1
|
von Fromm SF, Doetterl S, Butler BM, Aynekulu E, Berhe AA, Haefele SM, McGrath SP, Shepherd KD, Six J, Tamene L, Tondoh EJ, Vågen TG, Winowiecki LA, Trumbore SE, Hoyt AM. Controls on timescales of soil organic carbon persistence across sub-Saharan Africa. Glob Chang Biol 2024; 30:e17089. [PMID: 38273490 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Given the importance of soil for the global carbon cycle, it is essential to understand not only how much carbon soil stores but also how long this carbon persists. Previous studies have shown that the amount and age of soil carbon are strongly affected by the interaction of climate, vegetation, and mineralogy. However, these findings are primarily based on studies from temperate regions and from fine-scale studies, leaving large knowledge gaps for soils from understudied regions such as sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, there is a lack of data to validate modeled soil C dynamics at broad scales. Here, we present insights into organic carbon cycling, based on a new broad-scale radiocarbon and mineral dataset for sub-Saharan Africa. We found that in moderately weathered soils in seasonal climate zones with poorly crystalline and reactive clay minerals, organic carbon persists longer on average (topsoil: 201 ± 130 years; subsoil: 645 ± 385 years) than in highly weathered soils in humid regions (topsoil: 140 ± 46 years; subsoil: 454 ± 247 years) with less reactive minerals. Soils in arid climate zones (topsoil: 396 ± 339 years; subsoil: 963 ± 669 years) store organic carbon for periods more similar to those in seasonal climate zones, likely reflecting climatic constraints on weathering, carbon inputs and microbial decomposition. These insights into the timescales of organic carbon persistence in soils of sub-Saharan Africa suggest that a process-oriented grouping of soils based on pedo-climatic conditions may be useful to improve predictions of soil responses to climate change at broader scales.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie F von Fromm
- Max-Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena, Germany
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Doetterl
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Keith D Shepherd
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK
- Innovative Solutions for Decision Agriculture (iSDA), Harpenden, UK
| | - Johan Six
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lulseged Tamene
- International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Ebagnerin J Tondoh
- Nangui Abrogoua University, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
- CIFOR-ICRAF, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kao PT, Buss HL, McGrath SP, Darch T, Warren HE, Lee MRF. The uptake of selenium by perennial ryegrass in soils of different organic matter contents receiving sheep excreta. Plant Soil 2023; 486:639-659. [PMID: 37251257 PMCID: PMC10220126 DOI: 10.1007/s11104-023-05898-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Background and aims The intake of selenium, an essential element for animals and humans, in ruminants is largely determined by selenium concentration in ingested forages, which take up selenium mainly from soil. Ruminant excreta is a common source of organic fertilizer, which provides both nutrients and organic matter. This study aims to unentangle the unclear effect of applying different types of ruminant excreta in soils of different organic matter contents on selenium uptake by forage. Methods Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) was grown in soils of different organic matter contents. Urine and/or feces collected from sheep fed with organic or inorganic mineral supplements, including selenium, were applied to the soils. The selenium in the collected samples were analyzed using ICP-MS. The associated biogeochemical reactions were scrutinized by wet chemistry. Results The application of urine and/or feces resulted in either the same or lower selenium concentrations in perennial ryegrass. The excreta type did not affect total selenium accumulation in grass grown in low organic matter soil, whereas in high organic matter soil, feces resulted in significantly lower total selenium accumulation than urine, which was attributed to a possible interaction of selenium sorption in soil and microbial reduction of Se. Conclusion This one-time excreta application did not increase, but further decrease in some treatments, selenium concentration and accumulation in the perennial ryegrass. Consequently, to increase ruminant selenium intake, supplementing selenium directly to animals is more recommended than applying animal manure to soil, which might drive selenium reduction and decrease selenium uptake by grass. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11104-023-05898-8.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Tzu Kao
- Rothamsted Research, North Wyke, Okehampton, EX20 2SB Devon UK
| | - Heather L. Buss
- School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1RJ UK
| | | | - Tegan Darch
- Rothamsted Research, North Wyke, Okehampton, EX20 2SB Devon UK
| | - Helen E. Warren
- Alltech Bioscience Centre, Sarney, Summerhill Road, Dunboyne, Co. Meath Ireland
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
McGrath SP. Keeping toxic cadmium out of the food chain. Nat Food 2022; 3:569-570. [PMID: 37118596 DOI: 10.1038/s43016-022-00579-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Steve P McGrath
- Sustainable Soils and Crops, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kumssa DB, Mossa AW, Amede T, Ander EL, Bailey EH, Botoman L, Chagumaira C, Chimungu JG, Davis K, Gameda S, Haefele SM, Hailu K, Joy EJM, Lark RM, Ligowe IS, McGrath SP, Milne A, Muleya P, Munthali M, Towett E, Walsh MG, Wilson L, Young SD, Haji IR, Broadley MR, Gashu D, Nalivata PC. Cereal grain mineral micronutrient and soil chemistry data from GeoNutrition surveys in Ethiopia and Malawi. Sci Data 2022; 9:443. [PMID: 35879373 PMCID: PMC9314434 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01500-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The dataset comprises primary data for the concentration of 29 mineral micronutrients in cereal grains and up to 84 soil chemistry properties from GeoNutrition project surveys in Ethiopia and Malawi. The work provided insights on geospatial variation in the micronutrient concentration in staple crops, and the potential influencing soil factors. In Ethiopia, sampling was conducted in Amhara, Oromia, and Tigray regions, during the late-2017 and late-2018 harvest seasons. In Malawi, national-scale sampling was conducted during the April–June 2018 harvest season. The concentrations of micronutrients in grain were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Soil chemistry properties reported include soil pH; total soil nitrogen; total soil carbon (C); soil organic C; effective cation exchange capacity and exchangeable cations; a three-step sequential extraction scheme for the fractionation of sulfur and selenium; available phosphate; diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable trace elements; extractable trace elements using 0.01 M Ca(NO3)2 and 0.01 M CaCl2; and isotopically exchangeable Zn. These data are reported here according to FAIR data principles to enable users to further explore agriculture-nutrition linkages. Measurement(s) | Trace Element • soil chemical properties | Technology Type(s) | Inductively-Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry | Factor Type(s) | Geography • Staple cereal crop | Sample Characteristic - Organism | Staple cereal food crops | Sample Characteristic - Environment | Smallholder farming | Sample Characteristic - Location | Ethiopia • Malawi |
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D B Kumssa
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - A W Mossa
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - T Amede
- International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), ILRI Sholla Campus, P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - E L Ander
- Centre for Environmental Geochemistry, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottinghamshire, NG12 5GG, UK
| | - E H Bailey
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - L Botoman
- Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Bunda College, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi.,The Department of Agricultural Research Services, P.O. Box 30779, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - C Chagumaira
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK.,Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Bunda College, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi.,Future Food Beacon, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottinghamshire, LE12 5RD, UK.,Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - J G Chimungu
- Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Bunda College, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - K Davis
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - S Gameda
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), ILRI Sholla Campus, P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - S M Haefele
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - K Hailu
- Centre for Food Science and Nutrition, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.,Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - E J M Joy
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - R M Lark
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK.,Future Food Beacon, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottinghamshire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - I S Ligowe
- Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Bunda College, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi.,The Department of Agricultural Research Services, P.O. Box 30779, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - S P McGrath
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - A Milne
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - P Muleya
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - M Munthali
- The Department of Agricultural Research Services, P.O. Box 30779, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - E Towett
- World Agroforestry (ICRAF), United Nations Avenue, P.O. Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - M G Walsh
- Africa Soil Information Service, Selian Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Box 2704, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - L Wilson
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - S D Young
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - I R Haji
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - M R Broadley
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, UK. .,Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK.
| | - D Gashu
- Centre for Food Science and Nutrition, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - P C Nalivata
- Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Bunda College, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Botoman L, Chagumaira C, Mossa AW, Amede T, Ander EL, Bailey EH, Chimungu JG, Gameda S, Gashu D, Haefele SM, Joy EJM, Kumssa DB, Ligowe IS, McGrath SP, Milne AE, Munthali M, Towett E, Walsh MG, Wilson L, Young SD, Broadley MR, Lark RM, Nalivata PC. Soil and landscape factors influence geospatial variation in maize grain zinc concentration in Malawi. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7986. [PMID: 35568698 PMCID: PMC9107474 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12014-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Dietary zinc (Zn) deficiency is widespread globally, and in particular among people in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In Malawi, dietary sources of Zn are dominated by maize and spatially dependent variation in grain Zn concentration, which will affect dietary Zn intake, has been reported at distances of up to ~ 100 km. The aim of this study was to identify potential soil properties and environmental covariates which might explain this longer-range spatial variation in maize grain Zn concentration. Data for maize grain Zn concentrations, soil properties, and environmental covariates were obtained from a spatially representative survey in Malawi (n = 1600 locations). Labile and non-labile soil Zn forms were determined using isotopic dilution methods, alongside conventional agronomic soil analyses. Soil properties and environmental covariates as potential predictors of the concentration of Zn in maize grain were tested using a priori expert rankings and false discovery rate (FDR) controls within the linear mixed model (LMM) framework that informed the original survey design. Mean and median grain Zn concentrations were 21.8 and 21.5 mg kg−1, respectively (standard deviation 4.5; range 10.0–48.1). A LMM for grain Zn concentration was constructed for which the independent variables: soil pH(water), isotopically exchangeable Zn (ZnE), and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) extractable Zn (ZnDTPA) had predictive value (p < 0.01 in all cases, with FDR controlled at < 0.05). Downscaled mean annual temperature also explained a proportion of the spatial variation in grain Zn concentration. Evidence for spatially dependent variation in maize grain Zn concentrations in Malawi is robust within the LMM framework used in this study, at distances of up to ~ 100 km. Spatial predictions from this LMM provide a basis for further investigation of variations in the contribution of staple foods to Zn nutrition, and where interventions to increase dietary Zn intake (e.g. biofortification) might be most effective. Other soil and landscape factors influencing spatially dependent variation in maize grain Zn concentration, along with factors operating over shorter distances such as choice of crop variety and agronomic practices, require further exploration beyond the scope of the design of this survey.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Botoman
- Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Bunda College Campus, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi.,The Department of Agricultural Research Services, P.O. Box 30779, Lilongwe 3, Malawi
| | - C Chagumaira
- Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Bunda College Campus, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi.,School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottinghamshire, LE12 5RD, UK.,Future Food Beacon, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottinghamshire, LE12 5RD, UK.,Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - A W Mossa
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottinghamshire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - T Amede
- Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), o/C, ILRI, Guidoshola, P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - E L Ander
- Centre for Environmental Geochemistry, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottinghamshire, NG12 5GG, UK
| | - E H Bailey
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottinghamshire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - J G Chimungu
- Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Bunda College Campus, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - S Gameda
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), ILRI Sholla Campus, P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - D Gashu
- Centre for Food Science and Nutrition, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - S M Haefele
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - E J M Joy
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - D B Kumssa
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottinghamshire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - I S Ligowe
- Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Bunda College Campus, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi.,The Department of Agricultural Research Services, P.O. Box 30779, Lilongwe 3, Malawi
| | - S P McGrath
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - A E Milne
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - M Munthali
- The Department of Agricultural Research Services, P.O. Box 30779, Lilongwe 3, Malawi
| | - E Towett
- World Agroforestry (ICRAF), United Nations Avenue, P.O. Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - M G Walsh
- Africa Soil Information Service, Selian Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Box 2704, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - L Wilson
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottinghamshire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - S D Young
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottinghamshire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - M R Broadley
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottinghamshire, LE12 5RD, UK.,Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - R M Lark
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottinghamshire, LE12 5RD, UK.,Future Food Beacon, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Nottinghamshire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - P C Nalivata
- Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Bunda College Campus, P.O. Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
McGuire R, Williams PN, Smith P, McGrath SP, Curry D, Donnison I, Emmet B, Scollan N. Potential Co‐benefits and trade‐offs between improved soil management, climate change mitigation and agri‐food productivity. Food Energy Secur 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/fes3.352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pete Smith
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Science University of Aberdeen Aberdeen UK
| | | | | | - Iain Donnison
- Institute of Biological Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS) Aberystwyth University Aberystwyth UK
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Acquah GE, Hernandez-Allica J, Thomas CL, Dunham SJ, Towett EK, Drake LB, Shepherd KD, McGrath SP, Haefele SM. Portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) calibration for analysis of nutrient concentrations and trace element contaminants in fertilisers. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0262460. [PMID: 35015770 PMCID: PMC8751988 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
With the increasing popularity of local blending of fertilisers, the fertiliser industry faces issues regarding quality control and fertiliser adulteration. Another problem is the contamination of fertilisers with trace elements that have been shown to subsequently accumulate in the soil and be taken up by plants, posing a danger to the environment and human health. Conventional characterisation methods necessary to ensure the quality of fertilisers and to comply with local regulations are costly, time consuming and sometimes not even accessible. Alternatively, using a wide range of unamended and intentionally amended fertilisers this study developed empirical calibrations for a portable handheld X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometer, determined the reliability for estimating the macro and micro nutrients and evaluated the use of the pXRF for the high-throughput detection of trace element contaminants in fertilisers. The models developed using pXRF for Mg, P, S, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Zn and Mo had R2 values greater or equal to 0.97. These models also performed well on validation, with R2 values greater or equal to 0.97 (except for Fe, R2val = 0.55) and slope values ranging from 0.81 to 1.44. A second set of models were developed with a focus on trace elements in amended fertilisers. The R2 values of calibration for Co, Ni, As, Se, Cd and Pb were greater than or equal to 0.80. At concentrations up to 1000 mg kg-1, good validation statistics were also obtained; R2 values ranged from 0.97–0.99, except in one instance. The regression coefficients of the validation also had good prediction in the range of 0–100 mg kg-1 (R2 values were from 0.78–0.99), but not as well at lower concentrations up to 20 mg kg-1 (R2 values ranged from 0.10–0.99), especially for Cd. This study has demonstrated that pXRF can measure several major (P, Ca) and micro (Mn, Fe, Cu) nutrients, as well as trace elements and potential contaminants (Cr, Ni, As) in fertilisers with high accuracy and precision. The results obtained in this study is good, especially considering that loose powders were scanned for a maximum of 90 seconds without the use of a vacuum pump.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gifty E. Acquah
- Department of Sustainable Agriculture Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Javier Hernandez-Allica
- Department of Sustainable Agriculture Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Cathy L. Thomas
- Department of Sustainable Agriculture Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah J. Dunham
- Department of Sustainable Agriculture Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
| | | | - Lee B. Drake
- Department of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
| | | | - Steve P. McGrath
- Department of Sustainable Agriculture Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Stephan M. Haefele
- Department of Sustainable Agriculture Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Okoffo ED, Donner E, McGrath SP, Tscharke BJ, O'Brien JW, O'Brien S, Ribeiro F, Burrows SD, Toapanta T, Rauert C, Samanipour S, Mueller JF, Thomas KV. Plastics in biosolids from 1950 to 2016: A function of global plastic production and consumption. Water Res 2021; 201:117367. [PMID: 34182349 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Plastics are ubiquitous contaminants that leak into the environment from multiple pathways including the use of treated sewage sludge (biosolids). Seven common plastics (polymers) were quantified in the solid fraction of archived biosolids samples from Australia and the United Kingdom from between 1950 and 2016. Six plastics were detected, with increasing concentrations observed over time for each plastic. Biosolids plastic concentrations correlated with plastic production estimates, implying a potential link between plastics production, consumption and leakage into the environment. Prior to the 1990s, the leakage of plastics into biosolids was limited except for polystyrene. Increased leakage was observed from the 1990s onwards; potentially driven by increased consumption of polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate and polyvinyl chloride. We show that looking back in time along specific plastic pollution pathways may help unravel the potential sources of plastics leakage into the environment and provide quantitative evidence to support the development of source control interventions or regulations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elvis D Okoffo
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia.
| | - Erica Donner
- Future Industries Institute (FII), University of South Australia, University Boulevard, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
| | - Steve P McGrath
- Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, Al5 2JQ, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin J Tscharke
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Jake W O'Brien
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Stacey O'Brien
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Francisca Ribeiro
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia; College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen D Burrows
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia; College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
| | - Tania Toapanta
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Cassandra Rauert
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Saer Samanipour
- Van't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), University of Amsterdam, 1090 GD Amsterdam, Netherlands; Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), 0349 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jochen F Mueller
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| | - Kevin V Thomas
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, QLD, 4102, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Gashu D, Nalivata PC, Amede T, Ander EL, Bailey EH, Botoman L, Chagumaira C, Gameda S, Haefele SM, Hailu K, Joy EJM, Kalimbira AA, Kumssa DB, Lark RM, Ligowe IS, McGrath SP, Milne AE, Mossa AW, Munthali M, Towett EK, Walsh MG, Wilson L, Young SD, Broadley MR. The nutritional quality of cereals varies geospatially in Ethiopia and Malawi. Nature 2021; 594:71-76. [PMID: 34012114 PMCID: PMC8172382 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03559-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs) remain widespread among people in sub-Saharan Africa1-5, where access to sufficient food from plant and animal sources that is rich in micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) is limited due to socioeconomic and geographical reasons4-6. Here we report the micronutrient composition (calcium, iron, selenium and zinc) of staple cereal grains for most of the cereal production areas in Ethiopia and Malawi. We show that there is geospatial variation in the composition of micronutrients that is nutritionally important at subnational scales. Soil and environmental covariates of grain micronutrient concentrations included soil pH, soil organic matter, temperature, rainfall and topography, which were specific to micronutrient and crop type. For rural households consuming locally sourced food-including many smallholder farming communities-the location of residence can be the largest influencing factor in determining the dietary intake of micronutrients from cereals. Positive relationships between the concentration of selenium in grain and biomarkers of selenium dietary status occur in both countries. Surveillance of MNDs on the basis of biomarkers of status and dietary intakes from national- and regional-scale food-composition data1-7 could be improved using subnational data on the composition of grain micronutrients. Beyond dietary diversification, interventions to alleviate MNDs, such as food fortification8,9 and biofortification to increase the micronutrient concentrations in crops10,11, should account for geographical effects that can be larger in magnitude than intervention outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Gashu
- Centre for Food Science and Nutrition, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - P C Nalivata
- Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - T Amede
- International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - E L Ander
- Centre for Environmental Geochemistry, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, UK
| | - E H Bailey
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - L Botoman
- Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Lilongwe, Malawi
- The Department of Agricultural Research Services, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - C Chagumaira
- Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Lilongwe, Malawi
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
- Future Food Beacon, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
- Sustainable Agriculture Sciences Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK
| | - S Gameda
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - S M Haefele
- Sustainable Agriculture Sciences Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK
| | - K Hailu
- Centre for Food Science and Nutrition, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Department of Food Science and Applied Nutrition, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - E J M Joy
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - A A Kalimbira
- Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - D B Kumssa
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - R M Lark
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
- Future Food Beacon, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - I S Ligowe
- Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Lilongwe, Malawi
- The Department of Agricultural Research Services, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - S P McGrath
- Sustainable Agriculture Sciences Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK
| | - A E Milne
- Sustainable Agriculture Sciences Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK
| | - A W Mossa
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - M Munthali
- The Department of Agricultural Research Services, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - E K Towett
- World Agroforestry (ICRAF), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - M G Walsh
- Africa Soil Information Service, Selian Agricultural Research Institute, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - L Wilson
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - S D Young
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - M R Broadley
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Hengl T, Miller MAE, Križan J, Shepherd KD, Sila A, Kilibarda M, Antonijević O, Glušica L, Dobermann A, Haefele SM, McGrath SP, Acquah GE, Collinson J, Parente L, Sheykhmousa M, Saito K, Johnson JM, Chamberlin J, Silatsa FBT, Yemefack M, Wendt J, MacMillan RA, Wheeler I, Crouch J. African soil properties and nutrients mapped at 30 m spatial resolution using two-scale ensemble machine learning. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6130. [PMID: 33731749 PMCID: PMC7969779 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85639-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Soil property and class maps for the continent of Africa were so far only available at very generalised scales, with many countries not mapped at all. Thanks to an increasing quantity and availability of soil samples collected at field point locations by various government and/or NGO funded projects, it is now possible to produce detailed pan-African maps of soil nutrients, including micro-nutrients at fine spatial resolutions. In this paper we describe production of a 30 m resolution Soil Information System of the African continent using, to date, the most comprehensive compilation of soil samples ([Formula: see text]) and Earth Observation data. We produced predictions for soil pH, organic carbon (C) and total nitrogen (N), total carbon, effective Cation Exchange Capacity (eCEC), extractable-phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), sodium (Na), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn)-silt, clay and sand, stone content, bulk density and depth to bedrock, at three depths (0, 20 and 50 cm) and using 2-scale 3D Ensemble Machine Learning framework implemented in the mlr (Machine Learning in R) package. As covariate layers we used 250 m resolution (MODIS, PROBA-V and SM2RAIN products), and 30 m resolution (Sentinel-2, Landsat and DTM derivatives) images. Our fivefold spatial Cross-Validation results showed varying accuracy levels ranging from the best performing soil pH (CCC = 0.900) to more poorly predictable extractable phosphorus (CCC = 0.654) and sulphur (CCC = 0.708) and depth to bedrock. Sentinel-2 bands SWIR (B11, B12), NIR (B09, B8A), Landsat SWIR bands, and vertical depth derived from 30 m resolution DTM, were the overall most important 30 m resolution covariates. Climatic data images-SM2RAIN, bioclimatic variables and MODIS Land Surface Temperature-however, remained as the overall most important variables for predicting soil chemical variables at continental scale. This publicly available 30-m Soil Information System of Africa aims at supporting numerous applications, including soil and fertilizer policies and investments, agronomic advice to close yield gaps, environmental programs, or targeting of nutrition interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomislav Hengl
- EnvirometriX Ltd, Wageningen, The Netherlands ,OpenGeoHub Foundation, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Matthew A. E. Miller
- Innovative Solutions for Decision Agriculture Ltd (iSDA), Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | | | - Keith D. Shepherd
- grid.435643.30000 0000 9972 1350World Agroforestry (ICRAF), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Andrew Sila
- grid.435643.30000 0000 9972 1350World Agroforestry (ICRAF), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Milan Kilibarda
- grid.7149.b0000 0001 2166 9385Department of Geodesy and Geoinformatics, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ognjen Antonijević
- grid.7149.b0000 0001 2166 9385Department of Geodesy and Geoinformatics, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | | | - Stephan M. Haefele
- grid.418374.d0000 0001 2227 9389Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Steve P. McGrath
- grid.418374.d0000 0001 2227 9389Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Gifty E. Acquah
- grid.418374.d0000 0001 2227 9389Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Jamie Collinson
- Innovative Solutions for Decision Agriculture Ltd (iSDA), Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Kazuki Saito
- Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire
| | | | - Jordan Chamberlin
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Martin Yemefack
- Sustainable Tropical Solutions (STS) Sarl, Yaoundéc, Cameroon
| | - John Wendt
- grid.507822.a0000 0001 1957 6702International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), Muscle Shoals, AL USA
| | | | - Ichsani Wheeler
- EnvirometriX Ltd, Wageningen, The Netherlands ,OpenGeoHub Foundation, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jonathan Crouch
- Innovative Solutions for Decision Agriculture Ltd (iSDA), Harpenden, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Desta MK, Broadley MR, McGrath SP, Hernandez-Allica J, Hassall KL, Gameda S, Amede T, Haefele SM. Plant Available Zinc Is Influenced by Landscape Position in the Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Plants (Basel) 2021; 10:plants10020254. [PMID: 33525528 PMCID: PMC7912194 DOI: 10.3390/plants10020254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Zinc (Zn) is an important element determining the grain quality of staple food crops and deficient in many Ethiopian soils. However, farming systems are highly variable in Ethiopia due to different soil types and landscape cropping positions. Zinc availability and uptake by plants from soil and fertilizer sources are governed by the retention and release potential of the soil, usually termed as adsorption and desorption, respectively. The aim of this study was to characterize the amount of plant available Zn at different landscape positions. During the 2018/19 cropping season, adsorption-desorption studies were carried out on soil samples collected from on-farm trials conducted at Aba Gerima, Debre Mewi and Markuma in the Amhara Region. In all locations and landscape positions, adsorption and desorption increased with increasing Zn additions. The amount of adsorption and desorption was highly associated with the soil pH, the soil organic carbon concentration and cation exchange capacity, and these factors are linked to landscape positions. The Freundlich isotherm fitted very well to Zn adsorption (r2 0.87–0.99) and desorption (r2 0.92–0.99), while the Langmuir isotherm only fitted to Zn desorption (r2 0.70–0.93). Multiple regression models developed by determining the most influential soil parameters for Zn availability could be used to inform Zn fertilizer management strategies for different locations and landscape positions in this region, and thereby improve plant Zn use efficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mesfin K. Desta
- Sustainable Agriculture Sciences Department, Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK; (S.P.M.); (J.H.-A.); (K.L.H.); (S.M.H.)
- Future Food Beacon of Excellence and School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham LE12 5RD, UK;
- Correspondence: or
| | - Martin R. Broadley
- Future Food Beacon of Excellence and School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham LE12 5RD, UK;
| | - Steve P. McGrath
- Sustainable Agriculture Sciences Department, Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK; (S.P.M.); (J.H.-A.); (K.L.H.); (S.M.H.)
| | - Javier Hernandez-Allica
- Sustainable Agriculture Sciences Department, Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK; (S.P.M.); (J.H.-A.); (K.L.H.); (S.M.H.)
| | - Kirsty L. Hassall
- Sustainable Agriculture Sciences Department, Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK; (S.P.M.); (J.H.-A.); (K.L.H.); (S.M.H.)
| | - Samuel Gameda
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), ILRI Campus P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia;
| | - Tilahun Amede
- International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), ILRI Campus P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia;
| | - Stephan M. Haefele
- Sustainable Agriculture Sciences Department, Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK; (S.P.M.); (J.H.-A.); (K.L.H.); (S.M.H.)
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Mariem SB, Gámez AL, Larraya L, Fuertes-Mendizabal T, Cañameras N, Araus JL, McGrath SP, Hawkesford MJ, Murua CG, Gaudeul M, Medina L, Paton A, Cattivelli L, Fangmeier A, Bunce J, Tausz-Posch S, Macdonald AJ, Aranjuelo I. Assessing the evolution of wheat grain traits during the last 166 years using archived samples. Sci Rep 2020; 10:21828. [PMID: 33311545 PMCID: PMC7733497 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78504-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The current study focuses on yield and nutritional quality changes of wheat grain over the last 166 years. It is based on wheat grain quality analyses carried out on samples collected between 1850 and 2016. Samples were obtained from the Broadbalk Continuous Wheat Experiment (UK) and from herbaria from 16 different countries around the world. Our study showed that, together with an increase in carbohydrate content, an impoverishment of mineral composition and protein content occurred. The imbalance in carbohydrate/protein content was specially marked after the 1960's, coinciding with strong increases in ambient [CO2] and temperature and the introduction of progressively shorter straw varieties. The implications of altered crop physiology are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sinda Ben Mariem
- Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)-Government of Navarre, AgroBiotechnology Institute (IdAB), Av. Pamplona 123, 31006, Mutilva, Spain
| | - Angie L Gámez
- Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)-Government of Navarre, AgroBiotechnology Institute (IdAB), Av. Pamplona 123, 31006, Mutilva, Spain
| | - Luis Larraya
- Institute for Multidisciplinary Applied Biology, Dpto. Agronomía, Biotecnología y Alimentación, Universidad Pública de Navarra, Campus Arrosadia, 31006, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Nuria Cañameras
- Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, EsteveTerrades 8, Building 4, Castelldefels, Spain
| | - José L Araus
- Integrative Crop Ecophysiology Group, Plant Physiology Section, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, and AGROTECNIO Center, Lleida, Spain
| | - Steve P McGrath
- Sustainable Agriculture Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, AL5 2JQ, Hertfordshire, UK
| | | | - Carmen Gonzalez Murua
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bilbao, Spain
| | - Myriam Gaudeul
- Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum National D'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, EPHE, UA, Sorbonne Université, 57 rue Cuvier, CP 39, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Leopoldo Medina
- Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Real Jardín Botánico, C/ Claudio Moyano 1, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alan Paton
- Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Kew Richmond, TW9 3AB, UK
| | - Luigi Cattivelli
- Agricultural Research Council (CREA), Centre for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Via San Protaso 302, Fiorenzuolad'Arda, Italy
| | - Andreas Fangmeier
- Institute of Landscape and Plant Ecology, University of Hohenheim, August-von-Hartmann-Str. 3, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - James Bunce
- Adaptive Cropping Systems Lab (Retired), Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Sabine Tausz-Posch
- Department of Agriculture, Science and the Environment, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQ University Australia, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia
| | - Andy J Macdonald
- Sustainable Agriculture Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, AL5 2JQ, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Iker Aranjuelo
- Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)-Government of Navarre, AgroBiotechnology Institute (IdAB), Av. Pamplona 123, 31006, Mutilva, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Towett EK, Drake LB, Acquah GE, Haefele SM, McGrath SP, Shepherd KD. Comprehensive nutrient analysis in agricultural organic amendments through non-destructive assays using machine learning. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242821. [PMID: 33301449 PMCID: PMC7728284 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) and Diffuse Reflectance Fourier Transformed Mid-Infrared (DRIFT-MIR) spectroscopy are rapid and cost-effective analytical tools for material characterization. Here, we provide an assessment of these methods for the analysis of total Carbon, Nitrogen and total elemental composition of multiple elements in organic amendments. We developed machine learning methods to rapidly quantify the concentrations of macro- and micronutrient elements present in the samples and propose a novel system for the quality assessment of organic amendments. Two types of machine learning methods, forest regression and extreme gradient boosting, were used with data from both pXRF and DRIFT-MIR spectroscopy. Cross-validation trials were run to evaluate generalizability of models produced on each instrument. Both methods demonstrated similar broad capabilities in estimating nutrients using machine learning, with pXRF being suitable for nutrients and contaminants. The results make portable spectrometry in combination with machine learning a scalable solution to provide comprehensive nutrient analysis for organic amendments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erick K. Towett
- World Agroforestry (ICRAF), Nairobi, Kenya
- * E-mail: (EKT); (LBD)
| | - Lee B. Drake
- Department of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
- * E-mail: (EKT); (LBD)
| | - Gifty E. Acquah
- Department of Sustainable Agricultural Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Stephan M. Haefele
- Department of Sustainable Agricultural Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Steve P. McGrath
- Department of Sustainable Agricultural Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Gashu D, Lark RM, Milne AE, Amede T, Bailey EH, Chagumaira C, Dunham SJ, Gameda S, Kumssa DB, Mossa AW, Walsh MG, Wilson L, Young SD, Ander EL, Broadley MR, Joy EJM, McGrath SP. Spatial prediction of the concentration of selenium (Se) in grain across part of Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Sci Total Environ 2020; 733:139231. [PMID: 32446063 PMCID: PMC7298608 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Grain and soil were sampled across a large part of Amhara, Ethiopia in a study motivated by prior evidence of selenium (Se) deficiency in the Region's population. The grain samples (teff, Eragrostis tef, and wheat, Triticum aestivum) were analysed for concentration of Se and the soils were analysed for various properties, including Se concentration measured in different extractants. Predictive models for concentration of Se in the respective grains were developed, and the predicted values, along with observed concentrations in the two grains were represented by a multivariate linear mixed model in which selected covariates, derived from remote sensor observations and a digital elevation model, were included as fixed effects. In all modelling steps the selection of predictors was done using false discovery rate control, to avoid over-fitting, and using an α-investment procedure to maximize the statistical power to detect significant relationships by ordering the tests in a sequence based on scientific understanding of the underlying processes likely to control Se concentration in grain. Cross-validation indicated that uncertainties in the empirical best linear unbiased predictions of the Se concentration in both grains were well-characterized by the prediction error variances obtained from the model. The predictions were displayed as maps, and their uncertainty was characterized by computing the probability that the true concentration of Se in grain would be such that a standard serving would not provide the recommended daily allowance of Se. The spatial variation of grain Se was substantial, concentrations in wheat and teff differed but showed the same broad spatial pattern. Such information could be used to target effective interventions to address Se deficiency, and the general procedure used for mapping could be applied to other micronutrients and crops in similar settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Gashu
- Centre for Food Science and Nutrition, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - R M Lark
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK.
| | - A E Milne
- Department of Sustainable Agriculture Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - T Amede
- International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, ILRI Sholla Campus, P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - E H Bailey
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
| | - C Chagumaira
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK; Department of Sustainable Agriculture Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - S J Dunham
- Department of Sustainable Agriculture Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - S Gameda
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, ILRI Sholla Campus, P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - D B Kumssa
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
| | - A W Mossa
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
| | - M G Walsh
- Center for International Earth Science Information Network, The Earth Institute, Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Geoscience Building Suite 201, Palisades, New York 10964, USA
| | - L Wilson
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
| | - S D Young
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
| | - E L Ander
- British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Leicestershire NG12 5GG, UK
| | - M R Broadley
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK
| | - E J M Joy
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - S P McGrath
- Department of Sustainable Agriculture Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Affiliation(s)
- Steve P McGrath
- Sustainable Agriculture Sciences Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Huang R, McGrath SP, Hirsch PR, Clark IM, Storkey J, Wu L, Zhou J, Liang Y. Plant-microbe networks in soil are weakened by century-long use of inorganic fertilizers. Microb Biotechnol 2019; 12:1464-1475. [PMID: 31536680 PMCID: PMC6801139 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the changes in plant-microbe interactions is critically important for predicting ecosystem functioning in response to human-induced environmental changes such as nitrogen (N) addition. In this study, the effects of a century-long fertilization treatment (> 150 years) on the networks between plants and soil microbial functional communities, detected by GeoChip, in grassland were determined in the Park Grass Experiment at Rothamsted Research, UK. Our results showed that plants and soil microbes have a consistent response to long-term fertilization-both richness and diversity of plants and soil microbes are significantly decreased, as well as microbial functional genes involved in soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycling. The network-based analyses showed that long-term fertilization decreased the complexity of networks between plant and microbial functional communities in terms of node numbers, connectivity, network density and the clustering coefficient. Similarly, within the soil microbial community, the strength of microbial associations was also weakened in response to long-term fertilization. Mantel path analysis showed that soil C and N contents were the main factors affecting the network between plants and microbes. Our results indicate that century-long fertilization weakens the plant-microbe networks, which is important in improving our understanding of grassland ecosystem functions and stability under long-term agriculture management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruilin Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable AgricultureInstitute of Soil ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesNanjing210008China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesNo. 19A Yuquan RoadBeijing100049China
| | | | | | - Ian M. Clark
- Rothamsted ResearchHarpendenHertfordshireAL5 2JQUK
| | | | - Liyou Wu
- Institute for Environmental GenomicsDepartment of Microbiology & Plant BiologySchool of Civil Engineering and Environmental SciencesUniversity of OklahomaNormanOK73019USA
| | - Jizhong Zhou
- Institute for Environmental GenomicsDepartment of Microbiology & Plant BiologySchool of Civil Engineering and Environmental SciencesUniversity of OklahomaNormanOK73019USA
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution ControlSchool of EnvironmentTsinghua UniversityBeijing100084China
| | - Yuting Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable AgricultureInstitute of Soil ScienceChinese Academy of SciencesNanjing210008China
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesNo. 19A Yuquan RoadBeijing100049China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Wu L, Blackwell M, Dunham S, Hernández-Allica J, McGrath SP. Simulation of Phosphorus Chemistry, Uptake and Utilisation by Winter Wheat. Plants (Basel) 2019; 8:plants8100404. [PMID: 31600980 PMCID: PMC6843122 DOI: 10.3390/plants8100404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 09/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The phosphorus (P) supply from soils is crucial to crop production. Given the complexity involved in P-cycling, a model that can simulate the major P-cycling processes and link with other nutrients and environmental factors, e.g., soil temperature and moisture, would be a useful tool. The aim of this study was to describe a process-based P module added to the SPACSYS (Soil Plant and Atmosphere Continuum System) model and to evaluate its predictive capability on the dynamics of P content in crops and the impact of soil P status on crop growth. A P-cycling module was developed and linked to other modules included in the SPACSYS model. We used a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum, cv Xi-19) field experiment at Rothamsted Research in Harpenden to calibrate and validate the model. Model performance statistics show that the model simulated aboveground dry matter, P accumulation and soil moisture dynamics reasonably well. Simulated dynamics of soil nitrate and ammonium were close to the observed data when P fertiliser was applied. However, there are large discrepancies in fields without P fertiliser. This study demonstrated that the SPACSYS model was able to investigate the interactions between carbon, nitrogen, P and water in a single process-based model after the tested P module was implemented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lianhai Wu
- Sustainable Agriculture Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Okehampton EX20 2SB, UK.
| | - Martin Blackwell
- Sustainable Agriculture Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Okehampton EX20 2SB, UK.
| | - Sarah Dunham
- Sustainable Agriculture Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden AL5 2JQ, UK.
| | | | - Steve P McGrath
- Sustainable Agriculture Sciences, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden AL5 2JQ, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Chen H, Zhang W, Yang X, Wang P, McGrath SP, Zhao FJ. Effective methods to reduce cadmium accumulation in rice grain. Chemosphere 2018; 207:699-707. [PMID: 29857202 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.05.143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Contamination of cadmium (Cd) in paddy soil is a serious environmental problem threatening food safety in some parts of southern China, where rice grain Cd concentration often exceeds the Chinese limit (0.2 mg kg-1). We tested the effect of CaCO3 liming combined with growing low Cd cultivars on Cd accumulation in rice grain in 2-year field trials. A liming model was used to predict the doses of lime required. Lime (2.25-7.5 t ha-1) was applied in 2016 only and the effect monitored in both 2016 and 2017. Soil pH was increased from the initial 5.5 to the target value 6.5 by 7.5 t ha-1 CaCO3. Liming greatly reduced CaCl2-extractable Cd in the rhizospheric soil. Grain Cd concentration in the control exceeded the limit by 2-5 times. Liming at 7.5 t ha-1 decreased grain Cd concentration by 70-80% in both seasons without affecting grain yield. Grain Cd concentration was below the limit in the 7.5 t ha-1 liming treatment in both seasons. Grain Cd concentration correlated closely with CaCl2-extractable Cd in rhizospheric soil at the grain maturing stage. Seasonal difference in grain Cd concentration was attributed to the soil water status at the grain maturing stage. Liming had no significant effect on grain arsenic concentration or speciation. A single application of CaCO3 to raise soil pH to 6.5, combined with low Cd cultivars and delayed drainage of paddy water during late grain filling stage, was highly effective at reducing Cd accumulation in rice grain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongping Chen
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Wenwen Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Xinping Yang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Peng Wang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Steve P McGrath
- Sustainable Agriculture Sciences Department, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - Fang-Jie Zhao
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Wang P, Menzies NW, Chen H, Yang X, McGrath SP, Zhao FJ, Kopittke PM. Risk of Silver Transfer from Soil to the Food Chain Is Low after Long-Term (20 Years) Field Applications of Sewage Sludge. Environ Sci Technol 2018; 52:4901-4909. [PMID: 29589746 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b00204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The increasingly widespread usage of silver (Ag) nanoparticles has raised concerns regarding their environmental risk. The behavior of Ag and its transfer risk to the food chain were investigated using a long-term field experiment that commenced in 1942 in which Ag-containing sewage sludge was repeatedly applied to the soil (25 applications during 20 years). The speciation of the Ag in both the sludge and the soils retrieved from the long-term experimental archive was examined using synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and extractable Ag concentrations from soils were determined using 0.01 M Ca(NO3)2 and 0.005 M DTPA. The total Ag in the sludge during the time period of 1942-1961 ranged from 155 to 463 mg kg-1. These values are 1-2 orders of magnitude higher than those in currently produced sludge (ca. 0.5-20 mg kg-1). Long-term repeated applications of these sludges resulted in an increase of Ag in soils from 1.9 mg kg-1 in the control to up to 51 mg kg-1. The majority (>80%) of the Ag in both the sludge and the sludge-treated soils was present as insoluble Ag2S, thereby markedly reducing the bioavailability of this Ag. Concentrations of Ag in the archived crop samples were generally <0.70 mg kg-1 in edible tissues, much less than those in diets that may cause an adverse effects in animals and humans (>100 mg kg-1). These data indicate that the transfer of Ag (derived from both traditional Ag industry and current nano Ag industry) to the terrestrial food chain is limited.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Wang
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences , Nanjing Agricultural University , Nanjing , Jiangsu 210095 , China
| | - Neal W Menzies
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences , The University of Queensland , St. Lucia , Queensland 4072 , Australia
| | - Hongping Chen
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences , Nanjing Agricultural University , Nanjing , Jiangsu 210095 , China
| | - Xinping Yang
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences , Nanjing Agricultural University , Nanjing , Jiangsu 210095 , China
| | - Steve P McGrath
- Rothamsted Research , Harpenden , Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ , United Kingdom
| | - Fang-Jie Zhao
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences , Nanjing Agricultural University , Nanjing , Jiangsu 210095 , China
| | - Peter M Kopittke
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences , The University of Queensland , St. Lucia , Queensland 4072 , Australia
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Chen Y, Sun SK, Tang Z, Liu G, Moore KL, Maathuis FJM, Miller AJ, McGrath SP, Zhao FJ. The Nodulin 26-like intrinsic membrane protein OsNIP3;2 is involved in arsenite uptake by lateral roots in rice. J Exp Bot 2017; 68:3007-3016. [PMID: 28505352 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erx165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that the Nodulin 26-like intrinsic membrane protein (NIP) Lsi1 (OsNIP2;1) is involved in arsenite [As(III)] uptake in rice (Oryza sativa). However, the role of other rice NIPs in As(III) accumulation in planta remains unknown. In the present study, we investigated the role OsNIP3;2 in As(III) uptake in rice. When expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, OsNIP3;2 showed a high transport activity for As(III). Quantitative real-time RT-PCR showed that the expression of OsNIP3;2 was suppressed by 5 µM As(III), but enhanced by 20 and 100 µM As(III). Transgenic rice plants expressing OsNIP3;2pro-GUS showed that the gene was predominantly expressed in the lateral roots and the stele region of the primary roots. Transient expression of OsNIP3;2:GFP fusion protein in rice protoplasts showed that the protein was localized in the plasma membrane. Knockout of OsNIP3;2 significantly decreased As concentration in the roots, but had little effect on shoot As concentration. Synchrotron microfocus X-ray fluorescence showed decreased As accumulation in the stele of the lateral roots in the mutants compared with wild-type. Our results indicate that OsNIP3;2 is involved in As(III) uptake by lateral roots, but its contribution to As accumulation in the shoots is limited.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Chen
- Department of Sustainable Soils and Grassland Systems, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK
- Department of Metabolic Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Sheng-Kai Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Zhong Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Guidong Liu
- College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Katie L Moore
- School of Materials, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | | | - Antony J Miller
- Department of Metabolic Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Steve P McGrath
- Department of Sustainable Soils and Grassland Systems, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - Fang-Jie Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Yu G, Xiao J, Hu S, Polizzotto ML, Zhao F, McGrath SP, Li H, Ran W, Shen Q. Mineral Availability as a Key Regulator of Soil Carbon Storage. Environ Sci Technol 2017; 51:4960-4969. [PMID: 28401763 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b00305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Mineral binding is a major mechanism for soil carbon (C) stabilization, and mineral availability for C binding critically affects C storage. Yet, the mechanisms regulating mineral availability are poorly understood. Here, we showed that organic amendments in three long-term (23, 154, and 170 yrs, respectively) field experiments significantly increased mineral availability, particularly of short-range-ordered (SRO) phases. Two microcosm studies demonstrated that the presence of roots significantly increased mineral availability and promoted the formation of SRO phases. Mineral transformation experiments and isotopic labeling experiments provided direct evidence that citric acid, a major component of root exudates, promoted the formation of SRO minerals, and that SRO minerals acted as "nuclei" for C retention. Together, these findings indicate that soil organic amendments initialize a positive feedback loop by increasing mineral availability and promoting the formation of SRO minerals for further C binding, thereby possibly serving as a management tool for enhancing carbon storage in soils.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guanghui Yu
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University , Nanjing 210095, PR China
- Department of Crop and Soil Science, Oregon State University , ALS Building 3017, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, United States
| | - Jian Xiao
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University , Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Shuijin Hu
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University , Nanjing 210095, PR China
- Department of Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University , Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Matthew L Polizzotto
- Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University , Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Fangjie Zhao
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University , Nanjing 210095, PR China
- Sustainable Soils and Grassland Systems, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, U.K
| | - Steve P McGrath
- Sustainable Soils and Grassland Systems, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, U.K
| | - Huan Li
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University , Nanjing 210095, PR China
- Department of Plant Pathology, North Carolina State University , Raleigh, North Carolina 27695, United States
| | - Wei Ran
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University , Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Qirong Shen
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Organic Solid Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University , Nanjing 210095, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Xie WY, McGrath SP, Su JQ, Hirsch PR, Clark IM, Shen Q, Zhu YG, Zhao FJ. Long-Term Impact of Field Applications of Sewage Sludge on Soil Antibiotic Resistome. Environ Sci Technol 2016; 50:12602-12611. [PMID: 27934260 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b02138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Land applications of municipal sewage sludge may pose a risk of introducing antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from urban environments into agricultural systems. However, how the sewage sludge recycling and application method influence soil resistome and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) remains unclear. In the present study, high through-put quantitative PCR was conducted on the resistome of soils from a field experiment with past (between 1994 and 1997) and annual (since 1994) applications of five different sewage sludges. Total inputs of organic carbon were similar between the two modes of sludge applications. Intrinsic soil resistome, defined as the ARGs shared by the soils in the control and sludge-amended plots, consisted of genes conferring resistance to multidrug, β-lactam, Macrolide-Lincosamide-Streptogramin B (MLSB), tetracycline, vancomycin, and aminoglycoside, with multidrug resistance genes as the most abundant members. There was a strong correlation between the abundance of ARGs and MGE marker genes in soils. The composition and diversity of ARGs in the five sludges were substantially different from those in soils. Considerable proportions of ARGs and MGE marker genes in the sludges attenuated following the application, especially aminoglycoside and tetracycline resistance genes. Annual applications posed a more significant impact on the soil resistome, through both continued introduction and stimulation of the soil intrinsic ARGs. In addition, direct introduction of sludge-specific ARGs into soil was observed especially from ARG-rich sludge. These results provide a better insight into the characteristics of ARG dissemination from urban environment to the agricultural system through sewage sludge applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Ying Xie
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Organic Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University , Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Steve P McGrath
- Rothamsted Research , Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, United Kingdom
| | - Jian-Qiang Su
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Penny R Hirsch
- Rothamsted Research , Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, United Kingdom
| | - Ian M Clark
- Rothamsted Research , Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, United Kingdom
| | - Qirong Shen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Organic Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University , Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yong-Guan Zhu
- Key Lab of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Xiamen 361021, China
| | - Fang-Jie Zhao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Organic Waste Utilization, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University , Nanjing 210095, China
- Rothamsted Research , Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Charlton A, Sakrabani R, Tyrrel S, Rivas Casado M, McGrath SP, Crooks B, Cooper P, Campbell CD. Long-term impact of sewage sludge application on soil microbial biomass: An evaluation using meta-analysis. Environ Pollut 2016; 219:1021-1035. [PMID: 27481645 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.07.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Revised: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The Long-Term Sludge Experiments (LTSE) began in 1994 as part of continuing research into the effects of sludge-borne heavy metals on soil fertility. The long-term effects of Zn, Cu, and Cd on soil microbial biomass carbon (Cmic) were monitored for 8 years (1997-2005) in sludge amended soils at nine UK field sites. To assess the statutory limits set by the UK Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations the experimental data has been reviewed using the statistical methods of meta-analysis. Previous LTSE studies have focused predominantly on statistical significance rather than effect size, whereas meta-analysis focuses on the magnitude and direction of an effect, i.e. the practical significance, rather than its statistical significance. The results presented here show that significant decreases in Cmic have occurred in soils where the total concentrations of Zn and Cu fall below the current UK statutory limits. For soils receiving sewage sludge predominantly contaminated with Zn, decreases of approximately 7-11% were observed at concentrations below the UK statutory limit. The effect of Zn appeared to increase over time, with increasingly greater decreases in Cmic observed over a period of 8 years. This may be due to an interactive effect between Zn and confounding Cu contamination which has augmented the bioavailability of these metals over time. Similar decreases (7-12%) in Cmic were observed in soils receiving sewage sludge predominantly contaminated with Cu; however, Cmic appeared to show signs of recovery after a period of 6 years. Application of sewage sludge predominantly contaminated with Cd appeared to have no effect on Cmic at concentrations below the current UK statutory limit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alex Charlton
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, UK
| | - Ruben Sakrabani
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, UK.
| | - Sean Tyrrel
- School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, UK
| | | | | | - Bill Crooks
- SRUC, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, Scotland EH9 3JG, UK
| | - Pat Cooper
- James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB15 8QH, UK
| | - Colin D Campbell
- James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB15 8QH, UK; Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish Agricultural Sciences University, Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Charlton A, Sakrabani R, McGrath SP, Campbell CD. Long-term Impact of Sewage Sludge Application on biovar : An Evaluation Using Meta-Analysis. J Environ Qual 2016; 45:1572-1587. [PMID: 27695762 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2015.12.0590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The Long-Term Sludge Experiment (LTSE) began in 1994 at nine UK field sites as part of continuing research into the effects of sludge-borne heavy metals on soil fertility. The long-term effects of Zn, Cu, and Cd on the most probable numbers of cells (MPN) of biovar were monitored for 8 yr in sludge-amended soils. To assess the statutory limits set by the UK Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations, the experimental data were reviewed using statistical methods of meta-analysis. Previous LTSE studies have focused predominantly on statistical significance rather than effect size, whereas meta-analysis focuses on the magnitude and direction of an effect, i.e., the practical significance rather than its statistical significance. Results showed Zn to be the most toxic element causing an overall significant decrease in MPN of -26.6% during the LTSE. The effect of Cu showed no significant effect on MPN at concentrations below the UK limits, although a -5% decrease in MPN was observed in soils where total Cu ranged from 100 to <135 mg kg. Overall, there was nothing to indicate that Cd had a significant effect on MPN below the current UK statutory limit. In summary, the UK statutory limit for Zn appears to be insufficient for protecting from Zn toxicity effects.
Collapse
|
25
|
Durenkamp M, Pawlett M, Ritz K, Harris JA, Neal AL, McGrath SP. Nanoparticles within WWTP sludges have minimal impact on leachate quality and soil microbial community structure and function. Environ Pollut 2016; 211:399-405. [PMID: 26799000 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2015.12.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Revised: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/31/2015] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
One of the main pathways by which engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) enter the environment is through land application of waste water treatment plant (WWTP) sewage sludges. WWTP sludges, enriched with Ag and ZnO ENPs or their corresponding soluble metal salts during anaerobic digestion and subsequently mixed with soil (targeting a final concentration of 1400 and 140 mg/kg for Zn and Ag, respectively), were subjected to 6 months of ageing and leaching in lysimeter columns outdoors. Amounts of Zn and Ag leached were very low, accounting for <0.3% and <1.4% of the total Zn and Ag, respectively. No differences in total leaching rates were observed between treatments of Zn or Ag originally input to WWTP as ENP or salt forms. Phospholipid fatty acid profiling indicated a reduction in the fungal component of the soil microbial community upon metal exposure. However, overall, the leachate composition and response of the soil microbial community following addition of sewage sludge enriched either with ENPs or metal salts was very similar.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Durenkamp
- Department of Sustainable Soils and Grassland Systems, Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, United Kingdom.
| | - Mark Pawlett
- Environmental Science and Technology Department, School of Energy Environment and Agrifood, Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
| | - Karl Ritz
- Environmental Science and Technology Department, School of Energy Environment and Agrifood, Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
| | - Jim A Harris
- Environmental Science and Technology Department, School of Energy Environment and Agrifood, Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew L Neal
- Department of Sustainable Soils and Grassland Systems, Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, United Kingdom
| | - Steve P McGrath
- Department of Sustainable Soils and Grassland Systems, Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Donner E, Scheckel K, Sekine R, Popelka-Filcoff RS, Bennett JW, Brunetti G, Naidu R, McGrath SP, Lombi E. Non-labile silver species in biosolids remain stable throughout 50 years of weathering and ageing. Environ Pollut 2015; 205:78-86. [PMID: 26021819 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2015.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Revised: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/07/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Increasing commercial use of nanosilver has focussed attention on the fate of silver (Ag) in the wastewater release pathway. This paper reports the speciation and lability of Ag in archived, stockpiled, and contemporary biosolids from the UK, USA and Australia, and indicates that biosolids Ag concentrations have decreased significantly over recent decades. XANES revealed the importance of reduced-sulfur binding environments for Ag speciation in materials ranging from freshly produced sludge to biosolids weathered under ambient environmental conditions for more than 50 years. Isotopic dilution with (110 m)Ag showed that Ag was predominantly non-labile in both fresh and aged biosolids (13.7% mean lability), with E-values ranging from 0.3 to 60 mg/kg and 5 mM CaNO3 extractable Ag from 1.2 to 609 μg/kg (0.002-3.4% of the total Ag). This study indicates that at the time of soil application, biosolids Ag will be predominantly Ag-sulfides and characterised by low isotopic lability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Donner
- Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation, University of South Australia, Building X, Mawson Lakes Campus, South Australia 5095, Australia; CRC CARE, PO Box 486, Salisbury, South Australia 5106, Australia.
| | - K Scheckel
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - R Sekine
- Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation, University of South Australia, Building X, Mawson Lakes Campus, South Australia 5095, Australia
| | - R S Popelka-Filcoff
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
| | - J W Bennett
- Neutron Activation Group, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, New South Wales 2234, Australia
| | - G Brunetti
- Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation, University of South Australia, Building X, Mawson Lakes Campus, South Australia 5095, Australia
| | - R Naidu
- Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation, University of South Australia, Building X, Mawson Lakes Campus, South Australia 5095, Australia; CRC CARE, PO Box 486, Salisbury, South Australia 5106, Australia
| | - S P McGrath
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, United Kingdom
| | - E Lombi
- Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation, University of South Australia, Building X, Mawson Lakes Campus, South Australia 5095, Australia; CRC CARE, PO Box 486, Salisbury, South Australia 5106, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Judy JD, McNear DH, Chen C, Lewis RW, Tsyusko OV, Bertsch PM, Rao W, Stegemeier J, Lowry GV, McGrath SP, Durenkamp M, Unrine JM. Nanomaterials in Biosolids Inhibit Nodulation, Shift Microbial Community Composition, and Result in Increased Metal Uptake Relative to Bulk/Dissolved Metals. Environ Sci Technol 2015; 49:8751-8. [PMID: 26061863 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b01208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
We examined the effects of amending soil with biosolids produced from a pilot-scale wastewater treatment plant containing a mixture of metal-based engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) on the growth of Medicago truncatula, its symbiosis with Sinorhizobium meliloti, and on soil microbial community structure. Treatments consisted of soils amended with biosolids generated with (1) Ag, ZnO, and TiO2 ENMs introduced into the influent wastewater (ENM biosolids), (2) AgNO3, Zn(SO4)2, and micron-sized TiO2 (dissolved/bulk metal biosolids) introduced into the influent wastewater stream, or (3) no metal added to influent wastewater (control). Soils were amended with biosolids to simulate 20 years of metal loading, which resulted in nominal metal concentrations of 1450, 100, and 2400 mg kg(-1) of Zn, Ag, and Ti, respectively, in the dissolved/bulk and ENM treatments. Tissue Zn concentrations were significantly higher in the plants grown in the ENM treatment (182 mg kg(-1)) compared to those from the bulk treatment (103 mg kg(-1)). Large reductions in nodulation frequency, plant growth, and significant shifts in soil microbial community composition were found for the ENM treatment compared to the bulk/dissolved metal treatment. These results suggest differences in metal bioavailability and toxicity between ENMs and bulk/dissolved metals at concentrations relevant to regulatory limits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Judy
- †Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, United States
- ‡Transatlantic Initiative for Nanotechnology and the Environment (TINE), University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, United States
- §Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology (CEINT), Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
- ∥CSIRO Land and Water, Waite Campus, Urrbrae, South Australia 5064, Australia
| | - David H McNear
- †Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, United States
- ‡Transatlantic Initiative for Nanotechnology and the Environment (TINE), University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, United States
| | - Chun Chen
- †Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, United States
- ‡Transatlantic Initiative for Nanotechnology and the Environment (TINE), University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, United States
- §Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology (CEINT), Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Ricky W Lewis
- †Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, United States
- ‡Transatlantic Initiative for Nanotechnology and the Environment (TINE), University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, United States
| | - Olga V Tsyusko
- †Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, United States
- ‡Transatlantic Initiative for Nanotechnology and the Environment (TINE), University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, United States
- §Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology (CEINT), Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Paul M Bertsch
- †Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, United States
- ‡Transatlantic Initiative for Nanotechnology and the Environment (TINE), University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, United States
- §Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology (CEINT), Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
- ⊥CSIRO Land and Water, 41 Boggo Road, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park Queensland, 4102, Australia
| | - William Rao
- †Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, United States
| | - John Stegemeier
- ‡Transatlantic Initiative for Nanotechnology and the Environment (TINE), University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, United States
- §Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology (CEINT), Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Gregory V Lowry
- ‡Transatlantic Initiative for Nanotechnology and the Environment (TINE), University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, United States
- §Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology (CEINT), Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| | - Steve P McGrath
- ‡Transatlantic Initiative for Nanotechnology and the Environment (TINE), University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, United States
- ∇Department of Sustainable Soils and Grassland Systems, Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Durenkamp
- ‡Transatlantic Initiative for Nanotechnology and the Environment (TINE), University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, United States
- ∇Department of Sustainable Soils and Grassland Systems, Rothamsted Research, West Common, Harpenden Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, United Kingdom
| | - Jason M Unrine
- †Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, United States
- ‡Transatlantic Initiative for Nanotechnology and the Environment (TINE), University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40546, United States
- §Center for Environmental Implications of Nanotechnology (CEINT), Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Abstract
Knowledge of arsenic (As) accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa L.) is important for minimizing As transfer to the food chain. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of rice nodes in As storage and distribution. Synchrotron μX-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) was used to map As distribution in the top node and internode of a lsi2 mutant defective in silicon/arsenite efflux carrier and its wild-type (WT) grown in soil. Lsi2 expression in different tissues during grain filling was investigated by quantitative RT-PCR. Arsenite or dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) was supplied to excised panicles to investigate the roles of Lsi2 and phytochelatins (PC) in As distribution. μ-XRF mapping revealed As storage in the phloem of different vascular bundles in the top node and internode. Soil-grown plants of lsi2 had markedly decreased As accumulation in the phloem compared with the WT. Lsi2 was strongly expressed, not only in the roots but also in the nodes. When excised panicles were exposed to As(III), the lsi2 mutant distributed more As to the node and flag leaf but less As to the grain compared with the WT, while there was no significant difference in DMA distribution. Inhibition of PC synthesis by l-buthionine-sulphoximine decreased As(III) deposition in the top node but increased As accumulation in the grain and flag leaf. The results suggest that rice nodes serve as a filter restricting As(III) distribution to the grain. Furthermore, Lsi2 plays a role in As(III) distribution in rice nodes and phytochelatins are important compounds for As(III) storage in the nodes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Chen
- Department of Sustainable Soils and Grassland Systems, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - Katie L Moore
- School of Materials, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Anthony J Miller
- Department of Metabolic Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Steve P McGrath
- Department of Sustainable Soils and Grassland Systems, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - Jian Feng Ma
- Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, Chuo 2-20-1, Kurashiki 710-0046, Japan
| | - Fang-Jie Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Zhalnina K, Dias R, de Quadros PD, Davis-Richardson A, Camargo FAO, Clark IM, McGrath SP, Hirsch PR, Triplett EW. Soil pH determines microbial diversity and composition in the park grass experiment. Microb Ecol 2015; 69:395-406. [PMID: 25395291 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-014-0530-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 224] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 10/29/2014] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The Park Grass experiment (PGE) in the UK has been ongoing since 1856. Its purpose is to study the response of biological communities to the long-term treatments and associated changes in soil parameters, particularly soil pH. In this study, soil samples were collected across pH gradient (pH 3.6-7) and a range of fertilizers (nitrogen as ammonium sulfate, nitrogen as sodium nitrate, phosphorous) to evaluate the effects nutrients have on soil parameters and microbial community structure. Illumina 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) amplicon sequencing was used to determine the relative abundances and diversity of bacterial and archaeal taxa. Relationships between treatments, measured soil parameters, and microbial communities were evaluated. Clostridium, Bacteroides, Bradyrhizobium, Mycobacterium, Ruminococcus, Paenibacillus, and Rhodoplanes were the most abundant genera found at the PGE. The main soil parameter that determined microbial composition, diversity, and biomass in the PGE soil was pH. The most probable mechanism of the pH impact on microbial community may include mediation of nutrient availability in the soil. Addition of nitrogen to the PGE plots as ammonium sulfate decreases soil pH through increased nitrification, which causes buildup of soil carbon, and hence increases C/N ratio. Plant species richness and plant productivity did not reveal significant relationships with microbial diversity; however, plant species richness was positively correlated with soil microbial biomass. Plants responded to the nitrogen treatments with an increase in productivity and a decrease in the species richness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kateryna Zhalnina
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, 1052 Museum Road, 32611-0700, Gainesville, FL, USA,
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Abstract
China faces great challenges in protecting its soil from contamination caused by rapid industrialization and urbanization over the last three decades. Recent nationwide surveys show that 16% of the soil samples, 19% for the agricultural soils, are contaminated based on China’s soil environmental quality limits, mainly with heavy metals and metalloids. Comparisons with other regions of the world show that the current status of soil contamination, based on the total contaminant concentrations, is not worse in China. However, the concentrations of some heavy metals in Chinese soils appear to be increasing at much greater rates. Exceedance of the contaminant limits in food crops is widespread in some areas, especially southern China, due to elevated inputs of contaminants, acidic nature of the soil and crop species or cultivars prone to heavy metal accumulation. Minimizing the transfer of contaminants from soil to the food chain is a top priority. A number of options are proposed, including identification of the sources of contaminants to agricultural systems, minimization of contaminant inputs, reduction of heavy metal phytoavailability in soil with liming or other immobilizing materials, selection and breeding of low accumulating crop cultivars, adoption of appropriate water and fertilizer management, bioremediation, and change of land use to grow nonfood crops. Implementation of these strategies requires not only technological advances, but also social-economic evaluation and effective enforcement of environmental protection law.
Collapse
|
31
|
Rodrigo S, Santamaria O, Chen Y, McGrath SP, Poblaciones MJ. Selenium speciation in malt, wort, and beer made from selenium-biofortified two-rowed barley grain. J Agric Food Chem 2014; 62:5948-53. [PMID: 24869769 DOI: 10.1021/jf500793t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Selenium (Se) biofortification of barley is a suitable strategy to increase the Se concentration in grain. In the present paper, the suitability of this Se-biofortified grain for making Se-enriched beer is analyzed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different Se fertilizer doses (0, 10, and 20 g of Se ha(-1)) and forms (sodium selenate or sodium selenite) on the Se loss during the malting and brewing processes and Se speciation in grain, malt, wort, and beer. Samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-ICP-MS for total Se and speciation. Mashing-lautering was the process with the greatest Se loss (83.8%). After malting and brewing, only 7.3% of the initial Se was retained in beer, mainly in selenite form. Even so, the fertilizer application of sodium selenate at 20 g ha(-1) increased the total Se concentration almost 6-fold in the final beer in comparison to the use of grain derived from unfertilized barley. The present paper provides evidence that the use of Se-biofortified barley grain as a raw material to produce Se-enriched beer is possible, and the results are comparable to other methods in terms of efficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Rodrigo
- Department of Agronomy and Forest Environment Engineering, University of Extremadura , Avenida Adolfo Suárez s/n, 06007 Badajoz, Spain
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Xue YF, Eagling T, He J, Zou CQ, McGrath SP, Shewry PR, Zhao FJ. Effects of nitrogen on the distribution and chemical speciation of iron and zinc in pearling fractions of wheat grain. J Agric Food Chem 2014; 62:4738-46. [PMID: 24806959 DOI: 10.1021/jf500273x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Increasing nitrogen supply can increase Fe and Zn concentrations in wheat grain, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Size-exclusion chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to determine Fe and Zn speciation in the soluble extracts of grain pearling fractions of two wheat cultivars grown at two N rates (100 and 350 kg of N ha(-1)). Increasing N supply increased the concentrations of total Fe and Zn and the portions of Fe and Zn unextractable with a Tris-HCl buffer and decreased the concentrations of Tris-HCl-extractable (soluble) Fe and Zn. Within the soluble fraction, Fe and Zn bound to low molecular weight compounds, likely to be Fe-nicotianamine and Fe-deoxymugineic acid or Zn-nicotianamine, were decreased by 5-12% and 4-37%, respectively, by the high N treatment, whereas Fe and Zn bound to soluble high molecular weight or soluble phytate fractions were less affected. The positive effect of N on grain Fe and Zn concentrations was attributed to an increased sink in the grain, probably in the form of water-insoluble proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Fang Xue
- Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, Center for Resources, Environment and Food Security, China Agricultural University , Beijing 100193, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
Poblaciones MJ, Rodrigo S, Santamaria O, Chen Y, McGrath SP. Selenium accumulation and speciation in biofortified chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under Mediterranean conditions. J Sci Food Agric 2014; 94:1101-6. [PMID: 23983062 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.6372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2013] [Revised: 08/14/2013] [Accepted: 08/23/2013] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Millions of people have Se-deficient diets and Se-biofortified crops could prevent such deficiency. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential of chickpea for use in Se fertilization programs in order to increase available Se. Two foliar Se fertilizers (sodium selenate and sodium selenite) at four rates (0, 10, 20, 40 g ha(-1)) were tested in the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 growing seasons in a field experiment conducted under semiarid Mediterranean conditions. RESULTS Sodium selenate was much more effectively taken by plants than sodium selenite, and there was a strong and linear relationship between total Se content and Se rate for both. For each gram of Se fertilizer, applied either as sodium selenate or sodium selenite, the increases of total Se concentration in grain were 126 and 87, and 25 and 19 µg Se kg(-1) dry weight, in 2010/2011 and 2011/2012, respectively. Se was found to be incorporated into chickpea grains mainly (>70%) as selenomethionine. CONCLUSION Se-enriched chickpeas would be a good candidate for inclusion in biofortification programs under semiarid Mediterranean conditions and for promotion as a 'functional food'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria J Poblaciones
- Department of Ingeniería del Medio Agronómico y Forestal, Escuela de Ingenierías Agrarias, University of Extremadura, 06007, Badajoz, Spain
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Norton GJ, Douglas A, Lahner B, Yakubova E, Guerinot ML, Pinson SRM, Tarpley L, Eizenga GC, McGrath SP, Zhao FJ, Islam MR, Islam S, Duan G, Zhu Y, Salt DE, Meharg AA, Price AH. Genome wide association mapping of grain arsenic, copper, molybdenum and zinc in rice (Oryza sativa L.) grown at four international field sites. PLoS One 2014; 9:e89685. [PMID: 24586963 PMCID: PMC3934919 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2013] [Accepted: 01/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The mineral concentrations in cereals are important for human health, especially for individuals who consume a cereal subsistence diet. A number of elements, such as zinc, are required within the diet, while some elements are toxic to humans, for example arsenic. In this study we carry out genome-wide association (GWA) mapping of grain concentrations of arsenic, copper, molybdenum and zinc in brown rice using an established rice diversity panel of ∼300 accessions and 36.9 k single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The study was performed across five environments: one field site in Bangladesh, one in China and two in the US, with one of the US sites repeated over two years. GWA mapping on the whole dataset and on separate subpopulations of rice revealed a large number of loci significantly associated with variation in grain arsenic, copper, molybdenum and zinc. Seventeen of these loci were detected in data obtained from grain cultivated in more than one field location, and six co-localise with previously identified quantitative trait loci. Additionally, a number of candidate genes for the uptake or transport of these elements were located near significantly associated SNPs (within 200 kb, the estimated global linkage disequilibrium previously employed in this rice panel). This analysis highlights a number of genomic regions and candidate genes for further analysis as well as the challenges faced when mapping environmentally-variable traits in a highly genetically structured diversity panel.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gareth J. Norton
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Alex Douglas
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Brett Lahner
- Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Elena Yakubova
- Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Mary Lou Guerinot
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Shannon R. M. Pinson
- USDA ARS, Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center, Stuttgart, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Lee Tarpley
- Texas A&M University System, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Beaumont, Texas, United States of America
| | - Georgia C. Eizenga
- USDA ARS, Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center, Stuttgart, Arkansas, United States of America
| | | | - Fang-Jie Zhao
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - M. Rafiqul Islam
- Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - Shofiqul Islam
- Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - Guilan Duan
- Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yongguan Zhu
- Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - David E. Salt
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew A. Meharg
- Institute for Global Food Security, Queen’s University Belfast, David Keir Building, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Adam H. Price
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Eagling T, Neal AL, McGrath SP, Fairweather-Tait S, Shewry PR, Zhao FJ. Distribution and speciation of iron and zinc in grain of two wheat genotypes. J Agric Food Chem 2014; 62:708-716. [PMID: 24382168 DOI: 10.1021/jf403331p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine differences among wheat cultivars in the distribution and speciation of Fe and Zn in grain milling fractions. Cultivars with higher Fe and Zn concentrations in the wholemeal flour were found to contain higher concentrations in the white flour. Soluble Fe and Zn were extracted and analyzed by size exclusion-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Fe speciation varied between milling fractions with a low molecular weight (LMW) complex likely to be Fe-deoxymugenic acid/nicotianamine being the predominant extractable Fe species in white flour, accounting for approximately 85% of the extractable Fe. Bran fractions had a lower amount of LMW-Fe form but more as soluble Fe-phytate and an unidentified high molecular weight peak. In the white flour fraction soluble Zn was found to be present mainly as a LMW peak likely to be Zn-nicotianamine complex. Soluble Fe-phytate was found in the white flour fraction of a high-Fe cultivar but not in a low-Fe cultivar.
Collapse
|
36
|
Norton GJ, Douglas A, Lahner B, Yakubova E, Guerinot ML, Pinson SRM, Tarpley L, Eizenga GC, McGrath SP, Zhao FJ, Islam MR, Islam S, Duan G, Zhu Y, Salt DE, Meharg AA, Price AH. Genome wide association mapping of grain arsenic, copper, molybdenum and zinc in rice (Oryza sativa L.) grown at four international field sites. PLoS One 2014. [PMID: 24586963 DOI: 10.137/journalpone.0089685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The mineral concentrations in cereals are important for human health, especially for individuals who consume a cereal subsistence diet. A number of elements, such as zinc, are required within the diet, while some elements are toxic to humans, for example arsenic. In this study we carry out genome-wide association (GWA) mapping of grain concentrations of arsenic, copper, molybdenum and zinc in brown rice using an established rice diversity panel of ∼ 300 accessions and 36.9 k single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The study was performed across five environments: one field site in Bangladesh, one in China and two in the US, with one of the US sites repeated over two years. GWA mapping on the whole dataset and on separate subpopulations of rice revealed a large number of loci significantly associated with variation in grain arsenic, copper, molybdenum and zinc. Seventeen of these loci were detected in data obtained from grain cultivated in more than one field location, and six co-localise with previously identified quantitative trait loci. Additionally, a number of candidate genes for the uptake or transport of these elements were located near significantly associated SNPs (within 200 kb, the estimated global linkage disequilibrium previously employed in this rice panel). This analysis highlights a number of genomic regions and candidate genes for further analysis as well as the challenges faced when mapping environmentally-variable traits in a highly genetically structured diversity panel.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gareth J Norton
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Alex Douglas
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Brett Lahner
- Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Elena Yakubova
- Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Mary Lou Guerinot
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Shannon R M Pinson
- USDA ARS, Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center, Stuttgart, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Lee Tarpley
- Texas A&M University System, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Beaumont, Texas, United States of America
| | - Georgia C Eizenga
- USDA ARS, Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center, Stuttgart, Arkansas, United States of America
| | - Steve P McGrath
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Fang-Jie Zhao
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom ; College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - M Rafiqul Islam
- Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - Shofiqul Islam
- Department of Soil Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
| | - Guilan Duan
- Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yongguan Zhu
- Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - David E Salt
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew A Meharg
- Institute for Global Food Security, Queen's University Belfast, David Keir Building, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Adam H Price
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Moore KL, Chen Y, van de Meene AML, Hughes L, Liu W, Geraki T, Mosselmans F, McGrath SP, Grovenor C, Zhao FJ. Combined NanoSIMS and synchrotron X-ray fluorescence reveal distinct cellular and subcellular distribution patterns of trace elements in rice tissues. New Phytol 2014; 201:104-115. [PMID: 24107000 DOI: 10.1111/nph.12497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2013] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The cellular and subcellular distributions of trace elements can provide important clues to understanding how the elements are transported and stored in plant cells, but mapping their distributions is a challenging task. The distributions of arsenic, iron, zinc, manganese and copper, as well as physiologically related macro-elements, were mapped in the node, internode and leaf sheath of rice (Oryza sativa) using synchrotron X-ray fluorescence (S-XRF) and high-resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS). Although copper and silicon generally showed cell wall localization, arsenic, iron and zinc were strongly localized in the vacuoles of specific cell types. Arsenic was highly localized in the companion cell vacuoles of the phloem in all vascular bundles, showing a strong co-localization with sulfur, consistent with As(III)-thiol complexation. Within the node, zinc was localized in the vacuoles of the parenchyma cell bridge bordering the enlarged and diffuse vascular bundles, whereas iron and manganese were localized in the fundamental parenchyma cells, with iron being strongly co-localized with phosphorus in the vacuoles. The highly heterogeneous and contrasting distribution patterns of these elements imply different transport activities and/or storage capacities among different cell types. Sequestration of arsenic in companion cell vacuoles may explain the limited phloem mobility of arsenite.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katie L Moore
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PH, UK
| | - Yi Chen
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | | | - Louise Hughes
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Wenju Liu
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK
| | - Tina Geraki
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Chilton, Didcot, OX11 0DE, UK
| | - Fred Mosselmans
- Diamond Light Source Ltd, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Chilton, Didcot, OX11 0DE, UK
| | | | - Chris Grovenor
- Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PH, UK
| | - Fang-Jie Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Poblaciones MJ, Rodrigo S, Santamaría O, Chen Y, McGrath SP. Agronomic selenium biofortification in Triticum durum under Mediterranean conditions: from grain to cooked pasta. Food Chem 2013; 146:378-84. [PMID: 24176357 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.09.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2013] [Revised: 09/11/2013] [Accepted: 09/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
To improve the nutritional value of durum wheat and derived products, two foliar Se fertilisers (sodium selenate and selenite) were tested at four rates (0-10-20-40gha(-1)) in 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 in southwestern Spain. There was a strong and linear relationship between total Se or selenomethionine (Se-Met) accumulation in grain and Se dose for both fertilisers, although selenate was much more efficient. Se-Met was the main Se species (≈90%) of the total Se extracted from all materials. Milling caused a 27% loss of Se due to the removal of Se located in bran and germ. In the pasta making process and the cooking process the loss of Se, mainly as selenite, was about 7%. Durum wheat may be a good candidate to be included in Se biofortification programs under rainfed Mediterranean conditions, as foodstuffs derived from it could efficiently increase the Se content in the human diet.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M J Poblaciones
- Department of Agronomy and Forest Environment Engineering, University of Extremadura Avda., Adolfo Suárez s/n, 06007 Badajoz, Spain.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Hartley TN, Macdonald AJ, McGrath SP, Zhao FJ. Historical arsenic contamination of soil due to long-term phosphate fertiliser applications. Environ Pollut 2013; 180:259-264. [PMID: 23792386 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2013.05.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2013] [Revised: 05/18/2013] [Accepted: 05/21/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Archived samples from the Park Grass Experiment, established in 1856, were analysed to determine the impacts of long-term phosphate fertiliser applications on arsenic concentrations in soil and herbage. In plots receiving 35 kg P ha(-1) annually (+P), topsoil As concentrations almost doubled from an initial value of ∼10 mg kg(-1) during 1888-1947 and remained stable thereafter. The phosphate fertilisers used before 1948 contained 401-1575 mg As kg(-1), compared to 1.6-20.3 mg As kg(-1) in the later samples. Herbage samples from the +P plots collected during 1888-1947 contained significantly more As than those from the -P plots, but later samples did not differ significantly. Mass-balance calculations show that the increase in soil As can be explained by the As input from P fertiliser applications before 1948. The results demonstrate that the P fertilisers used on the Park Grass Experiment before 1948 caused substantial As contamination of the soil.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tom N Hartley
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, UK
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Zhao FJ, Harris E, Yan J, Ma J, Wu L, Liu W, McGrath SP, Zhou J, Zhu YG. Arsenic methylation in soils and its relationship with microbial arsM abundance and diversity, and as speciation in rice. Environ Sci Technol 2013; 47:7147-54. [PMID: 23750559 DOI: 10.1021/es304977m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Methylation of arsenic in soil influences its environmental behavior and accumulation by plants, but little is known about the factors affecting As methylation. As speciation was determined in the pore waters of six soils from diverse geographical locations over 54 days of incubation under flooded conditions. The concentration of methylated As (monomethylarsonic acid, MMA, and dimethylarsinic acid, DMA) varied from 0 to 85 μg L(-1) (0 - 69% of the total As in pore water). Two Bangladeshi paddy soils contaminated by irrigation of As-laden groundwater produced large concentrations of inorganic As but relatively little methylated As. Two contaminated paddy soils from China produced a transient peak of DMA during the early phase of incubation. Methylated As represented considerable proportions of the total soluble As in the two uncontaminated soils from the UK and U.S. The copy number of the microbial arsenite methyltransferase gene (arsM) correlated positively with soil pH. However, pore-water methylated As correlated negatively with pH or arsM copy number, and positively with dissolved organic C. GeoChip assay revealed considerable arsM diversity among the six soils, with 27-35 out of 66 sequences in the microarray being detected. As speciation in rice plants grown in the soils generally mirrored that in the pore water. The results suggest that methylated As species in plants originated from the soil and As methylation in soil was influenced strongly by the soil conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Jie Zhao
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Solid Organic Waste Resource Utilization, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Lofts S, Criel P, Janssen CR, Lock K, McGrath SP, Oorts K, Rooney CP, Smolders E, Spurgeon DJ, Svendsen C, Van Eeckhout H, Zhao FZ. Modelling the effects of copper on soil organisms and processes using the free ion approach: towards a multi-species toxicity model. Environ Pollut 2013; 178:244-253. [PMID: 23584604 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2013.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2012] [Revised: 02/15/2013] [Accepted: 03/02/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The free ion approach has been previously used to calculate critical limit concentrations for soil metals based on point estimates of toxicity. Here, the approach was applied to dose-response data for copper effects on seven biological endpoints in each of 19 European soils. The approach was applied using the concept of an effective dose, comprising a function of the concentrations of free copper and 'protective' major cations, including H(+). A significant influence of H(+) on the toxicity of Cu(2+) was found, while the effects of other cations were inconsistent. The model could be generalised by forcing the effect of H(+) and the slope of the dose-response relationship to be equal for all endpoints. This suggests the possibility of a general bioavailability model for copper effects on organisms. Furthermore, the possibility of such a model could be explored for other cationic metals such as nickel, zinc, cadmium and lead.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Lofts
- NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United Kingdom.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Zhalnina K, de Quadros PD, Gano KA, Davis-Richardson A, Fagen JR, Brown CT, Giongo A, Drew JC, Sayavedra-Soto LA, Arp DJ, Camargo FAO, Daroub SH, Clark IM, McGrath SP, Hirsch PR, Triplett EW. Ca. Nitrososphaera and Bradyrhizobium are inversely correlated and related to agricultural practices in long-term field experiments. Front Microbiol 2013; 4:104. [PMID: 23641242 PMCID: PMC3640186 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2013.00104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2013] [Accepted: 04/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Agricultural land management, such as fertilization, liming, and tillage affects soil properties, including pH, organic matter content, nitrification rates, and the microbial community. Three different study sites were used to identify microorganisms that correlate with agricultural land use and to determine which factors regulate the relative abundance of the microbial signatures of the agricultural land-use. The three sites included in this study are the Broadbalk Experiment at Rothamsted Research, UK, the Everglades Agricultural Area, Florida, USA, and the Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan, USA. The effects of agricultural management on the abundance and diversity of bacteria and archaea were determined using high throughput, barcoded 16S rRNA sequencing. In addition, the relative abundance of these organisms was correlated with soil features. Two groups of microorganisms involved in nitrogen cycle were highly correlated with land use at all three sites. The ammonia oxidizing-archaea, dominated by Ca. Nitrososphaera, were positively correlated with agriculture while a ubiquitous group of soil bacteria closely related to the diazotrophic symbiont, Bradyrhizobium, was negatively correlated with agricultural management. Analysis of successional plots showed that the abundance of ammonia oxidizing-archaea declined and the abundance of bradyrhizobia increased with time away from agriculture. This observation suggests that the effect of agriculture on the relative abundance of these genera is reversible. Soil pH and NH3 concentrations were positively correlated with archaeal abundance but negatively correlated with the abundance of Bradyrhizobium. The high correlations of Ca. Nitrososphaera and Bradyrhizobium abundances with agricultural management at three long-term experiments with different edaphoclimatic conditions allowed us to suggest these two genera as signature microorganisms for agricultural land use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kateryna Zhalnina
