Three studies were completed to investigate the influence of mineral assemblage on soil organic carbon (SOC) cycling and pedogenesis in forest soils. Two studies utilized a lithosequence of four parent materials (rhyolite, granite, basalt, limestone/volcanic cinders) under Pinus ponderosa, to explicitly quantify the contribution of parent material mineral assemblage to the character of the resulting soil. The first study explored variation in pedogenesis and elemental mass loss as a product of parent material through a combination of quantitative X-ray diffraction and elemental mass balance. Results indicated significant differences in degree of soil development, profile characteristics, and mass flux according to parent material.The second study utilized the same lithosequence of soils, but focused on organic C cycling. This study explored variation in SOC content among soils of differing mineralogy and correlations among soil physiochemical variables, SOC content, soil microbial community composition and respiration rates. Metal-humus complex and Fe-oxyhydroxide content emerged as important predictors of SOC dynamics across all parent materials, showing significant correlation with both SOC content and bacterial community composition. Results indicated that within a specific ecosystem, SOC dynamics and microbial community vary predictably with soil physicochemical variables directly related to mineralogical differences among soil parent materials.The third study focused specifically on the influence of goethite and gibbsite on dissolved organic matter characteristics and microbial communities which utilize DOM as a growth substrate. Iron and aluminum oxides were selected for this study due to their wide spread occurrence in soils and their abundance of reactive surface area, qualities which enable them to have a significant effect on SOC transported through forest soils. Results indicated that exposure to goethite and gibbsite surfaces induces significant differences in DOM quality, including changes in thermal properties, molecular structure, and concentrations of P and N. Investigation of the decomposer communities indicated that exposure to goethite and gibbsite surfaces caused significant differences in microbial community structure.These investigations emphasize the important role of mineral assemblage in shaping soil characteristics and regulating the cycling of C in soils, from the molecular scale to the pedon scale.

This thesis presents results from several studies that have focused on the carbon and nutrient dynamics in soils at the forest – tundra ecotone in Fennoscandia. The main objectives of the study were: (i) to investigate the links between the physical environment, above-ground vegetation communities, soil carbon storage, nutrient status and the chemical composition of the soil organic matter (SOM), and (ii) to quantify trace gas fluxes (methane and carbon dioxide) between mesic soils and the atmosphere. Four main field areas spanning an 8 degree latitudinal gradient were established at the ecotone in 1998 and studied for four years. In addition to the natural gradients we also established a warming treatment. Decomposition rates (i.e. carbon dioxide efflux and litter decomposition) were higher at our forest sites. This was linked principally to the more favourable physical environment at the forest sites, rather than to SOM quality, despite some indications of higher SOM quality at forest sites based upon conventional chemical analysis and 13C NMR techniques. Tundra soils stored large amounts of potentially labile carbon that could readily be accessed by microorganisms when transferred to a forest environment. The interrelation between increased soil temperature and reduced soil moisture content is likely to moderate the response of decomposition rates to increased temperatures. Generally, these mesic soils showed net methane uptake from the atmosphere, which was enhanced by the warming treatment. No differences between forest or tundra soils could be detected. The major conclusions presented here are that (1) soil carbon storage is likely to be reduced if mountain birch forest replaces tundra heath and (2), methane uptake in mesic soils in the Fennoscandian mountains represents a negative feedback to further environmental change in a warmer climate.

