Researchers propose that high-energy particles from solar storms can create sparking, altering the moon's polar soil and potentially reactivating permanently shadowed regions. This 'breakdown weathering' process could change our understanding of planetary evolution in extremely cold regions.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change reveals that long-term warming has little effect on the storage of carbon in tropical forest soils. The research suggests that warmer temperatures stimulate an increase in leaf litter and underground sources of carbon, offsetting any potential losses in soil carbon.
The release of worldwide maps of soil moisture by NASA's Aquarius instrument showcases how wetness of the land changes with seasons and weather phenomena. This data is essential for understanding the climate system and has potential applications in advancing climate models, weather forecasts, drought monitoring, and water management.
Researchers estimate that the reduction of soil carbon stock caused by converting pasture areas to sugarcane plantations can be offset within two or three years. The study found that the introduction of sugarcane to pasture areas can compensate for or even add to the initial soil carbon stock, depending on management practices.
Researchers at Clemson University discovered that kudzu invasion releases stored carbon into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change. In contrast, Japanese knotweed's impact is less pronounced due to its litter chemistry regulating soil biological activity.
Scientists have discovered a new species of spider in Mexico that uses soil particles for camouflage. The Paratropis tuxtlensis has an exoskeleton covered in soil particles, which helps to protect it from predators and deceive its prey.
Researchers found that most genes from soil bacteria are not poised to contribute to antibiotic resistance in infectious bacteria. The study suggests that sharing of these genes between species is rare, and gene sharing may be driven by exposure to new antibiotics.
Research found that elevated CO2 levels accelerate plant growth, leading to more CO2 absorption through photosynthesis. This new understanding suggests that natural processes may not slow global warming as previously thought.
A team of researchers found that some studies have shown no-till systems without cover crops may not increase soil organic carbon stocks as claimed. The review suggests that different definitions and methods can lead to conflicting findings, and the accuracy of determining soil organic carbon sequestration depends on the method used.
Researchers found that soil pH, iron concentrations, and total cadmium levels are excellent predictors of biologically available cadmium for plants. Increasing soil acidity can also release more cadmium into the soil, while iron oxides bind it tightly.
Researchers tracked drought dynamics in the US using a new Event-based Spatial-Temporal Data Model (ESTDM), which analyzed four years of European Space Agency's soil moisture and ocean salinity data. The study aims to predict future drought events by identifying patterns of spreading drought.
A new study from IIASA and the University of Vienna suggests that soil microbes can break down organic matter more efficiently, emitting fewer carbon dioxide emissions. This finding has significant implications for understanding climate feedbacks and the role of soil in the global carbon cycle.
A new study highlights the need for clear information on managing contaminants in urban soils to protect consumers and gardeners. Researchers found that gardeners generally recognize the importance of knowing a site's prior uses but lack expertise to determine accurately potential contaminants.
Researchers discovered specific soil microbes that hinder the growth of ragweed, a common weed in eastern US. By using plants that attract these microorganisms, farmers may be able to create 'weed-suppressive soils' and reduce weed growth.
Researchers created a robotic clam called RoboClam that can burrow into undersea soil using little energy. By mimicking the movement of an Atlantic razor clam, RoboClam can liquefy the soil around its shell, reducing drag and allowing it to move quickly and efficiently.
Elsevier has launched a new journal, Geoderma Regional, which focuses on regional soil science research. The journal aims to increase understanding and scientific knowledge of soils in all regions worldwide. It will publish original research articles and reviews on various aspects of soil science.
Research reveals that oxidation reaction between atmospheric iron oxide reduces soil plasticity, sensitivity, and structural yield stress. The transformation is caused by micro-structure remodeling, not inherent mineral changes, and has potential adverse effects on soil stability.
A moderate loss of soil microbes may compromise key ecosystem functions and lower toxin degradation. Research found that specialized bacterial functions are not as effective without a rich diversity of soil bacteria.
Scientists found that warming soil by 2 degrees Celsius alters microbial DNA to enhance carbon handling. The study reveals complex interactions between plants and microbes, impacting climate change predictions.
Researchers at TUM discovered that carbon binds to small mineral particles with rough surfaces, leading to preferential spots for sequestration. The study used a mass spectrometer to visualize and compare soil structures, revealing areas with high carbon content.
Research by Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute scientist Benjamin Turner and colleagues reveals that fungi are a key driver of soil carbon storage. Fungi can lead to 70% more carbon in the soil by accessing organic forms of nitrogen, limiting the activity of microorganisms that break down dead organic matter.
