Will global warming affect soil-to-plant transfer of radionuclides?

Dowdall, M.; Standring, William J.F.; Shaw, G.; Strand, P.

doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2008.06.012

Cited by 26 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 108 publications

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“…Therefore, the reliability of almost any ecological monitoring and prediction modelling depends on the detailed knowledge of the composition and thickness of humus horizons. Considering future global warming and climate changes and its effects on organic matter dynamics, a whole new set of challenges might additionally arise in this context (Conant et al 2008;Dowdall et al 2008;Kirschbaum 2006;von Lützow and Kögel-Knabner 2009). All scientific attempts, however, aiming to depict type and thickness of humous horizons have to deal with fundamental problems because the number of samples necessary to obtain statistical reliability rises with increasing variability of humous horizons (e.g., Bednorz et al 2000;Walthert et al 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Methods of surveying the thickness of humous horizons using ground penetrating radar (GPR): an example from the Garmisch-Partenkirchen area of the Northern Alps

et al. 2011

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Ecological studies commonly demand elaborate knowledge of the distribution pattern of humous horizons, especially in forest ecosystems with high humus variability. Conventional investigative methods are timeconsuming and surface-destructive. Ground penetrating radar (GPR), in contrast, offers a fast and non-destructive method of portraying the shallow subsurface. Against this background, the reliability of GPR-derived metric data on terrestrial humous horizons was tested at a study site in the altimontane zone of the Bavarian Alps (1,260 m a.s.l.). The GPR survey, using a shielded bistatic antenna device at 800 MHz, is based on eight parallel lines within a 30 9 30 m plot. The metric interpretation of the GPR results is validated by a trench, which records the thickness of humous horizons at a 10-cm interval, and is compared to conventional sampling methods, represented by 18 soil monolith profiles of both random and grid-based distribution. The results show that it is not possible to resolve the borders of single humous horizons. The delineation of humous against non-humous horizons, however, shows correlation (R = 0.553) with the reference data and delivers reliable data on the average thickness and variation of humous horizons. The observed thickness deviations between GPR and the trench line range between -9.5 and 7.5 cm, with remarkably narrow deviations of -2 to 2 cm or less in 50% of the cases. In summary, supported by the high number of data records (n = 1,727), GPR creates a much better and none destructive image of the actual humus distribution pattern compared to conventional methods.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Methods of surveying the thickness of humous horizons using ground penetrating radar (GPR): an example from the Garmisch-Partenkirchen area of the Northern Alps

et al. 2011

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“…Increasing DOC can also increase bioavailability of metals for plants and microorganisms in metal-contaminated soils (Davis and Leckie 1978). A survey of the literature indicates that few studies have investigated the effect of elevated CO 2 on plant uptake of pollutants from contaminated environments (Dowdall et al 2008). Among the heavy metal-contaminated soils, lead (Pb) is one of the most toxic ones (Chaney et al 1999).…”

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confidence: 99%

Effects of Elevated CO2 and Pb on Phytoextraction and Enzyme Activity

Kim

Kang

2010

Water Air Soil Pollut

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The wide-ranging impacts of globally increasing carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) concentration and rising metal-contaminated soils are serious problems in terrestrial ecosystems. In this study, we investigated the effects of elevated CO 2 on the lead (Pb) uptake of pine seedlings and the microbial activity in Pbcontaminated soil. Three-year-old pine seedlings were exposed to ambient, as well as elevated levels of CO 2 (380 and 760 ppmv, respectively) in 500 mg/kg Pbcontaminated soil. Growth rates, C/N ratios and Pb uptake of the pine seedlings were determined. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content and microbial activity were also measured in the rhizosphere soil. Elevated CO 2 significantly increased the total biomass and accumulation of Pb in roots and shoots. In addition, the accumulation of Pb in the roots under elevated CO 2 concentration was four times higher than those in the roots under ambient CO 2 concentration. Elevated CO 2 levels also affected C/N ratios in the pine seedlings and soil enzyme activities. Decline in the overall nitrogen content and increases in the C/ N ratios of pine needles were observed. Soil enzyme activity increased in the rhizosphere soils, including those of β-glucosidases, N-acetylglucosaminidases, and phosphatases. Quality of the DOC was affected by elevated CO 2 , while the quantity of DOC was affected by Pb additions under elevated CO 2 conditions. Two major conclusions can be drawn from this study: (1) elevated CO 2 significantly increased biomass and metal uptake of pine seedlings and (2) chemical metabolism on pine tissue and processes of organic decomposition were more affected by elevated CO 2 levels than by Pb contamination.

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“…These and associated tasks surrounding the hidden world of truffles appear timely in the light of recent cultivation efforts (Hall et al, 2003;Stobbe et al, 2013), as well as the fact that forest ecosystems still provide ample 137 Cs for uptake, with mushrooms representing one of the main pathways to human diets (Mascanzoni, 2009). Further relevance emerges from the environmental contamination and subsequent distribution of the Fukushima Daiichi accident in March 2011 (Yasunari et al, 2011;Murakami et al, 2014), as well as from the anticipated effects of global warming on the transfer rate of radionuclides (Dowdall et al, 2008), for instance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

All-clear for gourmets: truffles not radioactive

Büntgen¹,

Jäggi²,

Stobbe³

et al. 2016

Biogeosciences

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Abstract. Although ranging among the most expensive gourmet foods, it remains unclear whether Burgundy truffles (Tuber aestivum) accumulate radioactivity at a harmful level comparable to other fungal species. Here, we measure the 137 Cs in 82 T. aestivum fruit bodies from Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, and Hungary. All tested specimens reveal insignificant radiocaesium concentrations, thus providing an all-clear for many truffle hunters and cultivators in large parts of Europe as well as the subsequent chain of dealers and customers from around the world. Our results are particularly relevant in the light of ongoing efforts to cultivate Burgundy truffles, as well as the fact that several forest ecosystems are still highly contaminated with 137 Cs, for which mushrooms are one of the main pathways to human diets.

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Will global warming affect soil-to-plant transfer of radionuclides?

Cited by 26 publications

References 108 publications

Methods of surveying the thickness of humous horizons using ground penetrating radar (GPR): an example from the Garmisch-Partenkirchen area of the Northern Alps

Methods of surveying the thickness of humous horizons using ground penetrating radar (GPR): an example from the Garmisch-Partenkirchen area of the Northern Alps

Effects of Elevated CO2 and Pb on Phytoextraction and Enzyme Activity

All-clear for gourmets: truffles not radioactive

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