The physical and chemical properties of the technosols in the pot experiment with waste and groundwater irrigation

Mediterranean areas are characterized by a strong spatial variability that makes the soil hydrogeological logical response highly complicated. Some seasons provoke dramatic changes in soil properties determining the runoff rates, such as soil water content or soil water repellency. In recent years, important progress has been made in adapting water needs to local conditions through the use of various parameters to assess soil water status. Estimation of the water status of the soil has been widely used in soil science as a tool for quantitative analysis. The main objective of this case study was to analyze technosol and irrigation water physical and chemical properties in the pot experiment with lysimeters. A pot experiment with Avocado rootstocks was equipped with lysimeters in the facilites of the «La Mayora Experimental Field site» of the Higher Council for Scientific Research (Spain). The scheme of the pot experiment included three sources of irrigation: a) groundwater; b) regenerated municipal wastewater (100%); c) a mix of ground and regenerated municipal wastewater (50 / 50%). Chemical analysis data indicate that the reclaimed wastewater does not meet irrigation requirements in terms of pH, EC and due to the significant content of sodium and chlorine. Even groundwater satisfies irrigation water qualitative requirements partially. The suitability of irrigation water on pH level can be characterized mainly as unsuitable and doubtful. Diluting regenerated wastewater with groundwater following the 50% principle led to a decrease in the potential risks for salinization of groundwater connected with leaching of the leachate. The dynamics of the change in the volume of leachate are related to precipitation, the frequency of irrigation, and different manifestations of the physical, mineralogical, and chemical properties of technosols.This study was funded by the TED - 2021-129664B - C22 research project coordinated with the Mayora - CSIC (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Spai

Benefits of adding forestry clearance residues for the soil and vegetation of a Mediterranean mountain forest.

https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/id/publication/15487Desertification is occurring throughout the mountainous areas of the Mediterranean. These processes lead to reduced soil fertility, increased soil loss, and reduced vegetation cover and species richness. To prevent further damage, it is recommendable to use low-cost approaches that are compatible with the European Strategy of Circular Economy guidelines. We investigated the systemic benefits from recycling of forest clearance residue by adding it to a dry Mediterranean mountainous area. More specifically, we performed afforestation without addition of residue in two control plots (C plots), and afforestation with addition of 10 Mg ha− 1 of clearance residue from a nearby region dominated by Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) in two other plots (PM plots). We conducted the experiments throughout 30 months after the afforestation process. Eighteen months after the intervention, the PM plots had significant increases in the soil organic carbon (SOC), and related increases in ecosystem productivity and stability. More generally, addition of clearance residues improved soil and vegetation recovery, and contributed to more successful afforestation. The improvements may be explained by an increase of infiltration process due to the physical changes in the soil following bio-waste addition. Addition of the forest residues increased the formation of soil macrochannels, and also increased the sink area, thereby improving the hydrodynamics of the ecosystem. Thus, soil loss was reduced by 98.2% in the PM plots relative to the C plots. Our study indicates that application of forest clearance residues to Mediterranean mountainous areas is an effective land management practice that produces very little waste, and it is in accordance with European policy.The study was funded by the P09-RNM-5057 research project (Autonomous Government of Andalusia, Spain) as well as by the Campus Andalucia Tech. Also, authors thank to TRAGSA Company their technical support during the experimental site set-up

Differences in the Soil Quality Index for two contrasting mediterranean landscapes in southern Spain

Soil quality indexes (SQIs) are very useful in assessing the status and edaphic health of soils. This is particularly the case in the Mediterranean area, where successive torrential rainfall episodes give rise to erosion and soil degradation processes; these are being exacerbated by the current climate crisis. The objective of this study was to analyze the soil quality in two contrasting Mediterranean watersheds in the province of Malaga (Spain): the middle and upper watersheds of the Rio Grande (sub-humid conditions) and the Benamargosa River (semi-arid conditions). Field soil sampling was carried out at representative sites, and the soils were subsequently analyzed for various edaphic properties in the laboratory. From the resulting data, the mean values have been grouped and reclassified, and, based on a multicriteria evaluation, an SQI for the study region was generated. The results show that there are major differences between the two watersheds, with optimal soil quality values being found in the Rio Grande watershed (very high soil quality—34.26%), but more unfavorable values occurring throughout most of the Benamargosa River watershed (very low soil quality—63.33%). Thus, these results have been subjected to a validation process in the field

