News tagged with soil quality
Natural levels of nitrogen in tropical forests may increase vulnerability to pollution
(PhysOrg.com) -- Waterways in remote, pristine tropical forests located in the Caribbean and Central America contain levels of nitrogen comparable to amounts found in streams and rivers flowing through polluted forests in ...
Mar 06, 2012 |
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Earth's soils are under threat, scientists warn in Nature
The planet's soils are under greater threat than ever before, at a time when we need to draw on their vital role to support life more than ever, warns an expert from the University of Sheffield today in the journal Nature.
Jun 08, 2011 |
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Big clue to future climate change in small plants
Yarrow, it's called, this flowering plant also known as "little feather" for the shape of its leaves. Prized as a garden plant that repels unwanted insects while attracting beneficial ones, it also improves ...
May 19, 2011 |
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Landfill cover soil methane oxidation underestimated
Landfilled waste decomposes in the absence of oxygen and results in the production of methane. Landfills are classified as the second-largest human-made source of CH4 in the U.S. Additionally, landfill gas contains numerous ...
Apr 27, 2009 |
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Nitrate stimulates greenhouse gas production in small streams
Nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas that has been accumulating in the atmosphere since the industrial revolution. It is well known that fertilizer can stimulate nitrous oxide production in soils, but less is known about ...
Mar 30, 2009 |
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A novel strategy to reduce farm runoff will be tested starting in Minnesota
Minnesota will be the nation's first test site for a novel federal program designed to stem the flow of agricultural pollution that is strangling some of the country's great waterways, including the Chesapeake Bay, the Gulf ...
Jan 17, 2012 |
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Peacekeeping creatures help maintain woodland diversity
Common woodland creatures, including woodlice, millipedes and worms, can help ensure the survival of weaker species of woodland fungi, according to new research from Cardiff University.
Sep 20, 2011 |
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Research shows that soil calcium limits forest songbirds
Acid rain and subsequent calcium depletion of forest soils in eastern North America may be limiting forest songbird populations, according to a researcher in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.
Sep 07, 2011 |
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Corn yields with perennial cover crop are equal to traditional farming
Soil quality, water quality, and possibly even farm profits will all benefit by using a perennial cover crop on corn fields that allows for similar yields to traditional farming methods, according to Iowa ...
Jul 25, 2011 |
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Study probes sources of Mississippi River phosphorus
In their eagerness to cut nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico, people have often sought simple explanations for the problem: too many large animal operations, for instance, or farmers ...
May 06, 2011 |
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Study finds commercial organic farms have better fruit and soil, lower environmental impact
Side-by-side comparisons of organic and conventional strawberry farms and their fruit found the organic farms produced more flavorful and nutritious berries while leaving the soil healthier and more genetically diverse.
Sep 01, 2010 |
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Is biochar the answer for ag?
Scientists demonstrate that biochar, a type charcoal applied to soils in order to capture and store carbon, can reduce emissions of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, and inorganic nitrogen runoff from agriculture settings. ...
Aug 02, 2010 |
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Tracking phosphorus runoff from livestock manure
Nutrient runoff from livestock manure is a common source of agricultural pollution. Looking for an uncommon solution, a team of scientists has developed an application of rare earth elements to control and track runoff phosphorus ...
Jun 14, 2010 |
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Predicting amount of oil in contaminated soils
Scientists are reporting a new technique for mapping and testing oil-contaminated soils. Traditionally, samples need to be collected from the field and returned to a lab for extensive chemical analysis, costing ...
Jun 09, 2010 |
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Straw residue helps keep nitrogen on the farm
Scientists are exploring ways to reduce non-point pollution from agriculture. A new study finds that using straw residue in conjunction with legume cover crops reduces leaching of nitrogen into waterways, ...
May 24, 2010 |
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