Nutrients in litterfall,forest floor and mineral soils in two adjacent forest ecosystems in Greece

The fluxes of masses and the nutrients Ca,Mg,K,N,P and S were determined in the litterfall of two adjacent forest ecosystems of Hungarian oak(Quercus frainetto L.)and European beech(Fagus sylvatica L.)in a mountainous area of northeastern Greece in 2010–2015.The foliar litterfall for both species reached about 70%of the total litterfall,and was significantly higher from the other two fractions(woody and rest litterfall).The fluxes of masses and nutrients were compared between ecosystems for each fraction separately.Only one significant statistical difference was found,that of K in the woody litterfall.In addition,the stocks of masses and nutrients were calculated in the forest floors and mineral soils of the two ecosystems.Likewise,the stocks of nutrients in the forest floors and mineral soils were compared between ecosystems.In the L horizon of the forest floors,statistical differences,as a result of species effect,were found for the stocks of Ca and N.In the FH horizons,the masses and all the nutrient stocks differed significantly,as the beech plot had much higher quantities of organic matter and nutrients.These higher quantities were probably due to low soil temperatures(microclimate)and high acidity in the beech plot(species effect)that slowed down decomposition.In the mineral soils,the propagation of random error derived from random errors of the individual soil layers was an important factor in the statistical comparisons.Because of the soil acidity in the beech plot,the stocks of exchangeable base cations were significantly higher in the oak plot,whereas the other nutrient stocks did not differ.

Pedoecological Regularities of Organic Carbon Retention in Estonian Mineral Soils

Soil organic carbon (SOC) retaining capacities of epipedon (EP), subsoil (SS) and soil cover (SC) as a whole, are soil type specific. Depending on individual and sites characteristics, the generalized humus status indices of soil types (EP and SC thickness and SOC stocks) may vary. Land use and land use change primarily influence the properties and fabric of the EP, but the humus status (SOC concentration and stock, fabric of horizons) of the SS remains practically unchangeable. The mean mineral soils SOC stocks, EP quality and SOC distribution in soil profiles depend mainly on the water regime, mineral composition (texture, calcareousness), development of eluvial processes and the land use peculiarities of soils. The mean area weighted SC SOC stock of Estonian mineral soils is 99.9 Mg ha–1, thereby the mean hydromorphic soils SOC retention capacity considerably exceeds the SOC retention capacity of automorphic soils (means are accordingly 127.5 and 78.9 Mg ha–1). The sustainable management of SOC is based on adequate information about actual SOC stocks and theoretically established or optimal humus status levels of soil types. The aggregate of SOC retained in the mineral soils of Estonia (3,235,100 ha) amounts to 323 ± 46 Tg (1 Tg = 1012 g). Approximately 42% of this is sequestered into stabilized humus, 40% into instable raw-humous material and 18% into forest (grassland) floor and shallow peat layers.

Effects of Nitrogen Treatments on Organic Carbon Mineralization of Citrus Orchard Soil

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effect of soil organic carbon mineralization at different temperature on the amount of nitrogen application, in order to provide references for the establishment of carbon circulation model for orchard eco-system. [Method] The effects of nitrogen treatments on soil organic carbon mineralization of citrus orchard soil were investigated under 10, 20, 30 ℃ by laboratory simulated experiment. [Result] The mineralization rate decreased quickly at the be- ginning of the experiment but remained stable at the late period under three temper- ature treatments. The amounts of CO2 ranged from 1 328.25-2 219.42 mg/kg under three temperature condition, and the amount of soil organic carbon mineralization of 100 mg/kg （N4） treatment was the greatest, while that of CK was the lowest. High level nitrogen treatment （N4 and N3） were significant higher than the lower level nitro- gen treatment （N2 and N1）. The soil organic carbon mineralization rate increased with the temperature from 10 to 30℃. The dependence of soil carbon mineralization to temperature （Q10） was different under different nitrogen treatments that the Qlo value of N2 treatment was the lowest while that of the N4 treatment was the greatest. The soil organic carbon mineralization in Citrus orange orchard soil was affected significantly by high level nitrogen treatment, but with no significance under lower nitrogen treatment. [Conclusion] The dependence of soil carbon mineralization to temperature （Q10） increased with the increasing nitrogen input. The combination of nitrogen with temperature may increase the CO2 emission from Citrus orchard soil.

