Articles tagged with Soils
This study analyzed buried and cultivated Neolithic paddy soils to understand the impact of agriculture on microbial diversity. The results showed that modern intensive rice cultivation led to a significant loss of functional diversity, with accelerated nutrient cycling and homogenization of soil ecological functions.
University of Delaware researchers found that incorporating rice husk into soil can decrease toxic arsenic levels in rice grain by 25 to 50 percent. This eco-friendly approach has implications for developing countries relying on rice as a staple food and aims to improve soil quality without negatively affecting yield.
The SMAP satellite measures soil moisture by collecting signals related to ground characteristics, then estimating moisture levels using complex equations. On-ground measurements are being used to compare with satellite data and improve accuracy.
Researchers investigated how hydraulic fracturing chemicals degrade in agricultural soil and found that co-contamination can slow down biodegradation. They tested three common chemicals and found varying degradation rates, highlighting the need for further studies to understand chemical interactions and their impact on human health.
The new atlas, compiled by over 120 experts from 29 countries, reveals a vast and underappreciated natural resource – soil biodiversity. With nearly 200 pages of detailed information, the atlas aims to promote sustainability and encourage research efforts to tackle global challenges.
A new study published by the University of Bristol and industry partners has found that cage-free laying hens in the UK have experienced a reduction in feather loss and an improvement in overall welfare, with some farms reporting a 59% increase in changes to improve bird welfare.
Researchers found that earthworms create the surales landscapes by depositing casts and building towers of dry habitat, which eventually form mounds. The study suggests that these worms engineer the ecosystem, creating habitats used by plants and other earthworms.
Researchers discovered that surales, large mounds in tropical wetlands, are largely composed of earthworm casts. These mounds vary in size and form due to the repeated actions of individual earthworms, which deposit casts that eventually become mounds.
A trio of new age-dating methods developed at Duke University can determine the age of oil and gas wastewater spills and identify their origins based on radium isotope variations. The methods verify that radium's decay products, including thorium and lead isotopes, can be used to detect the age and source of spills.
A University of Illinois study reveals declining sulfur levels in agricultural areas, with negative balances in some watersheds and rivers. Farmers may need to apply sulfur fertilizer in the future, particularly on fields with less soil organic matter.
Scientists discovered that up to 60% of airborne particles after a rainstorm come from the soil, releasing organic matter into the atmosphere. This finding has significant implications for understanding the planet's climate and will be integrated into atmospheric models.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have found a way to improve the growth of protein-rich bean crops by using zinc oxide nanoparticles, reducing the need for rock phosphorus fertilizer. The nanoparticles increase nutrient uptake and enzyme activity, leading to a lesser need for external phosphorus application.
A Duke University study found high levels of contaminants in brine-laden wastewater from fracking spills, exceeding federal drinking water guidelines. Soil samples contained higher levels of radioactivity downstream from spill sites, suggesting radium builds up in the environment.
The taste of wine is influenced by soil properties, particularly pH, which modify the wine's chemistry. Researchers found a correlation between specific soil characteristics and Pinot Noir vintages in the Willamette Valley.
Intensifying tropical agriculture may sequester up to 1-4 million metric tons of phosphorus fertilizer annually, forcing farmers to pay a recurring 'P-tax'. Recycling phosphorus-rich livestock manure and rethinking high-meat diets could mitigate this issue.
A new study warns that intensive farming in tropical regions may require vast amounts of phosphorus fertilizer, which is a limited natural resource. The researchers estimate that if global demand for food continues to rise, the phosphorus tax imposed by these soils could double by 2050.
Dr. Martinus van Genuchten has made significant contributions to soil physics and vadose zone hydrology, including developing theoretical equations that are now universally used worldwide. His leadership has also supported the careers of countless graduate students and junior scientists.
Research suggests that soils could store an extra 8 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases, helping to combat climate change. Adopting sustainable land use practices and technologies could enhance soil carbon storage, equivalent to four-fifths of annual fossil fuel emissions.
Researchers have found a link between lead contamination in Flint's soil and elevated blood levels in local children, particularly in low-income areas. The study suggests that soil lead is an additional factor contributing to the city's ongoing water crisis.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a method to break down glyphosate, a common commercial herbicide, using manganese oxide minerals. The study found that the mineral can degrade glyphosate and AMPA, a major byproduct, within hours, providing a potential solution to environmental concerns about these compounds.
