Environmental Soil Science Research Papers (original) (raw)

- by
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- Environmental Science, Soil Science, Wit, Mangroves

ABSTRACT The effects of stand-age of Acacia sp on plant litter turnover and decomposition, soil physical properties and nutrient elements were studied in revegetated gold-mined soils. Litter in the 3- and 6-year plantation soils were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the forest soil, whilst 9- and 12-year old revegetated soils had litter significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the forest soil. Biomass decomposition constants measured in all treatments were statistically similar, ranging from 1.03 in the forest soil to 0.94 in the revegetated treatments. Total N concentrations were higher in the forest, 12- year and 9- year revegetated treatments and varied from 0.20% to 0.50%. Organic carbon concentrations followed the increasing trend 3- year < 6- year < 9-year < 12- year < forest. Exchangeable K concentrations measured in all the soils were lower than 0.6 cmol kg,-1. Field moisture capacity (12.6 – 20.3 %) and infiltration rates (25.2 – 31.1 cm h-1) in the 3-year,...

- by Ernest Afrifa
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- Biology, Environmental Soil Science

Staf Pengajar, Departemen Ilmu Tanah dan Sumberdaya Lahan, Fakultas Pertanian, IPB dan Sekretaris Program Doktor, PS Pengelolaan Sumberdaya Alam dan Lingkungan, Sekolah Pascasarjana, IPB PENDAHULUAN Pendidikan merupakan suatu proses panjang untuk melakukan internalisasi konsep dan jiwa dari tujuan pendidikannya sendiri. Dewasa ini, pendidikan di Indonesia menemukan momentum dengan telah diterapkannya dukungan pendanaan yang cukup berdasarkan Undang-undang Dasar yang mengharuskan alokasi minimal 20 persen anggaran negara. Di kalangan Perguruan Tinggi, momentum ini juga ditemukan dengan diterapkannya UU Pendidikan Tinggi yang telah disahkan baru-baru ini, meskipun ada berbagai kontroversi terhadap UU itu sendiri. Terlepas dari kelebihan dan kekurangannya, momentum ini perlu dimanfaatkan untuk meningkatkan kinerja pendidikan -termasuk pendidikan lingkungan dan sumberdaya alam-agar menghasilkan output lulusan yang optimal, agar dampak positif output pendidikan menjadi lebih nyata bagi pembangunan bangsa.

- by widiatmaka widiatmaka
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- Environmental Science, Education, Environmental Soil Science

Worldwide, cassava (Manhiot esculenta Crantz) is used for a multitude of reasons; as a main food staple in Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroun etc.), Asia (Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia etc.) and South America (Bazil, Paraguay etc.) as well as a source of energy for biogas and biofuel in Asia (China, Indonesia etc), South America (Brazil, Columbia etc.). A high demand of energy due to rapid urbanisation and development in developing countries, prompted governments, scientists and NGOs to seek other environmentally benign methods of energy production than fossil fuel based energy production systems. Thus, cassava has been identified as one of the suitable crops for biogas and biofuel production in order to mitigate the ensuing high energy demand. Like many developing countries, South Africa is interested in achieving sustainable energy and food supply, and cassava can serve as a source of both bioenergy bioethanol and biogas as well as food. However, the establishment/perennial production of cassava in developing countries generally and in South Africa particularly is facing potential challenges such as infertile land, pests problems, climate change and land availability for cultivation. However, some of this challenges can be overcome through availability of land for cassava cultivation, pest (insects) control, creation of local markets leading to job opportunities and communities acceptance of the crop for self-nourishment and industrial use.