Nutrient Release Characteristics of Vinyl Chloride-Vinyl acetate Copolymers Coated SlowRelease Nitrogen Fertilizer and Its Effect on Soil Mineral Nitrogen

[Objective] The aim was to explore release characteristics of vinyl chlo- ride-vinyl acetate copolymer controlled-release N fertilizer and the effects on minerat nitrogen in soils. [Method] Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer and hydroxyl-modi- fied VCNAc were taken as coating materials to prepare slow release fertilizer. Nutri- ent release characteristics of VC/VAc slow release fertilizer was evaluated by water immersion method and the effects of VC/VAc slow release fertilizer on mineral ni- trogen were researched by pot experiment. [Result] The release periods of VC-VAc controlled-release urea and hydroxyl-modified VC/VAc coated urea were 60 and 50 d, respectively. Furthermore, the content of ammonium nitrogen reached the peak on the 30th d and the content of nitrate nitrogen reached the peak on the 60th d in soils in treatments with VCNAc and hydroxyl-modified VC/VAc; the content of nitrate nitrogen rose again on the 120th d in the treatment with VC/VAc. In terms of wheat yield, different treatments showed insignificant differences and rice yield in the treatment with VCNAc was significantly higher than that in the treatment with hy- droxyl-modified VCNAc （P〈0.05）. [Conclusion] The release days of slow controlled- release fertilizer vary upon pot experiment method and water immersion method. Slow controlled-release fertilizer is not suitable for monoculture, due to long fertilizer efficiency, but multiple cropping would be optimal for its role to be fully exploited.

Microbial Biomass Carbon Trends in Black and Red Soils Under Single Straw Application: Effect of Straw Placement, Mineral N Addition and Tillage

Quantifying trends in soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) undercontrasting management conditions is important in understanding thedynamics of soil organic matter (SOM) in soils and in ensuring theirsustainable use. Against such a background, a 60-day greenhousesimulation experiment was carried out to study the effects of strawplacement, mineral N source, and tillage on SMBC dynamics in twocontrasting soils, red sol (Ferrasol) and black soil (Acrisol). Thetreatments included straw addition + buried (T1); straw addition +mineral N (T2); and straw addition + tillage (T3).

Yield and Nicotine Content of Flue-Cured Tobacco as Affected by Soil Nitrogen Mineralization

Nitrogen(N)supply is the most important factor affecting yield and quality of flue-cured tobacco(FCT).A field experiment and an in situ incubation method were used to study the effects of soil N mineralization in the later stages of growth on yield and nicotine content of FCT in Fenggang and Jinsha,Guizhou Province.The yield and market value of FCT at Fenggang were much lower than those at Jinsha.However,the nicotine content of middle and upper leaves was much higher at Fenggang than at Jinsha when the same rate of fertilizer N was applied,which might be due to a higher N supply capacity at the Fenggang site.At later stages of growth(7-16 weeks after transplanting),the soil net N mineralization at Fenggang(56 kg N ha^(-1))was almost double that at Jinsha(30 kg N ha^(-1)).While soil NH_4-N and NO_3-N were almost exhausted by the plants or leached 5 weeks after transplanting,the N taken up at the later growth stages at Fenggang were mainly derived from soil N mineralization,which contributed to a high nicotine content in the upper leaves.The order of soil N contribution to N buildup in different leaves was:upper leaves>middle leaves>lower leaves.Thus,soil N mineralization at late growth stages was an important factor affecting N accumulation and therefore the nicotine content in the upper leaves.

Interactive effects of soil temperature and moisture on soil N mineralization in a Stipa krylovii grassland in Inner Mongolia, China

