Progress 06/01/05 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Long term use of copper-containing fungicides in citrus groves has resulted in copper (Cu) buildup in the soil, but the effects of Cu contamination on microbial properties of citrus grove soils remain poorly understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of long-term application of Cu-containing fungicides on microbial biomass, and bacterial community structure and diversity in five representative commercial citrus groves (5, 21, 27, 36 and 43 yrs of planting history, respectively) soils, with one adjacent pasture soil as a reference. With increasing planting time of citrus, Cu concentrations in the soils increased, while microbiological properties including microbial biomass carbon (Cmic), microbial quotient, and the diversity of operational taxonomic units based on DGGE community fingerprinting decreased. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that Cmic, microbial quotient and bacterial community diversity were affected by Cu concentration and other soil properties such as total N and available P, but the effect of Cu was dominant. These results indicate that long-term application of Cu-containing fungicides has adverse effects on microbial biomass and bacterial community diversity in citrus grove soils. Sequencing of partial 16S rRNA gene fragments revealed that a shift of total bacterial community composition occurred as a result of Cu contamination, and the soils of more severely Cu-polluted citrus groves were dominated by bacteria γ-Proteobacterium, Acidobacteria, Firmicutes and β-Proteobacterium, whereas certain strains of σ-Proteobacterium, γ-Proteobacterium, Firmicutes and Cyanobacteria were the dominant bacteria in the young citrus grove soils. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Soil contamination by copper due to repeated use of fungicides is on the rise worldwide, but its impact on soil quality, agricultural production, and the environment is not well understood. The results from this study indicate that soil contamination by copper reduces microbial biomass and microbial community structure, thus affecting nutrient cycling in crop production system. This information will facilitate the development of best management practices for remediating and managing copper polluted soils.
Publications
- Yang, Y.G., Z. L. He, Y. Lin, and P. J. Stoffella. 2010. Phosphorus availability in sediments from a tidal river receiving runoff water from agricultural fields. Agric. Water Management 97:1722-1730.
- Wu, C. Y., L. L. Lu, X. E. Yang, Y. Feng, Y. Y. Wei, H. L. Hao, P. J. Stoffella, and Z. L. He. 2010. Uptake, translocation, and remobilization of zinc absorption at different growth stage by rice genotypes of different Zn densities. J. Agric. Food Chem.58:6767-6773.
- Yang, X. E., Y. E. Chao, H. B. Ye, Z. L. He and P. J. Stoffella. 2010. Zinc and lead accumulation by two contrasting evcotypes of sedum alfredii Hance at different zinc/lead complex levels. Commun Soil Sci. Plant Anal.
- Nogueira, T.A.R., W.J. DeMelo, I.M. Fonseca, M.O Marques, and Z. L. He. 2010. Barium uptake by maize plants as affected by sewage sludge in a long-term field study. J. Hazardous Materials 181:1148-1157.
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Irrigation using reclaimed wastewater (RWW) is receiving renewed attention with increasing expense and reduced supplies of freshwater. The objectives of this study were: i) to determine the concentrations of nutrients and toxic elements in the RWW, as well as Na, C, N, P and K concentrations in soil and plants that were irrigated with the water for 11 years, and ii) to evaluate the potential impacts of long-term irrigation with RWW on soil fertility and soil salinity. Soil samples of a commercial citrus grove (Citrus paradise Macf. x Citrus aurantium L.) of two sites irrigated with RWW and well water (WW) were collected from different layers (0-15, 15-30, 30-45, 45-90 cm) and analyzed for EC, pH, total C and N, extractable N-NO3-, N-NH4+, P, K, and Na. Leaf samples were analyzed for N, d15N, C, P, K and Na. Wastewater irrigation improved soil fertility by the addition of nutrients representing 31%, 85%, and 78% of N, P and K, respectively, of the total amounts removed by the harvested fruits. Nitrogen and d15N%o built up 3.3% and 46% in plant tissue. Potassium in the plant tissue decreased by 19% and was replaced by Na due to the high Na input from the RWW. Sodium concentration in leaf tissue was increased by 195%. However, the risks of soil salinization and plant growth appear to be minimal due to the adequate quality of RWW and high annual precipitation in the local area of this study. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
The global demand for food is expected to double from 1991 to 2030, leading consequently to increasing water use for food production. Agriculture is estimated to withdraw two-thirds of the worlds' fresh water, which accounts for 90% of total water consumption Therefore, it is of crucial importance to improve the efficiency of water use. Beneficial re-use of reclaimed water can significantly contribute to water conservation. However, there is public concern regarding the impact of waste water irrigation on soil and water quality as well as food safety due to lack of long-term monitoring studies. The results from this study indicate that irrigation with municipal reclaimed water can not only save million gallon of water per ha per year but also improves soil quality and productivity by adding organic matter and nutrients (N, P and K) to the soils with minimal risk to the environment and food quality.
