Articles tagged with Soils
Dr. Rita Okoroafor's research integrates geochemistry, geomechanics, and reservoir engineering to improve understanding of fluid-rock interactions in subsurface technologies. Her work enhances hydrogen storage efficiency, optimizes geothermal reservoir performance, and improves CO2 storage security.
A team of UConn researchers found that biochar application improves soil microbial biomass carbon by approximately 21%, supporting the functioning of vital microorganisms. Biochar provides essential nutrients and a habitat for microbes, especially in nutrient-deficient soil or soil with suboptimal pH.
A study on the treeline ecotone found distinct patterns of soil bacterial and fungal communities in response to climate-driven treeline shifts. Microbial communities responded more strongly to treeline shifts than microtopographic factors, indicating a potential increase in stochasticity.
A recent study reveals vermicomposted olive waste influences volatile compounds emitted by olive trees, affecting attraction of beneficial lacewings. The research highlights the importance of belowground ecology in plant defense mechanisms and its potential to enhance biological control strategies.
Scientists precisely dated the formation of the Moon's largest impact crater, the South Pole-Aitken Basin, to 4.25 billion years ago using Chang'e-6 samples. The discovery provides critical insights into the early history of the Moon and the Solar System.
A recent study reveals that using diverse combinations of land management strategies can maximize soil health and functionality. The innovative approach utilized random forest models to disentangle the contribution of single factors, providing an accessible framework for relative contributions.
Scientists at KAUST developed a new nanoplastic mulch that cools greenhouses by 25 degrees Celsius, increasing Chinese cabbage crop yields by nearly 200%. The biodegradable mulch reduces microplastic waste and energy consumption in hot cities.
Recent studies have shown that most of the terrestrial carbon accumulation occurs in non-living pools, such as soil organic matter and bodies of water. The research team found that around 35 gigatonnes of carbon were sequestered on land between 1992 and 2019, with a 30% increase over the last decade.
Researchers found that nitrification inhibitors and maize straw can reduce fertilizer-derived N₂O emissions, but effectiveness varies by soil type. Soils with high pH and active nitrogen cycling respond better to these treatments, leading to significant emission reductions.
Forest age significantly affects bamboo forests' phytolith carbon sequestration, with mature forests accumulating more soil PhytOC. Karst bedrock enhances PhytOC accumulation in bamboo forests due to its high Si content and weak alkalinity. Soil available Si is a crucial factor influencing PhytOC accumulation.
The TUdi project has developed nine multilingual leaflets to provide information and share findings on various topics related to sustainable agriculture. The leaflets offer guidance on managing soil health, assessing soil structure stability, detecting erosion, and managing nutrient loss through water movement.
Researchers demonstrate a new technique for encapsulating beneficial bacteria that can be stored and applied to plants to improve growth and protect against pests. The technique enables customized probiotics for plants, allowing farmers to use these bacteria in conjunction with agrochemicals.
Researchers found that soil micro-food web complexity significantly enhances soil fertility and promotes crop growth, with more complex webs maintaining higher soil nutrient levels. The study provides valuable evidence for improving agricultural yields and optimizing ecosystem management strategies.
A nine-year study found that a three-year crop rotation system can dramatically reduce nitrogen loss in farm runoff without compromising yield. Crops like cereal rye and winter wheat help maintain soil stability, reducing erosion and nutrient runoff.
The University of Texas at Arlington hosted the 74th Fort Worth Regional Science and Engineering Fair, attracting more students than ever. The fair featured original research projects on various topics, including using earthworms to remove toxic lead from soil and creating a robotic glove for people with Parkinson's disease.
Researchers Garett Sansom and Lindsay Sansom will evaluate soil conditions in Settegast and Lakewood neighborhoods for cancer-causing heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The project aims to identify residents' environment-related concerns and develop a better understanding of local priorities and challenges.
Matt McCary, assistant professor of biosciences at Rice University, has received a $1.26 million NSF CAREER Award to study the spread of invasive plants and their effects on native ecosystems. His research aims to identify key plant traits driving invasions and advance ecological theory.
New research reveals lyrebirds' 'farming' behavior creates ideal conditions for invertebrates, boosting size and diversity. The birds rake forest floors to alter microhabitats, shape plant germination patterns, and even lower bushfire intensity.
