Human-Altered Soils at an Archeological Site of the Bronze Age: The Tyater-Araslanovo-II Settlement, Southern Cis-Ural Region, Russia

This paper presents the results of studying the soils at the archeological site of the Tyater-Araslanovo-II settlement located in the Republic of Bashkortostan, eastern European Russia. The settlement functioned in the 15th–12th centuries BCE (the Late Bronze Age). We compared the soil properties at four sites in the study area: archeological (1), buried (2), affected by long pyrogenic exposure (3), and background site (4). In soil samples, the total carbon content, the fractional composition of humus and organic matter characteristics, alkaline hydrolyzable nitrogen, total phosphorus, mobile phosphorus, potassium, absorbed calcium and magnesium, pH, particle size distribution, basal soil respiration, and optical density were estimated. The study results showed the anthropogenic impact on the archeological site’s soils. The newly formed AU horizon at the archeological site (1), affected by the cattle summer camp, was richer in soil nutrients and agrochemical properties, namely, the content of exchangeable and gross forms of phosphorus, alkaline hydrolyzable nitrogen, and exchange cations of the soil absorbing complex compared to the reference soil (4). For the pyrogenic layer (AU[hh]pyr) from the ancient furnace (fireplace) (3), the mobile and total forms of phosphorus were several times higher than those in the reference soil (4) but inferior regarding other agrochemical parameters. Thus, the activities of ancient people (especially cattle breeding) greatly influenced the properties of the soil.

Sensitivity of Earthworm (Eisenia fetida) in Mining Soil from Ijero-Ekiti, Nigeria

Excavation and processing of mineral deposits are valuable revenue sources yet they contribute serious environmental problems worldwide. Mining activities are widespread and contribute to heavy metal contamination in rural communities in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Available research failed to establish how mining soil may impact on resident terrestrial organisms. This study assessed the health of soil from active mining site by testing it on earthworms (Eisenia fetida) for 10 weeks. Survival, mobility, morphology and behaviour of worms were assessed while soil was analyzed for selected heavy metals by atomic absorption spectrometry. Worm survival was evident as the proportion of reference soil increased in exposure mixture and improved until 92% in the control. Worms curled up at the bottom of test vessels with varying proportions of mining site soil and appeared discolored and dehydrated when taken out of test soil, with characteristic sluggishness, particularly as the proportion of mining soil increased in exposure mixtures. Though metal levels were within permissible limits, morphology of exposed worms were visibly impacted, which corresponds in severity with increasing proportion of mining soil. On the contrary, worms tested in 100% reference soil appeared healthy and active in upper part of exposure vessels. These results suggest that the tested mining soil had adverse impacts on mobility, morphology, behavior and survival of exposed organisms when compared with the control population. Therefore, food products grown downstream of the mining site may be at risk of heavy metal contamination with consequences on food quality, water quality and food chain.

Assessing Ecological Impacts Of Land-Applied Municipal Biosolids : Effects Of Run-Off And Tile Drainage On The Aquatic Organisms Daphnia Magna, Hyalella Azteca And Lemna Minor

The effect of municipal land applied biosolids run-off and tile drainage on aquatic organisms Daphnia magna, Hyalella azteca and Lemna minor was analyzed through a series of standardized eco-toxicological tests. Treatments included reference soil, reference soil amended with Guelph biosolids and reference soil amended with Kitchener biosolids. The assessment was done on biosolids elutriate collected after the simulated rainfall off the ramps on day 1 after the application of biosolids, and day 40 planted versus unplanted soil. Respiration rates, behavioural analysis and survivorship were tested on the two invertebrates, while 7-day Growth Inhibition test was performed on the plant. Although there were some significant differences between the reference soil and soil amended with biosolids elutriate, they were mostly on day 1 and in concentrations that are not likely to happen in nature. The plant Lemna minor showed eutrophication potential in elutriate from Day 1. The results are showing that although there are potential toxic constituents in the municipal biosolids that can adversely affect the aquatic life in the receiving waters, they largely very temporary and for the most part in concentrations that are environmentally irrelevant. To be able to understand the potential of using biosolids on agricultural fields in Ontario, more analytical and eco-toxicological studies should be performed that are relevant to Ontario's laws and topography.