Determining soil N mineralization response to soil temperature and moisture changes is challenging in the field due to complicated effects from other factors. In the laboratory, N mineralization is highly dependent on temperature, moisture and sample size. In this study, a laboratory incubation experiment was carefully designed and conducted under controlled conditions to examine the effects of soil temperature and moisture on soil N mineralization using soil samples obtained from the Stipa krylovii grassland in Inner Mongolia, China. Five temperature（i.e. 9℃, 14℃, 22℃, 30℃ and 40℃） and five moisture levels（i.e. 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% WHC, where WHC is the soil water holding capacity） were included in a full-factorial design. During the 71-day incubation period, microbial biomass carbon（MBC）, ammonium nitrogen（NH4 ^＋-N） and nitrate nitrogen（NO3^--N） were measured approximately every 18 days; soil basal respiration for qCO2 index was measured once every 2 days（once a week near the end of the incubation period）. The results showed that the mineral N production and net N mineralization rates were positively correlated with temperature; the strongest correlation was observed for temperatures between 30℃ and 40℃. The relationships between moisture levels and both the mineral N production and net N mineralization rates were quadratic. The interaction between soil temperature and moisture was significant on N mineralization, i.e. increasing temperatures（moisture） enhanced the sensitivity of N mineralization to moisture（temperature）. Our results also showed a positive correlation between the net nitrification rate and temperature, while the correlation between the NH4 ^＋-N content and temperature was insignificant. The net nitrification rate was negatively correlated with high NH4 ^＋-N contents at 80%–100% WHC, suggesting an active denitrification in moist conditions. Moreover, qCO2 index was positively correlated with temperature, especially at 80% WHC. With a low net nitrification rate and high soil basal respiration rate, it was likely that the denitrification concealed the microbial gross mineralization activity; therefore, active soil N mineralization occurred in 60%–80% WHC conditions.

Spatial Heterogeneity of Soil Mineral Oxide Components in Depression Between Karst Hills,Southwest China

In karst regions,the spatial heterogeneity of soil mineral oxides and environmental variables is still not clear.We investigated the spatial heterogeneity of SiO2,Al2O3,Fe2O3,CaO,MgO,P2O5,K2O,and MnO contents in the soils of slope land,plantation forest,secondary forest,and primary forest,as well as their relationships with environmental variables in a karst region of Southwest China.Geostatistics,principal component analysis(PCA),and canonical correlation analysis(CCA)were applied to analyze the field data.The results show that SiO2was the predominant mineral in the soils(45.02%–67.33%),followed by Al2O3and Fe2O3.Most soil mineral oxide components had a strong spatial dependence,except for CaO,MgO,and P2O5in the plantation forest,MgO and P2O5in the secondary forest,and CaO in the slope land.Dimensionality reduction in PCA was not appropriate due to the strong spatial heterogeneity in the ecosystems.Soil mineral oxide components,the main factors in all ecosystems,had greater influences on vegetation than those of conventional soil properties.There were close relationships between soil mineral oxide components and vegetation,topography,and conventional soil properties.Mineral oxide components affected species diversity,organic matter and nitrogen levels.

Soil Organic Carbon and Its Fractions Across Vegetation Types:Effects of Soil Mineral Surface Area and Microaggregates

Soil organic carbon(SOC)can act as a sink or source of atmospheric carbon dioxide;therefore,it is important to understand the amount and composition of SOC in terrestrial ecosystems,the spatial variation in SOC,and the underlying mechanisms that stabilize SOC.In this study,density fractionation and acid hydrolysis were used to assess the spatial variation in SOC,the heavy fraction of organic carbon(HFOC),and the resistant organic carbon(ROC)in soils of the southern Hulun Buir region,northeastern China,and to identify the major factors that contribute to this variation.The results showed that as the contents of clay and silt particles(0–50μm)increased,both methylene blue(MB)adsorption by soil minerals and microaggregate contents increased in the 0–20 and 20–40 cm soil layers(P<0.05).Although varying with vegetation types,SOC,HFOC,and ROC contents increased significantly with the content of clay and silt particles, MB adsorption by soil minerals,and microaggregate content(P<0.05),suggesting that soil texture,the MB adsorption by soil minerals,and microaggregate abundance might be important factors influencing the spatial heterogeneity of carbon contents in soils of the southern Hulun Buir region.