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered iron oxides can drive phosphorus conversion at rates comparable to enzymes, unlocking access to essential nutrients for plant growth. The discovery could optimize agricultural soil use and improve crop yields.
A new study identified a genetic circuit controlling individual leaf growth and adaptation to environmental conditions. Microbes on plant leaves influence leaf growth independently of nutrient and soil properties.
Research by University of Missouri researchers uncovers microplastic pollution generated by polymer-coated fertilizers, threatening human and animal health. The study suggests biodegradable alternatives and effective stormwater management to mitigate the risks associated with PC-CRFs.
Researchers from Tohoku University have improved a Mars climate model to account for the planet's non-uniform regolith properties. The enhanced model shows that highly absorptive regolith in mid- and low latitudes retains substantial amounts of absorbed water, which remains on the surface as stable adsorbed water.
A novel carbon-neutral grout, CSRGF, has been developed by recycling waste fluids from geothermal energy harvesting plants, addressing environmental challenges in traditional grouting methods. The new material shows remarkable performance, with a 50% increase in liquefaction resistance and superior water-sealing properties.
Soil microbial diversity decreases in alpine pioneer community degradation, while ecosystem functions initially increase before declining. Fungal communities are more vulnerable to environmental changes than bacterial ones.
A USC study has found a drastic increase in building collapses in Alexandria, Egypt, due to rising sea levels and seawater intrusion. The researchers used a three-pronged approach to assess the impact of shoreline changes on the city's buildings.
Scientists at UMass Amherst accurately quantify coastal carbon storage using satellites, revealing 10 million cars' worth of carbon stored in top meter of soil and an additional 15,000-worth each year. The results are crucial for a resilient, low-carbon future, highlighting the potential for salt marshes to mitigate climate change.
The PREPSOIL project aims to enhance soil literacy among European teachers, promoting innovative examples of soil education. The initiative received over 50 submissions showcasing creative approaches that combined science, humanities, and hands-on activities.
Scientists have retrieved handpicked samples from Mars, including rock cores and fragmented rocks, for the first time in history. The samples will help learn more about Mars' past life, climate, and geology, as well as provide insights into Earth's surface.
A team of researchers recommends incorporating principles like collective benefit and ethical governance into ecological data practices to align with existing data infrastructures. They suggest establishing collaborative relationships with Indigenous rights holders and exploring how data can be aligned with Indigenous expertise and wor...
A new Stanford study suggests refining how we assess natural carbon storage strategies to ensure the technology lives up to its potential as a climate change solution. The researchers propose a two-step evaluation process to unlock additional project value and improve data for predictive modeling.
Scientists have identified chemical compounds released by rice roots that determine how much methane the plants emit. A new strain of rice was bred using traditional breeding methods, resulting in yields of 8.96 tons/hectare while emitting up to 70% less methane.
A Kobe University research team found that prescribed burning on young lava flows leads to higher total species richness and prevalence of endangered plant species. The study suggests that acidic soils and shallow depths favor slow-growing plants, allowing rare species to gain a foothold.
The PREPSOIL project highlights the importance of soil literacy among young people, equipping educators with inspiration and ideas to foster essential knowledge. The upcoming webinar will bridge the gap between young citizens and soil health, empowering the next generation to take informed actions.
Climate change may lead to increased production of legumes such as chickpeas and soybeans, while oranges and okra become more widely grown. This could support shifts towards a more balanced diet and lower carbon footprint, but also poses economic and environmental risks.
A study published in Science of the Total Environment found that stormwater detention basins in Northern Virginia face significant salt stress due to road salts. Native plant species, such as cattails, showed promise in tolerating high salt concentrations, but their impact on overall salt removal was limited.
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.
Researchers at John Innes Centre have discovered a biological mechanism that enhances partnerships between plant roots and soil microbes, increasing nutrient uptake. This finding holds great potential for advancing sustainable agriculture by reducing the need for inorganic fertilizers.
Temperate savannas in eastern China have been mapped for the first time, revealing their geographical distribution and extent. The research provides precise information on the spatial characteristics of these ecosystems, supporting conservation and utilization efforts.
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.
Long-term drainage increases bound OC% in non-Sphagnum wetlands due to reactive metal oxides, but decreases it in Sphagnum wetlands. This mechanism helps compensate for lost unbound SOC components in non-Sphagnum wetlands.
Researchers from Jena have discovered how the soil fungus Mortierella alpina eliminates nematodes using natural products called malpinins. These malpinins accumulate in the digestive tract of nematodes and disrupt their function, leading to a slow but effective control of the pests.
New research reveals alfalfa-almond intercropping reduces winter soil nitrate leaching and field water loss via evaporation. The practice can capture and convert nitrogen losses into revenues for almond farmers during the non-productive winter season.
A new study from Tel Aviv University finds minimal environmental pollution resulting from ancient copper production in King Solomon's Mines, with pollution levels confined to smelting furnaces. Researchers also contradict previous claims of widespread industrial pollution, citing low levels of lead and other metals in soil samples.
Humanity's presence on Mars leaves behind a valuable archaeological record, with scientists arguing that it deserves cataloging and preservation. Anthropologist Justin Holcomb advocates for considering the impact of human exploration on Martian sites and planning missions to minimize damage.
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.
The UN reports that over 77.6% of the world's land experienced drier conditions in recent decades, with drylands expanding by nearly a third larger than India. This trend is driven by human-caused climate change and has dire implications for agriculture, ecosystems, and people living in affected areas.
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 found that coating rice seedlings with magnesium-doped durian-derived carbon dots increased antioxidant activity and photosynthesis, reducing stress caused by salty soil. The treatment improved plant growth and defense mechanisms in salty soils.
Research reveals that certain soil microbes can enhance flower size, resulting in increased bee visitations, but high colonization levels may lead to smaller flowers. The study focuses on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associations with plant roots and their impact on floral traits and pollinator interactions.
Researchers found that streams near farms are a significant source of nitrous oxide emissions, with some areas emitting up to half of the total emissions in the region. The study suggests that targeting mitigation efforts on streams and rivers connected to agricultural soils can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A study reveals that soil emissions account for at least a quarter of nitrogen oxide emissions in California's Salton Sea air basin, with annual total emissions reaching 11 tons per day. The findings highlight the need to better understand and account for agricultural soils' emissions to improve air quality in rural areas.
The report charts a course correction for how the world grows food and uses land, highlighting the central role of land in maintaining Earth's stability. Land degradation is undermining the planet's capacity to support humanity, with seven out of nine planetary boundaries negatively impacted by unsustainable land use.
Researchers from Brazil and Spain developed computer models to estimate crop maturity and yield using remote sensing technologies, increasing productivity and reducing CO2 emissions. They also created a system to estimate soil moisture levels with high accuracy, helping growers manage water usage more efficiently.
Researchers used machine-vision technology to compare targeted sprays with traditional broadcast applications, saving an average of 28.4-62.4% on postemergence herbicides. This study demonstrates potential for lower herbicide costs and improved environmental stewardship in soybean farming.
Scientists have developed an innovative system using artificial intelligence and Raman spectroscopy to identify and isolate aluminum-tolerant microorganisms from acidic soils. The AI-RACS system enables high-throughput automated workflows for functional analysis of specific microbes, uncovering new perspectives on microbial survival an...
A 20-year experiment found that warmer soils alter the behavior of tree roots in different ways, with oak trees changing their interactions with soil microbes but maple trees maintaining their patterns
Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a new method to break down PFAS, a group of human-made 'forever' chemicals. The system uses an LED light-based photocatalytic approach that can be used at room temperature, offering a more sustainable and efficient solution than traditional chemical manufacturing processes.
Greg Liu has developed a revolutionary way to convert certain plastics into soaps, detergents, lubricants, and other products through thermolysis. The process breaks down polypropylene and polyethylene molecules into chemical compounds, leaving minimal residual solids and usable oil.
A team of researchers has discovered diverse microbial communities in the Atacama Desert, the driest place on Earth. They developed a new method to separate extracellular and intracellular genetic material, allowing for better insights into microbial life in low-biomass environments.
The SOLO project held its second face-to-face stakeholder meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria, focusing on soil health research and innovation. The event brought together 60 participants, including project partners and external stakeholders, to facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange.