Fertilizer P-derived uranium continues to accumulate at Rothamsted long-term experiments

The application of phosphorus (P) fertilizers inevitably contributes to the accumulation of trace elements, such as uranium (U), in agricultural soils. The fertilizer-derived U accumulation was first reported in Rothamsted Research in 1979. In the present study, we expand this early key research by evaluating the fertilizer-derived U accumulation in topsoil (0-23 cm) from 1876 to the 2010s. We found that total U accumulation rates ranged from 2.8 to 6.1 μg U kg^-1 yr^-1 at the Broadbalk and Park Grass, respectively, being similar to those observed 40 years ago. This highlights that U accumulation is still an ongoing process in Rothamsted. Fortunately, the proportion of fertilizer-derived U did not significantly increase in the ammonium acetate extractable ('proxy' of plant-available) fraction over 130 years. In addition, we compiled an overview of the global rate of mineral P fertilizer-derived U accumulation in agricultural systems using existing literature (36 experimental trials, from 11 countries). The resulting dataset predicts an estimated mean U accumulation of 0.85 μg U kg^-1 soil for an annual application of 1 kg P ha^-1 in the topsoil of agricultural systems (0.26 μg U kg^-1 per kg P ha^-1 for arable land and 1.34 μg U kg^-1 per kg P ha^-1 for grassland). The annual U accumulation per applied kg P ha^-1 being 0.08 (Broadbalk) and 0.17 μg U (Park Grass) corresponds to around one-third and one-eighth of the worldwide mean U accumulation for their respective agricultural systems, suggesting 'relatively' low U contents of the applied P fertilizers. Our study underscores that fertilizer-derived U accumulation is a persistent problem on the global scale, even if at different rates, and therewith suggests an evaluation of current regulatory limits and acceptable U input levels from P fertilization.

What is the deal with the Green Deal: Will the new strategy help to improve European freshwater quality beyond the Water Framework Directive?

Agricultural land use covers almost half of the EU territory and reducing nutrient and pesticide losses to freshwaters is central to existing EU policy. However, the progress of improving freshwater quality and reducing eutrophication is slow and lags behind targets. The Green Deal is a key element of the EU plans to implement the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. Here, we discuss the opportunities that the Green Deal and associated strategies may provide for the achievement of the water quality goals of the Water Framework Directive in agricultural landscapes. We welcome Green Deal's aspirational stated goals. However, the reliance of mitigation of diffuse agricultural pollution on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy represents grave risks for practical implementation and the achievement of the Green Deal objectives. We also argue that the new strategies should be targeted at tackling and understanding the sources of water quality problems along the full pollution continuum. To maximise the opportunities for tackling diffuse pollution from agricultural land use and achieving the delayed water quality targets, we stress that a range of targeted new instruments will be needed to close the gaps in the pollution continuum 'from source to impact'. These gaps include: (I) smart and standardised monitoring of the impacts of proposed eco-schemes and agri-environment-climate measures, (ii) active restoration of agricultural streams and ditches and their floodplains to reduce secondary pollution sources, (iii) options to draw down nutrient levels to or below the agronomic optimum that reduce legacy sources, (iv) integrating farm-scale and catchment-scale analysis of trade-offs in reducing different pollutants and their combined effects, and finally (v) accounting for emerging pressures to freshwater quality due to climate change. Incorporation of the pollution continuum framework into tackling diffuse agricultural pollution will ensure that the European water-related policy goals are achieved.

A Dataset for Three-Dimensional Distribution of 39 Elements Including Plant Nutrients and Other Metals and Metalloids in the Soils of a Forested Headwater Catchment

Quantification and evaluation of elemental distribution in forested ecosystems are key requirements to understand element fluxes and their relationship with hydrological and biogeochemical processes in the system. However, datasets supporting such a study on the catchment scale are still limited. Here we provide a dataset comprising spatially highly resolved distributions of 39 elements in soil profiles of a small forested headwater catchment in western Germany () to gain a holistic picture of the state and fluxes of elements in the catchment. The elements include both plant nutrients and other metals and metalloids that were predominately derived from lithospheric or anthropogenic inputs, thereby allowing us to not only capture the nutrient status of the catchment but to also estimate the functional development of the ecosystem. Soil samples were collected at high lateral resolution (≤60 m), and element concentrations were determined vertically for four soil horizons (L/Of, Oh, A, B). From this, a three-dimensional view of the distribution of these elements could be established with high spatial resolution on the catchment scale in a temperate natural forested ecosystem. The dataset can be combined with other datasets and studies of the TERENO (Terrestrial Environmental Observatories) Data Discovery Portal () to reveal elemental fluxes, establish relations between elements and other soil properties, and/or as input for modeling elemental cycling in temperate forested ecosystems.