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Lombi E, Nowack B, Baun A, McGrath SP. Evidence for effects of manufactured nanomaterials on crops is inconclusive. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109:E3336; author reply E3337. [PMID: 23125195 PMCID: PMC3523875 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1214934109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Enzo Lombi
- Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation, University of South Australia, South Australia 5095, Australia
| | - Bernd Nowack
- Technology and Society Laboratory, Empa–Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, CH-9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Anders Baun
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark; and
| | - Steve P. McGrath
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2JQ, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Freeman JL, Marcus MA, Fakra SC, Devonshire J, McGrath SP, Quinn CF, Pilon-Smits EAH. Selenium hyperaccumulator plants Stanleya pinnata and Astragalus bisulcatus are colonized by Se-resistant, Se-excluding wasp and beetle seed herbivores. PLoS One 2012; 7:e50516. [PMID: 23226523 PMCID: PMC3513300 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0050516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2012] [Accepted: 10/23/2012] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Selenium (Se) hyperaccumulator plants can concentrate the toxic element Se up to 1% of shoot (DW) which is known to protect hyperaccumulator plants from generalist herbivores. There is evidence for Se-resistant insect herbivores capable of feeding upon hyperaccumulators. In this study, resistance to Se was investigated in seed chalcids and seed beetles found consuming seeds inside pods of Se-hyperaccumulator species Astragalus bisulcatus and Stanleya pinnata. Selenium accumulation, localization and speciation were determined in seeds collected from hyperaccumulators in a seleniferous habitat and in seed herbivores. Astragalus bisulcatus seeds were consumed by seed beetle larvae (Acanthoscelides fraterculus Horn, Coleoptera: Bruchidae) and seed chalcid larvae (Bruchophagus mexicanus, Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae). Stanleya pinnata seeds were consumed by an unidentified seed chalcid larva. Micro X-ray absorption near-edge structure (µXANES) and micro-X-Ray Fluorescence mapping (µXRF) demonstrated Se was mostly organic C-Se-C forms in seeds of both hyperaccumulators, and S. pinnata seeds contained ∼24% elemental Se. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry of Se-compounds in S. pinnata seeds detected the C-Se-C compound seleno-cystathionine while previous studies of A. bisulcatus seeds detected the C-Se-C compounds methyl-selenocysteine and γ-glutamyl-methyl-selenocysteine. Micro-XRF and µXANES revealed Se ingested from hyperaccumulator seeds redistributed throughout seed herbivore tissues, and portions of seed C-Se-C were biotransformed into selenocysteine, selenocystine, selenodiglutathione, selenate and selenite. Astragalus bisulcatus seeds contained on average 5,750 µg Se g(-1), however adult beetles and adult chalcid wasps emerging from A. bisulcatus seed pods contained 4-6 µg Se g(-1). Stanleya pinnata seeds contained 1,329 µg Se g(-1) on average; however chalcid wasp larvae and adults emerging from S. pinnata seed pods contained 9 and 47 µg Se g(-1). The results suggest Se resistant seed herbivores exclude Se, greatly reducing tissue accumulation; this explains their ability to consume high-Se seeds without suffering toxicity, allowing them to occupy the unique niche offered by Se hyperaccumulator plants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John L Freeman
- Department of Biology, California State University Fresno, Fresno, California, United States of America.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Liu W, Schat H, Bliek M, Chen Y, McGrath SP, George G, Salt DE, Zhao FJ. Knocking out ACR2 does not affect arsenic redox status in Arabidopsis thaliana: implications for as detoxification and accumulation in plants. PLoS One 2012; 7:e42408. [PMID: 22879969 PMCID: PMC3412857 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0042408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2012] [Accepted: 07/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Many plant species are able to reduce arsenate to arsenite efficiently, which is an important step allowing detoxification of As through either efflux of arsenite or complexation with thiol compounds. It has been suggested that this reduction is catalyzed by ACR2, a plant homologue of the yeast arsenate reductase ScACR2. Silencing of AtACR2 was reported to result in As hyperaccumulation in the shoots of Arabidopsis thaliana. However, no information of the in vivo As speciation has been reported. Here, we investigated the effect of AtACR2 knockout or overexpression on As speciation, arsenite efflux from roots and As accumulation in shoots. T-DNA insertion lines, overexpression lines and wild-type (WT) plants were exposed to different concentrations of arsenate for different periods, and As speciation in plants and arsenite efflux were determined using HPLC-ICP-MS. There were no significant differences in As speciation between different lines, with arsenite accounting for >90% of the total extractable As in both roots and shoots. Arsenite efflux to the external medium represented on average 77% of the arsenate taken up during 6 h exposure, but there were no significant differences between WT and mutants or overexpression lines. Accumulation of As in the shoots was also unaffected by AtACR2 knockout or overexpression. Additionally, after exposure to arsenate, the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) strain with ScACR2 deleted showed similar As speciation as the WT with arsenite-thiol complexes being the predominant species. Our results suggest the existence of multiple pathways of arsenate reduction in plants and yeast.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenju Liu
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
- College of Resources and Environmental Science, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei Province, China
| | - Henk Schat
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mathijs Bliek
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yi Chen
- Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
| | | | - Graham George
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - David E. Salt
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Fang-Jie Zhao
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Donner E, Ryan CG, Howard DL, Zarcinas B, Scheckel KG, McGrath SP, de Jonge MD, Paterson D, Naidu R, Lombi E. A multi-technique investigation of copper and zinc distribution, speciation and potential bioavailability in biosolids. Environ Pollut 2012; 166:57-64. [PMID: 22475551 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2012.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2011] [Revised: 02/15/2012] [Accepted: 02/17/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The use of biosolids in agriculture continues to be debated, largely in relation to their metal contents. Our knowledge regarding the speciation and bioavailability of biosolids metals is still far from complete. In this study, a multi-technique approach was used to investigate copper and zinc speciation and partitioning in one contemporary and two historical biosolids used extensively in previous research and field trials. Using wet chemistry and synchrotron spectroscopy techniques it was shown that copper/zinc speciation in the biosolids was largely equivalent despite the biosolids being derived from different countries over a 50 year period. Furthermore, copper speciation was consistently dominated by sorption to organic matter whereas Zn partitioned mainly to iron oxides. These data suggest that the results of historical field trials are still relevant for modern biosolids and that further risk assessment studies should concentrate particularly on Cu as this metal is associated with the mineralisable biosolids fraction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Donner
- Centre for Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation, University of South Australia, Building X, Mawson Lakes Campus, South Australia 5095, Australia.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Zhang X, Uroic MK, Xie WY, Zhu YG, Chen BD, McGrath SP, Feldmann J, Zhao FJ. Phytochelatins play a key role in arsenic accumulation and tolerance in the aquatic macrophyte Wolffia globosa. Environ Pollut 2012; 165:18-24. [PMID: 22398017 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2012.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2011] [Revised: 02/07/2012] [Accepted: 02/09/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The rootless duckweed Wolffia globosa can accumulate and tolerate relatively large amounts of arsenic (As); however, the underlying mechanisms were unknown. W. globosa was exposed to different concentrations of arsenate with or without l-buthionine sulphoximine (BSO), a specific inhibitor of γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase. Free thiol compounds and As(III)-thiol complexes were identified and quantified using HPLC - high resolution ICP-MS - accurate mass ESI-MS. Without BSO, 74% of the As accumulated in the duckweed was complexed with phytochelatins (PCs), with As(III)-PC(4) and As(III)-PC(3) being the main species. BSO was taken up by the duckweed and partly deaminated. The BSO treatment completely suppressed the synthesis of PCs and the formation of As(III)-PC complexes, and also inhibited the reduction of arsenate to arsenite. BSO markedly decreased both As accumulation and As tolerance in W. globosa. The results demonstrate an important role of PCs in detoxifying As and enabling As accumulation in W. globosa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Moore KL, Zhao FJ, Gritsch CS, Tosi P, Hawkesford MJ, McGrath SP, Shewry PR, Grovenor CR. Localisation of iron in wheat grain using high resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry. J Cereal Sci 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcs.2011.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
|
49
|
van Gestel CAM, McGrath SP, Smolders E, Ortiz MD, Borgman E, Verweij RA, Buekers J, Oorts K. Effect of long-term equilibration on the toxicity of molybdenum to soil organisms. Environ Pollut 2012; 162:1-7. [PMID: 22243841 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2011.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2011] [Revised: 08/12/2011] [Accepted: 10/09/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
To determine if long-term equilibration may alleviate molybdenum toxicity, earthworms, enchytraeids, collembolans and four plant species were exposed to three soils freshly spiked with Na(2)MoO(4).2H(2)O and equilibrated for 6 or 11 months in the field with free drainage. Total Mo concentrations in soil decreased by leaching, most (up to 98%) in sandy soil and less (54-62%) in silty and clayey soils. Changes in residual Mo toxicity with time were inconclusive in sandy soil. In the other two soils, toxicity of residual total Mo was significantly reduced after 11 months equilibration with a median 5.5-fold increase in ED50s. Mo fixation in soil, i.e. the decrease of soil solution Mo concentrations at equivalent residual total soil Mo, was maximally a factor of 2.1 only. This experiment shows natural attenuation of molybdate ecotoxicity under field conditions is related to leaching of excess Mo and other ions as well as to slow ageing reactions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cornelis A M van Gestel
- Department of Animal Ecology, Faculty of Earth and Life Science, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Abstract
This study assessed the mortality of 157 snapper Pagrus auratus (9-29 cm, total length, L(T) ) after being conventionally angled and then released into cages (along with 48 controls) for 4 days off south-eastern Australia. Fatalities were restricted to 12 angled fish (7·6%) and mostly attributed to the ingestion of hooks and especially their subsequent removal, which caused substantial blood loss and immediate death. Hook ingestion was significantly biased towards smaller fish (<21 cm L(T)) and attributed to a lower chance of anglers initially detecting these individuals on the line (allowing them to consume more of the baits). While mortalities might be reduced in future via (1) choosing terminal rigs that promote mouth hooking and (2) cutting the line on any-hook ingested fish, the results nevertheless validate releasing unwanted angled inshore juvenile P. auratus as a means for managing their exploitation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M K Broadhurst
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries Conservation Technology Unit, National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|