Information depth of elements affects accuracy of parallel pXRF in situ measurements of soils.

Though not litigable in most European countries, portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometers (pXRF) provide cost- and time-effective as well as prompt information about hot spots of inorganic soil contaminants. The quality of aqua regia analysis of contaminants can be approximated by a thorough sample preparation, i.e.

Signatures of chlorinated dioxins and furans along the exposure path - The relation between vegetation and soil.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzo-furans (PCDD/Fs) belong to the most toxic persistent organic environmental pollutants. Therefore, knowledge about their fate along the exposure path is of special concern. In order to comprehend the transfer of PCDD/Fs across different environmental compartments, PCDD/F concentrations in plants and in soil were evaluated.

Projected loss of soil organic carbon in temperate agricultural soils in the 21(st) century: effects of climate change and carbon input trends.

Climate change and stagnating crop yields may cause a decline of SOC stocks in agricultural soils leading to considerable CO2 emissions and reduced agricultural productivity. Regional model-based SOC projections are needed to evaluate these potential risks. In this study, we simulated the future SOC development in cropland and grassland soils of Bavaria in the 21(st) century.

Carbon sequestration potential of soils in southeast Germany derived from stable soil organic carbon saturation.

Sequestration of atmospheric carbon (C) in soils through improved management of forest and agricultural land is considered to have high potential for global CO2 mitigation. However, the potential of soils to sequester soil organic carbon (SOC) in a stable form, which is limited by the stabilization of SOC against microbial mineralization, is largely unknown. In this study, we estimated the C sequestration potential of soils in southeast Germany by calculating the potential SOC saturation of silt and clay particles according to Hassink [Plant and Soil 191 (1997) 77] on the basis of 516 soil profiles.