Researchers created a computer model to identify habitats of the endangered shrubby reed-mustard plant. The model uses satellite imagery, elevation data, and soil characteristics to predict habitat locations with accuracy.
Soil is an effective carbon sink, and adopting new farming practices like cover crops and no-till farming can enhance its organic matter, boosting carbon content. This approach has direct benefits to farmers, including reduced soil erosion and increased resilience to drought.
A study evaluated organic trailing blackberry production practices, recommending weed mat management to increase production and profits. Soil pH, organic matter content, and macronutrient concentrations were affected mainly by year and weed management strategy.
Researchers from eight European countries have mapped the abundance and diversity of earthworms across the continent, highlighting their crucial role in soil health. The study's findings emphasize the need for further data collection to validate the results and improve monitoring.
Researchers found that high CO2 concentrations in the soil change community dynamics, leading to less efficient food web processes. This study provides insights into the environmental risks of subterranean CO2 storage.
New research reveals a clear parallel between antibiotic resistance in medicine and similar genes detected in agricultural soils treated with animal manure. The study found that repeated use of antibiotics in agriculture can increase soil bacteria's capacity to acquire new resistance genes.
Recent studies on the Elaeocarpus joga tree from Guam have identified nitrogen and potassium as limiting factors for its growth in limestone soils. This knowledge is crucial for conserving large charismatic trees and restoring degraded landscapes to improve island ecosystem health.
The four empty lots in Chicago's South Side have poor-quality soils with high alkaline levels and excess chemicals, including lead and heavy metals. Soil testing is crucial to determine the extent of contamination and guide remediation efforts.
A University of Washington-led study finds that the benefits of locally produced vegetables in cities outweigh any risks from gardening in contaminated soils. Compost can dilute lead levels and make it less hazardous to eat, especially for root vegetables like carrots.
A Dartmouth College study reveals that climate change will cause a shift from coniferous to deciduous trees in New England's forests, affecting nutrient cycling and metal storage. This change could lead to decreased accumulation and retention of major metals, with potential impacts on forest ecosystems.
Researchers at Arizona State University found that desert microbes can significantly warm the surface by producing sunscreen-like compounds, increasing reflectivity and altering ecosystem services. This phenomenon, known as biological soil crusts or biocrusts, could have important implications for global heat budgets and climate models.
A recent study on the 2015 Nepal earthquake highlights the potential risks of landslides in the Pacific Northwest. The research team estimated tens of thousands of landslides, causing widespread damage and loss of life.
A recent study found that faba beans can increase soil nitrogen and carbon levels, providing long-term benefits for farmers. The research suggests that growers should adjust their fertilizer recommendations to account for the slow-release nitrogen in pulse crops.
Research reveals that grassland soil microbial communities exhibit seasonal responses to temperature and precipitation changes, with warming treatments having a limited impact. The study highlights the importance of long-term research to understand the effects of climate change on these critical ecosystems.
Archaeologists uncover skeletal remains, swords and spearheads from 55 BC battle, confirming Caesar's presence on Dutch soil. The discovery highlights the brutal suppression of two Germanic tribes by Roman general Julius Caesar.
A new study found unique microbial communities associated with human cadavers exhibit predictable succession following death, providing a reliable 'clock' for forensic scientists. This method also showed promise in determining the original location of moved corpses and locating buried bodies.
A new decision support tool has been developed to help farmers and policymakers optimize soil carbon stocks and fertility. The tool identifies five cost-effective methods to improve soil health, including crop rotation, residue handling, and conservation agriculture.
Researchers found elevated levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in NYC community garden soils, a concern due to air emissions. However, cultivating vegetables in beds may lower PAH concentrations, suggesting potential for reduction through gardening practices.
A new study reveals that cheating microbes, which rely on neighbors for enzyme production, slow down decomposition and increase microbial remains in the soil. This leads to a build-up of organic matter and specifically nitrogen in the soil.
A recent study found that oily waste containing natural radionuclides can strongly alter the microbial community in soil, selecting for resistant species and affecting community function. The long-term effects of such contamination on soil health and function are still unclear.
