Can soil remediation agents synergistically mitigate rice Cd content and CH_(4)emission from karst paddies?

Rice(Oryza sativa L.)paddies are increasingly threatened by cadmium(Cd)pollution,and potentially serve as CH_(4)emitters to the atmosphere.Remediation agents widely mitigate Cd pollution in paddy soil,however,we know little about their regulations on CH_(4)emission.Here,via adding biochar(B),sulfhydryl-modified palygorskite(SMP),and selenium foliar fertilizer(SFF),we conducted a pot experiment to investigate soil and rice Cd contents together with in-situ CH_(4)f luxes.Compared to CK,the addition of SMP,SFF,and B-SMP reduced Cd in brown rice by 25%to 50%,25%,and 50%to 75%,respectively.Agents 7%B,7%B-0.01%SMP,and SFF reduced CH_(4)emissions by 8.46%,5.30%,and 4.11%,respectively.CH_(4)emission increased gradually along the growing season,with the cumulative CH_(4)fluxes ranging between 338.82 and 619.13 kg hm^(-2).Our results highlight that mixed 7%B-0.01%SMP and SFF showed collaborative eff ects on Cd remediation and CH_(4)emission.This study reveals the feasibility of reducing Cd pollution and CH_(4)emission in karst rice paddies,which hopes to supplement the knowledge of collaborative controls on soil remediation and carbon emission.

Low carbon storage of woody debris in a karst forest in southwestern China

The properties of woody debris(WD) vary across different forests under various soil conditions.Owing to the relatively shallow and low amounts of soils on karst terrains, it is necessary to determine the WD carbon inventory of karst forests. In this study, we recorded WD with a basal diameter for standing snags and the largeend diameter for fallen logs of ≥ 1 cm. The carbon density of WD in a secondary karst mixed evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved forest that had been clear-cut 55 years ago in southwestern China were inventoried in a 2 ha plot. Woody debris carbon density calculated using specific gravity and carbon concentration was 4.07 Mg C ha^-1. Woody debris with diameters ≥ 10 cm(coarse WD) constituted 53.8% of total carbon storage whereas WD < 10 cm in diameters(fine WD) accounted for more pieces of WD(89.9%).Lithocarpus confinis contributed the most WD carbon(26.5%). Intermediate decayed WD was relatively more abundant, but WD with final decay contributed the least to the total pieces of WD(6.7%). The contribution of WD to carbon storage of karst forest was low compared to other forests worldwide. Significant positive correlations were found between WD carbon and biodiversity(R^2= 0.035,p < 0.01) and elevation(R^2= 0.047, p < 0.01) and negative correlations was found in outcrop coverage(R^2= 0.034, p <0.01). Further studies are needed to elucidate the ecological functions of WD to better understand their roles in maintaining biodiversity, enhancing productivity, and controlling vegetation degradation in karst forest ecosystems.

Effects of mineral-organic fertilizer on the biomass of green Chinese cabbage and potential carbon sequestration ability in karst areas of Southwest China

The karst mountain areas of Southwest China contain barren farmland soils and suffer from nutritional and water deficiencies that affect crop productivity. Hence,it is imperative to apply suitable fertilizers to restore soil fertility and maintain crop yield. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of mineral-organic fertilizer(MOF)made of potassic rock and organic waste on the growth of crops. For this purpose, green Chinese cabbage grown using three different fertilization methods including MOF,inorganic fertilizer(IF), and a control was evaluated. We determined soil water content, agronomic characteristics,and biomass of green Chinese cabbage in different treatments. Furthermore, surface runoff from the pot experiments and soil leachate from pot experiments were collected to determine water temperature, pH, and cation and anion concentrations. The results demonstrate thatMOF can improve the soil water-holding capacity of soil,and the basic agronomic characteristics of the cabbage treated with MOF were superior to those with IF. Using MOF can promote the increase in cabbage biomass.Additionally, the concentration of inorganic carbon(largely in the form of HCO_3^-) in surface runoff water treated by MOF was higher than the other treatments, establishing carbon sequestration potential. This work provides a novel and environmentally friendly fertilization pattern in karst areas, which will improve crop yield and also increase the carbon sequestration potential of crops.