Forest fires can have a great impact on the relationship between soil organic matter (SOM) and soilbulk density (SBD). SOM will reduce with increased fire intensity, which ultimately leads to more compaction of the soil. The compaction rate might increase to the limit of where root growth will be absent thus leading to actions to restore the soil. This study investigates changes in the relationship between SOM and SBD in spodosol and histosol in Seglingsberg, located in South-central Sweden, where a forest fire occurred summer 2014.  In addition, changes of pH values in the two types of soilwere examined in order to receive information about the chemical states of the different soil types.A total of 29 samples at depths of 0-17 cm were received from one day of fieldwork and these were later analysed concerning the pH, the SBD and the SOM content. The results showed an increase of pH-values in the fire-exposed area compared to pH values measured at the reference site (pH ~5). More importantly, the results from the SBD and SOM analyses indicated that there was in fact an inversely proportional relationship between the two soil parameters. In addition, high pH values were measured at the same subareas of which the highest SBD- and the lowest SOM values were obtained.Statistical analyses were applied on the results in order to conclude if the soil property changes caused by the fire were significantly different from normal conditions or not. The results from the statistical analyses revealed that 25% of the fire-exposed sites had changed significantly. However, more samples should have been taken while in field, since lack of data is thought to have had a great impact on the final results.Although there were no strong statistical evidence for the hypothesis, it is clear that the forest firein Västmanland year 2014 affected both the SOM, SBD and pH values in the soils. / Under sommaren år 2014 utbröt en omfattande skogsbrand i Västmanlands län, vilket medföljdedramatiska konsekvenser för framförallt ett flertal skogsbolag, men även för boende i området. Med skogsbränder följer negativa såväl som positiva konsekvenser, där de positiva framförallt gäller med avseende på arter som har evolverat i samband med bränder. Förutom ovannämnda konsekvenser så finns det risk för att markförhållandena ändras till följd av en skogsbrand. I denna studie undersöktes hur  markegenskaper  i  torv-  samt  podsoljordar  hade  förändrats  med  avseende  på  pH,  halten  avorganiskt material samt packningsgrad. Fältstudien genomfördes i ett drabbat brandområde strax norrom Seglingsberg, Surahammars kommun. Totalt togs 29 stycken jordprover inom fem stycken transekter i området. Av dessa kunde 25 stycken användas till alla tre analyserna. Resultaten från jordprovsanalyserna användes därefter till att genomföra statistiska undersökningar. Detta för att se hur stor spridningen var mellan och inom de fem transekterna samt för att kunna avgöra om jordproverna visade sig vara signifikant förändrade från ursprungsförhållanden.Resultaten från jordprovsanalyserna visade att det fanns mest organiskt material kvar i de östra delarna av området, medan det var kraftigt reducerat ju längre nordväst jordproverna hade hämtats. I samband med att markens organiska material hade reducerats kunde man även bevittna att jordtäcket hade blivit mer kompakterat. Resultaten från pH-analysen pekar också på att förändringarna varit som störst i de nordvästliga delarna. pH-analysen bevisade att markkemin ser annorlunda ut än innanbranden, då värdena ibland låg 2 enheter för högt än vad man vanligen brukar observera i podsol- ochtorvjordar. Då pH-skalan är logaritmisk innebär detta en minskad försurning med 100 gånger. Resultaten från alla jordprovsanalyser tyder att branden varit som mest intensiv i den nordvästra delen av undersökningsområdet, i området bestående av ungskog.Även om resultaten från jordprovsanalyserna pekade på att branden orsakat tydliga mark- förändringar, visade majoriteten av de statistiska undersökningarna inte på signifikanta förändringar. Det är därför inte möjligt att generalisera resultaten och således applicera dessa på hela brandområdet i Västmanland.Eftersom att naturligt förekommande skogsbränder är relativt få till antalet i Sverige, finns därmed få studier tillgängliga inom ämnesområdet. Det finns en upplaga av studier inom kontrollerade och anlagda brandfält, men i och med att dessa förhållanden är fixerade, så påverkas markegenskaperna sällan avsevärt. Forskningsrapporter indikerar på ett mer extremt klimat i framtiden, som förmodas leda till en ökad omfattning samt ett ökat antal naturligt förekommande skogsbränder. Om denna prognos stämmer är det viktigt att undersöka markförhållandena, då en skogsbrand kan ha direktavgörande effekt på återväxten.

