THE MIGRATION OF THE TECHNOGENOUS RADIONUCLIDES IN THE FOREST SOILS OF THE UKRAINIAN WOODED DISTRICT

For the first time, the laws of migration of the radionuclides in the soils of the forest biogeocenoses of the Ukrainian wooded district have been considered in details, and the main factors, influencing on the speed of redistribution of the radionuclides in the system solid-liquid phase of the soils under the natural conditions, have been shown. The role of the different processes in the migration of the radionuclides by the soil profile has been revealed, and some elements of balance of the radiocesium in the forest ecosystems have been determined. The obtained results widen the representations about the laws of migration of the radionuclides in the biosphere and serve as the base for the development of the mathematical models of the radionuclides behaviour in the ambient mediumAvailable from VNTIC / VNTIC - Scientific & Technical Information Centre of RussiaSIGLERURussian Federatio

Greenhouse trials on use of biochar versus peat for land reclamation purposes

Experimental testing has been conducted to determine the effect of amendment of soil with mineral fertilizer, biochar, and peat on emergence, survival, establishment, and productivity of northern boreal plant species grown on poor substrates in a controlled environment (in greenhouse). Four species (slender wheatgrass, rocky mountain fescue, American vetch, and common yarrow) were grown in pots containing poor sandy soil amended with mineral fertilizer and/or organic amendments (peat or biochar). The greenhouse temperature, lighting and pot watering regimes simulated the conditions of vegetation growing season in northern boreal forest. The trials showed that mineral fertilizer had a limited ability to promote plant growth compared to peat and biochar. Both types of organic amendments had similar positive effects on the establishment of two test species (American vetch and common yarrow) and on the growth of three test species (slender wheatgrass, rocky mountain fescue and American vetch). Peat had a stronger positive effect on emergence of slender wheatgrass and establishment of rocky mountain, while biochar promoted the common yarrow growth better than peat.Non UBCUnreviewedOthe

Field trials on use of biochar versus peat for land reclamation purposes

Biochar application for revegetation purposes in northern Saskatchewan was studied to determine its effectiveness as a soil amendment in establishing sustainable vegetative soil covers. The abandoned Gunnar Mine Site, located on the northern shore of Lake Athabasca, served as a study area to test the effectiveness of biochar as a soil amendment. Field trials were carried out to compare the effect of biochar and peat application on the growth and establishment of native plant species. The field trials showed that peat promotes vegetation cover establishment better than biochar. Biochar also had a positive effect on vegetation recovery through both establishment of seeded plants and self-establishment of natural invaders (plant species not seeded during the experiment). Peat and biochar had different effects as soil amendments, depending on the plant species. It was shown that both peat and biochar can be used to promote plant establishment and growth, but biochar effectiveness may vary depending on its properties.Non UBCUnreviewedOthe