Articles tagged with Soils
A recent study found that acid rain can severely degrade forest soils, leading to poor tree growth rates and potentially high mortality rates. The research, conducted near St. Petersburg, Russia, tracked tree growth for the first time with changes in soil from acid rain, highlighting the need for recovery strategies beyond surface waters.
Researchers found that transgenic Indian mustard plants absorbed two to four times more selenium from contaminated soil than their wild-type counterparts, outperforming them in the field trial. The study suggests using phytoremediation with these plants could be a viable alternative for cleaning up polluted soil at a lower cost.
A new study from Newcastle University has led to the introduction of ten organic potato varieties, suitable for various national palates and cuisine, across Europe. The Blight-MOP project has successfully developed 'designer composts' to increase yields by up to 40% while introducing blight-resistant potatoes on supermarket shelves.
A team of Arizona scientists, led by Raina Maier, found microbial life in the Atacama Desert's core, which is one to two inches below the arid surface. The discovery contradicts a previous study that claimed the region was sterile, highlighting the importance of searching beyond the surface.
Researchers found that tumbleweeds and other native plants in arid regions can effectively absorb depleted uranium from contaminated soils. The study, led by geologist Dana Ulmer-Scholle, suggests using these plants as a low-cost method for cleaning up DU-contaminated areas.
Scientists discover new mineral that absorbs toxic metals like a sponge, revealing hidden reservoirs of lead, arsenic, and copper. The findings shed light on the migration patterns of these pollutants and could inform efforts to clean up contaminated sites.
Researchers find that pumpkins are effective in removing DDT and other pollutants from contaminated soils through phytoremediation. The study suggests a potential inexpensive and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional methods of soil cleanup.
The Geologic and Environmental Probe System (GEOPS) is an innovative technology that allows scientists to directly measure hazardous chemicals in the soil. By inserting the probe into the ground without disturbing the surrounding soil, researchers can gather accurate data quickly and efficiently, saving time and money.
The study reveals that a gene called phytochrome-interacting factor 1 (PIF1) regulates the production of protochlorophyll, a precursor to chlorophyll. Plants with mutated PIF1 genes accumulate too much protochlorophyll, leading to photo-oxidative stress and bleaching on leaves.
Researchers find that pocket gophers' underground activities increase plant diversity and productivity by loosening soil and aerating it. This discovery has implications for restoring native habitats in California.
Research reveals that forests in six locations worldwide struggle with nutrient availability, particularly phosphorus, when soils age. Without disturbances like forest fires or volcanic activity, forests will slowly become impoverished over thousands of years.
Research suggests that volcanic eruptions created nutrient-rich soil on Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii, allowing early Polynesians to sustain intensive sweet potato farming. The study's findings challenge previous assumptions about Hawaiian agriculture and highlight the importance of volcanic geology in shaping the islands' ecosystems.
Researchers found that increasing soil depth and volume leads to increased species occupation and complementary biodiversity effects. The study suggests that intercropping may benefit from deeper soils, but soil erosion could reduce these benefits.
Researchers found that partial defoliation stimulates micro-organisms to release more nitrogen in the soil. This increase in nitrogen availability allows certain trees to grow larger leaves and recover from initial damage.
Chemists at PNNL have found that maintaining alkalinity and frequent wetting and drying cycles can increase soil's natural ability to soak up carbon dioxide. This approach could help slow global warming by utilizing the soil's potential reservoir of four times more carbon than the atmosphere.
Researchers at PNNL accelerate soil aging using supercritical fluid, simulating decades of contaminant exposure in just a few hours. The technique enables monitoring of soil-absorption rates and trapping of volatile organic compounds.
Researchers developed a method to estimate background levels of heavy metals in soil, allowing for the estimation of manmade contamination worldwide. A new analysis of satellite data provided detailed information on tropical Atlantic surface current variability, which can be used to infer global ocean patterns. Additionally, a simple m...
The new system uses high-frequency seismic waves to detect buried mines, distinguishing them from soil and ground clutter. Researchers have demonstrated its advantage in laboratory and limited field tests, with promising results at government testing facilities.
A study published in the Vadose Zone Journal examines how different soil types influence Cryptosporidium parvum's transport to groundwater. The research found that sandy soils allow rapid movement of pathogens, while structured soils with large macropores have limited breakthrough.
Researchers studying small farms in Kenya found that restoring natural resources can improve agricultural productivity, particularly in villages with high soil degradation. By adopting more fertilizers and other inputs, farmers in a second village showed better economic outcomes.