Planting trees on agricultural land either as farm woodlands or agroforestry (trees integrated with farming) is one option for reducing the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Trees store carbon as biomass, and may increase carbon storage in the ground. A review of the literature outlined uncertainty relating to changes in carbon storage after planting trees on agricultural land. The aim of this thesis is to deter¬mine the impact of tree planting on arable and pasture land in terms of above and belowground carbon storage and thereby address these uncertainties, and assess the implications for the Woodland Carbon Code: a voluntary standard for carbon storage in UK woodlands. Measurements of soil organic carbon to a depth of 1.5 m were taken at two field sites in Bedfordshire in the UK: a 19 year old silvoarable trial, and a 14 year old silvopasture and farm woodland. On average 60% and 40% of the soil carbon (rel¬ative to 1.5 m) was found beneath 0.2 and 0.4 m in depth respectively. Whilst tree planting in the arable system showed gains in soil organic carbon (12.4 t C ha−1 at 0–40 cm), tree planting in the pasture was associated with losses of soil organic carbon (6.1–13.4 t C ha−1 at 0–10 cm). Evidence from a nearby mature grazed woodland indicate that these losses may be recovered. No differences associated with tree planting were found to the full 1.5 m, though this may be due to a lack of statistical power. Measurements of above and belowground biomass, and the root distribution of 19 year old poplar (Populus spp.) trees (at the silvoarable trial) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior) trees ranging from 7 to 21 years (at several field sites across Bedfordshire) were made, involving the destructive harvest of 48 trees. These measurements suggest that Forestry Commission yield tables overestimate yield for poplar trees grown in a silvoarable system. An allometric relationship for determining ash tree biomass from diameter measurements was established. The biophysical model Yield-SAFE was updated to take into account root growth, and was parameterised using field measurements. It was successfully used to describe existing tree growth at two sites, and was then used to predict future biomass carbon storage at the silvoarable trial. Measurements indicate that losses in soil carbon at relatively shallow depths can offset a large proportion of the carbon stored in tree biomass, but assessing changes on a site by site basis may be prohibitively expensive for schemes such as the Woodland Carbon Code.

This thesis provides an overview of mercury distribution in the forest soils located in vicinity of historical and current mercury emission sources. The sites were chosen around Bohemian Karst due to presence of emission source, i.e. iron production processes, cement plants, lime processing plants. The chosen sites were near municipalities of Králův Dvůr, Radotín and Hrádek u Rokycan. From these sites the soils samples were collected from organic and mineral horizons. Average mercury concentration in organic horizons was 288 µg.kg-1, organo-mineral horizons A contained 241 µg.kg-1, anthropogenic horizons M 287 µg.kg-1 and horizons B 56 µg.kg-1 only. The relations among mercury and soil components were tested. Strong link between mercury, soil organic matter (SOM) and sulfur was found. The result indicated that the origin of mercury in soil samples was atmospheric deposition rather than bedrock. High concentrations of oxalate extractable aluminum, iron and manganese in mineral horizons have been explained as the cause of bedrock weathering. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

This research investigated patterns in elevation change in newly built wetlands in the Atchafalaya delta, and newly restored wetlands in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River delta. RSETs were used to measure small changes in elevation, and soil cores were processed to examine mineral and organic contributions. Elevation change was highly variable, responding to influences from water level, river discharge, storms and vegetation. Mineral matter consistently added more to the marsh soil through volumetric and gravimetric contributions. Organic contributions were not significantly different across sites, suggesting the type of emergent vegetation at a site may not be the most important factor. Sites with the lowest elevations had the highest rates of positive elevation change. Higher elevation sites were more exposed and had negative rates of elevation change. The findings suggest ideal sites for marsh building are in areas that receive sediment input, are protected from high-energy events, and can support emergent vegetation.

