Assessment of metals behaviour in industrial soil using sequential extraction, multivariable analysis and a geostatistical approach

The main objectives of this studywere to evaluate the degree of Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Cr and Ni pollution using pollution indexes and geostatistical approach, and to assess metals dynamic using sequential extraction procedure and multivariable statistical analysis in surface soils and soil profiles froman industrial complex as a base for a correct management in order to avoid health and environmental problems. Results showed that the industrial activity increases both Pb (103 mgkg−1), Zn (526 mgkg−1) and Cu (39 mgkg−1) concentrations and salinity in soil. Pollution indexes showed that industrial soils were moderately contaminated by Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr and Ni as well as a moderate ecological risk was reported. Two main areas were identified: southeast area with the highest metal concentrations, and northwest areawith the lowest levels. Chemical speciation of metals showed that the residual phase was the dominant phase for all metals. However, Pb and Zn were highly associated to the reducible phase (25–30% and 35–40% respectively) and a significant concentration was associated to carbonates (5% for both metals). In contrast, Cu, Cr and Ni were mainly bound to the residual phase (N80% for all metals) with low concentrations retained to reducible phase, and very low concentrations bound to the most labile phases. Cd was the most mobile metal with high concentration associated to exchangeable (5%) and carbonates (15–20%) phases. Therefore, Pb, Zn and Cd represent the greatest risk for human health and the environment

Bio-monitoring of metal(loid)s pollution in dry riverbeds affected by mining activity

The aim of this study was to evaluate the most abundant native plants that could be used as a bio-monitor of metal(loid) concentration in dry riverbeds affected by mining activities. Three plants species and their respective rhizospheric soils were sampled from the El Beal (Piptatherum miliaceum, 15 samples), La Carrasquilla (Foeniculum vulgare, 10 samples), and Ponce (Dittrichia viscosa, 12 samples) dry riverbeds from the mining district of Cartegena-La Unión (SE Spain). There is scanty bibliography of the capacity of these species to be used as bio-monitors in the dry riverbeds. Plants categorized as a bio-monitor were established according to the bioaccumulation factor (BF), mobility ratio (MR), and linear correlations between metal(loid) concentrations in plants tissues (root or stem)-rhizospheric soils. The rhizospheric soils were highly contaminated for As, Cd, Pb, and Zn (Cf ≥ 6), and moderately contaminated for Mn (1 ≤ Cf < 3). Piptatherum miliaceum presented on Cd similar mean concentrations on rhizospheric soil and root, BF = 1.07, with a strong correlation soil–root (r = 0.61, p = 0.02). Therefore, of the three species with the capacity to grow in the area, Piptatherum miliaceum showed characteristics to be considered as a bio-monitor for Cd, with a BF > 1, and a positive–significant correlation between the rhizospheric soil and roots.This research (Proyecto PID2019-110311RB-C22) received funding from MCIN/AEI/10.13039/ 501100011033

Spatial distribution and pollution evaluation in dry riverbeds afected by mine tailings

The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of pollution, sources and potential risk of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Mn, Cd, Cr, Ni, Fe and Pb) and arsenic (As) in four dry riverbeds afected by mine tailing, which drain into one of the biggest coastal lagoon of Europe (Mar Menor). El Beal, La Carrasquilla, Las Matildes and Ponce dry riverbeds sediments were sampled along its course (20, 18, 13, 19 samples were collected, respectively), and total/ soluble metal(loid)s, water soluble ions, nitrogen, and organic/inorganic carbon contents were analyzed. Spatial distribution, principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), contamination factor (Cf), pollution load index (PLI) and potential ecological risk index (RI) were used to identify the possible sources of metal(loid)s and to assess the sediment pollution status. The results showed that the mean total concentrations of As, Cu, Cd, Mn, Zn and Pb exceeded the natural background levels of the study area, with the highest values located close to the mining areas. Correlation and cluster analysis identifed that Cd and Zn were associated mainly with anthropogenic activities for all riverbeds, while Cr and Ni come from parent. PLI graded the four riverbeds as contaminated by heavy metals, while RI manifested that 100% of samples located in El Beal, La Carrasquilla and Las Matildes had a signifcantly high ecological risk. Therefore, this study suggests that mine wastes are the main source of metal(loids) contamination in the dry riverbeds, which results can be used to design actions and measures to reduce the environmental impact of metal(loid)s in the Mar Menor coastal lagoon

Evaluación agronómica del riego con agua marina desalinizada en cítricos. Resultados del primer año de ensayo

La escasez de agua y la creciente presión sobre los recursos hídricos en regiones semiáridas ha fomentado la utilización de recursos hídricos no convencionales, como es el agua marina desalinizada (AMD). El AMD es un recurso hídrico inagotable y no sujeto a variaciones climáticas, por lo que estratégicamente resulta idóneo para aumentar la disponibilidad de agua para riego en zonas costeras deficitarias. Sin embargo, el AMD presenta una elevada concentración de Na, Cl- y B y una baja concentración de Mg, Ca y SO42-. Los escasos estudios realizados hasta la fecha en Israel y España sobre pimiento, banana y tomate, ponen de manifiesto que el riego con AMD, si no se realiza de forma adecuada, puede producir problemas agronómicos y afectar a la productividad de los cultivos. Por el contrario, manejada de forma adecuada puede incrementar el rendimiento y la eficiencia del uso del agua. Actualmente no existe información referente al efecto del riego de cítricos con AMD. Por esta razón, este estudio presenta los resultados agronómicos del primer año de investigación sobre los efectos del riego de un huerto de mandarinos con AMD. Los resultados indican que, a pesar de que las concentraciones de Na y B en el agua de riego y en las hojas han alcanzado los umbrales citados como tóxicos en la bibliografía, no se han observado fitotoxicidad por Na, Cl- o B en hoja. Además, tampoco se han observado diferencias significativas en rendimiento productivo, número de frutos y productividad del agua

Perennial alley cropping contributes to decrease soil CO2 and N2O emissions and increase soil carbon sequestration in a Mediterranean almond orchard

The implementation of alley cropping in orchards can be a sustainable strategy to increase farm productivity by crop diversification and contribute to climate change mitigation. In this research, we evaluated the short-term effect of alley cropping with reduced tillage on soil CO2 and N2O emissions and soil total organic carbon (TOC) in an almond orchard under Mediterranean rainfed conditions. We compared an almond monoculture with tillage in all plot surface (MC) with almond crop with reduced tillage and growth of Capparis spinosa (D1) and almond crop with reduced tillage and growth of Thymus hyemalis (D2). For two years, soil CO2 and N2O were measured, with soil sampling at the start and end of the experimental period. Results showed that CO2 emission rates followed the soil temperature pattern, while N2O emissions were not correlated with temperature nor moisture. Soil CO2 emissions were significantly higher in MC (87 mg m−2 h−1), with no significant differences between D1 and D2 (69 mg m−2 h−1). Some peaks in CO2 effluxes were observed after tillage operations during warm days. Soil N2O emission rates were not significantly different among treatments. Cumulative CO2 and CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emissions were significantly highest in MC. When CO2e emissions were expressed on a crop production basis, D2 showed the significantly lowest values (5080 g kg−1) compared to D1 (50,419 g kg−1) and MC (87,836 g kg−1), owing to the high thyme yield, additional to the almond yield. No production was obtained for C. spinosa, since at least two more years are required. TOC did not change with time in MC neither D1, but it significantly increased in D2 from 3.85 g kg−1 in 2019 to 4.62 g kg−1 in 2021. Thus, alley cropping can contribute to increase the agroecosystem productivity and reduce CO2 emissions. However, it is necessary to grow evergreen alley crops such as thyme to obtain short-term increases in soil organic matter. Thus, to estimate increases in TOC with alley cropping, the plantation density and the period required by the crop to cover most of the surface are essential factors at planning the cropping strategy.This work was supported by the European Commission Horizon 2020 project Diverfarming [grant agreement 728003]

Procedimiento para determinar cuantitativamente propiedades físico-químicas de suelos o residuos sólidos

Número de publicación: 2 474 919 Número de solicitud: 201430291La presente invención se refiere a un procedimiento para la determinación cuantitativa de propiedades físico-químicas de suelos o residuos sólidos, caracterizado porque comprende una etapa de determinación de la resistividad del suelo a evaluar, una etapa de toma de muestras y análisis de las mismas y una etapa de obtención de la relación de las propiedades físico-químicas del suelo o residuo con los valores de resistividad obtenidos mediante tratamiento estadístico de los datos.Universidad Politécnica de Cartagen

Concentración, distribución y procedencia de metales y metaloides suelos bajo diferentes sistemas de cultivo

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la influencia de cuatro tipos de cultivo en la acumulación y especiación de metales en suelos, e identificar su procedencia. Se tomaron 40 muestras de suelo de cereales, frutales, cítricos y hortícolas, y se analizaron Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, As y su especiación química. Los resultados mostraron que los suelos de cítricos y hortícolas estaban enriquecidos con Pb y Cd, los de cereales con Pb y los de frutales con Zn, destacando que todos estaban enriquecidos con Cu, especialmente los suelos de cítricos. Los suelos de cereales tienen un mayor riesgo debido a la alta movilidad de Cd, mientras que en los de hortícolas el mayor riesgo fue causado por la movilidad de Pb. En los suelos de cereales, Pb, Cu y Cd tenían origen antrópico, mientras que el resto tenía un origen geológico. En cítricos, Cd, Pb, Zn y Cu tenían un origen antropogénico, y el resto geogénico. En cítricos, As, Pb, Zn, Cu, Mn y Cd tenían un origen antropogénico mientras que Fe y Cr tenían un origen geogénico. Los suelos hortícolas, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn tendrían un origen antropogénico mientras que el resto tendrían un origen geogénico. Por lo tanto, se puede concluir que la producción agrícola intensiva enriquece los suelos por metales de acuerdo con el tipo de cultivo.La realización de este trabajo ha sido posible gracias a la financiación de la Fundación Séneca de la Comunidad Autónoma de Murcia mediante el proyecto (15380 / PI / 10)

Composición para la rehabilitación de suelos

Número de publicación: 2450090. Número de Solicitud: 201430208La presente invención se refiere a una composición para la rehabilitación de suelos que comprende, polvo de roca calcárea y/o marmórea y purines compostados, al procedimiento de preparación de dicha composición y al uso de dicha composición como enmienda organoalcalina.Universidad Politécnica de Cartagen

Soil greenhouse gas emissions and crop production with implementation of alley cropping in a Mediterranean citrus orchard

The implementation of alley cropping in orchards has been suggested as a sustainable strategy to increase farmer revenues by crop diversification, enhance soil organic matter (SOM) and fertility, water retention, overall biodiversity, and contribute to climate change mitigation. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess if alley cropping with annual crops can contribute to i) mitigate soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, ii) enhance C sequestration in a semiarid Mediterranean irrigated citrus orchard, and iii) increase land productivity. For this, two different treatments were established: i) conventional mandarin monoculture (MC) with no alley cropping; and ii) mandarin diversified with alley cropping of barley/vetch and fava bean (DIV). Measurements of soil CO2 and N2O emissions were periodically performed (every 7–20 days) during two years. Soil CO2 emission rates followed the soil moisture trend, and showed no significant differences between treatments. As an average, soil CO2 emission rates were 147 mg m-2 h-1 in MC and 196 mg m-2 h-1 in DIV. Soil N2O emission rates were not correlated to soil moisture nor temperature, and showed average values of 0.026 mg m-2 h-1 in MC and − 0.002 mg m-2 h-1 in DIV. Alley cropping did not contribute to significantly increase soil organic C and total nitrogen in two years’ time. With regard to production, mandarin yield showed no significant differences between treatments, but alley crops contributed to complementary commodities to the main cash crop, increasing overall land productivity. Thus, alley cropping in irrigated Mediterranean orchards has no significant effect on soil C sequestration and GHG emissions at short-term, with increased land productivity owing to new commodities grown in the alleys. These results confirm that under semiarid Mediterranean climate, long periods are needed to efficiently assess soil C sequestration potential of sustainable practices in orchards.This work was supported by the European Commission Horizon 2020 Project Diverfarming [Grant agreement 728003]. Raúl Zornoza acknowledges the financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through the “Ramón y Cajal” Program [RYC-2015-18758]

Riego de un cultivo de cítricos con agua marina desalinizada. Resultados preliminares en suelo y planta

La escasez de agua y la creciente presión sobre los recursos hídricos en las regiones semiáridas ha extendido la utilización para el riego de recursos hídricos no convencionales, como el agua marina desalinizada (AMD). Debido a su composición en Cl-, Na+ y B3+, el riego con AMD podría causar problemas agronómicos y afectar al suelo y a los cultivos a medio y largo plazo. En este estudio, se regó una parcela de mandarinos durante 20 meses con (i) agua proporcionada por la Comunidad de Regantes del Campo de Cartagena (CR), (ii) agua marina desalinizada (AMD) y (iii) mezcla de agua 50% CR y 50% AMD (AM). Se evaluó el efecto sobre la dinámica y acumulación de los iones tóxicos Cl-, Na+ y B3+ en el suelo y en la planta. La [B3+] del agua AMD fue superior a la de CR, acumulándose en el suelo, con una concentración un 25% superior a la encontrada con CR al final del ensayo. La [B3+] en la capa superficial del suelo se correlacionó con la [B3+] en el agua y con la [B3+] en la hoja. Aunque tras 20 meses los árboles regados con AMD tuvieron una [B3+] foliar un 25% superior a la de árboles regados con CR, no presentaron síntomas de toxicidad. Las [Cl-] y [Na+] del agua fueron similares en los tres tipos de agua, superando los umbrales a partir de los cuales pueden producir toxicidad en cítricos. Las concentraciones de Cl- y Na+ en hoja permanecieron por debajo del umbral de toxicidad establecido para cítricos. Los resultados obtenidos son preliminares ya que este estudio debería extenderse durante un periodo más largo para obtener datos más concluyentes acerca de los efectos a largo plazo de la utilización de AMD tanto en el suelo como en la planta.Este trabajo ha sido financiado por el Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) y el Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades – Agencia Estatal de Investigación – a través de los proyectos SEARRISOST (RTC-2017-6192-2) y RIDESOST (AGL2017-85857)