Genesis of the sombric horizon in ultisols (red argisols) in southern Santa Catarina, Brazil

Dark subsurface horizons, with properties similar to the sombric horizon characterized by the USA Soil Taxonomy, are frequent in Southern Brazil. The genesis of this horizon is controversial and poorly understood. This study aimed to describe the occurrence of sombric-like horizons in Ultisols in the South of Santa Catarina State, at low altitudes, and suggest possible processes of humus transference, accumulation and persistence in these horizons. Physical, chemical and mineralogical properties of four Ultisols were evaluated; three were sampled in a toposequence, and another representative one in an isolated profile (RSP). The dark subsurface horizons coincide with the AB and BA transitional genetic horizons; they are acid, low in base saturation, and have a similar clay mineralogy in all horizons. Very high amounts of Fe and Al extracted by ammonium oxalate and sodium pyrophosphate solution as well as maximum Al extracted by CuCl2 solution were observed in these dark subsurface horizons, indicating a possible migration of these elements in the form of organometallic complexes. The contents of Al plus ½ Fe extracted from the RSP soil horizons with ammonium oxalate indicated spodic materials in the sombric-like horizon, although the soil morphology was not compatible with Spodosols. Maximum contents of fine clay were also found in the sombric-like horizon, suggesting Fe and Al migration as clay-humic substances. However, the hypothesis that sombric-like horizons in these soils are a relict feature of a grass paleovegetation, different from the current dense seasonal forest, should not be discarded but investigated in further studies.

Neotropical woodlice (isopoda) colonizing leaf-litter of pioneer plants in a coal residue disposal environment

The irregular disposal of coal combustion residues has adverse impacts on terrestrial ecosystems. Pioneer plants and soil invertebrates play an important role in the recovery of these areas. The goal of this study was to investigate the colonization patterns of terrestrial isopods (Oniscidea) in leaf litter of three spontaneous pioneer plants (grass - Poaceae, shrub - Euphorbiaceae, tree - Anarcadiaceae) at sites used for fly ash or boiler slag disposal. The experiment consisted of eight blocks (four per disposal site) of 12 litter bags each (four per plant species) that were randomly removed after 6, 35, 70 or 140 days of field exposure. Three isopod species were found in the litter bags: Atlantoscia floridana (van Name, 1940) (Philosciidae; n = 116), Benthana taeniata Araujo & Buckup, 1994 (Philosciidae; n = 817) and Balloniscus sellowii (Brandt, 1833) (Balloniscidae; n = 48). The isopods colonized the three leaf-litter species equally during the exposure period. However, the pattern of leaf-litter colonization by these species suggests a conflict of objectives between high quality food and shelter availability. The occurrence of A. floridana and the abundance and fecundity of B. taeniata were influenced by the residue type, indicating that the isopods have different degrees of tolerance to the characteristics of the studied sites. Considering that terrestrial isopods are abundant detritivores and stimulate the humus-forming processes, it is suggested that they could have an indirect influence on the soil restoration of this area.

Chemical nature of soil humified fractions and their bioactivity

The aim of this work was to evaluate the humus composition from an Ultisol from Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil. Soil samples of four depths (0-0.05, 0.05-0.10, 0.10-0.20 and 0.20-0.40 m) and its chemical nature were analysed by elemental composition, E4/E6 ratios and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. The bioactivity of these humified substances was evaluated through their action on maize root growth and H+-ATPase activity of roots microsomes. In topsoil, the content of high condensed alkaline soluble humic substances is greater than that found in the subsuperficial layers. The chemical nature of humic and fulvic acids also varied with the soil depth. The humic acids isolated from the soil samples exhibited higher bioactivity compared with the fulvic acids. Moreover, the results suggest that more condensed humic substances can promote highest stimulation of the microsomal H+-ATPases from maize roots. These data reinforce the concept that the activity of the H+ pumps can be used as a biochemical marker for evaluation of humic substances bioactivity.

