SOIL - recent papers
https://soil.copernicus.org/articles/
Combined list of the recent articles of the journal SOIL and the recent discussion forum SOIL DiscussionsModel-based analysis of erosion-induced microplastic delivery from arable land to the stream network of a mesoscale catchment
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-211-2024
<b>Model-based analysis of erosion-induced microplastic delivery from arable land to the stream network of a mesoscale catchment</b><br>
Raphael Rehm and Peter Fiener<br>
SOIL, 10, 211–230, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-211-2024, 2024<br>
A carbon transport model was adjusted to study the importance of water and tillage erosion processes for particular microplastic (MP) transport across a mesoscale landscape. The MP mass delivered into the stream network represented a serious amount of MP input in the same range as potential MP inputs from wastewater treatment plants. In addition, most of the MP applied to arable soils remains in the topsoil (0–20 cm) for decades. The MP sink function of soil results in a long-term MP source.
2024-03-12T13:01:33+01:00Reference soil groups map of Ethiopia based on legacy data and machine learning-technique: EthioSoilGrids 1.0
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-189-2024
<b>Reference soil groups map of Ethiopia based on legacy data and machine learning-technique: EthioSoilGrids 1.0</b><br>
Ashenafi Ali, Teklu Erkossa, Kiflu Gudeta, Wuletawu Abera, Ephrem Mesfin, Terefe Mekete, Mitiku Haile, Wondwosen Haile, Assefa Abegaz, Demeke Tafesse, Gebeyhu Belay, Mekonen Getahun, Sheleme Beyene, Mohamed Assen, Alemayehu Regassa, Yihenew G. Selassie, Solomon Tadesse, Dawit Abebe, Yitbarek Wolde, Nesru Hussien, Abebe Yirdaw, Addisu Mera, Tesema Admas, Feyera Wakoya, Awgachew Legesse, Nigat Tessema, Ayele Abebe, Simret Gebremariam, Yismaw Aregaw, Bizuayehu Abebaw, Damtew Bekele, Eylachew Zewdie, Steffen Schulz, Lulseged Tamene, and Eyasu Elias<br>
SOIL, 10, 189–209, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-189-2024, 2024<br>
This paper focuses on collating legacy soil profile data and on the production of an updated national soil type map of Ethiopia, EthioSoilGrids version 1.0, using legacy data and a machine-learning approach. Given its quantitative digital representation, the map and the associated data make tremendous contributions to agricultural development planning and digital agricultural solutions, as well as improving the accuracy of global predictive soil mapping efforts.
2024-03-05T13:01:33+01:00Mineral dust and pedogenesis in the alpine critical zone
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-167-2024
<b>Mineral dust and pedogenesis in the alpine critical zone</b><br>
Jeffrey S. Munroe, Abigail A. Santis, Elsa J. Soderstrom, Michael J. Tappa, and Ann M. Bauer<br>
SOIL, 10, 167–187, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-167-2024, 2024<br>
This study investigated how the deposition of mineral dust delivered by the wind influences soil development in mountain environments. At six mountain locations in the southwestern United States, modern dust was collected along with samples of soil and local bedrock. Analysis indicates that at all sites the properties of dust and soil are very similar and are very different from underlying rock. This result indicates that soils are predominantly composed of dust delivered by the wind over time.
2024-02-22T13:01:33+01:00Mulch application as the overarching factor explaining increase in soil organic carbon stocks under conservation agriculture in two 8-year-old experiments in Zimbabwe
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-151-2024
<b>Mulch application as the overarching factor explaining increase in soil organic carbon stocks under conservation agriculture in two 8-year-old experiments in Zimbabwe</b><br>
Armwell Shumba, Regis Chikowo, Christian Thierfelder, Marc Corbeels, Johan Six, and Rémi Cardinael<br>
SOIL, 10, 151–165, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-151-2024, 2024<br>
Conservation agriculture (CA), combining reduced or no tillage, permanent soil cover, and improved rotations, is often promoted as a climate-smart practice. However, our knowledge of the impact of CA on top- and subsoil soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in the low-input cropping systems of sub-Saharan Africa is rather limited. Using two long-term experimental sites with different soil types, we found that mulch could increase top SOC stocks, but no tillage alone had a slightly negative impact.
2024-02-20T13:01:33+01:00Cover crops improve soil structure and change organic carbon distribution in macroaggregate fractions
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-139-2024
<b>Cover crops improve soil structure and change organic carbon distribution in macroaggregate fractions</b><br>
Norman Gentsch, Florin Laura Riechers, Jens Boy, Dörte Schweneker, Ulf Feuerstein, Diana Heuermann, and Georg Guggenberger<br>
SOIL, 10, 139–150, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-139-2024, 2024<br>
Cover crops have substantial impacts on soil properties, but so far it is not clear how long a legacy effect of cover cropping will remain in the soil. We found that cover crops attenuate negative effects on soil structure that come from soil cultivation. The combination of plants with different litter qualities and rhizodeposits in biodiverse cover crop mixtures can improve the positive effects of cover cropping on soil structure amelioration.
2024-02-15T13:01:33+01:00Sensitivity of source sediment fingerprinting to tracer selection methods
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-109-2024
<b>Sensitivity of source sediment fingerprinting to tracer selection methods</b><br>
Thomas Chalaux-Clergue, Rémi Bizeul, Pedro V. G. Batista, Núria Martínez-Carreras, J. Patrick Laceby, and Olivier Evrard<br>
SOIL, 10, 109–138, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-109-2024, 2024<br>
Sediment source fingerprinting is a relevant tool to support soil conservation and watershed management in the context of accelerated soil erosion. To quantify sediment source contribution, it requires the selection of relevant tracers. We compared the three-step method and the consensus method and found very contrasted trends. The divergences between virtual mixtures and sample prediction ranges highlight that virtual mixture statistics are not directly transferable to actual samples.
2024-02-13T13:01:33+01:00Soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus storage in juniper–oak savanna: role of vegetation and geology
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-93-2024
<b>Soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus storage in juniper–oak savanna: role of vegetation and geology</b><br>
Che-Jen Hsiao, Pedro A. M. Leite, Ayumi Hyodo, and Thomas W. Boutton<br>
SOIL, 10, 93–108, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-93-2024, 2024<br>
Tree cover has increased in grasslands worldwide, with juniper and oak trees expanding in the southern Great Plains, USA. Here, we examine how these changes interact with geology to affect soil C, N, and P storage. Soil concentrations of these elements were significantly higher under trees than grasslands but increased more under trees growing on Edwards soils. Our results suggest that geology and vegetation change should be considered when predicting soil storage in dryland ecosystems globally.
2024-02-06T13:01:33+01:00Organic matters, but inorganic matters too: column examination of elevated mercury sorption on low organic matter aquifer material using concentrations and stable isotope ratios
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-77-2024
<b>Organic matters, but inorganic matters too: column examination of elevated mercury sorption on low organic matter aquifer material using concentrations and stable isotope ratios</b><br>
David S. McLagan, Carina Esser, Lorenz Schwab, Jan G. Wiederhold, Jan-Helge Richard, and Harald Biester<br>
SOIL, 10, 77–92, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-77-2024, 2024<br>
Sorption of mercury in soils, aquifer materials, and sediments is primarily linked to organic matter. Using column experiments, mercury concentration, speciation, and stable isotope analyses, we show that large quantities of mercury in soil water and groundwater can be sorbed to inorganic minerals; sorption to the solid phase favours lighter isotopes. Data provide important insights on the transport and fate of mercury in soil–groundwater systems and particularly in low-organic-matter systems.
2024-02-01T13:01:33+01:00Response of soil nutrients and erodibility to slope aspect in the northern agro-pastoral ecotone, China
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-61-2024
<b>Response of soil nutrients and erodibility to slope aspect in the northern agro-pastoral ecotone, China</b><br>
Yuxin Wu, Guodong Jia, Xinxiao Yu, Honghong Rao, Xiuwen Peng, Yusong Wang, Yushi Wang, and Xu Wang<br>
SOIL, 10, 61–75, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-61-2024, 2024<br>
Vegetation restoration is an important method of ecological restoration that aims to control soil erosion and prevent soil degradation. Our study suggests that combinations of species such as C. korshinskii and L. bicolor are optimal for improving the soil nutrients and soil erodibility for any slope aspect. This study provides insight into the rational planning of vegetation restoration measures for slopes with various aspects in semi-arid areas of the northern agro-pastoral ecotone.
2024-01-17T13:01:33+01:00Intensive agricultural management-induced subsurface accumulation of water-extractable colloidal P in a Vertisol
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-49-2024
<b>Intensive agricultural management-induced subsurface accumulation of water-extractable colloidal P in a Vertisol</b><br>
Shouhao Li, Shuiqing Chen, Shanshan Bai, Jinfang Tan, and Xiaoqian Jiang<br>
SOIL, 10, 49–59, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-49-2024, 2024<br>
The distribution of water-extractable colloids with soil profiles of 0–120 cm was investigated in a Vertisol under high-intensity agricultural management. A large number of experimental data show that colloidal phosphorus plays an important role in apatite transport throughout the profile. Thus, it is crucial to consider the impact of colloidal P when predicting surface-to-subsurface P loss in Vertisols.
2024-01-16T13:01:33+01:00Perspectives on the misconception of levitating soil aggregates
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-23-2024
<b>Perspectives on the misconception of levitating soil aggregates</b><br>
Gina Garland, John Koestel, Alice Johannes, Olivier Heller, Sebastian Doetterl, Dani Or, and Thomas Keller<br>
SOIL, 10, 23–31, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-23-2024, 2024<br>
The concept of soil aggregates is hotly debated, leading to confusion about their function or relevancy to soil processes. We propose that the use of conceptual figures showing detached and isolated aggregates can be misleading and has contributed to this skepticism. Here, we conceptually illustrate how aggregates can form and dissipate within the context of undisturbed soils, highlighting the fact that aggregates do not necessarily need to have distinct physical boundaries.
2024-01-15T13:01:33+01:00Combining lime and organic amendments based on titratable alkalinity for efficient amelioration of acidic soils
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-33-2024
<b>Combining lime and organic amendments based on titratable alkalinity for efficient amelioration of acidic soils</b><br>
Birhanu Iticha, Luke M. Mosley, and Petra Marschner<br>
SOIL, 10, 33–47, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-33-2024, 2024<br>
Little effort has been made to develop methods to calculate the application rates of lime combined with organic amendments (OAs) needed to neutralise soil acidity and achieve the desired pH for plant growth. The previous approach of estimating appropriate lime and OA combinations based on field trials is time-consuming and costly. Hence, we developed and successfully validated a new method to calculate the amount of lime or OAs in combined applications required to ameliorate acidity.
2024-01-15T13:01:33+01:00Thermodynamic and hydrological drivers of the soil and bedrock thermal regimes in central Spain
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-1-2024
<b>Thermodynamic and hydrological drivers of the soil and bedrock thermal regimes in central Spain</b><br>
Félix García-Pereira, Jesús Fidel González-Rouco, Thomas Schmid, Camilo Melo-Aguilar, Cristina Vegas-Cañas, Norman Julius Steinert, Pedro José Roldán-Gómez, Francisco José Cuesta-Valero, Almudena García-García, Hugo Beltrami, and Philipp de Vrese<br>
SOIL, 10, 1–21, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-10-1-2024, 2024<br>
This work addresses air–ground temperature coupling and propagation into the subsurface in a mountainous area in central Spain using surface and subsurface data from six meteorological stations. Heat transfer of temperature changes at the ground surface occurs mainly by conduction controlled by thermal diffusivity of the subsurface, which varies with depth and time. A new methodology shows that near-surface diffusivity and soil moisture content changes with time are closely related.
2024-01-10T13:01:33+01:00Contrasting potential for biological N2 fixation at three polluted central European Sphagnum peat bogs: combining the 15N2-tracer and natural-abundance isotope approaches
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-623-2023
<b>Contrasting potential for biological N2 fixation at three polluted central European Sphagnum peat bogs: combining the 15N2-tracer and natural-abundance isotope approaches</b><br>
Marketa Stepanova, Martin Novak, Bohuslava Cejkova, Ivana Jackova, Frantisek Buzek, Frantisek Veselovsky, Jan Curik, Eva Prechova, Arnost Komarek, and Leona Bohdalkova<br>
SOIL, 9, 623–640, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-623-2023, 2023<br>
Biological N2 fixation helps to sustain carbon accumulation in peatlands and to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Changes in N2 fixation may affect the dynamics of global change. Increasing inputs of reactive N from air pollution should lead to downregulation of N2 fixation. Data from three N-polluted peat bogs show an interplay of N2-fixation rates with 10 potential drivers of this process. N2 fixation was measurable only at one site characterized by high phosphorus and low sulfate availability.
2023-12-22T13:01:33+01:00Soil organic carbon stocks did not change after 130 years of afforestation on a former Swiss Alpine pasture
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-609-2023
<b>Soil organic carbon stocks did not change after 130 years of afforestation on a former Swiss Alpine pasture</b><br>
Tatjana C. Speckert, Jeannine Suremann, Konstantin Gavazov, Maria J. Santos, Frank Hagedorn, and Guido L. B. Wiesenberg<br>
SOIL, 9, 609–621, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-609-2023, 2023<br>
Soil organic carbon (SOC) is key player in the global carbon cycle. Afforestation on pastures potentially alters organic matter input and SOC sequestration. We investigated the effects of a Picea abies L. afforestation sequence (0 to 130 years) on a former subalpine pasture on SOC stocks and dynamics. We found no difference in the SOC stock after 130 years of afforestation and thus no additional SOC sequestration. SOC composition was altered due to a modified SOC input following afforestation.
2023-12-07T13:01:33+01:00The effect of different biopreparations on soil physical properties and CO2 emissions when growing winter wheat and oilseed rape
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-593-2023
<b>The effect of different biopreparations on soil physical properties and CO2 emissions when growing winter wheat and oilseed rape</b><br>
Sidona Buragienė, Egidijus Šarauskis, Aida Adamavičienė, Kęstutis Romaneckas, Kristina Lekavičienė, Daiva Rimkuvienė, and Vilma Naujokienė<br>
SOIL, 9, 593–608, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-593-2023, 2023<br>
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different biopreparations on soil porosity, temperature, and CO2 emission from the soil in northeast Europe (Lithuania) when growing food-type crops. The application of the biopreparations showed a cumulative effect on the soil properties. In the third year of the study, the total porosity of the soil was higher in all scenarios compared to the control, ranging between 51% and 74%.
2023-11-27T13:01:33+01:00The QuantiSlakeTest, measuring soil structural stability by dynamic weighing of undisturbed samples immersed in water
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-573-2023
<b>The QuantiSlakeTest, measuring soil structural stability by dynamic weighing of undisturbed samples immersed in water</b><br>
Frédéric Marie Vanwindekens and Brieuc François Hardy<br>
SOIL, 9, 573–591, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-573-2023, 2023<br>
Structural stability is critical for sustainable agricultural soil management. We invented a simple test to measure soil structural stability. The QuantiSlakeTest consists of a dynamic weighting of a dried soil sample in water. The test is rapid, does not require expensive equipment and provides a high density of information on soil structural properties. With an open-access programme for data management under development, the test has strong potential for adoption by a large community of users.
2023-11-17T13:01:33+01:00Increase in bacterial community induced tolerance to Cr in response to soil properties and Cr level in the soil
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-561-2023
<b>Increase in bacterial community induced tolerance to Cr in response to soil properties and Cr level in the soil</b><br>
Claudia Campillo-Cora, Daniel Arenas-Lago, Manuel Arias-Estévez, and David Fernández-Calviño<br>
SOIL, 9, 561–571, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-561-2023, 2023<br>
Cr pollution is a global concern. The use of methodologies specifically related to Cr toxicity is appropriate, such as the pollution-induced community tolerance (PICT) methodology. The development of PICT was determined in 10 soils after Cr addition in the laboratory. The Cr-soluble fraction and dissolved organic carbon were the main variables determining the development of PICT (R2 = 95.6 %).
2023-11-17T13:01:33+01:00Sequestering carbon in the subsoil benefits crop transpiration at the onset of drought
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-545-2023
<b>Sequestering carbon in the subsoil benefits crop transpiration at the onset of drought</b><br>
Maria Eliza Turek, Attila Nemes, and Annelie Holzkämper<br>
SOIL, 9, 545–560, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-545-2023, 2023<br>
In this study, we systematically evaluated prospective crop transpiration benefits of sequestering soil organic carbon (SOC) under current and future climatic conditions based on the model SWAP. We found that adding at least 2% SOC down to at least 65 cm depth could increase transpiration annually by almost 40 mm, which can play a role in mitigating drought impacts in rain-fed cropping. Beyond this threshold, additional crop transpiration benefits of sequestering SOC are only marginal.
2023-11-09T13:01:33+01:00The soil knowledge library (KLIB) – a structured literature database on soil process research
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-533-2023
<b>The soil knowledge library (KLIB) – a structured literature database on soil process research</b><br>
Hans-Jörg Vogel, Bibiana Betancur-Corredor, Leonard Franke, Sara König, Birgit Lang, Maik Lucas, Eva Rabot, Bastian Stößel, Ulrich Weller, Martin Wiesmeier, and Ute Wollschläger<br>
SOIL, 9, 533–543, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-533-2023, 2023<br>
Our paper presents a new web-based software tool to support soil process research. It is designed to categorize publications in this field according to site and soil characteristics, as well as experimental conditions, which is of critical importance for the interpretation of the research results. The software tool is provided open access for the soil science community such that anyone can contribute to improve the contents of the literature data base.
2023-10-17T13:01:33+02:00