Biological indices of soil organic matter in long term fertilization experiment

Dynamics of labile fractions of soil organic matter under 36-years of application of mineral and organic fertilizer in Chernozem (Mollisol) in Ukraine were studied. "Light" fractions of SOM between various mineral and organic fertilization treatments were studied. Amount of total organic C increased in manured treatments; while amount of total N didn't change under any of the treatments. Labile N was correlated to soil mineral N, MBC and MBN, LFN and LFC, while labile C correlated to the total organic C, LFC and LFN. The pattern of mineralization and accumulation of SOM suggested that OC dynamics more related to long-term substrate addition, while N dynamics better reflects short-term substrate addition. Application of mineral fertilizer alone accelerated mineralization of SOM, especially of "light" fraction, while partial or complete replacement of inorganic by organic fertilizers has a significant impact on soil microbial community and soil capability to supply plants with nutrients for longer period

Frakcionisanje fosfora u zemljištu nakon dugotrajne primene fosfornog đubriva

The changes in inorganic and organic phosphorus (P) fractions of soil resulting from long-term fertilization (40 years) were investigated. In order to improve understanding of the sink and sources of phosphorus, P-fractions were extracted from soil samples from depths of 0-30 and 30-60 cm with different amounts of monoammonium-phosphate (MAP) and then determined. The studied soil was of the Stagnosol type. Phosphate fertilizer was applied in 26, 39 and 52 kg P ha(-1) amounts during a period of 40 years. Samples were subjected to sequential extraction according to a modified Chang and Jackson method and the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction procedure in order to extract different forms of phosphorus. The certified reference material CRM 684 (river sediment extractable phosphorus) was used to confirm the accuracy of the instrument and of both employed methods. Furthermore, the association of phosphorus with substrates was provided by comparison of the results of sequential methods of phosphorus species with the sequential extraction of metals (Fe, Al, Mn and Ca). The results of continuous fertilization during 40 years indicated increases of all forms phosphorus in the soil except of phosphorus bound to calcium and organic phosphorus. Application of higher amounts of P-fertilizer resulted in the dominance of the Al P fraction in the studied soil, which indicated that this fraction was the most responsible for the migration of phosphorus along the soil profile.U ovom radu ispitivane su promene u frakcijama neorganskog i organskog fosfora (P) u zemljištu koje su izazvane 40 godišnjim đubrenjem amonijum-fosfatom (MAR). Đubrivo je dodavano u količinama od 26, 39 i 52 kg P po hektaru zemljišta. U cilju praćenja mobilnosti fosfora, ekstrahovane su fosforne frakcije sa dve različite dubine zemljišta: površinski sloj od 0-30 cm i dubina od 30-60 cm. Tip ispitivanog zemljišta je Stagnosol. Uzorci su u cilju ekstrahovanja različitih oblika fosfora podvrgnuti sekvencijalnoj ekstrakciji i to na dva načina: prema modifikovanoj Chang i Jackson metodi i BCR metodi. Sertifikovani referentni materijal CRM 684 (rečni sediment) je korišćen za praćenje tačnosti obe korišćene metode. Osim toga je proučeno vezivanje fosfora sa supstratima (Fe, Al, Mn i Ca) koji su ekstrahovani sekvencijalnom ekstrakcijom metala. Rezultati ukazuju da kontinualno 40 godišnje đubrenje dovodi do povećanja sadržaja svih oblika fosfora u zemljištu osim fosfora koji je vezan za kalcijum i organskog fosfora. Primenom veće količine fosfornog đubriva dolazi do dominacije frakcije fosfora vezanog za aluminijum u ispitivanom zemljištu što ukazuje da je ta frakcija najodgovornija za migraciju fosfora kroz zemljište

Primena GIS u proceni topografskih i hemijskih parametara pogodnosti za uzgoj vinove loze

In this paper, unique vineyard plots are selected, according to suitability of topographic and chemical parameters in municipality of Krupanj. Separation of vineyard plots was performed using GIS, which enables processing, analysis and presentation of spatial data. Benefits of GIS tools in the preparation of this work were highlighted during the presentation of topographic factors from DEM and through the use of geostatistics in processing spatial data. By analyzing only the topographic parameters, it was concluded that 0.97 km2 of municipality area has ideal conditions for growing vines, but only 0.0039 km2 according to both topographic and chemical parameters. The applied methodology allows fast and reliable determination of sites that are ideal for growing grapes. This gives a basis to municipal authorities for realistic assessment of significance and conditions, as well as further developments planning.U ovom radu izdvojene su jedinstvene vinogradarske parcele na osnovu povoljnih topografskih i hemijskih parametara plodnosti na području opštine Krupanj. Izdvajanje vinogradarskih parcela izvedeno je primenom GIS (Geografski Informacioni Sistem) tehnologija koje nam pružaju mogućnosti obrade, analize i prezentacije prostornih podataka. Prednosti GIS alata u izradi ovog rada bile su naglašene prilikom izvođenja topografskog faktora iz DEM-a (Digitalni Elevacioni Model) i kroz upotrebu geostatistike u obradi prostornih podataka U radu je utvrđeno da, analizirajući samo topografske parametre, 0.97km2 opštine ima idealne uslove za uzgajanje vinove loze, dok svega 0.0039 km2 opštine poseduje jedinstvene vinogradarske parcela izdvojene po oba kriterijuma: topografski i hemijski parametri. Primenjena metodologija pruža mogućnost brzog i pouzdanog utvrđivanja lokaliteta koji su idealni za uzgajanje vinove loze. Time se opštinskim službama daje osnova za realnu procenu stvarnog značaja, povoljnosti uslova i planiranje daljeg razvoja ove vrste proizvodnje

Soil acidification as a limiting factor to agricultural production in the municipality of Ljubovija

The process of soil acidification means, above all, a reduction of soil solution pH. It can be the result of slow, years-long natural process or considerably accelerated due to a combination of natural processes and anthropogenic influences. Acidification is a very important factor in the permanent degradation of the fertility of soil, as the most important and hardly renewable natural resource. Studies on soil susceptibility to the process of acidification were carried out in the Municipality of Ljubovija, using three methods. Defining of the degree of soil susceptibility to the process of acidification allows timely activities aimed at the reduction of overall soil acidity. Management of agricultural land, in isolated areas, must be focused on a balanced use of fertilizers and agrotechnical measures, using proper planting /crops to achieve the optimum use of resources and sustainable soil fertility

Efficiency of different methods and forms of microelements application in function of n fertilizer in apple trees

In order to achieve a high yield and quality of apple fruit, more effective ways of fertilization are required in the modern, high density apple orchards. The objective of this research was to determine the efficiency (partial nutrient balance, PNB) of different methods (foliar and fertrigation) and forms (chelates and salts) of microelements application in relation to the levels of N fertilization in apple orchard cultivar (‘Golden Delicious’). The combined effects of these fertilizers on the number of apple fruits per tree and on the yield per tree were also studied. Foliar application of Mn, Zn and Fe had significantly higher partial nutrient balance values compared to the soil application in both years of the experiment. However, most of the PNB values were below 10% indicating relatively low efficiency of the applied fertilizers with microelements

THE ESA SENTINEL-2 MISSION VEGETATION VARIABLES FOR REMOTE SENSING OF PLANT MONITORING

Remote sensing is a convenient method for plant monitoring by employing vegetation variables which is changed dynamically in time and space. Furthermore, in the last few decades the number and quality of information that can be derived from remotely sensed images is rapidly increased. The widespread usage of information from satellite-born sensors provides a new tool for studying the biophysical properties of vegetation by mapping vegetation resources and changes that arise over extended periods of time. The European Space Agency (ESA) Sentinel-2 mission, as a part of the European Global Monitoring for Environment (GMES) initiative, is a polar-orbiting, superspectral high resolution imaging mission that envisaged flying a pair of satellites; the first planned to launch in 2013. The Sentinel-2 mission combine a large swath, frequent revisit and systematic acquisition of high-spatial resolution land surfaces imagery with a large number of spectral bands; that will provide accurate and easily accessible data for the environmental management. The most important impact of Sentinel-2 for plant monitoring is expected to be the improved plant parameters: Fraction of Vegetation Cover (FVC), Leaf Area Index (LAI), Leaf Chlorophyll Content (Cab), Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FAPAR) and Leaf Water Content (Cw); by incorporating three new spectral bands in the red-edge region, which are centered at 705, 740 and 783 nm. The goal is to improve site-specific plant management by the retrieving different plant parameters as an input for management measures aimed to nondestructive monitoring of plant development and the detection of many environmental stresses, which can limit plant productivity

Fractionation of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) in Urban Soils from Salzburg, Thessaloniki and Belgrade: An Insight into Source Identification and Human Health Risk Assessment

Concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were measured in topsoil samples collected from parks in the cities of Salzburg (Austria), Thessaloniki (Greece), and Belgrade (Serbia) in order to assess the distribution of PTEs in the urban environment, discriminate natural (lithogenic) and anthropogenic contributions, identify possible sources of pollution, and compare levels of pollution between the cities. An assessment of the health risks caused by exposure to PTEs through different pathways was also conducted. The study revealed that, with the exception of Pb in Salzburg, levels of PTEs in the soils in polluted urban parks were higher than in unpolluted ones, but still lower than those recorded in other European soils. Results of sequential analyses showed that Al, Cr, and Ni were found in residual phases, proving their predominantly lithogenic origin and their low mobility. In contrast, the influence of anthropogenic factors on Cu, Pb, and Zn was evident. Site-dependent variations showed that the highest concentrations of As, Cu, Pb, and Zn of anthropogenic origin were recorded in Salzburg, while the highest levels of Al, Cr, and Ni of lithogenic origin were recorded in Belgrade and Thessaloniki, which reflects the specificity of the geological substrates. Results obtained for the health risk assessment showed that no human health risk was found for either children or adults.This study was conducted as part of a bilateral academic exchange between the University of Thessaloniki and the Universities of Salzburg and Belgrade

Fractionation, Mobility, and Contamination Assessment of Potentially Toxic Metals in Urban Soils in Four Industrial Serbian Cities.

