Biogeosystem Technique

159-196

Authors: Alexey P. Glinushkin, Valery N. Kudeyarov, Michael S. Sokolov, Vladimir E. Zinchenko, Vladimir V. Chernenko

Soil fertility is associated with the soil health, which determines the environment-forming (ecological) functions of the terrestrial-soil ecosystem – biological quality of products, and minimized eco- and sociosphere eco-toxic load. In the current conflict of the biosphere and technogenesis, it is important to avoid the increasing evolutionary risks associated primarily with the negative consequences of the global socio-environmental problem. For this a predictable co-evolution of technosphere (noosphere) and biosphere is the most acceptable wayout. In this regard, the development of fundamentally new nature-similar solutions and technologies in relation to balance – pools, drivers, fluxes – of the most important biophilic elements (carbon and other) is relevant. Today, the ability to control the carbon cycle in agrosphere is very limited. In addition, the data on this balance calculated via different models differ significantly. Apparently, it is most realistic to intensify carbon sink into the terrestrial-soil ecosystem. The technological potential for Balance enrichment of C capture and storage (BECCS) currently looks truncated due to traditional approach to ecosphere management. The nutrients (in particular, nitrogen) that are introduced into the soil in large quantities are largely eliminated from the root layer due to leaching and/or volatilization. In general, the agrogeochemical balance of NPK in the soils of Russia is very unfavorable, largely due to the systematic surplus exports of mineral fertilizers abroad. With the soil improvement and optimization of the most important crops mineral nutrition, the country in the nearest future can become a leader of the food exporters. It is necessary to rethink the interaction of socium with biosphere as well as with most important component of biosphere, the pedosphere. As a new development paradigm, “Biogeosystem Technique” was proposed – an innovative scientific and technological direction as a framework of nature-similar algorithms, technologies and technical solutions. One of this is a soil aggregates and biogeochemical cycle management in order to create the nature-similar biogeosystems with transcendental properties. The principle proposed of soil reclamation via the milling of illuvial horizon (layer 20–45 cm), which ensures the growth of agrocenosis productivity and achieving the consistently high economic indicators for a long period. A new nature-similar water strategy of Biogeosystem Technique is proposed – the intra-soil continual-discrete humidification paradigm. In the supply phase, water is injected into the soil in a controlled dose, distributed in a vertical primary moistening cylinder at a depth of 10–40 cm. Subsequently, moisture from the primary moistening cylinder is redistributed by capillary, film, and vapor transfer. The proposed humidification technology eliminates the loss of water, its negative excess effect on the soil and agrolandscape, typical for standard irrigation. A nature-similar technology for mineral and organic wastes recycling has been proposed and substantiated, ensuring (simultaneously with a 20–45 cm layer intra-soil milling) the in-situ synthesis of meliorating and fertilizer substances. The developed artificial geophysical aggregate system ("soil – waste") is a priority recycling substrate. As a result, the phytoimmune status of the soil is optimized, its bioremediation is ensured, and a phytosanitary situation in the agrophytocenosis is improved. Thus, the controlled coevolutionary intensification of the agrosphere by the methods of Biogeosystem Technique will ensure an effective implementation of the state strategic programs for development of nature-similar technologies. This will improve the quality of life of the population, and a real solution to the global socio-environmental problem will provide the additional biofuels, raw materials and food production, the sustainability of biosphere will be increased by implementation of biodiversity saving, agriculture biologizing, and soil-protective strategy.

213-228

Authors: Anton O. Nigten

During the last 200 years the idea became paramount that crops grow well on inorganic artificial fertilizers. After World War two there was a high pressure in the USA and Western Europe to stop investigating other forms of plant feeding. At the end of the 19th century there was the controversy between Béchamp and Pasteur about microbes. Béchamp defended the idea that the circumstances create diseases in plants and animals, and Pasteur was of the opinion that it was mere accident. Pasteur won, but not on scientific grounds. During these 200 years the debate never stopped completely. Inorganic fertilizing with a strong focus on nitrogen, potassium and phosphor led to crops which were more and more out of balance. A reaction was unavoidable. Many scientists concentrated their efforts on the risks of unbalanced crops. Especially for cattle. But only few scientists translated these findings into the risks for humans. Other groups found out that the ideas of Pasteur on microbes were incorrect. Microbes attack higher organisms when the macro elements are not in balance and nitrogen is not converted into proteins. In this paper I tried to investigate the risks of the dominant paradigm in the science of feed and nutrition with regard to fertilizing and health. I developed optimal rations for the macro elements potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and phosphor. And with these optimal ratios we can see where things go wrong. Through the quality of the feed and fodder the quality of the milk has gone down, and the risk of mastitis has gone up, and important crops like potatoes, tomatoes and fruits are not in balance and have lost their natural resistance, their qualities and their taste. As a consequence in many countries people don’t get enough magnesium – the key element for staying healthy. In most of the food research the role of magnesium is completely ignored. The second line is about the role of the microbes in health and disease. The recent research regarding the role of viroids in our cells starts where the work of Béchamp ended. Only a small group of scientists continued finding out about the role of microbes smaller than bacteria. There was a special focus on their role in cancer. But with the recent findings of Pradeu and his colleagues about their role in supporting our health the focus is back on their unmissable role in the health of plants, animals and men. The main question is when and why these symbiontic viroids stop being symbiontic and start being pathogenic. The balanced minerals and trace elements are the main clue.

57-70

Authors: Galina V. Kharitonova, Fyodor S. Kot, Valeria O. Krutikova, Evgeny V. Kharitonov, Victor Kislovsky

Many prominent ecological characteristics of Yellowstone derive from its hotspot-induced uplift, including the moderate- to high-elevation terrain, the cool climate and deep snowfall. Heat from the hotspot rises upward and drives Yellowstone’s famed geysers, hot springs and mud pots. The major soil-forming factors in the area are volcanic parent rocks – rhyolite and andesite – and lake sediments overlying rhyolite, cold temperatures, and deep snow in winter and low precipitation in summer. The purpose of the work was to study the effect of hydrothermal activity – geysers, hot springs and mud pots on the Yellowstone Plateau post-volcanic soils, developed on rhyolite, lake sediments and andesite. The sampling sites were chosen in areas both affected by hydrothermal activity – by mud pots, active geysers and the field of thermal waters and off the direct hydrothermal effect – Hayden Valley and the Lamar River Valley. Chemical weathering was a major feature of the affected soils. Near active mud pots, at pH 5.1–5.6, active rhyolite weathering resulted in abundant amorphous silica production and sequential thriving of diverse diatom algae. In soils on the lake sediments and close to the geysers, at low pH values (< 4), weathering was moderate and biogenic silica was presented mostly by shells of testate amoebae. The content of diatoms in these soils corresponded with that in the parent lake sediments. Similar conditions were observed for the soils on andesite in the Lamar River Valley. Biogenic silica was also found in the form of phytoliths, well-preserved in the productive grassland of the Hayden Valley, but significantly affected in the soils near active hydrotherms. Hydrothermal activity was a driving force of silicate mineral weathering and resulted in the thriving of diatoms on the plateau.

87-109

Authors: Jan Diek Van Mansvelt

In this paper I reflect on plant breeding in the context of agriculture, agriculture in the context of society and society in the context of culture. Altogether a whole, created by interacting and interdependent humans, on a precious and limited globe. In order to rationally reflect on this whole, I use not only natural science [beta] notions, but refer to socio-economic [gamma] and cultural [alpha] science notions as well, in their mutual interactions. This to emphasise their interweavennes in all appliances of (agro and other) disciplinary sciences. Clarity on this interweavennes helps to understand the considerable problems that nature, environment, human health, animal welfare, crops and soil-ecosystems, labour conditions etc. are faced with by today’s industrial, chemotechnical agriculture.

129-140

Authors: Gantumur Sambuu, Haliun Gantumur, Galina V. Kharitonova

As for most megacities, the problem of soil pollution with oil products is acute for the capital of Mongolia. In Ulaanbaatar, it is provided (aggravated) with dust pollution from the burning of brown coal, containing heavy metals and As, used in fuel and industrial complex and yurt part of the city. In this paper soil contamination of Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar with oil products was investigated. In addition, the state of soils in the zone of influence of gas stations was studied to reveal the patterns of accumulation of oil products and heavy metals (and arsenic), which fall into the soil due to atmospheric dust. Such surveys for Ulaanbaatar have not been conducted previously. Based on soil-geochemical survey, a map of soil contamination of the city with oil products was constructed. According to the obtained data, the content of oil products in the presence of local anomalies with medium and heavy soil contamination of Ulaanbaatar are classified as slightly contaminated. Elevated (above the maximum allowable concentration of 100 mg/kg) content of oil products in soils was found along the city's main highway, industrial zone, CHPP and yurt zone, high value were found in oil tank farms and filling stations (up to 1000 mg/kg soil and more). The visualization of the obtained data (the content of oil, heavy metals and As in soils) by GIS methods showed cumulative effect of As accumulation with petroleum products most likely due to atmospheric dust from the burning of brown coal.