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This study examines the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) ultrafiltration membrane impregnated with the copper acetate monohydrate/nickel chloride/thiourea (CuNit) nanoparticle through its physical properties, chemical properties, water flux, humic rejection, and antifouling properties against peat water. The ultrafiltration membrane was fabricated via phase inversion by blending CuNit nanoparticles (1, 3, and 5 wt/wt PVDF %) and PVDF (16 wt %) in N‐Methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP, 42 wt %) as the solvent. The humic rejection and fouling test are conducted using peat water collected from the Beladin water treatment plant. As a result, M03, which has 1 wt/wt PVDF % of CuNit nanoparticle, gives a better result of pure water flux, humic rejection, and fouling recovery rate with a value of 82 L/m2 h, 93 %, and 40 % compared to pristine PVDF membrane. The fouling of M03 recorded a low total rate of fouling (76 %) that is caused by high reversible fouling and low irreversible fouling with a value of 0.16 and 0.59, respectively, compared to the pristine PVDF membrane. In conclusion, due to the agglomeration that occurs in the further addition of CuNit nanoparticles, coating or encapsulation must be done to improve the stability of nanoparticles and reduce the leach‐out problem as well as provide a good distribution between the nanoparticle and casting solution during the membrane fabrication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of long-term catch crop application on the structural properties of humin, which is considered the most recalcitrant fraction of soil organic matter. Soil samples from a 30-year field experiment on triticale cultivated with and without catch crops were analysed to determine the total organic carbon content and fractional composition of humic substances. Meanwhile, humin isolated from bulk soil was analysed to determine its elemental composition and spectroscopic properties measured with UV-Vis, fluorescence, and 13C-CPMAS-NMR. It was found that catch crop farming enhanced the formation of highly reactive humus substances, like low-molecular-weight fractions and humic acids, while decreasing the humin fraction. The higher H/C and O/C atomic ratios of humin and the UV-Vis, fluorescence, and 13C-CPMAS-NMR results confirmed a higher share of oxygen-containing functional groups in humin isolated from the soil with catch crop rotation, also corroborating its greater aliphatic nature. Under the conditions of our field experiment, the results indicated that organic residues from catch crops quickly undergo the decay process and are transformed mainly into highly reactive humus substances, which can potentially improve soil health, while mineral fertilisation alone without catch crops favours the stabilisation and sequestration of carbon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this work is to study the structure of microbial communities, the physicochemical characteristics of the burozems' profiles, and the soil material infilling the humus pockets. Burozems (Cambisols) in the south of the Vitim Plateau are characterized by specific morphological features: presence of frost cracks, which form wedge-shaped humus pockets, sharply narrowing down the profile. Humus pockets are filled with dark brown humus-enriched material with black stripes that are sharply contrasting in color and properties with the enclosing soil. Compared to the profile of burozems at corresponding depths, the soil mass from humus pockets is less compacted. An increase in total porosity results in greater water permeability of the soil material in the frost cracks. Specific features of the microbial cenosis structure and of the microbial biomass carbon in the soil profile and in the soil material of pockets were revealed. The organic carbon and the absorbed bases are rather evenly distributed in the soil material of the pockets and their contents sharply decrease down the soil profile. The experimental data obtained during the study will replenish the database of the properties and status of microbial cenosis in burozems and in the soil material of their humus pockets in the south of the Vitim Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contribution of belowground plant residues to soil carbon stock is estimated and the main factors potentially influencing the stock of root detritus are analyzed in 67 test plots situated in different natural-climatic zones of the Krasnoyarsk region and mountain forests of the western and eastern Cisbaikalia (Irkutsk oblast and Republic of Buryatia). The studies involve both the undisturbed old-growth forests and the forest ecosystems affected by clear cutting, wildfires, and aerotechnogenic pollution. The carbon stock in root residues is comparable to that in the forest litter and is even 1.3–1.9-fold larger in some cases, accounting for 3.6–167% of the carbon stock in soil humus. This stock and its contribution to the soil carbon pool of organic matter depend on the forest-forming species, soil type, and natural- climatic zone and can significantly increase as a result of impacts that disturb the aboveground vegetation and the pool of plant residues on soil surface. The underestimation of this component when assessing the forest ecosystem carbon budgets can lead to the underestimation of total soil carbon stock by 5–32% in undisturbed forest ecosystems and up to 40% after various disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the common step of alkaline extraction-acid precipitation, lignite treatment techniques have been developed to improve extraction efficiency and yield of humic acid (HA). This study explored the combination of bacterium Paenibacillus mucilaginosus (P.m) LT1906 and fungus Penicillium pimiteouiense (P.p) LL2205 strains for pre- and post-treatment of lignite collected from eastern Inner Mongol to enhance HA and fulvic acid (FA) yield and plant growth-promoting activity. The lignite was subjected to P.m followed by HNO3 treatment, HNO3 followed by P.p treatment, and a combination of P.m, HNO3 and P.p treatments, then performed by alkaline extraction-acid precipitation technique. The results indicated that P.m pretreatment increased HA yield by 12.47 %, while P.p posttreatment significantly enhanced FA yield by 13.37 %. Combined bacterial and fungal treatments notably improved the total yields of HA and FA by 19.12 %. Structural analysis showed that P.m pretreatment caused the deformation on the lignite surface and the complete lignite oxidation and leaching reactions, thereby increasing the production of HA, yet had no impact on the elemental composition or chemical structure of HA. P.p posttreatment introduced oxygencontaining functional groups and reduced aromatic components through oxidative depolymerization of lignite, leading to increased FA production and HA seed germination-promoting activity. [Display omitted] • Bacterial-fungal treatment improves humic and fulvic acid extraction from lignite. • Paenibacillus mucilaginosus deforms lignite to facilitate subsequent reactions. • Penicillium pimiteouiense introduces oxygen groups to enhance bioactivity. • Improved bioactivity of humic acids confirmed by wheat seed germination tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An eco-friendly adsorbent was prepared by reverse suspension crosslinking method to remove multiple pollutants from aqueous solution. Both raw materials, derived from humus (HS) and chitosan (CS), are biodegradable and low-cost natural biopolymers. After combining HS with CS, the adsorption capacity was significantly improved due to compensation effects between the two components. HS/CS exhibited the features of amphoteric adsorption through pH adjustment, enabling it to adsorb not only anionic pollutants (Methyl Orange (MO) and Cr(VI)), but also cationic ones (Methylene Blue (MB) and Pb(II)). The adsorption capacities were approximately 242 mg/g, 69 mg/g, 188 mg/g and 57 mg/g for MO, Cr(VI), MB and Pb(II), respectively. HS/CS showed a slight preference for MO in MO/Cr(VI) co-adsorption system, whereas strong selectivity for MB over Pb(II) in MB/Pb(II) system under acidic condition (pH<3.0). This selective behavior would allow for potential applications in separating MB/Pb(II) effluents and selectively recycling Pb(II) in acidic environment. The isothermal and kinetic adsorption behaviors followed Langmuir model and pseudo-second-order model, respectively. The density functional theory (DFT) confirmed that the interaction between metal ions and adsorbents was primarily attributed to chelation and electrostatic adsorption, owing to nitric and oxygenic functional groups. Whereas, the adsorption mechanisms for dyes were involved in electrostatic attraction, H-bond and π–π bond, due to available hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen atoms and aromatic groups on the surface of adsorbent and adsorbates. The adsorbent could be efficiently regenerated and retained over 90% of its adsorption capacity after five cycles, which has a potential for practical applications in water treatment. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil acidification due to the long-term application of nitrogenous fertilizers and the consequent impact on crop growth have been frequently reported. The effects of acidification on soil humus, charge, and microbial communities need to be studied. In this experiment, fertilizer drenching was used to simulate the effects of multiple years of fertilizer application on the black soil. The results showed that 25 years of soil acidification treatment resulted in a decrease of 8.97% in the content of stable humus and led to a decrease of 58% and 51.18% in the humic acid (HA) content and degree of humification (PQ) value in stable humus, respectively. In addition, soil acidification leads to a significant decrease in total negative charge (CEC8.2) and variable negative charge (CECv), with both decreasing by 63.28% and 88.67%, respectively, at 25 years. Acidification treatments affected both soil microbial community abundance and diversity, with a significant decrease in Acidobacteriota and Gemmatimonadota abundance and an increase in Bacteroidia abundance and Acidobacteriota abundance at 25 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Forest management practices influence soil fertility and nutrient availability through different mechanisms. Despite the importance of soil fertility and nutrient availability in forest ecosystems, there is limited research on the effects of management practices on soil properties in mixed-species forests. This study investigates the impact of different management types (community forest area (CFA), Forest area (FR), and Sacred Grove (SG)) on soil physicochemical properties, organic matter, and organic carbon storage in Benue State, Nigeria. Soil samples from three forest management types were collected and analyzed using established laboratory standard procedures. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and correlation analysis revealed significant differences (p<0.05) in soil texture, pH, organic carbon, and total nitrogen across the management types. CFA and FR were predominantly sandy loam soils, while SG had higher clay loam content. Soil pH ranged from 4.82 - 6.07 with SG having the highest pH value (6.07). The forest reserve has the highest sand content (75.0%) and SG has the highest clay content (34.6%). The highest soil organic matter content (3.13%) was recorded under CFA, while organic carbon of 1.83% was recorded under FR. The highest values of Mg (0.97 Cmol/kg), N (0.28%), P (3.77 ppm), K (0.20 Cmol/kg) Na (0.18 Cmol/kg), and Ca (1.24 Cmol/kg) were at their peak under the Sacred grove management types. Thus, the various types of forest management significantly impact soil properties and organic carbon content in the study area. It is recommended that SG or CFA management should be adopted for forest resource conservation in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wet biomass such as waste sludge in effluent treatment plants and microalgae can be effectively utilized by producing H 2 -rich gases through aqueous-phase reforming (APR). Polyols, carbohydrates, proteins and humic substances are some classes of compounds present in such biofeeds. In this work, platinum catalyst was supported on hydrotalcite (HTlc) carrier and applied for APR of the respective model compounds, viz. glycerol, glucose, glycine and humic acid. H 2 , CH 4 and carbon oxides were the gaseous products. It was found that the catalyst performance varied when it was made differently. The 1% Pt/HTlc and 5% Pt/HTlc catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction, N 2 -physisorption, scanning electron microscopy. The optimal catalyst, whose Pt content was 5 wt %, was characterized using electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques. Catalyst efficacy trials were performed between 215 and 245 °C using catalyst loadings (ω) between 2 and 6 kg/m3. The initial concentration of all substrates was 1 wt %. The system pressure was equal to 3.9 MPa. The values of carbon conversion to gas phase (C-to-G conversion) after 3 h at T = 245 °C and ω = 6 kg/m3 were so: glycerol-37.3, glucose-26.7 and glycine-15.6%. The respective values of H 2 yield (Y–H 2) were: glycerol-22.8, glucose-14.7 and glycine-5.4%. The values of Y–H 2 were very low for the reaction with humic acid. The results of this model compound study will provide useful insight into APR of wet biofeeds. • Pt/HTlc was applied for APR of glycerol, glucose, glycine and humic acid. • Pt (4.6%), Mg (17.7%) and Al (5.2%) content in Pt/HTlc was found using EDX. • H 2 , CH 4 and carbon oxides were the gaseous products. • C-to-G conversion at 245 °C after 3 h was glycerol-37, glucose-27 and glycine-16%. • Humic acid provided very low H 2 yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity poses a significant abiotic stress that limits plant productivity, thereby posing a serious threat to agricultural sustainability and worldwide food security. Techniques that can overcome this problem are needed. Recent focus has been placed on employing organic substances like humic acid (HA) and amino acids, including L‐tryptophan (L‐TRP), to mitigate the negative effects of salt stress on cultivated plants. Accordingly, in this research, the impact of foliar applications of HA and L‐TRP, both separately and combined, on the growth parameters and biochemical properties of spinach subjected to salt stress was investigated. In the present study, eight treatments (1. control, 2. salt (NaCl), 3. HA, 4. L‐TRP, 5. HA + NaCl, 6. L‐TRP + NaCl, 7. HA + L‐TRP, and 8. HA + L‐TRP + NaCl) were investigated. The study showed that salt stress markedly reduced several growth properties in spinach, including plant height, number of leaves, leaf dimensions, and both fresh and dry weight. Additionally, it significantly lowered contents of chlorophyll (a, b, and total), carotenoid, polyphenol, lutein, anthocyanin, polyphenol oxidase, glycine betaine, relative water content, and the antioxidant enzyme activities (ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase). On the other hand, significant increases were observed in sodium, chlorine, potassium, sulfur, zinc, nickel, proline, malondialdehyde, and hydrogen peroxide levels of spinach with salinity. Individual and combined applications of HA and L‐TRP positively influenced plant growth, relative water content, activities of antioxidant enzyme, chlorophyll, and mineral contents of spinach under both normal and saline conditions. In conclusion, the combined use of HA and L‐TRP under salt stress conditions is promising in mitigating the negative impacts of salinity and can be suggested as an effective alternative approach for cultivating spinach in saline environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While numerous studies have examined the effects of direct and carbonized straw return on soil fertility, most focus on short-term impacts. Long-term research is needed to understand how these practices affect soil fertility and organic carbon transformation, providing guidance for the use of straw and biochar in agriculture. This study examined the long-term effects of corn straw (CS), straw biochar (BIO), and biochar-based fertilizer (BF) applied over 5, 10, and 15 years on soil aggregates, organic carbon, and humus composition in a peanut field microplot experiment. Using pig manure compost (PMC) as a control, we assessed soil water-stable aggregate distribution, carbon content in soil and aggregates, and organic carbon's infrared spectral characteristics. The goal was to understand how different straw utilization methods impact soil carbon retention and humus composition for sustainable agricultural practices. The results showed that the straw biochar (BIO) had a significantly better long-term effect on increasing the proportion and stability of large soil aggregates compared to direct straw return (CS) and biochar-based fertilizer (BF). After ten years of continuous fertilization, the organic carbon content in soils treated with BIO was higher than that in soils treated with CS. After fifteen years of continuous fertilization, the organic carbon content in soils treated with BF was similar to that of the CS treatment. Additionally, humus carbon primarily accumulated in the 2–0.25 mm aggregates (SMA), and the BIO treatment significantly improved the quality of soil humus. FTIR spectra indicated that the long-term application of BIO and BF increased the proportion of aromatic carbon in the soil, enhancing the stability of soil organic carbon. Long-term application of carbonized straw returns improved soil organic carbon, aggregate stability, and humus quality, contributing to carbon sequestration. Fertilization duration directly and indirectly regulated humus formation through its impact on organic carbon and aggregates, while organic materials influenced humus indirectly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) play an essential role in biotechnology and biomedicine. However, their main disadvantage is the rapid death of their cultures and preparations during storage. Research on techniques of prolonging the survival time of lactic-acid bacteria under varied conditions is an important task that constituted the goal of the present work. The research subject was the lactic acid bacterium Enterococcus faecium. It was revealed that bacteria in aging planktonic cultures were rapidly losing viability (the viable cell number decreased by 2 to 4 orders of magnitude within 1 month). Under these conditions, the development cycle of the E. faecium population led to formation of cyst-like dormant cells of two different types, L forms and hypometabolic cells. Applying chemical stabilizers such as humic substances increased the viable cell number 2–3-fold. Surface immobilization (adsorption) on organosilanol or inorganic carriers such as silicon dioxide enabled elevating the number of starvation-surviving cells 1.25- to 3-fold. The most efficient approach was cell immobilization in silanol–humate gels that resulted in increasing the surviving cell number up to 35 times compared to the control. The data obtained provide an insight into the mechanisms of LAB survival and the forms of survivors under natural conditions, including the hypometabolic state and the presence of specialized dormant forms. These data can be utilized for developing techniques of long-term storage of LAB biopreparations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transportation and disposal of tunnel muck have detrimental environmental impacts. For this reason, the practice of reusing such a resource in engineering materials has substantial environmental and economic benefits. Seasonal frozen regions are extensively distributed worldwide, and freeze–thaw (F-T) cycles can largely degrade the performance of engineering materials, underscoring the importance of knowledge on the F-T resistance of tunnel muck. This study investigates the impact of F-T