Marco Contin

Influence of inorganic and organic fertilization on soil microbial biomass, metabolic quotient and heavy metal bioavailability

Abstract We studied the long-term effects (12 years) of municipal refuse compost addition on the total organic carbon (TOC), the amount and activity of the microbial biomass (soil microbial biomass C, BC and metabolic quotient qCO2) and heavy metal bioavaiability in soils as compared to manuring with mineral fertilizers (NPK) and farmyard manure (FYM). In addition, we studied the relationships between among the available fraction [Diethylenetriaminopentacetic acid (DTPA) extractable] of heavy metals and their total content, TOC and BC. After 12 years of repeated treatments, the TOC and BC of control and mineral fertilized plots did not differ. Soils treated with FYM and composts showed a significant increase in TOC and BC in response to the increasing amounts of organic C added. Values of the BC/TOC ratio ranged from 1.4 to 2, without any significative differences among soil treatments. The qCO2 increased in the organic-amended soil and may have indicated microbial stress. The total amounts of metals in treated soils were lower than the levels permitted by the European Union in agricultural soils. DTPA-extractable metals increased in amended soils in response to organic C. A multiple regression analysis with stepwise selection of variables was carried out in order to discriminate between the influence exerted on DTPA-extractable metals by their total content, TOC and BC. Results showed that each metal behaved quite differently, suggesting that different mechanisms might be involved in metal bioavailability

Soil humic acids may favour the persistence of hexavalent chromium in soil

The interaction between hexavalent chromium Cr(VI), as K(2)CrO(4), and standard humic acids (HAs) in bulk solution was studied using three complementary analytical methods: UV-Visible spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and differential pulse stripping voltammetry. The observed UV-Vis and X-ray absorption spectra showed that, under our experimental conditions, HAs did not induce reduction of Cr(VI) to its trivalent chemical form. The interaction between Cr(VI) and HAs has rather led to the formation of Cr(VI)-HAs micelles via supramolecular chemical processes. The reported results could contribute towards explaining the relative persistence of ecotoxic hexavalent chromium in soils.

Response of microbial biomass to air-drying and rewetting in soils and compost

The activity of microorganisms and the availability of composting substrates for decomposition are seriously affected by drying and rewetting cycles. We have measured microbial biomass C (BC) and ninhydrin reactive N (BNIN) of samples of composting material taken at different times from a pile of ligno-cellulosic wastes. Dynamics of these two parameters in control samples that were kept continuously moist were compared with those of samples of the same material that had been subjected to drying and rewetting. The study was also performed on soils to investigate analogies and differences of behaviour of microbial biomass in such different substrates. Moist samples from 10 soils with different organic C content (6.6–41.9 g kg−1 soil) were analyzed for their BC and BNIN content. The soils were then air-dried, rewetted and incubated at 25 °C for 10 days. On days 1, 3, 6 and 10 of incubation, samples were analyzed for BC and BNIN content. Compost samples from different composting stages of a mixture of cotton carding and yard wastes were air-dried, rewetted and incubated at 25 °C for 12 days, together with the corresponding moist samples (control). On days 1, 5 and 12 of incubation period, samples were analyzed for BC and BNIN content. The regression coefficient between BC and BNIN for all the compost data (continuously moist and rewetted) was 21.4 (r=0.89 P<0.001), very close to values normally found in soils, confirming the reliability of microbial biomass measurements performed on composting substrates. Soil drying caused on average a decrease in the size of microbial biomass with respect to moist samples of 13% for BC and 30% for BNIN. BC and BNIN of moist and rewetted soil samples were always significantly correlated. Microbial biomass content of rewetted compost samples up to 19 days from the beginning of the process were significantly different, but highly correlated with moist controls. No significant differences between moist and rewetted samples (RW) were found in samples collected during the maturing and curing phases. The different response to drying of soils and compost could be related to the greater increase of new available substrate in compost with respect to soil following the drying–rewetting treatment. Dynamics of BC/BNIN ratio in compost was coherent with the normal trend observed in the composition of microbial community during the process, from prevailing bacteria and actinomycetes to prevailing fungi.

