Soil and Water Research - Online first
Silver geochemistry and isotope systematics in Ag-rich mine tailings from NamibiaOriginal Paper
Aleš Vaněk, Maria Vaňková, Vojtěch Ettler, Martin Mihaljevič, Bohdan Kříbek, Petra Vokurková, Tereza Zádorová, Vít Penížek, Ondra Sracek, Benjamin Mapani
Soil & Water Res., X:X | DOI: 10.17221/143/2025-SWR 
In this study, we present a detailed geochemical characterisation and stable isotope systematics of silver (Ag) in a mining waste facility at the Namib Lead & Zinc mine in Namibia (Africa). We examined a series of flotation tailings and ore minerals to address two principal questions: (1) the distribution, chemical form and leachability of Ag, and (2) the local Ag isotopic signature(s) and its variability in relation to Ag speciation in the solid phase, as well as the fate of stable Ag isotopes. Our findings reveal a significant correlation between Ag and Pb concentrations, indicating that galena is the primary Ag carrier. Most importantly, all...
Effect of logging residues management on the distribution of potentially toxic elements in soils of large-scale clearcuts resulting from bark beetle forest damageOriginal Paper
Lenka Pavlů, Marek Kučírek, Václav Tejnecký, Ondřej Drábek, Petra Vokurková, Luboš Borůvka, Martin Valtera, Věra Fadrhonsová, Radek Novotný
Soil & Water Res., X:X | DOI: 10.17221/119/2025-SWR
This research focuses on the effects of large-scale clearcuts resulting from salvage logging after spruce (Picea abies) forest dieback caused by an extreme bark beetle infestation, and on the effect of logging residues management (chopping vs. clearing) on the distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in soil. Pseudo-total contents of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined in soil samples collected separately from the organic (F+H) and mineral (0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm depths) soil layers. The distribution of elements was influenced mainly by sampling locality and position in the soil profile. In general, the contents...
The response of medium and trace elements in degraded alpine meadow soils to vegetation characteristics and soil physicochemical propertiesOriginal Paper
Haowei Xu, Yuhong Tong, Li Zhou, Huizhen Li
Soil & Water Res., X:X | DOI: 10.17221/91/2025-SWR
Alpine meadows, one of the most widespread and important vegetation types on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, are facing severe degradation. This study examines how degradation affects soil medium and trace elements in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, along with their relationships with plant traits and soil properties. Results indicate that alpine meadow degradation significantly reduces vegetation coverage, height, biomass, soil water content (SWC), and the levels of soil organic carbon (SOC), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P), while increasing soil bulk density (BD), pH, and potassium (K) content. Soil Ca, Zn, and Mo decrease with degradation, whereas...
Multi-objective optimisation and synergistic mechanisms of expansive soil improvement using organic fertiliser, slow-release fertiliser, and rice strawOriginal Paper
Yonggang Huang, Hongri Zhang, Xinzhong Wang, Yuexing Wu, Xianliang Tan, Kang Xiong
Soil & Water Res., X:X | DOI: 10.17221/47/2025-SWR
This study systematically investigated the synergistic improvement of expansive soil using organic fertiliser (OF), slow-release fertiliser (SRF), and rice straw (RS) through Box-Behnken design (BBD) and response surface methodology (RSM). Key findings include: the quadratic models demonstrated high statistical significance (root density: R² = 0.765, F = 25.84; shear strength: R² = 0.885, F = 18.65; swelling rate: R² = 0.20, F = 15.23; all P < 0.001) with low prediction errors (root content: ± 0.08 mg/cm3; shear strength: ± 0.58 kPa; swelling rate: ± 0.38%);...
Rainfall pattern impact on runoff and sediment of the sloping cropland in Northeast ChinaOriginal Paper
Xu Fan, Wei Hu, Zhongzheng Ren, Yuan Chen, Qingsong Shen, Xingyi Zhang
Soil & Water Res., X:X | DOI: 10.17221/39/2025-SWR
Rainfall is a major contributor to water erosion of sloping cropland in Northeast China. Identifying how rainfall and slope gradient (S) influence runoff depth (RD) and sediment yield (SY) is crucial for preventing water erosion. Field measurements from runoff plots were collected from 2023 to 2024, and K-means clustering was applied to clarify the rainfall patterns. Response of RD and SY to the rainfall pattern and S were analysed. Key factors impacting RD and SY were explored. The results showed that three rainfall patterns were identified for 34 erosive rainfall events: A (41.2%, medium...