Article
Environmental Sciences
Matt T. Trentman, Jennifer L. Tank, Heather A. M. Shepherd, Allyson J. Marrs, Jonathan R. Welsh, Holly V. Goodson
Summary: The use of fertilizers in agriculture has increased the availability of phosphorus in streams, leading to eutrophication of downstream ecosystems. Common disturbances like isolated storms and periodic streambed dredging contribute to phosphorus release in agricultural streams. A novel yeast-based bioassay suggests that bioavailable phosphorus (BAP) concentrations are often higher than soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) in streams, indicating that SRP may not fully represent phosphorus bioavailability.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Tian Guo, Laura T. Johnson, Greg A. LaBarge, Chad J. Penn, Richard P. Stumpf, David B. Baker, Gang Shao
Summary: Extreme precipitation in 2019 led to record high unplanted agricultural fields in the U.S. and MRW, impacting the severity of HAB in Lake Erie. The 29% reduction in DRP load in MRW resulted in a less severe HAB than predicted, highlighting the importance of management changes in influencing watershed P loading.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ting Ka Ling, Kuriko Yokota, Makoto Saga, Takanobu Inoue
Summary: Research indicates that using an ultrasonic washing machine for extraction is a promising method for quickly obtaining BAP from sediments and soil particles, saving time and increasing efficiency.
WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Gbotemi A. Adediran, Daniel Lundberg, Gunnar Almkvist, Ana E. Pradas del Real, Wantana Klysubun, Stephen Hillier, Jon Petter Gustafsson, Magnus Simonsson
Summary: The study used synchrotron X-ray fluorescence microscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy to analyze the chemical forms of phosphorus and sulfur in leached particles from tile-drained agricultural sites in Sweden. Results showed organic phosphorus and phosphorus adsorbed to aluminum-bearing particles were the most common forms, while sulfur was predominantly organic. Adverse redox conditions were found to affect the persistence of iron-bound phosphorus.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Brittany R. Hanrahan, Kevin W. King, Mark R. Williams
Summary: The study found that the magnitude of nitrogen and phosphorus exported from agricultural fields via subsurface tile drainage systems is influenced by factors such as weather, soil, field characteristics, and management practices. The analysis highlighted the importance of transport and source controls, as well as the impact of precipitation event characteristics on nutrient loads. Management strategies to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus losses need to consider these factors and storm dynamics.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Brittany R. Hanrahan, Kevin W. King, Emily W. Duncan, Vinayak S. Shedekar
Summary: The study showed that cover crops can effectively reduce nitrate and total nitrogen loads in subsurface drainage during winter and spring, but may increase dissolved reactive phosphorus and total phosphorus loads. Cover crops had a consistent impact on nitrogen losses across different time scales, highlighting the need for further research on their influence on phosphorus losses.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Joshua D. Chaplin, Marcus Christl, Andrew B. Cundy, Phillip E. Warwick, David G. Reading, Francois Bochud, Pascal Froidevaux
Summary: Nuclear discharges have led to significant accumulation of radionuclides in marine sediments, which could remobilise into the water column. A new method combining DGT sampling and AMS measurement provides insights into the re-mobilisation of plutonium, americium, and uranium isotopes from contaminated sediments, offering a more accurate assessment for radiation dose modeling.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Joshua D. Chaplin, Marcus Christl, Andrew B. Cundy, Phillip E. Warwick, David G. Reading, Francois Bochud, Pascal Froidevaux
Summary: Nuclear discharges to the oceans can lead to significant accumulation of radionuclides in sediments, which can later be remobilised back into the water. Quantitative determination of radionuclide remobilisation fluxes from contaminated marine sediments has not been achieved yet. In this study, we used the Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films (DGT) sampling technique combined with accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) to calculate the remobilisation fluxes of plutonium, americium, and uranium isotopes from sediments in the Esk Estuary (UK). The results suggest that the biota in this area are accumulating remobilised plutonium, and the DGT technique is a valid proxy for bioavailability.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Peng Liang, Xiaoping Yang
Summary: Grain shape is not commonly used in identifying sediment origin due to technological limitations, but this study takes a step forward in investigating the changes in grain shape along the sediment transport pathway. Using dynamic image analysis, the researchers found that fluvial deposits from mountains have significantly different grain shape parameters compared to eolian sand in dune fields. The study highlights the potential of using grain shape as a powerful tool for tracing sediment transport history in paleoenvironmental or extraterrestrial studies.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-EARTH SURFACE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Fen Xu, Xiaoxia He, Hong Wang, Rui Yang, Yaoming Li, Jianfei Yuan
Summary: The study found that sediments in agricultural reservoirs are enriched with phosphorus, especially in the upstream and midstream regions, exceeding the heavy pollution standard. Inorganic phosphorus is the predominant fraction, with calcium-bound phosphorus having the highest content. The sediment has weak adsorption capacity for phosphorus and acts as a source of phosphorus in the reservoir. The concentration of released phosphorus in sediments is positively correlated with Fe/Al-bound phosphorus, suggesting it as an effective indicator for phosphorus release potential.
