Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Milda Muraskiene, Kestutis Armolaitis, Iveta Varnagiryte-Kabasinskiene, Virgilijus Baliuckas, Jurate Aleinikoviene
Summary: The effective management of soil organic carbon (SOC) is emphasized as a strategy for mitigating climate change. This study evaluated soil physical, chemical, and microbial indicators in three major soil types under different land uses in Lithuania. The results showed higher concentrations of SOC, nitrogen, soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), and nitrogen (SMBN) in forest land and perennial grasslands compared to arable land. The study also identified forest land and grassland as the best land management practices for soil carbon sequestration.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yu-Te Lin, William B. Whitman, David C. Coleman, Shih-Hao Jien, Hsueh-Ching Wang, Chih-Yu Chiu
Summary: The study found significant differences in bacterial community composition between coniferous forest and grassland soils at the treeline, with correlations to soil pH, organic C, and C/N. Historical vegetation types also had a significant impact on the abundance of certain bacterial groups.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Xueyan Lu, Lu Wen, Haoyu Sun, Tao Fei, Huan Liu, Sina Ha, Shiming Tang, Lixin Wang
Summary: Anthropogenic activities have increased phosphorus deposition and affected the carbon cycle in grassland ecosystems. A meta-analysis of 41 studies and 75 independent study sites worldwide found that phosphorus addition significantly increased soil respiration in grasslands, but the response varied among different grassland ecosystem types.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Kevin Hoeffner, Hoel Hotte, Daniel Cluzeau, Xavier Charrier, Francois Gastal, Guenola Peres
Summary: Introducing grassland into annual crop rotations significantly increases earthworm abundance, biomass, and diversity, especially for anecic species. Grassland duration and fertilisation can increase earthworm abundance and biomass, particularly for anecic species, without affecting endogeic species and earthworm diversity. Increasing fertilisation leads to higher forage production, while duration of grassland does not have a significant effect on production.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yi-Fan Liu, Ze Huang, Ling-Chao Meng, Shu-Yuan Li, Yu-Bin Wang, Yu Liu, Manuel Lopez-Vicente, Gao-Lin Wu
Summary: The study revealed that understory shading in forest-grassland ecosystems altered the community composition and structure of understory grasslands, leading to increased soil loss. Shade-tolerant herb species play a crucial role in controlling soil erosion, highlighting the importance of species selection for vegetation restoration in such ecosystems.
Article
Soil Science
Karen Baumann, Kai-Uwe Eckhardt, Ingo Schoening, Marion Schrumpf, Peter Leinweber
Summary: The study found that grassland management plays a significant role in influencing the composition and stability of soil organic matter (SOM), impacting the dynamics of SOM in grasslands. However, the proportion and composition of the soil clay fraction, particularly when the soil clay/OC ratio is low, can override the effects of grassland management on SOM composition and stability.
SOIL USE AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bing Tong, Jianping Guo, Hui Xu, Yinjun Wang, Huirong Li, Lingen Bian, Jian Zhang, Shenghui Zhou
Summary: Surface energy partitioning, influenced by soil moisture, net radiation, and vapor pressure deficit, plays a crucial role in land-atmosphere coupling. This study investigates the impact of these factors on surface evaporation fraction (EF) using observations from a semi-arid grassland site in China. The results suggest that the effect of one factor on EF is influenced by the other two factors. Soil moisture tends to increase EF, while increased vapor pressure deficit weakens the relationship between soil moisture and EF. Path analysis shows that soil moisture, net radiation, and vapor pressure deficit not only directly affect EF, but also indirectly affect EF through canopy conductance and temperature difference between land surface and air.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guixue Song, Michael H. B. Hayes, Andre J. Simpson
Summary: Soil humin, as a major carbon sink in the soil, is essential for the global carbon cycle. However, it has been less studied compared to humic and fulvic acids. This study compares the humin components in soil under long-term cultivation for wheat with that of adjacent soil under long-term grass.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tomohiro Yokobe, Fujio Hyodo, Ryunosuke Tateno, Naoko Tokuchi
Summary: Microbial products, such as necromass, play a crucial role in the stabilization of soil organic matter. Plants have the ability to regulate microbial communities through their litter quality and the location of plant inputs. This study explores the impact of soil mineral fractions on microbial communities and finds that mineral fractions strongly influence bacterial communities, similar to field soil systems.