The impact of organic amendments on forest soil properties under Mediterranean climatic conditions

Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd Política de acceso abierto tomada de: https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/id/publication/3525?template=romeoRestoring the native vegetation is one of the most effective ways to control soil degradation in Mediterranean areas, especially in verydegraded areas. In the initial months after afforestation, vegetation cover establishment and soil quality could be better sustained if the soilwas amended with an external extra source of organic matter. The goal of this study was to test the effect of various organic amendments onselect soil properties [soil organic carbon (SOC), pH, and electrical conductivity (EC)] over a 24-month period. Four amendments wereapplied in an experimental set of plots: straw mulching (SM), mulch with chipped branches of Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensisL.; PM), sheepmanure compost (SH), and sewage sludge (RU). Plots were afforested following the same spatial pattern, and amendments were mixed withthe soil at the rate 10 Mg ha 1. Organic amendments helped maintain SOC over the initial 6 months after the afforestation. However, only theSM and PM treatments had increased SOC values after 24 months. Decreases in EC were found after the addition of SM, PM, and SHamendments. However, RU increased EC values 24 months after the afforestation. Variations in pH values were not sufficient to establishdifferences among the various treatments. Furthermore, the results show that forest soils with or without organic amendments respondedsimilarly to the seasonal changes in Mediterranean conditions.The study was funded by the P09-RNM-5057 research project (Autonomous Government of Andalusia, Spain) as well as by the Campus Andalucia Tech. Also, authors thank to TRAGSA Company their technical support during the experimental site set-up

Impact of Low Pressure Grazing on the Hydrological and Sediment Connectivity in Hillslopes under Contrasted Mediterranean Climatic Conditions (South of Spain).

https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/id/publication/7511Many areas from the Mediterranean region are characterised by steep slope gradient, patchy vegetation cover and soil surface conditionsprone to overland flow generation and sediment transport. This study evaluated the hydrological and sediment connectivity betweensections (top, middle and bottom-channel) from three low pressure grazed hillslopes located under contrasted Mediterranean climaticconditions in southern Spain. The aim was performed by installing rain-gauge stations and opened-plots in order to register overland flowand sediment concentration from February 2008 to January 2010. The results indicated that (i) major volumes of overland flow andsediment transport occurred more frequently in the humid and semiarid; (ii) the more frequent hydrological connectivity was observedbetween the middle and bottom-channel sections, although the major values of overland flow and sediment concentration were registeredin the upper sections; (iii) it was found very frequent those rainfall events in which all sections contributed with overland flow and sedi-ment to the channel; (iv) the factors controlling hydrological and sediment connectivity varied from one site to another depending on therainfall regime and vegetation cover, although the soil surface conditions (rock fragment cover either embedded or not embedded, crusts,annual plants, among others) were found as a key factor in all of them. In summary, the grazing activity, even being of low pressure,contributes to distance the hydrological and sediment connectivity from the response expected in the field sites, especially in that of humidMediterranean climate: more overland flow and less sediment concentration and, vice versa, when becomes ari

Short-term experimental fire effects in soil and water losses insouthern of Spain.

This study deals with the experimental fire effects in overland flow and soil erosion at plot scale and considering rainfall erosivity. The studywas conducted in from May 2011 to Dec 2013. Six plots of 12-m length and 2-m width are considered: four of them were burned, whilsttwo of them remained in natural conditions. Overland flow was collected in deposits of 250 L after each rainfall event, measured at ameteorological station. Larger rainfall intensities and erosivity were registered after summer and, thus, overland flow and sediment yield,but one order of magnitude higher in the burned plots than in the unburned ones. Especially, the difference in overland flow and soil lossbetween both set of plots were nearly three folds larger whether the rainfall intensity exceeded 30 mm h 1 during 15-min intensity. It isremarkable that the most erosive event generating the maximum values of overland flow and soil loss was registered 16 months after theexperimental fire when a rainfall event of 99·2 mm h 1 occurred. This delay is considered as consequence of soil surface conditions andash cover. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.This study was carried out in the framework of the P09-RNM-5057 research project, funded by the Regional Govern-ment of Andalusia and supported by the Campus AndalucíaTech. The authors are also grateful to the reviewers whohighly improved this article with their revisions, commentsand suggestion

Overland flow generation mechanisms affected by topsoil treatment: Application to soil conservation.

https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/id/publication/16914Hortonian overland-flow is responsible for significant amounts of soil loss in Mediterranean geomorphological systems. Restoring the native vegetation is the most effective way to control runoff and sediment yield. During the seeding and plant establishment, vegetation cover may be better sustained if soil is amended with an external source. Four amendments were applied in an experimental set of plots: straw mulching (SM); mulch with chipped branches of Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis L.) (PM); TerraCottem hydroabsorbent polymer (HP); and sewage sludge (RU). Plots were afforested following the same spatial pattern, and amendments were mixed with the soil at the rate 10 Mg ha− 1. This research demonstrates the role played by the treatments in overland flow generation mechanism. On one hand, the high macroporosity of SM and PM, together with the fact that soil moisture increased with depth, explains weak overland flow and thus low sediment yield due to saturation conditions. Therefore, regarding overland flow and sediment yield, RU behaves similarly to SM and PM. On the other hand, when HP was applied, overland flow developed quickly with relatively high amounts. This, together with the decrease downward in soil moisture along the soil profile, proved that mechanisms of overland flow are of the Hortonian type.This study was carried out in the framework of the P09-RNM-5057 research project, which was financially supported by the Regional Government of Andalusia. The study was also supported by Campus Andalucía Tech

A Class of Indices and a Graphical Tool to Monitor Temperature Anomalies

We propose a graphical device—Three I’s of Anomalies (TIA) curves—that provides information on the incidence, intensity, and inequality (variability) of air temperature anomalies. We also propose a class of indices that help to compare different TIA curves when visual inspection alone is inconclusive. This class of indices identifies the 3 dimensions of anomalies and can be decomposed to evaluate air temperature anomalies according to different characteristics. Moreover, the results from this class of indices are consistent with the graphical device. We calculated TIA curves and a class of indices to analyze temperature anomalies in Málaga, Spain, from 2000 to 2017. Comparison of sequential 5-year periods indicated that maximum and minimum temperature anomalies have generally increased in frequency and intensity over time. The proposed index, which considers all dimensions, indicated that maximum and minimum temperature anomalies have increased. Analysis of different geographical areas indicated that inland areas had the greatest anomalies for minimum temperatures and mountainous areas had the greatest anomalies for maximum temperatures. Inland areas also had a stronger pattern of increasing anomalies. The coastline, especially in the western region, had weaker maximum and minimum temperature anomalies.The research project CSO2016-75898-P from the Spanish Ministry supported this research. The study was also supported by Campus Andalucía Tech

El efecto de los polímeros absorbentes en la actividad microbiologica del suelo bajo condiciones mediterráneas

Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the hydropolymer TerraCottem on soil microbial activity by measuring soil respiration and leaching of mineral nitrogen. Materials and methods. The incubation experiment contained control variants with natural soil of Nerja area (South Spain, inside the Sierra Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park, 36.7985173° N 3.8511693° W; WCGS84), variants with the addition of easy available nitrogen compounds (kg N ha-1), easy accessible carbon compounds (1% glucose solution) and a combinations of both. Within each variant, the recommended amount of control hydropolymers (1.5 kg/m3) and a double dose of 3.0 kg/m3 were compared. Results. Showed that respiration activity of the soil in this Mediterranean area was not eliminated by the lack of ready available nitrogen or carbon substrates. Furthermore, differences in CO2 production between the variants containing different amounts of hydropolymers were not significant. A statistically significant difference in the CO2 production was found in the first week compared to longer time periods. Conclusions. The mineral nitrogen leaching measurement showed that the biological activity of the studied is not affected by nitrogen dynamics which is balanced regardless of the amount of applied hydropolymer. On the other hand, leaching processes occurred when soil was doped only with nitrogen compounds or only carbonaceous, a problem that can appear after fertilizers applicatio Objetivo. El objetivo de este estudio pasa por evaluar el efecto del-Terracottem- en la actividad microbiana del suelo mediante la medida de la respiración edáfica y la pérdida de nitrógeno mineral por lixiviación. El ensayo se ha realizado en condiciones de laboratorio controladas y con suelos naturales. Materiales y metodos. Para el experimento, se han diseñado varios tratamientos: i) suelos naturales a los que se les ha adicionado compuestos nitrogenados de libre disponibilidad (Kg N ha-1); ii) suelos naturales a los que se les ha adicionado carbohidratos de libre disponibilidad (1% de solución de glucosa); iii) suelos naturales a los que se les ha adicionado una mezcla de compuestos nitrogenados de libre disponibilidad (Kg N ha-1) con carbohidratos (1% de solución de glucosa). En cada variante se han testeado diferentes dosis del polímero. Resultados. Los resultados han demostrado que la actividad respiratoria del suelo es independiente de la disponibilidad de compuestos como el nitrógeno o carbono. Tampoco se han observado diferencias significativas entre las diferentes dosis del polímero. Por el contrario, si se observaron diferencias en la producción de CO2. Conclusiones. La lixiviación únicamente se producía cuando los suelos era enmendado con compuestos únicamente nitrogenados o únicamente sólo carbonosos

Propuesta didáctica: La importancia de los suelos para entender los procesos territoriales.

Soil is the great energetic engine of nature, being a profoundly complex, variable, living and particularly fragile environment. On the other hand, human activities continuously transform and generate processes whose effects alter and degrade soil health. Similarly, the importance of soil conservation is at the heart of many of the challenges we face in the 21st century, as many of the SDGs could not be achieved without sustainable soil use and conservation. For these reasons, a multidisciplinary didactic proposal has been designed based on the contents of Biology and Geology and Geography and History so that students are able to relate the components of soil, its use, territorial processes and the importance of its conservation. For the development of this activity, different active methodologies have been used (PBL, Service-Learning, Case Studies, etc.). The activity is focused on students in the first year of ESO and is planned in terms of state and autonomous education laws.El suelo es el gran motor energético de la naturaleza, siendo un medio profundamente complejo, variable, vivo y especialmente frágil, mientras que, las actividades humanas transforman y generan continuamente procesos cuyos efectos alteran y degradan la salud de los suelos. La importancia de la conservación del suelo acapara gran parte de los retos a los que nos enfrentamos en el siglo XXI, ya que muchos de los ODS no podrían llegar a alcanzarse sin un uso sostenible de los suelos y sin su conservación. Por estas razones, se ha diseñado una propuesta didáctica interdisciplinar atendiendo a los contenidos de Biología y Geología y Geografía e Historia con el objetivo de que el alumnado sea capaz de relacionar los componentes del suelo, su uso, los procesos territoriales que le afectan y la importancia de su conservación. Para el desarrollo de esta actividad se han utilizado diferentes metodologías activas (ABP, Aprendizaje-Servicio, Estudio de Casos, Aprendizaje cooperativo, etc.). Está enfocada al alumnado de tercero de E.S.O y está programada en materia educativa estatal por la Ley Orgánica 3/2020 de 29 de diciembre (LOMLOE), el RD 217/2022 y la Instrucción 1/2022 en materia educativa autonómica (Andalucía).Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech