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Interplay between Selected Chemical and Biochemical Soil Properties in the Humus Horizons of Grassland Soils with Low Water Table Depth
Grasslands are the most carbon-rich of all agricultural ecosystems, but are also the most endangered. The global area of grassland decreased during the 20th century, mainly due to conversion to arable land, improper management, and abandonment. Due to ongoing climate change, maintenance of an adequate level of soil organic matter is of primary importance, not only to maintain the productive function of the soils, but also to ensure their role as carbon stores. The main aim of this study was to assess the linkages between selected chemical and biochemical soil properties in alluvial grassland soils, characterized by a low water table. The area under study was located in the Koło Basin, central Poland. Soil parameters, such as total organic carbon, total nitrogen, pH, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium contents, as well as enzymatic activity and soil microbial structure were studied. Positive correlations were observed between total organic carbon content and the following enzymatic activities: dehydrogenase (r = 0.63), acid phosphatase (r = 0.69), and alkaline phosphatase (r = 0.86). There was a significant correlation between fungi abundance and phosphorus and potassium contents, and between actinobacteria abundance and total organic carbon content.
Differentiation of grassland vegetation in relation to the physicochemical properties of peat soils in the Obra River valley, western Poland
Relationships between selected phenolic compounds and microbial abundance in grassland soils in the Obra River valley: a preliminary study
Celem pracy była ocena zależności pomiędzy wybranymi związkami fenolowymi, a liczebnością mikroorganizmów w glebach użytków zielonych. Obiektem badań były wierzchnie warstwy gleby (0–20 cm) użytków zielonych położonych wzdłuż rzeki Obry (Nizina Wielkopolska, centralna Polska). Badania terenowe przeprowadzono we wrześniu 2022 roku. Na badanym obszarze wybrano pięć jednostek syntaksonomicznych roślinności: <i>Molinietum caeruleae</i>, <i>Alopecuretum pratensis</i>, <i>Arrhenatheretum elatioris</i>, <i>Lolio-Cynosuretum</i> oraz zbiorowisko <i>Poa pratensis-Festuca rubra</i>. Jednokierunkowy test ANOVA dla pH wykazał statystycznie istotne różnice między użytkami zielonymi (dla pH<sub>H2O</sub> p=0,000, a dla pH<sub>KCl</sub> p=0,000). Liczebność bakterii heterotroficznych (p=0,000), promieniowców (p=0,001) i grzybów (p=0,014) była również cechą istotnie różnicującą jednostki roślinności użytków zielonych. Jednokierunkowy test ANOVA wykazał, że spośród wszystkich analizowanych związków fenolowych tylko dwa były się istotne: kwas wanilinowy (p=0,003 i katechina (p=0,002). Nasze badania wskazują na dodatnią korelację promieniowców z kwasem cynamonowym i kawowym, bakterii heterotroficznych z kwasem p-kumarowym i ferulowym oraz katechiną, a grzybów z kwasem galusowym i katechiną. Ponadto, biorąc pod uwagę cechy istotne statystycznie, można stwierdzić, że <i>Molinietum caeruleae</i> wykazuje inną strukturę w porównaniu z innymi jednostkami wegetacyjnymi, <i>Arrhenatheretum elatioris</i> i <i>Lolio-Cynosuretum</i> są podobne, podczas gdy zbiorowiska <i>Poa pratensis-Festuca rubra</i> i <i>Alopecuretum pratensis</i> wykazują odmienną strukturę od pozostałych. Badania środowiskowe coraz częściej koncentrują się na potrzebie zwiększenia akumulacji węgla organicznego w glebie. Poznanie relacji między związkami fenolowymi i mikroorganizmami w glebach użytków zielonych jest niezwykle ważne w tym aspekcie. Właściwe zarządzanie użytkami zielonymi jest ważnym elementem ochrony środowiska.
Effect of Grassland Vegetation Units on Soil Biochemical Properties and the Abundance of Selected Microorganisms in the Obra River Valley
Phytoremediation as an Effective Remedy for Removing Trace Elements from Ecosystems
The pollution of soil by trace elements is a global problem. Conventional methods of soil remediation are often inapplicable, so it is necessary to search intensively for innovative and environment-friendly techniques for cleaning up ecosystems, such as phytoremediation. Basic research methods, their strengths and weaknesses, and the effects of microorganisms on metallophytes and plant endophytes resistant to trace elements (TEs) were summarised and described in this manuscript. Prospectively, bio-combined phytoremediation with microorganisms appears to be an ideal, economically viable and environmentally sound solution. The novelty of the work is the description of the potential of “green roofs” to contribute to the capture and accumulation of many metal-bearing and suspended dust and other toxic compounds resulting from anthropopressure. Attention was drawn to the great potential of using phytoremediation on less contaminated soils located along traffic routes and urban parks and green spaces. It also focused on the supportive treatments for phytoremediation using genetic engineering, sorbents, phytohormones, microbiota, microalgae or nanoparticles and highlighted the important role of energy crops in phytoremediation. Perceptions of phytoremediation on different continents are also presented, and new international perspectives are presented. Further development of phytoremediation requires much more funding and increased interdisciplinary research in this direction.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic Constraints on the Ecobiochemical Status of Cultivated Soils along Transportation Routes
There is a lack of studies on the impact of COVID-19-related population mobility and freight transport restrictions on the soil environment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of automotive pollution on selected parameters describing the quality and healthiness of crop soils based on results obtained before the pandemic (2017–2019) in relation to data from the pandemic period (2020–2021). The study included soils from six cultivated fields located in eastern Poland along national roads (DK No. 74 and 82) and provincial roads (DW No. 761 and 835). Soil samples were taken from distances of 5, 20, 50, and 100 m from the edge of the roadway. The following soil characteristics were determined: pHKCl, content of total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and activity of the three enzymes dehydrogenases (ADh), neutral phosphatase (APh), and urease (AU). The degree of traffic-generated soil pollution was assessed by determining the samples’ total cadmium and lead levels (Cd and Pb) and total content of 14 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Σ14PAHs). The monitoring of cultivated soils showed that the parameters of cultivated soils varied primarily according to the distance from the edge of the roadway. There was an increase in soil acidity and TOC and TN content and a decrease in Cd, Pb, and Σ14PAHs as one moved away from the edge of the roadway. The highest ADh and APh values were found in soils located 100 m from the edge of the road. AU at 5 m and 20 m from the edge of the pavement was significantly higher than at 100 m away. The reduction in vehicular traffic associated with the pandemic did not affect the changes in the reaction of the studied soils and their TOC, TN, and Pb contents. The lowest content of Σ14PAHs was found in 2020. In the case of the amount of Cd in soils, a downward effect was also observed in 2020. However, no significant differences were noted, except for the soils in Skorzeszyce and Łuszczów Kolonia. The reduced influx of xenobiotics into the soil environment stimulated ADh and APh. In the following year (2021), the amounts of tested xenobiotics and enzyme activities in the soils were at a similar level to those in 2019. The results indicate a positive but short-term effect of the pandemic on reducing the contamination of soils located along transportation routes.
Zależności między wybranymi związkami fenolowymi a aktywnością mikroorganizmów w glebach użytków zielonych w dolinie rzeki Obry
Soil Microbial Community and Enzymatic Activity of Grasslands under Different Use Practices: A Review
The usage of grassland significantly affects the microbial and biochemical parameters of soil epipedons. The use of grasslands (by mowing, grazing, and mowing and grazing) affects the dominance of bacteria in abundance relative to fungal populations. This was particularly noticeable when manual mowing was applied. In general, the highest number of microorganisms occurred during spring and summer, which should be associated with the intensity of growth of root systems of grass vegetation. It was noted that the grazing system caused an increase in the enzymatic activity of urease and slightly less dehydrogenases and acid and alkaline phosphatase. Therefore, microbial abundance and enzymatic activity are considered as indicator parameters to evaluate the biological soil environment. They are highly probable estimates of soil fertility and ecosystem biodiversity.