Temperature changes and the ATP concentration of the soil microbial biomass.

Abstract Two soils from temperate sites (UK; arable and grassland) were incubated aerobically at 0, 5, 15 or 25°C for up to 23 days. During this period both soils were analysed for soil microbial biomass carbon (biomass C) and adenosine 5′ triphosphate contents (ATP). Biomass C did not change significantly in either soil at any temperature throughout, except during days 0 to 1 in the grassland soil. Soil ATP contents increased slowly throughout the 23 days of incubation, from 2.2 to a maximum of 3.1 nmol ATP g −1 soil in the arable soil (a 40% increase) and from 6.2 to a maximum of 11.2 nmol ATP g −1 soil in the grassland soil (an increase of 81%), both at 25°C. Since biomass C did not change either with increasing temperature or increasing time of incubation, it was concluded that an increase in ATP was either due to an increase in adenylate energy charge or de novo synthesis of ATP, or both. During the incubation, biomass ATP concentrations ranged from about 5 to 12 μmol ATP g −1 biomass C but trends between biomass ATP and incubation temperatures were not very obvious until about day 13. On day 23, biomass ATP concentrations were positively and linearly related to temperature: (μmol ATP g −1 biomass C = 6.98 ± 0.35 + 0.134 ± 0.023 T 0 ( r 2 = 0.77) with no significant difference in the slope between the grassland and arable soils. At 25°C the biomass ATP concentration was 10.3 μmol g −1 biomass C, remarkably close to many other published values. It was concluded that, although the biomass increased its ATP concentration in response to increasing temperature, the increase was comparatively small. Also, at all temperatures tested, the biomass maintained its ATP concentration within the range commonly reported for micro-organisms growing expontentially in vitro. This is despite the fact that the biomass normally exhibits other features more typical of a “resting” or dormant population — a paradox which still is not resolved.

Land application of aerobic sewage sludge does not impair methane oxidation rates of soils.

The aim of this study was to measure and compare methane oxidation rates of arable and grassland soils that received 7.5t ha⁻¹ y⁻¹ of noncontaminated aerobically treated sewage sludge for ten years. Arable soils showed generally lower methane oxidation rates (from 6 to 15∗10⁻³ h⁻¹) than grassland soils (from 26 to 33∗10³ h⁻¹). Oxidation rate constants (k) of soils amended with sewage sludge were remarkably close to their respective untreated controls, but a soil, that had received a tenfold sewage sludge application (i.e. 75 t ha⁻¹ y⁻¹), showed a statistically significantly higher k-value. Laboratory addition of up to 1000 mg Pb g⁻¹ soil to this soil did not cause any significant change in methane oxidation, but caused a decrease from 13.9 to 10.9×10⁻³ h⁻¹ in the control soil. Addition of Zn was much more toxic than Pb, with a significant decrease at 300 μg g⁻¹ soil rate and an almost complete inhibition at 1500 μg g⁻¹ soil rate. Higher resistance was evident of sewage sludge treated soil in comparison to control soil, for both biomass C and CH₄ oxidation activity.

Investigation of the interactions between humic substances and a cationic detergent (Cetiltrimethylammonium bromide)

Abstract Visible spectrophotometric measurements were used to study binding of cetltrimethylammonium to humic molecules. Detergent molecules appeared to bind to ionized carboxyl and phenolic groups. Complete neutralization of negative charges caused quantitative precipitation of humic substances at low ionic strength. Detergent amounts higher than the stoichiometric ratio caused salting in of precipitate. The influence of organic carbon concentration, ionic strength and pH of the solution on the complex composition at minimum solubility was investigated.

