Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology found that biochar significantly reduces DDT uptake by earthworms in contaminated soil, halving the toxin's presence. This method could enable farming on land deemed unusable due to environmental risks.
A novel field experiment in Austria reveals that compounding climate conditions can fundamentally reshape how water moves through soils in temperate grasslands. Elevated atmospheric CO2 and warming disrupt post-drought soil water flow and grassland vegetation water use.
A new study has found that diversified cropping systems can increase nitrogen supply in the soil, but do not lead to increased soil carbon levels. The study, published in Nature Sustainability, used stable carbon isotopes to analyze soil core emissions and found that decomposition rates were higher in longer rotations.
New research reveals viruses play a significant role in carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles. Viral aggregation is proposed to describe the accumulation of lytic products in soil/sediment environments.
Researchers found that soil contains antibiotic resistance genes that can be transmitted to humans, making it a pressing public health threat. The study reveals how these genes spread through the environment and highlights the importance of understanding soil ecosystems to control antibiotic resistance.
A recent study highlights the importance of deep soil health in improving crop productivity on low-yielding farmland. Researchers found that improving surface soil health can increase wheat yield, while a complex microbial network is essential for maintaining soil health and crop productivity.
The study investigates organic amendments' decomposition in soils, revealing that mass loss patterns and microbial community characteristics impact carbon retention. Organic amendments enhance humification processes, affecting soil carbon storage.
A new long-term soil health survey in Uganda aims to understand the role of tenure security and plot decision-makers in soil health outcomes. The survey identifies differences in soil health between plots managed by women farmers and men farmers.
Researchers at the University of Oregon have designed a system to improve soil health in hazelnut farms, reducing the impact of climate change. By partnering with 20 farms across the Willamette Valley, they aim to demonstrate the ecological and economic benefits of native wildflowers and basalt dust amendments.
A new study by Rice University researchers found that invasive plants reshape soil microbial communities across the US, making them more uniform and disrupting ecological balance. The study highlights the critical belowground effects of invasive plants on soil health and biodiversity.
A machine learning model predicts soil behavior during earthquakes, identifying areas vulnerable to liquefaction and providing contour maps for safer construction sites. The study uses geological data to create detailed 3D maps of soil layers, improving prediction accuracy by 20%.
A new study reveals that increasing plant diversity in agriculture can significantly improve soil carbon retention by fostering stronger positive interactions between microbes. This practice not only promotes healthier ecosystems but also offers a viable solution for maintaining crop output while sequestering more carbon in soils.
A study found plastic mulch contaminates soil with up to 25 kg of macroplastic debris per hectare, affecting critical soil functions even under best management practices. Microplastics were also detected, with concentrations positively correlated with macroplastic levels.
This study analyzed soil VOC levels and their correlation with soil physical properties, ionome, microbiome, metabolome, and rhizosphere chemicals. The results reveal that soil VOC profiles can be reliable indicators for evaluating soil health in agricultural environments.
As stand age increases, Pinus massoniana consistently absorbs bioavailable phosphorus from the soil, reducing soil phosphorus availability. Phosphorus distribution affects various organs in four distinct forms, and resorption influences this process.
Researchers found that stored human urine had little impact on soil bacterial communities, increasing nitrifying and denitrifying groups compared to synthetic fertilizers. The study suggests that recycled urine could enhance agricultural sustainability, reduce wastewater pollution, and decrease reliance on synthetic fertilizers.
Researchers propose a simple indicator of crop's impact on soil erosion, calculating its 'soil footprint' for Spain's main crops. The study reveals that olive trees have the largest 'soil footprint', while onions and potatoes have the smallest, emphasizing the need to adopt protective strategies to reduce soil erosion.
Researchers studied the effects of forest gaps on microclimate and soil biological activity in a European mixed floodplain forest. Temperature fluctuations increased in areas with gaps, but decomposition rates remained relatively stable. The study highlights complex interactions between forest structure, microclimate, and soil processes.
A pioneering method for soil moisture retrieval using satellite navigation systems has been introduced, significantly boosting the accuracy and efficiency of global data collection. This research tackles the challenges posed by geographical disparities in soil moisture assessment.
The study reveals significant spatial differences in diversity, structure, and function of microbial communities in the rhizosphere of Boehmeria nivea L. Volcanic soil plays a key role in forming microbial community diversity. Bacterial generalist species dominate, while fungi show greater ability to break down complex organic polymers.