A definição mais amplamente aceita estabelece que compostagem é a decomposição controlada, exotérmica e bioxidativa de materiais de origem orgânica por microorganismos autóctones, num ambiente úmido, aquecido e aeróbio, com produção de dióxido de carbono, água, minerais e uma matéria orgânica estabilizada, definida como composto. Em função do potencial inerente aos compostos orgânicos tem-se observado sua crescente utilização na agricultura, tomando lugar dos fertilizantes minerais. Devido à disponibilidade e baixo custo na região de São Carlos-SP, os compostos a serem utilizados foram provenientes de resíduos de poda de árvores, bagaço de laranja, torta de filtro e esterco bovino. A humanidade produz uma grande quantidade de tipos de resíduos, os quais podem ser utilizados como matéria-prima no processo de compostagem. A poda de árvores é um resíduo facilmente encontrado tanto na zona rural como nas cidades, sendo geralmente descartada. Nas cidades este descarte pode se tornar um problema, na medida em que aumenta o volume de lixo produzido, sobrecarregando os depósitos ou aterros sanitários. O bagaço de laranja é o principal subproduto da indústria de processamento de citrus, correspondendo a cerca de 45% da massa total da fruta e pode se tornar um grande problema para indústria, pois se deteriora muito rápido durante a estocagem. A torta de filtro é um resíduo proveniente da indústria sucroalcooleira e é obtido do processo de clarificação do caldo de cana. O esterco bovino é um resíduo amplamente usado in natura como adubo orgânico, porém, o processo de compostagem torna-o mais estável e otimiza suas propriedades fertilizantes. De maneira geral, a influência dos compostos orgânicos na produção vegetal e na fertilidade do solo requer mais estudos devido à complexidade dos agroecossistemas. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a influência de diferentes compostos orgânicos nas doses selecionadas, na produção da planta medicinal Ocimum selloi Benth em um solo tropical arenoso (Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo distrófico, coletado na Fazenda Canchin, na região de São Carlos-SP), em comparação com fertilizante mineral. Para observar os efeitos da adubação orgânica ou mineral foram analisados os ácidos húmicos extraídos dos solos utilizando espectroscopia na região do infravermelho próximo com transformada de Fourier, fluorescência e análise elementar. Para a análise do solo intacto utilizou-se a fluorescência induzida por laser e espectrsocopia na região do infravermelho médio. Também foram realizadas análises de fertilidade do solo e do tecido vegetal, bem como analíses para avaliação do desenvolvimento vegetal. A análise estatística dos dados (Análise de Componetes Principais) de fertilidade do tecido vegetal e do solo, e dos dados de NIRS, mostraram uma separação dos tratamentos em dois grupos. Foi possível verificar que o tratamento L2 foi o mais próximo do tratamento com adubação mineral, enquanto que os tratamentos L1, L3 e L4 ficaram mais próximos ao tratamento referência (sem adubação). Esses resultados são condizentes com o diagnóstico nutricional das plantas pelo método visual, além de serem similares com as análises químicas e espectroscópicas feitas por Fialho et al. (2010). Experimentos de infravermelho com transformada de Fourier forneceram espectros com bandas características de grupos alifáticos para o ácido húmico extraído do lodo, comprovando seu alto grau de alifaticidade. Dados de fluorescência utilizando diferentes metodologias e fluorescência induzida por laser, de amostras de solo intacto, apresentaram comportamento similar. É importante salientar, que de maneira geral, o tratamento L2 (adubação com composto que possue como material de partida esterco bovino e poda de árvores) é o mais similar ao fertilizante mineral, podendo trazer maiores benefícios quando aplicados ao solo em questão. De modo geral constata-se a viabilidade do uso de compostos orgânicos como alternativa ao uso de fertilizantes minerais, contudo o manejo e as implicações na nutrição de plantas e a plena produtividade das culturas ainda representa desafio importante para as pesquisas. / The most widely accepted definition about composting is that it is a controlled exothermic and bioxidative decomposition of organic materials by autochthonous microorganisms, resulting in a wet, warm and aerobic environment, with production of carbon dioxide, water, minerals and, a stabilized organic matter, defined as compost. Due to the availability and low cost in the region of São Carlos-SP, the organic composts used came from waste of tree pruning, orange bagasse, filter cake and manure. The humanity produces a lot of kinds of residues which can be use as raw material in composting production. Pruning trees is a waste easily found in both rural and urban areas, and they are generally discarded. In the cities, this disposal may become a problem, because it increases the volume of produced waste, overloading quickly deposits or landfills. The orange peel is the main by-product of citrus industry, representing about 45% of the total weight of the fruit and it can becomes a major problem for industry, because it deteriorates very rapidly during storage. The filter cake is a residue from the ethanol industry and is obtained from the solid precipitate from the sugarcane juice clarification (to produce sugar or ethanol) and, the boiler ash. The bovine manure is a waste widely used in natura as organic fertilizer however; the composting process makes it more stable and enhances its fertilizing properties. In general, the influence of organic composts in plant production and soil fertility requires more studies due to the complexity of agroecosystems. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of different composts and selected doses, on the production of the medicine plant Ocimum selloi Benth in a tropical sandy soil (colleted at Canchin Farm in the region of the city of São Carlos, São Paulo state), in comparison to mineral fertilizer. The studies showed differences between composts applied in the soil. Non-additional application of mineral fertilizers was done. The results were compared with the former ones observed by Fialho et al. (2010), using chemical and spectroscopic methods to evaluate the compost humification. Analysis of fertility of the soils under organic composts application or not, analysis of fertility of plant tissues (leaves) and analysis for evaluation of plant development were done to evaluate the performance of the tested treatments (L1, L2, L3 and L4). In order to observe the effects of the composts addition, the humic acids extracted from soils were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), fluorescence spectroscopy and elementar analysis. To analyse the intact soil laser induced fluorescence (LIF) and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) was used. The results obtained with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of fertility analysis of plant tissues and soils and NIRS, showed the treatments were separated into two main clusters. It was possible to verify the treatment called L2 and were nearest to commercial treatment (mineral fertilizer) and in the L1, L3 and L4 were nearest to the reference samples. These results are consistent with the nutritional diagnosis of plants by the visual method, and are similar to the chemical and spectroscopic analysis made by Fialho et al. (2010).The results obtained by Fourier transformed infrared showed spectra with characteristic bands from aliphaticity groups for humic acid from organic composts, confirming their high aliphacitity degree. Data from fluorescence utilizing different methodologies and laser induced fluorescence, from intact soil, showed similar results. Importantly, that in general, treatment L2 is most similar to mineral fertilizer, and can bring greater benefits when applied to the soil in question. Overall it appears the feasibility of using organic composts as an alternative to the use of mineral fertilizers, but management and the implications for plant nutrition and optimum crop yield still represents an important challenge for research.

Uma das alternativas encontradas para a reutilização de efluentes de esgotos tratados é o emprego deste material na agricultura como adubo orgânico, podendo substituir total ou parcialmente a adubação mineral. Essa prática, que se constitui de benefícios no que tange à reciclagem de nutrientes, representa uma economia de água no setor agrícola, estimada em cerca de 70% do consumo total no Brasil. Neste trabalho, pretendeu-se investigar o impacto na matéria orgânica do solo, submetido à irrigação com efluente proveniente de um biodigestor anaeróbio. <br />Através da realização de um experimento de campo, sob o cultivo de sorgo, realizou-se a comparação, em relação à matéria orgânica, de amostras de solo que receberam irrigação em dosagens diferenciadas do efluente tratado àquela de um solo \"testemunha\" (branco), o qual recebeu apenas irrigação com água ao longo do experimento e de um solo que recebeu anteriormente adubação convencional, segundo as recomendações do Instituto Agronômico de Campinas (IAC). Estabeleceu-se, ainda, comparações com amostras de solo coletadas na mesma propriedade. Avaliou-se a estabilidade (humificação) da matéria orgânica, como indicadora da capacidade fertilizante do efluente, quando incorporado ao solo. A qualidade do efluente do biodigestor foi acompanhada antes do início do experimento, de modo a verificar suas características principais e particularidades. <br />A utilização de ferramentas como a PCA e planejamento fatorial foi de grande relevância para a análise dos resultados e condução dos experimentos. <br />As técnicas químicas e espectroscópicas mostraram que o benefício proporcionado pela adição de efluente ao solo, mesmo em um experimento de curta duração, pode apresentar alterações, mesmo que não sejam tão pronunciadas. <br />Os resultados obtidos para amostras de ácidos húmicos