EURASIAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE

227 - 233

Authors: Maxim Ivanov, Valentin Golosov, Evgeniya Shamsurina

A Chernobyl-derived 137Cs- fallout was associated with one or two rainfalls Because of that vast areas of the Europe affected by Chernobyl-derived fallout are characterized by non-uniform field of radionuclide contamination. It was assessed after detailed field investigation within few river basins of the Central Russia located in areas with different levels of Chernobyl contamination, that existing maps of radionuclide contamination composed during last two decades are not enough detailed for assessment of initial contamination field transformation by the lateral migration processes of the Chernobyl-derived 137Cs. This problem can be overcomed if additional soil sampling are undertaken in reference locations for correction of exiting radionuclide contamination maps. However it is necessary to evaluate the optimal number of bulk samples which should be taken in each sampling point for receiving statistically correct results of radionuclide concentration. Special investigation was undertaken in few catchments (S= 2-50 km2) of the Central Russia, located in areas with different levels of initial Chernobyl contamination, for evaluation the optimal number of samples, which should be taken in each sampling point for the determination of Cs-137 concentrations error not exceed 30 % on 95 % confidence level.

244 - 252

Authors: Lili Mézes, Attila Nagy, Bernadett Gálya, János Tamás

Poultry feathers are produced in large amounts as a waste in poultry slaughterhouses. Only 60-70% of the poultry slaughterhouse products are edible for human being. This means more million tons annually worldwide (Papadopoulus et al., 1986; Williams et al., 1991; Hegedűs et al., 1998). The keratin-content of feather can be difficulty digested, so physical, chemical and/or biological pre-treatment are needed in practice, which have to be set according to the utilization method. Feather was enzymatic degraded, and then fermented in separated bioreactors. The anaerobic bioreactor system (4 digesters with 6 litre volume) was controlled by ACE SCADA software running on Linux platforms. Pot scale seed germination tests were established to suggest the quantity of digested slurry to be utilized. The chosen test plants were lettuce (Lactuca sativa). In case of reproduction test Student’s t-test was applied to examine significant differences between the root lengths of the control and the treated plant species. In case of pot seed germination variance analysis with Tukey B’s and Duncan test was applied to examine significant differences between the root lengths of plants, grown on different treatments. The effect of treatments on germination ability of the plant species was expressed in the percentage of the controls. According to Student’s t-test significant difference was found between root lengths of different treatments. Based on variance analysis with Tukey B’s and Duncan tests could be detected a significant difference between the treatments. Utilization of the fermented material reduces the use of fertilizers and because of its large moisture content it reduces the watering costs. Recycle of the slaughterhouse feather and different agricultural wastes and by-products can solve three main problems: disposal of harmful materials, producing of renewable energy and soil nutrient, measuring reflectance at the certain spectral range, which can facilitate real time water status assessment of orchards.

259 - 265

Authors: Vedat Ceyhan, İzzet Akça, Rıdvan Kızılkaya, Anna Veselova, Ksenia Novikova

Recycling the waste such as hazelnut husk, sewage sludge etc. has been one of the issues into the agenda of many countries. Therefore the purpose of the study was to examine the economic feasibility of the vermicompost production. Technical data about composting hazelnut husk and sewage sludge were gathered from past research. The time series data such as production, export, import and price of vermicompost collected from TURKSTAT, FAO and related institutions. Autoregressive integrating moving average model (ARIMA) and smoothing methods such as double exponential model and winter model were used in forecasting process. We followed net present value and internal rate of return procedures when evaluating the financial feasibility of the facility having one ton vermicompost production capacity per day. Research results showed that the profitability of vermicompost production facility was high, while the likelihood of loss was less. Vermicompost production facility with approximately 130 thousands of US dollars initial investment provided net present value of 1.28 million of US dollars during the economic life. The internal rate of vermicompost production facility was 23%. Research results also revealed that production cost of vermicompost was $0.2 per kilogram. Since vermicompost production facility investment with high profitability and low level of risk was good investment alternatives facing with low level of competitive in market, the study suggest to investors who has good back grounding about sector that they should pay attention to marketing system and market observation about organic input market.

272 - 278

Authors: Kristina Amaleviciute, Inga Liaudanskiene, Alvyra Slepetiene, Jonas Slepetys, Ieva Jokubauskaite, Jonas Volungevicius

The aim of this study was to determine the chemical properties of peat soil depending on changes in land-use. The Terric Histosol (HSs) was investigated in this research, and the treatments of former different land-use in Radviliškis site. Chemical analyses were carried out at the Chemical Research Laboratory of LRCAF. After 12 years since the end of field experiment the differences in soil chemical composition remained still between treatments of differently used peat soil. Due to mineralization, the content of soil organic matter (SOM) and SOC respectively decreased, the largest amounts of SOC are stored in the upper soil layer of perennial grasses fertilized with NPK (NPK), there was the highest yield of biomass; and accordingly, the lowest content of SOC – in soil of un-used peat (UU). The distribution of total N and P in profile of Terric Histosol is directly related to the vertical gradient of mineralization intensity; higher amounts of N and P have been accumulated where mineralization was more intense. The distribution of total K is related to land-use of Terric Histosol, whereas the biggest quantity of total K was established in arable land which has been fertilized with mineral fertilisers.

287 - 300

Authors: Kaiwen Pan, Pimin Gong, Jinchuang Wang, Yanjie Wang, Chenggang Liu, Wei Li, Lin Zhang

Nitrate (NO3--N) and ammonium (NH4+-N) fertilizers are the main forms of chemical inorganic nitrogen fertilizers that are widely used in agro-ecosystem for high yield. However, the responses of soil nematode food web to different forms and rates of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers are not well understood. The objective of this study was to determine the responses of soil nematode food web to the applications of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers in a continuous cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cropping system. Nitrate (NaNO3) and ammonium (NH4HCO3) fertilizers were applied to cucumber plants at the nitrogen (N) rate of 0, 67.5, 135.0 and 202.5 kg N hm-2 before planting. It was conducted in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications at Huaizi village, Leshan district, Sichuan province, Southwestern China. The effects were analyzed at the stages of seedling, blooming and fruiting, respectively. The results indicated that the numbers of nematodes were significantly higher in soils with the addition of 67.5 kg N hm-2 than the control at the seedling and blooming stages. Nematode number strongly increased at the seedling stage and decreased at the blooming and fruiting stages in nitrate-treated soils compared to the ammonium-treated. The percentage of herbivores to total nematodes significantly decreased while that of bacterivores increased with a fertilizer rate less than 135 kg N hm-2 at the seedling and fruiting stages. Nitrate significantly reduced the percentage of herbivores, and increased that of bacterivores to total nematodes by comparison with ammonium at the blooming and fruiting stages. The application of nitrate significantly increased nematode diversity and evenness, and decreased dominance at the blooming stage relative to ammonium. Nitrate significantly decreased the values of channel index at the blooming stage and maturity index at the seedling stage in comparison with ammonium, respectively. Enrichment index and structural index strongly increased at the seedling stage, and decreased at the blooming and fruiting stages under the treatment of nitrate relative to ammonium. The results suggested responses of nematode food web dependent on the rates and forms of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers and stages of cucumber growth.

153 - 160

Authors: Maria Manuela Carvalho, Maria Cristina Vila, Cristina Delerue-Matos, Maria Teresa Oliva-Teles, António Fiúza

Bioremediation is an attractive and useful method of remediation of soils contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons because it is simple to maintain, applicable in large areas, is economic and enables an effective destruction of the contaminant. Usually, the autochthone microorganisms have no ability to degrade these compounds, and otherwise, the contaminated sites have inappropriate environmental conditions for microorganism’s development. These problems can be overcome by assisted bioremediation (bioaugmentation and/or biostimulation). In this study the assisted bioremediation capacity on the rehabilitation of three natural sub-soils (granite, limestone and schist) contaminated with benzene was evaluated. Two different types of assisted bioremediation were used: without and with ventilation (bioventing). The bioaugmentation was held by inoculating the soil with a consortium of microorganisms collected from the protection area of crude oil storage tanks in a refinery. In unventilated trials, biostimulation was accomplished by the addition of a nutrient mineral media, while in bioventing oxygen was also added. The tests were carried out at controlled temperature of 25 ºC in stainless steel columns where the moist soil contaminated with benzene (200 mg per kg of soil) occupied about 40% of the column’s volume. The processes were daily monitored in discontinued mode. Benzene concentration in the gas phase was quantified by gas chromatography (GC-FID), oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations were monitored by respirometry. The results revealed that the three contaminated soils were remediated using both technologies, nevertheless, the bioventing showed faster rates. With this work it was proved that respirometric analysis is an appropriate instrument for monitoring the biological activity.