Effect of past peat cultivation practices on present dynamics of dissolved organic carbon

Peatlands are a major source of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) for aquatic ecosystems. Naturally high DOC concentrations in peatlands may be increased further by drainage. For agricultural purposes, peat has frequently been mixed with sand, but the effect of this measure on the release and cycling of DOC has rarely been investigated. This study examined the effects of (i) mixing peat with sand and (ii) water table depth (WTD) on DOC concentrations at three grassland sites on shallow organic soils. The soil solution was sampled bi-weekly for two years with suction plates at 15, 30 and 60cm depth. Selected samples were analysed for dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), δ¹³C_DOM and δ¹⁵N_DOM. Average DOC concentrations were surprisingly high, ranging from 161 to 192mgl^-1. There was no significant impact of soil organic carbon (SOC) content or WTD on mean DOC concentrations. At all sites, DOC concentrations were highest at the boundary between the SOC-rich horizon and the mineral subsoil. In contrast to the mean concentrations, the temporal patterns of DOC concentrations, their drivers and the properties of dissolved organic matter (DOM) differed between peat-sand mixtures and peat. DOC concentrations responded to changes in environmental conditions, but only after a lag period of a few weeks. At the sites with a peat-sand mixture, temperature and therefore probably biological activity determined the DOC concentrations. At the peat site, the contribution of vegetation-derived DOM was higher. The highest concentrations occurred during long, cool periods of waterlogging, suggesting a stronger physicochemical-based DOC mobilisation. Overall, these results indicate that mixing peat with sand does not improve water quality and may result in DOC losses of around 200kg DOCha^-1a^-1.

A Three-Dimensional View on Soil Biogeochemistry: A Dataset for a Forested Headwater Catchment

Current understanding of the variability in soil properties and their relationship to processes and spatial patterns in forested landscapes is limited due to the scarcity of datasets providing such information. Here we present a spatially highly resolved dataset () that provides detailed information on the three-dimensional variability of biogeochemical properties in the Wüstebach catchment (western Germany), a long-term environmental observation site of the TERENO (Terrestrial Environmental Observatories) project. High-resolution soil sampling was conducted, and physical and biogeochemical soil parameters were recorded per horizon. The dataset is helpful in the analysis of the spatial heterogeneity in biogeochemical properties within soil horizons and with depth through the soil profile. In addition, it shows links between hydrological and biogeochemical properties and processes within the system. Overall, the dataset provides a high-resolution view into (re)cycling, leaching, and storage of nutrients on the catchment scale in a forested headwater catchment.

Long-term management changes topsoil and subsoil organic carbon and nitrogen dynamics in a temperate agricultural system

Soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (N) contents are controlled partly by plant inputs that can be manipulated in agricultural systems. Although SOC and N pools occur mainly in the topsoil (upper 0.30 m), there are often substantial pools in the subsoil that are commonly assumed to be stable. We tested the hypothesis that contrasting long-term management systems change the dynamics of SOC and N in the topsoil and subsoil (to 0.75 m) under temperate conditions. We used an established field experiment in the UK where control grassland was changed to arable (59 years before) and bare fallow (49 years before) systems. Losses of SOC and N were 65 and 61% under arable and 78 and 74% under fallow, respectively, in the upper 0.15 m when compared with the grass land soil, whereas at 0.3-0.6-m depth losses under arable and fallow were 41 and 22% and 52 and 35%, respectively. The stable isotopes ¹³C and ¹⁵N showed the effects of different treatments. Concentrations of long-chain n-alkanes C₂₇, C₂₉ and C₃₁ were greater in soil under grass than under arable and fallow. The dynamics of SOC and N changed in both topsoil and subsoil on a decadal time-scale because of changes in the balance between inputs and turnover in perennial and annual systems. Isotopic and geochemical analyses suggested that fresh inputs and decomposition processes occur in the subsoil. There is a need to monitor and predict long-term changes in soil properties in the whole soil profile if soil is to be managed sustainably.

HIGHLIGHTS

Land-use change affects soil organic carbon and nitrogen, but usually the topsoil only is considered.Grassland cultivated to arable and fallow lost 13-78% SOC and N to 0.6 m depth within decades.Isotopic and biomarker analyses suggested changes in delivery and turnover of plant-derived inputs.The full soil profile must be considered to assess soil quality and sustainability.

A review of the impacts of degradation threats on soil properties in the UK

National governments are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of their soil resources and are shaping strategies accordingly. Implicit in any such strategy is that degradation threats and their potential effect on important soil properties and functions are defined and understood. In this paper, we aimed to review the principal degradation threats on important soil properties in the UK, seeking quantitative data where possible. Soil erosion results in the removal of important topsoil and, with it, nutrients, C and porosity. A decline in soil organic matter principally affects soil biological and microbiological properties, but also impacts on soil physical properties because of the link with soil structure. Soil contamination affects soil chemical properties, affecting nutrient availability and degrading microbial properties, whilst soil compaction degrades the soil pore network. Soil sealing removes the link between the soil and most of the 'spheres', significantly affecting hydrological and microbial functions, and soils on re-developed brownfield sites are typically degraded in most soil properties. Having synthesized the literature on the impact on soil properties, we discuss potential subsequent impacts on the important soil functions, including food and fibre production, storage of water and C, support for biodiversity, and protection of cultural and archaeological heritage. Looking forward, we suggest a twin approach of field-based monitoring supported by controlled laboratory experimentation to improve our mechanistic understanding of soils. This would enable us to better predict future impacts of degradation processes, including climate change, on soil properties and functions so that we may manage soil resources sustainably.

