scholarly journals Effects of sea birds and soil development on plant and soil nutritional parameters after 50 years of succession on Surtsey

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 85-90
Author(s):  
Rien Aerts ◽  
Richard S.P. van Logtestijn ◽  
Niki I.W. Leblans ◽  
Bjarni D. Sigurdsson
Keyword(s):  
Soil Depth ◽  
Nutritional Ecology ◽  
Soil Development ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
P Availability ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Bird Colony ◽  
Nutritional Characteristics ◽  
General Variation ◽  
Bird Colonies

Surtsey, the island that rose from the sea in a submarine eruption during 1963 to 1967, has been the subject of many studies on primary succession. These studies have intensified after the establishment of a seagull colony on the island in 1986. This paper reports on the results of a short sampling expedition in 2013 that intended to characterize the interactive effects of the seagull colony and of soil development on soil nutritional characteristics in the tephra sands that cover the underlying lava, as well as in plants growing inside and outside the seagull colony. Feces and pellets of the gulls were extremely rich in both nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and δ15N analyses showed that N was transferred from pellets and feces to the tephra soils and subsequently taken up by the plants. The tephra soils not affected by the birds showed a high concentration of P compared to N. The concentration of both nutrients was much lower than in the soils of the bird colony. In general, variation in tephra soil depth had little effect on nutritional characteristics, except for the very low N concentration in deep soils. Thus, our results confirm the overriding effect of the seagull colony on Surtsey on nutritional characteristics of the developing soils and vegetation. Due to the very high P availability of the volcanic soils in combination with the high P input by the birds, vegetation productivity is N limited, despite the extremely high N input of 47 kg N ha-1 yr-1 that the birds add to the system. Our findings emphasize the extreme importance of bird colonies on the nutritional ecology of young, N-poor ecosystems.

scholarly journals Efficient Catalytic Dehydration of High-Concentration 1-Butanol with Zn-Mn-Co Modified γ-Al2O3 in Jet Fuel Production

Catalysts ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Wu ◽  
Hong-Juan Liu ◽  
Xiang Yan ◽  
Yu-Jie Zhou ◽  
Zhang-Nan Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Temperature ◽  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Nitrogen Adsorption ◽  
Space Velocity ◽  
Jet Fuel ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Emission Spectrometry ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry ◽  
Fuel Production

It is important to develop full-performance bio-jet fuel based on alternative feedstocks. The compound 1-butanol can be transformed into jet fuel through dehydration, oligomerization, and hydrogenation. In this study, a new catalyst consisting of Zn-Mn-Co modified γ-Al2O3 was used for the dehydration of high-concentration 1-butanol to butenes. The interactive effects of reaction temperature and butanol weight-hourly space velocity (WHSV) on butene yield were investigated with response surface methodology (RSM). Butene yield was enhanced when the temperature increased from 350 °C to 450 °C but it was reduced as WHSV increased from 1 h−1 to 4 h−1. Under the optimized conditions of 1.67 h−1 WHSV and 375 °C reaction temperature, the selectivity of butenes achieved 90%, and the conversion rate of 1-butanol reached 100%, which were 10% and 6% higher, respectively, than when using unmodified γ-Al2O3. The Zn-Mn-Co modified γ-Al2O3 exhibited high stability and a long lifetime of 180 h, while the unmodified γ-Al2O3 began to deactivate after 60 h. Characterization with X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption-desorption, pyridine temperature-programmed desorption (Py-TPD), pyridine adsorption IR spectra, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), showed that the crystallinity and acid content of γ-Al2O3 were obviously enhanced by the modification with Zn-Mn-Co, and the loading amounts of zinc, manganese, and cobalt were 0.54%, 0.44%, and 0.23%, respectively. This study provides a new catalyst, and the results will be helpful for the further optimization of bio-jet fuel production with a high concentration of 1-butanol.

scholarly journals Performance of electrokinetic treatment of fine-grained problematic soils

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4B) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abiola Ayopo Abiodun ◽  
◽  
Zalihe Nalbantoglu ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Low Voltage ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Engineering Properties ◽  
Laboratory Model ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Electrode Length ◽  
Problematic Soils