Estimating aboveground biomass using Pléiades satellite image in a karst watershed of Guizhou Province,Southwestern China

Biomass in karst terrain has rarely been measured because the steep mountainous limestone terrain has limited the ability to sample woody plants.Satellite observation, especially at high spatial resolution, is an important surrogate for the quantification of the biomass of karst forests and shrublands. In this study, an artificial neural network(ANN) model was built using Pléiades satellite imagery and field biomass measurements to estimate the aboveground biomass(AGB) in the Houzhai River Watershed, which is a typical plateau karst basin in Central Guizhou Province, Southwestern China. A back-propagation ANN model was also developed.Seven vegetation indices, two spectral bands of Pléiades imagery, one geomorphological parameter,and land use/land cover were selected as model inputs. AGB was chosen as an output. The AGB estimated by the allometric functions in 78 quadrats was utilized as training data(54 quadrats, 70%),validation data(12 quadrats, 15%), and testing data(12 quadrats, 15%). Data-model comparison showed that the ANN model performed well with an absolute root mean square error of 11.85 t/ha, which was 9.88%of the average AGB. Based on the newly developed ANN model, an AGB map of the Houzhai River Watershed was produced. The average predicted AGB of the secondary evergreen and deciduous broadleaved mixed forest, which is the dominant forest type in the watershed, was 120.57 t/ha. The average AGBs of the large distributed shrubland,tussock, and farmland were 38.27, 9.76, and 11.69 t/ha, respectively. The spatial distribution pattern ofthe AGB estimated by the new ANN model in the karst basin was consistent with that of the field investigation. The model can be used to estimate the regional AGB of karst landscapes that are distributed widely over the Yun-Gui Plateau.

Estimation of soil organic carbon storage and its fractions in a small karst watershed

With few available soil organic carbon(SOC)profiles and the heterogeneity of those that do exist, the estimation of SOC pools in karst areas is highly uncertain.Based on the spatial heterogeneity of SOC content of 23,536 samples in a karst watershed, a modified estimation method was determined for SOC storage that exclusively applies to karst areas. The method is a "soil-type method" based on revised calculation indexes for SOC storage. In the present study, the organic carbon contents of different soil types varied greatly, but generally decreased with increasing soil depth. The organic carbon content decreased nearly linearly to a depth of 0–50 cm and then varied at depths of 50–100 cm. Because of the large spatial variability in the karst area, we were able to determine that influences of the different indexes on the estimation of SOC storage decreased as follows: soil thickness > boulder content > rock fragment content > SOC content > bulk density. Using the modified formula, the SOC content in the Houzhai watershed in Puding was estimated to range from 3.53 to 5.44 kg m^(-2), with an average value of 1.24 kg m^(-2) to a depth of 20 cm, and from 4.44 to 14.50 kg m^(-2), with an average value of 12.12 kg m^(-2) to a depth of 100 cm. The total SOC content was estimated at 5.39*10^(5) t.

CO flux of soil respiration in natural recovering karst abandoned farmland in Southwest China

To estimate carbon sequestration potential in the karst area,soil respiration in a natural recovering karst abandoned farmland in Shawan,Puding,Guizhou,southwest China was continuously and automatically monitored for more than two years.The results show that the CO2flux of soil respiration(2.63±1.89 lmol m^-2s-^1)is higher in the karst area than in non-karst areas under similar conditions but that regional value(1.32 lmol m-2s-1)is lower because of larger rock fragment coverage(~50%).A the same time,the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration(Q10)in this study area is significantly higher than that of non-karst areas under similar conditions.Soil respiration has an obvious temporal variation,which is reflected in a significant exponential relationship between soil respiration and soil temperature,but the relationship between soil respiration and soil moisture is very complex.Especially soil respiration has an obvious spatial variation,which is likely affected by different diffusion or water-rock reaction processes.

