Asian Soil Research Journal
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Microbial Remediation of Used Engine Oil from Contaminated Soil around Automobile Workshop in Calabar Metropolis, Cross River State, Nigeria
No full textMicrobial biodegradation of engine oil contaminated soil in Calabar Metropolis was studied for a period of six (6) months (January to June, 2017). The soil samples collected were ice boxed and taken to the laboratory for microbial, total hydrocarbon, total organic carbon and other physico-chemical parameters analysis. A total of thirteen (13) indigenous bacteria species were identified in the soil of the sites analyzed during the study, which includes; Staphylococcus spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus spp., E. coli, Enterococcus feacalis, Shigella spp., Arthrobacter spp., Alcaligen spp., Acinobacter spp., Azotobacter spp., Aeromonas spp., Xanthomonas spp. and Clostridium spp. The most abundant bacteria in the contaminated site was Staphylococcus spp. (65%) while the least bacteria count in the contaminated site was Clostridium spp. (9%). Staphylococcus spp. was the most abundant indigenous bacterial species and also the most effective biodegradation bacteria. The identified indigenous bacteria utilized the hydrocarbons, multiplied rapidly and then degraded the total hydrocarbon and total organic carbon more in the contaminated site compared to the control site. Site one recorded the highest bacteria count (927) while the least bacteria counts were recorded in the control site (81). The bacteria species showed its degradation and bioremediation capabilities prompting the need for its use in cleaning crude oil contaminated sites, due to the fact that it is cheap and not environmentally harmful
Influence of Grass Mulch on Soil Physical Attributes of a Luvisol and Water Requirement of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) in the Transition Zone of Ghana
No full textThe experiment was conducted to assess the influence of grass mulch on some soil physical attributes of a luvisol and water requirement of cowpea in the transition zone of Ghana at the University of Education, Winneba, Mampong campus. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used. The grass mulch rates were; 1 t ha-1, 3 t ha-1, 5 t ha-1 and control (no mulch) with four replications. The grass mulch was applied evenly on the soil surface under a cultivated cowpea. Parameters assessed were soil aggregate stability, bulk density, soil porosity, soil gravimetric and volumetric moisture contents, cumulative infiltration, sorptivity, organic matter content and cowpea seed yield. The study showed that mulching improved cowpea seed yield, soil gravimetric moisture content, soil volumetric moisture content, cumulative infiltration amount, infiltration rate, sorptivity and soil residual moisture. The soil physical parameters measured in both the minor and major seasons were higher on the 5 t ha-1 plots but lower on the control (no mulch) plots. There was a significant (P = .05, r = 0.61) positive correlation between the cowpea seed yield and soil gravimetric moisture content. Estimation of water requirement of cowpea using the Blaney-Criddle method produced higher values in 2010 (629.70 mm season-1), 2011 (619.60 mm season-1) than the field graphical estimated values in 2010 (399.00 mm season-1), 2011 (357.0 mm season-1) and improvised evaporation pan values in 2010 (347.90 mm season-1), 2011 (136.11 mm season-1) seasons Although cowpea is tolerant to water deficit to some extent, the use of 5 t ha-1 mulch for sustainable soil moisture management would be important in areas of erratic and inadequate rainfall
Production and Application of No-purified Rhamnolipids in the Soil-washing of TPHs Contaminated Soils
No full textAims: This work aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of producing (mono- and di-) rhamnolipids employing a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain ATCC 9027 employing olive oil as a substrate and some mineral salts. This rhamnolipid is a biosurfactants with multiple applications The CMC of this product under different conditions (filtered, unfiltered, in the presence and absence of Fe and Mg, at different pH values) was assessed. At the end, the UP was assessed in the washing of a TPH contaminated soil.
Place and Duration of Study: Bioprocess department. Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Biotecnologia-IPN facilities, during 2016.
