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During the last four decades, tremendous advances have been made towards the understanding of transport characteristics of contaminants in soils, solutes, and tracers in geological media. This book offers a comprehensive treatment of the subject complete with supporting examples of mathematical models that describe contaminants reactivity and transport in soils and aquifers. This approach makes it a practical guide for designing experiments and collecting data that focus on characterizing retention as well as release kinetic reactions in soils and contaminant transport experiments in the laboratory, greenhouse, and in the field.The book provides the basic framework of the principals governing the sorption and transport of chemicalsin soils. It focuses on physical processes such as fractured media, multiregion, multiple porosities, and heterogeneity and effect of scale as well as chemical processes such as nonlinear kinetics, release and desorption hysteresis, multisite and multireaction reactions, and competitive-type reactions.

PurposeBoth biochars (BCs) and zeolites (Zs) are defined as soil conditioners affecting various parameters of soil environment. In most cases, BCs and Zs are characterized by well-developed specific surface area, high porosity, and excellent sorption properties, which is highly helpful in soil reclamation or conditioning. This literature review compares impact of BCs and Zs on the physicochemical properties of various soils as well as economic aspects of their synthesis.Materials and methodsThe review was prepared based on the articles published in the last 5 years (2018–2023). The articles were selected from the ScienceDirect® database using the keywords: ‘biochar/zeolite impact on soil physicochemical properties’, ‘biochar/zeolite impact on water retention of soil’ and ‘biochar/zeolite economic aspects’.Results and discussionBased on the available data, it can be stated that both BCs and Zs have good sorptive properties, which usually contributes to better growth of crops. Comparing them and choosing which one is more promising depends on the specific purpose and type of soil to which they are to be applied. BCs usage contributes mainly to providing organic matter and improving soil structure, while Zs enhance soil water retention. The profitability of BCs/Zs production depends largely on the precursor as well as the synthesis method.ConclusionsDue to the fact that impact of synthetic Zs on the soil environment is much less frequently investigated than that of BCs, the research using Zs and various soil types is especially needed. In some cases, it is advisable to apply biochar (BC) and zeolite (Z) simultaneously. Combinations of these materials may provide benefits in soil structure, water retention, and fertility. Such mixed techniques should be investigated in the near future.

Adsorption technology is a promising avenue for wastewater treatment. Numerous adsorbent materials are presently synthesized. Green or environmental friendly adsorbents are derived from plants and agricultural crop sources, giving them a very low production cost when compared to synthetic polymers. This monograph explains the basic principles of green adsorption technology, their production processes and strategies to remove different categories of environmental pollutants (dyes, heavy metals and phenols/pesticides). The book explains details in terms of features such as adsorption capacity, physico-chemical kinetics and reuse potential. A summary of the economics and future prospect for green adsorption technology is also given. This text is a handy reference for environmental chemistry students, researchers and policy makers.

Applications of Furrow and Micro Irrigation in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions, the fifth volume in the Research Advances in Sustainable Micro Irrigation series, addresses the ever-challenging need for irrigation systems in arid and semi-arid regions of the world, areas that are suffering from severe water shortages. These areas, such as Egypt, Tunisia, most of Africa, and parts of South America, Central America, and Australia, find it a struggle to grow crops sustainably with the water available. This important book emphasizes sustainable agriculture practices to promote increased water usage efficiency in dry areas for growing of crops.

Phosphorus (P) extractability, and thus plant-availability, in processed agrifood residues incorporated in soil is not directly related to the extractability before the incorporation. However, the release of P has not been demonstrated over seasons, and the mechanisms involved are not well understood. We identified the fate of P fractions in manure and sewage sludge processed with current methods after incubation for two weeks, 2.5 months and 12 months in sandy loam or clay, using a modified Hedley fractionation scheme. We also identified the sorption of P to soil, and the determinants. The changes in readily extractable P since the incorporation ranged in sandy loam from − 23% to + 88% and in clay from − 49% to + 31%. Incorporation of manure and synthetic fertilizer led in soil to a clearly lower P extractability than sewage sludge. Precipitation of P in sewage with molar Fe/P 1.6 increased P extractability relative to biological precipitation (Fe/P 0.2) and molar Fe/P 9.0. Readily extractable P increased most with sewage sludge hygienized by acid and oxidizer, and next by anaerobic digestion only in clay but not with manure. The differences in P extractability were explained by competition for P sorption of varying capacity and intensity. The amount of added organic matter in residues, rather than of iron oxides and hydroxides, appeared as the consequently explaining factor to P sorption, increasing the sorption irrespective of the processing method.

Nowadays, waste that can be used for environmental purposes, such as WBA (woody biomass ash), is particularly important. The presented research assessed the effect of soil application of WBA in conjunction with PFM (post-fermentation mass) on the stabilization of soil properties. WBA was applied in three increasing doses (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 HAC). PFM was applied as follows: ULF (unseparated liquid fraction), SSF (separated solid fraction), and SLF (separated liquid fraction). PFM doses were balanced with the amount of nitrogen introduced into the soil. The study was based on a pot experiment with maize. The applied doses of WBA had a highly significant and positive effect on the stabilization of basic soil properties. After WBA application, hydrolytic acidity decreased (by 30%), soil pH increased (by 1.83 units), total base cation increased (by 66%), available potassium (by 119%), phosphorus (by 44%), and magnesium content (by 38%) as well as electrolytic conductivity increased (by 11%). Furthermore, an increase in soil carbon content and an improvement in the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio were noted. These observed results were further enhanced by the simultaneous application of WBA and the used PFM fractions, of which the liquid fractions (ULF and SLF) had the strongest effect.

Phosphorus (P) is an essential plant nutrient and also a potential environmental pollutant, which makes its proper management an ongoing issue. Orthophosphate (PO4) may be the most important form of soil P, and its partitioning between the solid and the aqueous phase is an index of bioavailability and environmental pollution. This process is the basis of laboratory sorption studies in which various amounts of PO4 are spiked into soil suspensions, pseudoequilibrium residual concentrations (C) are measured using molybdate (MRP), and the sorbed PO4 (S) is estimated by difference. The partitioning can be described by the Freundlich equation: S = a Cb, where a and b are fitted coefficients. In many soils, some natural or legacy PO4 (Q) is already present, which decreases the sorption of additional PO4, requiring the Freundlich equation to be modified to S = a Cb – Q. It is claimed that Q can be estimated by least-squares fitting; however, there are questions over these estimates and discrepancies are reported between Q and the pool of exchangeable P (PE). The relation of our Q and PE values suggests a likely physical significance of the Q estimates. Regardless, both Q and PE have limited accessibility, prompting us to examine six readily accessible soil assays as surrogates for PE. All P assays increased with added fertiliser P and several appear promising alternatives to PE, e.g., our PE values can be estimated within ~ 6% by scaling the 1 g/100 mL 0.5 M sodium bicarbonate MRP estimates by 0.31. Should this relation apply more widely it would assist land managers estimate P fertiliser requirements and environmental risk. Lastly, filterable soil colloids contain P and the extent to which this inflates the MRP values is unknown.

Phosphate sorption data are often analyzed by least-squares fitting to the two- or three-parameter Freundlich model. The standard methods are flawed by (1) treating the measured pseudo-equilibrium concentration C as the independent (hence error-free) variable and (2) neglecting the weighting that should accommodate the varying precision of the data. Here, we address both of these shortfalls and use a global fit model to achieve optimal precision in fitting data for five acidic Australian soil types. Each individual dataset consists of measured C values for up to nine phosphate spiking levels C0. For each soil type, there are three–five such datasets from varying levels of phosphate fertilizer pre-exposure (Pf) two years earlier. These datasets are fitted simultaneously by expressing the Freundlich capacity factor a and exponent b as theoretically predicted functions of the assay amounts of Fe, Al, and P measured for each Pf. The analysis allows for uncertainty in both C and C0, with inverse-variance weighting from variance functions estimated by residuals analysis. The estimated presorbed P amounts Q depend linearly on Pf, with positive intercepts at Pf = 0, indicating residual phosphate in the soils prior to the laboratory phosphate treatments. The key takeaway points are as follows: (1) global analysis yields optimal estimates and improved precision for the fit parameters; (2) allowing for uncertainty in C is essential when the data include C values near 0; (3) varying data precision requires weighting to yield optimal parameter estimates and reliable uncertainties.

Phosphorus (P) is considered a scarce macronutrient for plants in most tropical soils. The application of rock phosphate (RP) has been used to fertilize crops, but the amount of P released is not always at a necessary level for the plant. An alternative to this problem is the use of Phosphorus Solubilizing Microorganisms (PSM) to release P from chemically unavailable forms. This study compared the P sorption capacity of soils (the ability to retain P, making it unavailable for the plant) and the profile of organic acids (OA) produced by fungal isolates and the in vitro solubilization efficiency of RP. Trichoderma and Aspergillus strains were assessed in media with or without RP and different soils (Andisol, Alfisol, Vertisol). The type and amount of OA and the amount of soluble P were quantified, and according to our data, under the conditions tested, significant differences were observed in the OA profiles and the amount of soluble P present in the different soils. The efficiency to solubilize RP lies in the release of OAs with low acidity constants independent of the concentration at which they are released. It is proposed that the main mechanism of RP dissolution is the production of OAs.

Understanding nutrient management is essential to ensure healthy and adequate food production, especially in the context of biochar applied to soil with different soil textures. Additionally, farmers are beginning to understand the importance of nutrient management and there are still several knowledge gaps in this area. Several studies on biochar showed its positive effects, especially in sandy and nutrient-poor soils. There is still a lack of information on the impact of biochar on nutrient regimes in texturally different soils with sufficient nutrient supply and favorable soil chemistry. This study investigates the effect of two biochar substrates (a) biochar blended with farmyard manure (BS1), and (b) biochar blended with farmyard manure and digestate (BS2) applied at rates of 10 and 20 t ha−1 alone or in combination with fertilization on the changes in sorption capacity and nutrient regime of two texturally different soils: (a) sandy Arenosol, and (b) loamy Chernozem, (both in western Slovakia) which have a favorable nutrient content. The results showed that in sandy soil, the BS2 at rate of 20 t ha−1 increased the sum of basic cations (by +112%) and CEC (by +93%) compared to the control. In sandy soil, the content of total P increased by +35 and +16% in BS1 20 t ha–1 and BS2 20 t ha−1, respectively, when compared to the unfertilized control. The content of total P increased by +18% in BS1 20 t ha−1 after fertilization compared to the fertilized control. In loamy soil, the content of total P increased significantly by +53 and +14% in unfertilized treatment BS2 20 t ha−1 and fertilized treatment with BS1 at 20 t ha−1 compared to the respective controls. Available Ca increased in sandy soil by +50 and +53% in fertilized treatments with BS2 at 20 t ha−1 and BS1 at 20 t ha−1, respectively, when compared to fertilized control. In loamy soil, available Mg increased by +13% in fertilized treatment with BS1 applied at 20 t ha−1. In conclusion, BS application at a dose of 20 t ha−1 had a stronger positive effect on soil sorption parameters in sandy soil than the application dose of 10 t ha−1. The same BS application rate significantly increased total P in both soils.