Electrokinetic (EK) treatment is an innovative, cost-effective in situ ground modification technology. The EK treatment uses a combination of low-voltage direct-current, electrodes, and ionic solutions across problematic soil to improve the ground conditions. This study aims to model the effect of changing electrode length (le) on the performance of the EK treatment on the engineering properties of fine-grained problematic soils. The consideration of the changing electrode lengths (le), varying soil depths (ds), and lengthwise anode to cathode distances (dA↔E), in the soil block samples, is in the form of the laboratory model test tank. The significant performance of the experimental tests was with changing electrode lengths of 0.25le (7.5 cm), 0.50le (15.0 cm), 0.75le (22.5 cm), and 1.0le (30.0 cm). The study analyzed the test data obtained from the Atterberg limit and one-dimensional swelling tests at different extraction points of the EK treated soils in the test tanks. Furthermore, the study carefully analyzed the effect of changing electrode length (le) on the performance of the EK treatment. The results of the Design of Experiment (DOE) model analysis revealed that the effect of changing electrode length (le) on the plasticity index (PI), and swelling potential (SP) of the EK treated soils, was significant. For a specific soil depth (ds), the electrode lengths (le) of 0.50le and 0.75le were significantly effective in reducing the PI, and the SP of the EK treated soils. Unlike other studies in the literature, the use of DOE analysis in the present study enabled the detection of the significant input factors and their interactive effects on the PI and the SP, thus, enabling the practicing engineers to navigate accurate design models for large in situ applications.

scholarly journals Succession and the Relationship between Vegetation and Soil in the Marl Quarries of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirna Valdez-Hernández ◽  
Rossana Gil-Medina ◽  
Jorge O. López-Martínez ◽  
Nuria Torrescano-Valle ◽  
Nancy Cabanillas-Terán ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Yucatan Peninsula ◽  
Open Pit ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Open Pit Mining ◽  
P Availability ◽  
Secondary Forests ◽  
Yucatán Peninsula

Open-pit mining is a common activity in the Yucatan Peninsula for the extraction of limestone. These areas are characterized by the total removal of the natural vegetation cover and soil in order to access calcareous material. The present study shows the composition and structure of the vegetation in five quarries after approximately ten years of abandonment, and the target vegetation near to the quarries in southeastern Mexico. A linear mixed model showed that P availability is one of the limiting factors for species establishment in the quarries. Using a canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), the distribution of the species was determined in relation to the edaphic variables: soil depth, the percentage of organic matter (OM), cationic exchange capacity (CEC), pH and texture. Twenty-six families, 46 genera and 50 species were recorded in the quarries, and 25 families, 45 genera and 47 species were recorded in the conserved areas. The dominant species in the quarries belong to the families Poaceae, Fabaceae, Rubiaceae and Anacardiaceae. The quarries with higher values of OM (2%), CEC (24 Cmol/kg), depth (11 cm) and sand percentage (31%) include the following species Lysiloma latisiliquum (L.) Benth., Metopium brownei (Jacq.) Urb. and Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg., which are common in secondary forests. Quarries with lower values of OM (0.4%), CEC (17 Cmol/kg) and depth (5.02), and with a higher percentage of silt (42%) were dominated by herbs belonging to Poaceae and by Borreria verticillate (L.) G. Mey., which are typical in disturbed areas of southeastern Mexico. In all cases, the pH was slightly alkaline due to the content of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), characteristic of the soils of the region.

Risk evaluation of radionuclides contamination on soil and groundwater under different scenarios simulating by HYDRUS-1D

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liu Wenxiang ◽  
Yu Hanqing ◽  
Lu Yang
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Radioactive Contamination ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Residual Water ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Lysimeter Experiment ◽  
Farmland Soil ◽  
1D Model ◽  
Hydrus 1D