- by Elie F. Itoba Tombo
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- Agronomy, Ecology, Agriculture, Environmental Impact Assessment

In this study, total heavy metal contents and their relationships with soil microbiological characteristics were investigated in agricultural soils which were with polluted heavy metals. Total heavy metal content of the soils varied from... more

- by R kkk
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- Soil Science, Environmental Soil Science, Soil Pollution, Biological Sciences

The Mexican Caribbean and its main cities have the highest population growth rate in Mexico. This work goal was to analyze the growth of the city of Chetumal and the geopedological characteristics in which it has been developed, to identify potential hazards and thereby improve development programs. The methodology consisted in the study of geopedological characteristics and the analysis of land use changes in the city over time. The main problems of Chetumal are floods and subsidence. Floods are more common in areas where Gleysols soils are found in low-lying areas. The subsidence is associated to Leptosols with a phreatic mantle at a shallow depth where the precipitations favors dissolution of rock. The extrapolation of the relationships between geopedological conditions and the area occupied by the city, allows us to suppose that areas which the current Urban Development Program proposes for future city expansion will develop the same problems of subsidence and flooding as the areas already built in sites with similar conditions. Resumen El Caribe mexicano y sus principales ciudades tiene la tasa de crecimiento poblacional más alta de México. El objetivo fue analizar el crecimiento de la ciudad de Chetumal y las características geopedológicas en las que se ha desarrollado, para identificar los peligros potenciales y mejorar con ello los programas de desarrollo. La metodología consistió en el estudio de las características geopedológicas y el análisis de los cambios de uso de suelo de la ciudad en el tiempo. El problema principal de Chetumal son las inundaciones y los hundimientos. Las inundaciones son más comunes en las zonas donde se encuentran suelos Gleysols en zonas bajas. Los hundimientos se asocian a Leptosols con un manto freático a poca profundidad donde las

Globally, much weight is currently being placed on agriculture to provide food for the growing population as well as feedstock for the bioenergy industry. Unfortunately, the intensification of agricultural operations to satisfy these growing needs has been associated with a number of environmental and human health risks. A review of publications on the subject was conducted and emphasis was placed on articles focusing on agriculture, environment, and public health as well as their interactions. Supporting information was also gathered from publications of various agricultural and environmental agencies. Agricultural practices with potential negative implications on the environment and human health were identified broadly as: (a) utilization of biosolids and animal manures, (b) use of agricultural chemicals, (c) management of post-harvest residue, (d) irrigation, and (e) tillage operations. Soil, water, and air contamination by nutrients, heavy metals, pathogens, and pesticides, as well as air contamination by particulate matters, noxious gases, and pathogens were among the leading environmental impacts. Some of the human-health impacts identified included neurological and reproductive defects, cardiovascular risks, cancers and other diseases (of kidney, liver, lung, and skin), skin allergies, gastroenteritis, and methemoglobinemia. Continual awareness on the impacts of the reviewed agricultural practices on environmental quality and human health and the implementation of experimentally-backed best management practices in agricultural systems remain indispensable.

- by Peter N. Eze
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- Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Science, Soil Science

This study was carried out in Talensi Nabdam District of Upper East Region of Ghana to assess the effect of soil conservation on the yield of millet and groundnut among farmers. Random sampling was used to select 50 farmers from seven communities namely Belungu, Kongo, Damolgo, Zalerigu,
Dagliga, Nangodi, and Arigu. Questionnaires administered in the area provided primary data needed for analysis. Descriptive statistics was employed in describing the socio-economic characteristic of farmers and independent-samples t-test was used to compare the output of millet and groundnut
farmers that adopted stonebunds, earthbunds, vertiver grass and manure by using SPSS. Male farmers 300 constituted the majority of adopters of the conservation methods and non-adopters represented 20. The group means 190.83 for output of adopters of stonebunds and 95.28 for output of non-adopters of stonebunds were significantly different. Farmers who adopted stonebunds had higher yield of
groundnut than those who did not adopt stonebunds. The group means 158.95 for output of adopters of earthbunds and 173.83 for output of non-adopters of earthbunds were significantly different. Adopters of stonebunds had higher output of millet than non-adopters.

- by Fariya Abubakari and +1
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- Soil Science, Environmental Soil Science

The present research has been performed to investigate the effect of base course application on load-settlement characteristics of sandy subgrade using plate load test. The main parameter investigated in this study was the subgrade reaction coefficient. The model tests were conducted in a 1.35 m long, 1 m wide, and 1 m deep steel test box of Imam Khomeini International University (IKIU Calibration Chamber). The base courses used in this research were in three different thicknesses of 15 cm, 20 cm, and 30 cm. The test results indicated that in the case of using base course over loose sandy subgrade, the values of subgrade reaction coefficient can be increased from 7 N/cm^3 to 132 N/cm^3, 224 N/cm^3, and 396 N/cm^3 in presence of 15 cm, 20 cm, and 30 cm
base course, respectively.