Evaluation of mercury biogeochemical cycling at the sediment–water interface in anthropogenically modified lagoon environments

The Marano and Grado Lagoon is well known for being contaminated by mercury (Hg) from the Idrija mine (Slovenia) and the decommissioned chlor-alkali plant of Torviscosa (Italy). Experimental activities were conducted in a local fish farm to understand Hg cycling at the sediment-water interface. Both diffusive and benthic fluxes were estimated in terms of chemical and physical features. Mercury concentration in sediments (up to 6.81μg/g) showed a slight variability with depth, whereas the highest methylmercury (MeHg) values (up to 10ng/g) were detected in the first centimetres. MeHg seems to be produced and stored in the 2-3cm below the sediment-water interface, where sulphate reducing bacteria activity occurs and hypoxic-anoxic conditions become persistent for days. DMeHg in porewaters varied seasonally (from 0.1 and 17% of dissolved Hg (DHg)) with the highest concentrations in summer. DHg diffusive effluxes higher (up to 444ng/m2/day) than those reported in the open lagoon (~95ng/m2/day), whereas DMeHg showed influxes in the fish farm (up to -156ng/m2/day). The diurnal DHg and DMeHg benthic fluxes were found to be higher than the highest summer values previously reported for the natural lagoon environment. Bottom sediments, especially in anoxic conditions, seem to be a significant source of MeHg in the water column where it eventually accumulates. However, net fluxes considering the daily trend of DHg and DMeHg, indicated possible DMeHg degradation processes. Enhancing water dynamics in the fish farm could mitigate environmental conditions suitable for Hg methylation.

Benthic nutrient cycling at the sediment-water interface in a lagoon fish farming system (northern Adriatic Sea, Italy)

Metabolism and carbon, oxygen, and nutrient fluxes (DIC, DOC, DO2, NO2-, NO3-, NH4+, PO43- and SiO44-) were studied during three surveys at two sites (VN1 and VN3) located at a fish farm at the Marano and Grado Lagoon (northern Adriatic Sea), using an in situ benthic chamber. Field experiments were conducted in July and October 2015 and March 2016 at a depth of approximately 2 m along the main channels of the fish farm. Water samples were collected by a scuba diver every 2 h in order to investigate daily fluxes of solutes across the sediment-water interface (SWI). Regarding the solid phase, Corg/Ntot and Corg/Porg molar ratios suggested an autochthonous marine origin of the organic matter and a minor preservation of P in the sediments, respectively; high values of sulphur (Stot) were also encountered (0.8-2%). The conditions at VN3 were mostly anoxic with high NH4+ levels (30-1027 μM) and the absence of NO3-. Substantial daily patterns of all solutes occurred especially in autumn and winter. On the contrary, fluxes at VN1 were less pronounced. Usually, inverse correlations appeared between dissolved O2 and DIC trends, but in our system this was observed only at VN3 in autumn and accomplished by a parallel increase in NH4+, PO43- and SiO44- during intense nutrient regeneration. These results are significantly different than those reported for open lagoon environments, where nutrient regeneration at the SWI and in surface sediments is the primary source of nutrients available for assimilation processes, especially during the warmer period of the year when the natural nutrient input by fresh water inflows is limited. Due to the importance of this site for aquaculture, biodiversity and ecosystem services, useful suggestions have been provided from this study in order to improve the quality of this unique aquatic system.

Characterization of Humic Fractions in Leachates from Soil Under Organic and Conventional Management and Their Interactions with the Root Zone

Humic fractions were shown to be closely involved in gene expression and promotion of different PM H+-ATPase isoforms, as well as in lateral root development, indicating an enhanced nutrient absorption capacity of the plant root system. HPLC-SEC confirmed that water-soluble humic substances (WSHS) correspond to a subfraction of the fulvic fraction of humic substances. This was supported by E 465/E 665 ratios higher than 8.5. These ratios generally increased over the growing season in cultivated soils but showed significant differences between conventionally and organically managed bare soils. FTIR data and the analytical quantification of carboxyls confirmed relevant structural changes in bare soil under both organic and conventional farming management. Absorption intensities ratios at 1,590–1,570 cm−1 and 1,440–1,380 cm−1 showed the predominant aliphatic character of these molecules.