The influence of urbanization on karst rivers based on nutrient concentration and nitrate dual isotopes： an example from southwestern China

China is experiencing rapid urbanization that has changed the water quality of rivers, especially nutrient loads. In this study, a typical urban river located in a karst area, Chengguan River, was chosen to explore the influence of urbanization on river ecosystems based on nutrient concentration and nitrate isotopes. The results show monthly variability of water chemistry and nutrient concentration. Nutrient concentration in two tributaries and the mainstem showed significant spatial variability, with heavy N and P pollution in one tributary near a suburban area,indicating a response to different levels of urbanization.Measurements of nitrate dual isotopes suggest thatvolatilization, assimilation, nitrification, and denitrification all occur in the polluted river. Water chemistry and nitrate isotopes show that major nitrogen sources included domestic waste and agricultural input, such as chemical fertilizer and manure. The results suggest that urbanization increases nutrient concentrations and accelerates the riverine nitrogen dynamic, and point to the need to manage point sources of sewage effluents to improve the water quality of urban rivers in southwestern China.

Low net primary productivity of dominant tree species in a karst forest, southwestern China： first evidences from tree ring width and girth increment

Aboveground net primary productivity(ANPP)of two dominant species, one deciduous tree(Platycarya strobilacea) and one evergreen tree(Machilus cavaleriei),was estimated based on the tree-ring width and the girth increment as well as allometric functions in a karst evergreen and deciduous broadleaved mixed forest in central Guizhou Province, southwestern China. Results showed that the ANPP increased from 1961 to 2015, especially during the last 20–30 years, but with strong variations. The deciduous tree had higher ANPP than the evergreen tree according to two kinds of estimates by the tree ring and girth increment. The averaged ANPP for these two mature trees was 2.27 kg/individual/year, ca. 8 t/ha/year considering the normal stand density. Such karst forest productivity was lower than the natural subtropical forests in China and in the world.

Temporal and spatial variations in hydrogeochemistry of cave percolation water and their implications for four caves in Guizhou, China

Soil water and cave drip water from four cave systems in Guizhou, Southwest China, were monitored and sampled monthly from April 2003 to May 2004 to understand spatio-temporal variations in hydro-geochemistry of cave percolation water. The results indicated that among the 5 drip water sites from the Liangfeng Cave (LFC), there were no significant differences among the hydro-geochemical parameters. In the Xiniu Cave (XNC), the drip rates were variable and responded quickly to precipitation events in the 3# (No. 3) drip site with variable water head; both bulk and variation in drip rates were smaller in the 2# with constant water head. However, in the Qixing Cave (QXC) and Jiangjun Cave (JJC), drip rates, concentrations of major ions and saturation index for calcite (SI C ) were smaller, and Mg/Ca ratios in Group I (1#, 2#, 6#, 7# and 8# in the QXC; 2# and 3# in the JJC) were larger than those in Group II (3#, 4#, 5# and 9# in the QXC; 1# and 4# in the JJC). These differences might be the result of different hydrogeological processes above the caves, which are divided into five categories based on hydro-geochemistry data. The formation of some proxies in speleothem, such as Mg/Ca, is likely to be affected by those processes.

Stable Carbon Isotope Variations in Cave Percolation Waters and their Implications in Four Caves of Guizhou, China

Monitoring and sampling of main plants, soil CO2, soil water, bedrock, spring water, drip water and its corresponding speleothem were performed at four cave systems of Guizhou, Southwest China, from April 2003 to May 2004, in order to understand stable carbon isotope ratios variations of dissolved inorganic Carbon （DIC） in cave percolation waters （δ13CDIC） and their implications for paleoclimate. Stable carbon isotopic compositions and ions （Ca, Mg, Sr, SO4, CI etc.） were measured for all samples. The results indicate that there are significant differences among the δ13CDIC values from inter-cave, even inter-drip of intra-cave in the four caves. The δ13CDIC values from the Liangfeng Cave （LFC） is lightest among the four caves, where vegetation type overlying the cave is primary forest dominated by tall trees with lighter average δ13C value （-29.9‰）. And there are remarkable differences in δ13CDIC values of different drip waters in the Qixing Cave （QXC） and Jiangjun Cave （JJC）, up to 6.9‰ and 7.8‰, respectively. Further analyses show that the δ13CDIC values in cave drip waters are not only controlled by vegetation biomass overlying the cave, but also hydro-geochemical processes. Therefore, accurate interpreting of δ13C recorded in speleothems cannot be guaranteed if these effects of the above mentioned factors are not taken into consideration.