Autoecología de los hayedos catalanes

Este estudio está basado en el muestreo de campo y posterior análisis de 24 parcelas de hayedo seleccionadas mediante una estratificación de su área de distribución basada en la clasificación CLATERES de la Ecorregión Catalano-Aragonesa. En cada parcela se han evaluado 3 parámetros fisiográficos, 15 climáticos y 18 edáficos, a partir de los cuales se han establecido sus valores paramétricos centrales y marginales que permiten definir los hábitats fisiográfico, climático y edáfico de las masas de Fagus sylvatica L. en Cataluña. Los hayedos catalanes se presentan sobre substratos litológicos muy diversos (plutonitas, vulcanitas, metamorfitas y sedimentitas, tanto ácidas como básicas), con texturas predominantes francas, franco-arenosas o franco-limosas. Los suelos, según FAO, son mayoritariamente cambisoles. A pesar de que la capacidad de retención de agua de sus suelos es escasa, la sequía fisiológica es reducida. Los humus predominantemente pertenecen a los tipos mull forestal y mull cálcico. Además, se presentan una serie de parámetros selvícolas ( Densidad de pies y densidad de chirpiales, Area basimétrica, Altura Total dominante, Índices de Hart-Becking, Índice de Calidad de Estación y Edad de la masa) que al correlacionarlos con los ecológicos nos ha permitido comprobar que los mejores hayedos se encuentran en las localizaciones más térmicas, en las que incluso se podría producir sequía fisiológica si no fuera por que existen suficientes precipitaciones estivales.

Kompostointilaitoksen lopputuotteen käyttömahdollisuudet. Case: Himanka

Työssä selvitetään kompostointilaitoksen lopputuotteen erilaisia käyttömahdollisuuksia. Yleisten käyttökohteiden pohjalta on luotu malli Vapo Oy Biotech:n toimittaman Himangan kompostointilaitoksen kompostin hyödyntämiselle. Laitos sijaitsee Himangan kunnassa Keski- Pohjanmaalla. Laitoksella kompostoidaan pääasiassa Himangan ja ympäröivien kuntien jätevesilietteitä turkiseläinlantaa. Jätehuolto Suomessa ja koko EU:n alueella elää voimakasta muutoskautta. Orgaanisten jätteiden vienti kaatopaikoille pyritään tulevaisuudessa lopettamaan kokonaan, mikä on lisännyt niiden käsittelyä mm. kompostoimalla. Kompostoinnin lopputuotteena saadaan ravinteikasta, humuspitoista ainesta. Kompostoinnin yhtenä tavoitteena on tuottaa hyötykäyttöön soveltuvaa tuotetta, joten käyttökohteen löytäminen kompostille on laitoksen toiminnan kannalta erittäin tärkeää. Kompostin käyttömahdollisuuksiin vaikuttavat lainsäädäntö, kompostin ominaisuudet sekä paikalliset olosuhteet. Käyttökohteet on työssä jaettu ei-energiakäyttöön ja energiakäyttöön. Ei-energiakäyttöön kuuluvat maanparannuskäyttö, lannoitekäyttö, käyttö kasvualustassa, maisemointi ja julkinen rakentaminen sekä joitakin erityissovelluksia. Energiakäytön puolella on tarkasteltu kompostin soveltuvuutta erilaisille polttotekniikoille sekä vertailtu kompostia muihin kiinteisiin polttoaineisiin. Kompostien soveltuvuutta eri kohteisiin on arvioitu kompostin analyysi- ja kasvatuskoetulosten pohjalta. Kompostin ei-energiakaytössa on saatu eri tutkimuksissa lupaavia tuloksia. Kompostin on todettu soveltuvan erittäin hyvin mm. perunanviljelyyn, viljan ja nurmikasvien viljelyyn ja erilaisiin maisemointikohteisiin sekä kotipuutarhakäyttöön. Kompostin käyttöä polttoaineena ei ole vielä kokeiltu missään. Kompostin polton suurimmat ongelmat ovat korkea tuhka-, rikki- ja typpipitoisuus sekä epätasainen laatu.

