Chemical Properties and Biochemical Activity of Colonized and Abandoned Litter-Feeding Termite(Macrotermes spp.) Mounds in Chromic Cambisol Area on the Borana Plateau, Ethiopia

Termite （Macrotermes spp.） mounds are complex biological habitats originated by the termite activity and possessing peculiar physical, chemical and biochemical properties. In this study we examined the concentration of nutrients and the biochemical activity of abandoned soil and mounds colonized by termites of the genera Macroterrnes located in the Borana District, Ethiopia. To elucidate the magnitude and persistence of the termite-induced effects, we also studied an abandoned mound, previously colonized by termites of the same genera formed on the same soil. Results confirmed that termite-colonized mounds are ＇hot spots＇ of nutrient concentration and microbial activity in tropical soils. This is due to the termite driven litter input and decomposition. The abandoned mounds showed higher microbial biomass and activity and displayed a nutrient redistribution and a greater microbial activity than the adjacent soils. These findings allowed us to hypothesize a model of nutrient cycling in colonized soils and a partition of the relative roles of termites and soil microorganisms in nutrient location and turnover in tropical soils. These results may be also useful for the optimal management of termite-colonized soils.

Biosolid Application to Agricultural Land a Contribution to Global Phosphorus Recycle： A Review

Phosphorus(P) is an essential nutrient required for plant development.Continuous population growth and rising global demand for food are expected to increase the demand for phosphate fertilizers.However,high-quality phosphate rock reserves are progressively becoming scarce.Part of the increased pressure on P resources could be alleviated by recycling P present in biosolids.Therefore,it is crucial to understand the dynamics of P in biosolid-amended soils,the effects of residual biosolid-borne P in soils,the way in which microorganisms may control P dynamics in biosolid-amended soils and the environmental implications of the use of biosolids as a source of P.Further research is needed to maximize biosolid-borne P uptake by crops and minimize its loss from biosolid-amended soils.The analysis of the microbiological control of P dynamics in biosolid-amended soils indicates interactions of biosolid P with other nutrients such as carbon(C) and nitrogen(N),suggesting that harmonization of the current regulation on the use of biosolids in agriculture,mainly based on total N and pollutant contents,is needed to better recycle P in agriculture.

Assessment of Methods for Determining Bioavailability of Trace Elements in Soils: A Review

Trace element-contaminated soils(TECSs) are one of the consequences of the past industrial development worldwide. Excessive exposure to trace elements(TEs) represents a permanent threat to ecosystems and humans worldwide owing to the capacity of metal(loid)s to cross the cell membranes of living organisms and of human epithelia, and their interference with cell metabolism.Quantification of TE bioavailability in soils is complicated due to the polyphasic and reactive nature of soil constituents. To unravel critical factors controlling soil TE bioavailability and to quantify the ecological toxicity of TECSs, TEs are pivotal for evaluating excessive exposure or deficiencies and controlling the ecological risks. While current knowledge on TE bioavailability and related cumulative consequences is growing, the lack of an integrated use of this concept still hinders its utilization for a more holistic view of ecosystem vulnerability and risks for human health. Bioavailability is not generally included in models for decision making in the appraisal of TECS remediation options. In this review we describe the methods for determining the TE bioavailability and technological developments, gaps in current knowledge, and research needed to better understand how TE bioavailability can be controlled by sustainable TECS management altering key chemical properties, which would allow policy decisions for environmental protection and risk management.