Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Most soils are aerobic.This is important because plant roots respire (that is, they consume oxygen and carbohydrates while releasing carbon dioxide) and there must be sufficient air—especially oxygen—in the soil to support most forms of soil life.
The aerobic water phase and anaerobic mud or soil phase are one such distinction. Because of oxygen's low solubility in water, the water quickly becomes anoxic towards the interface of the mud and water. Anaerobic phototrophs are still present to a large extent in the mud phase, and there is still capacity for biofilm creation and colony expansion.
Once damaged, soil may take multiple seasons to fully recover, even in optimal circumstances. [8] Critics argue that no-till and related methods are impractical and too expensive for many growers, partly because it requires new equipment. They cite advantages for conventional tilling depending on the geography, crops and soil conditions.
Nitrogen fertilizer being applied to growing corn in a contoured, no-tilled field in Iowa.. Nutrient management is the science and practice directed to link soil, crop, weather, and hydrologic factors with cultural, irrigation, and soil and water conservation practices to achieve optimal nutrient use efficiency, crop yields, crop quality, and economic returns, while reducing off-site transport ...
Soil moisture is another important factor influencing soil respiration. Soil respiration is low in dry conditions and increases to a maximum at intermediate moisture levels until it begins to decrease when moisture content excludes oxygen. This allows anaerobic conditions to prevail and depress aerobic microbial activity.
Obligate anaerobes are found in oxygen-free environments such as the intestinal tracts of animals, the deep ocean, still waters, landfills, in deep sediments of soil. [9] Examples of obligately anaerobic bacterial genera include Actinomyces , Bacteroides , Clostridium , Fusobacterium , Peptostreptococcus , Porphyromonas , Prevotella ...
The most important initial issue when considering the application of anaerobic digestion systems is the feedstock to the process. [55] Almost any organic material can be processed with anaerobic digestion; [ 56 ] however, if biogas production is the aim, the level of putrescibility is the key factor in its successful application. [ 57 ]
Fully water-saturated wetland soils allow anaerobic conditions to manifest, storing carbon but releasing methane. [49] Wetlands make up about 5-8% of Earth's terrestrial land surface but contain about 20-30% of the planet's 2500 Gt soil carbon stores. [50] Peatlands contain the highest amounts of soil organic carbon of all wetland types. [51]