Biologisessa jätteenkäsittelyssä syntyvän lopputuotteen terminen kuivaus

Biologisessa jätteenkäsittelyssä syntyvää humusmassaa voidaan käyttää maanparannusaineena ja yleisenä lannoitusaineena. Termisellä kuivauksella saadaan humuksen kuiva-ainepitoisuutta nostettua mekaanisen kuivauksen jälkeen, jolloin sen tuotteistettavuus ja kuljetettavuus paranevat pienentyneen painon ja tilavuuden myötä. Kirjallisuusosassa on esitetty yleisiä termisen kuivauksen periaatteita sekä käsitelty lähemmin humuksen kuivausta. Lisäksi termisen kuivauksen hygienisoivaa vaikutusta on esitelty kirjallisuusosan lopussa. Tutkimusosassa luotiin tietokonepohjainen malli MK Protech Oy:n kehittämälle Traypack-kuivaimelle. Mallin luomisessa käytettiin apuna suoritettujen pilot-ajojen tuloksia sekä kirjallisuudesta saatuja tietoja. Malli sisältää kuivauksen aine- ja energiataseet sekä kuivaimen ja sen apulaitteiden mitoituksen. Sen lisäksi malli tulostaa erillisinä kokonaisuuksina prosessin laiteluettelon, investointikustannuslaskelman ja elinkaarianalyysin. Lisäksi tutkimusosassa laskettiin mallin avulla Rayongin kaupunkiin Thaimaahan rakenteilla olevan jätteenkäsittelylaitoksen tarpeeseen soveltuvan kuivaimen mitoitus- ja käyttötiedot sekä tarkasteltiin kuivaimen taloudellista kannattavuutta. Laitoksessa kuivataan 2080 kg/h kuiva-ainepitoisuudeltaan 30 % humusta loppukuiva-ainepitoisuuteen 50 %. Tarvittavaksi lämpötehoksi kuivaimeen saatiin 3,9 MW. Tästä 2,0 MW tarvitaan uutta systeemiin tuotavaa kuivauskaasua. Tällöin laitoksen investointikustannuksiksi saatiin 359 000 EUR. Laitoksen käyttökustannuksiksi saatiin 40 440 EUR vuodessa.

Caracterização de amostras comerciais de vermicomposto de esterco bovino e avaliação da influência do pH e do tempo na adsorção de Co(II), Zn(II) and Cu(II)

Some commercial samples of vermicompost from bovine manure (humus) were characterized by thermogravimetry with respect to humidity, organic matter and ash contents, the percentages of which range from 6.55 to 5.35%, 53.01 to 69.96% and 46.44 to 66,14%, respectively. The capacity of adsorption of Cu2+, Zn2+ and Co2+ ions by these samples has been evaluated as a function of pH and time. The contents of several metal ions in the original vermicompost samples have been determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after digestion in a microwave oven. The high nitrogen content suggests that the earthworms used in the maturation procedure lead to an efficient degradation of organic matter. The metal retention was affected by both pH and adsorption time. The results also show that adsorption follows the order Cu2+ > Zn2+ > Co2+.

Estudi edàfic dels boscos joves de pi negre del Parc Nacional d'Aigüestortes i Sant Maurici

Estudiem les característiques edàfiques del sòl dels boscos joves de pi negre (Pinus uncinata) de l’estatge subalpí del Parc Nacional d’Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici corresponents a àrees de reforestació entre els anys 1956 i 2008. Aquest estudi s’ha fet de 29 parcel•les d’aquesta zona situades sobre diferents tipus de substrat, orientació i pendent. S’ha caracteritzat el sòl a partir de l’anàlisi de textura, matèria orgànica, nitrogen total, fòsfor, sodi, potassi, magnesi, calci, capacitat d’intercanvi catiònic, acidesa del sòl, relació C/N. Els resultats confirmen que es tracta de sòls àcids amb un elevat contingut de matèria orgànica a l’horitzó superficial (0-5 cm) i majoritàriament tenen humus de tipus moder. Això fa que aquest tingui valors de nitrogen total elevats. Gràcies al pH àcid i els continguts de potassi, calci i magnesi tindrem una bona fertilitat ja que la solubilitat i assimilació dels nutrients del sòl serà bona. Tots els valors obtinguts disminueixen en profunditat i mostren una gran variabilitat entre les parcel•les estudiades.

Carbon sequestration rates in Swedish forest soils : a comparison of three approaches

Selective papers of the workshop on "Development of models and forest soil surveys for monitoring of soil carbon", Koli, Finland, April 5-9 2006.

Biogeochemistry in acid sulphate soil landscapes and small urban centres in Western Finland

The overall purpose of this thesis was to increase the knowledge on the biogeochemistry of rural acid sulphate (AS) soil environments and urban forest ecosystems near small towns in Western Finland. In addition, the potential causal relationship between the distribution of AS soils and geographical occurence of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease was assessed based on a review of existing literature and data. Acid sulphate soils, which occupy an area of approximately 17–24 million hectare worldwide, are regarded as the nastiest soils in the world. Independent of the geographical locality of these soils, they pose a great threat to their surrounding environment if disturbed. The abundant metal-rich acid drainage from Finnish AS soils, which is a result of sulphide oxidation due to artificial farmland drainage, has significant but spatially and temporally variable ecotoxicological impacts on biodiversity and community structure of fish, benthic invertebrates and macrophytes. This has resulted in mass fish kills and even eradication of sensitive fish species in affected waters. Moreover, previous investigations demonstrated significantly enriched concentrations of Co, Ni, Mn and Al, metals which are abundantly mobilised in AS soils, in agricultural crops (timothy grass and oats) and approximately 50 times higher concentrations of Al in cow milk originating from AS soils in Western Finland. Nevertheless, the results presented here demonstrate, in general, relatively moderate metal concentrations in oats and cabbage grown on AS soils in Western Finland, although some of the studied fields showed anomalous values of metals (e.g. Co and Ni) in both the soil and target plants (especially oats), similar to that of the previous investigations. The results indicated that the concentrations of Co, Ni, Mn and Zn in oats and Co and Zn in cabbage were governed by soil geochemistry as these metals were correlated with corresponding concentrations extracted from the soil by NH4Ac-EDTA and NH4Ac, respectively. The concentrations of Cu and Fe in oats and cabbage were uncorrelated to that of the easily soluble concentrations in the soils, suggesting that biological processes (e.g. plant-root processes) overshadow geochemical variation. The concentrations of K and Mg in cabbage, which showed a low spread and were strongly correlated to the NH4Ac extractable contents in the soil, were governed by both the bioavailable fractions in the topsoil and plant-uptake mechanisms. The plant´s ability to regulate its uptake of Ca and P (e.g. through root exudates) seemed to be more important than the influence of soil geochemistry. The distribution of P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn and S within humus, moss and needles in and around small towns was to a high degree controlled by biological cycling, which was indicated by the low correlation coefficients for P, K, Ca, Mg and S between humus and moss, and the low spread of these nutrients in moss and needles. The concentration variations of elements in till are mainly due to natural processes (e.g. intrusions, weathering, mineralogical variations in the bedrock). There was a strong spatial pattern for B in humus, moss and needles, which was suggested to be associated with anthropogenic emissions from nearby town centres. Geogenic dust affected the spatial distribution of Fe and Cr in moss, while natural processes governed the Fe anomaly found in the needles. The spatial accumulation patterns of Zn, Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb in humus and moss were strong and diverse, and related to current industry, the former steel industry, coal combustion, and natural geochemical processes. An intriguing Cu anomaly was found in moss. Since it was located close to a main railway line and because the railway line´s electric cables are made of Cu, it was suggested that the reason for the Cu anomaly is corrosion of these cables. In Western Finland, where AS soils are particularly abundant and enrich the metal concentrations of stream waters, cow milk and to some extent crops, an environmental risk assessment would be motivated to elucidate if the metal dispersion affect human health. Within this context, a topic of concern is the distribution of multiple sclerosis as high MS prevalence rates are found in the main area of AS soils. Regionally, the AS soil type in the Seinäjoki area has been demonstrated to be very severe in terms of metal leaching, this area also shows one of the highest MS rates reported worldwide. On a local scale, these severe AS soil types coincide well with the corresponding MS clustering along the Kyrönjoki River in Seinäjoki. There are reasons to suspect that these spatial correlations are causal, as multiple sclerosis has been suggested to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Effect of light intensity and growth substratum on plant development and production of secondary metabolites in Cordia curassavica (Jacq.) Roem. & Schult

Cordia curassavica (Jacq.) Roem. & Schult. (Boraginaceae), also referred to as Cordia verbenacea DC, has been traditionally used for medicinal purposes. This study was driven to verify the behavior of the species in similar conditions to its natural environment, such as high light intensity and sandbank soil, and in conditions of low light intensity and fertilized substratum (dystroferric red nitosoil plus earthworm humus). The growth of the plant, the income of leaf crude extracts and, in the alcoholic extract, the number of substances found in thin layer cromatography and the toxicity of the substratum was observed. The results indicated that the growth of the root biomass, stem and leaves in discharge or lower light intensity was similar, but smaller in sandbank soil than in fertilized soil. The relative income of extracts in ether of petroleum and alcohol was larger in high light intensity and fertilized substratum. The light intensity and the substratum type didn't affect the number of substances detected in the alcoholic extract or the toxicity of this extract. Stains corresponding to the rosmarinic acid were only evidenced in some samples of the alcoholic extract, not allowing the verification of the effect of the treatments about its production.

Soursop seedlings: emergence and development under different cultivation environments and substrates – Part I

ABSTRACT Seedling quality is crucial to obtain vigorous plants in the field. This study aims to evaluate the emergence and development of soursop seedlings in different substrates in protected environments. The experiment was conducted at the Mato Grosso do Sul State University and carried out using five protected environments: greenhouse, greenhouse with thermo-reflective screen, nursery with monofilament screen, nursery with thermo-reflective screen, and nursery with palm thatch. The substrates (S) consisted of cattle manure (M), humus (H), cassava branches (C), and vermiculite (V) as in the following ratios: S1 = H + V (1:3), S2 = H + V (1:1), S3 = H + V (3:1), S4 = H + C (1:3), S5 = H + C (1:1), S6 = H + C (3:1), S7 = M + V (1:3), S8 = M + V (1:1), S9 = M + V (3:1), S10 = M + C (1:3), S11 = M + C (1:1), S12 = M + C (3:1), S13 = H + M + V (1:1:1), S14 = H + M + C (1:1:1), and S15 = H + M + V + C (1:1:1:1). For the statistical analysis, each of those environments was considered as an experiment in which was used the completely randomized design; subsequently, it was performed a combined analysis of them. In summary, the greenhouse with thermo-reflective screen and combined substrates with “M + V” promote greater development of the seedlings. High concentrations of “V” or “C” cause no beneficial effect on soursop seedlings.

Soursop seedlings: biomasses and biometric relations in different farming environments and substrates – Part II

ABSTRACT The quality of seedling is critical to obtain vigorous plants in the field. The present study aimed to assess biomasses and biometric relations of soursop seedlings. We used different substrates in protected environments. The experiment was performed at the Universidade Estadual do Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS) (State University of Mato Grosso do Sul). Five farming environments were developed in greenhouses: one covered with low-density polyethylene film (LDPE), another with with polyethylene and heat-reflective cloth under film under 50% shading in aluminized color, monofilament cloth under 50% shading in black, thermo-reflective cloth under 50% shading in aluminized color, and an environment covered with bacuri coconut straw. Substrates were made of manure, humus, cassava branches and vermiculite at different proportions. Each of them varying from 25%, 33.3%, 50% and 75% in mixture combination. Each environment was considered an experiment. A completely randomized design was adopted and later a joint analysis of them. Agricultural greenhouse covered with LDPE and thermo-reflective cloths under 50% of shading, proportionated seedlings with greater biomass. Substrates containing manure are the most suitable for soursop seedlings. High percentages of earthworm humus produce low quality soursop seedlings. Soursop seedlings had a Dickson’s quality index around 0.335. The greenhouse covered only with LDPE film did not produce high quality seedlings.

Upper Sambesi

Soitinnus: saksofonit (2), piano, rummut.