On the participation of heterotrophic microorganisms in initial soil formation on waste from iron ore agglomeration

The results of studies of the development of heterotrophic microorganisms in embryosemes formed on the sand waste of iron ore agglomeration in Western Siberia are presented. At the initial stage of soil for-mation, low values of actual acidity and very low humus values were found in the initial embryosemes. It is established that such habitats are phytiotoxic, which is confirmed by data on the germination of seeds and the growth of seedlings: oats, oilseed radish and white mustard. It is proved that heterotrophic micro-organisms are adapted to life in embryos. Azotobacteria retain vital activity, thanks to toxin and mucus formation, and actively multiply. Micromycetes exhibit dimorphism-yeast and mycelial growth types, which expands the possibilities of their vegetative reproduction and population preservation. It was re-vealed that organo-accumulative embryos are the most viable for plants and microorganisms. For the first time, the glow of mold fungi and Azotobacter under cereal plants and pine plantations was recorded. It is suggested that the emission of light energy, the presence of oxidases of microorganisms and plant lignin contribute to humification in an oligotrophic environment

Role of the bryophytes in substrate revitalization on a post-technogenic salinized territory

This work aims to investigate the role of the bryophyte cover in substrate revitalization on a post-technogenic salinized territory. The influence of the moss cover on the organic carbon content, actual acidity, redox potential, and the content of the main ecological and trophic groups of microorganisms in the substrate of the tailings storage of the Stebnyk Mining and Chemical Enterprise "Polymineral" was investigated. Bryophytes significantly affect the tailings storage saline substrates. They colonize areas with a very strong and strong degree of salinity, which are unsuitable for other plants. It was indicated that pioneer moss species promote the accumulation of organic matter in saline substrates of the tailings storage. Under moss turfs, the amount of organic carbon increased 2.2–5.0 times, compared with its content in the uncovered substrate. The high variability of the organic matter content is determined by the species characteristics of mosses, primarily their life form. The dense-turf species Didymodon rigidulus and Pthychostomum pseudotriquetrum var. bimum accumulated the most organic matter. The thickness of the litter under the moss turf of these species was much greater than in Barbula unguiculata and Funaria hygrometrica, which form loose turf. We assessed the specificity of the accumulation of organic carbon in the turfs of the studied mosses. It founded that most organic matter accumulated in the dead parts of the moss turf. In the green parts of the shoots of these moss species the amount of organic carbon was 3–4 times less, which indicates a relationship between litter capacity and content of carbon in the substrate under moss turfs. We investigated the influence of mosses on the actual acidity of the tailings storage substrate. Moss turfs promote the increase of acidity of the aqueous solution of the tailings substrate by 0.2–0.5 units. The tailings storage substrates are characterized by a reduction regime. The redox potential of the substrate under moss cover significantly depended on the species characteristics of mosses. Under the moss cover, the redox potential increased by 1.2–1.4 times, compared with the index for the substrate without moss cover. We studied the influence of moss cover on microbial biomass and the quantity of some ecological-trophic groups of microorganisms in the substrates of the tailings storage. The amount of microbial biomass under moss turfs increased depending on the degree of the substrate salinization and the species characteristics of the mosses. In areas with a very high degree of salinization under the moss turfs of Didymodon rigidulus and Funaria hygrometrica, the microbial biomass index increased almost two times, compared with the uncovered substrate. We found a significant increase in the quantity of the main ecological and trophic groups of microorganisms (saprophytes, cellulose-destroying bacteria, oligonitrophils and nitrogen fixers) in the substrate under the moss cover. Thus, pioneer moss species have a complex effect on the saline substrate of tailings storage. They accumulate organic matter, increase the acidity of the upper layer, improve the redox regime of the substrate and promote the development of soil microbiota.