Purdue University researchers have engineered plants to produce a non-toxic form of selenium called methylselenocysteine, which has shown promise in reducing cancer risk in animal models. The plants can also accumulate high levels of selenium, potentially providing a natural source for nutritional supplements and environmental cleanup.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute and Leibniz Institute have identified key metal homeostasis proteins in a hyperaccumulator plant species, paving the way for cost-effective cleanup technologies. These proteins play a crucial role in detoxifying metals in roots and shoots, allowing plants to accumulate heavy metals in their leaves wh...
Researchers at Northwestern University found that leafy vegetables and herbs in Chicago residential gardens are highly likely to be contaminated with lead. The study's findings highlight the importance of testing soil lead levels and developing strategies to ensure safety for urban gardeners and their families.
The study found that 31 soils are effectively extinct due to agricultural and land use, while six states have more than half of their rare soil series in an endangered state. The researchers argue for preserving rare and unique soils, which support rare plants and animals.
A study by Newcastle University found that a refined garlic product is an effective killer of slugs and snails, with the potential to replace chemical pesticides. The researchers tested nine molluscicides, including a garlic-based product, and found it to be one of the most effective killers.
Researchers are using genetically engineered cottonwood trees to remove hazardous materials from contaminated soil. The project aims to reduce mercury levels in the soil by twofold within 18 months through a process called phytoremediation.
Research by Lehigh University engineer Wei-xian Zhang has shown that nanoscale iron particles can break down organic and heavy metals contaminants in the soil and groundwater. The treatment process is more effective and cheaper than traditional methods, making it a promising solution for cleaning up contaminated sites.
Researchers found that most hydrogen eliminated from atmosphere goes into ground, highlighting importance of understanding soil destruction. Soil uptake of hydrogen is estimated to be as high as 80 percent, suggesting microbes use it for biological functions.
A Penn State study reveals that low-maintenance lawns harbor higher populations of beneficial arthropods, such as mites and collembolans, while high-maintenance lawns experience reduced diversity due to chemical applications and mowing.
A 17-year study published by Dartmouth College researchers confirms that lead in forests in the Northeast moves very slowly through the soil. The study found that lead applied to a mountain forest in Vermont had only moved down into the soil about seven centimeters, and will likely move even slower due to denser soil.
Researchers evaluating environmental impact of common nightcrawler on forest ecosystem in the Northeast. The invasive earthworm species is feeding on leaf litter and duff layers, affecting native plant seeds and animals.
Researchers have developed a numerical model for simulating the waveform in soil, improving field measurements of water content. The new method uses Time Domain Reflectometry and takes into account various factors such as soil types, bulk density, and probe parameters.
New guidelines published in Agronomy Journal provide a standardized approach to soil surveying and mapping, allowing farmers to make data-driven decisions. The technology is expected to revolutionize the agricultural industry within the next one to two decades.
Researchers found that surfactants can cause contaminants to move more rapidly through the vadose zone and reach the water table more quickly. This knowledge advances understanding of unsaturated flow processes and will aid in designing effective clean-up systems.
Researchers use DNA analysis to identify previously unknown microbe kingdoms, expanding the estimated number of microbial species to about 30. The discovery has potential applications in agriculture and ecology, including understanding soil diversity and improving sewage treatment.
The System Assessment Capability (SAC) is an integrated system of computer models and databases that predicts the movement and fate of contaminants through the vadose zone, groundwater, and Columbia River. SAC assesses the impact of contaminants on human health, animals, and the environment, providing a comprehensive understanding of c...
A new approach suggests using nitrification inhibitors to reduce nitrate leaching to groundwater. Researchers developed management zones based on soil properties and crop yield maps, showing increased yield in wet seasons without affecting grain yield or nitrate leaching in dry seasons.
The book, written by Dr. Georges Stoops, provides a system of analysis and description of soil and regolith materials seen in thin sections. It aims to standardize descriptions of features found in thin section analysis, facilitating communication among scientists using micromorphology.
A simple lab exercise introduces students to exploring catena soils, recognizing horizon changes, and associating auger holes with soil descriptions. The exercise helps students understand the impact of topography on soil properties and apply this knowledge to real-world scenarios.
A study by researchers at the University of Guelph and the University of Wisconsin found that rock climbing significantly reduces snail diversity and abundance on the Niagara Escarpment. The team analyzed soil samples from climbed and unclimbed sections of the cliffs, discovering a stark difference in species numbers and populations.
