Abstract
Grassland field plots were compared to two sizes of excised microcosms (15 and 30 cm diameter) and 30-cm diameter homogenized microcosms to assess the effects of As on soil-plant nutrient dynamics. The goal of this experiment was to determine the feasibility of using microcosms for screening chemicals which are potentially toxic to terrestrial ecosystems. All experimental units were treated with As, at rates of 0, 0.5, and 5.0 mg cm−2, by superficial application of dissolved Na2AsO4. Calcium, PO4-P, NO3-N, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and NH4-N were determined in soil leachate and soil extracts. Greater loss of PO4-P, NO3-N, NH4-N, and DOC occurred via soil leachate from microcosms treated with the greatest level of As relative to untreated microcosms. Field plots were unaffected by As treatment. Excised microcosms were found to be more representative of field plots in reflecting microbial dynamics than were homogenized microcosms. Thus excised microcosms were recommended for testing potentially hazardous chemicals.
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Jackson, D.R., Ausmus, B.S. & Levin, M. Effects of arsenic on nutrient dynamics of grassland microcosms and field plots. Water Air Soil Pollut 11, 13–21 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00163515
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00163515