study the composting process with sludge from water sewage treatment plants and rice straw, environmental factors should be controlled. The aim of our study was to investigate the optimum C/N ratio, moisture and pH to maximize microbial activity. The incubation of sewage sludge and rice straw mixtures were conducted using an experiment design with three different C/N ratios (17, 24 and 41), moistures (40, 60 and 70 %) and pH (5.65, 6.65 and 8.75). The micro- bial activity was measured as manometric measurement of oxygen consumption. The enhancement of microbial activity is induced by low C/N ratio, high moisture content, and pH basic. Our results suggest that the initial blend with these raw materials must be about 17 C/N ratio, while moisture content must be between 60 % and the pH 8.75 in the composting process.
ABSTRACT The relationship between cobalt, copper and zinc content of soils and the vegetables gro... more ABSTRACT The relationship between cobalt, copper and zinc content of soils and the vegetables grown in them is discussed. Samples of soil and edible vegetables were taken from 15 different sites, corresponding to four agricultural areas exposed to different degrees of environmental pollution: high industrial and traffic, high industrial and urban, and low industrial and urban pollution. Elements were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy.Variance analysis (ANOVA) was applied to cobalt, copper and zinc content of vegetables and soils in order to detect significant differences among soils of different areas and the vegetables grown there.The possible relationship between the heavy metal content of soils (total and extractable) and of the vegetables grown in them was estimated by the correlation coefficient value. Statistically significant correlations were observed between the total and extractable cobalt content of soils and of roots and bulbs (p < 0.1) and between the total copper content of soils and of inflorescences (p < 0.05). In the case of zinc no correlation was found.Beziehung zwischen dem Gehalt an Kobalt, Kupfer und Zink in Bodenproben und GemüsenEs werden die Beziehungen zwischen dem Gehalt an Kobalt, Kupfer und Zink in Bodenproben und darin gewachsenen Gemüsen diskutiert. Boden- und Gemüseproben werden an 15 verschiedenen Stellen aus 4 landwirtschaftlichen Arealen entnommen, die in unterschiedlichem Umfang Umweltverunreinigungen ausgesetzt sind: Hohe Industrie- und Verkehrsverunreinigungen, hohe Industrie- und Stadtverunreinigungen sowie geringe Industrie- und Stadtverunreinigungen. Die Elemente werden durch Atomabsorptions-Spektroskopie bestimmt.Zur Ermittlung signifikanter Unterschiede zwischen Bodenproben verschiedener Areale und den darauf gewachsenen Gemüsen werden Varianzanalysen (ANOVA) zum Gehalt an Kobalt, Kupfer und Zink beider Probenarten vorgenommen.Mögliche Beziehungen zwischen dem Schwermetallgehalt der Bodenproben (gesamt und extrahierbar) und den darin gewachsenen Gemüsen werden mittels des Korrelationskoeffizienten bestimmt. Statistisch signifikante Korrelationen werden zwischen Gesamt- und extrahierbarem Kobaltgehalt von Bodenproben und von Wurzeln und Knollen (p < 0,1) sowie zwischen dem Gesamtkupfergehalt von Bodenproben und von Blütenständen (p < 0,05) ermittelt. Im Fall von Zink werden keine Korrelationen festgestellt.
Soil degradation processes include erosion, organic matter decline, compaction, salinization, lan... more Soil degradation processes include erosion, organic matter decline, compaction, salinization, landslides, contamination, sealing and biodiversity decline. In the Mediterranean region the climatological and lithological conditions, together with relief on the landscape and anthropological activity are responsible for increasing desertification process. It is therefore considered to be extreme importance to be able to measure soil degradation quantitatively. We studied soil characteristics, microbiological and biochemical parameters in different calcareous soil sequences from Valencia Community (Easter Spain), in an attempt to assess the suitability of the parameters measured to reflect the state of soil degradation and the possibility of using the parameters to assess microbiological decline and soil quality. For this purpose, forest, scrubland and agricultural soil in three soil sequences were sampled in different areas. Several sensors of the soil biochemistry and microbiology rela...
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