Soil mineral nitrogen and yield-scaled soil N2O emissions lowered by reducing nitrogen application and intercropping with soybean for sweet maize production in southern China

The increasing demand for fresh sweet maize （Zea mays L. saccharata） in southern China has prioritized the need to find solutions to the environmental pollution caused by its continuous production and high inputs of chemical nitrogen fertilizers. A promising method for improving crop production and environmental conditions is to intercrop sweet maize with legumes. Here, a three-year field experiment was conducted to assess the influence of four different cropping systems （sole sweet maize （SS）, sole soybean （SB）, two rows sweet maize-three rows soybean （S2B3） intercropping, and two rows sweet maize-four rows soybean （S2B4） intercropping）, together with two rates of N fertilizer application （300 and 360 kg N ha-1） on grain yield, residual soil mineral N, and soil N2O emissions in southern China. Results showed that in most case, inter- cropping achieved yield advantages （total land equivalent ratio （TLER=0.87-1.25） was above one）. Moreover, intercropping resulted in 39.8% less soil mineral N than SS at the time of crop harvest, averaged over six seasons （spring and autumn in each of the three years of the field experiment）. Generally, intercropping and reduced-N application （300 kg N ha-1） produced lower cumulative soil N20 and yield-scaled soil N20 emissions than SS and conventionaI-N application （360 kg N ha-l）, respectively. $2B4 intercropping with reduced-N rate （300 kg N ha-~） showed the lowest cumulative soil N20 （mean value=0.61 kg ha-1） and yield-scaled soil N20 （mean value=0.04 kg t-1） emissions. Overall, intercropping with reduced-N rate maintained sweet maize production, while also reducing environmental impacts. The system of S2B4 intercropping with reduced-N rate may be the most sustainable and environmentally friendly cropping system.

Effect of forest thinning on soil net nitrogen mineralization and nitrification in a Cryptomeria japonica plantation in Taiwan

We investigated the effect of forest thinning on soil nitrogen mineralization, nitrification and transformation in a Cryptomeria japoni-ca plantation at high elevation to provide basic data for forest manage-ment. We chose four study plots for control, light, medium and heavy thinning treatment, and three sub-plots for buried bag studies at similar elevations in each treatment plot to measure the net N mineralization and nitrification rates in situ. The contents of soil inorganic N （ammonium and nitrate） were similar between treatments, but all varied with season, reaching maxima in September 2003 and 2004. The seasonal maximum net Nmin rates after four treatments were 0.182, 0.246, 0.303 and 0.560 mg？kg-1？d-1 in 2003, and 0.242,0.258,0.411 and 0.671 mg？kg-1？d-1in 2004, respectively. These estimates are approximate with the lower annual rates of N mineralization for this region. Forest thinning can enhance net N mineralization and microbial biomass carbon. The percentage of annual rates of Nmin for different levels of forest thinning compared with the control plot were 13.4%, 59.8%and 154.2%in 2003, and 0.1%, 58.8%and 157.7%in 2004 for light, medium, and heavy thinning, respectively. These differences were related to soil moisture, temperature, precipita-tion, and soil and vegetation types. Well-planned multi-site comparisons, both located within Taiwan and the East-Asia region, could greatly im-prove our knowledge of regional patterns in nitrogen cycling.

Composition and mineralization of soil organic carbon pools in four single-tree species forest soils

Forest soil carbon （C） is an important compo- nent of the global C cycle. However, the mechanism by which tree species influence soil organic C （SOC） pool composition and mineralization is poorly understood. To understand the effect of tree species on soil C cycling, we assessed total, labile, and recalcitrant SOC pools, SOC chemical composition by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and SOC mineralization in four monoculture plantations. Labile and recalcitrant SOC pools in surface （0-10 cm） and deep （40-60 cm） soils in the four forests contained similar content. In contrast, these SOC pools exhibited differences in the subsurface soil （from 10 to 20 cm and from 20 to 40 cm）. The alkyl C and O-alkyl C intensities of SOC were higher in Schima superba and Michelia macclurei forests than in Cunninghamia lanceolata and Pinus massoniana forests. In surface soil, S. superba and M. macclurei forests exhibited higher SOC mineralization rates than did P. massoniana and C.lanceolata forests. The slope of the straight line between C60 and labile SOC was steeper than that between C60 and total SOC. Our results suggest that roots affected the composition of SOC pools. Labile SOC pools also affected SOC mineralization to a greater extent than total SOC pools.

Soil-nitrogen net mineralization increased after nearly six years of continuous nitrogen additions in a subtropical bamboo ecosystem

In order to understand the effects of increasing atmospheric nitrogen （N） deposition on the subtropical bamboo ecosystem, a nearly six-year field experiment was conducted in a Pleioblastus amarus plantation in the rainy region of SW China, near the western edge of Sichuan Basin. Four N treatment levels---control （no N added）, low- N （50 kg N ha-1 a-l）, medium-N （150 kg N ha-1 a-l）, and high-N （300 kg N ha-1 a-1）--were applied monthly in the P. amarus plantation starting in November 2007. In June 2012, we collected intact soil cores in the bamboo plantation and conducted a 30-day laboratory incubation experiment. The results showed that the soil N net miner- alization rate was 0.96 4- 0.10 mg N kg-1 day-1, under control treatment. N additions stimulated the soil N net mineralization, and the high-N treatment significantly increased the soil N net mineralization rate compared with the control. Moreover, the soil N net mineralization rate was significantly and positively correlated with the fine root biomass, the soil microbial biomass nitrogen content and the soil initial inorganic N content, respectively,whereas it was negatively correlated with the soil pH value. There were no significant relationships between the soil N net mineralization rate and the soil total nitrogen （TN） content and the soil total organic carbon content and the soil C/N ratio and the soil microbial biomass carbon con- tent, respectively. These results suggest that N additions would improve the mineral N availability in the topsoil of the P. amarus plantation through the effects of N additions on soil chemical and physical characteristics and fine-root biomass.

Effects of Litter Removal and Addition on Soil Nitrogen Mineralization of Eucalyptus Plantation

[Objectives]This study was conducted to understand the process of soil nitrogen mineralization in Eucalyptus plantations,and to identify the characteristics of soil nitrogen mineralization with different litter inputs.[Methods]With the soil of the Eucalyptus plantation in Fusui County,Guangxi as the research object,the soil nitrogen mineralization of the Eucalyptus plantation under different litter treatments(removing litter,adding litter and retaining litter)was studied by PVC tube closed-top in-situ incubation.[Results]①After 1 year of litter treatment,the inorganic nitrogen(NH_(4)^(+)-N+NO_(3)^(-)-N)in the soil of different treatments ranked as adding litter(20.15 mg/kg)>retaining litter(16.02 mg/kg)>removing litter(11.60) mg/kg),and the differences reached a significant level(P<0.05).②After 30 d of in-situ incubation,there were significant differences in soil nitrate nitrogen content before and after incubation in the three treatments(removing litter,adding litter,and retaining litter)before and after incubation(P<0.05),but no significant differences were observed in soil ammonium nitrogen content(P>0.05).Soil nitrate nitrogen contents increased from 1.47,2.01 and 1.72 mg/kg before incubation to 3.66,6.73 and 5.02 mg/kg,respectively,and soil ammonium nitrogen content increased from 11.60,20.15 and 16.02 mg/kg before incubation to 13.65,21.54 and 17.18 mg/kg,respectively.The net nitrogen mineralization quantities of the three treatments were 4.24,6.11 and 4.46 mg/kg,respectively,and the net nitrogen mineralization rates from large to small were adding litter[0.180 mg/(kg·d)]>retaining litter[0.141 mg/(kg·d)]>removing litter[0.125 mg/(kg·d)].Therefore,both removal and addition of litter affected the soil nitrogen input and nitrogen mineralization rate of the Eucalyptus plantation,thereby affecting soil nitrogen availability and the ability of soil to maintain plant-available nitrogen.[Conclusions]This study provides a theoretical basis for nutrient management in Eucalyptus plantations,especially nitrogen nutrient management.

Effect of fertigation frequency on soil nitrogen distribution and tomato yield under alternate partial root-zone drip irrigation

Alternate partial root-zone drip fertigation (ADF) is a combination of alternating irrigation and drip fertigation,with the potential to save water and increase nitrogen (N) fertilizer efficiency.A 2-year greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different fertigation frequencies on the distribution of soil moisture and nutrients and tomato yield under ADF.The treatments included three ADF frequencies with intervals of 3 days (F3),6 days (F6) and 12 days (F12),and conventional drip fertigation as a control (CK),which was fertilized once every 6 days.For the ADF treatments,two drip tapes were placed 10 cm away on each side of the tomato row,and alternate drip irrigation was realized using a manual valve on the distribution tapes.For the CK treatment,a drip tape was located close to the roots of the tomato plants.The total N application rate of all treatments was 180 kg ha^(-1).The total irrigation amounts applied to the CK treatment were450.6 and 446.1 mm in 2019 and 2020,respectively;and the irrigation amounts applied to the ADF treatments were 60%of those of the CK treatment.The F3 treatment resulted in water and N being distributed mainly in the 0–40-cm soil layer with less water and N being distributed in the 40–60-cm soil layer.The F6 treatment led to 21.0 and 29.0%higher 2-year average concentration of mineral N in the 0–20 and 20–40-cm soil layer,respectively and a 23.0%lower N concentration in the 40–60-cm soil layer than in the CK treatment.The 2-year average tomato yields of the F3,F6,F12,and CK treatments were 107.5,102.6,87.2,and 98.7 t ha^(-1),respectively.The tomato yield of F3 was significantly higher (23.3%) than that in the F12 treatment,whereas there was no significant difference between the F3 and F6 treatment.The F6 treatment resulted in yield similar to the CK treatment,indicating that ADF could maintain tomato yield with a 40%saving in water use.Based on the distribution of water and N,and tomato yield,a fertigation frequency of 6 days under ADF should be considered as a water-saving strategy for greenhouse tomato production.

^(15)N NMR Spectroscopic Study on Nitrogen Forms in Humic Substances of Soils

Nitrogen forms of humic substances from a subalpine meadow soil, a latentic red soil and a weathered coal and the effect of acid hydrolysis on N structures of soil humic substances were studied by using 15N cross-polarization magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (CPMAS NMR) spectroscopy. Of the detectable 15N-signal intensity in the spectra of soil humic substances 71%-79% may be attributed to amide groups, 10%-18% to aromatic/aliphatic amines and 6%~11% to indole- and pyrrole-like N. Whereas in the spectrum of the fulvic acid from weathered coal 46%, at least, of the total 15N-signal intensity might be assigned to pyrrole-like N, 14% to aromatic/aliphatic ammes, and the remaining intensities could not be assigned with certainty. Data on nonhydrolyzable residue of protein-sugar mixture and a 15N-labelled soil fulvic acid confirm the formation of nonhydrolyzable heterocyclic N during acid hydrolysis. Project (No. 39790100) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Soil nitrogen transformations varied with plant community under Nanchang urban forests in mid-subtropical zone of China

Soil N transformations using the polyvinyl chloride （PVC） closed-top tube in situ incubation method were studied in Nanchang urban forests of the mid-subtropical region of China in different months of 2007. Four plots of 20 m × 20 m were established in four different plant communities that represented typical successional stages of forest development including shrubs, coniferous forest, mixed forest and broad- leaved forest. Average concentrations of soil NH4^＋-N from January to December were not different among the four plant communities. The concentrations of soil NO3^--N and mineral N, and the annual rotes of ammonification, nitrification and net N-mineralization under the early successional shrub community and coniferous forest were generally lower than that of the late successional mixed and broad-leaved forests （p〈0.05）. Similar differences among the plant communities were also shown in the relative nitrification index （NH4^＋-N/NO3^--N） and relative nitrification intensity （nitrification rate/net N-mineralization rate）. The annual net N-mineralization rate was increased from younger to older plant communities, from 15.1 and 41.4 kg.ha^-1.a^-1 under the shrubs and coniferous forest communities to 98.0 and 112.9 kg.ha^-1.a^-1 under the mixed and broad-leaved forests, respectively. Moreover, the high annual nitrification rates （50-70 kg.ha^-1.a^-1） and its end product, NO3-N （2.4-3.8 mg·kg^-1）, under older plant communities could increase the potential risk of N loss. Additionally, the temporal patterns of the different soil N variables mentioned above varied with different plant community due to the combined affects of natural biological processes associated with forest maturation and urbanization. Our results indicated that urban forests are moving towards a state of＂N saturation＂ （extremely niUification rate and NO3^--N content） as they mature.