Assessing Ecological Impacts Of Land-Applied Municipal Biosolids : Effects Of Run-Off And Tile Drainage On The Aquatic Organisms Daphnia Magna, Hyalella Azteca And Lemna Minor

The effect of municipal land applied biosolids run-off and tile drainage on aquatic organisms Daphnia magna, Hyalella azteca and Lemna minor was analyzed through a series of standardized eco-toxicological tests. Treatments included reference soil, reference soil amended with Guelph biosolids and reference soil amended with Kitchener biosolids. The assessment was done on biosolids elutriate collected after the simulated rainfall off the ramps on day 1 after the application of biosolids, and day 40 planted versus unplanted soil. Respiration rates, behavioural analysis and survivorship were tested on the two invertebrates, while 7-day Growth Inhibition test was performed on the plant. Although there were some significant differences between the reference soil and soil amended with biosolids elutriate, they were mostly on day 1 and in concentrations that are not likely to happen in nature. The plant Lemna minor showed eutrophication potential in elutriate from Day 1. The results are showing that although there are potential toxic constituents in the municipal biosolids that can adversely affect the aquatic life in the receiving waters, they largely very temporary and for the most part in concentrations that are environmentally irrelevant. To be able to understand the potential of using biosolids on agricultural fields in Ontario, more analytical and eco-toxicological studies should be performed that are relevant to Ontario's laws and topography.

Reference soil condition for intensity prediction equations derived from seismological and geophysical data at seismic stations

In 2011, an amplification map achieved by macroseismic information was developed for Switzerland using the collection of macroseismic intensity observations of past earthquakes. For each village, a ΔIm was first derived, which reflects the difference between observed and expected macroseismic intensities from a region-specific intensity prediction equation. The ΔIm values are then grouped into geological/tectonic classes, which are then presented in the macroseismic amplification map. Both, the intensity prediction equation and the macroseismic amplification map are referenced to the same reference soil condition which so far was only roughly estimated. This reference soil condition is assessed in this contribution using geophysical and seismological data collected by the Swiss Seismological Service. Geophysical data consist of shear-wave velocity profiles measured at the seismic stations and earthquake recordings, used to retrieve empirical amplification functions at the sensor locations. Amplification functions are referenced to a generic rock profile (Swiss reference rock condition) that is well defined, and it is used for the national seismic hazard maps. Macroseismic amplification factors Af, derived from empirical amplification functions, are assigned to each seismic station using ground motion to intensity conversions. We then assess the factors dΔf defined as the difference between Af and ΔIm. The factor dΔf accounts for the difference between the reference soil condition for the intensity prediction equation and the Swiss reference rock. We finally analysed relationships between Af and proxies for shear-wave velocity profiles in terms of average shear-wave velocity over defined depth ranges, such as VS,30, providing an estimate of the reference shear velocity for the intensity prediction equation and macroseismic amplification map. This study allows linking macroseismic intensity observations with experimental geophysical data, highlighting a good correspondence within the uncertainty range of macroseismic observations. However, statistical significance tests point out that the seismic stations are not evenly distributed among the various geological–tectonic classes of the macroseismic amplification map and its revision could be planned merging classes with similar behaviour or by defining a new classification scheme.

Transfer of heavy metals to plants in technosols remediated with calcareous residues.