169 - 177

Authors: Martin Reiss, Peter Chifflard

Periglacial cover beds are an important trigger of slope-water paths in sloped terrain of the mid-latitudes. Most hydropedological studies focus on the quantitative analysis about the interrelation between subsurface layering and runoff processes at the slope scale. In this research we emphasis on a qualitative environmental geochemical analysis of trace elements and dissolved organic carbon in a small forest hydrological study area in the central parts of the subdued mountains of Germany (Location: KrofdorferForst, +50° 41' 3.69", +8° 38' 38.87"). The main objective is to assess the effect of lithological discontinuities of stratified soils within the depth functions of trace elements concentration in soil solutions (soil water and its dissolved and mobile fraction in a vertical distribution). Lorz (2008) show that depth functions of manganese (Mn) are characterized by strong pedogenic dynamics, analysing a shortened sequential extraction of solid soil material. We investigated the hypothesis that lithological discontinuities act like aquicludes. Therefore we expect abrupt changes within the depth function of manganese as a result of such water-blocking effect (= geochemical barriers) as a consequence of mobilization under wet soil conditions. In a preliminary case study we sampled soil solutions from three different plots within a 400m-toposequence. We use in situ trench installed suction lysimeters with ceramic tips (Irrometer Soil Solution Access Tube) to extract soil water samples each 20 cm from top- (10 cm) to subsoil (110 cm). For geochemical element analysis we use an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results: A clear character of abrupt changes within the depth function could be illustrated for most of the plots. For example, at the upper slope plot a contrast of the depth function is from 1013 ppb mean concentration at 50 cm profile depth to 290 ppb mean concentration at 70 cm profile depth (17 month sampling period). To conclude, these results demonstrate that hydrochemical quality and translocation processes of soil solutions determining an interrelation between subsurface layering and run off processes - respectively could be seen as an environmental consequence of it.

185 - 190

Authors: Zeynep Demir, Coşkun Gülser

Effects of rice husk compost (RHC) on some soil quality parameters under greenhouse conditions were investigated. Experiment were conducted in a randomized plot design with different application doses of RHC (0, 3, 6 and 9%) into surface soil (0-20 cm) with three replications in a greenhouse of Agricultural Faculty in Ondokuz Mayıs University. RHC application generally improved the soil quality parameters according to the control treatment during the experiment carried out with growing tomato plant in the greenhouse in 2010. The soil organic matter (OM) contents significantly increased by the application of RHC in the following order; 9%>6%>3%>0%. While RHC applications in the greenhouses significantly reduced pH contents of soils according to the control, the RHC application increased the values of respiration rate (CO2), EC, NO3-N and available phosphorus (P). While the exchangeable Ca values of soils generally decreased, the exchangeable Mg and K values generally increased according to the control with RHC application. Bulk density (BD) values in the greenhouse were reduced with RHC application doses in the following order 0%>3%> 6%>9%. The values of field capacity (FC), permanent wilting point (PWP) and available water capacity (AWC) generally increased according to the control with the application of RHC dosses in the following order 9%>6%>3%. The highest positive correlations among the physical, chemical and biological properties were found between OM and PWP (0.924**), AWC and FC (0.907**), OM and FC (0.897**), CO2 and PWP (0.862**), PWP and FC (0.791**); while the highest negative correlations were found between BD and FC (-0.854**), BD and PWP (-0.871**), BD and OM (-0.868**), BD and CO2 (-0.838**), BD and P (-0.821**), Ca and FC (-0.812**). The highest tomato yield (7.77 ton/da) was obtained with the 9% of RHC application. RHC application to the soil in greenhouse generally improved soil quality and tomato yield.