Preservation of organic matter in soils of a climobiosequence in the Main Range of Peninsular Malaysia

Limited information is available about factors of soil organic carbon(SOC) preservation in soils along a climo-biosequence. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of soil texture and mineralogy on preservation of SOC in the topsoil and subsoil along a climo-biosequence in the Main Range of Peninsular Malaysia. Soil samples from the A and B-horizons of four representative soil profiles were subjected to particle-size fractionation and mineralogical analyses including X-ray diffraction and selective dissolution. The proportion of SOC in the 250-2000 μm fraction(SOC associated with coarse sand) decreased while the proportion of SOC in the <53 μm fraction(SOC associated with clay and silt)increased with depth. This reflected the importance of the fine mineral fractions of the soil matrix for SOC storage in the subsoil. Close relationships between the content of SOC in the <53 μm fraction and the content of poorly crystalline Fe oxides [oxalate-extractable Fe(Fe_o) – pyrophosphate-extractable Fe(Fe_p)] and poorly crystalline inorganic forms of Al [oxalateextractable Al(Al_o) – pyrophosphate-extractable Al(Al_p)] in the B-horizon indicated the importance of poorly crystalline Fe oxides and poorly crystalline aluminosilicates for the preservation of SOC in the Bhorizon. The increasing trend of Fe_o-Fe_p and Al_o-Al_p over elevation suggest that the importance of poorly crystalline Fe oxides and poorly crystalline aluminosilicates for the preservation of SOC in the Bhorizon increased with increasing elevation. This study demonstrates that regardless of differences in climate and vegetation along the studied climobiosequence, preservation of SOC in the subsoil depends on clay mineralogy.

The Degradation and Pollution of Soils on the Territory of the Kovykta Gas Condensate Field

In this paper, research results from the time interval 2002-2012 are used to give an account of the chemical composition of soils on the territory of the Kovykta gas condensate field. The findings presented provide a better understanding of the ecological state of soil cover, its resilience to anthropogenic impacts, and its possible disturbance caused by the drilling pad construction activity, and by the laying of geophysical profiles. An analysis of soil pollution for the study territory generally showed that the soils are polluted with chemical elements which refer to toxicity classes： Pb, Cu, Ni, Cr, Ba and Mn. High levels ofoil products were detected near boreholes. Strong mineralization was recorded in the soil near borehole. It has a chloride-sodium chemical composition. As a result of the construction of foundation pits, recesses, ditches and earth embankments, the soil is totally destroyed, and rock outcrops show up. Disturbances of the sod cover due to road construction or even by all-terrain vehicles in these extreme conditions entail an accelerated development of linear erosion to form scours and gullies. Elimination of the canopy layer leads to an increase in surface heating, and to an acceleration of permafrost thawing. Swamping is accelerated on negative relief forms due to the increased entry of melt waters.

N-cycle gene abundance determination of N mineralization rate following re-afforestation in the Loess Plateau of China

Afforestation effectively improved soil microbial communities and significantly increased soil nitro-gen mineralization rate(Rm).Soil microorganisms drive Rm by regulating soil N-cycling genes.Soil nitrification genes had a major effect on soil Rm than denitrification genes after afforestation.Assessing the function of forest ecosystems requires an understanding of the mechanism of soil nitrogen mineralization.However,it remains unclear how soil N-cycling genes drive soil nitrogen mineralization during afforestation.In this study,we collected soil samples from a chrono-sequence of 14,20,30,and 45 years of Robinia pseudoacacia L.(RP14,RP20,RP30,and RP45)with a sloped farmland(FL)as a control.Through metagenomic sequencing analysis,we found significant changes in the diversity and composition of soil microbial communities involved in N-cycling along the afforestation time series,with afforestation effectively increasing the diversity(both alpha and beta diversity)of soil microbial communities.We conducted indoor culture experiments and analyzed correlations,which revealed a significant increase in both soil nitrification rate(Rn)and soil nitrogen mineralization rate(Rm)with increasing stand age.Furthermore,we found a strong correlation between soil Rm and soil microbial diversity(both alpha and beta diversity)and with the abundance of soil N-cycling genes.Partial least squares path modeling(PLS-PM)analysis showed that nitrification genes(narH,narY,nxrB,narG,narZ,nxrA,hao,pmoC-amoC)and denitrification genes(norB,nosZ,nirK)had a greater direct effect on soil Rm compared to their effect on soil microbial communities.Our results reveal the relationships between soil nitrogen mineralization rate and soil microbial communities and between the mineralization rate and functional genes involved in N-cycling,in the context of Robinia pseudoacacia L.restoration on the Loess Plateau.This study enriches the understanding of the effects of microorganisms on soil nitrogen mineralization rate during afforestation and provides a new theoretical basis for evaluating soil nitrogen mineralization mechanisms during forest succession.