<p>A large number of radionuclides, produced by nuclear accidents or nuclear waste, may cause radioactive contamination in the agricultural and aquatic ecosystems. Under these circumstances, it is necessary to optimize the remediation of agricultural areas polluted by radionuclides using innovative monitoring and prediction techniques. To mitigate radioactive contamination in farmland soil and effectively protect groundwater, some measures should be taken against on field investigation, laboratory experiment and model prediction. In this study, the HYDRUS-1D model was used to simulate the vertical migration of <sup>137</sup>Cs and <sup>60</sup>Co in farmland soil in northern China calibrating by the soil lysimeter experiment, and the scenario simulations of <sup>137</sup>Cs and <sup>60</sup>Co migration were conducted under different radioactive levels. Results showed that the order of sensitivity in saturated water content (θ<sub>s</sub>), residual water content(θ<sub>r</sub>), saturated hydraulic conductivity(K<sub>s</sub>) and distribution coefficient (K<sub>d</sub>) applied in HYDRUS 1D model was K<sub>d</sub> > θ<sub>s</sub> > θ<sub>r</sub> >K<sub>s</sub>. The simulated concentrations ​​of <sup>137</sup>Cs and <sup>60</sup>Co in Brown soil and Aeolian sandy soil on day 175 and 355 were significantly positively correlated with the measured values​​ (r>0.90, p<0.01). The verification results showed that the predictive values on the 577<sup>th </sup>day were also significant positive correlated with the measured values ​​(r>0.90, p<0.01). The RMSE, CRM and NRMSE calculating by simulated and measured values ​​of <sup>137</sup>Cs and <sup>60</sup>Co in soil were very small, indicating that HYDRUS 1D can be used to simulate the migration of radionuclides in farmland soil. Scenarios simulation results revealed that radionuclides were concentrated in the surface layer within 5 cm, but the migration depth has exceed 10 cm soil depth, and even reaches up to 23.5 cm depth at high concentration level. The surface soil should be cleaned timely to protect groundwater with high level from radioactive contamination and further study should be done about horizontal transport and numerical simulation.</p>

Aeluropus littoralis maintains adequate gas exchange, pigment composition and phenolic contents under combined effects of salinity and phosphorus deficiency

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (5) ◽  
pp. 453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ons Talbi Zribi ◽  
Kamel Hessini ◽  
Najla Trabelsi ◽  
Fethia Zribi ◽  
Abdelwahed Hamdi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phenolic Compounds ◽  
Plant Growth ◽  
Radical Scavenging Activity ◽  
Phosphorus Deficiency ◽  
Radical Scavenging ◽  
Photosynthetic Apparatus ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
P Availability ◽  
Aeluropus Littoralis ◽  
P Deficiency

Salinity and phosphorus (P) deficiency are important environmental factors that decrease plant growth and productivity throughout the world. These two stresses frequently coexist in calcareous salt-affected soils. To better understand how plants adapt to these combined stresses, we investigated the interactive effects of salinity and P availability on photosynthetic activity, leaf pigment, phenolic compounds content and antioxidant activity in Aeluropus littoralis (Gouan)Parl., a promising C4 monocotyledonous halophyte that usually grows in dry salty areas or marshes. Plants were grown hydroponically under low or sufficient P supply (5 or 180 µM KH2PO4 respectively), with or without 400 mM NaCl. When individually applied, salinity and P deficiency stresses significantly restricted shoot and root relative growth rate, with a more marked effect of the former stress. However, the effects of the two stresses combined were non-additive on plant growth. Our results showed that salinity and P deficiency stresses applied individually or combined have no significant effect on CO2 assimilation rate, instantaneous water-use efficiency (WUEi), and leaf malondialdehyde content. Chlorophyll, carotoneoids, anthocyanins and phenolics content increased significantly under both P shortage and salt stresses applied individually or combined. Furthermore, a strong correlation was found between both total antioxidant capacity and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity and shoot phenolics and carotenoids contents. These results suggest that the ability of A. littoralis to cope with both P deficiency and high salt stresses is a result of several mechanisms mainly involved in the conservation of the integrity of the photosynthetic apparatus. Secondary metabolites – mainly phenolic compounds and carotenoids – play an important role in the protection of A. littoralis plants against oxidative damage under combined high salinity and P deficiency stresses.

Interactive effects from combining inorganic and organic fertilisers on phosphorus availability

Soil Research ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 50 (7) ◽  
pp. 607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Li ◽  
Caixia Dong ◽  
Yiren Liu ◽  
Yanxia Liu ◽  
Qirong Shen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Eastern China ◽  
Phytase Activity ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Pig Manure ◽  
P Availability ◽  
Inorganic P ◽  
Organic Fertilisers ◽  
Inorganic And Organic