<p>When dealing with restoration and remediation projects of zones contaminated by waste and activities derived from mining operations, all the aspects that affect the neighbouring areas dedicated to the cultivation of vegetables are especially relevant, and should be carefully considered. According to previous studies carried out, the areas of mining influence affect to a very different extent the bordering areas depending not only of the characteristics of the soil but also of the type of mining activity that was developed, and so of the primary mineralogy involved, and even of the particular type of vegetable that is being cultivated. The diversity and complexity of these factors suggest the convenient of studying the process by clarifying the mechanisms of transfer of potentially toxic elements from the soil to the biotic environment, with the soil-plant-biotic chain sequence.</p><p>In this work an experimental study was carried out with this purpose making use of experiments carried out at the greenhouse scale in order to find a model that could clarify the processes that could take place in restored soils.</p><p> </p><p>Construction and demolition residues (CDRs) as well as other residues containing high concentrations in limestone filler were used to prepare technosols, and the transfer factors (TF) and bioconcentration factors (BCF) of potentially toxic elements were measured for the selected plant species (chard and broccoli). In this way, in addition to the soil remediation, benefit can be obtained of the re-valorization of such type of  easily available, low cost residues. For the realization of the tests in the greenhouse, four technosols were prepared and experiments were planned in duplicate, which constituted eight experimental units, each one containing 21 large pots disposed in such a way that leachates were poured in the same storing tank.  </p><p>The technosols were prepared as follows:</p><ul><li>Vegetable soil or reference soil. (T1)</li> <li>Contaminated soil: 50% reference soil + 50% mine residue (T2).</li> <li>Amended Land 1: 75% contaminated soil + 25% CDR (T3).</li> <li>Amended soil 2: 75% contaminated soil + 25% Limestone filler (T4).</li> </ul><p> </p><p>A statistical study was carried out to evaluate the relationships between the levels of potentially toxic elements (Pb and Cd) found in rhizospheres and root contents and the levels present in the technosols prepared. Conclusions could be obtained as regards  the mobility of  these elements, the characteristics of the technosols and the type of cultivation. The data allows a model to be outlined that could be translated at a higher scale for an effective remediation of large zones.</p><p> </p><p> </p>

Spatial distribution of (137)Cs in reference soil sites of South America to reconstruct soil erosion in intensive agricultural landscapes during the Anthropocene

<p>Land degradation and fine sediment supply induced by soil erosion processes are exacerbated in intensively cultivated catchments of South America, leading to deleterious consequences for ecosystems and to the disturbance of global biogeochemical cycles. In order to evaluate the sustainability of agricultural practices, a fundamental prerequisite is to quantify soil erosion rates and compare them with the tolerable soil losses. Although its use has been debated in the literature, the fallout radionuclide (137Cs) is one of the few techniques available to reconstruct soil redistribution rates during the Great Acceleration period. Accordingly, it is increasingly used to quantify soil redistribution rates in catchments across the world. Assessment of erosion and deposition rates is commonly based on the comparison of (137Cs) inventories in undisturbed soil profiles (i.e. where neither erosion nor deposition has occurred) and those measured at locations affected by soil redistribution in the landscape. However, in intensive agricultural landscapes, appropriate reference sites can be difficult to find. The objective of this study is to determine and map the initial (137Cs) fallout at the scale of South America, based on measurements made on reference soil sites and spatialized co-variables. This new map will be useful for the scientific community and public authorities to evaluate the sustainability of farming practices, especially in the eastern part of South America where intensive agricultural practices dominate. Furthermore, the methodology presented here could be applied to other regions located in the Southern Hemisphere in order to avoid the systematic sampling of reference sites for conducting soil erosion studies using the (137Cs) technique.</p>

Study of the influence of chemical anti-icing materials on frost heaving of the roadbed soils

This work examines the influence of chemical anti-icing materials on the frost resistance of the road pavement. Methods and technologies for introducing salt additives into the soil are considered. The preparation of soil with salt additives for testing for frost heaving is described. The kinetics of frost heaving processes of the reference soil sample and soil treated with salt additives was investigated. The influence of type and concentration of the salt additive on the degree of frost heaving of soils was investigated. The negative impact of chemical anti-icing additives on the indicators of frost heaving of soils, especially with uneven salinity, was registered.