Effects of liming on oxic and anoxic N2O and CO2 production in different horizons of boreal acid sulfate soil and non-acid soil under controlled conditions

Storage and Distribution of Organic Carbon and Nutrients in Acidic Soils Developed on Sulfidic Sediments: The Roles of Reactive Iron and Macropores

In a boreal acidic sulfate-rich subsoil (pH 3-4) developing on sulfidic and organic-rich sediments over the past 70 years, extensive brownish-to-yellowish layers have formed on macropores. Our data reveal that these layers ("macropore surfaces") are strongly enriched in 1 M HCl-extractable reactive iron (2-7% dry weight), largely bound to schwertmannite and 2-line ferrihydrite. These reactive iron phases trap large pools of labile organic matter (OM) and HCl-extractable phosphorus, possibly derived from the cultivated layer. Within soil aggregates, the OM is of a different nature from that on the macropore surfaces but similar to that in the underlying sulfidic sediments (C-horizon). This provides evidence that the sedimentary OM in the bulk subsoil has been largely preserved without significant decomposition and/or fractionation, likely due to physiochemical stabilization by the reactive iron phases that also existed abundantly within the aggregates. These findings not only highlight the important yet underappreciated roles of iron oxyhydroxysulfates in OM/nutrient storage and distribution in acidic sulfate-rich and other similar environments but also suggest that boreal acidic sulfate-rich subsoils and other similar soil systems (existing widely on coastal plains worldwide and being increasingly formed in thawing permafrost) may act as global sinks for OM and nutrients in the short run.

A review of additives use in straw composting

Straw composting is not only a process of decomposition and re-synthesis of organic matter, but also a process of harmless treatment, avoiding air pollution caused by straw burning. Many factors, including raw materials, humidity, C/N, and microbial structure, may determine the composting process and the quality of final product. In recent years, many researches have focused on composting quality improvement by adding one or more exogenous substances, including inorganic additives, organic additives, and microbial agents. Although a few review publications have compiled the research on the use of additives in composting, none of them has specifically addressed the composting of crop straw. Additives used in straw composting can increase degradation of recalcitrant substances and provide ideal living surroundings for microorganism, and thus reduce nitrogen loss and promote humus formation, etc. This review's objective is to critically evaluate the impact of various additives on straw composting process, and analyze how these additives enhance final quality of composting. Furthermore, a vision for future perspectives is provided. This paper can serve as a reference for straw composting process optimization and composting end-product improvement.