Saulius Marcinkonis

The role of pH in heavy metal contamination of urban soil

AbstractThe aim of this study to assess interdependence between urban soil pH and its accumulation of heavy metals. The article meant to be a contribution to a better knowledge of peculiarities and diagnostics of urban soil and its anthropogenic transformation. The hypothesis assumes that relationship between urban soil pH and its accumulation of heavy metals may be determined by the origin and age of parent material as well as the nature and degree of the anthropogenic impact. The spatial variability of topsoil pH level was performed in 100 points in eldership of Snipiskės of the city Vilnius. Laboratory analysis was based on ISO 10390:2005. Samples were collected from 20 cm topsoil layer in the same sampling points where have been analysed concentrations of topsoil chemical elements using optical atomic emission spectrophotometry. The contamination of urban soils exhibits somewhat different compared to agricultural soils. In contradiction to earlier studies in Lithuanian agricultural soils where strong ...

Geochemistry of freshwater calcareous sediments and longevity impacts of their application to acidic soils of eastern Lithuania

Abstract Numerous investigations on the quaternary depositions of natural calcareous sediments and their use for soil conditioning have been carried-out in the Baltic region. Locally sourced freshwater limestone were formerly introduced (1950s) for soil liming, due to the absence or limited availability of appropriate industrial materials. Nowadays, with a greater awareness and understanding of the CO2 issues surrounding the production of industrial lime (intensively heated during manufacture), together with increasing costs of its production and transport, attention has returned to previous approaches. The main aim of this study was the identification of geological distribution peculiarities of freshwater limestone depositions, spatial and vertical geochemical variation and modelling of their previous agricultural use in acid soils regions. Geochemical composition data of local lake limestone has been lacking in Lithuania. Studies reveal that the quality parameters of sediments mostly align with the mini...

Problems and potential of mineral magnetic measurements as a soil particle size proxy

Abstract The use of mineral magnetic concentration parameters (χLF, χARM and SIRM) as a potential particle size proxy for soil samples collected from the Isle of Man (British Isles) is explored as an alternative means of normalizing particle size effects. Comparison of soil‐related analytical data by correlation analyses between each magnetic parameter and individual particle size classes (i.e. sand, silt and clay), more discrete intervals within classes (e.g. fine sand or medium silt) and cumulative size fractions (e.g. clay + fine silt) are reported. Both χLF and χARM parameters reveal significant (p <0.05; n = 46), but relatively weak (rs = 0.297 and 0.369), associations with clay content, while χLF, χARM and SIRM parameters have no significant relationship with sand and silt content or any discrete or cumulative size fractions. Contrary to earlier research findings, this indicates that magnetic measurements are not always a suitable particle size proxy and it is only certain environments and/or specif...

Soil Acidity Indices in East Lithuania

In Lithuania, decades of regular soil liming ceased in 1990. At present, ∼18.7% of Lithuanian agricultural land is acidic and ∼1 million ha are at risk of chemical degradation by acidification. Intrasite observations of long-term experiments (monitored for >30 years) provide valuable datasets that allow evaluation of current soil conditions and enable landscape-scale acidification modelling. Acidic soil properties, soil acidity indices, and their response to liming practices are important issues that must be addressed to maintain the ecological functions of these acidifying agricultural landscapes. An experiment was conducted that involved four liming strategies based on two direct and two indirect lime requirement (LR) determination methods. These strategies are common practices, both generally and in the Baltic States. Results indicate the effect of soil liming on soil acidity indices significantly (P < 0.05) differ between the chosen LR determination method and soil acidity gradations.

Linking floral biodiversity with nitrogen and carbon translocations in semi-natural grasslands in Lithuani

Abstract The aim of the present study is to evaluate the long-term effects of long-term piggery effluent application on semi-natural grassland ecotop-phytotop changes (above- and below-ground phytomass production, and carbon and nitrogen allocation in grassland communities) in relation to changes (or variability) in topsoil properties. Analysis of phytomass distribution in piggery effluent irrigated grassland communities showed that dry biomass yield varied from 1.7−5.3 t ha-1. Variability in soil and plant cover created a unique and highly unpredictable site specific system, where long-term anthropogenic influences established successor communities with specific characteristics of above- and below-ground biomass distribution. These characteristics depend more on grassland communities than on soil chemical properties. Families of grasses (Poaceae) dominated the surveyed communities and accumulated most carbon and least nitrogen, while legumes accumulated most nitrogen and lignin and least carbon. Carbon concentrations in above-ground biomass had minor variations, while accumulation of nitrogen was strongly influenced by species diversity (r = 0.94, n = 10, p <0.001) and production of above-ground biomass