Article
Microbiology
Daiyan Li, Meng Meng, Baihui Ren, Xinwei Ma, Long Bai, Jiahuan Li, Guohua Bai, Fengjun Yao, Chunming Tan
Summary: This study investigated the composition, structure, and diversity characteristics of soil microbial communities in a forest-grassland ecotone under different levels of nitrogen addition in northwest Liaoning Province, China. The results showed that increasing nitrogen concentrations led to a decrease in soil pH and fluctuation in total nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen contents. Nitrogen addition had limited effect on fungal community, but significantly reduced the diversity of bacterial community. The abundance of fungal and bacterial phyla was correlated with soil pH and total nitrogen content, respectively. Functional genes related to soil nitrogen transformations did not show significant differences under different treatments.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Zhenyin Bai, Lingbo Zheng, Zhenjian Bai, Aomei Jia, Mingjun Wang
Summary: Changes in land use types can have significant impacts on soil properties and microbial community composition. This study analyzed the changes in soil bacterial communities in different land use types in a forest-grassland transition zone in North China using Illumina sequencing. The results showed that long-term cultivation significantly altered soil properties and bacterial community composition. These findings provide data support for land use and grassland ecological protection in the region.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bin Niu, Qiuyu Chen, Hongzhe Jiao, Xiaoqin Yang, Ming Shao, Jian Wang, Guicai Si, Tianzhu Lei, Yibo Yang, Gengxin Zhang, Georg Guggenberger
Summary: Mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) is the largest soil carbon pool, but the understanding of different organo-mineral fractions and their response to environmental variables is limited. In this study, sequential chemical extraction was used to separate MAOM fractions and alpine forest soils were selected to assess their response to climate change. Residual and weakly adsorbed organic matter were the primary fractions, and climate indirectly affected their preservation through weathering and environmental factors. The organo-mineral fractions were closely associated with metal cations and secondary minerals, forming complex networks. Water-soluble, weakly adsorbed, and Fe/Al oxyhydroxide-stabilized organic matter played central roles in the networks and were related to soil pH, moisture, and microbial composition. Additionally, climate and weathering factors greatly impacted Fe/Al-OM complexes, oxyhydroxide-stabilized organic matter, and residual organic matter. The complex network among organo-mineral fractions provides insights into MAOM preservation under climate change.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Yakun Zhang, Alfred E. Hartemink, Jingyi Huang
Summary: This study investigated the use of soil mid-infrared (MIR) spectra to characterize and classify soil horizons and soil orders, finding that organic soils exhibit different absorption features compared to mineral soils in the MIR spectra. Random forest models achieved an overall accuracy of 0.74 and 0.72 in classifying the five master horizons and the five B horizons, respectively. The study concluded that soil MIR spectra can be utilized effectively for classification when distinct spectral features are present, but struggles to differentiate soils with similar features.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiaqiang Liao, Yuanyuan Huang, Zhaolei Li, Shuli Niu
Summary: This study generated a global map of terrestrial soil N2O emissions based on field observations and quantified the contribution of different variables for predicting global variation of N2O emissions. The results showed that previous models may have overestimated global soil N2O emission rates and highlighted the importance of global field observations in N2O emission estimation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mark Patrick Taylor, Max M. Gillings, Kara L. Fry, Cynthia F. Barlow, Peggy Gunkel-Grillion, Romain Gueyte, Margot Camoin
Summary: This study investigated trace element contamination in honey bees in urban areas close to a large nickel smelter in Noumea, New Caledonia. The results showed that the concentration of trace elements, including nickel, cobalt, and chromium, was higher in bees closer to the smelter. The study also suggested that the transfer of trace elements from bees to honey during production is negligible.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Michael Komarek, Gildas Ratie, Zuzana Vankova, Adela Sipkova, Vladislav Chrastny
Summary: The increasing use of stable isotope systems in tracing contamination sources and biogeochemical processes is influenced by various environmental processes, making isotope tracing challenging. Accurate identification and quantification of isotope fractionation is crucial for future research in this field.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Veronika Veselska, Hana Sillerova, Barbora Hudcova, Gildas Ratie, Petr Lacina, Bronislava Lalinska-Volekova, Lukas Trakal, Peter Sottnik, Lubomir Jurkovic, Michael Pohorely, Delphine Vantelon, Ivo Safarik, Michael Komarek
Summary: The incorporation of LDHs and HFOs into hybrid biochar-based composites in this study provides an innovative and cost-effective method for treating As/Sb-rich mine waters, showing great potential for remediation of small volumes of contaminated water in commercial applications.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Rong Liao, Gildas Ratie, Zeming Shi, Adela Sipkova, Zuzana Vankova, Vladislav Chrastny, Junji Zhang, Michael Komarek
Summary: This study investigates the sources of cadmium (Cd) contamination in Chengdu, China and finds that both natural weathering processes and anthropogenic inputs contribute to the high variability of Cd concentrations in soil. Chemical weathering depletes the heavier Cd isotopes while enriching the lighter ones, and anthropogenic inputs modify the Cd isotopic trend in urban-agricultural areas.