Dr. Scott Burns, a media personality and engineering geologist, was awarded the American Geosciences Institute's Outstanding Contribution to the Understanding of Geoscience award. He is recognized for enhancing the public's understanding of geoscience through outreach, teaching, and media support.
A study by Wellesley College and the League of Urban Canners found that urban fruits like apples and peaches have lower levels of lead and arsenic, but higher concentrations of micronutrients. The researchers also found that eating urban fruit is not a significant source of lead exposure.
Researchers in Vietnam found that silicon fertilization increases rice plant strength, resistances, and grain yield. The study also showed that recycling silicon through straw decomposition maintains high Si levels for multiple crops.
A five-year study found that tillage timing significantly impacts nitrogen availability and loss in organic farming systems. The researchers discovered that fall tillage followed by a period of fallow led to vulnerable bursts of nitrogen that were susceptible to leaching.
A new study finds that warmer Antarctic soils support a higher diversity of fungi, with potential for increased nutrient turnover and productivity. This could be due to improved access to water, enhancing fungal metabolism and activity.
Climate change may increase Antarctic soil fungal diversity by 25% by 2100, potentially aiding invasive species. The study, published in Nature Climate Change, found that rising temperatures are the primary factor determining soil fungal diversity in this region.
The National Science Foundation awards UC Davis a five-year, $5 million grant to utilize the large earthquake-simulating centrifuge for natural hazards engineering research. Researchers can build complex models and conduct accurate scale-model studies of soils and soil-structure systems.
The upcoming Connecting Phytobiomes with Soil and Plant Health symposium aims to understand the interactions between plants and soils as they relate to crops, agronomy, and entomology. This research focuses on the importance of the microbiome in enhancing soil and water sustainability.
A 2009 dust storm known as Red Dawn transported soil out to sea, causing a significant marine biological response in the Tasman Sea. The study found that phytoplankton growth was stimulated by iron-rich dust, with positive chlorophyll anomalies reaching up to 0.5mg m-3.
A team of international researchers has developed recommendations to preserve the local environment in China's Xinjiang region, which produces ten percent of global cotton production. Sustainable land use practices and reforestation are key to reducing soil salination and preserving groundwater supplies.
Research from UNH shows that crop rotations can increase soil microbial functions, improving plant growth and soil health. By increasing rotational diversity, farmers can promote agroecosystem sustainability and mitigate threats to food security and environmental quality.
Researchers identified a mutation in Arabidopsis thaliana plants that allows them to break down the toxic and persistent explosive TNT. The MDHAR6-mutant plants exhibit enhanced shoot and root biomass when grown in TNT-treated soil, rendering TNT less toxic.
A new study reveals that soil bacteria and animal species below ground regulate ecosystem functions, including carbon storage and nutrient availability, with below-ground biodiversity explaining 32% of variation.
Researchers found that high-throughput molecular methods used to analyze soil fungi often produce biased results due to limitations in taxonomic resolution and primer-template mismatches. Despite these biases, the study suggests that PCR-free methods have potential for understanding functional capacity of microorganisms.
The EU loses approximately 970 million tonnes of soil annually due to water erosion, equivalent to a one-metre-depth loss from Berlin-sized area. Soil erosion by water accounts for the greatest loss in Europe, with agricultural lands accounting for 68.3% of total losses.
A new study by TUM scientists links climate change to declining crop yields and humus stocks in arable soils. The researchers found that the stagnation in yields coincides with a decline in organic matter input into the soil, leading to a depletion of humus.
Rice University researchers develop a new method to clean contaminated soil at oil spills, reducing energy consumption and enhancing soil fertility. The process uses pyrolysis to heat the soil in the absence of oxygen, removing toxic pollutants and retaining beneficial carbon.
Researchers in California found that melting snow can produce highly variable results in underground water levels. The study used a network of moisture sensors to measure soil moisture and relate it to snow depth, finding that different sensor locations and tree cover conditions led to varying wetting and drying dynamics.
A new study reveals that lizard embryos can die at 110 degrees Fahrenheit, even for short periods, due to the heat trap effect of nests. This bias in previous studies has led to overly optimistic forecasts about lizards' fate during climate change.
Researchers found that strip-till farming increased soil organic matter content by 8.6% after five years compared to no-till methods. This resulted in reduced bulk density and penetration resistance, creating a more favorable environment for crop growth.