Publications
- Chen, W.R., Z.L. He, X.E. Yang, S. Mishra and P. J. Stoffella. 2009. Chlorine nutrition in higher plants. Journal of Plant Nutrition (in press).
- Lu, Q., Z. L. He, D. A. Graetz, P. J. Stoffella , and X. E. Yang. 2009. Phytoremediation to remove nutrients and improve eutrophic stormwaters using water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes L.). Environmental Science and Pollution Research (in press).
- Chen W.R.;He Z. L.;Yang X. E. 2009 Zinc efficiency is correlated with root morphology, ultrastructure and antioxidative enzymes in rice. Journal of Plant Nutrition 32(1 & 2):287-296
- Jin X.F.;Liu D.;Islam E.;Mahmood Q. Yang X. E.;He Z. L.;Stoffella P. J. 2009. Effects of zinc on root morphology and antioxidant adaptations of cadmium-treated sedum alfredii H. Journal of Plant Nutrition 32(10):1642-1657
- Li T.Q.;Yang X. E.;Lu L.L.;Islam E.;He Z. L. 2009. Effects of zinc and cadmium interactions on root morphology and metal translocation in a hyperaccumulating species under hydroponic conditions. Journal of Hazardous Materials 169(1-3):734-742
- Lu L.L.;Tian S.K.;Yang X.E.;Li T.Q;He Z.L. 2009 Cadmium uptake and xylem loading are active processes in the hyperaccumulator sedium alfredii. Journal of Plant Physiology 166(6):579-588
- Vieira F. C. B.;He Z. L.;Wilson C.;Bayer C. 2009. Speciation of aluminum in solution of an acidic sandy soil amended with organic composts Communication in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 40 (13 & 14):2094-2101
- Wang Y. B.;He Z. L. 2009. Effect of probiotics on alkaline phosphatase activity and nutrient level in sediment of shrimp, Penaeus vannamei, ponds. Aquaculture 287(1 & 2):94-98
- Yang Y.G.;He Z.L.;Lin Y.J;Phlips E.J.;Stoffella P. J.;Powell C. A. 2009 Temporal and spatial variations of Cu, Cd, Pb, and Zn in Ten Mile Creek in South. Journal of Water Environmental Research 81(1 & 2):40-51
- He Z.L.;Fan J.;Yang X.E.;Stoffella P.J. 2009 Effect of copper contamination on soil quality and transport to the environment. Proceedings of 2009 International Symposium on Environmental Science & Technology, Li S. C.;Wang Y.J.;Cao F.X.;Huang P.;Zhang Y. (ed.), Vol 2 Part B: 1892-1898. Science Press, USA Inc., Beijing.
- Yang J.Y.;He Z. L.;Yang Y.G.;Stoffella P. J. 2009. Use of soil amendments to reduce leaching of nitrogen and other nutrients in sandy soil of Florida. Proceedings of the 66 Annual Meeting of Soil and Crop Science Society of Florida. Boote K (ed), FL Soil and Crop Science Society of Florida, Gainesville, FL. Vol. 66.
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Water quality impairment by nutrient enrichment from agricultural activities has been a concern worldwide. Phytoremediation technology using aquatic plants in constructed wetlands and stormwater detention ponds is increasingly applied to remediate eutrophic waters. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness and potential of water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes L.) in removing nutrients including nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from stormwater in the constructed water detention systems before it is discharged into the St Lucie Estuary, an important surface water system in Florida, using phytoremediation technologies. In this study, water lettuce (P. stratiotes) was planted in the treatment plots of two stormwater detention ponds (East and West Ponds) in 2005-07 and water samples from both treatment and control plots were weekly collected and analyzed for water quality properties including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), turbidity, suspended solids, and nutrients (N and P). Optimum plant density was maintained and plant samples was monthly collected and analyzed for nutrient contents. Water quality in both ponds was improved, as evidenced by decreases in water turbidity, suspended solids and nutrient concentrations. Water turbidity was decreased by more than 60%. Inorganic N (NH4+ and NO3-) concentrations in treatments plots were more than 50% lower than those in control plots (without plant). Reductions in both PO43- and total P were approximately 14-31%, as compared to the control plots. Water lettuce contained average N and P concentrations of 17 and 3.0 g kg-1, respectively, and removed 190-329 kg N ha-1 and 25-34 kg P ha-1 annually. Many aquatic plants have been used to remove nutrients from eutrophic waters but water lettuce showed superior to most other plants in nutrient removal efficiency, owing to its rapid growth and high biomass yield potential. However, the growth and nutrient removal potential are affected by many factors such as temperature, water salinity, and physiological limitations of the plant. Low temperature, high concentration of salts and low concentration of nutrients may reduce the performance of this plant in removing nutrients. Conclusions The results from this study indicate that water lettuce has great potential in removing N and P from eutrophic stormwaters and improving other water quality properties. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Water lettuce can be used to remediate eutrophic stormwater in water detention systems or constructed wetlands. However, grown-up biomass of water lettuce needs to be removed from water to keep an optimum plant density for efficient nutrient removal. It is also important that water lettuce, an invasive species, be strictly confined in the remediation system. Further studies on the performance of a variety of aquatic plants under different conditions are recommended.
Publications
- Yang,Y.G., Z.L. He, P.J. Stoffella, X.E. Yang, D.A. Graetz4, and D. Morris. 2008. Leaching behavior of phosphorus in sandy soils amended with organic material. Soil Sci. 173 (4): 257-266.
- He, L. M. and Z. L. He. 2008. Water quality prediction of marine recreational beaches receiving watershed baseflow and stormwater runoff in San Diego, California. Water Res. 42(10-11):2563-2573.
- Yang,Y.G., Z.L. He, P. J. Stoffella, D. A. Graetz, X.E. Yang, and D. J. Banks. 2008. Leaching Behavior of Lead, Zinc, Cadmium, Cobalt, Copper, Chromium and Nickel from Biosolids-amended Sandy Soils. Compost Sci. & Util. 16:144-15.
- Lone, M. I., Z. L. He, P. J. Stoffella, and X. E. Yang. 2008. Phytoremediation of heavy metal polluted soils and water: Progresses and perspectives. J. Zhejiang University-Sci. B 9 (3): 210-220.
- Yang,Y.G., Z.L. He *, Y. J. Lin, E.J. Phlips, J. Yang, G. C. Chen, P. J. Stoffella, C. A. Powell. 2008. Temporal and spatial variations of nutrients in the Ten Mile Creek of South Florida, USA and effects on phytoplankton. J. Environ. Monit. 10: 508-516.
- Lin,Y.J., Z.L. He, Y.G. Yang, P. J. Stoffella, E. J. Phlips, and C. A. Powell. 2008. Nitrogen versus phosphorus limitation of phytoplankton growth in Ten Mile Creek, Florida, USA. Hydrobiologia: 605:247-258.
- Vieira, F. C. B., Z. L. He, C. Bayer, P. J. Stoffella, and V.C. Baligar. 2008. Response of representative cover crops to aluminum toxicity, phosphorus deprivation, and organic amendment. Aust. J. Agric. Res. 59 (1):52-61.
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Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
Transport of P from agricultural land contributes to the eutrophication of surface waters. Soil amendment is considered one of the best management practices (BMPs) to reduce P loss from sandy soils. Laboratory column leaching experiments were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of different soil amendments in reducing P leaching from a typical sandy soil in Florida. The tested amendments were CaCl2, CaCO3, Al(OH)3, cellulose, and mill mud, and applied at the rate of 15 g/kg for a single amendment and each 7.5 g/kg if two amendments were combined. Leaching was conducted every four days for 32 days, 250 mL of deionized water being leached for each column per leaching event. Leachates were collected from each leaching event and analyzed for reactive P, PO4-P, and macro and micro-elements. Except for the soils amended with CaCl2, or CaCl2+CaCO3, reactive P and PO4-P leaching losses mainly occurred in the first three leaching events. Phosphorus leaching from the soils
amended with CaCl2 or CaCl2+CaCO3 was less but more persistent than that of other amendments. Reactive P leaching loss was reduced by 36.0% and 40.4% for the amendments of CaCl2, and CaCl2+CaCO3, respectively, as compared with chemical fertilizer alone, and the corresponding values for PO4-P were 70.8% and 71.9%. The concentrations of K, Mg, Cu, and Fe in leachate were also decreased by CaCl2 or CaCl2+CaCO3 amendment. Among the seven amendments, CaCl2, CaCO3, or their combination were most effective in reducing P leaching from the sandy soil, followed by cellulose and Al(OH)3, the effects of mill mud and mill mud + Al(OH)3 were marginal. These results indicate that the use of CaCl2, CaCO3, or their combination can significantly reduce P leaching from sandy soil, and should be considered in the development of BMPs for the sandy soil regions.
Impacts
Most agricultural soils in south Florida are very sandy with minimal holding capacities for moisture and nutrients. Repeated application of fertilizer is necessary to sustain desired yield of crops on these soils. However, eutrophication of fresh water systems in this area has been increasingly concerned by the public. Losses of P from agricultural fields by means of leaching and surface runoff are suspected as one of the important non-point contamination sources. The benefits and effectiveness of soil amendment in reducing P losses from cropping production systems while sustaining desired crop yield need to be demonstrated. Calcium chloride, CaCO3, or their combination significantly reduce P leaching from sandy soil, and should be considered in the development of BMPs for the sandy soil regions.
Publications
- Yang, J.Y, Z.L. He, Y. G. Yang, P.J. Stoffella, X.E. Yang, D.J. Banks, and S. Mishra. 2007. Use of amendments to reduce leaching loss of phosphorus and other nutrients from a sandy soil in Florida.
- Environmental Science and Pollution Research 14 (4): 266-269 (JUN). Xia Y.P., P.J. Stoffella, Z.L. He, M.K. Zhang, D.V. Calvert, X. Yang and S.B. Wilson. 2007. Leaching potential of heavy metals, nitrogen, and phosphate from compost -amended media. Compost Sci. & Utilization 15(1): 29-33.
- Yao, H., Z. L. He, X.E. Yang, P. J. Stoffella. 2007. Evaluation of dolomite phosphate rock N-viro soil mixtures for growth of a horticultural crop in an acidic sandy soil Communication in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 38 (11-12): 1605-1617.
- Zhang, M.K., L.P. Wang, and Z.L. He. 2007. Spatial and temporal variation of nitrogen exported by runoff from sandy agricultural soils. Journal of Environmental Sciences-China 19 (9): 1086-1092.
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Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Transport of phosphorus (P) through surface runoff from agriculture is suspected to contribute to the eutrophication of surface waters in South Florida and elsewhere. There is minimal quantitative information on the concentrations and loads of various P forms in surface runoff water on a field-scale. The objective of this study was to evaluate the annual loads of various P forms in runoff water from citrus and vegetable crop production systems in sandy soil regions in Florida and their relations to soil P status, fertilizer P input and environmental conditions. Eleven field sites (four on vegetable farms and seven in citrus groves) were selected for this monitoring study over a two-year period. The concentrations of total P (TP) in the runoff water samples varied widely from 0.01 to 22.74 mg L-1, with approximately half of the samples having the TP over 1 mg L-1. Eighty-three percent of the samples had orthophosphate (PO4-P) higher than 0.02 mg L-1. The mean
proportion of total dissolved P (TDP) in the TP was higher than that of the total particulate P (TPP). The TDP constituted the major proportion of P in runoff water from most of the sites. The PO4-P accounted for approximately 64% of the TDP. The annual median concentrations of various P forms in the runoff water varied spatially and temporally and were correlated with total and labile P in the soils (water-P, Olsen-P, Mehlich 1-P, and Mehlich 3-P) as well as fertilizer P rate. The vegetable farms had higher concentrations of P in the runoff water than citrus groves due to their more severe soil erosion and higher fertilizer P input, which resulted in higher soil P accumulation and availability. The annual loads of TP, TDP, and PO4-P varied among the field sites and between the two years. The TP loads were significantly correlated with soil labile P estimated by the four extraction procedures, but the Olsen-P was best related to runoff P. Runoff P concentrations and the annual
discharge rate accounted for 55 to 64% of the variance in the annual P loads. These results indicate that P transport through surface runoff from agriculture is affected by soil P status and water management, and merits attention in the development of best management practices.
Impacts
Transport of phosphorus (P) from agricultural production system is considered to cause water entrophication. This study provides quantitative data on the concentrations and loads of different forms of P in surface runoff from representative agricultural fields in relation to soil P status and management practices. This information will be useful for the development of best management practices and for the establishment of total maximum daily loads for the Indian River area.
Publications
- He, Z. L., M. Zhang, X. E. Yang, and P. J. Stoffella. 2006. Release behavior of copper and zinc from sandy soils. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 70:1699-1707.
- He, Z. L., M. K. Zhang, P. J. Stoffella, X. E. Yang and D.J. Banks, and D.V. Calvert. 2006. Phosphorus Concentrations and Loads in Surface Runoff from Sandy Soils under Crop Production. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 70:1807-1816.
- Chen, G.C., Z.L. He , P.J. Stoffella , X.E.Yang , S. Yu , J.Y. Yang , D.V. Calvert. 2006. Leaching potential of heavy metals (Cd, Ni, Pb, Cu and Zn) from acidic sandy soil amended with dolomite phosphate rock (DPR) fertilizers. J.Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology 20 (2): 127-133.
- He, Z. L., M. Zhang, P. J. Stoffella, and X. E. Yang. 2006. Vertical distribution and water solubility of phosphorus and heavy metals in sediments of the St. Lucie Estuary, South Florida, USA. Environ. Geol. 50:250-260.
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
See project FTP04052.
Impacts
See project FTP04052.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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