198 - 202

Authors: Dolgor Khaydapova, Evgeny Milanovskiy, Evgeny Shein

Rheological properties of kaolinite, montmorillonite, ferralitic soil of the humid subtropics (Norfolk island, southwest of Oceania), alluvial clay soil of arid subtropics (Konyaprovince, Turkey) and carbonate loess loam of Russian forest-steppe zone were determined. A parallel plate rheometer MCR-302 (Anton Paar, Austria) was used in order to conduct amplitude sweep test. Rheological properties allow to assess quantitatively structural bonds and estimate structural resistance to a mechanical impact. Measurements were carried out on samples previously pounded and capillary humidified during 24 hours. In the amplitude sweep method an analyzed sample was placed between two plates. The upper plate makes oscillating motions with gradually extending amplitude. Software of the device allows to receive several rheological parameters such as elastic modulus (G’, Pa), viscosity modulus (G", Pa), linear viscoelasticity range (G’>>G”), and point of destruction of structure at which the elastic modulus becomes equal to the viscosity modulus (G’=G”- crossover). It was found out that in the elastic behavior at G '>> G " strength of structural links of kaolinite, alluvial clay soil and loess loam constituted one order of 105 Pa. Montmorillonit had a minimum strength - 104 Pa and ferrallitic soil of Norfolk island [has] - a maximum one -106 Pa. At the same time montmorillonite and ferralitic soil were characterized by the greatest plasticity. Destruction of their structure (G '= G") took place only in the cases when strain was reaching 11-12%. Destraction of the kaolinite structure happened at 5% of deformation and of the alluvial clay soil and loess loam - at 4.5%.

211 - 219

Authors: Joulia Meshalkina, Alexis Yaroslavtsev, Ilya Mazirov, Miljan Samardzic, Riccardo Valentini, Ivan Vasenev

The eddy covariance (EC) technique as a powerful statistics-based method of measurement and calculation the vertical turbulent fluxes of greenhouses gases within atmospheric boundary layers provides the continuous, long-term flux information integrated at the ecosystem scale. An attractive way to compare the agricultural practices influences on GHG fluxes is to divide a crop area into subplots managed in different ways. The research has been carried out in the Precision Farming Experimental Field of the Russian Timiryazev State Agricultural University (RTSAU, Moscow) in 2013 under the support of RF Government grant # 11.G34.31.0079, EU grant # 603542 LUС4С (7FP) and RF Ministry of education and science grant # 14-120-14-4266-ScSh. Arable Umbric Albeluvisols have around 1% of SOC, 5.4 pH (KCl) and NPK medium-enhanced contents in sandy loam topsoil. The CO2 flux seasonal monitoring has been done by two eddy covariance stations located at the distance of 108 m. The LI-COR instrumental equipment was the same for the both stations. The stations differ only by current crop version: barley or vetch and oats. At both sites, diurnal patterns of NEE among different months were very similar in shape but varied slightly in amplitude. NEE values were about zero during spring time. CO2 fluxes have been intensified after crop emerging from values of 3 to 7 µmol/s∙m2 for emission, and from 5 to 20 µmol/s∙m2 for sink. Stabilization of the fluxes has come at achieving plants height of 10-12 cm. Average NEE was negative only in June and July. Maximum uptake was observed in June with average values about 8 µmol CO2 m−2 s−1. Although different kind of crops were planted on the fields A and B, GPP dynamics was quite similar for both sites: after reaching the peak values at the mid of June, GPP decreased from 4 to 0.5 g C CO2 m-2 d-1 at the end of July. The difference in crops harvesting time that was equal two weeks did not significantly influence the daily GPP patterns. Cumulative assimilation of CO2 at the end of the growing season was about 150 g C m−2 for both sites. So the difference in NEE was the consequence of essentially higher respiration rates in case of vetch and oats (about 350 g C m−2) comparing to barley (250 g C m−2) that needs additional research. The results have shown high daily and seasonal dynamic of CO2 emission too as a result of different and contrasted conditions: crop type, crop development stage, soil moisture and air temperature. Obtained unique for Russian agriculture data are useful for land-use practices environmental assessment, for soil organic carbon dynamics analysis and agroecological evaluation.

82 - 87

Authors: Orhan Dengiz, Mustafa Sağlam, Ferhat Türkmen

Identifying the primary factors influencing watershed scale soil organic carbon (SOC) spatial distribution is critical for improving the accuracy of SOC stock estimates. The primary objective of the current study is to determine the effects of soil type and land use-land cover on SOC in Maden Dere Watershed. To determine land use and land cover of the study area, Geoeye satellite image was used. Four main land use and land cover that are forest, pasture, orchard and cultivated land were determined. Results indicate soil types and land use-land cover were two influencing factors of SOC density spatial variation. SOC density of soil profiles, Haplustept (37.58 kg/m2) was significantly higher than other soil great groups. Main reasons of this result are indicated as profile depth and pedological development. In addition, it was determined land use and land cover affect on SOC by taking soil samples. For surface soils SOC density, the lowest average carbon storage (5.05 kg/m2) was found in cultivated soils. In conclusion, it should be developed proper land use policy and sustainable soil management and cropping practices to combat the ongoing soil degradation and improve soil fertility in the study area.