A team of scientists used advanced mathematical modeling techniques to understand the precise role of soil structure in water uptake by crops. They found that flow properties near the surface of aggregates are a key factor determining overall flow properties in soil.
The productivity of many lands has been dramatically reduced due to soil erosion, salinity accumulation, and nutrient depletion. A sustainable approach to agriculture is needed to maintain soil fertility and address climate change and biodiversity loss.
A global study of 224 dryland sites in 16 countries predicts that increasing aridity will disturb the balance of nutrients in the soil, leading to a reduction in carbon and nitrogen and an increase in phosphorus. This imbalance will have severe effects on essential soil processes, particularly in areas with reduced plant cover.
A study has found that potassium chloride (KCl) fertilization is seldom effective in increasing grain yield and can even lead to significant yield reduction. The research also highlights the potential negative impacts of KCl on soil health, including increased cadmium accumulation and changes in soil physical properties.
In Tacoma, Washington, community gardens have increased by 14 to 34 in three years despite initial concerns about contaminated soils. Experts like Kristen McIvor use soil testing and provide biosolid-based products to educate growers and reduce contamination fears.
Researchers discover sodium lignosulfonate can immobilize and remove toxic chromium compounds from contaminated soil and water. The compound reduces chromium mobility, making it less likely to leach into waterways.
Invasive plant species alter soil chemistry and nutrient cycling, facilitating their establishment. Microbial agents associated with invasive plants change soil biogeochemistry and enable their continued growth.
A new study reveals that earthworms can survive for up to three weeks without water by entering a state of estivation, where they reduce their surface area exposure and seal themselves in a mucus-lined chamber. After rewetting, the earthworms were able to recover and regain their weight.
A recent study of hundreds of soil samples from Rhode Island found that surface lead concentrations do not always accurately reflect contamination at depths below the soil surface. The research highlights the need for more comprehensive sampling methods to ensure public safety, particularly in areas with legacy lead-painted water towers.
A team of researchers found multiple roundworm eggs in soil samples taken from Richard III's pelvis, indicating a genuine infection. The presence of no eggs in skull soil and few in surrounding grave soil suggests the infection was internal, not from external contamination.
Research by scientists at The University of Manchester and Lancaster shows maintaining healthy soil biodiversity can play a key role in optimising land management programmes. The study found consistent links between soil organisms and ecosystem functioning on a large scale, across European countries.
A new computer model developed by a UCI-led team accurately accounts for bacteria and fungi's impact on soil carbon, leading to more reliable forecasts. The model suggests two novel scenarios: soil accumulating or releasing carbon due to microbial growth changes with temperature.
Researchers discovered that soil microbial biomass and fungal activity increased as the soil aged, with correlations between microbial respiration and soil nitrogen content indicating a community-wide influence on the environment. Yellow mountain avens, which support nitrogen fixation, took 40 years to impact soil microbial biomass.
A new study reveals that changing crop species massively alters the content of microbes in the soil, helping plants acquire nutrients and regulate growth. Soil grown with peas was highly enriched for fungi, while oat and pea cultivation shifted the balance towards protozoa and nematode worms.
Researchers compared nutrient and sediment loss from no-till, conventional tillage, and reduced-input rotation watersheds, finding that no-till reduces soil erosion but may increase dissolved phosphorus. Reduced-input rotations strike a balance between conventional tillage and no-till, but led to higher levels of soil loss.
A recent study published in Nature found that the Arctic tundra's carbon storage has remained relatively stable despite two decades of slow and steady warming. The researchers attributed this unexpected resilience to increased plant growth and changing soil conditions, which facilitated stabilizing feedbacks to offset soil carbon loss.
A recent study found that fertilizers with inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus increase soil organic carbon stocks, but do not enhance soil aggregate stability. Researchers tested continuous corn plots under conventional tillage and high water inputs for 50 years, revealing a mixed picture of fertilizer benefits.
A new study found that large, hot fires do not necessarily lead to scorched soil. Instead, the soil temperature is affected by factors such as fire speed, heat travel direction, and landscape moisture content. This counterintuitive result could help forest managers plan controlled burns more effectively.
Research finds that a significant proportion of black carbon in soil dissolves into rivers and flows to the ocean, undermining efforts to use soil as a carbon sink. The study estimated that 27 million tons of black carbon flow from rivers to oceans annually.