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xinzhe Zhu, Zibo Xu, Siming You, Michael Komarek, Daniel S. Alessi, Xiangzhou Yuan, Kumuduni Niroshika Palansooriya, Yong Sik Ok, Daniel C. W. Tsang
Summary: Data mining and machine learning have been applied to study the effects of microscopic material properties of Fe-BC on Cr(VI) removal in water, revealing that direct impacts of impregnated iron on Cr(VI) removal may be limited, while altering biochar properties indirectly affects the removal process. The study's machine learning models consider surface functionalities of BC and Fe-BC to offer more accurate predictions for Cr(VI) removal, providing important insights for the design of engineered biochar for environmental remediation.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
D. Baragano, G. Ratie, C. Sierra, V. Chrastny, M. Komarek, J. R. Gallego
Summary: This study introduces a novel approach combining multivariate statistics and environmental forensic techniques to identify distinct pollution sources in a severely polluted estuarine area, showcasing the efficacy of the method. Factor analysis and clustering were used to differentiate sub-areas with different geochemical behaviors, highlighting the usefulness of this methodology in pollution source identification.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Barbora Hudcova, Jeremy B. Fein, Daniel C. W. Tsang, Michael Komarek
Summary: This study quantified the sorption of Zn(II) and As(V) onto Mg-Fe LDH/BC composites and modeled their adsorption behavior. The results revealed that LDH is the main phase responsible for the removal of metal(loid)s from solution, while BC only contributes in systems with the most effective type of BC. Different adsorption mechanisms were observed at different concentrations, with inner-sphere surface complexation dominating at low concentrations and precipitation and formation of amorphous ferric arsenates contributing at higher concentrations. Increasing As(V) concentrations led to enhanced Mg leaching and destruction of the LDH structure. Overall, the study highlights the importance of comprehensive studies to optimize the behavior of novel composite materials in environmental technologies.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zibo Xu, Zhonghao Wan, Yuqing Sun, Bin Gao, Deyi Hou, Xinde Cao, Michael Komarek, Yong Sik Ok, Daniel C. W. Tsang
Summary: In this study, a series of Fe-biochar with distinct Fe/C speciation were produced and their redox reactivity for Cr(VI) and As(III) oxidation/reduction was evaluated. The results showed that the redox performance of Fe-biochar was influenced by the transition of Fe/C speciation, and different Fe-biochar exhibited different oxidation/reduction behaviors under oxic and anoxic conditions. The electron-donating capacity and electron-accepting capacity of Fe-biochar played important roles in its redox reactivity.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Katerina Vejvodova, Ales Vanek, Marko Spasic, Martin Mihaljevic, Vojtech Ettler, Maria Vankova, Petr Drahota, Leslaw Teper, Petra Vokurkova, Lenka Pavlu, Tereza Zadorova, Ondrej Drabek
Summary: The study investigated the weathering of Tl-containing sulfides and their stability in organic environments. The results showed that sphalerite was less stable and acted as the main phase responsible for Tl mobilization. Industrial acid rainwater also accelerated sulfide degradation and Tl release.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jaroslav Semerad, Ondrej Lhotsky, Alena Filipova, Ondrej Urban, Katerina Sirova, Jana Bohackova, Michael Komarek, Tomas Cajthaml
Summary: In this study, a sequence of anoxic/oxic chemico-biological treatments was used to successfully degrade HCHs in extremely contaminated soil. The best results were achieved with mZVI/nZVI, grass cuttings, and oxygen-releasing compounds, with 80% removal of HCHs achieved in 129 days and 98% degradation achieved after 1106 days. Switching between aerobic and anaerobic phases, along with the addition of grass, created suitable conditions for the biodegradation of HCHs and monochlorobenzene/benzene by microbes.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Efstratios Kelepertzis, Ioannis Matiatos, Fotini Botsou, Christina Antonopoulou, Ioannis Lappas, Elissavet Dotsika, Vladislav Chrastny, Pascal Boeckx, Sotirios Karavoltsos, Michael Komarek
Summary: The Atalanti basin in central Greece is facing groundwater quality deterioration threats due to both natural and human-induced contamination sources. This study used a combination of statistical and hydrogeochemical techniques, as well as stable isotope compositions, to investigate the origin of salinity and nitrate contamination. The findings showed that irrigation return flow and marine aerosols were the main contributors to high salinity, while fertilizers and sewage waste were the dominant sources of nitrate. The study also revealed the influence of redox conditions on the biogeochemical transformations of nitrogen species and the mobilization of chromium (VI).