94 - 99

Authors: Veronika Sobotková, Miroslav Dumbrovský

Erosion on the agricultural soils in the Czech Republic threats seriously their production and nonproduction functions. Erosion have devastating effect on fertile topsoil of the agricultural soils, reduces the thickness of the soil profile and nutrients and humus content, deteriorate physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. At the Brno University of Technology in Czech Republic was designed and realized equipment "the soil erosion bridge", which allows the soil surface profile measurement and quantifies the volume of erosion rills, which can occur after heavy rainfall. The main objective was to develop a method for volumetric quantification of erosion rills during heavy rainfall season. Using new equipment the soil surface profile was measured directly in the field during 4 years (2007–2010). New equipment consists of three parts. The first equipment is a square frame with an inside dimension of 4 m2. The second equipment is removable profile, which serves for movement of the soil erosion bridge. The third equipment is the soil erosion bridge. The soil erosion bridge serves to volumetric quantification of rill erosion. The more effective way of data processing was developed. It was developed a software, by which it is possible the automatically transfer the rill surface profile to digital form. In the South Moravian Region in the Czech Republic was selected case study area with typical very steep sloped relief with the loess soil. The measurement was carried out on the research plots with a slope of more than 10%. More than 1300 cross sections of the soil surface profile were measured using the new type of soil erosion bridge. From these profiles it was possible to calculate the volume of the eroded soil from the research plots. The results were always in excess of 100 t.ha–1.rok–1. This is a value many times higher than the tolerated limit of soil loss in Czech Republic. Thanks to this new equipment, it is possible to quantify the soil loss from the plot threatened of water erosion. The advantage of this equipment is its using during the vegetable season when the soil surface is overgrown with vegetation and crops are higher growth.

107 - 110

Authors: Ahmet Sami Erol, Evgeny Shein, Evgeny Milanovskiy, Fariz Mikailsoy, Fatih Er, Sabit Ersahin

Alluvial calcareous soils in Central Anatolia (Konya province, Çumra district) has a heavy granulometric composition (average clay), low organic carbon content (less than 1%), but stable pore space structure and favorable agrophysical properties. Studies of the water regime in drip irrigation confirm favorable hydrological properties of these soils. It is assumed that the favorable structure of the pore space due to vigorous activity a large and diverse soil biota. Four phyla dominate in soil biota, among which predominate Actinobacteria. The higher (Streptomyces), and lower (three species Rhodococcus) actinobacteria are predominant in large amounts as a part of this phyla. Large biodiversity at a sufficiently high bacteria richness formed the structure of the microbial community that contribute to the balanced production of specific metabolites, including gases (CO2, N2), which allows the soil to function actively, preventing compaction of the pore space and maintaining optimal density, porosity, hydrologic properties of the studied silty clay soils. m the uppermost soil horizons. Analyses of heavy mineral fraction show presence of metamorphic and igneous minerals which indicate participation of weathering products from other rock types in the nearby area. The types of heavy minerals in soils depend more on composition of parent rocks and geomorphic position than on climate type. Soils from Nova Lovcha show similar composition, but the quantity of goethite and hematite significantly increase in soil from plain. Typical high-metamorphic minerals as andalusite, kyanite and sillimanite present only in Nova Lovcha, while garnet dominates in Petrovo and opaque minerals - in Dobrostan. Red soils, formed on slopes, where erosion prevails over accumulation, contain more illite, smectite and vermiculite-smectite, and very few or no kaolinite, whereas the kaolinite is dominant in soils formed on plain. The mineralogical composition of clays in different polygons depends on geomorphic position (altitude, slope or plain), and less on climate type. The weathering processes in the highest polygon Dobrostan (more than 1200 m) are in early stage (illite, vermiculite-smectite, and smectite), whereas in Nova Lovcha (above 700-900 m) and Petrovo (1000 m) the domination of kaolinite suggests an advanced weathering processes.

