Journal of Environmental Quality 32:1-7 (2003)
© 2003 American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America
EXECUTIVE SUMMARIES
This Issue in Journal of Environmental Quality
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Trace Gas Flux Measured from Landfarm Soils
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The emission of trace gases to the atmosphere from landfarms and bioremediation facilities is an area that has not been thoroughly investigated. The release of trace gases such as hydrocarbons from landfarms may impair regional air quality or pose health risks to on-site workers. Trace gas emissions from refinery and bioremediation landfarms were investigated in a mesocosm-scale simulator facility during experiments evaluating the impact of simulated cultivation and rainfall on trace gas fluxes. An evaluation of the impact of simultaneous water vapor fluxes on other trace gas fluxes highlighted the importance in lab-scale experiments of correcting trace gas fluxes from soils. Results from this research can be used to guide management practices at landfarms and to provide data to aid in assessing the impact of landfarms.
S. Ausma
(sausma{at}mpch-mainz.mpg.de)
Laboratory-Scale Measurement of Trace Gas Fluxes from Landfarm Soils. J. Environ. Qual. 32:
8–22.
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Residual Effects of Manure and Compost Applied to Soil
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The emissions of carbon dioxide from soil were similar among manure, compost, fertilizer, and no treatment check four years after termination of manure and compost application. Emission rates of methane and nitrous oxide were nearly zero, which indicated the residual effects of manure and compost had no negative impact on global warming. Four years after application stopped, manure and compost resulted in positive C and N balances in the soil (improved soil quality) compared with fertilizer and check treatments.
B. Eghball (beghball1{at}unl.edu)
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Soil Indicators Four Years after Manure and Compost Applications. J. Environ. Qual. 32:
23–32.
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Long-Term Sulfur Deposition at Rothamsted, England
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Human activities have dramatically altered global sulfur cycling. Zhao et al. show the stable isotope ratios of S of archived plant and soil samples from the world's oldest agricultural experiment, the Rothamsted Broadbalk Experiment, England, reflected the dramatically changing SO2 pollution in the UK over the last 155 years. The S isotope ratios were used to estimate the contributions of anthropogenic S emissions to the soil S pool and plant uptake.
F. Zhao (fangjie.zhao{at}bbsrc.ac.uk)
Stable Sulfur Isotope Ratio Indicates Long-Term Changes in Sulfur Deposition in the Broadbalk Experiment since 1845. J. Environ. Qual. 32:
33–39.
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Stopping Perchlorate Transport to Ground Water
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Perchlorate contamination of drinking water and irrigation water is a growing problem, particularly in the western USA. Tipton et al. show indigenous microorganisms in some soils are capable of biodegrading perchlorate under anaerobic conditions and in the presence of sufficient C. Factors that appear to influence a soil's ability to biodegrade perchlorate include its C content and history of perchlorate exposure. Results suggest there is potential for perchlorate to be reduced in surface soils before it migrates to shallow ground water or is taken up by crops.
D.K. Tipton (d_tipton{at}hotmail.com)
Transport and Biodegradation of Perchlorate in Soils. J. Environ. Qual. 32:
40–46.
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Microorganisms Munch Insecticide
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Endosulfan, a broad-spectrum organochlorine insecticide, is used worldwide and its residues are found throughout the global biosphere polluting the environment. Siddique et al. isolated 10 endosulfan-degrading microorganisms capable of utilizing endosulfan as a C or S source. Isolated microorganisms degraded more endosulfan as a C source than S and about 90% of 
- and ß-endosulfan was degraded by the fungal strain F4 (Fusarium ventricosum) while bacterial strains Lin-3 (Pandoraea sp.) and B4 consumed about 80% of -endosulfan and 85% of ß-endosulfan as a C source during 15 d of incubation. Bacterial strains B4s and F4t degraded about 70% of - and ß-endosulfan as a S source during 15 d. Results suggest these active microbial strains may be used to promote degradation of endosulfan in the environment.
W.T. Frankenberger, Jr.
(william.frankenberger{at}ucr.edu)
Enrichment and Isolation of Endosulfan-Degrading Microorganisms. J. Environ. Qual. 32:
47–54.
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Biomethylation and Volatilization of Selenium from a Constructed Wetland
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The potential of rhizosphere microbes isolated from common reed plants grown in a subsurface-flow constructed wetland to biomethylate selenate or selenite was studied in liquid cultures under controlled conditions. Total mean percentages of volatilized Se from one-half Hoagland culture solutions (low C content) supplemented with selenate or selenite and inoculated with cultured rhizosphere microbes after 15 d of incubation were 7.9 and 49.1%, respectively. However, when the same microbes were cultured in tryptic soy broth (a culture medium high in C), the percentages of volatilized Se from selenate and selenite were 1.3 and 1.9%, respectively. Dimethylselenide (DMSe) in water samples was indirectly detected up to 2.4 µg Se L-1, which indicates part of the produced DMSe was dissolved in the matrix before being released into the atmosphere. Results show rhizosphere microbes isolated from common reed plants have a high potential of Se biomethylation and volatilization from selenate and selenite.
A.H. Azaizeh
(hazaizeh{at}hotmail.com)
The Potential of Rhizosphere Microbes Isolated from a Constructed Wetland to Biomethylate Selenium. J. Environ. Qual. 32:
55–62.
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Cleaning Up Polluted Wastewater
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Chlorinated phenols are major industrial and agricultural xenobiotics that pollute soil and ground water. Since it has been shown that laccases, a family of enzymes, catalyze the breakdown of phenolic compounds, the transformation of one or a mixture of several chlorinated phenols by a laccase from the fungus Trametes villosa was studied. Generally, the transformation of chlorinated phenols decreased if more than one phenol was added to the reaction mixture, but this inhibition could be reduced if the concentration of laccase was increased. Therefore, in spite of some limitations, the application of laccase to decontaminate wastewater polluted with chlorinated phenols appears feasible.
J.-M. Bollag (jmbollag{at}psu.edu)
Enzymatic Oxidative Transformation of Chlorophenol Mixtures. J. Environ. Qual. 32:
63–69.
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Finding Phosphorus Runoff from Agricultural Soils
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Where particulate P loss from agricultural fields makes a significant contribution to the annual P loading of watercourses, characterization of the desorption tendency of sediment-associated P in runoff is of importance in eutrophication. A simple extraction that could be used to assess the redox-sensitive P in field runoff without preconcentration of particulate matter was investigated by Uusitalo and Turtola. More than 70% of the P associated with poorly crystallized synthetic Fe-oxides was extracted by the method, whereas extractability of P associated with synthetic Al-hydroxides and four naturally occurring Ca-phosphate minerals was only 7 and <0.2%, respectively. For 79 runoff samples from a very-fine Typic Cryaquept, redox-sensitive P gave a linear response to relatively great concentrations of total solids. In soils that produce turbid runoff, the proposed extraction procedure can potentially be used as an aid in evaluating BMPs for water protection.
R. Uusitalo (risto.uusitalo{at}mtt.fi)
Determination of Redox-Sensitive Phosphorus in Field Runoff without Sediment Preconcentration. J. Environ. Qual. 32:
70–77.
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Reducing Simazine Runoff in Orchards
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Simazine loss via runoff in the San Joaquin Valley of California is a potential source of environmental contamination because simazine is widely used for weed control during the rainy season (November–March). Simazine loss in runoff was compared between row middles that were either undisturbed, the normal orchard practice, or subjected to shallow mechanical incorporation. Low water infiltration rate inhibited surface-applied herbicide incorporation into the soil matrix with natural rainfall in compacted soils. Mechanical incorporation of row middles significantly reduced runoff volumes, simazine concentrations, and mass losses in runoff after application.
F. Liu (FLIU{at}uckac.edu)
Simazine Runoff from Citrus Orchards Affected by Shallow Mechanical Incorporation. J. Environ. Qual. 32:
78–83.
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Halting Herbicide Leaching to Ground Water
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Irrigation practices and precipitation affect the leaching of herbicides to shallow ground water. Peak herbicide leaching to shallow ground water usually was associated with intense storm events occurring within days of herbicide application. Focused recharge was associated with storm runoff that ponded in drainage ditches on the surge-irrigated field, in the upgradient road ditch, and at the low end of the conventionally irrigated field. Sprinkler irrigation significantly lessened the occurrence of focused pesticide leaching.
R.F. Spalding (rspalding1{at}unl.edu)
Herbicide Loading to Shallow Ground Water beneath Nebraska's Management Systems Evaluation Area. J. Environ.
Qual. 32:
84–91.
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Herbicides Found in Ground Water beneath Irrigated Corn
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Herbicide profiles are described by intense multilevel sampling of ground water beneath managed irrigated corn fields. Age-dated ground water indicated triazine and acetamide use at the site and on upgradient soils significantly impacted water quality. Deethylatrazine and metolachlor ethane sulfonic acid concentrations far exceeded those of the parent herbicides. Atrazine's half-life approached 20 yr and atrazine was most probably transformed to hydroxyatrazine in the ground water beneath the site.
R.F. Spalding (rspalding1{at}unl.edu)
Herbicides in Ground Water beneath Nebraska's Management Systems Evaluation Area. J. Environ. Qual. 32:
92–99.
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Reducing Lead in Urban Soils
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A range of biosolids and biosolid composts were applied to a high-Pb soil from a home garden in Baltimore, MD. Addition of a high Fe biosolids compost generated from Baltimore biosolids at 10% dry weight of soil reduced Pb absorption in rats by 37% over the control soil. Results suggest amending urban soils with biosolids compost can reduce the bioavailability of Pb in those soils.
S. Brown (slb{at}u.washington.edu)
Effect of Biosolids Processing on Lead Bioavailability in an Urban Soil. J. Environ. Qual. 32:
100–108.
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Soil Arsenic Compared in Two Florida Cities
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The distribution of soil As in the two Florida cities of Miami and Gainesville was compared. Soil As concentrations varied both between cities and with land use type. In general, anthropogenic influences masked the impact of pedogenic processes on soil As concentrations.
T. Chirenje (tchirenj{at}ufl.edu)
Arsenic Distribution in Florida Urban Soils: Comparison between Gainesville and Miami. J. Environ. Qual. 32:
109–119.
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Organic Manures Enhance Cr(VI) Reduction
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Chromium is used as Cr(III) in the tannery industry and as Cr(VI) in the timber treatment industry. Chromium(VI) is highly toxic and carcinogenic, even when present in very low concentrations in water. Bolan et al. evaluated the effect of a number of organic manures on the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and its subsequent phytotoxicity. Results showed organic manures enhanced Cr(VI) reduction and were effective in eliminating Cr phytotoxicity. The manure-enhanced Cr(VI) reduction is attributed to the supply of C and protons, and stimulation of microorganisms that are considered to be the major factors controlling Cr(VI) reduction.
N.S. Bolan
(N.S.Bolan{at}massey.ac.nz)
Effects of Organic Amendments on the Reduction and Phytoavailability of Chromate in Mineral Soil. J. Environ. Qual. 32:
120–128.
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Controlling Cadmium Sorption in Soil
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The dominating effect of pH for controlling sorption of Cd is well documented. By experimentally eliminating the dominant effect of pH, Holm et al. allowed for identification of soil components that may be important in controlling Cd sorption in whole soil samples. Among the different soil parameters and components present only C content and cation exchange capacity were found to be significant parameters for the 49 soils studied. None of the individual types of clay silicates and oxides were important in describing the variation in Cd distribution coefficients. Results suggest equilibrium pH is the dominant parameter describing Cd soil sorption and that even elimination of the pH effect combined with a very detailed characterization of the different soil components cannot add substantially to an explanation of the variation in Cd soil distribution coefficients.
P.E. Holm (peho{at}kvl.dk)
Correlation of Cadmium Distribution Coefficients to Soil Characteristics. J. Environ. Qual. 32:
138–145.
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Do Biosolids Accumulate in Soil?
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Farmers participating in a municipal biosolids land application program raised questions about accumulation of metals in soils and potential uptake of metals by forages. Fields that received biosolids before implementation of the USEPA Part 503 probably received biosolids with metal concentrations above current USEPA Part 503 regulatory limits. Although soil concentrations in these fields were well below the Part 503 cumulative limit, elevated Cd was seen in 3 out of 10 fields and the Cu to Mo ratio had decreased compared with fields that never received biosolids. Fields that received biosolids after Part 503 did not have elevated metals in the soil, and forage quality was similar to fields that never received biosolids.
J.W. Gaskin (jgaskin{at}engr.uga.edu)
Long-Term Biosolids Application Effects on Metal Concentrations in Soil and Bermudagrass Forage. J. Environ. Qual. 32:
146–152.
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Treating Metal-Contaminated Soils
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Trace Gas Flux Measured...
Residual Effects of Manure...