The conversion of abandoned chestnut forests to managed ones does not affect the soil chemical properties and improves the soil microbial biomass activity

Recently, several hectares of abandoned chestnut forests (ACF) were recovered into chestnut stands for nut or timber production; however, the effects of such practice on soil mineral horizon properties are unknown. This work aimed to (1) identify the better chestnut forest management to maintain or to improve the soil properties during the ACF recovery, and (2) give an insight into the effect of unmanaged to managed forest conversion on soil properties, taking in consideration sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) forest ecosystems. The investigation was conducted in an experimental chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) forest located in the northern part of the Apennine chain (Italy). We identified an ACF, a chestnut forest for wood production (WCF), and chestnut forests for nut production with a tree density of 98 and 120 plants ha-1 (NCFL and NCFH, respectively). WCF, NCFL and NCFH stands are the result of the ACF recovery carried out in 2004. After 15 years since the ACF recovery, generally, the effects on the main soil chemical properties were negligible. Some differences occurred for the water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) and microbial biomass and its activity. NCFL showed the highest WSOC content in the uppermost soil horizon likely due to higher amount of roots which are source of labile organic compounds. The higher WSOC amount might explain the greatest amount of microbial biomass in the A horizon of NCFL. Furthermore, the microbial biomass harboring in the A horizon of NCFL has also shown both a better C use efficiency and a larger soil organic carbon immobilization in the microbial biomass itself. Our data would indicate that the ACF recovery into pure chestnut forests did not have negative impacts on soil chemical and biochemical properties, though chestnut stands for nut production with a low plant density are the most suitable ones

PRELIMINARY RESULTS ON ENZYMATIC ACTIVITIES IN TWO SALT MARSH SOILS DIFFERING IN HYDROMORPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND VEGETATION COVER

Salt marsh soils are characterized by temporary hydric saturation and by vegetation cover that is dominated by different salt-tolerant plant species depending on factors such as duration of submersion. The composition of microbial communities is an essential component of trophic dynamics and biogeochemical processes in salt marshes and determines the activities of enzymes that catalyze the conversion of complex molecules into simpler ones. However, enzymatic activities have not yet been investigated in salt marsh soils. The aim of this study was to analyze the activities of some oxidoreductase and hydrolase enzymes in two salt marsh soils affected by different levels of water saturation and covered by vegetation dominated by different plant species [Juncus maritimus Lam and Spartina maritima (Curtis) Fernald]. The enzyme activities were measured both in air-dried (only) and in air-dried, re-moistened soil samples. The activities in soils under both types of vegetation were much lower than usually found in terrestrial ecosystems. However, in the air-dried samples, the enzyme activities were higher in the soil under Juncus than in the soil under Spartina and tended to decrease with depth, particularly in the former. The activities of all enzymes considered tended to be higher, throughout the whole soil profile, in the re-moistened than in the air-dried soils, especially in the soil under Spartina. Hydrolase activity was strongly and positively related to organic matter content in both air-dried and re-moistened soil samples, particularly in the latter. By contrast, oxidoreductase activity was generally only related to organic matter content in the re-moistened soil samples. Further studies, preferably with freshly collected soil samples, are required to clarify the relationship between enzymatic activities and environmental conditions

Technosols Development in an Abandoned Mining Area and Environmental Risk Assessment

none4noThe study of Technosols development, spatial distribution and physicochemical characteristics is becoming more and more important in the Anthropocene Era. The aim of the present study was to assess soil features and potential heavy metal release risk of soils developed on different mine tailing types after the waste disposal derived from mining activity in Central Italy. Soils were analyzed for their morphological, physical and chemical properties, and a chemical sequential extraction of heavy metals was performed. The investigated soils were classified as Technosols toxic having in some layer within 50 cm of the soil surface inorganic materials with high concentrations of toxic elements. Our findings showed that the bioavailability of potentially toxic element concentrations in the soil changed according to the origin of the mine tailing. However, because of the acidic pH, there is a serious risk of metals leaching which was reduced where the soil organic matter content was higher.openFerronato, Chiara; Vianello, Gilmo; Feudis, Mauro De; Vittori Antisari, LiviaFerronato, Chiara; Vianello, Gilmo; Feudis, Mauro De; Vittori Antisari, Livi