em relação ao tamanho de partículas evidenciaram um comportamento notado em estudos bastante recentes, em relação à estrutura das substâncias húmicas. / An alternative found for treated sewage effluents reuse is to apply this material in agriculture as a fertilizer, in order to replace totally or partially the mineral fertilizers. This practice, beyond inherent benefits due to nutrients recycling promotes agricultural water reuse, which is responsible of around 70% of the total water consumption in Brazil. In this work, it was intended to investigate the soil organic matter impact, under irrigation using effluent from an anaerobic biodigester. Through a field experiment under \"sorgo\" culture, a comparison was established, related to the soil organic matter, of soil samples that had been applied different treated effluent concentrations to soil samples that received only water (\"testemunha\"- blank) or water and mineral fertilizer according to the Campinas Agronomic Institute recommendations. Other comparisons, among soil samples under citrus culture were also established. The soil organic matter humification was evaluated, as an indication of the effluent fertilizing ability when applied in soil. The biodigester effluent features were checked before the experiment beginning, in order to verify its mais features and particularities. <br />Tools as Principal component Analysis and factorial design were of such relevance for the results analysis and experiments execution. <br />The spectroscopic and chemical techniques showed that the benefits from the effluent addition in soil, even in a short-term experiment, can present changes. <br />The results for the humic acids samples concerning the particles size evidenced the behavior presented in recent studies, related to humic substances structures.

The aim of the thesis was to experimentally determine the selected physical parameters of soil samples with the output of data usable for the needs of computer modeling and simulation of soil compaction as a result of soil loading by agricultural machinery. Output data should be expediently consolidated according to the proposed primary data synthesis proposals, taking into account the obviousness and clarity of the operating influences useful under normal agricultural practice. The practical part deals with the diagnosis of relevant factors determining and affecting the technological and consistency properties of soil samples with a focus on the content factor of the added organic soil organic matter. The output of the thesis is both the raw data of the model sample series in the form of graphical dependencies of the selected specification factors within the range of the defined intervals, as well as the outline of the design of a range of cooperative interconnections with the possibility of data evaluation, with the support of a sophisticated program for the creation of computer multiphysical simulations such as COMSOL MULTIPHYSICS?.

<p>Cover crop use, especially in no-till systems, is an evolving practice to maintain or improve soil health. There are many possible indicators of soil health, but this study focuses on the analysis of soil aggregate stability, soil active carbon, and soil organic matter. Soil aggregate stability is related to water infiltration and potential for soil erosion, while active carbon serves as an indicator of a readily-available food source for microbial activity, and soil organic matter serves as a mediator for the soil physical, chemical, and biological processes. The sites include: three Purdue Agricultural Centers, two soil and water conservation district sites, 12 farmer sites with conservation cropping systems, and seven conventional comparison sites. The treatments consisted of cover crop versus no cover crop use, or cover crop use with different tillage systems or nitrogen rates. In 2016 and 2017, soil samples were collected at a depth of 0-5 cm, air-dried, and separated into two soil size fractions: 0-2 mm and 2-8 mm. The wet sieve method was used to measure the mean weight diameter of the water stable soil aggregates from the 2-8 mm size fraction in both years. The potassium permanganate method was used to measure the soil active carbon from both size fractions in both years. The dry combustion method was used to measure the soil organic matter from both soil size fractions in 2017 only. Results showed relatively small improvements in soil active carbon and aggregate stability with the addition of three to four years of cover crops to the long-term no-till systems. However, these improvements were greater when comparing the cover crops plus no-till treatments to the conventional-till without cover crops. More work is needed to understand the dynamics of soil aggregate stability, soil active carbon, and soil organic matter in relation to soil health and cover crop use. Cover crops will likely have more impact on soil aggregate stability, active carbon, and organic matter with a longer duration of use.</p><p></p>