Researchers developed a novel predictive model to accurately predict soil resistivity, reducing the need for extensive testing and modifications. The study's findings can optimize substation grounding designs, cutting costs while maintaining regulatory compliance.
The study found that farming as a monoculture alters the soil microbiome, but native shade tree farms have distinct soil microbiomes. The research highlights the importance of conserving biodiversity in agricultural landscapes to maintain ecosystem health.
A new study estimates that soil stores substantially more mercury than previously thought, with climate change potentially adding even more. The researchers predict that as temperatures increase, vegetation growth will promote the deposition of mercury in the soil, outweighing current control schemes.
A recent study found that high nitrogen fertilizer application significantly enhances soil carbon sequestration, primarily through vertical transport of organic matter. This redistribution leads to a greater distribution of new organic carbon in deeper soil layers, resulting in increased soil carbon storage.
Researchers at FAU will investigate how microbes respond to climate conditions and develop strategies to enhance soil health in drylands. The project aims to improve understanding of microbial resistance to climate change and discover solutions to reduce soil degradation.
A new AI-powered predictive model can generate comprehensive soil liquefaction risk maps, enabling urban planners and engineers to visualize high-risk areas and make informed decisions. The model achieved high accuracy in predicting soil classifications and N-values, validating its effectiveness in enhancing urban resilience.
Researchers have developed a rapid electrothermal mineralization (REM) process that can remediate synthetic chemicals in soil, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The method uses electrical inserts and biochar to heat contaminated soil, converting PFAS into nontoxic minerals.
Researchers found that radioactive cesium moves rapidly through the soil and decreases in fine roots of cedar trees, promoting a self-cleansing effect that can aid in forest decontamination. This phenomenon has implications for developing new forest decontamination methods.
A study reveals that mixed forests store more soil organic carbon than pure forests due to higher wood debris storage. However, the quality of SOC in deep soil is better than surface soil. The findings highlight the importance of mixed forest and plant debris in maintaining forest carbon sequestration.
The new method allows for simultaneous analysis of 30 different PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS, using a simplified process that reduces analysis time and cost. The manual provides a user-friendly guide with clear explanations and illustrations, making it accessible to analysts conducting PFAS analysis for the first time.
Soil degradation, plant autotoxicity, and soil-borne diseases are primary causes of continuous cropping obstacles. Effective measures to reduce CCOs include regulating the rhizosphere, optimizing water and fertilizer management, conservation tillage, and soil biological regulation.
Researchers developed low-cost, real-time sensors that can monitor nitrate in soil, enabling farmers to make informed decisions on fertilizer usage. The sensors have been tested in various soil types and showed accurate results.
Researchers at the University of Zurich discovered that plants benefit from a variety of interactions with pollinators and herbivores, leading to local adaptation and ecotypes. Plants pollinated by bumblebees adapted best to different soil types, while others showed less significant adaptation.
A recent Illinois-led study found that soil moisture variability remains consistent across growing and non-growing seasons in fields across the Midwest. The research team used sensor measurements and remote sensing data to reveal a stable pattern of dry and wet areas, which can be used to estimate high-resolution soil moisture products.
Researchers developed a simple method to measure nano/microplastic concentrations in soil using spectroscopy, eliminating the need for separation processes. The method uses a wavelength combination of 220–260 nm and 280–340 nm to accurately quantify N/MPs in different soil types.
A novel conceptual framework designs four functional layers to optimize conditions for horticultural growth in plastic-greenhouse environments. The soil profile includes a mulch layer, root-carbon layer, soil-carbon mix layer, and water conservation layer tailored to address specific challenges faced by plants.
Researchers at the University of Tennessee have found that storing soil samples under refrigerated or air-dried conditions can retain microbial community composition and structure for many years. This discovery can help future researchers save time and energy when studying microorganisms in soils.
A review study published in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment highlights the need for better monitoring of changes in soil and surrounding ecosystems after wildfires. This enhanced monitoring could inform decisions on treating drinking water sourced from burned areas, reforestation, and protecting workers against toxins.
A new study predicts key soil health indicators such as organic matter content and soil texture using standard tests. This can guide fertilization, irrigation, and herbicide decisions, reducing turnaround time by at least half. The models are accurate for fine and medium soils but less so for sandy soils.
Researchers found that water erosion acts as a net sink of atmospheric CO2, offsetting horizontal soil organic carbon removal. The study suggests that ecological restoration projects and tillage practices can improve the capacity of the carbon sink for recovery beyond the rate of horizontal carbon removal.