Quantification of long-term wastewater fluxes at the surface water/groundwater-interface: an integrative model perspective using stable isotopes and acesulfame

The suitability of acesulfame to trace wastewater-related surface water fluxes from streams into the hyporheic and riparian zones over long-term periods was investigated. The transport behavior of acesulfame was compared with the transport of water stable isotopes (δ(18)O or δ(2)H). A calibrated model based on a joint inversion of temperature, acesulfame, and piezometric pressure heads was employed in a model validation using data sets of acesulfame and water stable isotopes collected over 5months in a stream and groundwater. The spatial distribution of fresh water within the groundwater resulting from surface water infiltration was estimated by computing groundwater ages and compared with the predicted acesulfame plume obtained after 153day simulation time. Both, surface water ratios calculated with a mixing equation from water stable isotopes and simulated acesulfame mass fluxes, were investigated for their ability to estimate the contribution of wastewater-related surface water inflow within groundwater. The results of this study point to limitations for the application of acesulfame to trace surface water-groundwater interactions properly. Acesulfame completely missed the wastewater-related surface water volumes that still remained in the hyporheic zone under stream-gaining conditions. In contrast, under stream-losing conditions, which developed after periods of stagnating hydraulic exchange, acesulfame based predictions lead to an overestimation of the surface water volume of up to 25% in the riparian zone. If slow seepage velocities prevail a proportion of acesulfame might be stored in smaller pores, while when released under fast flowing water conditions it will travel further downstream with the groundwater flow direction. Therefore, under such conditions acesulfame can be a less-ideal tracer in the hyporheic and riparian zones and additional monitoring with other environmental tracers such as water stable isotopes is highly recommended.

Soil mineral N retention and N(2) O emissions following combined application of (15) N-labelled fertiliser and weed residues

RATIONALE

The combination of plant residues with inorganic fertiliser-N provides the potential to increase N-use efficiency in agricultural fruit production systems, such as olive orchards. The development of weeds in the inter-canopy area of olive orchards is encouraged as a novel strategy to reduce soil erosion. However, little is known about soil N retention or N(2) O production following the combined application of inorganic-N with the mulched weed residues.

METHODS

Emissions of (15) N-N(2) O and soil mineral (15) N retention were measured following combined applications of (15) N-labelled fertiliser and a range of olive crop weed residues to a silty loam soil under controlled conditions. These plant residues differed in their C:N ratios, lignin and polyphenol contents.

RESULTS

The magnitude of soil (15) N-NO(3) (-) retention from combining plant residues and fertiliser-N was highly dependent on potential N mineralisation (r = -0.96) and the (lignin + polyphenol)-to-N ratio (r = 0.98) of the residues. Fertiliser-N-derived retention was zero for a legume-based mulch but up to 80% in the treatment containing plant residues with a high (lignin + polyphenol)-to-N ratio. N(2) O emissions increased after the addition of residues, and increased further (up to 128%) following the combined application of inorganic fertiliser and residues. Fertiliser-derived (15) N-N(2) O was <1.4% of the total (14+15) N-N(2) O emission and <0.01% of the applied (15) N-NO(3) (-) . Enhanced N(2) O emissions following the application of residues and the fertiliser-N values were positively correlated with the C:N ratio of the residue. Thus, combining organic- and inorganic-N immobilised a significant proportion of the inorganic N with little increase in N(2) O, especially in low C:N ratio residues.

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate that whilst there is potential for N(2) O emissions to be controlled by combining weed residues and inorganic fertilisers, this is not easy to achieve as the magnitude and direction of interactions vary between different species due to their varying substrate qualities.

A novel application of natural fluorescence to understand the sources and transport pathways of pollutants from livestock farming in small headwater catchments

This paper demonstrates the application of a low-cost and rapid natural fluorescence technique for tracing and quantifying the transport of pollutants from livestock farming through a small headwater catchment. Fluorescence intensities of Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) present in different pollutant sources and drainage waters in the Den Brook catchment (Devon, UK) were monitored through storm events occurring between January 2007 and June 2008. Contrasting fluorescence signals from different sources confirmed the technique's usefulness as a tracer of pollutants from livestock farming. Changes in fluorescence intensities of drainage waters throughout storm events were used to assess the dynamics of key pollutant sources. The farmyard area of the catchment studied was shown to contribute polluted runoff at the onset of storm events in response to only small amounts of rain, when flows in the Den Brook first-order channel were low. The application of slurry to a field within the catchment did not elevate the fluorescence of drainage waters during storm events suggesting that when slurry is applied to undrained fields the fluorescent DOM may become quickly adsorbed onto soil particles and/or immobilised through bacterial breakdown. Fluorescence intensities of drainage waters were successfully combined with discharge data in a two component mixing model to estimate pollutant fluxes from key sources during the January 2007 storm event. The farmyard was shown to be the dominant source of tryptophan-like material, contributing 61-81% of the total event flux at the catchment outlet. High spatial and temporal resolution measurements of fluorescence, possibly using novel in-situ fluorimeters, may thus have great potential in quickly identifying and quantifying the presence, dynamics and sources of pollutants from livestock farming in catchments.

Gross and net rates of nitrogen mineralisation in soil amended with composted olive mill pomace

Olive mill pomace is the major waste product in the olive oil industry and composting these by-products for the purpose of recycling nutrients and organic matter is a sound environmental strategy. Yet little is known about the quantity and timing of nitrogen (N) release from composted olive mill pomace. This paper assesses both gross (using the (15)N dilution technique) and net (aerobic incubation) nitrogen (N) mineralisation and N(2)O emissions of soil amended with seven commercially available composts of olive mill pomace (COMP). All are currently produced in Andalusia and differ in the proportions of raw materials co-composted with the pomace. The absence of significant differences in net N or gross mineralisation and nitrification in COMP-amended soil compared with a control, except for COMP combined with poultry manure, highlighted the recalcitrant nature of the COMP-N. Applications of COMP are hence unlikely to supply available N in available forms, at least in the short-term. Furthermore, N(2)O emissions from COMP-amended soil were negligible and, therefore, applications in the field should not result in increased N loss through denitrification.

Measurement at the field scale of soil delta13C and delta15N under improved grassland

Variations in natural abundance of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stable isotopes are widely used as tools for many aspects of scientific research. By examining variations in the ratios of heavy to light stable isotopes, information can be obtained as to what physical, chemical and biological processes may be occurring. The spatial heterogeneity of soil delta(15)N- and delta(13)C-values across a range of scales and under different land use have been described by a number of researchers and the natural abundances of the C and N stable isotopes in soils have been found to be correlated with many factors including hydrology, topography, land use, vegetation cover and climate. In this study the Latin square sampling +1 (LSS+1) sampling method was compared with a simple grid sampling approach for delta(13)C and delta(15)N measurement at the field scale. A set of 144 samples was collected and analysed for delta(15)N and delta(13)C from a 12 x 12 grid (in a 1 ha improved grassland field in south-west England). The dimension of each cell of the grid was approximately 11 x 6 m. The 12 x 12 grid was divided into four 6 x 6 grids and the LSS+1 sampling technique was applied to these and the main 12 x 12 grid for a comparison of sample means and variation. The LSS+1 means from the 12 x 12 grid and the four 6 x 6 grids compared well with the overall grid mean because of the low variation within the field. The LSS+1 strategy (13 samples) generated representative samples from the 12 x 12 grid, and hence would be an acceptable method for sampling similar plots for the measurement of mean isotopic composition.

Quantification of dung carbon incorporation in a temperate grassland soil following spring application using bulk stable carbon isotope determinations

Herbivore dung constitutes a substantial input of C to temperate grassland soils, and its fate must be determined in order to fully understand nutrient cycling in this ecosystem. This experiment used changes in bulk delta13C values of the 0-1 cm and 1-5 cm soil horizons of a dung-treated temperate grassland soil to approximate percentage applied dung C incorporation over 372 days. Natural abundance 13C-labelled C4 dung (delta13C - 12.6%) and C3 dung (delta13C - 31.3% were produced in a monitored diet switch from ryegrass silage (delta13C - 30.1%) to maize silage (delta13C - 11.6%). The dung was applied to a C3 grassland (delta13C 0-1 cm - 29.9%, 1-5 cm - 30.6%), and dung remains and soil cores from beneath the treatments were sampled at intervals. delta13C values were used to estimate a maximum of 12% applied dung C incorporation in the top 5 cm of the soil after 112 days, which declined to around 8% at the end of the experiment. A significant increase in percentage applied dung C was observed in the top 1 cm of soil, compared with the 1-5 cm horizon, after a substantial rain event after 30 days. However, results of forage fibre analyses of the two dung types revealed significant differences in composition which may affect subsequent calculations of percentage dung incorporation based on bulk delta13C values.

Application of simultaneous thermal analysis mass spectrometry and stable carbon isotope analysis in a carbon sequestration study

The simultaneous analysis of evolved gases and the determination of stable isotope composition (delta13C) as part of a thermal analysis experiment have been used to (a) distinguish bulk chemical hosts for carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) within a soil and (b) track labelled C within a soil sequestration experiment. C3 and C4 dung was applied to a pasture soil, and soil samples taken for analysis. The results of thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry-quadrupole mass spectrometry-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (TG-DSC-QMS-IRMS) show that the proportion of more refractory C (lignin-like) is greater for the dungs than for the soil organic matter (SOM), and that this increases with time within the soil. Analysis of evolved gases shows that nitrogen is associated with the decomposition of more refractory C, and is not so strongly associated with the labile C component. IRMS analysis distinguished C3 and C4 dung, and allowed the amount of C from these sources to be estimated for the soil samples. Most dung C enters the refractory SOM fraction. This paper demonstrates the potential of TG-DSC-QMS-IRMS in the investigation of SOM.

Influence of flooding on delta15N, delta18O, 1delta15N and 2delta15N signatures of N2O released from estuarine soils--a laboratory experiment using tidal flooding chambers

The influence of flooding on N2O fluxes, denitrification rates, dual isotope (delta18O and delta15N) and isotopomer (1delta15N and 2delta15N) ratios of emitted N2O from estuarine intertidal zones was examined in a laboratory study using tidal flooding incubation chambers. Five replicate soil cores were collected from two differently managed intertidal zones in the estuary of the River Torridge (North Devon, UK): (1) a natural salt marsh fringing the estuary, and 2 a managed retreat site, previous agricultural land to which flooding was restored in summer 2001. Gas samples from the incubated soil cores were collected from the tidal chamber headspaces over a range of flooding conditions, and analysed for the delta18O, delta15N, 1delta15N and 2delta15N values of the emitted N2O. Isotope signals did not differ between the two sites, and nitrate addition to the flooding water did not change the isotopic content of emitted N2O. Under non-flooded conditions, the isotopic composition of the emitted N2O displayed a moderate variability in delta18O and 2delta15N delta values that was expected for microbial activity associated with denitrification. However, under flooded conditions, half of the samples showed strong and simultaneous depletions in 1delta15N and delta18O values, but not in 2delta15N. Such an isotope signal has not been reported in the literature, and it could point towards an unidentified N2O production pathway. Its signature differed from denitrification, which was generally the N2O production pathway in the salt marsh and the managed retreat site.

Quantification of priming and CO2 respiration sources following slurry-C incorporation into two grassland soils with different C content

The fate of incorporated slurry-C was examined in a laboratory experiment using two UK grassland soils, i.e. a Pelostagnogley (5.1 %C) and a Brown Earth (2.3 %C). C3 and C4 slurries were incorporated into these two wet-sieved (C3) soils (from 4-10 cm depth). Gas samples were collected 0.2, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 20, 30 and 40 days after slurry application and analyzed for CO2 concentration and delta13C content. Slurry incorporation into the soil strongly increased soil CO2 respiration compared with the unamended soil. Total (40 day) cumulative CO2 flux was higher for the Pelostagnogley than the Brown Earth. The 13C natural abundance tracer technique enabled quantification of the sources of respired CO2 and priming effects (days 0-9). Proportionally more slurry-derived C was respired from the Pelostagnogley (46%) than the Brown Earth (36%). The incorporated slurry-C was lost twice as fast as the native soil C in both soils. Slurry incorporation induced a priming effect, i.e. additional release of soil-derived C, most pronounced in the Pelostagnogley (highest C content). The majority of respired soil-derived C (>70%) was primed C. The study indicated that potential reductions in ammonia volatilisation following slurry injection to grasslands might be negated by enhanced loss of primed soil C (i.e. pollution swapping).

Dual isotope and isotopomer ratios of N2O emitted from a temperate grassland soil after fertiliser application

The N2O and N2 fluxes emitted from a temperate UK grassland soil after fertiliser application (equivalent to 25 and 75 kg N ha(-1)) were simultaneously measured, using a new automated soil incubation system, which replaces soil atmosphere (N2 dominated) with a He+O2 mixture. Dual isotope and isotopomer ratios of the emitted N2O were also determined. Total N2O and N2 fluxes were significantly lower (P<0.001) in the control (0 kg N) than in the 25 and 75 kg N treatments. The total N2O flux was significantly higher (P<0.001) in the 75 kg N than in the 25 kg N treatment. The general patterns of N2O and N2 fluxes were similar for both fertiliser treatments. The total gaseous N loss in the control treatment was nearly all N2, whereas in the fertiliser treatment more N2O than N2 was emitted from the soil. The ratio N2O/N2 fluxes as measured during the experiment suggested three phases in N2O production, in phase 1 nitrification>denitrification, in phase 2 denitrification>nitrification, and in phase 3 denitrification (and total denitrification)>>nitrification. Dual delta15N and delta18O isotope and isotopomer (delta15Nalpha and delta15Nbeta) value ratios of emitted N2O also pointed towards an increasing dominance of the production of N2O by denitrification and total denitrification. The site preference value from the soil-emitted N2O was lower than the troposphere value. This confirmed that the enhanced troposphere N2O site preference could result from back injection of N2O from the stratosphere. The measurements of N2O/N2 flux ratio and the isotopic content of emitted N2O pointed, independently, to similar temporal trends in N2O production processes after fertiliser application to grassland soil. This confirmed that both measurements are suitable diagnostic tools to study the N2O production process in soils.

Use of a novel nitrification inhibitor to reduce nitrous oxide emission from (15)N-labelled dairy slurry injected into soil

Recent recommendations for environmentally sound use of liquid animal manure often include injection of slurry into soil. Two of the most important undesired side effects, ammonia (NH(3)) volatilisation and odour emissions, are usually significantly reduced by slurry injection. On the other hand, because of the higher amount of nitrogen (N) remaining in soil, the risk of nitrate (NO(3)(-)) leaching and nitrous oxide (N(2)O) emissions is increased. Thus, the reduction of local effects caused by NH(3) deposition, e.g. N enrichment and soil acidification, may be at the cost of large-scale effects such as ozone depletion and global warming as a result of emitted N(2)O. In this context, nitrification inhibitors can contribute significantly to a reduction in NO(3)(-) leaching and N(2)O production. A field experiment was carried out at IGER, North Wyke, which aimed to evaluate the effect of the new nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP/ENTEC). For this experiment, (15)N enriched dairy slurry was used and the isotopic label in soil N as well as in N(2)O were studied. After slurry injection into the grassland soil in August 2000, the major emissions of N(2)O occurred during the first ten days. As expected, high N(2)O emission rates and (15)N content of the emissions were concentrated on the slurry injection slots, showing a steep decrease towards the untreated centre-point between slurry injection slots. The nitrification inhibitor DMPP proved to be very efficient in reducing N(2)O emissions. At a rate of 2 kg DMPP ha(-1), the total amount of N(2)O emitted was reduced by 32%, when compared with slurry injection without DMPP. The isotopic label of the emitted N(2)O showed that during the 22-day experimental period, emissions from the slurry N pool were strongly reduced by DMPP from 0.93 kg N(2)O-N ha(-1) (-DMPP) to 0.50 kg N(2)O-N ha(-1) (+DMPP), while only a minor effect on emissions from the soil N pool was observed (0.69 to 0.60 kg N(2)O-N ha(-1); -DMPP, +DMPP, respectively).

Diurnal fluxes and the isotopomer ratios of N(2)O in a temperate grassland following urine amendment

There is an urgent need to provide an accurate, up-to-date estimate of N(2)O fluxes in order that national policies can be developed to reduce emissions of N(2)O from soils. There are only limited data on temporal and diurnal patterns of N(2)O fluxes to the atmosphere, mainly due to constraints in the measurement techniques. In this paper we present the first terrestrial source values of N(2)O isotopomers and have measured and quantified the temporal and diurnal variability in N(2)O fluxes following urine addition to a grassland system in the UK. The experiment was carried out over a 2-week period on an artificially drained grassland system at the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER), North Wyke, UK. Duplicate samples of urine, each of 2 L, were collected from dairy cows and applied to chambers (of area 0.16 m(2)). The N(2)O diurnal fluxes from urine and control (no urine) plots were measured by an automatic closed chamber technique. The isotopomers of N(2)O were obtained by analysing the gas samples collected during a peak emission phase. Soil and meteorological data were also collected. The results showed strong diurnal variations in N(2)O fluxes with minimum fluxes generally occurring between 7:00 and 14:00 hrs. The total cumulative flux of N(2)O for the whole experimental period was higher by a factor of >2 compared with estimates based on the daytime (between 10.00-16.00 hrs) measurements only. Therefore, measurements of N(2)O fluxes based on daily single exposure and expressed on a 24-h basis could impose a considerable bias and inaccuracy to the emission estimates, depending on when it was taken. The measured site preference values (difference between the centre (delta(15)Nalpha) and the end (delta(15)Nbeta) N atom of the N(2)O molecule) for soil-emitted N(2)O measured during our study were always lower than the tropospheric value. This work confirms that the enhanced tropospheric N(2)O site preference value could be the result of the back injection from the stratosphere. The intramolecular isotope ratios of nitrogen (delta(15)N) and oxygen (delta(18)O) and the site preference of the emitted N(2)O indicated that there was a shift of processes during the measurement period.

Incorporation of (15)N from spiked cattle dung pats into soil under two moorland plant communities

The rate and depth of cattle dung incorporation into moorland soil may be an important factor influencing plant community dynamics through its effects on soil nutrient availability. This study traces the incorporation of (15)N-labelled dung into a moorland soil under two vegetation types in Dartmoor National Park, UK. Cores of treated and control soil 10 cm deep were collected at 2, 4, 8 and 16 week intervals and divided into 2 cm depth increments. Soil samples were freeze-dried, ground and analysed for atom% (15)N and %N content using continuous-flow isotope-ratio mass spectrometry. The contribution of dung N to the soil N pool was estimated by changes in atom% (15)N of the soil. The incorporation of dung dry matter into the soil was also calculated. The labile component of the dung N was incorporated deeper and more rapidly into soil under grass than under heather vegetation. The implications of these processes for the dynamics of upland plant communities are considered in relation to the ability of plants to compete for nutrients.

Amino acids as a nitrogen source in temperate upland grasslands: the use of dual labelled ((13)C, (15)N) glycine to test for direct uptake by dominant grasses

It is becoming increasingly apparent that soil amino acids are a principal source of nitrogen (N) for certain plants, and especially those of N-limited environments. This study of temperate upland grasslands used glycine-2-(13)C-(15)N and ((15)NH4)(2)SO(4) labelling techniques to test the hypothesis that plant species which dominate 'unimproved' semi-natural grasslands (Festuca-Agrostis-Galium) are able to utilise amino acid N for growth, whereas those plants which dominate 'improved' grasslands (Lolium-Cynosurus), that receive regular applications of inorganic fertiliser, use inorganic N forms as their main N source. Data from field experiments confirmed that 'free' amino acids were more abundant in 'unimproved' than 'improved' grassland and that glycine was the dominant amino acid type (up to 42% of total). Secondly, the injection of representative amounts of glycine-2-(13)C-(15)N (4.76 and 42.86 mM) into intact soil cores from the two grassland types provided evidence of direct uptake of glycine by plants, with both (15)N and (13)C being detected in plant material of both grasslands. Finally, a microcosm experiment demonstrated no preferential uptake of amino acid N by the grasses which dominate the grassland types, namely Holcus lanatus, Festuca rubra, Agrostis capillaris from the 'unimproved' grassland, and Lolium perenne from the 'improved' grassland. Again, both (13)C and (15)N were detected in all grass species suggesting uptake of intact glycine by these plants.

Effects of dung and urine amendments on the isotopic content of N(2)O released from grasslands

The temporal and diurnal changes in nitrous oxide (N(2)O) fluxes were measured between 29(th) September and 2(nd) November 1999 from urine and dung patches from cattle deposited on grazed grassland. The delta(15)N and delta(18)O values of the N(2)O emitted from soil from both treatments were examined on four occasions during this period. The diurnal fluxes of N(2)O were measured by a chamber technique that provides hourly measurement of N(2)O fluxes. The (15)N and (18)O analysis of N(2)O were determined by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. N(2)O fluxes from the excreta patches were large, with peak emissions up to 1893 ng N m(-2) s(-1) occurring after heavy precipitation, measured one month after the treatment applications. Emissions from the urine patches were significantly greater than from the dung. The results showed that excretal patches are an important source of atmospheric N(2)O. The flux pattern showed a strong diurnal variation with maximum fluxes generally occurring in late afternoon or early morning, and generally not in phase with the soil temperature changes. The isotopic content of (15)N and (18)O in the N(2)O showed a similar trend to that of the N(2)O flux. The (15)N and (18)O values of the N(2)O emitted from the soil indicated that denitrification was the major process involved. After heavy precipitation on the 6(th) October, the larger delta(15)N and delta(18)O values suggested a consumption of the N(2)O by total denitrification.