New research found that planting trees on non-forested lands significantly increases soil carbon levels. This effect is most pronounced after surface mining and industrial processes have been terminated, leading to doubling of soil carbon within two decades.
A study in Montana found that grazing sheep during fallow seasons can improve soil chemistry, increasing calcium, sulfur, and electrical conductivity. Grazing also had no negative effects on soil organic matter and crop yields, with the sheep returning phosphorus and potassium to the soil through their feces and urine.
A new protocol has been developed to measure soil organic carbon sequestration more accurately. The protocol considers the impact of tillage practices on soil organic carbon storage and loss over time.
Researchers from Oklahoma State University created a reliable 'calendar' of seasonal drought patterns that can help farmers avoid costly losses to drought conditions. By considering soil properties and water deficits, the study found that traditional atmospheric measurements underestimated drought probabilities.
The loss of hemlock trees due to exotic pests and pathogens has an unexpected benefit: it allows hardwood species to thrive by releasing phosphorus into the soil. However, this shift also leads to increased nitrogen leaching from the soil, which can harm aquatic organisms.
Researchers found that 40% of microbial biomass is converted to organic soil components, contradicting the long-held view that plant material is the primary source. The study discovered that bacterial cell wall fragments contribute significantly to soil fertility and carbon storage.
Researchers have discovered a soil bacterium that degrades the common veterinary antibiotic sulfamethazine and uses it for growth. This finding challenges existing theories on antibiotic resistance and suggests that soil bacteria may be capable of breaking down antibiotics more rapidly, potentially reducing their impacts.
Soil respiration in China varies significantly across regions, with the highest rates found in southeastern China and lowest in northwestern China. Precipitation and temperature also play a crucial role in controlling soil respiration, with increasing variability expected under warming scenarios.
A CU-led effort is transplanting biological soil crusts onto damaged military lands in the American West. The goal is to decrease erosion and increase water retention and soil fertility in these areas. The research team will evaluate the effectiveness of such soil inoculations and determine the optimal dosage for field test sites.
A team of researchers used advanced soil analysis to uncover evidence of ancient Maya maize production in lowland areas, but also found signs of erosion in steeper soils. This study demonstrates the power of modern soil science in understanding past civilizations' treatment of the land and its impact on food security.
Researchers found that alfalfa growth stops when soil copper sulfate levels exceed 500 ppm and beneficial bacterial activity declines above 50 ppm. Crops irrigated with cattle footbath wastewater can accumulate plant-available copper levels up to 63 ppm, posing potential harm to grazing livestock.
Underground organisms like arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi play a dual role in soil carbon sequestration, both storing and releasing carbon as atmospheric carbon levels rise. The study challenges assumptions about their protective effects on organic carbon.
The Soil Science Society of America has announced its 2012 class of fellows, comprising 26 soil scientists from around the world. These distinguished professionals have made significant contributions to the field of soil science through their research, teaching, and extension work.
Agricultural Research Service scientist David Huggins found that standing crop residues on no-till farms increase snow cover uniformity, leading to more uniform soil water distribution and higher soil water recharge rates. This can result in increased winter wheat yield potential by up to 13 bushels per acre.
Researchers at ORNL have developed a new carbon cycling model that accounts for microbes' role in releasing CO2 from the ground, improving scientists' understanding of future climate change. The MEND model simulates carbon cycle processes and estimates parameters based on comprehensive literature review.
A Purdue University study found that soil microbes can affect how glyphosate affects plants, potentially making resistant weeds more resistant to disease pressure. This discovery challenges existing understanding of glyphosate resistance and highlights the importance of considering soil microbes in weed management.
Deep cracks in soil can remain open underground even after they have visibly sealed on the surface, a new study has found. This persistence of cracks affects the flow of water and nutrients through the soil, leading to reduced crop productivity.
A new study reveals that wind erosion can carry away beneficial microbes from soil, reducing microbial diversity and depleting topsoil of essential bacteria. However, certain groups of microbes, such as Actinobacteria, remain in the parent soil despite erosive conditions.
Researchers found genetically modified Bt corn has lower colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal roots compared to non-Bt corn, but no impact on root biomass or shoot growth. This study contributes to understanding the effects of GM crops on non-target soil organisms and highlights the need for further research.
Soil arsenic levels and cancer rates have been linked by researchers, highlighting the need for recorded monitoring of environmental sources. Ongoing exposure to arsenic in soil is thought to contribute to childhood cancers in the Goldfields region of Victoria.