- by Arian Nazeri and +1
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- Reinforced soil slope, Soil Mechanics, Environmental Soil Science, Soil Behavior

Olive-oil production has a vital impact on the socioeconomic development in most Mediter-ranean countries, where 97.5 % of the world oil is produced. However, the olive-oil extraction process generates considerable quantities of an agro-industrial effluent, olive mill wastewater (OMW), which has negative impact on the environment and biological life. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential use of OMW treated by different technologies in irrigation and determine its effect on the plant growth and soil quality parameters. Different technologies were used to treat the OMW, the resultant treated OMW was used to irrigate the maize planted in the pot experiment. The results indicated that UOMW increased soil salinity and reduced plant growth, while the treated OMW by different technologies improved plant growth and resulted in lower soil pH. The impact on other soil properties varied depending on the techniques used for treatments. Although treated OMW enhanced plant growth compared with the untreated, the plant growth remained lower than that obtained using the potable water with fertilizers, indicating lack of some essential plant nutrients.

The study was conducted mainly to determine the Geo-physical status of soil along Cagayan de Oro River. The study conducted three (3) consecutive trials in three (3) sampling sites namely: Barangay Balulang (upper stream), Barangay Macasandig (middle stream), and Barangay Carmen (lower stream). The soil samples were interpreted using Geographic Information System and physical analysis.
The use of Geographic Information system is to identify the exact location and the type of soil, as well as land cover and land type of the three sampling site.
The study utilized the descriptive-comparative type of research. The data were treated with Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 0.5 levels of significance, mean, standard deviation and Levine’s test.
Analyzing the three (3) sampling sites using analysis of variance (ANOVA), the particle density and the porosity has zero result of significance between groups and within groups while Bulk Density and soil pH has difference significance.

- by Jessa Rica Adlaon
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- Environmental Soil Science

Penambangan merupakan salah satu aktivitas manusia setelah pertanian yang sudah dikenal sejak jaman prasejarah. Kedua kegiatan ini secara bersama-sama telah menjadi kegiatan dasar atau primer pada perkembangan awal kebudayaan manusia dan sampai saat ini tetap secara kontinyu menjadi sumber dasar untuk memenuhi keperluan kebudayaan manusia modern. Kegiatan pertambangan telah memberikan kontribusi besar dalam berbagai aspek kehidupan di seluruh dunia. Tambang-tambang batubara, minyak dan gas menyediakan sumber energi, sementara tambang-tambang mineral menyediakan berbagai bahan baku untuk keperluan industri. Bahan-bahan tambang golongan C, seperti batu, pasir, kapur, juga tidak ketinggalan memberikan sumbangan yang signifikan sebagai bahan untuk pembangunan perumahan, gedung-gedung perkantoran, pabrik dan jaringan jalan. Akan tetapi berbeda dengan sumbangannya yang besar tersebut, lahan-lahan tempat ditemukannya bahan tambang akan mengalami perubahan lansekap yang radikal dan dampak lingkungan yang signifikan pada saat bahan-bahan tambang dieksploitasi. Bahan tambang umumnya berada di/dekat permukaan atau jauh di bawah permukaan bumi. Keduanya tertimbun oleh batuan dan tanah di atasnya. Oleh sebab itu pengambilan bahan tambang akan selalu mengusik lansekap dan berbagai penggunaan lahan yang berada di atasnya, seperti hutan, areal pertanian, lahan basah, pemukiman dan lain-lain.