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Slawomir Kedzior, Leslaw Teper
Summary: This article studied the unmined Cwiklice and Dankowice coal deposits located in the southern part of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, Poland. It found that the geological structure influences the distribution of methane, with lower content in coal seams within porous sandstones and higher content in seams within impermeable shales and mudstones. The study also analyzed the variability of methane content, resources, and coal properties in the area, and suggested effective utilization of captured methane for environmental and economic reasons.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kang Liu, Mengmeng Wang, Qiaozhi Zhang, Zibo Xu, Claudia Labianca, Michael Komarek, Bin Gao, Daniel C. W. Tsang
Summary: Oxidative extraction has become an economically viable option for recycling lithium from spent LiFePO4 batteries. In this study, the releases behaviour of Li from spent LiFePO4 batteries under different oxidizing conditions was investigated with NaClO as the oxidant. Mechanochemical oxidation produced lithium carbonate, while hydrometallurgical oxidation produced lithium chloride.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rafael Baieta, Vojtech Ettler, Ales Vanek, Petr Drahota, Bohdan Kribek, Imasiku Nyambe, Martin Mihaljevic
Summary: Extensive mining and smelting have led to the decline in soil quality in Luanshya. The local smelter is the main source of contamination, with high concentrations of copper observed near the smelter. Lead contamination in the soils is not derived from the smelter but from historical usage of leaded gasoline. Copper leaching is a concern, and most of the copper is released from anthropogenic particles. The excess copper in the topsoils is bound in smelter-derived particles, which show signs of inefficient smelting process and susceptibility to weathering.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Michal P. Michalak, Pawel Marzec, Filip Turobos, Paulina Leonowicz, Leslaw Teper, Pawel Gladki, Michael J. Pyrcz, Mariusz Szubert
Summary: The study introduces a new workflow using triangulation to evaluate the parallelism between geological surfaces. This workflow involves analyzing angular distance distributions and conducting spatial analysis with grid maps suitable for sparse data in subsurface environments. The approach was tested using interfaces from Krakow-Silesian Homocline, a geological unit with preferred subhorizontal dip to NE. The results show potential differences between separating homocline-related units and separating homocline-related units from homocline-unrelated units, with smaller mean angular distances observed for the former. The method appears to be more effective in identifying small-scale structures in specific surfaces. Open-source code is available for reproducibility of the findings.
EARTH SCIENCE INFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Aikaterini Mitzia, Martina Vitkova, Gildas Ratie, Rostislav Choteborsky, Delphine Vantelon, Alexander Neaman, Michael Komarek
Summary: This study investigates the long-term behavior of stabilizing amendments for soil remediation and finds that different amendments have different effects on metal immobilization. Biochar and nZVI-BC are the most effective for long-term immobilization.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-NANO
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Om Prakash Kumar, Amiya S. Naik, P. Gopinathan, T. Subramani, Vishvajeet Singh, Prakash K. Singh, Uma K. Shukla, Arun Prabhu
Summary: This study characterizes lignite samples from Kapurdi, Giral, and Sonari mines in Rajasthan's Barmer Basin using petrographic and geochemical techniques. The results provide insights into the geochemical properties, hydrocarbon potential, depositional environment, and paleo-climatic conditions of these lignite deposits. The study finds high volatile matter and sulfur concentrations in the Barmer lignite deposits, as well as indications of a wet environment during organic material decomposition. The findings have implications for understanding the coalification profile and hydrocarbon source rock potential in the region.
JOURNAL OF GEOCHEMICAL EXPLORATION
(2024)
Review
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Ashkan Jahandari, Behnam Abbasnejad
Summary: The assessment of heavy metal concentrations in agricultural soil is important for crop safety and quality, as well as potential risks to human health. This review analyzed published data on seven heavy metals in Iranian farmland soils and found that nickel and cadmium exceeded permissible levels. Arsenic showed significant contamination in multiple provinces, while lead and cadmium were highly contaminated in Fars province. Overall, the contamination levels of heavy metals in Iranian agricultural soils were relatively low.
JOURNAL OF GEOCHEMICAL EXPLORATION
(2024)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Imran Ud Din, Said Muhammad, Shah Faisal, Inayat ur Rehman, Wajid Ali
Summary: The presence of heavy metal contamination in coal mines and surrounding environments in the Hangu and Kurram districts poses potential risks to the environment and human health.
JOURNAL OF GEOCHEMICAL EXPLORATION
(2024)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Douglas Almeida Silveira, Paola Ferreira Barbosa, Cassiano Costa e Castro, Guilherme Ferreira da Silva, Joseneusa Brilhante Rodrigues
Summary: This study analyzed apatite grains from the Angico dos Dias Carbonatite Complex region in Brazil using an electron probe microanalyzer. The results showed that the apatite grains had characteristics of metacarbonatitic lithotypes and some had undergone substitution processes. Statistical analysis helped identify the sources of the apatite grains and confirmed the presence of carbonatitic bodies in the area.
JOURNAL OF GEOCHEMICAL EXPLORATION
(2024)