A pot experiment was conducted using different ratios of triple superphosphate (TSP) to pig manure (PM) to determine the best ratio for combining inorganic and organic fertilisers to attain optimum crop yields, and investigate the mechanisms affecting P availability in a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–soybean (Glycine max L.) rotation in eastern China. The TSP/PM treatment ratios used were: T1, 0/0 as a control; T2, 100/0; T3, 90/10; T4, 80/20; T5, 70/30; T6, 0/100. All treatments except T1 received the same amount of P. Treatment T4 gave significant yield increases of 25.6% in 2008 and 16.8% in 2009 compared with T2. Regarding the various forms of organic P (Po) under different fertilisation treatments, the labile Po of treatment T4 was 60.0% higher than that of T2. The contents of moderately labile Po were in the order T6 > T5 = T4 > T3 > T2 > T1. The addition of pig manure decreased the contents of iron (Fe)-P and calcium-P and occluded-P more than the content of aluminium-P. Compared with the T2 treatment, soil inorganic P decreased by 5.3%, 12.1%, and 15.0% when the ratios of TSP/PM in fertiliser were T3, T4, and T5, respectively. Microbial biomass and phytase activity of treatment T4 were not significantly different from those of T5 and T6, but significantly increased compared with T2. When the amount of leachate was 50 mL, only 1.6%, 8.4%, and 9.8% of total 32P leached from the T1, T2, and T4 soils, respectively. Treatment T4 resulted in higher grain yield, increased labile Po and moderately labile Po, and decreased Fe-P and occluded-P, and promoted microbial biomass P and phytase activity, which were better outcomes for a wheat–soybean rotation. Fertilising soil with combined organic and inorganic P sources could lower P fixation and enhance P mobility.

Microbial processes controlling P availability in forest spodosols as affected by soil depth and soil properties

2012 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
David L. Achat ◽  
Laurent Augusto ◽  
Mark R. Bakker ◽  
Anne Gallet-Budynek ◽  
Christian Morel
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Microbial Processes ◽  
P Availability

scholarly journals The Physicochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Sambucus nigra L. and Sambucus nigra Haschberg during Growth Phases: From Buds to Ripening

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1093
Author(s):  
Georgiana Smaranda Marțiș (Petruț) ◽  
Vlad Mureșan ◽  
Romina Maria Marc (Vlaic) ◽  
Crina Carmen Mureșan ◽  
Carmen Rodica Pop ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Maturity Stage ◽  
Growth Phases ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Sambucus Nigra ◽  
Flower Buds ◽  
Food Ingredients ◽  
Nutritional Characteristics ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
The Impact

Elderberry growth phases represent an irreversible process involving a series of biochemical changes that have an extremely important impact on nutritional characteristics. The aim was to assess the impact of genotype and maturity stage on phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity and mineral profile in Sambucus plants harvested during different growth phases, from green elder flower buds to purple-black elderberries, including pollen, peduncles and seeds. Growth phases proved to have a greater influence compared to varieties. The green buds and flowers of both varieties had a high concentration of quercetin 3-rutinoside, also termed the key compound of the study. It was found that antioxidant activity varied in the following order: blooming elder flower pollen > white elder flower buds > blooming elder flowers. Based on these findings, several novel food ingredients and supplements could be obtained in order to develop innovative health-promoting products.

Availability of nitrogen and phosphorus under recycled water irrigation

Soil Research ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 653 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Sakadevan ◽  
B. L. Maheshwari ◽  
H. J. Bavor
Keyword(s):  
Fresh Water ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Land Application ◽  
P Availability ◽  
Recycled Water ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Water Treatments

Land application of recycled water is currently practised in many countries as an alternative to discharge directly into inland and coastal waters. In this field study, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) availability in pasture plots that received recycled water was compared with that of plots which received single applications of superphosphate fertiliser (SSP). The treatments included recycled water applied continuously, recycled water applied alternately with fresh water, single application of SSP at the beginning of the experiment, and a non-amended control. Results from the study showed that the amount of N and P removed by pasture was significantly (P < 0.01) greater in plots that received both recycled water treatments than in the SSP-treated plot and the control. The amount of N (as nitrate and ammonium) leached below 1.0 m soil depth was significantly greater (P < 0.01) for the continuous recycled water treatment than the other treatments or the control. Nitrate was the dominant (>80%) form of N leached from all 4 treatments. In contrast to the findings for N, a greater proportion of applied P (47.9%) was leached below 1.0 m soil depth from the SSP-treated plots than from plots that received recycled water continuously (26.0%), alternately with fresh water (13.3%), and the control. Results from the study may be useful for developing best management practices for recycled water irrigation of pasture.

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