The Influence of Dung Amendments on Dissolved Organic Matter in Grassland Soil Leachates - Preliminary Results from a Lysimeter Study

Understanding the carbon (C) cycle in grassland pasture systems requires more information about the fate of decomposing dung material within the soil. In this soil lysimeter study we successfully applied the natural ¹³C abundance labelling technique to trace dung-C within a temperate grassland soil. Dung was collected from beef steers fed on either maize (a C₄ plant) or perennial ryegrass (a C₃ plant) silages, and applied to a freely draining (C₃) grassland soil. Leachates were collected from soil lysimeters (0-2.5) and (0-10 cm soil depth) to determine the organic carbon and ¹³C content of < 0.7 μm filtered solution. Leachates were taken from (i) control, no dung added, (ii) C₃ dung and (iii) C₄ dung amended soil. Results showed that, (i) the addition of dung resulted in a tenfold increase in C lost from the lysimeters in drainage waters, (ii) up to 50% of the C present in the leachates was 'native' soil C and (iii) the application of dung produced a 'priming' effect. Further work is required to verify; (i) whether increased leaching of native C following dung application is a 'true priming' phenomenon, or merely the result of 'displacement' or 'pool substitution' of soil C, and (ii) the precise conditions and mechanisms under which organic amendments induce a true 'priming' effect in grassland and other agricultural soils.

Molecular insight into soil carbon turnover

Curie-point pyrolysis-gas chromatography coupled on-line to mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (Py-GC/IRMS) were used to determine the individual turnover rate of specific carbohydrates, lignin, lipids and N-containing compounds from French arable soils. The analysed soils were cultivated, either continuously with a C3 plant (wheat delta(13)C-value = -25.2 per thousand), or transferred to a C4 plant (maize delta(13)C-value = -11.4 per thousand) cropping 23 years ago. Most pyrolysis products identified were related to carbohydrates (furans), lipids (hydrocarbons and derivatives of benzene), proteins (nitriles and pyrrole) and lignins (phenols). The relative yield of all individual pyrolysis products was similar in the samples from the maize and control wheat soil. The isotopic enrichment between identical pyrolysis products from the two soils varied from 1 to 12 delta (delta) units, indicating that after 23 years of cultivation 7 to 90% of their C was derived from maize. This suggests a slow mean turnover time varying from 9 to 220 years. Based on the differences in isotopic enrichment of chemical structures after vegetation change the pyrolysis products could be divided into three groups: (i) pyrolysis products with a nearly complete C4 signal, e. g. phenol, derived from lignin degradation products, (ii) pyrolysis products with an intermediate isotopic enrichment of 6-8 per thousand, most likely to be a composite of remaining (possibly physically protected) fragments derived from both maize and native wheat, and (iii) pyrolysis products showing only low enrichments in (13)C of 1-3 per thousand. Most of their precursors were found to be proteinaceaous materials. This indicates that proteins or peptides are indeed preserved during decomposition and humification processes occurring in the soil. Our study highlights the potential of Py-GC/MS-C-IRMS to further novel insights into the dynamics of soil organic constituents. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Interpreting early land management through compound specific stable isotope analyses of archaeological soils

Compound specific stable isotope analyses of managed soils using isotope ratio mass spectrometry have been undertaken as a means of determining early land use practices. delta (15)N amino acid signals demonstrate differences between manured grassland, unmanured grassland and continuous cereal cultivation under long-term experimental land use control conditions, with delta (15)N in hydrophobic amino acids providing the most distinctive signals. Analysis of early modern/medieval and of Bronze age anthropogenic soils from Orkney demonstrates that such signals are retained in archaeological contexts. delta (13)C analyses of n- alkanoic acid components of the fossil, Bronze Age, anthropogenic soils suggest a major terrestrial input to these soils, with uniform composition of formation materials. Surficial soils demonstrate the assimilation of isotopically lighter carbon, providing a means of assessing the mobility of the n- alkanoic acids within soils and sediments. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A dynamic study of earthworm feeding ecology -using stable isotopes

Changes in the specific diet of earthworms with time in relation to landuse changes and two different climates were studied by analysing (13)C and (15)N natural abundance in soils and animals. Soil samples from three depths (0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm) and earthworms were collected from two sites: Santiago (Northwest Spain) and North Wyke (Southwest England) both consisting of replicated long-term grasslands and recently converted to maize plots. Earthworms were hand-sorted in the field at the peak of the maize growth and after harvesting at both sites. In the Spanish plots, nine and eight earthworm species, all belonging to the three ecological categories (epigeic, anecic and endogeic), were found under maize and permanent pasture, whereas at the English site five and seven different species were, respectively, identified. At both sites (13)C isotopic values of the earthworm tissues reflected changes in diet from C(3) to C(4) with epigeic and epi/anecic worms in the maize plots showing one delta unit difference in relation to the ones found in the grassland plots. Anecic worms seemed to be less responsive to landuse changes. The higher (13)C values of the Spanish soils were also reflected in the earthworm tissues when compared with the English samples. (15)N values showed no clear relationship with the cropping treatments but were clearly related to the ecological grouping, with endogeic worms reaching the highest values whereas for the epigeic and epi/anecic species the lowest values were obtained. This finding was also previously recorded by other authors1 and suggests that, in the future, stable isotope techniques could also be a useful tool in taxonomic studies. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Natural 13C abundance: a tool to trace the incorporation of dung-derived carbon into soil particle-size fractions