Research found that composted biosolids can lower lead bioavailability by 20-38% in contaminated garden soil, reducing the danger of poisoning. The study's findings suggest that using composted biosolids as a soil amendment could be a cost-effective alternative to removing and replacing contaminated soils.
A study published in the Journal of Environmental Quality found that compost can reduce lead levels in contaminated soil by 20-38%. This approach has been implemented in pilot programs in Baltimore and East St. Louis, showing promising initial results.
Researchers found that variable rate technology (VRT) with GPS and zone soil sampling reduces lime need by 60% and improves soil pH variability. The study suggests a combination of these technologies provides reasonable and efficient management of soil acidity and lime application.
UAF Institute of Arctic Biology researcher comments on a Science article about patterned ground, a process of self-organization in nonliving things. The research highlights the emergence of intricate patterns in Alaskan mountain ranges and North Slope, without predicting or natural selection.
Researchers developed a numerical model that explains the emergence of various patterns, including stone circles and labyrinths, through the interaction of two mechanisms: lateral sorting and squeezing. The relative strengths of these processes, along with factors like soil compressibility and stone size, determine the resulting pattern.
The new Methods of Soil Analysis Book, Methods 4, expands on previous editions with comprehensive techniques for carrying out soil physical measurements. It features advanced methods such as geostatistics, fractals, and fuzzy sets, providing a standard reference for soil physics technology.
The IFDC's ISFM-based intensification technologies improve fertilizer use efficiency by integrating organic matter and crop residue recycling. The approach increases agricultural productivity, maintains natural resources, and yields 2-3 times higher than average, with significant returns on investment and labor.
Research by Michael Gundale found that non-native earthworms can endager rare plants like the goblin fern, which relies on fungi for energy. The study discovered a link between earthworm presence and thinner forest floors, threatening the long-term survival of these unique plant species.
Researchers created a new strategy to remove arsenic from soil by inserting genes from the common bacterium Escherichia coli into a member of the mustard family, Arabidopsis. This enables the plant to tolerate arsenic and transport it to its leaves in a form that is less biologically available.
Scientists use microgravity to study soil behavior and simulate earthquake effects, aiming to improve foundation design and mitigate soil liquefaction. The experiment will analyze the strength and stiffness of sand under different conditions, shedding light on the physics behind soil movement.
Researchers have discovered that indigenous inhabitants of the Amazon improved the soil, rather than degrading it. The ability to reproduce this super-fertile soil could enable intensive agriculture in hot regions, making a significant impact on food production.
Acid rain is harming wood thrush populations, with declines of up to 5% annually in regions with high acidity. The decline may be related to leaching of calcium from the soil, affecting food availability and breeding success.
Researchers have developed a new microscope technology to study the interaction between biomolecules and minerals. The study focuses on Azotobacter vinelandii, a bacterium that releases siderophores to acquire iron from minerals. The findings suggest that these molecules can also dissolve minerals and potentially remove toxic metals, l...
Researchers discovered that some trees use fungi to obtain calcium from an intermediate pool of apatite, previously unknown as a plant-available source. This finding has implications for forest management and understanding the effects of acid rain on forests.
Organic farming methods produced 20% smaller crop yields compared to conventional farming, but made up for it in ecological benefits. The study found that organic soils were more fertile, had a larger community of organisms, and decomposed more efficiently.
A study found that B. cereus spores are associated with high numbers of gold-containing soils, suggesting their potential use as a biogeochemical indicator. The method could help geologists locate gold deposits at low cost and efficiency.
A team of researchers from UC Davis has developed a simple model to predict the solubility of environmental contaminants in groundwater. The model uses hydrotalcites, layered compounds that can take up metals and other chemicals, to make predictions about contamination with chromium, carbon, iodine, and technetium isotopes.
A preliminary study at the University of Toronto found that green roofs were better at protecting roof membranes from extreme temperatures than conventional roofs. Green roofs also reduced storm water run-off and kept summer temperatures inside structures lower due to vegetation cooling effect.
Researchers have found that innovative soil fertility replenishment programs can increase crop yields by two- to four-fold, providing strong evidence for their effectiveness. The programs use natural resources available in Africa, such as trees and rocks, to replenish nutrients depleted from the soil.
Researchers have created a novel method to measure soil fertility using Mason jars, which can detect chemical fractions that feed corn plants. The Illinois N Test uses a combination of heating and titration to determine nitrogen content in the soil.