1. Plant functional composition may indirectly affect fine root processes both qualitatively (e.g. by influencing root chemistry) and quantitatively (e.g. by influencing root biomass and thus soil carbon (C) inputs and the soil environment). Despite the potential implications for ecosystem nitrogen (N) cycling, few studies have addressed the linkages between plant functional composition, root d...

Increased tree growth in temperate and boreal forests has been proposed as a direct consequence of a warming climate. Acid deposition effects on nutrient availability may influence the climate dependency of tree growth, however. This study presents an analysis of archived soil samples that has enabled changes in soil chemistry to be tracked with patterns of tree growth through the 20th century....

This study applied the Model of Acidification of Groundwater in Catchments (MAGIC) to estimate the sensitivity of 66 watersheds in the Southern Blue Ridge Province of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, United States, to changes in atmospheric sulfur (S) deposition. MAGIC predicted that stream acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) values were above 20 μeq/L in all modeled watersheds in 1860. Hindcas...

Introduction: Before establishing a human outpost on the Moon, numerous problems associated with lunar dust must be addressed and mitigated [1, 2]. The deleterious nature of lunar dusts was experienced during all Apollo missions. Lunar dusts (brought in on dirty spacesuits and boots) contaminated the atmosphere in the lunar module and irritated the eyes, sinuses, and throats of the astronauts [...

Many alluvial soils along navigable waterways are affected by disposal of dredged sediments or overbank sedimentation and contain metal concentrations that are elevated compared to baseline levels. Uptake patterns for metals and other elements by several volunteer Salix species growing on these sites were determined during a growing season in field plots and compared with the same species growi...

Species diversity of enchytraeid communities was determined in soils of the Niepołomice Forest (southern Poland) in relation to habitat characteristics (forest type, soil chemistry: pH, organic matter content, moisture, mineral elements Ca, K, Na, N–NH4, N–NO3, Ntotal) and xenobiotics (Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd) and humus respiration rate. Altogether 30 enchytraeid species were identified, forming assembl...

Tropical forest vegetation is shaped by climate and by soil, but understanding how the distributions of individual tree species respond to specific resources has been hindered by high diversity and consequent rarity. To study species over an entire community, we surveyed trees and measured soil chemistry across climatic and geological gradients in central Panama and then used a unique hierarchi...

Recent research has dramatically advanced our understanding of soil organic matter chemistry and the role of N in some organic matter transformations, but the effects of N deposition on soil C dynamics remain difficult to anticipate. We examined soil organic matter chemistry and enzyme kinetics in three size fractions ([250 lm, 63–250 lm, and \63 lm) following 6 years of simulated atmospheric N...

Soil is a living system and has to be managed as such in agriculture to improve sustainability. Soil health refers to the biological, chemical and physical features of soil that are essential to long-term sustainable agricultural productivity with minimal environmental impact. Thus, soil health provides a overall picture of soil functionality. Soil provides the habitats for a wide range of livi...