- by Iskandar Iskandar
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- Soil Science, Clay Minerals, Environmental Soil Science

Effect of Calcium Chloride on the Electrokinetic Characteristics of Organic Soil

This study aims to examine the effect of zeolites in optimizing the process of food waste composting. A novel method of sequential hydrothermal was introduced to modify the natural zeolite and apply to in-vessel compost bioreactors. Raw and modified natural zeolites were applied at 10 and 15% (w/w) of the total waste and compared with un-amended control trial. Both raw and modified zeolites affected the composting process, but the notable results were observed for modified natural zeolite. The results for compost stability parameters were prominent at 15% modified natural zeolite concentration. The rapid and long-term thermophillic temperature and moisture content reduction to the optimum range was observed for modified natural zeolite. Furthermore, the total ammonium (NH 4 +) and nitrate (NO 3 −) concentration in modified natural zeolite were increased by 11.1 and 21.5% respectively as compared to raw zeolite. Compost stability against moisture contents (MC), electrical conductivity (EC), organic matters (OM), total carbon (TC), mineral nitrogen, nitrification index (NI) and germination index (GI) was achieved after 60 days of composting that was in accordance with the international compost quality standards. The findings of this study suggested the suitability of modified natural zeolite addition at 15% to the total waste as the optimum ratio for the composting of food waste in order to achieve a stable nutrient-rich compost.

Describing contaminant spatial distribution is an integral compo-1992). A similar survey was conducted in 1994 in the nent of risk assessment. Application of geostatistical techniques for adjoining suburb of Camperdown with topsoil sampled this purpose has been demonstrated previously. These techniques may provide both an estimate of the concentration at a given unsampled from 221 locations . Lead concentrations location, as well as the probability that the concentration at that reported in this study also exceeded regulatory guidelocation will exceed a critical threshold concentration. This research lines. A geostatistical analysis of each individual data is a comparative study between multiple indicator kriging and kriging set was conducted to spatially describe metal concentrawith the cumulative distribution function of order statistics, with both tions. While providing useful information about the conlocal and global variograms. The aim was to determine which of the tamination pattern, the techniques used may also have four methods is best able to delineate between "contaminated" and overestimated the area classified as contaminated. Fur-"clean" soil. The four methods were validated with a subset of data ther analysis on the combined dataset was deemed necvalues that were not used in the prediction. Method performance was essary to determine whether an improved prediction assessed by calculating the root mean square error (RMSE), analysis could be obtained with other kriging techniques. The of variance, the proportion of sites misclassified by each method as either "clean" when they were actually "contaminated" or vice versa, aim of this work is to determine which of the techniques and the expected loss for each misclassification type. The data used investigated is able to produce the best prediction of for the comparison were 807 topsoil Pb concentrations from the innerexceeding a contamination threshold and therefore the

- by Budiman Minasny
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- Soil Science, Environmental Soil Science, Environmental Pollution

Heavy metal is a member of loosely defined subset of elements that exhibit metallic properties. It mainly includes the transition metals, some metalloids, lanthanides, and actinides. Heavy metals are ubiquitous in the environment, as a result of both natural and anthropogen-ic activities. They are stable and cannot be destroyed, and therefore tend to accumulate in the environment. In recent years, there has been a substantial concern over the extent of contamination of the environment with toxic elements. Soil pollution caused by rapid industrial activities has become a worrisome phenomenon due to its impact on soil and environment. Heavy metal pollution in soil arising from industrial discharges significantly poses a great threat to the environment. Heavy metals come to the soil by several ways and the soil becomes toxic which cause serious problem to the environment. In toxic soil, microorganisms cannot persist and there create an imbalance situation in the soil. The main objective of this study was to assess the problem of heavy metal contamination in industrial area soil in Bangladesh with environmental risk assessment.

- by Ram Proshad
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- Environmental Soil Science, Soil Pollution, Heavy Metal Pollution

Oxygen is an important element for plant growth. Reducing its concentration in the soil affects plant physiological processes such as nutrient and water uptake as well as respiration, the redox potential of soil elements and the activity of microorganisms. The main mechanism of oxygen transport in the soil is by diffusion, a dynamic process greatly influenced by soil physical properties such as texture and structure, conditioning, pore size distribution, tortuosity and connectivity. Organic matter is a modifying agent of the soil's chemical and physical properties, affecting its structure and the porous matrix, which are determinants of oxygen transport. This study reviews the theory of soil gas diffusion and the effect of soil organic matter on the soil's physical properties and transport of gases. It also reviews gas diffusion models, particularly those including the effect of soil organic matter.

