Post-fire recovery of nematode communities along a slope gradient in a pine forest.

We investigated the enduring consequences of a wildfire on nematode diversity and abundance in a pine forest, employing a slope gradient approach. Our primary objective was to determine the extent of post-fire alterations in the nematode community 3 years after the incident, to understand if the ecosystem has returned to its pre-fire state or has transitioned to a distinctive ecological environment. Three distinct burned pine forest sites at varying elevations were sampled to capture short-scale soil property variations due to slope gradients, while unburned forest sites served as controls.

Se(IV)/Se(VI) adsorption mechanisms on natural and on Ca-modified zeolite for Mediterranean soils amended with the modified zeolite: prospects for agronomic applications.

In the present study, the ability of a modified CaCl zeolite (Ca-Z) to both increase Se(IV) availability and restrict Se(VI) mobility in soils is examined. As it was resulted from batch experiments and verified by X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopies, higher amounts of both Se species adsorbed on Ca-Z compared to natural zeolite (Z-N) forming outer-sphere complexes while the oxidation state did not alter during agitation of samples. Thereafter, Ca-Z was incorporated in six Greek soils, divided into acid and alkaline, at a 20% (w/w) rate and a series of equilibrium batch experiments were performed with soils alone and soils-Ca-Z mixtures to investigate sorption and desorption processes and mechanisms.

Biochar application as a soil potassium management strategy: A review.

The established practices of intensive agriculture, combined with inadequate soil Κ replenishment by conventional inorganic fertilization, results in a negative environmental impact through the gradual exhaustion of different forms of K reserves in soils. Although biochar application as soil amendment has been established as an approach of integrated nutrient management, few works have focused on the impact of biochar application to soil K availability and crop uptake. This review provides an up-to-date analysis of the published literature, focusing on the impact of biochar in the availability of potassium in soil and crop growth.

Towards a Soil Remediation Strategy Using Biochar: Effects on Soil Chemical Properties and Bioavailability of Potentially Toxic Elements.

Soil contamination with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) is considered one of the most severe environmental threats, while among remediation strategies, research on the application of soil amendments has received important consideration. This review highlights the effects of biochar application on soil properties and the bioavailability of potentially toxic elements describing research areas of intense current and emerging activity. Using a visual scientometric analysis, our study shows that between 2019 and 2020, research sub-fields like earthworm activities and responses, greenhouse gass emissions, and low molecular weight organic acids have gained most of the attention when biochar was investigated for soil remediation purposes.

Selenium Uptake by Lettuce ( L.) and Berseem () as Affected by the Application of Sodium Selenate, Soil Acidity and Organic Matter Content.

Selenium deficiency in humans and animals can be reduced through dietary supplementation. Therefore, Se biofortification strategy is important in food plants and pastures. In this study, the effects of selenium (Se) addition (4 mg Se/kg) as sodium selenate (NaSeO) on lettuce ( L.