Temporal arsenic form changes dynamics and accumulation patterns in Tilia cordata Mill. seedlings: Insights into metalloid transformation and tolerance mechanisms in trees
The Influence of Land Use on Seasonal Variation in Soil Properties, Microbial Activity, and Bioactive Acid Accumulation in Taraxacum officinale and Plantago major
(1) Background: Plantago major and Taraxacum officinale exhibit high tolerance to soil pollution and are recognised as bioindicators of soil quality. The objectives of the study were to investigate (i) the physicochemical and microbiological properties of rhizosphere soil beneath P. major and T. officinale in different land uses, (ii) the accumulation of elements, phenolic and organic acids in soil as well as in the plants, and (iii) the relationships between these parameters. (2) Methods: Samples were collected from three locations: the sediment retention area, the post-mining area, and the recreational area in May and September. (3) Results: Significant seasonal differences were observed in soil parameters, enzymatic activity, microbial abundance, and the contents of elements, organic acids, and phenolic acids between plant species and sampling areas, with changes reaching several hundred per cent. Correlations were found between dehydrogenase and organic matter, S, Al, Co, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, P; and phosphatases and Al, Co, Cr, Fe, Mg, Ni, and Mn; as well as between total phenolic content and phosphatases; syringic acid and dehydrogenase; and alkaline phosphatase and lactic and citric acids. (4) Conclusions: The results suggest that plant–soil interactions, in relation to land use, influence rhizosphere biochemistry, thereby impacting soil health and supporting ecosystem recovery.
Influence of reclamation and slope aspect on the selected properties of constructosols developed on a reclaimed landfill in Czmoń. Part I: Basic physical and chemical soil properties
Dynamiczny rozwój cywilizacyjny i wzrost ilości odpadów komunalnych w Polsce wymusiły konieczność efektywnego zarządzania składowiskami odpadów oraz ich rekultywacji. W artykule przeanalizowano wpływ wystawy stoków, położenia na stoku i czasu jaki upłynął od zakończenia rekultywacji na wybrane właściwości fizykochemiczne powierzchniowych poziomów glebowych na zrekultywowanym składowisku w miejscowości Czmoń, w województwie wielkopolskim. Badania obejmowały analizy gleby w warstwach powierzchniowej (0–10 cm) i podpowierzchniowej (10–20 cm) w różnych częściach składowiska. Oznaczono między innymi uziarnienie, odczyn, zawartość węgla organicznego (TOC) i węglanu wapnia (CaCO₃) oraz pojemność sorpcyjną gleby (CEC). Na podstawie analizy statystycznej uzyskanych wyników, stwierdzono, że wymienione czynniki wpłynęły na zróżnicowanie właściwości gleby w zależności od wieku składowiska i orientacji stoków. Zgodnie z oczekiwaniami uziarnienie badanych gleb był związane bezpośrednio z działaniami rekultywacyjnymi. Gleby w obrębie nowej części składowiska charakteryzowały się wyższymi wartościami pH, CEC i zawartością CaCO₃. Gleby w obrębie starszej części składowiska cechowały się szerszym stosunkiem C/N. Stwierdzono także zależność pomiędzy ekspozycją badanych stoków (N - S), a wybranymi właściwościami gleb. Badania te podkreślają znaczenie dobrze zaprojektowanych działań rekultywacyjnych, które pozwalają na spełnienie funkcji biologicznej gleby utworzonej na tego typu składowiskach oraz ograniczenie negatywnego wpływu na środowisko. Badania te stanowią istotny wkład w rozwój wiedzy na temat długoterminowych efektów rekultywacji składowisk odpadów.