- by José Neira Román and +3
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- Environmental Soil Science

Le Chott de Djendli (3700 ha) appartient au complexe des zones humides Sud-constantinoises. L’étude menée de février 2006 à mars 2007 nous a permis la caractérisation bioécologique des éléments tant biotiques qu’abiotiques du site. Elle nous a également permis d’avoir un aperçu sur son importance, en étudiant et en suivant plusieurs paramètres physico-chimiques du sol et de l’eau ainsi que la richesse floristique et faunistique. En effet, nous avons déterminé le…

- by Haroun Chenchouni
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- Landscape Ecology, Soil Science, Plant Ecology, Water

Land degradation in Lesotho is destroying the limited natural resources on which the Basothos’ depend for survival. Soil chemical property assessment was conducted at the Bolahla-Mphosong Catchemnt using LADA Mehtodologies to estimate the extent of soil nutrients depletion and the level of degradation in the catchment. The study indicated that the level of degradation in the catchment was from slightly to very highly degraded soils and there was severe Phosphorus and Nitrogen depletion whiles organic carbon and organic matter content were poor in the soil due to low pH.
Sustainable management practise such as Conservation Agriculture (CA), organic mulching, liming, contour ridging and stripe cropping, avoid overgrazing and avoid farming on marginal lands should be encouraged among the land user to help mitigate land degradation in the catchment. Also, the study should be repeated to ascertain concrete evidence on the soil properties to help undertake decision support projects.

Recently, the use of plants to cleanup of crude oil contaminated soils has been a subject of increasing investigation. To identify native plants for the remediation of oil contaminated soil, the growth of Cyperus rotundus L. was observed under different concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 g/kg) of the spent engine oil in pot experiment. Soil analysis showed that the oil had little effects on pH, exchangeable Na and K as well as texture but the organic C, N and total hydrocarbon (THC) increased relative to the control while concentrations of P, Ca and Mg decreased. The microbial population decreased with increasing concentration of the spent engine oil. Survival rates and dry matter yield of C. rotundus were considerably (P<0.05) reduced by soil pollution. Overall, C. rotundus had satisfactory potential for growth if soil contamination does not exceed 10%. Further research should screen more native plants with remediating ability.

Physicochemical analyses were carried out on soil samples from four different waste dumpsites in the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Nigeria to ascertain the effects of the refuse dumpsites on soil and groundwater qualities. Dumpsite locations are Physics Laboratory (PHY), Post Graduate Hostel (PG), School of Earth and Mineral Science (SEMS) and Staff Quarters (STQ). Soil samples collected at distances 0 (dumpsite), 10 and 20 m intervals away from the dumpsite were analyzed and at depths 10, 20 and 30 cm. Parameters determined include pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca), Sodium (Na), Phosphorus (P), Nitrogen (N), Potassium (K), Organic Carbon (OC), Organic Matter (OM) and heavy metals such as Copper (Cu) and Lead (Pb) and subjected to relevant statistical analysis. Most of the parameters analyzed indicated pollution and were below the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) limits. P and Mg concentrations ranged from 1.19 to 1.25mg/kg and 3.17 to 13.61mg/kg respectively which indicated pollution. Out of heavy metals analyzed, Cu was 1.75mg/kg and Pb was not detected. Statistical analysis indicated signicant differences at 95% level. The result showed that the soil samples were mildly polluted and therefore not suitable for crop production.

1. Question: With reference to the outline guideline provided, write a comprehensive review on Mollisols under the USDA soil taxonomy. Abstract Mollisols, as a class of soil are easily recognized because of their thick, dark coloured " A " horizon rich in organic matter, and their special physical attributes. These soil are very highly productive of well-managed, and they have high organic matter to support plaint growth.

