Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Accumulations of copper in apple orchard soils: distribution and availability in soil aggregate fractions

  • Soils, Sec 2 • Global Change, Environ Risk Assess, Sustainable Land Use • Research Article
  • Published:
Journal of Soils and Sediments Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The particle fractions of soil influence the retention and availability of heavy metal. However, the accumulations of Cu in aggregate size fractions of apple orchard soils due to the long-term application of Cu-based fungicides remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the distribution and availability of Cu in various aggregate fractions of soils from different aged apple orchards.

Materials and methods

Soil samples were collected from orchards with 10, 20, 31, 45, and 50 years old. Soils were partitioned into four aggregate fractions (>2000, 2000–1000, 1000–250, <250 μm) by dry sieving.

Results and discussion

Total soil Cu concentrations increased with increasing orchard ages, ranging from 29.1 to 147.9 mg kg−1. The input Cu was mainly located in the <250-μm fraction for the 10-, 20-, 45-, and 50-year-old orchards, while it was mainly stored in the >2000- and <250-μm fractions for the 31-year-old orchard soil. Generally, the Cu bioavailability and transferring capability have a tendency to increase with the increase of orchard age for both bulk soils and aggregate fractions. Additionally, among the four aggregate fractions, the <250-μm fraction had the greatest potential availability and mobility of Cu.

Conclusions

The results of this study showed that sizes of soil aggregate fractions can significantly influence the retention characteristics of input Cu in orchard soils.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Acosta JA, Faz A, Kalbitz K, Jansen B, Martinez-Martinez S (2011) Heavy metal concentrations in particle size fractions from street dust of Murcia (Spain) as the basis for risk assessment. J Environ Monit 13:3087–3096

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Adriano DC (2001) Trace elements in terrestrial environments: biogeochemistry, bioavailability, and risks of metals, 2nd edn. Springer-Verlag, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Arias M, López E, Soto B (2005) Copper distribution and fractionation in aggregate fractions from vineyard soils: comparison with zinc. Agrochimica 49:60–69

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Besnard E, Chenu C, Robert M (2001) Influence of organic amendments on copper distribution among particle size and density fractions in Champagne vineyard soils. Environ Pollut 112:329–337

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bi XY, Liang SY, Li XD (2013) A novel in situ method for sampling urban soil dust: particle size distribution, trace metal concentrations, and stable lead isotopes. Environ Pollut 177:48–57

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brun LA, Le Corff J, Maillet J (2003) Effects of elevated soil copper on phenology, growth and reproduction of five ruderal plant species. Environ Pollut 122:361–368

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Christensen BT (1985) Carbon and nitrogen in particle size fractions isolated from Danish arable soils by ultrasonic dispersion and gravity-sedimentation. Acta Agric Scand 35:175–187

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cornu S, Cousin I, Deschatrettes V, Saby N, Salvador-Blanes S, Crouzet C, Guerin A, Clozel B (2006) Consequences of aggregation for the trace element distribution in the subsoil of a Planosol naturally rich in trace metal. Geoderma 136:160–173

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • El-Farhan YH, Denovio NM, Herman JS, Hornberger GM (2000) Mobilization and transport of soil particles during infiltration experiments in an agricultural field, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. Environ Sci Technol 34:3555–3559

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Giller KE, Witter E, Mcgrath SP (1998) Toxicity of heavy metals to microorganisms and microbial processes in agricultural soils: a review. Soil Biol Biochem 30:1389–1414

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gong C, Ma L, Cheng H, Liu Y, Xu D, Li B, Liu F, Ren Y, Liu Z, Zhao C, Yang K, Nie H, Lang C (2014) Characterization of the particle size fraction associated heavy metals in tropical arable soils from Hainan Island, China. J Geochem Explor 139:109–114

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guo GL, Zhang Y, Zhang C, Wang SJ, Yan ZG, Li FS (2013) Partition and characterization of cadmium on different particle-size aggregates in Chinese Phaeozem. Geoderma 200–201:108–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang B, Li ZW, Huang JQ, Guo L, Nie XD, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Zeng GM (2014) Adsorption characteristics of Cu and Zn onto various size fractions of aggregates from red paddy soil. J Hazard Mater 264:176–183

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li HB, Han XZ, Wang F, Qiao YF, Xing BS (2007) Impact of soil management on organic carbon content and aggregate stability. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 38:1673–1690

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Linquist BA, Singleton PW, Yost RS, Cassman KG (1997) Aggregate size effects on the sorption and release of phosphorus in an Ultisol. Soil Sci Soc Am J 61:160–166

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lugato E, Simonetti G, Morari F, Nardi S, Berti A, Giardini L (2010) Distribution of organic and humic carbon in wet-sieved aggregates of different soils under long-term fertilization experiment. Geoderma 157:80–85

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mackie KA, Müller T, Zikeli S, Kandeler E (2013) Long-term copper application in an organic vineyard modifies spatial distribution of soil micro-organisms. Soil Biol Biochem 65:245–253

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mikha MM, Rice CW (2004) Tillage and manure effects on soil aggregate associated carbon and nitrogen. Soil Sci Soc Am J 68:809–816

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Navel A, Martins JMF (2014) Effect of long term organic amendments and vegetation of vineyard soils on the microscale distribution and biogeochemistry of copper. Sci Total Environ 466–467:681–689

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nóvoa-Muñoz JC, Arias-Estévez M, Pérez-Novo C, López-Periago JE (2008) Diffusion-induced changes on exchangeable and organic bound copper fractions in acid soil samples enriched with copper. Geoderma 148:85–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park BJ, Cho JY (2011) Assessment of copper and zinc in soils and fruit with the age of an apple orchard. J. Korean Soc. Appl Biol Chem 54:910–914

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Quinton JN, Catt JA (2007) Enrichment of heavy metals in sediment resulting from soil erosion on agricultural fields. Environ Sci Technol 41:3495–3500

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rauret G, López-Sanchez JF, Sahuquillo A, Rubio R, Favidson C, Ure A, Quevauviller P (1999) Improvement of the BCR three step sequential extraction procedure prior to the certification of new sediment and soil reference materials. J Environ Monit 1:57–61

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schutter ME, Dick RP (2002) Microbial community profiles and activities among aggregates of winter fallow and cover-cropped soil. Soil Sci Soc Am J 66:142–153

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sutherland RA (2003) Lead in grain size fractions of road-deposited sediment. Environ Pollut 121:229–237

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tisdall JM, Oades JM (1982) Organic matter and water stable aggregate. J Soil Sci 33:141–163

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Walkley A, Black IA (1934) An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Sci 37:29–38

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang QY, Zhou DM, Cang L (2009) Microbial and enzyme properties of apple orchard soil as affected by long-term application of copper fungicide. Soil Biol Biochem 41:1504–1509

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wightwick AM, Mollah MR, Partington DL, Allinson G (2008) Copper fungicide residues in Australian vineyard soils. J Agric Food Chem 56:2457–2464

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu GR, Liu MW, Li GB (2013) Stabilization of heavy metals in lightweight aggregate made from sewage sludge and river sediment. J Hazard Mater 260:74–81

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zafra CA, Temprano J, Tejero I (2011) Distribution of the concentration of heavy metals associated with the sediment particles accumulated on road surfaces. Environ Technol 32:997–1008

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang MK, He ZL, Calvert DV, Stoffella PJ, Yang XE, Li YC (2003) Phosphorus and heavy metal attachment and release in sandy soil aggregate fractions. Soil Sci Soc Am J 67:1158–1167

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou DM, Wang QY, Cang L (2011) Free Cu2+ ions, Cu fractionation and microbial parameters in soils from apple orchards following long-term application of copper fungicides. Pedosphere 21:139–145

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41101305), Outstanding Young Talents Foundation of Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. DLSYQ14003), and the Project of Science and Technology Development Plan of Jilin Province (No. 20130522083JH).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Wet Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China

    Quan-Ying Wang, Jing-Shuang Liu, Yang Wang & Hong-Wen Yu

Authors
  1. Quan-Ying Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jing-Shuang Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yang Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Hong-Wen Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jing-Shuang Liu.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Jan Schwarzbauer

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wang, QY., Liu, JS., Wang, Y. et al. Accumulations of copper in apple orchard soils: distribution and availability in soil aggregate fractions. J Soils Sediments 15, 1075–1082 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-015-1065-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-015-1065-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation