Articles tagged with Soils
A study reveals that the Georgia Basin, a rigid soil bowl beneath Vancouver, can amplify earthquake effects, causing potential devastation beyond building codes' preparedness. The basin's unique geography traps and amplifies seismic waves, predicting extended shaking times for shallow quakes.
Researchers in New Zealand have discovered that rock can transform into soil more than twice as fast as previously thought possible. Soil production rates range from 0.1 to 2.5 millimeters per year, depending on soil thickness and location. This breakthrough has implications for the Earth's carbon cycle and weathering processes.
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.
A new detection method and model enable determinations of pesticide residues' biodegradability. The study classifies residues into three types based on their release mechanisms, allowing for more accurate evaluation of pesticide environmental impact.
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 Silver Banksia plant genus has developed a strategy to cope with phosphorus scarcity by reducing ribosomal RNA in their cells, saving phosphorus and water. By optimizing phosphate use, Proteaceae plants outperform Arabidopsis thaliana in photosynthetic efficiency.
The study found that Miscanthus x giganteus yields are more than twice those of switchgrass in US field trials. The average annual yield of Miscanthus was 10.5 tons per acre, compared to 4.5 tons per acre for switchgrass. This suggests that Miscanthus could be a viable alternative for sustainable energy production in the US.
NASA detects widespread agricultural fires in Ecuador on December 3, 2013. The fires were likely set to manage land and clear unwanted plants, producing smoke that degrades air quality.
A team of scientists found evidence for bromides converting to reactive gases in Martian soil, leading to variable sulfur-chlorine ratios. This could alter existing models of aqueous processes and oxidants on Mars, affecting the search for life. The study also suggests that volatilized halogens may have impacted subsurface distribution.
The OU Natural Products Discovery Group has launched a crowdsourcing initiative to engage the public in finding new compounds with therapeutic relevance. The program has already led to the discovery of maximiscin, a unique bioactive compound obtained from a soil sample submitted by an Alaskan citizen.
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 CU-Boulder-led research team has gained insights into the vital but rarely considered microbial communities thriving in dark, fertile soils beneath the lost tallgrass prairie. The study reveals a dominant phylum of bacteria, Verrucomicrobia, which played a crucial role in the ecosystem's productivity and fertility.
A study published in Nature finds that climate change could lead to a decline in plant production due to changes in soil nutrients. As drylands become drier, the imbalance of essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus may affect crop growth, livestock forage, and fuel production.
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.
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.
Scientists evaluated different sources of supplemental nitrogen fertilizer on soil organic matter composition. The results showed that organic matter in soils was heavily influenced by the type of supplemental nitrogen added, with manure-enriched soil having higher amounts of microbial turnover compounds. This study aims to optimize ni...
Researchers at Rice University used synthetic biology to study how biochar affects microbial communication. Biochar was found to interfere with certain conversations between microbes, potentially impacting plant growth.
A new CU-Boulder-led study suggests that a microbial clock, tracking bacterial changes after death, could be a powerful tool for estimating time of death. The researchers were able to pinpoint the time of mouse death within four days using high-tech gene sequencing techniques.
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.
Researchers are studying the effects of urban climates on crop yields to develop new crops adapted to urban gardens and provide recommendations for urban farmers. The benefits of urban agriculture include increased food production, community engagement, and access to healthy fresh produce.
A new technology from the University of Calgary destroys hazardous chemical compounds in soil using UV light, promising a safer and cheaper way to clean up PCBs. The mobile cleanup unit is ready for field-testing on PCB-contaminated soil and estimates to cost $350 to $500 per tonne.
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.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge developed a biofertiliser that enables crops to be grown on coal waste, achieving nearly twice the weight and yield of those grown in garden soil. The additive boosts plant nutrition, regulates water, and maintains an ideal environment for growth.
Research published in PLOS ONE reveals that native Brazilian fruits, including 'wolf apple', contain higher proportions of bioactive compounds and pigments than conventional Red Delicious apples, making them a potentially nutritious food source.
Researchers studied the effects of winter processes on soil in seasonally frozen soils, finding that freeze-thaw cycles can impact agricultural productivity. The studies also shed light on the importance of understanding these processes for effective management practices.
Dozens of fires detected in southeastern Africa, primarily in Mozambique and Malawi, indicating intentional burning by farmers. The fires, mainly during the main growing season, have been linked to agricultural practices to enhance crop yields and manage land.
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.
Researchers developed a method to extract information from soil surrounding bodies, allowing for insight into the day before death. High mercury concentrations in soil suggest exposure occurred within hours or days prior to death.
Researchers from UT Austin conducted field research in Christchurch, New Zealand to develop new ground improvement methods for inhibiting liquefaction triggering. The study's goal is to determine the most cost-effective methods for improving residential structures' resiliency.
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.
Aarhus University researchers have discovered the remains of a large proportion of the rural population killed during a military invasion in the early 3rd century BC. The excavations have provided insights into daily activities of ancient peasantry and their adaptation to cultural and natural changes.
Scientists conducted a simulated Mars expedition in the Atacama Desert to test instruments for the 2020 mission. The dry run aimed to identify potential issues and improve performance, ensuring the success of future missions.
A research team from Berkeley Lab has reported a unique molecular-level analysis of a BSC cyanobacterium responding to wetting and drying of its environment. They found that within three minutes after wetting began, metabolic processes in dormant microbial cells came alive.
The autonomous robot will test technologies and techniques for exploring life on Mars, with a focus on gathering scientific data. Zoë is equipped with a one-meter drill to bore deep into the ground and analyze soil samples using instruments like the Mars Microbeam Raman Spectrometer.
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.
Researchers analyzed soil lead in an urban garden plot and found highly variable concentrations across the 49x98 foot garden. A prominent hotspot was detected in the northwest corner, where a paint shop had been located, exceeding the EPA's 400 ppm threshold for safe levels.
Research by Michigan Technological University scientists found a strong relationship between deer waste and plant growth in eastern hemlock stands. This can lead to the transition of hemlock stands to hardwood species that provide scant winter cover.
Researchers studied fire ants' tunnel networks to discover fundamental principles of locomotion that can be applied to robot teams working underground. The study found that ants use their antennae for both sensing and movement in confined spaces, allowing them to move quickly and easily through tunnels.
Researchers develop new techniques to detect mass graves using geophysical methods. Their project aims to refine detection methods and provide critical evidence for convicting murderers. By studying simulated clandestine graves, they hope to improve the search for missing people and bring perpetrators to justice.
Agricultural fires are a common occurrence in eastern Russia, particularly during the planting season. The Russian military uses specially equipped transport airplanes to put out over 90 fires, highlighting the need for monitoring and intervention.
Plant scientists are exploring membrane transporters to enhance nutrient uptake and water retention in crops, reducing the need for fertilizers and promoting sustainable agriculture. This research aims to create crops that can thrive in challenging conditions, such as saline soils, to meet the world's growing food demands.
The Netherlands Institute of Ecology is launching a research project to study the impact of climate change on plant range shifts and ecosystem stability. The team aims to understand how plants interact with their 'ecological partners' in new ranges, and how this affects biodiversity.
A new study in the Amazon finds that deep, permeable soils can act as a natural buffer against the negative impacts of crop fertilizer on nearby streams. The research suggests that these soils can absorb excess nutrients and reduce pollution, but warns that changes in land use may lead to increased nutrient runoff in the future.
Researchers caged dead zebras to study anthrax spread and found that scavengers' role is less significant than previously believed. The study suggests re-evaluating practices aimed at keeping scavengers away from anthrax carcasses.
Researchers found that 10% of dissolved organic carbon in rivers comes from charcoal, highlighting the need for greater consideration of carbon sequestration techniques. The study's findings have implications for mitigating climate change by improving our understanding of the environmental fate of charcoal.
Nepal and India experience widespread agricultural fires, burning in the April 13, 2013 image from NASA's MODIS satellite. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) detected actively burning areas, which are outlined in red.
The symposium brought together experts to discuss arsenic contamination in food and water, highlighting its dangers for human health. Experts focus on remediation methods, regulatory issues, and analysis techniques to address this ongoing global health threat.
Beneforté broccoli consistently produces 2-3 times the amount of glucoraphanin as other varieties without affecting yield or nutrient levels. Genetic analysis identified a single gene responsible for increased glucoraphanin production, which channels more sulphur from the soil into this compound.
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 study led by the University of Nottingham found that dietary selenium deficiency is likely to be endemic in Malawi, causing disease and premature death. The researchers recommend introducing a programme to enrich nitrogen-based soil fertilisers with selenium to increase levels in maize.
A Wayne State University study found seasonal fluctuations in blood lead levels among children are linked to resuspended dust contaminated with lead. The research, based on nine years of data from over 367,000 children, highlights the need for improved controls to prevent lead exposure.
A new study found that exposure to airborne dust in urban areas leads to an increase and decrease in childhood blood lead levels, respectively. The research suggests that focusing on primary prevention of lead-contaminated soils may be a more effective approach to improving child health than current efforts.
A study led by Field Museum curator Dr. Jonathan Haas reveals that maize was a primary component of people's diets in coastal Peru around 3000-1800 B.C. The research, published in PNAS, analyzed microscopic evidence found in soil, stone tools, and coprolites from ancient sites.
A research project in Malawi has led to significant increases in crop yields, with corn production rising by 200% through crop rotation. Meanwhile, children's weight and height have improved, meeting international norms for healthy children. The program's success is attributed to the adoption of bushy legumes and diverse crop rotations.
A team of scientists from Duke University and the University of Padova found that marsh plants actively tune their elevations by producing organic soil and accumulating sediments. This complex interplay with the environment helps species stabilize the soil within favorable states, allowing for greater long-term stability.
Researchers found that simple measures of labile soil organic matter, such as nitrogen mineralization and carbon mineralization, can predict corn performance. These inexpensive tests reflect long-term management and short-term seasonal changes.
Researchers have identified 10 new species of semi-aquatic freshwater earthworms in Thailand, showcasing the country's astonishing biodiversity. These unique creatures play a crucial role in decomposing organic matter and improving soil properties, making them valuable assets for organic rice farming.
Agricultural Research Service study finds that removing corn cob residues from fields does not harm soil quality, supporting the development of new bioenergy sources. Soils retain potassium from cobs, making them a potential raw material for cellulosic ethanol production.
Researchers found that Mound A at Poverty Point was constructed in under 90 days, requiring an estimated 9,000 laborers. The site's unique soil composition and lack of erosion during construction support this rapid build timeline.
Research by USDA scientist Eton Codling shows that treated wastewater solids called biosolids can increase soil phosphorus levels for years. The study found that soluble phosphorus levels in biosolid-amended soils exceeded typical plant requirements after application.