118 - 125

Authors: Amin Ismayilov, Fariz Mikailsoy

The experience shows that when constructing soil fertility models, many researchers prefer single-valued regression analysis. This is primarily due to the fact that regression analyses require simpler statistical calculations, and on the other hand, regression equations enable a physical explanation of the process under study. The research goal is to determine the effect of soil fertility indices and mineral fertilizers on the yields of crops (cereals) grown in the Karabakh Steppe on gray-brown irrigated soils.

137 - 143

Authors: Ieva Jokubauskaite, Alvyra Slepetiene, Danute Karcauskiene

Soil quality has become an important issue in soil science. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is believed to play an important role in soil processes and in the C, N and P balances, their supplies to plants in all types of soils. It is much more sensitive to soil management than is soil organic matter as a whole, and can be used as a key indicator of soil natural functions. This study aimed to assess the influence of different organic fertilizers on DOC and N, P accumulation. The study was carried out on a moraine loam soil at the Vezaiciai Branch of Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry in 2012. Farmyard manure (FYM) (60 t ha -1) and alternative organic fertilizers (wheat straw, rape residues, roots, stubble, perennial grasses) were applied on two soil backgrounds - acid and limed. DOC was analysed using an ion chromatograph SKALAR. Application of organic amendments resulted in a significant increase of soil organic carbon (SOC) content, which demonstrates a positive role of organic fertilizers in SOC conservation. The combination of different organic fertilizers and liming had a significant positive effect on DOC concentration in the soil. The highest DOC content (0.241 g kg-1) was established in the limed soil fertilized with farmyard manure. The most unfavourable status of DOC was determined in the unlimed, unfertilized soil. The limed and FYM-applied soil had the highest nitrogen (1.47 g kg-1) and phosphorus (0.84 g kg-1) content compared to the other treatments. Organic fertilizers gave a significant positive effect on SOC and DOC content increase in the topsoil. This immediate increase is generally attributed to the presence of soluble materials in the amendments. Application of organic fertilizers in acid and limed soil increased the nutrient stocks and ensured soil chemical indicators at the optimal level for plant growth and thus may provide a mechanism as well as prediction opportunities for soil fertility, conservation, sustainability, and protection against degradation.

6 - 14

Authors: Nelu Popa, Dumitru Nistor, Cosmin Hurjui, Eugen Filiche, Gabriel Petrovici

It is known that the successful implementation of control measures to preserve soil quality on slope agricultural lands depends largely on the designer’s ability to select a control strategy for a specific site, considerable simpler and less costly. The paper refers to several small watersheds with agricultural use, representative for Eastern hilly area ofRomania, where different types of soil conservation measures have been applied. The study included monitoring of some factors to highlight the role of soil conservation practices in reducing water erosion process. In this respect, it was studied the dynamics of the climatic, pedological, relief, vegetation, hydrology and erosion parameters. Runoff and erosion rates for individual storms were studied both at the plot and microbazin level by performing measurements on standard runoff plots, respectively in the network flow sections. Also, RUSLE model and Geographic Information System were used to simulate spatial distribution of erosion and sedimentation processes. Significant interactions and feedbacks were found to occur between soil characteristics and vegetation, which influenced both runoff and erosion responses. Monitoring allowed more direct linkages to be made between management practices and their impacts on runoff and soil erosion.

22 - 29

Authors: Chen Zhao, Shikui Dong, Shiliang Liu, Isange Stlvie, Jinpeng Li, Qi Liu, Cong Wang

Bulk elements and grain sizes in sediments collected at upstream and downstream of Manwan Dam were studied to demonstrate the spatial distribution of heavy metals in the sediments and to assess their risk. Correlation analysis showed that the spatial distribution of Cd, Zn and Mg were significantly affected by dam construction. PCA analysis demonstrate that Cd and Zn were both controlled by Ca, As, Pb, organic matter and clay. Mg was controlled by silt, Al, P and K. The risk assessment demonstrated that the pollution of Cd, As, Zn were more serious than other heavy metals. Fine-grained sediments with higher risk level were found in the section near the upstream of dam, while coarse-grained ones with lower risk level were found in the section far away from the downstream of dam. The sections in tributary were lower in risk than those in the main stream. Heavy metal concentrations in the mainstream sediments were influenced by dam construction and those in tributary were influenced by both dam construction and human activities in locality. Unusual high concentrations of Cd, As, and Zn in both sections implied that more pollution prevention measures are needed in the Manwan Dam in order to prevent increased heavy metal pollutions in the Lancang-Mekong River.