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
J. M. Plach, W. T. Pluer, M. Kompanizare, R. Brunke, K. McKague, H. P. Jarvie, M. L. Macrae
Summary: Nutrient losses from agricultural fields are the main source of phosphorus entering the Great Lakes in North America. Simple low-cost filters containing wood chips and phosphorus sorbing materials can potentially reduce phosphorus losses from surface runoff. However, the efficacy of these filters may decline over time and their ability to retain phosphorus may vary depending on site hydrology and phosphorus supply.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Smadar Tanner, Yael Laor, Roey Egozi, Oded Cohen, Maor Matzrafi
Summary: One problematic outcome of soil erosion is sedimentation in stream channels. Reusing dredged sediments in agriculture can be a solution, but farmers are concerned about weed infestation. Research findings confirm the proliferation of weeds after using dredged sediments, and a protocol for assessing the need for weed management intervention is proposed.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yaowen Xu, Xiaogai Ge, Benzhi Zhou, Lei Lei, Wenfa Xiao
Summary: Phosphorus is a limiting nutrient for plant growth in subtropical regions, but our understanding of how soil phosphorus responds to changes in stand age is limited. In this study, we measured the concentrations of different bioavailable phosphorus fractions in the rhizosphere soil of Pinus massoniana stands of different ages. The results showed that total phosphorus concentration and N:P ratio in the rhizosphere soil initially decreased, then increased with increasing stand age. Soluble phosphorus concentration initially decreased, then increased, while exchangeable and ligand phosphorus initially decreased, then stabilized. Hydrolyzable phosphorus increased initially, then decreased. The results also indicated that ligand phosphorus and soluble phosphorus were the major factors influencing total phosphorus concentration.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Xin Tian, Haijian Bing, Yanhong Wu, He Zhu, Wei Zhao, Qingqing He, Donghong Xiong
Summary: Global land use changes have an influence on soil phosphorus cycling in mountain regions. This study explores the variations in soil phosphorus concentrations, stocks, and supply pathways under different land uses in the mid-hills of Nepal. Farmland abandonment leads to a decrease in soil phosphorus concentrations, while forest has the potential to conserve soil phosphorus. Soil erosion causes phosphorus loss in farmland.
Article
Environmental Sciences
R. M. Kreiling, L. A. Bartsch, P. M. Perner, E. J. Hlavacek, V. G. Christensen
Summary: The study found that increasing riparian forest cover reduced total phosphorus concentration and nitrification rates in stream sediment, likely due to a decrease in fine organic material. Denitrification rates were closely correlated with surface water nitrate concentrations. Riparian forest cover indirectly decreased denitrification rates by reducing dissolved nutrient concentrations entering the stream, improving nitrogen removal efficiency.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Yongzhuang Wang, Xiangying Peng, Joann K. Whalen, Yi Shi, Caiyan Lu, Bin Huang, Xinying Zhang, Xin Chen
Summary: This study compared the impact of annual and periodic phosphorus fertilizer application on soil phosphorus chemistry, sorption capacity, and water-extractable phosphorus in northeast China. The results showed that periodic phosphorus application can reduce phosphorus losses and maintain soil phosphorus fertility and crop uptake.
NUTRIENT CYCLING IN AGROECOSYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Emal Sobat, Joann K. Whalen
Summary: The study evaluated the symbiosis between maize roots and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, finding that this symbiosis is more closely related to maize growth than the concentration of plant-available phosphorus.
SOIL USE AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Marc-Olivier Martin-Guay, Michael Belluau, Benoit Cote, Ira Tanya Handa, Mark D. Jewell, Rim Khlifa, Alison D. Munson, Maxime Rivest, Joann K. Whalen, David Rivest
Summary: Tree diversity and functional identity have impacts on soil carbon cycling and related soil properties in forest ecosystems.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Morgan McMillan, Cynthia M. Kallenbach, Joann K. Whalen
Summary: Soybean can enhance its tolerance to heat and water deficit by associating with rhizobacteria that reduce ethylene production. This study found that organic fertilizer and rhizobacteria with ACC deaminase activity can increase soybean tolerance to heat and water deficit by decreasing ethylene production and improving plant biomass.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Fang Ding, Chih-Yu Hung, Joann K. Whalen, Lingli Wang, Zhanbo Wei, Lei Zhang, Yuanliang Shi
Summary: This study tested the stability of the urease inhibitor NBPT in a soil-plant system that received liquid urea fertilizer, using various stabilizers. The results showed that the stabilizers did not prolong the inhibition effect of NBPT on urease activity and had no impact on nitrogen uptake.
JOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION AND SOIL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Okenna Obi-Njoku, Michael Yongha Boh, Ward Smith, Brian Grant, G. W. Price, Naseer Hussain, Joann K. Whalen, O. Grant Clark
Summary: The study evaluated the accuracy of the DNDC model in estimating N2O emissions following biosolids application. The results suggest that the DNDC model is suitable for estimating N2O emissions, but the estimation of CO2 emissions could be improved.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Editorial Material
Soil Science
Junwei Luan, Shirong Liu, Andreas Schindlbacher, Cindy Prescott, Alexia Stokes, Joann Whalen
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Bingjie Sun, Cynthia M. Kallenbach, Michael Y. Boh, O. Grant Clark, Joann K. Whalen
Summary: This study assessed the potential soil enzyme activity after three annual applications of biosolids in a conventionally tilled field under silage corn. The results showed that overall, the potential soil enzyme activity did not change with biosolids application, but there was an increase in N-acetylglucosaminidase activity in soil amended with lime-stabilized biosolids, which also had higher soil pH and greater soil NH4+ concentration.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Yutong Jiang, Chih-Yu Hung, Joann K. Whalen
Summary: Maize roots adjust their growth according to the nitrate (NO-3) concentration in the environment, but the plasticity differs among different types of roots. We investigated the morphological response of lateral and axial roots on primary, seminal, and crown root types exposed to various concentrations of NO-3. Higher NO-3 concentration did not affect the growth of all axial roots and laterals of primary roots, but resulted in positive quadratic growth in laterals of the seminal and crown root types. The plasticity of maize roots to NO-3 concentrations is influenced by the differential growth of laterals on seminal and crown root types.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Habib Diop, Leanne Ejack, Abdirashid A. Elmi, Joann K. Whalen
Summary: Tile drainage is used in agricultural fields to remove excess soil moisture for earlier planting of spring crops. This study found that earthworm abundance and soil moisture were similar above and between tile lines. However, earthworm biomass was low in dry soils, peaked at 41 g moisture 100 g-1, and declined in wetter soils, impacting earthworm activity in agricultural fields.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Fatima Safar, Joann K. Whalen
Summary: Aggregate stability in soil is influenced by the strength of binding substances, such as calcium oxide-based compounds. This study investigated the effects of calcium ion concentration and counter-anions (CO32-, OH-) on the binding strength of newly-formed macroaggregates that resist abrasive force. The results showed that increasing Ca2+ concentration led to larger stable aggregate diameter, and the type of counter-anions had similar effects. The presence of montmorillonite clay minerals in the soil enhanced the formation of larger stable aggregates. Calcium oxide binding played a crucial role in stabilizing macroaggregates in arid desert soils.
Article
Soil Science
Emmanuel A. Badewa, Chun C. Yeung, Joann K. Whalen, Maren Oelbermann
Summary: Biobased residues derived from organic urban waste materials can enhance soil fertility and carbon sequestration. The study used the Century model to predict the effects of different biobased residues (compost, anaerobic digestate, or biosolids) on soil organic carbon stocks in Ontario, Canada. The results showed that compost and biosolids significantly increased soil organic carbon stocks compared to anaerobic digestate and nitrogen fertilizer, and crop rotation also increased soil organic carbon stocks. The study highlights the importance of compost as a soil amendment for carbon sequestration.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Sanae El Harche, Mohamed Chikhaoui, Mustapha Naimi, Marieme Seif-Ennasr, Joann Whalen, Abdelwahed Chaaou
Summary: No-tillage and agroforestry techniques have been found to have positive impacts on hydrology and sediment loss, reducing soil erosion and sediment yield in the Tleta watershed in northern Morocco. The adoption of these practices can help maintain soil productivity, store water, and reduce labor and energy consumption.
Article
Soil Science
Baijing Zhu, Bingbing Wan, Ting Liu, Chongzhe Zhang, Liuzhu Cheng, Yanhong Cheng, Shanyi Tian, Xiaoyun Chen, Feng Hu, Joann K. Whalen, Manqiang Liu
Summary: Soil multifunctionality is influenced by biotic interactions and energy flux among multitrophic groups in the soil food web. Biochar can increase multifunctionality by promoting energy flow through the nematode food web, while synthetic fertilizer can have a non-uniform effect. Nitrogen limitation may offset the benefits of biochar and nutrient impoverishment can promote energy flow through the herbivore channel. Balancing biochar and synthetic fertilizer application is crucial for maintaining stable energetic structure and improving crop production and soil health in subtropical regions.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Emmanuel A. Badewa, Chun C. Yeung, Joann K. Whalen, Maren Oelbermann
Summary: Biobased residues, such as compost, biosolids, and digestate, can effectively enhance soil health and provide nutrients to crops. A study in Canada found that these residues increased soil-exchangeable potassium and sodium levels compared to nitrogen fertilizer. Soil microbial biomass and the capacity of soil microbes to utilize carbon substrates varied among seasons but not among amendment types. Crop productivity was similar among different types of residues. Biosolids were found to positively correlate with shoot and root biomass, while nitrogen fertilizer was positively correlated with shoot carbon. The study suggests that biobased residues, particularly biosolids, can supply sufficient nitrogen for temperate silt loam soil without additional nitrogen fertilizer.
SOIL USE AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)