- by Taufiq Sadiq
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- Soil Science, Soils (Geography), Environmental Soil Science

The soil exploitation for intensive agricultural production such as tillage, chemical fertilizer and pesticide uses, monoculture cropping and continuously crop cultivation (without fallowing system) caused soil degradation and resulted some environmental pollutions. The application of green manure can be one of the alternatives in order to minimize the negative effects of some applications in intensive agriculture practices on the soil and the environment. The application of green manure increases soil organic matter and nitrogen and keeps the availability of other soil nutrients. The use of legume forage crops as green manure can increase the amount of nitrogen in the soil by atmospheric nitrogen fixation. This makes it more economically efficient than other green manure and chemical fertilizers. The legumes have a taproot that can absorb the nutrients from the deeper soil and improve the physical structure of the soil. For these reasons, this study discusses the importance of legume forage crops as green manure crops for the soil sustainabilities.

- by Ade Sumiahadi
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- Soil Science, Environmental Soil Science, Rhizobium, Biological Nitrogen Fixation

By means of a drainage and seepage tank, an experimental flow net system inside the body of a homogeneous earth embankment dam model, formed from Leighton Buzzard Silica sand, was developed and studied in this experimental research paper. Water flow through dams is one of the basic problems for geotechnical engineers. Seepage analysis in an important factor to be considered in the proper design of many civil engineering structures. Seepage can occur in both through the structure itself as the case of earth dams and under foundations of an engineering structure. Successful seepage analysis is achieved on the proper and accurate construction of a flow net. Amongst the various existing methods of seepage analysis, the "Finite Element Method" and the method of "Experimental Flow Nets" are the most widely used ones. Construction of a flow net is mainly used for solving water flow problems through porous media where the geometry makes sometimes analytical solutions impractical. This method is usually used in soil mechanics, geotechnical or civil engineering as an initial check for problems of water flow under hydraulic structures like embankments or dams. As such, a grid obtained by drawing a series of equipotential lines and stream or flow lines is called a flow net. In this procedure the Laplace equation principles must be satisfied. Hence, the construction of a flow net is an important tool in analysing two-dimensional irrotational flow problems and provides an approximate solution to the flow problem by following simple rules, as initially set out by Forchheimer, 1900, and later refined by Casagrande,1937. It can also be very useful tool even for problems with complex geometries, as proven in this experimental research paper. The objectives of this experimental research paper are: • To determine the position and shape of the flow line representing the uppermost free water surface inside the body of a dam by using a drainage and seepage tank, • To conceptualise the flow lines system and to demonstrate that each flow line starts perpendicular to the upstream slope of the dam and that that slope is a boundary equipotential line, • To construct an experimental flow net and subsequently to verify and analyse it by the FEA method, • To calculate the rate of seepage through the dam body, and • To summarise the calculations and experimental findings in a concise and readable format.

Soil acidity is an economic and natural resource threat throughout the world. Acidification of soil is a natural process with major ramifications on plant growth. As soils become more acidic, particularly when the pH drops below 4.5, it becomes increasingly difficult to produce food crops. In our country, about 25 million hectares of cultivated lands with pH value less than 5.5 are very poor in physical, chemical and biological characteristics. Naturally, nutrient availability and fixation in soil are governed by the chemical condition of soil. Knowledge and understanding about the fate of nutrient applied in soil as fertilizer are very important for improving use efficiency of applied nutrients in soil. Chemistry associated with macronutrients fixation in soil is specifically discussed here along with a brief account on how best the fixed nutrients can be utilized for plant nutrition. In aqueous systems, an acid is a substance that donates hydrogen ions or protons (H +) to some other substance. Conversely, a base is any substance that accepts H +. The H + ions or active acidity, increase with the strength of the acid. The undissociated H + contributes to a soil potential acidity. Buffer systems can maintain the pH of a solution within narrow range when small amounts of an acid or a base are added. Buffering defines the resistance to change in pH. Soils differ in terms of active and potential acidity. Also soils behave like buffered weak acids, with the H + in cation exchange complex (CEC) of humus and clay minerals providing the buffer for soil solution pH.

- by Biraj Basak
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- Soil Chemistry, Environmental Soil Science

This research was undertaken to characterize the ability of natural zeolite and bentonite minerals in the ratio of 1:10 (w/w), to change soil chemical and hydro-physical characteristics and some morphological growth parameters as well as the yield production of faba bean (Viciafaba L.) and corn (Zea maize) grown under drip irrigation system and natural drainage conditions. Completely randomized field experiments were conducted at Ismailia governorate in EL-Salhya project, during the winter season of 2009/2010 and the summer one of 2010. Soil conditioner was applied in the rate of 0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 ton/fed. Obtained results reveal that soil chemical properties, i.e. EC, pH, soluble cations and anions as well as SAR values are directly affected by increasing conditioner application rate. Modification in soil textural class from sandy to loamy sand was made with the increase in clay content. Bulk density, macro-pores and saturated hydraulic conductivity values were markedly decreased, while the values of total porosity, water holding capacity, field capacity and available moisture were progressively increased. The greatest improvement in these soil characteristics is pronounced under the highest rate of conditioner doses. Moreover, growth parameters of the two crops as well as their seed yields were beneficially increased with increasing the rate of applied conditioner. This reveals to the highly magnitude of combining natural zeolite and bentonite conditioners in a proper amount to improve sandy soils properties and enhancing their productivity.

This document about soil profile

- by Fred Magdoff
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- Soil Science, Agronomy, Agroecology, Environmental Soil Science

The experiment was carried out in order to study the effect of zinc and boron application on seeding transplanting multiplier onion CO(On)5 at different levels of both foliar and basal application. The treatment consist of soil application of zinc sulphate (5 kg ha-1 and 10 kg ha-1), Borax (5 kg ha-1 and 10 kg ha-1), foliar application of zinc sulphate (0.5% foliar) and Borax (0.25% foliar), zinc sulphate (5 kg soil + 0.5% foliar), zinc sulphate (10 kg ha-1 soil + 0.5% foliar), borax (5 kg ha-1 soil + 0.25% foliar), borax (10 ha-1 kg soil + 0.25% foliar) and control without micronutrient, replicated thrice in a randomized block design. Results were found to be significant in most of the yield contributing parameters of multiplier onion. The plant height (50.30 cm), number of leaves per plant (51.3), leaf girth (8.1 mm), fresh leaf weight (22.7 g), fresh bulb weight (85.4 g), total dry matter production (5.31 t ha-1), bulb yield per plot (10.1 kg) and bulb yield per hectare (16.9 t ha-1), Ascorbic Acid (16.70 mg 100g-1) were highest in zinc sulphate 0.5% foliar spray; while 10 kg ha-1 borax soil application showed highest polar (26.0 mm) and equatorial diameter (27.2 mm) and borax (5 kg ha-1 soil + 0.25% foliar), highest number of bulblets per clump (8.8) in borax (10 kg ha-1 soil). The highest TSS content (21.30 °Brix) was observed in soil application of zinc sulphate (10 kg ha-1) application.

- by INNSPUB Journals
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- Genetics, Soil Science, Agronomy, Plant Biology

Environmental contamination caused by radionuclides, in particular
by uranium and its decay products is a serious problem worldwide.
The development of nuclear science and technology has led to
increasing nuclear waste containing uranium being released and
disposed in the environment. The objective of this paper is to
develop a better understanding of factors affecting uranium fixation
and removal from different soils with different soil characteristics.
Soils contaminated with uranium at concentrations above regulatory
limits pose an environmental and human health risk. Investigations
about uranium content and fate in soils revealed several finding
depending on soil factors, radionuclide source and nature, and
existing vegetation in the area. In organic rich soils U seems to be
more soluble and bioavailable.
Data demonstrates the effectiveness of soil amendments
(Hydroxyapatite, illite and zeolite) in reducing the mobility of U,
which makes in-place immobilization an effective remediation
alternative. In contrast to increase U solubility and leach-ability the
maximum solubilization of U was observed with a combined soil
acidification and citric acid addition, which may be necessary to
maximize the phyto-extraction of U from soils with a pH >6.0.
Keywords: Remediation; U-speciation; U-chemistry in soils

- by mamdouh sabour
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- Environmental Soil Science, Remediation, Mobility