During the decay of 13C enriched dung patches, the; delta 13C signal of surface soil (1-5 cm) increased with a temporary maximum after 42 d. To understand the underlying processes, we investigated the incorporation of dung-derived C into soil particle-size fractions. Dung, collected from beef steers fed on maize (delta 13C = -15.36/1000) or ryegrass (delta 13C = -25.67/1000), was applied in circular patches to a C3 pasture at North Wyke, UK. Triplicates were sampled from surface soil (1-5 cm) at 14, 28, 42, and 70 d after application, pooled, separated into fine (< 0.2 micron) and coarse clay (0.2-2 microns), silt plus fine sand (2-250 microns), and coarse sand (250-2000 microns), and analyzed for total C, N, and delta 13C. As particle-size diameter decreased, the C/N ratios decreased and delta 13C values increased at all plots due to increasing microbial alteration of soil organic matter. After dung application, ca. 60% of dung-derived C in soil was recovered in the 0.2-250 microns fractions during the whole experiment. The proportion of dung-derived C in the fine clay peaked 42 d after dung application, coinciding with the delta 13C maximum in the bulk soil and the maximum leaching rate measured in lysimeters at this time in another study at the same sites. The percentage of dung-derived C as particulate C in the coarse sand fraction increased until the end of the experiment. We conclude that incorporation of C into soil from decomposing dung patches involved both temporary sorption of leached dung C to < 0.2 micron fractions and continuous accumulation of particulate C (> 250 microns).

Short-term changes in delta(13)C and delta(15)N signatures of water discharged from grazed grasslands

The composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in a soil is the product of a variety of soil processes. Changes in the composition of DOM in water discharged from soil should, therefore, give an important insight into modifications in these soil processes. We hypothesise that these processes in soils, under different grassland management regimes, would be affected to different extents by the short-term disturbance of a storm event and that evidence of this could be detected in delta(13)C and delta(15)N signatures in drainage and surface runoff waters. During a storm event we collected discharge waters from 1 ha grassland lysimeters, with or without artificial drainage, which received contrasting fertiliser inputs, and delta(13)C and delta(15)N signatures were determined. Changes in (13)C enrichment during the storm event were clearly identifiable, as were differences between plots for (13)C and (15)N, illustrating that this technique has potential to be a useful tool for identifying and investigating short- and long-term changes in soil organic matter dynamics. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Amino Acid (15)n/(14)n analysis at natural abundances: a new tool for soil organic matter studies in agricultural systems

Abstract The effects of landuse, fertilizer history and soil type on the quantity and isotopic quality of hydrolysable soil amino acids were examined in 3 grassland and 2 arable soils. Results showed, (i) that overall concentrations of individual amino acids were highest in the grassland soils, (ii) that ‰δ(15)N values of the individual amino acids differed considerably between the five soils, and (iii) that the combination of amino acid ‰δ(15)N values and concentrations could be used to distinguish between landuse, crop type and fertilizer history. This preliminary study indicates that the pathways of transformation of soil amino acid N are influenced by long term N inputs and that associated biological processes are reflected in differences in concentrations and ‰δ(15)N values of individual soil amino acids.

A truncated cyclin D1 gene encodes a stable mRNA in a human breast cancer cell line

The G1 cyclin D1 is amplified in approximately 20% of human breast cancers and is frequently overexpressed as part of an amplicon in these tumors, suggesting a potential role for this gene in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Although amplification of cyclin D1 occurs in human breast cancer, it is possible that another gene in the amplicon is the relevant oncogene in these cancers. We now report a truncation of the cyclin D1 gene in a human breast cancer cell line, associated with overexpression of a short cyclin D1 mRNA. In a survey of breast cancer cell lines and tumors by Southern blot hybridization, using a 1.2 kb human cyclin D1 cDNA, we observed that genomic DNA derived from the MDA MB-453 cell line contains an extra band in the Bg1II and BamHI digests, suggesting that one allele of gene is altered. Moreover, the altered allele is amplified three-fold relative to the normal allele, and contains a 3' deletion. On Northern analysis, the MDA MB-453 line has a marked increase in 1.1 to 1.3 kb transcripts, which are truncated at the 3' end, in contrast to the normally predominant 4.2 kb transcript. The 1.1-1.3 kb cyclin D1 mRNA has a longer half-life than the 4.2 kb mRNA, indicating that the 3' truncation may contribute an increased stability and therefore an elevated steady-state level of the short mRNA. These alterations in the cyclin D1 gene and mRNA suggest that altered expression of cyclin D1 may be important in the malignant transformation of this cell line, and support the identification of cyclin D1 as a dominant oncogene at 11q13 in human breast cancer.

Cowden's disease. A case report with analyses at the molecular level

Cowden's disease (multiple hamartoma syndrome) is characterized by multiple hamartomas of ectodermal, endodermal, and mesodermal origin, a high incidence of malignant tumors of the breast and/or thyroid gland, and an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. Similar to sporadic breast cancer, chromosomal studies have not elucidated the cause of this syndrome. The authors report the case of a patient with this syndrome and analyze the pattern of amplification or rearrangement of three genes: the HER-2/neu oncogene, the ras oncogene, and the estrogen-inducible gene, pS-2. All three of these genes were present in single copies without translocations. It was noteworthy that three of the most important genes currently studied in relation to breast cancer existed in a unamplified unrearranged state in this patient. Those with clinical manifestations of Cowden's disease may be candidates for prophylactic bilateral total mastectomy, and the authors recommend that these patients undergo this procedure by their third decade of life. An alternative to this approach would entail monthly self examinations, breast examinations by the patient's physician every 3 months, bilateral mammograms every 6 to 12 months, and biopsy of any suspicious lesions. It is crucial, however, that these patients be identified by their mucocutaneous lesions and family history before an underlying malignant lesion develops.