Researchers found a relationship between microbiome and seed chemistry in mustard, but mechanism of effect unknown. Soil microbes may contribute to crop flavor beyond previously known properties.
Research found that soil warming increased respiration rates, but reduced temperature sensitivity and altered microbial carbon use efficiency. Organic matter input enhanced aggregate accumulation and changed respiration patterns among aggregates of different sizes.
Desert soil bacteria can survive prolonged droughts by entering a state of dormancy, but quickly reactivate in response to rare rainfall events. This allows them to generate energy and repair their genomes before returning to dormancy.
A recent study found that afforestation significantly increases soil microbial diversity and enhances nitrogen mineralization rates. The researchers discovered a strong correlation between soil microbial communities and N-cycling gene abundance, highlighting the importance of functional genes in driving this process.
A recent study published in Science reveals a vast store of global soil inorganic carbon (SIC) amounting to 2,305 billion tons, surpassing vegetation's combined carbon content. This 'hidden pool' is vulnerable to environmental changes, posing significant risks to ecosystem functions and climate change mitigation strategies.
Researchers developed a method to map soil salt content worldwide at 10m resolution, addressing land degradation's impact on agriculture and environmental health. This innovation integrates satellite imagery, machine learning, and climate data to estimate soil salinity, offering valuable insights for sustainable land practices.
Scientists have developed a new method to estimate soil organic carbon in the US, providing a more accurate benchmark for policymakers. The study reveals how environmental variables affect soil organic carbon and offers insights into mitigating climate change through sustainable land management practices.
A new study predicts that Australia's soil will become a net emitter of carbon dioxide, releasing more CO2 into the air than it absorbs. This could account for 8.3% of current emissions and worsen climate change unless farming methods are improved.
A new model integrating soil microbes and large perennial grasses into the DayCent framework improves its representation of ecosystem dynamics. The updated model includes a live microbial biomass pool and dead microbial biomass pool to simulate carbon storage in soils, enhancing the evaluation of bioenergy crop sustainability.
Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology develop new methodology to accurately simulate soil behavior in rigid state, leveraging MSP method and Bingham fluid biviscosity model. The study highlights the impact of parameters on simulation accuracy and computational costs.
Researchers at University of Oklahoma discover that climate warming accelerates soil priming in temperate grassland ecosystem, leading to increased soil carbon release. This finding highlights the crucial role of soil priming in terrestrial carbon cycle feedback processes and climate regulation.
A recent Harvard University study found that soil moisture increased across 57% of the US during summer between 2011-2020, contradicting the assumption that rising temperatures lead to drier soils. Precipitation, rather than temperature, is the primary driver of soil moisture trends.
Researchers found that phosphorus addition had a more significant effect on soil nematodes than nitrogen addition, increasing their abundance. The study also revealed an interactive effect between nitrogen and phosphorus additions, with added nitrogen alleviating soil acidification when combined with phosphorus.
Researchers found that electrostatic charges, structural features of carbon molecules, and surrounding metal nutrients play major roles in soil's ability to trap carbon. The study aims to help predict which soil chemistries are most favorable for trapping carbon.
The study found that bacteria communities are the most sensitive to soil amendment-induced changes, while protistan phototrophs and consumers increase with amendments. Protist taxa Cercozoa play a crucial role in regulating microbial interactions under Cd-contaminated conditions.
Researchers developed a new model incorporating genetic information from microbes to better understand soil carbon sequestration and plant-microbe interactions. This approach enables more accurate prediction of global carbon cycle changes in climate models, informing agricultural strategies to preserve carbon and mitigate climate change.
A newly designed degenerated primer significantly improves COX1 barcoding performance in soil nematode community profiling. The primer pair outperforms conventional 18S metabarcoding methods with broader taxon recovery and higher amplicon production.
Researchers analyzed 151 ecosystems across six continents to understand the intricate coexistence network among diverse species in soil ecosystems. They found that facilitative networks, characterized by positive associations, are more common than previously thought and play a key role in maintaining soil biodiversity.
A Dartmouth-led research team created an experimental green roof to test the effect of native prairie microbes on soil microbial community development. Their findings demonstrate that active management accelerates soil development faster than passive reestablishment, fostering a more diverse and sustainable soil community.
This study found that fluvo-aquic soil treated with CTC-manure had a higher shift in operational taxonomic units and community composition of antibiotic-resistant bacteria compared to black and red soils. The application of manure led to increased microbial resistance, particularly in fluvo-aquic soil.