STRAWBERRY TISSUE CULTURE

THIS IS NATURE SIGNALING THE END OF DUALITY THIS IS HUGE - CHANGE THE ENTIRETY OF CREATION - NO DUALITY ANYWHERE. IT IS VERY CLEARLY A PREDETERMINED ADVANCEMENT OF HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS - THIS BUBBLE IS TOO WELL DESIGNED - EUPHORIA... more

THIS IS NATURE SIGNALING THE END OF DUALITY
THIS IS HUGE - CHANGE THE ENTIRETY OF CREATION - NO DUALITY ANYWHERE.
IT IS VERY CLEARLY A PREDETERMINED ADVANCEMENT OF HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS - THIS BUBBLE IS TOO WELL DESIGNED - EUPHORIA CANCELS KARMA

- by MIKE EMERY
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- Earth Sciences, Soil Science, Consciousness (Psychology), Water

This work proposes a particular approach to assess information about soil degradation from NOAA/AVHRR data. As erosive processes change physical and chemical properties of the soil, altering, consequently, the superficial color, monitoring the change in color over time can help to identify and analyze those processes. A methodology for the determination of soil color from NOAA/AVHRR data was devised, based on a theoretical model that establishes the relationship among the soil color, described in the Munsell Color System, vegetation indices, surface temperature and emissivity. The test area of the methodology was the Upper Taquari Basin, in the central region of Brazil, where the lack of land use planning and soil conservation practices have been causing severe erosion and siltation of the water bodies, increasing the spatial and temporal significance of flood events over the Brazilian Pantanal region. The tests showed that the methodology was efficient in determining soil color using the NDVI, MSAVI and PAVI vegetation indices. Best results were obtained for the hue color component. To further test the methodology, the calculated digital color models were compared with the characteristic color of soil classes in the Upper Taquari Basin.

- by Dharmendra Singh
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- Soil Science, Remote Sensing, Soil, Environmental Soil Science

Electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) method is very useful in mapping subsurface contamination zones. In this study, 3D ERI is used to identify the distribution and depth of subsurface soil contamination zone near Al_Furat state company for chemical and pesticides industries in Hilla city, Iraq. A 3D pure image of electrical resistivity distribution is obtained from a perpendicular square grid (80 × 80 m) which consists of three parallel and three perpendicular lines. The electrical resistivity values range from < 1 to 21 O.m, and the total root mean square (RMS) after four iterations is about 7%. The image gives eight different depth slices for the estimated model with a depth interval of about 1 m. The maximum depth of investigation is 13.7 m. The results mapped the contamination zone, where high electrical resistivity values (about 21 O.m) are observed possibly due to accumulation of alkaline waste disposed from the company. The ERI results show that the subsurface layers up to a depth of 4.99 m are of moderate-to-high electrical resistivity values. The study reveals that 3D ERI is an effective tool for subsurface contamination zone mapping in various depths, which extends in this study from the near-surface to a depth of about 5 m below the ground level.

A mis padres y hermanos, mi compañía más preciada en este corto camino de vida, para que cultivemos el amor y lo hagamos trascender a los que vienen, para enseñarles que solo el conocimiento permite tocar la realidad…nadie sabe más que el... more

This paper examines the response of soils in degraded land to reforestation in Ilorin region. A total of 16 soil samples were systematically collected from two quadrats of 25 × 25 m in each of reforested and deforested sites respectively. Standard laboratory techniques were used to test 8 soil fertility indices on each of the landscapes. Coefficient of variation was used to establish variability or otherwise within the data set. Student's 't' test was used to determine the significance of difference of the sample means of forested and deforested soil parameters. The result of the laboratory test revealed that vegetation cover affects the soil properties. Generally, the physical properties of the soil in this area are homogenous but variations exist in the chemical properties which fundamentally determine soil fertility. At the end, the conclusion was that fertility status of the soil increased under forest cover. It is therefore important for the government to provide adequate awareness and educate the people on reforestation of degraded land and land use and soil properties because they tend to affect each other. Government at local, state and federal levels should intensify effort on afforestation projects and replacement of trees when cut. Forest funding for afforestation has to shift from public to private to enhance community participation and their mobilization for forest conservation and sustainable forest resources and environmental development.

- by Emmanuel Oriola
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- Sustainable agriculture, Environmental Soil Science