Forest carbon storage in Guizhou Province based on field measurement dataset

Accurate estimation of forest carbon storage is crucial in understanding global and regional carbon cycles and projecting future ecological and economic scenarios.Guizhou is the largest karst landform province in China;61.9% of its land area is characterized as karst. However,monitoring its field biomass and carbon storage is difficult.This study synthesized and analyzed a comprehensive database of direct field observations of forest vegetation and soil carbon storage in Guizhou Province by using data from existing literature. The total vegetation carbon storage in Guizhou Province was 488.170 TgC, the average vegetation carbon density(VCD) was 27.866 MgC hm^(-2), the total amount of soil organic carbon(SOC)(20 cm) was 1017.364 TgC, and the average SOC density was 58.074 MgC hm^(-2). Among all vegetation types, needleleaf forest had the highest vegetation carbon stocks, and scrub presented the highest SOC storage. The vegetation and SOC storage values of the karst landform were 282.352 and 614.825 TgC, respectively, which were higher than thoseof the non-karst landform. VCD was concentrated at 10–40 MgC hm^(-2), and SOC density was concentrated at 40–60, 60–80, and 80–100 MgC hm^(-2). This comprehensive regional data synthesis and analysis based on direct field measurement of vegetation and soil will improve our understanding of the forest carbon cycle in karst landforms under a changing climate.

Weathering of Carbonate Rocks by Biological Soil Crusts in Karst Areas

The weathering of carbonate rocks by biological soil crusts （BSC） in karst areas is very common. It is helpful to understand the weathering mechanisms and processes for avoiding karst rock-desertification. The weathering of carbonate rocks by BSC in karst areas, namely the expansion, contraction and curl resulting from environmental wetting-drying cycles, was investigated and ana- lyzed in this paper. The bulk density, area and thickness of BSC were determined and the weathering amount of limestone and dolomite per unit area of BSC was calculated as 3 700 and 3 400 g·m-2; the amount of biomass on the surface of limestone and dolomite was calculated as 1 146 and 1 301 g·m-2, respectively. Such an increased weathering amount was not only the result of chemical and physical weathering of BSC on carbonate rocks, but also the attachment and cementation of BSC to clay particles, dust-fall, sand particles, solid particles brought by strong air currents, wind and other factors in the surrounding environment, which may also be related to the special environment and the special time period. Based on the results obtained, a weathering mode of BSC is studied, and the mechanisms of weathering by BSC are discussed. In conclusion, we suggest that the mechanical force exerted by the expansion and constriction of gelatinous and mucilaginous substances through wetting and drying of BSC play a significant role in the physical weathering process of the carbonate substrates.

Tree species influences soil microbial community diversity but not biomass in a karst forest in southwestern China

Aims The relationships between plant species and soil microorganisms remain indeterminable in different ecosystems worldwide.In karst ecosystems,soil microbial(SM)community structure and their environmental driving factors are poorly explored,and the relationships between plant species and soil microorganisms are unclear.This study aimed to characterize the general patterns of SM community composition and biomass,and to explore the specific tree species and soil physiochemical properties highly related to SM community diversity and biomass in a karst forest.Methods The effects of tree species on SM community composition and biomass were firstly investigated on the basis of 212 soil samples collected from five dominant tree species(Lithocarpus confinis Huang,Platycarya longipes Wu,Itea yunnanensis Franch.,Machilus cavaleriei H.Lév.and Carpinus pubescens Burkill)through phospholipid fatty acid(PLFA)analysis of a karst evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest in central Guizhou Province,southwestern China.The relationships between SM community structure and tree species and soil physiochemical properties were statistically analysed.Important Findings A total of 132 SM-PLFA biomarkers were detected.The average number of SM-PLFA biomarkers and microbial biomass in each soil sample were 65.97 and 11.22µg g^(–1),respectively.Tree species influenced the number of SM-PLFA biomarkers but not the SM biomass.The number of SM-PLFA biomarkers of C.pubescens was significantly higher than that of other species(P<0.05);the numbers of SM-PLFA biomarkers amongst other species showed no significant difference.Microbial biomass showed no relationships with the soil physiochemical properties of nutrient-rich surface soils but positively correlated(P<0.05)with soil organic carbon,nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in deeper soils.The karst forest in the plateau-surface terrain of central Guizhou Province presented a low fungal-to-bacterial ratio,low microbial biomass storage and high microbial community diversity.Specific tree species affect the SM community diversity in this kind of karst forest.