38 - 43

Authors: Martin Kolesár, Ján Čurlik

Processes of authigenic carbonates formation are component part of terrestrial biogeochemical cycle of carbon, which starts with co-accumulation of oxalic acid and Ca in Ca- oxalates. After plant decay are these biominerals slowly transformed under the influence of microbial processes into authigenic carbonates (calcites), depending on soil condition. The formation of authigenic calcites runs over in soil system where is rather high Ca and Mg concentration, presence of oxalomorphic plants and sufficient oxalotrophic stability of microorganisms. In addition to Ca-oxalates, Ca and Mg ions necessary for carbonate formation comes also from air (precipitation, dust), mineral weathering, subsurface water flow and decaying organic matter. The distribution pattern of authigenic calcites with depth, the size and shape of individual forms of calcites on loessic soils of SW Slovakia, as it is resulted from micromorphological study indicate that through the historical development of that soils as landscape units, soil water regime has played decisive role at vertical redistribution of forms (size, shape) of authigenic calcites. To this witness the depth of variation of needle calcite zones and horizons of micritic calcites occurrence depending on soil types (leaching). Needle shape calcite zones which approach closest to the soil surface, gradually coalescence to the horizons of micritic calcites with the depth. Micritic calcites are without, or with microsparitic domains. Our study concurrently support the ideas of their inorganic origin depending on evaporitic soil regime. This formations have its own historic dynamics on which depends also the preservation of calcaric nature of soils.

54 - 61

Authors: Soňa Javoreková, Jana Maková, Juraj Medo, Silvia Kovácsová, Ivana Charousová, Ján Horák

In laboratory assay, the diversity of bacteria and microscopic fungi and the community-level physiological profiling (CLPP) of microorganisms were observed after the addition of bio-sludge (40 t.ha-1) from a biogas station and addition of bio-fertlizers - AZOTER (10 dm-3.ha-1) to the arable soil with PCR-DGGE and BIOLOG® method (Eco Plates). The differences were recorded in the microbial diversity (bacteria and microscopic fungi) among variants according to the Shannon index. The differences in community of microscopic fungi were markedly higher among the soil samples with the additions of both bio-fertilizers compared to control soil samples. The occurrence of individual OTUs (operational taxonomic units) bacteria and microscopic fungi were different after 105 days of incubation from the status after the 1st day of incubation. The community metabolic diversity (CMD) was influenced by the incubation time (105 days) as well, but not by application of bio-fertilizers. We observed a significant decrease (LSD test, P <0.05) in community metabolic diversity (CMD) and average metabolic response (AMR) of microorganisms in samples collected on the 105th day of the experiment compared to samples collected on the 1st day of the experiment in all tested samples.

70 - 75

Authors: Soheila Javaheri Khah, Mohsen Nael, Ali Akbar Safari Sinejani, Ghasem Asadian, Khadijeh Salari Nik

Soil quality approach can be used to describe soil health changes caused by different land use managements and vegetation types. Our objective was to assess the response of some soil quality indicators to different vegetation types including rainfed wheat (RW), grasses (G), Astragallus-Bromus (A-B), Astragallus-Lactuca (A-L), Astragallus-Artimisia (A-A) and Astragallus-Euphorbia (A-E) in a semiarid experimental rangeland in Hamedan, where environmental conditions in terms of slope aspect and soil parent material were similar., Substrate-induced microbial respiration (MRI) and the activity of phosphomonoesterase enzyme (PMEase) were determined in surface soil (0-15 cm) in spring and autumn. Morover, bioavailable phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) were measured in autumn. No significant disparity was detected in P content of different vegetation types. Bioavailable K between was highest in A-E, and lowest in G and RW sites. MRI was significantly higher in spring irrespective of vegetation type. This index was significantly highest in A-B site in both seasons. As for PMEase, A-A and A-B showed the highest values in autumn in spring, A-B, A-A and A-L demonstrated the highest phosphatase activity. PMEase in A-L and A-A sites was significantly higher in spring than autumn. Strongly significant positive correlation was found between PMEase and MRI. Overall, soil quality is highest under vegetation types composed of perennial shrubs, irrespective of season.