GIS-Based Geopedological Approach for Assessing Land Suitability for Chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) Groves for Fruit Production

The identification of mountainous areas suitable for chestnut stands for fruit production (CSFP) is raising increasing interest among researchers. This work aimed to (i) identify the areas suitable for CSFP shown in a land suitability map easy to read by land planners, and (ii) propose a remote-sensing-based methodology able to identify the lands currently under cultivation for CSFP. This study was conducted using the QGIS software for the Municipality of Castel del Rio, Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy. To obtain the land suitability map, topographic, lithological, and pedological data were acquired, and the areas located between 200 and 1000 m of altitude, with north exposition, a slope < 20°, sandstone-based lithology, and soils with dystric features were selected. The currently cultivated areas for CSFP were identified through remote-sensing images of the early spring period, which were delineated and georeferenced. The findings showed that only 10% of the whole study site area can be considered suitable for CSFP. Further, most of the currently cultivated CSFP (59%) are in non-suitable areas characterised by high slope gradients. The methodology applied in this study can easily provide detailed information about the suitable areas for CSFP and the areas currently cultivated with chestnut, thus allowing accurate land-use planning and land conservation

Assessment of Pollutants in Wet and Dry Depositions in a Suburban Area around a Waste-to-Energy Plant (WEP) in Northern Italy

Atmospheric concentrations of many trace elements are significantly affected by human activities, and their quantifica-tion in atmospheric deposition can be useful to ascribe to different sources of pollution. An important source of pollu-tion, which creates concern in the inhabitants of neighboring areas, are waste-to-energy-plants, that nonetheless are necessary in the actual management of municipal solid waste. For this reason the waste-to-energy (WEP) plant of Bo-logna (Italy) was monitored from 2006 to 2008, collecting rainfall water in 6 sites around it. Moreover, dry deposition of pollutants was determined after leaching from leaves, with four samples collected during 2007. Trace elements were analyzed using spectrometry, deposition and fluxes were calculated. Results show that there is a large variability of concentrations of trace elements both in time and space. Moreover, the pollution in the area is quite diffused, with no clear determination of the role of the WEP. As a general remark, elements and trace elements found both in rainfall wa-ter and in leaching water from leaves showed a diffused pollution in all the monitored sites, probably due to the WEP but also to industrial/commercial area, large constructions and high traffic roads. In any case the values found in the area are comparable to values detected in similar area all over the world

GIS-based soil maps as tools to evaluate land capability and suitability in a coastal reclaimed area (Ravenna, northern Italy)

Land capability and suitability maps are useful tools for soil resource conservation. This study aimed to build land capability and suitability maps using a multi-thematic approach by GIS in a salt-affected coastal area of Italy. Topographic, morphological, geological, pedological delineations and land cover maps, remote sensing image and climate data were acquired and the main physical and chemical properties, including electrical conductivity (EC) and available water capacity, were analysed on the soil samples collected in the study area. The acquired information were elaborated through QGIS software to obtain the land capability and suitability maps. The suitability map showed that most of the area (80%) is suitable for cultivation and, therefore, can be addressed for agricultural purposes without risk of degradation. In fact, the land capability map showed that 42% of the investigated area belongs to class I and II indicating that they can be used for a wide range of cultivations. While 44% of the investigated area clustered in class III and IV. In these latter the cultivation should be allowed to a limited range of crops due to the high sand content, which does not allow a good water retention, and due to a strong intrusion of sea water with consequent increase of the soil EC. In our study area, where agricultural productivity and environmental impact are in conflict, to classify the lands on base the land capability and suitability could help to define the best agricultural practices to apply in order to preserve soil functions

ANTIMONY ACCUMULATION RISK IN LETTUCE GROWN IN BRAZILIAN URBAN GARDENS

More than 80% of the Brazilian population inhabits urban areas. Diffused poverty and the lack of fresh vegetables have generated malnutrition and unbalanced diets. Thus, the interest in growing food locally, in urban allotments and community gardens, has increased. However, urban agriculture may present some risks caused by the urban pollution. Road traffic is considered the biggest source of heavy metals in urban areas. Hence, the objective of the study was the assessment of the accumulation of heavy metals in an urban garden in the city of Recife, at different distances from a road with high traffic burden. The results showed that the distance from the street decreased the accumulation of many potentially toxic elements. Furthermore, the human health risk was estimated, revealing that greater danger was associated with the accumulation of antimony. Concentration of other elements in the leaf tissues were within previously reported thresholds

Soil properties and plant community relationship in a saltmarsh of the Grado and Marano lagoon (northern Italy)

7noPurpose: The relationship between soil properties and plant communities was investigated in a saltmarsh of the Grado and Marano lagoon (northern Italy), where hydrology and micromorphology strongly influence the features of the ecosystem. A multidisciplinary approach was used to assess the change of soil properties and plant communities in relation to the submergence of soil. Materials and methods: The plant community and soil profile surveys were both carried out along a transect in six sampling sites of the Gran Chiusa saltmarsh (Grado and Marano lagoon). The morphological and physicochemical parameters of soil profiles were investigated, and soils were classified according to Soil Taxonomy. The concentration of macronutrients in both soils and plants was analysed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Cluster and linear discriminant analysis were used to assist the interpretation of the data of plant communities and soil properties, respectively. The bioconcentration factor explored the macronutrient relationship between plant community and soil. Results and discussion: A high, middle and low zone were identified by clustering the different plant communities along the studied transect. Discriminant analysis showed how the increase in soil submergence supported the accumulation of S and Ca content and depletion of Fe and Na. The development of different plant communities was linked to both soil water saturation and to the capacity of halophytes to tolerate anoxic conditions or salinity, by extrusion or bioconcentration strategies. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that tide level plays an important role in the pedological development and chemical transformations along a soil hydrosequence. The micromosaic vegetation pattern may therefore represent a useful index of the hydrological and nutritional status of the underlying soils and could be used to predict changes in coastal ecosystems. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.openopenVittori Antisari, Livia; Ferronato, Chiara; Pellegrini, Elisa; Boscutti, Francesco; Casolo, Valentino; de Nobili, Maria; Vianello, GilmoVittori Antisari, Livia; Ferronato, Chiara; Pellegrini, Elisa; Boscutti, Francesco; Casolo, Valentino; DE NOBILI, Maria; Vianello, Gilm

Critical evaluation of an intercalibration project focused on the definition of new multi-element soil reference materials (AMS-MO1 and AMS-ML1)

Soils are complex matrices and their geochemical investigation necessarily needs reliable Certified Reference Materials (CRMs), i.e. standards, to support analytical precision and accuracy. In particular, the definition of soil multi-element CRMs is particularly complex and involves an inter-laboratory program that employs numerous analytical techniques. In this study, we present the results of the inter-calibration experiment focused on the certification of two new soil standards named AMS-ML1 and AMS-MO1. The two soils developed on sandstone and serpentinite parent materials, respectively. The experiment involved numerous laboratories and focused on the evaluation of soil physicochemical parameters and geochemical analyses of major and trace elements by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Inductive Coupled Plasma techniques (ICP-OES and ICP-MS). The data was statistically elaborated. Three levels of repeatability and accuracy in function of the different analytical methods and instrumentation equipment was observed. The statistical evaluation of the results obtained by ICP-OES on Aqua Regia extracts (i.e., Lilliefors test for normally, Grubbs test for outliers, Cochran test for outliers in variances and ANOVA) allowed to computed some certified values for the two proposed soil standards. This preliminary study will represent the first step of a more thorough intercalibration ring-test involving a higher number of laboratories, in order to propose the investigated matrices as CRMs