Identifikasi Batuan PAF, NAF dan UNCERTAIN dengan Menggunakan Metode NTAPP Pada Area PT. Trubaindo Coal Mining, Melak-Kalimantan Timur

The research about identification of PAF, NAF and uncertain rock using NTAPP method in the PT. Trubaindo Coal Mining has been done. This research was conducted as an effort to control the potential for the formation of acid mine drainage, with identifying the types of mine rocks using certain testing methods. Some important parameters such as Total Sulfur Level, Slurry pH, Total Actual Acidity (TAA), Chromium Reducible Sulfur (CRS) and Acid Neutralizing Capacity (ANC) using the NTAPP method on mine rocks have been determined to identify mining rock category categories. Based on the results of tests on 101 samples, 63 samples were identified included in the category of rocks that are not NAF (Slurry pH value = 4.1 - 8.9; Total Sulfur = 0.01-0.60 %; CRS = 0.01-0.10 % and NTAPP = 0.030-0.959 %), 38 samples were classified as PAF (pH Slurry = 2.9-7.9; Total Sulfur = 0.01-5.10 %; CRS = 0.11-2.04 % and NTAPP = 0.053-4.571 %), and no sample was included in the uncertainty category.

Selection of resistant plants for the biotic stage of the recultivation of the dump of the Central concentrating mill "Chervonogradska" (Lviv region)

The properties of the substrate and microclimate conditions were analyzed on various elements of the mesorelief of the dump of Central concentration mill "Chervonogradska". The most adverse conditions were found at the top of the dump and its terraces due to high intensity of lighting, temperature, high content of heavy metals in substrates and their actual acidity. It was shown that Pinus sylvestris L. is a promising species for the biotic recultivation stage for terraces of dumps. We recommended to use perennial grass root species of plants, e.g. Calamagrostis epigeios (L.) Roth and Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers., for recultivation a slopes of dumps. The Petasites hibridus L. and Phragmites australis Cav. Trin ex Steud. are offered for the renovation of the bases and microhardness of the dumps with sufficient moisture. The high remediation ability of plants and their affiliation by the environmental groups to heliophytes, thermophiles, acidophiles, oligotrophes and xeromezophytes are the main requirements for reclamation plants on the non-renovated dumps.

Physicochemical properties of soils in the forest-park stands of Kyiv city

The experimental plots were established in natural forest stands of mature and overmature ages in different edatopes of forest growth – A2, B2, B3, C2, C3, D2 (according to Alekseev-Pogrebnyak's edaphic net). Forest stands formed mainly by Pinus sylvestris L. and / or Quercus robur L. The investigated natural forest stands are characterized by high forest plant effect, which can be explained by the favorable values of the soil’s physicochemical properties (pHH2O, pHKCl, amount of absorbed bases, absorption capacity, degree of saturation of bases).The analysis of physicochemical properties of soils in the forest-park stands of the Kyіv city makes it possible to formulate conclusions. First, the numerical value of the soil-absorbing complex of sod-podzolic soils of clay-sand mechanical composition is negligible. The saturation of the soil-absorption complex by the cations of alkaline earth metals and hydrogen is evidenced by the data of the absorption capacity, which range from 4.7 to 10.7 ‒ in the humus-eluvial horizon, as well as from 2.0 to 5.8 mg ‒ еq. per 100 g of soil ‒ in eluvial horizon. The fact of decrease of this index from the upper layers to the lower ones has been established, and a considerable increase is observed at the near occurrence of moraine sediments.Sums of absorbed bases, as well as the absorption capacity in the upper layers of all soils are close in value. The surface layers are characterized by significant amounts of the sums of the absorbed bases due to the accumulation of bases in the course of bio-circulation ‒ up to 3.3 mg ‒ eq. per 100 g of soil. In fresh submerged conditions (edatope B2), the maximum value of the sum of absorbed bases was fixed in the humus-eluvial layer of the rich difference of fresh subsidence (edatope B2///) ‒ 5,25 mg ‒ eq. per 100 g of soil; the absorption capacity in this layer reaches 10.41 mg ‒ eq. per 100 g of soil. In edatopes B2/ and B2//, the sum of absorbed bases is negligible ‒ 0.10‒2.01 mg ‒ eq. per 100 g of soil, with the absorption capacity of 2.33‒9.07 mg ‒ eq. per 100 g of soil. Within these limits, the values of these indicators fluctuate in edatopes A2, B3, C2, C3. But in the deep layers of the soil profile (in places of occurrence of the mother soil), the value of this indicator increases again: in pine sand — up to 3.61 mg ‒ eq. per 100 g of soil, moraine sandy loam or loam of fresh suburbs ‒ up to 3.7, moraine light loam in edatope C2 ‒ up to 4.94 and in boulder clay ‒ up to 15.5 mg ‒ eq. per 100 g of soil. In the case of oak forest, that grow on fertile soil in fresh moisture conditions (edatope D2), the sum of absorbed bases and absorption capacity have the greatest values at depths of 20‒40 cm (8.88 mg – eq. per 100 g soil and 17.9 mg – eq. 100 g soil respectively). The smallest values of these parameters were set at a depth of 62‒100 cm (respectively 4.25 mg ‒ eq. per 100 g soil and 6.7 mg – eq. per 100 g soil). Among the studied edatopes, the highest sums of the absorbed bases are characterized by the soil thickness of edatopes C2 and C3, where this index reaches 82 %. The actual acidity (рНН2О) values indicate that the upper layers of sod-podzolic soils under fresh boron conditions (edatope A2) are characterized by a weak acid reaction (5.0‒5.5). The magnitude of this indicator deviates toward the midacid reaction in edatopes B2// and B2///, approaches neutral reaction (5.5‒6.0) on relatively rich soils in fresh and moist conditions of moisture (edatopes C2, C3) ‒ in proportion to the increase in Q. robur participation in forest stands. Such actual acidity (рНН2О) contributes to the development of mycorrhizal fungi, the normal nutrition of P. sylvestris and its successful growth. With the depth of the soil thickness, there is a general tendency to neutralize its acidity. The value of the exchange acidity (pHKCl) of the surface layer of soil under pine stands is within the strongly acidic (4.0‒4.5), and in pine-oak forests this indicator varies between strongly acidic and slightly acidic (4.6‒5.2). In the surface layer of soil of pine forest stands, рНKCl is strongly acidic (4.0‒4.5), and under pine-oak forests it varies between strongly acidic and slightly acidic. On the example of oak and pine-oak stands that are growing on fresh and moist relatively rich soils (edatopes C2 and C3) the peculiarity of distribution of actual acidity in the surface layer of soils beneath them is revealed. This feature is that the weakly acidic рНН2О reaction approaches to neutral with increasing proportion of Q. robur in the stand’s composition:1/10 of the total forest stand stock is Q. robur and 9/10 is P. sylvestris ‒ pHH2O is 5.0; 3/10 parts is Q. robur and 7/10 parts is P. sylvestris ‒ 5.5; 8/10 parts is Q. robur and 2/10 parts is P. sylvestris ‒ 5.7; 10/10 parts is Q. robur ‒ 5.9.

Changes of soils properties in the process of spontaneous afforestation of arable land in the territory of the Upper Dnister Beskid (Ukrainian Carpathians)