Methodology: Rhamnolipids were produced with P. aeruginosa in olive oil, then by drying the culture broth was generated an unpurified product (UP) that contained 0.19% rhamnolipids. Critical micelle concentration CMC of UP products were evaluated in the presence of Ca2+ or Fe3+ from 0.5 to 2 mM, and pH values from 4 to 10. Finally, this surfactant was assessed in the washing of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils, and compared with other synthetic surfactants.
Results: It was found that CMCs were similar to those reported in the literature for pure rhamnolipids. The UP products have shown dynamic behavior in the soil washing at concentrations below 176 mg/L because removed 80% of 6,500 mg TPH/Kg from a gravel-sandy soil; the rhamnolipids could be removed TPH through mobilization mechanism.
Conclusion: It was possible to produce rhamnolipid using olive oil as carbon source and strain of P. aeruginosa ATCC 9027 to levels of 100 mg/L. It was feasible to produce a powder containing 1.19% of rhamnolipids. The UP had better properties as a surfactant than the purified product. The pH affects the CMC of the rhamnolipids in a way that promotes their behavior as ionic surfactant or nonionic surfactant. The ionic strength with Ca 2+ and Fe3+ has an effect on the CMC of rhamnolipids so that the decreases in the range of 35 to 41 mg/L in the presence of 0.5 to 2 mM of metals. The UP rhamnolipids were employed for washing soil contaminated with 6,500 mg/kg increased TPH removal at low concentrations and to be as effective as chemical surfactants. TPH removal observed was about 80% for rhamnolipid with a CMC x 0.074 concentration
Effect of Phosphorus Levels on Soil Properties and Plant Tissues of Two Nerica Varieties
No full textPhosphorus levels in the soil are easily fixed and rendered unavailable to plants even if they are found to be high and therefore, its influence on uptake of other nutrients such as nitrogen, and potassium cannot be overemphasized. In that view, an experiment was set out at KALRO-Mwea to investigate on the effect of phosphorus levels on soil properties and plant tissue nutrient contents of Nerica rice variety. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design in split-split plot arrangement and replicated thrice. Two rice varieties (Nerica 11 and Nerica 4) formed the main plots and 4 phosphorus levels (0 kg P/ha, 25 kg P/ha, 50 kg P/ha and 75 kg P/ha) formed the sub plots. Highest net pH decreases of 0.20 and 0.22 units were recorded at 75 Kg haˉ¹ P2O5 in season 1 and season 2 respectively, while the lowest net decreases of 0.12 and 0.16 were elicited at 50 Kg haˉ¹ P2O5 treatment in season 1 and season 2 respectively. A net decrease was observed in all the CEC levels where phosphorus was applied in all the seasons in which the highest net decrease of 1.09 and 1.03 during season 1 and 2 respectively was elicited on the control treatment, while the lowest net decrease of 0.61 and 0.59 was elicited by the 50 Kg haˉ¹ P2O5 rate in season 1 and 2 respectively. There was an inverse relationship exhibited between the phosphorus level of applications and the soil phosphorus net decrease across the two seasons. The net decrease was highest at 0 Kg haˉ¹ P2O5 and increased significantly with increasing phosphorus rate. That content of soil nitrogen were low with a marginal increase recorded with application of phosphorus across the seasons. The highest net increase of 0.05% was observed at the 75 Kg haˉ¹ P2O5 rate and control in season 1 while the application rate of 50 Kg haˉ¹ P2O5 had the lowest net increase of 0.02% in season 2. Highest mean plant-tissue phosphorus of 62.05 ppm was recorded in Nerica 4 under 75 kg P/ha treatment. Highest plant tissue nitrogen of 0.686% and 0.713% for Nerica 4 and 11 respectively were elicited at 75 kg haˉ¹ P2O5 in season 1, whereas in season 2 the highest plant tissue nitrogen of 0.721% and 0.691% at 75 kg haˉ¹ P2O5 for Nerica 11 and 4 respectively was recorded. Application of phosphorous led to the highest plant-tissue phosphorus in both seasons indicating the importance of proper P fertilizer application where from this study 50-75 kg haˉ¹ P2O5 rate is recommended in rice growing
Chemical and Physical Properties of Soils in Mt. Apo and Mt. Hamiguitan, Mindanao, the Philippines
No full textAims: The study was aimed to determine the edaphic qualities of two Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites in Mindanao; Mt Apo in Cotabato and Mt. Hamiguitan in Davao Oriental, the Philippines
Study Design: Random soil sampling within the plots
Place and Duration of Study: Analyses of the soil samples collected from each site were performed at Soil and Plant Analysis Laboratory (SPAL), Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon, the Philippines from October, 2012 to December 2013.