The main soil properties, concentrations of selected elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn), and the chemical speciation of each element were determined in urban soil samples taken from urban parks in four Serbian cities (Belgrade, Pančevo, Obrenovac, and Smederevo) exposed to different sources of pollution. Pollution indices (PI, PIN) and factors (MF, ICF, GCF) also were evaluated. The study revealed As and Cd concentrations below the detection limit, whereas the content of Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn at some sites exceeded the limits established by local regulations, as well as the background values, which may represent an environmental threat. Sequential extraction results show that Fe, Cr, Cu, and Ni were predominantly in the residual fraction at most sites; however, Ni from Pančevo and Smederevo also was bound to the reducible fraction. The presence of Pb at all sites and Zn in Smederevo and Belgrade was mainly associated with the reducible and residual fractions. The highest Mn content was found in the reducible fraction, followed by the acid soluble/exchangeable and residual fractions. Based on the obtained indices and factors, the overall soil status at the selected sampling sites was found to range from the warning limit to slightly polluted, whereby Smederevo had the highest risk, and Pančevo and the control site the lowest risk of contamination by toxic metals.This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. The final authenticated version is available online at: [http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00244-018-0518-x

Evaluation of potentially toxic element contamination in the riparian zone of the River Sava

Contaminated sediments transported onto the river terrace during high water events can contribute significant quantities of potentially toxic elements to riparian soils. Seven trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) were analysed in the river sediment and riparian soil of the River Sava and their spatial distribution, potential toxicity and ecological risk levels were evaluated. The results showed that levels of all the trace metals were enriched to varying extents in both the sediment (As, Cr, Ni, and Pb) and soil (Ni) when compared to reference levels for sediments and European soils. Mean concentrations of trace metals in sediment and soil, apart from Pb, increased downstream in the River Sava. The similar increasing trend of these elements in sediment and soil may be explained by their increased load due to anthropogenic pressures (As, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn in sediment and the significant accumulation of Ni in soil) and frequent periodic flooding (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn in sediment and Cd in soil are influenced by both high water events and natural factors such as the geological substrate), particularly in lowland regions. In this study, soluble As, Cd, Cr, Cu and Ni fractions in sediment and soil LT 10% indicated their low mobility. The exceptions were readily soluble Pb and Zn in the sediment and soil at some sampling sites. In the lower reaches, levels of Pb in sediment was indicative of a medium environmental hazard, while there was a high environmental hazard in the upper reaches with the average Pb content in sediment higher than the PEL. Pollution factors for Pb in soil indicated a medium environmental hazard in the upper and middle reaches and a high environmental hazard at some sites in the lower stretches of the Sava River, although total Pb content in soil was within the range proposed for European soils

Contamination, risk, and source apportionment of potentially toxic microelements in river sediments and soil after extreme flooding in the Kolubara River catchment in Western Serbia

Climate change is contributing to an increase in extreme weather events. This results in a higher river flooding risk, causing a series of environmental disturbances, including potential contamination of agricultural soil. In Serbia, the catastrophic floods of 2014 affected six river basins, including the Kolubara River Basin, as one of the larger sub-catchments of the large regional Sava River Basin, which is characterized by large areas under agricultural cultures, various geological substrates, and different types of industrial pollution. The main aim of this study was to establish the sources of potentially toxic elements in soil and flood sediments and the effect of the flood on their concentrations. Field sampling was performed immediately after water had receded from the flooded area in May 2014. In total, 36 soil samples and 28 flood sediment samples were collected. After acid digestion (HNO3), concentrations of the most frequent potentially toxic elements (PTE) in agricultural production (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) and Co which are closely related to the geological characteristics of river catchments, were analyzed. The origin, source, and interrelations of microelements, as well as BACKGROUND: values of the PTE of the river catchment, the pollution index (Pi), enrichment factor (Ef), and geological index (Igeo), were determined, using statistical methods such as Pearson correlations, principal component analysis (PCA), and multiple linear regression (MLRA). The content of the hot acid-extractable forms of the elements, PCA, and MLRA revealed a heavy geological influence on microelement content, especially on Ni, Cr, and Co, while an anthropogenic influence was observed for Cu, Zn, and Cd content. This mixed impact was primarily related to mines and their impact on As and Pb content. The pseudo-total concentrations of all the analyzed elements did not prove to be a danger in the catchment area, except for Cu in some samples, indicating point-source pollution, and Ni, whose pseudo-total content could be a limiting factor in agricultural production. For the Ef, the Ni content in 59% soil and 68% flood sediment samples is classified into influence classes. The similar pseudo-total contents of the elements studied in soil samples and flood sediment and their origin indicate that the long-term soil formation process is subject to periodic flooding in the Kolubara River Basin without any significant changes taking place. This implies that floods are not an endangering factor in terms of the contamination of soil by potentially toxic elements in the explored area