The peculiarities soil transformation of stages of the spontaneous afforestation in the Upper Dnister Beskid region were evaluated. The afforestation ecosystems represented series of restoration succession of forest ecosystems: arable land → ruderal stage → grassland stage → shrub stage → closed forest. The changes of the basic physical and chemical properties of the brown soils of the Upper Dniester Beskid of different stages of the afforestation within the transect of v. Gvozdenec and v. Topilnytca (Starosambirsky district of the Lviv region) were investigated. It was established that the process of spontaneous afforestation of arable land on the territory of the Upper Dniester Beskid causes an increase in actual, potential and hydrolytic acidity in the direction from the arable land to the closed forest, as well as an increase in the amount of organic matter in the forest soils compared with the arable land. Want of agricultural cultivation of the territory and the process of spontaneous afforestation an increase in the content of organic acids and salts, in particular carbon (H2CO3), in the upper horizons of the soil, which leads to changes in the actual acidity in the soil profi le. In the direction from the arable land to the closed forest there are increases in the actual acidity. Spontaneous afforestation, especially due to coniferous trees, causes a change in the amount of hydrogen and aluminum in the soil solution. The upper humus horizons had higher hydrolytic acidity than humus transitions horizons, which is related plants fall on the soil surface and the redistribution of chemical elements in the soil profile. In post-arable soils, the amount of organic carbon increases due to want of organic fertilization with the economic part of the crops and its annual input from plant fallout. It was established that the arable plots content of organic matter is 2,97–3,32 % in forest areas – 4,02–4,30 %. Key words: brown soils, physical and chemical properties, afforestation, Upper Dnister Beskid.

Environmental evaluation of suitability of recultivated land in a manganese quarry for the existence of soil biota

The challenge of degradation of natural ecosystems because of human activity is considered by the world community to be the most serious problems facing mankind. As a result of mineral extraction, man-made landscapes and environmentally ruined areas replace natural habitats and agroecosystems; a whole spectrum of man-made processes are typical for such landscapes, which leads to a decrease in species richness and biological diversity within such areas. Degraded territories formed in the process of coal mining are often partially restored through remediation measures. During the implementation of the technical stage of remediation, substrates with different potential fertility having different environmental properties and quality are used. However, in quality assessment of remediated soils insufficient attention is paid to restoration of the environmental properties of the soils, namely their suitability for the existence of soil biota, which ensures the soil’s sustainability and vitality. The main indicators determining the productivity of remediated lands and the degree of their suitability for the existence of soil biota are values of actual acidity and degree of salinity. An assessment of the quality of reclaimed lands of the Ordzhonikidzevsky ore mining and processing enterprise was carried out on the example of the Zaporizhsky open-cast mine with the aim of assessing the possibility of their economic use and suitability for the existence of soil biota , as well as to make recommendations for further rational use. It was found that main characteristics of the study area (capacity of bulk humic layer, content of humus in the bulk layer, content of physical clay in the bulk humic layer and in the subsoil, average soil density in the meter bulk layer, salinity of the bulk humic layer and subsoil, composition and properties of subsoil), of the Zaporizhzhya quarry's reclamation is suitable for the further settlement and successful existence of the soil biota. It is concluded that as a result of the technical stage of reclamation, an artificial reclaimed soil was obtained, which according to its characteristics is similar to the primary zonal soils that were located in this area prior to mining; the recultivated soil has somewhat lower fertility and greater salinity at the lower horizons, but is capable of performing ecological functions and can not only be used for economic purposes, but also perform ecological functions, serving as an environment for the existence of soil biota.

Soil chemistry and acidification risk of acid sulfate soils on a temperate estuarine floodplain in southern Australia

The distribution and geochemical characterisation of coastal acid sulfate soils (CASS) in Victoria in southern Australia is relatively poorly understood. This study investigated and characterised CASS and sulfidic material at four sites (wetland (WE), swamp scrub (SS), woodland (WO) and coastal tussock saltmarsh (CTS)) on the estuarine floodplain of the Anglesea River in southern Australia. Shell material and seawater buffered acidity generated and provided acid-neutralising capacity (up to 10.65% CaCO3-equivalent) at the sites located on the lower estuarine floodplain (WO and CTS). The SS site, located on the upper estuarine floodplain, can potentially acidify soil and water due to high positive net acidity (>200molH+t–1) and a limited acid-neutralising capacity. High titratable actual acidity in the SS and WO profiles (>270molH+t–1) were the result of high organic matter in peat-like layers that can potentially contribute organic acids in addition to acidity formed from oxidation of sulfidic sediments. The results of the present study suggest that the environments and chemistry of acid sulfate soils in southern Australia are distinct from those located in eastern Australia; this may be related to differences in estuarine processes that affect formation of acid sulfate soils, as well as the geomorphology and geology of the catchment.

