Our knowledge of the assembly processes of species-rich oribatid mite communities is fairly limited. Also, very little information is available on the effects of habitat factors on these processes. In this paper, the role of litter quality in pattern formation was investigated in a microcosm experiment using the "home-field advantage" approach. Native (home) and foreign (away) types of microarthropod assemblages were extracted from three types of litter samples (Turkey oak, Scots pine and black locust tree), and transferred alive into 'home' and 'away' samples, which have been defaunated and reinoculated with microorganisms to form microcosms. Microarthropods were extracted from the microcosms after incubation for 3-12 months. In addition to species identification and abundance records, some chemical properties of the litter were measured. We hypothesized that oribatid mite communities deteriorate, the proportion of parthenogenetic individuals decreases and the proportion of omnivorous individuals increases in 'away' microcosms in contrast to 'home' systems. Pine and oak litter were favourable for all the three types of oribatid communities since their community traits in these types of litter were found to be similar to 'home' litter. Black locust litter was favourable only for its native oribatid community in the long run. The proportion of parthenogenetic individuals partly supported our hypothesis, mainly in black locust litter. The relative abundance of omnivorous individuals did not differ significantly between treatments. Litter quality is likely to influence oribatid mite assemblages only indirectly.
We have monitored the behaviour of different polyethylene foils including virgin medium density polyethylene (MDPE), MDPE containing pro-oxydative additives (238, 242) and MDPE with pro-oxydative additives and thermoplastic starch (297) in the soil for a period of one year. A foil based on a blend of polyester and polylactic acid (BASF Ecovio) served as degradable control. The experiment was carried out by weekly measurements of conductivity and capacity of the soil, since the setup was analogous to a condenser, of which the insulating layer was the foil itself. The twelve replications allowed monthly sampling; the specimen taken out from the soil each month were tested visually for thickness, mechanical properties, morphological and structural changes, and molecular mass. Based on the obtained capacity values, we found that among the polyethylene foils, the one that contained thermoplastic starch extenuated the most. This foil had the greatest decrease in tensile strength and elongation at break due to the presence of thermoplastic starch. The starch can completely degrade in the soil; thus, the foil had cracks and pores. The polyethylene foils that contained pro-oxydant additives showed smaller external change compared to the virgin foil, since there was no available UV radiation and oxygen for their degradation. The smallest change occurred in the virgin polyethylene foil. Among the five examined samples, the commercially available BASF foil showed the largest extenuation and external change, and it deteriorated the most in the soil.
A complex investigation was performed for a polluted area using both experi-mental and computer modelling methods. Among the experimental methods the adsorption and desorption isotherms were measured to estimate the concentration dependent equilibrium in the soil-groundwater system. A new calculation method was worked out for determining the transport para-meters from results of laboratory tests. Heavy metal solution was leached through a soil column continuously. The effluent fluidum was collected, and the heavy metal concentration of the collected fractions was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. As the result of the analytic process breakthrough curves were measured in laboratory scale. Due to the applied initial and boundary conditions the transport equation can be solved analytically. Using the Ogata and Banks (1961) solution of the transport equation a new curve fitting method was introduced. After several transformations of the equation a theoretical function was fitted to the measured concentration vs. time and to the concentration vs. effluent volume data. The parameters of the fitted curve could be used as the dispersion and retardation parameters of a transport model. The water chemistry of the system controls the rate of adsorption and desorption of metals to and from sediment. Adsorption removes the metal from the water column and stores the metal in the substrate. Desorption returns the metal to the water column, where recirculation and bioassimilation may occur. Metals are probably desorbed from the soil if the salt concentration of the water increases, and in case of some metals decreases with the redox potential and with pH. Parallel to determining the basic transport parameters of the system using the column study, the maximal equilibrium concentration of chromium-containing compounds with different oxidation states were calculated with the MINTEQ model with two variable functions (pH and redox potential). As a result of the calculations a non-liner relation was established, as at specific points the maximal equilibrium concentration of chromium increases with a high gradient. This means that there are combinations of pH and redox potential values in the case of which chromium has a high solubility. It is advisable to avoid these points in the pH-E h field if we want to stabilize the contaminant. This state is to be reached when the goal is the mobilization of the pollutant to make the soil cleaning process possible. With the introduced calculation method areas on the pH-redox potential field (at high pH and E h values) are found in which the concentration of pollutants may reach a critical value. The introduced calculation method is quick and gives results accurate enough for a pilot test.
Organic matter input into soils is essential regarding agricultural, environmental and soil science aspects as well. However, the application of the pyrolysed forms of biochars and materials with different organic matter content gained more attention in order to decrease the emission of the green house gases (CO2, N2O) from the soil. During pyrolysis, the materials containing high organic matter (biomass-originated organic matter) are heated in oxygen-free (or limited amount of oxygen) environment. As a result, the solid phase, which remains after eliminating the gases and liquid phase, is more stable compared to the original product, it cannot be mineralized easily in the soil and its utilization is more beneficial in terms of climatic aspects. Furthermore, it can improve soil structure and it can retain soil moisture and cations in the topsoil for long periods of time, which is very important for plants. In our experiment, the effects of biochar and bone char were examined on soils by zinc adsorption experiments. Based on our experiments, we concluded that the pyrolysis products can have significant Zn adsorption capacity compared to the soil. Bone ash can adsorb more Zn than the charcoal product. The Zn adsorption capacity of soils treated by pyrolysis products can be described by Langmuir adsorption isotherms. However, based on the amount of pyrolysis products, one or two term Langmuir isotherm fits well on the experiment data, which depends on the time the pyrolysis product has spent in the soil.
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