cycles on the mechanical and microscopic behavior of slurry shield tunnel muck stabilized with basalt fiber (BF) and inorganic curing agent (ICA). The qualities of muck discharged from slurry shield tunneling were improved in the composite formation of fine sand and muddy silty clay. Then tests were conducted to obtain the stress-strain characteristics, uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), and microstructure of the improved tunnel muck with different numbers of F-T cycles (N) and BF contents. Based on the Weibull probability distribution function, the damage evolution model of ICA-BF stabilized tunnel muck was proposed. The results show that the UCS decreases parabolically when the F-T cycle increases, and the F-T damage degree is 24.5%–40.6% after 12 cycles. Increasing BF content can effectively improve tunnel muck's F-T resistance (an optimal ratio of 0.5%). The failure strain of the reinforced tunnel muck is linearly correlated to the BF content and has a weak correlation with the number of F-T cycles. The F-T damage to material strength can be divided into rapid (N=0–3), slow (N=3–9), and stable (N>9) stages. The established F-T damage model can accurately predict the evolution of the F-T damage degree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Humus can be formed during composting through biological pathways, nonetheless, the mechanisms through which bacterial and fungal communities govern the development of humus in compost with the addition of biochar remain uncertain. Methods: In this study, compost with cow dung and maize stover as feedstock was employed as a control group, and compost with 10% biochar added on top of the feedstock was adopted as a treatment group to investigate the effect of bacterial and fungal communities on humus formation during biochar composting. Results and Discussion: The results demonstrated that the humic acid content increased by 24.82 and 25.10% at the cooling and maturation stages, respectively, after adding biochar. Besides, the degree of polymerization content in the maturation stage was elevated by 90.98%, which accelerated the humification process of the compost. During the thermophilic and maturity stages, there was a respective increase of 51.34 and 31.40% in reducing sugar content, suggesting that the inclusion of biochar could furnish ample reducing sugar substrate for the Maillard reaction. The addition of biochar reduced the number of humus precursorassociated genera by 35, increased the number of genera involved in humus synthesis by two, and enhanced the stability of the cross-domain network between bacteria and fungi, which confirms that microorganisms contribute to the humification process by decreasing humus precursor consumption as well as increasing humus synthesis with the addition of biochar. Additionally, adding biochar could enhance the humification capacity of the compost pile by dominating the Maillard reaction with reducing sugars as the substrate and strengthening the function of humus synthesis-associated genera. This study enhances our comprehension of the regulatory pathways of biochar in the humification process during composting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As shield tunnels increase, managing shield muck strains construction and the environment. To mitigate this problem, shield muck replaced bentonite in silty clay to improve synchronous grouting slurry. Initially, the physical attributes and microstructural composition of shield muck were obtained, alongside an analysis of the effects of the muck content, particle size, and general influencing factors on the slurry properties through standardized tests and regression models. Subsequently, leveraging three-dimensional response surface methodology, admixture interactions and multiple factor impacts on the slurry were explored. Finally, utilizing the SQP optimization technique, an optimal slurry blend ratio tailored for actual project needs was derived for improved muck slurry. The findings reveal with the decreasing bleeding rates as the muck content rises, the particle size diminishes. An inverse relationship exists between the muck content and slurry fluidity. At soil–binder ratios below 0.6, a decrease in the soil–binder ratio intensifies the influence of the water–binder ratio on the slurry density, bleeding rate, and setting time. The fly flash–cement ratio inversely correlates with the slurry bleeding rate, while the ratio greater than 0.6 is positively correlated. For muck particle sizes under 0.2 mm, the fly flash–cement ratio inversely impacts the density, while over 0.2 mm, it correlates positively. The optimal proportion for silty clay stratum synchronous grouting slurry, substituting muck for bentonite, includes a water–binder ratio of 0.559, binder–sand ratio of 0.684, fly flash–cement ratio of 2.080, soil–binder ratio of 0.253, particle size under 0.075 mm, and water-reducing admixture of 0.06. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The information about mercury (Hg) fractions obtained by simple thermodesorption screening techniques has not been compared with that from chemical extraction methods. Here, we examined Hg fractions in the surface sediments by a simple thermodesorption method and by a sequential selective extraction method to better understand the biogeochemical reactivity and mobility of Hg in the Changjiang Estuary wetlands. Materials and methods: The concentrations of Hg fractions in sediments were analyzed by DMA-80 at different heating temperatures of 175, 225, 325 and 750 °C. Hg compounds in selected sediments were determined by sequential chemical extractions with 0.5 M HCl followed by 1 M KOH. Results and discussion: The results showed that the proportions of labile Hg fractions released at 175 ℃ were less than 5% of the total Hg, which could correlate with highly reactive and poorly crystalline iron oxides that have high biogeochemical reactivity in sediments. Furthermore, more than 74% (of the total, on average) of Hg in the sediments was released at temperatures between 175 and 325 ℃, which corresponded well to the amount of organic-chelated Hg in the sediments as determined by extraction with 1 M KOH. These results suggested that Hg bound to humic substances or to organomineral complexes could play a key role in controlling the thermal release of different Hg species from the sediments. Conclusions: The thermal decomposition method could serve as a fast and reliable screening method for the identification of different Hg compounds to help assess Hg mobility and bioavailability in aqueous (e.g., estuarine wetlands) sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on the detection of the presence and potential for degradation of synthetic polymers (SPs) under various environmental conditions is of increasing interest and concern to a wide range of specialists. At this stage, there is a need to understand the relationship between the main participants in the processes of (bio)degradation of SPs in various ecosystems (reservoirs with fresh and sea water, soils, etc.), namely the polymers themselves, the cells of microorganisms (MOs) participating in their degradation, and humic substances (HSs). HSs constitute a macrocomponent of natural non-living organic matter of aquatic and soil ecosystems, formed and transformed in the processes of mineralization of bio-organic substances in environmental conditions. Analysis of the main mechanisms of their influence on each other and the effects produced that accelerate or inhibit polymer degradation can create the basis for scientifically based approaches to the most effective solution to the problem of degradation of SPs, including in the form of microplastics. This review is aimed at comparing various aspects of interactions of SPs, MOs, and HSs in laboratory experiments (in vitro) and environmental investigations (in situ) aimed at the biodegradation of polymers, as well as pollutants (antibiotics and pesticides) that they absorb. Comparative calculations of the degradation velocity of different SPs in different environments are presented. A special place in the analysis is given to the elemental chemical composition of HSs, which are most successfully involved in the biodegradation of SPs. In addition, the role of photo-oxidation and photoaging of polymers under the influence of the ultraviolet spectrum of solar radiation under environmental conditions on the (bio)degradation of SPs in the presence of HSs is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To counteract soil degradation, it is important to convert conventional agricultural practices to environmentally sustainable management practices. To this end, the application of biostimulants could be considered a good strategy. Compost, produced by the composting of biodegradable organic compounds, is a source of natural biostimulants, such as humic acids, which are naturally occurring organic compounds that arise from the decomposition and transformation of organic residues, and compost tea, a compost-derived liquid formulated produced by compost water-phase extraction. This study aimed to determine the molecular responses of the roots of tomato plants (cv. Crovarese) grown under hydroponic conditions and subjected to biostimulation with humic substances (HSs) and filtered sterile compost tea (SCT). Results: The 13C CPMAS NMR of humic acids (HA) and SCT revealed strong O-alkyl-C signals, indicating a high content of polysaccharides.Thermochemolysis identified over 100 molecules, predominantly from lignin, fatty acids, and biopolymers. RNA-Seq analysis of tomato roots treated with HA or SCT revealed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with distinct patterns of transcriptional reprogramming. Notably, HA treatment affected carbohydrate metabolism and secondary metabolism, particularly phenylpropanoids and flavonoids, while SCT had a broader impact on hormone and redox metabolism. Both biostimulants induced significant gene expression changes within 24 h, including a reduction in cell wall degradation activity and an increase in the expression of hemicellulose synthesis genes, suggesting that the treatments prompted proactive cell wall development. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that HS and SCT can mitigate stress by activating specific molecular mechanisms and modifying root metabolic pathways, particularly those involved in cell wall synthesis. However, gene regulation in response to these treatments is complex and influenced by various factors. These findings highlight the biostimulatory effects of HS and SCT, suggesting their potential application in crop biofertilization and the development of innovative breeding strategies to maximize the benefits of humic substances for crops. Further research is needed to fully elucidate these mechanisms across various contexts and plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar and green manure have been widely applied in agricultural production and are important means to achieve sustainable agriculture. However, there is limited research systematically and comprehensively exploring the response of soil microbiota and the changes in soil metabolomics after the addition of two different carbon source amendments to the soil, and the differential mechanisms of soil metabolomics between them remain unclear. In this study, a long-term field experiment (initiated in 2019) was conducted to investigate the effects of biochar and green manure application on soil nutrients and soil functions driven by soil microbes. Compared to the pure fertilizer treatment, biochar increased soil total carbon by 14.54% to 27.04% and soil available potassium by 4.67% to 27.46%. Ryegrass significantly increased soil available phosphorus and organic matter. Under different fertilization regimes, the ecological niches of soil microbes changed significantly. Network analysis revealed that long-term ryegrass returning reduced the complexity of soil microbial networks. Ryegrass and biochar increased dispersal limitation in fungal assemblages (reaching 93.33% and 86.67%, respectively), with biochar particularly enhancing variable selection in bacterial assemblages (accounting for 53.33%). Variation partitioning analysis based on redundancy analysis indicated that humic substances had the highest explanatory power for microbial community variation, with humic substances explaining 38.49% of bacteria and 52.19% of fungi variation. The ryegrass treatment mainly changed the abundance of carbohydrates (CH), amines (AM), c (AH), and lipids (LP), while the BC treatment mainly altered the abundance of organic acids (AC), amines (AM), and carbohydrates (CH). Meanwhile, both treatments significantly reduced the bisphenol A, one of the soil pollutants. Ryegrass incorporation significantly increased the abundance of genes related to soil C, N, P, and S cycling, especially genes involved in carbon decomposition, while biochar significantly enhanced the abundance of nitrogen fixation genes nifH and Hao in soil. Random forest model results indicated that carbohydrates, alcohols, aromatics (AR), and ester (ES) were the main categories of metabolites in soil influenced by differential microbes, and Finegoldia served as a common important metabolic driving species. In summary, this study reveals the processes of soil function, microbial community succession, and metabolism driven by ryegrass and biochar, providing important insights for optimizing soil management and improving soil quality. Highlights: Ryegrass green manure (RG) and biochar (BC) induced the simplification of microbial networks and an increase in fungi's random assembly processes. RG promoted denitrification and carbon degradation functional genes, while BC enhanced nitrogen fixation genes. RG accelerated soil energy flow by promoting M00307 and M00061. In RG-treated soil, the main metabolites were Carbohydrates, while in BC-treated soil, the main metabolites were Acids and Amines. Both treatments reduced soil pollutant bisphenol A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humic substances (HS) are commonly employed as plant biostimulants to enhance crop yields. However, the HS mechanisms of action, as well as the differences between radicular and foliar modes of application, remain unclear. Here, we explored the changes in phytohormonal balance as possible mechanism of HS to enhance lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) growth, and the difference between both modes of application. For this purpose, BLACKJAK®, a HS‐based product was applied as radicular (R) and foliar (F) at the concentrations (mL/L): 0.20 (R1), 0.40 (R2), 0.60 (R3), 0.80 (R4), 5.00 (F1), 7.50 (F2), 10.00 (F3), and 12.50 (F4). The experiment was performed in pots filled with vermiculite:perlite (3:1) and HS were applied three times with a periodicity of 10 days. Shoot and root growth parameters were measured. In addition, the phythormones indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA), gibberellins (GAs), trans‐zeatine (tZ), isopentenyl adenine (iP), 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid (ACC), abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA), and salicylic acid (SA), were analysed by U‐HPLC‐MS. BLACKJAK® application resulted in higher shoot growth at doses R1, R2, R3, F2, and F3, whereas root biomass was increased at R2, R3, F2, F3, and F4, showing radicular better plant growth than foliar applications. Furthermore, HS changed phytohormonal balance in shoots and roots. However, it was with radicular applications, especially at R2, where phytohormonal profile was best associated with plant growth due to the increases observed in IAA, GAs, JA, SA, tZ, and decreased ABA. However, further research is needed to clarify the involvement of hormones in the growth‐promoting action of HS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of Agaricales, Deconica flavum and Entocybe roseoalbus, are described from Mount Tianmu, Zhejiang Province, Eastern China. Two new species are distinct and monophyletic based on morphology and phylogenetic analyses. Deconica flavum differs from other Deconica species in that the pileus is brow shallow in the center and stipe with yellowish white fibrils, scatted on litter under coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest at 1162 m. Entocybe roseoalbus is distinguished from other species of Entocybe by nearly blue pileus and pinkish-white stipe, scatted on humus in similar forest conditions at 1025 m. The differences are discussed between the two new taxa and their similar species morphologically, and related species phylogenetically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novel awareness of humic matter as supramolecular associations of relatively small heterogeneous molecules has gained a consensus following the progressively larger number of experimental evidence present in the literature. This new understanding has implied that the humic molecules may be separated from each other by a sequential fractionation and be analytically identified one by one, thereby increasing our knowledge on their molecular structure. A method called Humeomics was thus conceived to solubilize not only unbound small molecules but also those bound in ester and ether linkages and allow to separate less chemically complex fractions easier to characterize. Humeomics was first successfully applied to humic extracts from soil, and then, directly to cropped and uncropped soils to reach a more detailed understanding of the soil Humeome, that is the molecular composition of the totality of soil humic molecules. Based on the increasing knowledge of the soil Humeome and on the general literature findings, a new perception was developed for the significance of Humification. A body of experimental evidence reveals, in accordance with the supramolecular nature of humus, that humification, rather than being the progressive increase of molecular mass of humic substances via a presumed but highly unlikely energy-intense formation of new covalent bonds, is nothing else than the selective accumulation in soil of hydrophobic molecular materials. In fact, the biotic transformation of fresh organic matter in soil progressively consumes the easily accessible hydrophilic biomolecules, whereas the hydrophobic components are firstly associated to each other and then squeezed out of the soil solution, thus being separated from the degrading biota by a spontaneous physical-chemical drive. This primary mechanism of chemical hydrophobic protection justifies the accumulation and persistent stabilization of natural organic matter in the environment and well integrates the process of secondary physical protection, the only one called so far to account for the stability of humus in soil. This review collates the literature advances in the establishment of both the supramolecular paradigm of soil humus and the real significance of Humification of natural organic matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to identify the soil moisture content in real time, the improved muck with three kinds of fine sand with initial water content were prepared by adding foam with different foam injection ratios, and the slag experiment was carried out through the belt slag test platform, and the muck images on the belt were obtained, and the muck samples were collected accordingly to determine the water content, and the water content interval was marked at 1% intervals, and the data set of muck images and water content intervals was established. Through image preprocessing, the texture features of the main image and the edge image of the muck were extracted by using the method of simplified local intensity order pattern combined with completed local binary pattern, and the support vector machine model of particle swarm optimization was selected as the base model, and the integrated learning model for the recognition of water content of the muck was further constructed, which improved the recognition accuracy, and the recognition error of the water content was ±1%. The results could provide a reference for the real-time identification of muck features by image recognition method in shield construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of soluble humic substances and plant-growth-promoting bacteria on the vegetative growth of Mombaça grass. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the effects of foliar applications of humic substances (0, 12, 24, 48, and 96 mg C L−1) on the growth of Mombaça fifteen days after germination. After determining the optimal concentration range, a field trial was carried out in which humic substances at the best concentration were applied simultaneously with Herbaspirillum seropedicae strain UENF-H19 fifteen days after germination in three replicates. The best growth of Mombaça in the greenhouse was obtained with 48 mg C of the humic substance L−1, which promoted a shoot fresh weight 80% higher than in the control treatment. The increase was almost identical to that observed during the 50-week field experiment in plots treated with humic substances combined with H. seropedicae. The treated plants produced an 81% higher shoot fresh weight than the control, with no dry mass, nitrogen content, or crude protein change during the one-year evaluation period. Despite the efficiency of the selected microbial inoculants under controlled-environment experiments, the agronomical significance under field conditions remains a subject of debate and improvement. The present study demonstrates that combining Herbaspirillum seropedicae with humic substances (plural) could significantly increase pasture production under field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abiotic humification, dominated by catalytic oxidation, is one of the critical mechanisms for organic carbon preservation in nature. However, the effects of biochar catalysis on abiotic humification have not yet been elucidated. This study investigated the catalytic power of biochar from walnut shells at different temperatures (300 °C, 600 °C, and 900 °C) for the abiotic transformation of hydroquinone (HQ) as a representative polyphenol. All the biochar samples catalyzed HQ polymerization, resulting in the formation of humic polymers such as fulvic acids (FAs) and humic acids (HAs). Light and oxygen promoted HA formation. HO• was detected in the BC600–HQ reaction system, and HO• quenching resulted in a 41.22% decrease in HA production, indicating that HO• plays a major role in the oxidative polymerization. In the proposed pathway for the abiotic humification, biochar active sites and generated reactive oxygen species accept an electron from HQ, resulting in oxidation to (semi)quinone radicals, which subsequently undergo cleavage or a coupling reaction to form the oligomerized products. Under BC600 catalysis, the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of the reaction products of HQ, glucose, and glycine reached 14,449 Da. These findings provide new insights into the application potential of biochar for promoting soil carbon sequestration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, two commercial products based on the main groups of contemporary biostimulants—a commercial leonardite and a seaweed extract—were tested with the objective of assessing the conditions under which they can enhance lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) performance, particularly to determine if synergies with conventional fertilization methods can be observed. The experimental protocol was arranged as a factorial design with two factors: organic or mineral fertilization × plant biostimulant. The organic or mineral fertilization factor included five levels: two rates of a nitrogen (N) fertilizer (40 (Nmin40) and 80 (Nmin80) kg ha−1 of N), the same N rates applied as an organic amendment (Norg40 and Norg80), and an unfertilized control (N0). The plant biostimulants used were a commercial leonardite (leonardite) for soil application before planting, a commercial seaweed extract (algae) for foliar application during the growing season, and a control without plant biostimulant. Leonardite significantly increased lettuce dry matter yield (DMY) compared to the control only in the first growing cycle (11.5 and 13.5 g plant−1) and showed no significant interaction with conventional fertilization. It also consistently increased phosphorus (P) levels in the plant tissues. The seaweed extract did not show any effect on the plant, nor did it have any interactions with conventional fertilization regarding DMY. In contrast, with mineral fertilization, lettuce DMY increased from 8.0 and 4.0 g plant−1 (N0) to 22.2 and 12.0 g plant−1 (Nmin80) in the first and second growing cycles, respectively. The response to organic fertilization was lower, yet DMY still increased from 4.0 to 8.1 g plant−1 in the second growing cycle. Generally, this type of plant biostimulant is tested under some form of environmental stress, where it often yields positive results. In this study, the optimal cultivation conditions maintained for the lettuce in the pots likely explain the limited response to the biostimulants. This study suggests that the product labels should more clearly indicate whether they are recommended for general cultivation conditions or specifically for situations where a particular environmental stress can be anticipated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land management practices that overlook soil limitations and potential have led to varying degrees of degradation. This study evaluates the carbon content in chemical and oxidisable soil fractions across different pasture recovery periods, comparing them to secondary forests. The management practices assessed include the following: secondary forest (SF), perennial pasture (PP), perennial pasture recovered five years ago (P5), and perennial pasture recovered eight years ago (P8), all on Plinthosols. We analysed carbon levels in oxidisable fractions and humic substances at depths of 0–0.10 m, 0.10–0.20 m, 0.20–0.30 m, and 0.30–0.40 m. The SF and P8 areas showed the highest organic matter content within the humic fractions, compared to the PP and P5 areas. Additionally, the P8 area demonstrated an increase in the labile and moderately recalcitrant fractions of organic matter, standing out among the different fractions evaluated. The multivariate principal component analysis indicated that P8 has the greatest impact on soil quality, followed by FS, P5, and PP. The pasture recovery over the past eight years has significantly improved soil carbon accumulation, highlighting the benefits of land restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Management can affect soil quality through changes in carbon (C) stock, especially in protected C fractions of soil aggregates. Soil aggregation and C sequestration may be improved with soil correction (liming and gypsum) and nitrogen (N) fertilization, but it is not clear how these factors might interact to affect humic substances. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and N fertilizatilizer amendments on the accumulation of C, N, and humic substances in soil aggregates from an Oxisoil in Brazil. The production system was no-till soybean [Gycine max (L.) Merr.] double-cropped with maize (Zea mays L.) and intercropped with forage grass since 2016. Treatments were no amendment, lime only, and lime + phosphogypsum, factorially arranged with and without annual N fertilization of maize. Soil was collected at 0–10, 10–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm 6 years after initiation of the experiment. The combination of lime, gypsum, and N led to 13% greater total C stock and 20% greater total N stock within the 0–60 cm soil profile than the control. Levels of fulvic acid (FA) and humic acid (HA) were similar among aggregate classes, but humin was greatest in larger aggregates. Liming plus N decreased FA and HA, but gypsum application mitigated this negative effect. Application of limestone, gypsum, and N increased humin, mainly in the soil surface (0–10 cm). Soil C storage and stabilization was enhanced in large soil aggregates with the combined use of lime, gypsum, and N fertilization in humid tropical soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The uncontrolled use of antibiotics has led to a global problem of antimicrobial resistance. One of the main mechanisms of bacterial resistance is the formation of biofilms. In order to prevent the growth of antimicrobial resistance, it is crucial to develop new antibacterial agents that are capable of inhibiting the formation of biofilms. This makes this area of research highly relevant today. Promising candidates for these antibacterial agents are new bionanomaterials made from natural humic substances and silver nanoparticles. These substances have the potential to not only directly kill microorganisms but also penetrate biofilms and inhibit their formation. The goal of this study is to synthesize active pharmaceutical substances in the form of bionanomaterials, using ultradispersed silver nanoparticles in a matrix of coal humic substances, perform their characterization (NMR spectroscopy, TEM, and ICP-AES methods), and research their influence on biofilm formation in the most dangerous opportunistic pathogens (E. coli, Methicillin-resistant St. Aureus, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, St. aureus, A. baumannii, and K. Pneumonia). The results showed that all of the studied bionanomaterials had antibacterial activity against all of the opportunistic pathogens. Furthermore, they were found to have a suppressive effect on both pre-existing biofilms of these bacteria and their formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of fish to sustain environmental perturbations during fragile early‐life stages can be of vital importance for populations and species facing rapid global environmental change. One of the potential challenges for aquatic organisms, including teleost fish, is rising concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in freshwater environments, known as brownification, which causes a cascade of changes including a decreased visibility and pH. Conversely, humic substances are increasingly recognised for their potential antimicrobial and immunostimulant properties. The questions remain whether exposure to humic waters high in DOC during the development causes significant perturbation, and to what extent genetic and parental factors may maintain optimal development in such a possibly challenging environment.To address these questions, we generated pure and hybrid (inter‐population) crosses of Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) originating from clear‐water and humic lakes. Fertilised eggs from each cross were exposed to natural humic and clear‐water lake water. Intra‐chorionic space diameter (embryo diameter) and hatching success were recorded.Perch embryos successfully developed even in a small volume of water (5 mL) and majority hatched (70%) by 13 day post‐fertilisation. Embryo diameter was influenced by the interaction between cross type and treatment where embryos with maternal clear‐water origin were smaller than embryos of humic water origin in both clear‐water and humic water treatments. The probability of hatching was not related to female size, but rather to embryo diameter at the eyed stage and the interaction between cross type and treatment, resulting in pure clear‐water crosses hatching earlier and at higher numbers.Our study shows that effects of humic water are not uniformally negative in perch and discloses population‐dependent responses to humic water exposure during development. Our experimental design also illustrates the utility of multi‐well plates for conducting complex high‐throughput experiments beyond traditional model species and opens new possibilities for testing perch genotype–environment associations in early‐life traits.Taken together, results of this study add to the growing evidence that humic substances may have complex effects on fish during early life, motivating further investigations on their role in shaping natural phenotypes and potential use in the applied sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sludge hydrothermal treatment can achieve efficient reduction and resource utilization, and the hydrothermal liquid products (HLPs) generated in the hydrothermal process may be returned to beginning of the wastewater plant for resource utilization. In this study, dehydrated sludge was treated by a hydrothermal treatment process, and hydrothermal products were separated by centrifugation. Then the HLPs were returned to the front end of the anaerobic-oxic (A/O) reactor to explore their potential role as a source of denitrified carbon. Study focuses on the HLPs' changes of Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), and Phosphorus (P) speciation and distribution, and clarifying the organic matter forms and their impacts on the microbial community composition and functional expression in biological process after recirculation. The results show C and N components are dissolved to HLPs, existing in forms of easily biodegraded components, such as acetic acid (28.04 %), tryptophan, and humic substances, while P mainly precipitates in the solid residue, avoiding accumulation in the wastewater treatment system. The dominant bacteria Proteobacteria accounts for 30 %–40 % of the total sequence, and the abundance of metabolism-related genes maintain the highest level. The wastewater treatment process can withstand the shock of the recirculation of HLPs, and the microbial community composition remains stable. [Display omitted] • Hydrothermal treatment promotes sludge reduction by 68.38 %. • The liquid product can partially play as a potential carbon source. • N and P in sludge migrates to the liquid product in NH 3 -N and ORP. • Recirculation don't change Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota as dominant bacterial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long term tillage in mollisol of Northeast China has led to an inhomogeneous distribution of soil organic matter content. Biochar, a carbon material, changes the soil carbon pool and physical-chemical characteristics after adding to the soil. However, the mechanism remains unclear for the relation between the soil organic matter level and biochar amount. So, the soil physical and chemical properties and soybean growth in a two-year pot experiment were detected at three levels of soil organic matter and three biochar additions (0, 1% and 10%). The difference was found in two biochar application rates. The 1% biochar addition had no positive effect on the soil chemical properties based the two-year experiment. However, 10% biochar application significantly increased the soil water content (8.0%-39.7%), the total porosity (9.7%-21.3%), pH (0.26-0.84 unit), organic matter content (89.0%-261.2%), and the available potassium content (29.0%-109.1%). The biomass of soybean increased by 19.4%-78.1% after biochar addition, yet, the soil bulk density reduced at the range of 12.6%-26.0% by 10% biochar addition. Only the 100-grain weight was correlated to the interaction of biochar and the native soil organic matter. All the indicators showed that the interaction between biochar and soil organic matter level was weak in mollisol. The effects of biochar on the physical-chemical properties relied on its amount. When biochar is applied to the soil, the amount of biochar should be considered rather than the native soil organic matter level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to realize the coordinated development of coal resources exploitation and ecological protection in arid climate area, this paper selects Xilin Hot steppe mining area as the main research region, analyzing the variation features of soil water content (SWC) in horizontal and vertical directions through ECH2O-5TM water content sensors. Based on the geotechnical test of the soil samples, a profile model of lithology was developed to find out the effects of humus thickness on SWC by Hydrus. The results showed that in the horizontal direction, the SWC was higher around the waste dump and Xilin river, but lower in the steppe and mining areas. In the vertical direction, the SWC presented a descending-ascending-descending distribution ranging from 5 to 70 cm depth, among which the maximum SWC reaching 0.043 m3/m3 at depth of 52 cm. Affected by the rainfall infiltration, the average SWC decreased successively in rainy season, normal season and dry season. Compared with the steppe area, the SWC of the waste dump was rose higher after soil reconstruction. Humus exhibited superior water-holding capacity, and the humus with a thickness of 40 cm can meet the SWC requirements of herbage in the research region. The research findings can better clarify the variation regularities of SWC affected by the soil reconstruction in steppe mining area, which lay fundamental theory and reference case for the conservation of soil water and vegetation protection in arid climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecological impact of windthrow disturbance on humipedons and soil microarthropod communities is examined in two areas of the Italian Alps (Val di Fassa and Cansiglio) five years after the Vaia Storm. The following soil coverage conditions were identified: herbaceous vegetation (G), decaying wood (W), no vegetation (B) in windthrow areas; and these were compared with conditions in adjacent undisturbed intact forests (IF) and, only in Val di Fassa, with permanent meadows (M). Soil pH, soil organic matter content (SOM), humus systems and microarthropod communities were analyzed. In Val di Fassa, SOM loss was observed in windthrow areas vs. IF, moving toward a Mull humus system, while G evolved toward M-like conditions, W maintained a thicker O horizon and lower pH and B exhibited severe soil erosion and the lowest SOM. In Cansiglio, windthrow areas showed a slower transition to a Mull system, with a trend toward increasing pH and decreasing SOM. A clear relationship between microarthropod communities and humus systems could not be established because the consistency and biological origins of the humus diagnostic horizons were not considered. Microarthropod communities under different conditions exhibited significant dissimilarity, with varying responses across groups; Shannon and QBS-ar indices remained stable except for a significant decrease in B. Community dissimilarity thus appears to be enhanced by post-windthrow disturbance, suggesting that destructive windstorms may also present an opportunity for enriched microarthropod diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of agrochemical survey of soils of the Dolyna territorial community of Ivano-Frankivsk region. The agro-productive grouping of all soils of the district was carried out. There are five agroproductive soil groups within the district: sod-podzolic soils on ancient alluvial, water-glacial deposits, moraine, and eluvium of magmatic rocks; sod-podzolic and podzolic-sod surface-gleyed medium-loamy soils; deep non-gleyed and gleyed medium-loamy sod soils and their podzolized variants on ancient alluvial, water-glacial deposits, moraine, and eluvium of magmatic rocks; brown-podzolic, sod-brown-podzolic, brown mountain-forest podzolized gleyed and surface-gleyed non-eroded and slightly eroded heavy loamy and light clayey soils; sod gleyed soils; sod-brown and meadow-brown gleyed soils on alluvial and deluvial deposits, medium-loamy stony soils. These soils exhibit acidic pH, are moderately deficient in available phosphorus, and have medium levels of potassium. They are potentially fertile but require liming and the application of organic-mineral fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Wildland Fire Science is the property of Journal of Wildland Fire Science Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

BACKGROUND: Aerobic fermentation always suffers from nitrogen loss and low humification degree. The objective of this study was to investigate the promotion of phosphate buffer on organic matter degradation and precursor polymerization into humus (HS) in aerobic fermentation, and to analyze the key roles played by different precursors. In order to achieve this, sludge aerobic fermentation tests were conducted on control (CK), phosphate buffer addition treatment (KP) and potassium chloride addition treatment (K). RESULTS: The HS content of KP treatment exhibited a notable increase compared to the CK and K treatments, with a maximum increase of 38.29%. In addition, phosphate addition improved the nitrogen retention capacity and the complexity of the HS structure. Phosphate buffer enhanced both the polyphenol and Maillard humification pathways by promoting the condensation of precursors (polysaccharides, reducing sugars, polyphenols, amino acids and proteins). Among these precursors, reducing sugars, amino acids and proteins were identified as the key driving precursors of phosphate. CONCLUSIONS: Phosphate, as an exogenous additive to the fermentation system, reduces nitrogen loss while promoting precursor polymerization to form HS, which benefits the improvement of soil fertility and crop growth upon organic fertilizer application. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Railway Construction Technology is the property of Railway Construction Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Trees species-based carbon-stock estimates are rare in Nigeria. Therefore, we investigated individual trees’ abilities using non-destructive approach with systematic sampling technique. One hundred circular plots were laid, using pre-classified Landsat-OLI/TC image of Borgu Sector. Plot centres were located and marked with global positioning system receiver. The main plots with 12.61 m radius (500 m²) were subdivided into subplots of 5.64 m radius (100 m²). Trees with diameter at breast height (Dbh) ≥10 cm were measured in the main plots, while trees with ≥5 but <10 cm Dbh were considered in the subplots. Species identification and measurements were executed. Core samples were collected at breast height using 5 mm increment borer. Core samples were oven-dried at 70°C to constant weights. Wood densities were then calculated as oven-dried weights/fresh volumes. Above-ground carbon were determined as 50%-biomass. Soil samples were diagonally collected at three points within sample plots at two depths, using core sampler and soil auger for 600 samples. Samples were air-dried, ground and sieved through a 2 mm sieve. Core sampler and rings were used for measuring bulk density. Samples were oven-dried for 24 hours at 105°C. Soil organic matter was determined by Fe2SO4 titration of an acid-dichromate digestion, and organic carbon concentration was calculated. Tree carbon data were analyzed using allometric equations involving wood density, Dbh and tree-height and ANOVA. Thirty-five tree species in 16 families were encountered. Detarium microcarpum was the most frequently occurring (18.8%). Tree species richness, diversity and importance value indices were 2.852, 4.779, and 41.76 ± 35.41, respectively. Vitellaria paradoxa and Afzelia africana were the only vulnerable species identified. Trees with larger-Dbh sequestered more carbon. Consequently, Adansonia digitata with a mean Dbh of 111.4 ± 0.00 cm sequestered the highest amount (2.8 tons/ha), which were significantly different from others (p < .05). Securidaca longipendiculata had the least carbon stock (0.001 ton/ha). Meanwhile, soil carbon were higher in plots dominated by Acacia kosiensis, V. paradoxa, and Grewia mollis at 0.006758 ton/ha, averagely 0.073 ± 0.0021 ton/ha of carbon-stock and CO2 of 0.271 ± 0.010 ton/ha sequestered, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agro-Environment Science is the property of Journal of Agro-Environment Science Editorial Board and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Systematic studies on the biodiversity of bryophytes along elevational gradients have been conductuted within the native vegetation of the Azores, using the MOVECLIM framework. The primary objective of this study was to inventory the bryophytes present within preserved areas of native vegetation in Terceira Island (Azores). From 25 to 28 September 2012, an inventory of the bryoflora was carried out along an elevational gradient, starting near Serreta lighthouse (38.76658 Latitude; -27.37539 Longitude; 40 m a.s.l.) and culminating on the top of Santa Bárbara Mountain (38.73064 Latitude; -27.32164 Longitude; 1000 m a.s.l.). The study followed the adapted MOVECLIM standardised protocol, as follows: i) six sites were selected along an elevational transect, each site spaced at 200 m elevation intervals; ii) within each site, two 10 m x 10 m plots were established in close proximity from each other (10-15 m); iii) within these plots, three 2 m x 2 m quadrats were randomly selected and sampled for bryophytes. The following substrates were surveyed in each quadrat: rock, soil, humus, organic matter, tree bark at three different heights and leaves/fronds. For each available and bryophyte-colonised substrate, three replicate microplots of 10 cm x 5 cm were collected, resulting in a maximum of 24 microplots per quadrat. New information: Nearly three-quarters of the maximum expected number of microplots (636 out of 864; eventID) were found across the six sites on Terceira Island, resulting in a total of 3677 records (occurrenceID). A high proportion of the specimens could be identified to the species rank (n = 3661; 99.6%), representing 38 families, 60 genera and 92 species, including 58 species of liverworts (Marchantiophyta) and 34 species of mosses (Bryophyta). The inventory included several endemic species: two liverwort species endemic to the Azores, five species endemic to Macaronesia (three mosses and two liverworts) and 11 European endemic species (three mosses and eight liverworts). The elevations with the highest species richness, the highest number of endemic species and the highest number of conservation concern species, spanned between 600 and 1000 m a.s.l. above sea level, coinciding with the best preserved forest vegetation. Overall, tree-dwelling and ground-dwelling substrates showed similar levels of bryophyte occupation (75% vs. 72%). However, the 636 events were unevenly distributed across substrates: leaves and rocks had the fewest replicates (n = 54; 50.0%), while humus and the lowest tree height had the highest values (n = 106; 98.1% and n = 98; 90.7%, respectively). The study contributed to expanding knowledge about the diversity and distribution of the Azorean Bryoflora, both on a local and a regional scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing crop yield with low-N supplies has become one of the main aims of current agriculture to reduce the excessive use of chemical fertilizers. A sustainable strategy to improve crop productivity, N assimilation, and N Use Efficiency (NUE) under limit-N growth conditions is the application of biostimulants, such as humic substances (HS). Here, we evaluated the effectiveness of an HS-based biostimulant, BLACKJAK®, in improving lettuce growth and NUE under N-deficit conditions. Thus, BLACKJAK® was applied radicularly (R) and foliarly (F) at the following doses: R-HS 0.40 mL/L, R-HS 0.60 mL/L, F-HS 7.50 mL/L, and F-HS 10.00 mL/L. Three N levels were applied: optimal (7 mM) and N-deficit (3 mM and 1 mM). The results showed that shoot dry weight (DW) was reduced at 3 mM N (−32%) and 1 mM N (−42%). However, R and F BLACKJAK® enhanced plant growth at all three N levels, especially with F-HS at 10.00 mL/L, which showed an increase of 43% in shoot DW at 3 and 1 mM N, compared to plants not treated with HS. BLAKCJAK® also improved photosynthesis, NO3− and organic N accumulation, the activity of N assimilation enzymes, and the concentration of amino acids and proteins, regardless of the N level. In addition, HS enhanced NUE parameters under all N conditions, except for R-HS 0.60 mL/L at 1 mM N. Hence, our study suggests that the HS-based product BLACKJAK® could be a good candidate for reducing chemical fertilizer use and improving lettuce growth and NUE under low N conditions, although further research is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this work is to analyze the dynamics of soil organic matter (SOM) in arable soils of Yamal using computational experiments with the ROMUL model. Soil temperature and moisture dynamics were simulated using the SCLISS model. The Yamal experimental station was organized in 1932. The soil is Plaggic Podzol. The thickness of humus horizon (PY) is 30 cm. Pools, kg/m2: SOM – 9.32 and 13.75; N – 0.46 and 0.66 for 0–20 and 0–30 cm respectively. Background: soddy-green-moss tundra near Salekhard. Soil: Folic Podzol: litter (O, 2 cm) and humus-accumulative (AY, 4 cm) and illuvial ferruginous (BF, 6 cm) horizons. Pools, kg/m2: SOM – 1.38 and 2.69, N – 0.03 and 0.18 for 0–2 and 2–6 cm respectively. The quantity and quality of background fall was estimated according to literature data. Clarification of the amount of fall was carried out by the method of inverse problem solving (spin-up). Peat application was simulated: starting application in the dose of 12 kg/m2 and maintenance (every 6 years) in doses 4, 8 and 12 kg/m2, N 1%. Application of mineral fertilizers, 2 variants: a) N 4 g/m2 (40 kg/ha) in peatting years and b) application of the same dose of nitrogen every year. The duration of computational experiments is 30 and 90 years. Computational experiments showed that after the starting peatting of Folic Podzol at the rate of 12 kg/m2 after 30 years, only 15% of the applied detritus remained. Maintenance peatting of 8–12 kg/m2 leads to an increase in SOM pool to 20–30 kg/m2 and excessive accumulation of detritus. Application of 4 kg/m2 of peat once every 6 years for 90 years shows the dynamics of SOM pools from Folic Podzol to Plaggic Podzol which is confirmed by field survey data. Application of mineral nitrogen (4 g/m2) once every 6 years does not affect SOM pools. Annual application of mineral N (4 g/m2) increases SOM pools due to intensified humification. This fact requires experimental verification.

The article presents the results of agrochemical survey of soils of the Dolyna territorial community of Ivano-Frankivsk region. The agro-productive grouping of all soils of the district was carried out. There are five agro-productive soil groups within the district: sod-podzolic soils on ancient alluvial, water-glacial deposits, moraine, and eluvium of magmatic rocks; sod-podzolic and podzolic-sod surface-gleyed medium-loamy soils; deep non-gleyed and gleyed medium-loamy sod soils and their podzolized variants on ancient alluvial, water-glacial deposits, moraine, and eluvium of magmatic rocks; brown-podzolic, sod-brown-podzolic, brown mountain-forest podzolized gleyed and surface-gleyed non-eroded and slightly eroded heavy loamy and light clayey soils; sod gleyed soils; sod-brown and meadow-brown gleyed soils on alluvial and deluvial deposits, medium-loamy stony soils. The article describes the results of changes in the area of agricultural production groups of soils over the past 10 years based on the data of the last survey round. The article describes the key indicators of soil fertility based on the results of agrochemical survey of agricultural lands of the Dolyna territorial community of Ivano-Frankivsk region, and also determines the qualitative assessment of these soils.

• Ca2+ inhibited CA activity while Fe3+ promoted CA activity slightly. • Fe3+ and Ca2+ increase contents of protein and humic acids in EPS. • Fe3+ inhibited Ca2+ precipitation while Ca2+ promoted Fe3+ precipitation. • Fe3+ ion precipitation ratio reached 94% and concentration decreased to 3.5 mg/L. • Immobilized bacteria is not as good as free bacteria in Ca2+ removal. Biomineralization has garnered significant attention in the field of wastewater treatment due to its notable cost reduction compared to conventional methods. The reinjection water from oilfields containing an exceedingly high concentration of calcium and ferric ions will pose a major hazard in production. However, the utilization of biomineralization for precipitating these ions has been scarcely investigated due to limited tolerance among halophiles towards such extreme conditions. In this study, free and immobilized halophiles Virgibacillus dokdonensis were used to precipitate these ions and the effects were compared, at the same time, biomineralization mechanisms and mineral characteristics were further explored. The results show that bacterial concentration and carbonic anhydrase activity were higher when additionally adding ferric ion based on calcium ion; the content of protein, polysaccharides, deoxyribonucleic acid and humic substances in the extracellular polymers also increased compared to control. Calcium ions were biomineralized into calcite and vaterite with multiple morphology. Due to iron doping, the crystallinity and thermal stability of calcium carbonate decreased, the content of O C = O, N C = O and C O-PO 3 increased, the stable carbon isotope values became much more negative, and β-sheet in minerals disappeared. Higher calcium concentrations facilitated ferric ion precipitation, while ferric ions hindered calcium precipitation. The immobilized bacteria performed better in ferric ion removal, with a precipitation ratio exceeding 90%. Free bacteria performed better in calcium removal, and the precipitation ratio reached a maximum of 56%. This research maybe provides some reference for the co-removal of calcium and ferric ions from the oilfield wastewater. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern agriculture is facing a number of challenges, among which the efficient use of fertilisers to provide plants with the necessary nutrients is of particular importance. In particular, the growing focus on sustainable agriculture and the need to preserve soil resources underline the relevance of research into optimising fertiliser use. The purpose of the study was to identify effective methods of fertiliser use to provide plants with nutrients. To achieve this goal, the effectiveness of green manure, organic (manure) and mineral fertilisers under Sorghum and perennial grasses (Medicago sativa, Elytrigia, Agropyron) on saline soil was investigated. The study founded that organic fertilisers, such as manure and green manure, contribute to a more even supply of nutrients to plants compared to mineral fertilisers. This is particularly important in the context of nitrogen and phosphorus balance, where Medicago sativa has a positive nitrogen balance due to its ability to symbiotically fix nitrogen. Other crops studied, such as Elytrigia, Agropyron and Sorghum, showed a negative nitrogen balance on the control variant, but the application of N100P50K110 mineral fertiliser resulted in a positive nitrogen balance. The replacement of mineral fertilisers with organic fertilisers such as manure and green manure increased nitrogen inputs but also increased nitrogen removal from the soil due to the increase in phytomass yields. The results of the study confirmed the importance of transitioning to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly way of production in agriculture, which will ensure the development of the industry and increase its competitiveness in the international market. The practical significance of the study is to provide farmers with the opportunity to increase the yield of their crops and at the same time preserve soil fertility through the optimal use of nutrients contained in fertilisers

Natural and climatic features of the soil cover formation of Turkestan region of the Republic of Kazakhstan are identified by a set of hydrological and bioclimatic factors serving as important environment-forming functions, which are reflected in the landscape organization of the territory. When assessing soil resources of agricultural landscapes, integrated index of soil fertility was applied – the “soil index,” which takes into account the reserves of humus, mineral elements, and hydrolytic acidity. Based on monitoring observations (1996–2019) of soil fertility in agricultural landscapes (agricultural lands) of Turkestan region, assessment of soil resources was performed, which showed that in general, the generalized “soil index” ranges from 1.086 to 4.800 units depending on natural features of the territory. It is found that the “soil index” in agricultural landscapes is significantly less than its maximum value (20.000 units), which suggests a pronounced humus deficiency, showing low soil fertility in all agricultural landscapes. To assess the soil resources of agricultural landscapes in Turkestan region, a new approach was applied, which is based on the assessment of energy costs for the soil formation process, which enables to quantitatively reflect the radiation balance of the earth surface, heat, and moisture supply of agricultural land for 1941–1960 and 2001–2020. The indicators applied are subject to the law of vertical zonation and change from the mountain to the arid zone, where the potential energy costs for soil formation range from 82.2–101.9 to 129.4–135.5 kJ/cm2, and natural energy costs energy costs for soil formation from 17.2–21.7 to 121.7–125.2 kJ/cm2.

In this article, we propose a silvicultural approach that takes soil health into account. Using a biblical metaphor, the first chapter highlights the forest’s critical role in the planet’s future, emphasizing that forest biodiversity is essential for sustaining a planet inhabited by complex life forms like humans. The second chapter focuses to the soil, explaining how the biological dynamics of the soil are interconnected with the forest cycle, demonstrating that vegetation and soil form a continuous, co-evolving system. The third chapter explores the possibility of extending the forest cycle to restore soil functionality, illustrating how the recycling of the forest’s biological past facilitates the emergence of a new, evolving soil-vegetation system. Examples of forest management practices in France, Italy, and Switzerland are presented, including graphs and mathematical models depicting the evolution of organic carbon in the soil and the distribution of tree stems by diameter, age, and stature. The description of uneven-aged Swiss forests, featuring fir and beech, is sourced from the Helvetica Pro-Silva website.

The distribution of stable iodine and humus in the upper horizon (0–20 cm) of various types of soils of the Bryansk and Oryol regions used as pastures has been studied. Soil sampling was carried out with a hand stick drill in layers in the depth interval: 0–5 cm, 5-10 cm and 10–20 cm. Iodine content was determined by kinetic rhodanide-nitrite method. Corg content was determined by the bichromate method of Tyurin. The work includes data from both long-term studies of the iodine content in the soil cover of the Bryansk region (2008–2020) and new data from expeditionary studies in the Oryol region (2022). It is shown that the soils of the Bryansk pastures are depleted of iodine and organic carbon (OC) in comparison with the Oryol region, which corresponds to the change of soil cover composition from west to east. The humus content in soils was determined and statistically significant correlation between iodine and C org. content in pasture soils were obtained (from r = 0.28 in Chernozems to r = 0.49 in Haplic Albeluvisols; in addition, for the whole sample (n = 48) the correlation coefficient ranged from 0.31 in the 0–5 cm layer to 0.43 in the 10–20 cm layer). The dependence of iodine accumulation on the OC content in different types of soils (Chernozems, Grey-Luvic Phaeozems, Umbric Albeluvisols, Haplic Albeluvisols) and their hydromorphism has been established. The identified differences in soil iodine fixation should be considered as they may influence iodine intake levels in pasture animal milk and local rations.