Acidity fractions in acid sulfate soils and sediments: contributions of schwertmannite and jarosite

In Australia, the assessment of acidity hazard in acid sulfate soils requires the estimation of operationally defined acidity fractions such as actual acidity, potential sulfidic acidity, and retained acidity. Acid–base accounting approaches in Australia use these acidity fractions to estimate the net acidity of acid sulfate soils materials. Retained acidity is the acidity stored in the secondary Fe/Al hydroxy sulfate minerals, such as jarosite, natrojarosite, schwertmannite, and basaluminite. Retained acidity is usually measured as either net acid-soluble sulfur (SNAS) or residual acid soluble sulfur (SRAS). In the present study, contributions of schwertmannite and jarosite to the retained acidity, actual acidity, and potential sulfidic acidity fractions were systematically evaluated using SNAS and SRAS techniques. The data show that schwertmannite contributed considerably to the actual acidity fraction and that it does not contribute solely to the retained acidity fraction as has been previously conceptualised. As a consequence, SNAS values greatly underestimated the schwertmannite content. For soil samples in which jarosite is the only mineral present, a better estimate of the added jarosite content can be obtained by using a correction factor of 2 to SNAS values to account for the observed 50–60% recovery. Further work on a broader range of jarosite samples is needed to determine whether this correction factor has broad applicability. The SRAS was unable to reliably quantify either the schwertmannite or the jarosite content and, therefore, is not suitable for quantification of the retained acidity fraction. Potential sulfidic acidity in acid sulfate soils is conceptually derived from reduced inorganic sulfur minerals and has been estimated by the peroxide oxidation approach, which is used to derive the SRAS values. However, both schwertmannite and jarosite contributed to the peroxide-oxidisable sulfur fraction, implying a major potential interference by those two minerals to the determination of potential sulfidic acidity in acid sulfate soils through the peroxide oxidation approach.

The effects of sample fat value manipulation on raw cow milk composition and indicators

Values of milk indicators (MIs) can be influenced by sampling errors and milk manipulation. This paper estimated the freezing point depression (FPD) and other MIs drifts which can cause fat movement. That is important for: – preparation of reference milk samples (MSs) for proficiency testing and instrument calibrations; – estimation of the impact of milk treatment as centrifugation in dairy plants on FPD. Five MSs (A = original milk; milk with modified fat (F) content; B = less F, C = low F, D = more F, E = high F) were created (gravitation F separation at 4 °C for 12 hours) with the same milk matrix 12× per year. F averages increased by 4.80% (122.1%) from 1.68 to 6.48% due to manipulation. It increased variability of MIs especially for SNF (solids non fat), L (lactose) and CP (crude protein). SCC (somatic cell count) averages increased by 803 (196.8%) from 9 to 812 thousand.ml−1. Correlation (r) F × SCC was 0.85 (P < 0.001). SNF, L and CP averages decreased by 0.47% (5.3%), 0.31% (6.3%) and 0.17% (5.0%). Correlations were −0.78, −0.75 and −0.64 (P < 0.001). Urea decreased along with F increase by 1.05 mg.100ml−1 (2.9%) but with r −0.13 (P > 0.05). Acetone increased by 1.37 mg.l−1 (47.6%) with r 0.21 (P > 0.05). Electrical conductivity decreased by 0.23 mS.cm−1 (6.0%) with r −0.15 (P > 0.05). Alcohol stability was reduced by 0.14 ml (23.3%) with r −0.15 (P > 0.05). FPD, titration and actual acidity were not influenced.