Methodology: One hectare permanent plot was established in each site. Soil profile description was done in a pit measuring 1m wide, 1.5m long and 1m deep in each site. Soil samples for physicochemical characterization were collected within the plot. Soil physical properties included bulk density, particle density, soil texture and water holding capacity while the chemical properties included soil pH, organic matter, extractable P and exchangeable K contents using the methods employed at SPAL.
Results: Results showed that the soils in Mt. Apo were extremely to very strongly acidic, had very high organic matter contents, slightly deficient to very deficient in extractable P, low to very high exchangeable K content, low particle and bulk density values, high porosity, moderate water holding capacity and moderately coarse to moderately fine-textured soils belonging to loamy textural class. On the other hand, the soils in Mt. Hamiguitan were slightly to very strongly acidic, contained adequate organic matter content, low extractable P, low exchangeable K, low particle and bulk density values, high porosity, moderate water holding capacity and are moderately fine to fine-textured belonging to loamy and clay textural classes. Generally, soils in Mt. Apo were more acidic but with relatively higher fertility status and comparable physical make-up with the soils in Mt. Hamiguitan.
Conclusion: It was found that both sites have some soil constraints, particularly in terms of soil acidity and low nutrient availability to plants. Information obtained on this study revealed that identification of soil constraints are indispensable in formulating proper land use and conservation program
Association of Soil Parameters with Various Age Classes of Forests of Mukundpur, Satna, Forest Division, Madhya Pradesh, India
No full textAims: This forest area was susceptible to illicit felling, encroachment and illicit mining. From this problem the forests are changing from stocked - under stocked - blank forests. The majority of the area are blank and under stocked category. To re-vegetate the blank and under stocked area into stocked forests, the soil parameters in the study area were needed to be studied in detail. In the present study the associations of soil parameters like pH, electrical conductivity, availability of major nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium) and micro nutrients like (copper, manganese, iron and zinc) with various age classes of forests were analyzed.
Study Design: Stratified systematic random sampling.
Place and Duration of Study: Study area was the forest area of 111.55 km2 of Mukundpur range of Satna Forest division, Madhya Pradesh, India. Field work was carried out during October 2015 to January 2016.
Methodology: The vegetation sampling had been done to assess the forest resource survey. Stratified systematic random sampling method was used for sampling the vegetation. The minimum numbers of sample points were calculated using statistical formula. The 151 sample points at 30”x 30” were selected on safer side with the help of GPS. Half kg of soil sample was collected from central quadrat from the depth of 30 cm from the sample point and air-dried under shade. These samples were sent to soil testing lab Rewa to assess the soil parameters pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, available nitrogen, available P2O5, available K2O and micronutrient analysis for availability of zinc, iron, manganese and copper. The Microsoft access program was developed to evaluate the above soil parameters in various age classes of forests. Age classes of forest are defined as, Mature: where average girth of forest trees is more than 120 cm, Middle age: where the average girth of trees of a particular forest stands between 61-120 cm, Young age: where average girth of trees of particular stand is below 60 cm.
Results: Results of individual soil parameters on various age classes of forests were summarized below:
The average value of pH in different age classes did not change significantly with average value of pH of the study area. The electrical conductivity within encroachment and blank category significantly changed but in medium and young age classes it did not differ significantly with average electrical conductivity of the study area. In encroachment and blank organic carbon content and available nitrogen were significantly higher but in medium and young age classes these parameters did not change significantly with the average value of organic carbon content and available nitrogen of the study area. The average value of available phosphorous in blank and young age classes did not change significantly but in encroachment and medium young age class it was significantly higher than the average value of available phosphorous of the whole study area. The average value of available K2O in encroachment, blank and young age class did not change significantly but it changed significantly in medium age class with average K2O value of study area. Except the encroachment category, the average zinc and iron value in blank, medium and young age classes did not change significantly with average value of the study area. The average value of Mn in encroachment and blank varied significantly but in medium and young category it did not change significantly with the average value of the study area. The average values of Cu with in Blank and young age classes did not change significantly but it had changed significantly in encroachment in medium age class with average value of the study area.
The results of combined effects of pH, EC, Organic Carbon and combined impact of nitrogen, P2O5 and K2O (macro nutrients) did not have significant association within various age classes of study area. The results of combined effects of Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu did not have significant association within various age classes of study area.
Conclusion: The effects of pH, electrical conductivity and organic carbon were not significant in age classes of study area either individually or jointly. The available nitrogen did not play significant role in age class formation of forest but P2O5 and K2O did make significant impact on medium age classes individually, but the combined effects of nitrogen, P2O5 and K2O (macro nutrients) did not have significant association within various age classes of study area. Individually the Zn, Fe and Mn did not play significant impact on age class formation of the forest, though Cu is significant in medium age classes. The overall impacts of Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu did not have significant association within various age classes of study area
Effect of Organic Nutrient Management on Soil Physical and Chemical Properties in South Gujarat Condition
No full textA field experiment was conducted to study the effect of organic nutrient on soil properties. During rabi season of 2016-17 at Organic Farm (F block), Aspee College of Horticulture and Forestry Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari Gujarat. The experiment was laid out in a Factorial Randomizes Block Design, comprising fifteen treatment combinations. The results indicated that significantly higher organic carbon content (1.22 %), available Nitrogen (229.52 kgN/ha), phosphorus, P2O5 (106.51 kgP/ha), potassium, K2O (599.60 kgK/ha) and Zinc (0.61 mgZn/kg) were found with the treatment O1 (100 % Nadep compost) and at par with O2 whereas, treatment O2 (75 % Nadep compost) registered significantly higher DTPA-Fe (15.35 mgFe/kg) and Manganese (17.27 mgMn/kg). No significant effect of different levels of Nadep compost was observed on pH, electric conductivity (EC), copper, DTPA-Cu and soil physical properties. Application of liquid organic manure failed to generate any significant effect on soil physic-chemical properties
Remediation Technology for Copper Contaminated Soil: A Review
No full textCopper is a naturally occurring trace element present in all environmental media, including soil, sediment, air and water. It is an essential micronutrient critical for cell function, playing a vital role in processes. Copper contamination to agricultural soils is of great concern due to its wide and continuous use in agriculture and horticulture as fertilizers and fungicide. Copper contaminated soil is mainly attributed to agriculture activities such as continuous application of copper-based fungicides and pesticides application. A minireview was carried out using peer-reviewed articles published from 2000 to 2017, which methods of remediating copper soil. The AGORA and Google Scholar databases were used to conduct the search for articles using the terms copper and phytoremediation, Copper and Biological remediation, Copper and soil washing OR physical methods. Following these searches, 19 journal articles out of a total of 191 articles satisfied criteria for inclusion and were used in the final systematic review. The study showed that remediation technology for copper contaminated soil is divided into physical, chemical and biological categories. Physical methods are laborious and costly but can be applied to highly contaminated site; chemical methods have high efficiency and effective to remove the copper, but mostly popularized in a large scale; bioremediation methods including phytoremediation and microbial remediation are appropriate for large areas of soil contaminated by low concentrations of copper. The bioremediation methods are economical, eco-friendly but time consuming
Impact of Irrigation Intervals on the Yield and Quality of Lupine (Lupinus termis L.) Grown in Sandy Soil Amended by an Organic Amendment
No full textAims: Two field experiments have been carried out to study the effect of different irrigation periods in the presence of compost as an organic amendment on the yield and quality of lupine (Lupinus termis L.) under the sandy soil conditions.
Study Design: Split-plot design.
Place and Duration of Study: The successive winter seasons of 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 at the Ismailia Agricultural Research Station, (30°35\u2730" N 32°14\u2750" E elevation 3 m), Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Egypt.
Methodology: Compost has been applied at the rates of 11.90, 23.81 and 35.71 ton/ha before planting. Three irrigation intervals were assigned after planting by 3, 6, and 9 days; the applied water volume for each was 4761.91 m3/ha.
Results: After harvesting, some parameters were estimated. As the compost rates increased, the soil EC significantly decreased while the available N, P, K, and Fe were significantly increased by 9.51, 12.79, 5.17, and 5.8%, respectively. For same compost rate, the irrigation intervals (3, 6, and 9 days) significantly decreased the available N relatively by 2.88, 5.16, and 6.96%, respectively and the available K by 3.45, 5.06, and 4.37%, respectively. The 6 days interval showed that most significant increase in the seeds\u27 content of nutrients at different compost rates and the seed yield has increased by 19.59, 22.31, and 21.88% for the compost rates of 11.90, 23.81, and 35.71 ton/ha, respectively. The relative increase was by 20.48, 7.63, 4.49, 10.89, and 14.92% for the crude protein, crude lipids, total ash, TSS and the amino acids, respectively. The effect of treatments on the relative shoot moisture (%) and the field water use efficiency (F.W.U.E.) (kg/m3) was discussed.
Conclusion: The 6 days irrigation interval along with a compost application rate of 23.81 ton/ha can be recommended for lupine grown in sandy soil as they showed the most significant increase in the nutrients content of seeds by 22.31%
Critical Moisture Content, Bulk Density Relationships and Compaction of Cultivated and Uncultivated Soils in the Humid Tropics
No full textSoil compaction affects soil fertility through increasing bulk density and soil strength. It also decreases infiltration rate, total porosity and amount of water stored in the root zone for crop use. In this study, we evaluated the optimum moisture contents (OMC) in relation to maximum dry density (MDD) and compaction of cultivated and uncultivated soils. The study was carried out on four land use types viz: uncultivated: Velvet tamarind (Dialium quineese), rubber plantation (Hevea brasiliensis) and cultivated: 5-year fallow and 10-year continuous cultivated soil to maize crop. Proctor test for the maximum dry density-moisture content relationship was carried out, including some hydraulic and structural properties of the soil, and their effect soil compaction. Results showed that optimum moisture content (OMC) for compaction relate to the maximum dry density (MDD). In which case, dry density increased with water content to a maximum and decrease as moisture content increased above the optimum. Soil organic matter (SOM) content and particle size distribution highly affected the MDD and OMC. The MDD and OMC were: 1.92 g cm-3 and 10.4%, 1.95 g cm-3 and 11.2%, 1.91 g cm-3 and 12.3%, and 1.87 g cm-3 and 12.8% for velvet tamarind, 5-year fallow, CC and rubber plantation soils respectively, at 0-15 cm depth. Changes in field bulk densities at similar depths were in the order of velvet tamarind < rubber < 5-year fallow < CC. There were highly significant (p < 0.01) relationships between MDD, total porosity, Ksat and SOM and negative relationships between these parameters and OMC. Thus, continuous cultivation increased MDD and reduced OMC for compaction. Two- season fallow periods with legume could improve soil hydraulic properties and maintain the MDD of sandy soils at minimum.