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The possibility of the adequate use of data and maps from historical soil surveys depends, to a large measure, on their harmonisation. Legacy data originating from a large-scale national mapping campaign, "Systematic soil survey of agricultural soils in Czechoslovakia (SSS, 1961-1971)", were harmonised and converted according to the actual system of soil classification and descriptions used in Czechia - the Czech taxonomic soil classification system (CTSCS). Applying the methods of taxonomic distance and quantitative analysis and reclassification of the selected soil properties, the conversion of two types of mapping soil units with different detailed soil information (General soil representative (GSR), and Basic soil representative (BSR)) to their counterparts in the CTSCS has been effectuated. The results proved the good potential of the used methods for the soil data harmonisation. The closeness of the concepts of the two classifications was shown when a number of soil classes had only one counterpart with a very low taxonomic distance. On the contrary, soils with variable soil properties were approximating several related units. The additional information on the soil skeleton content, texture, depth and parent material, available for the BSR units, showed the potential in the specification of some units, though the harmonisation of the soil texture turned out to problematic due to the different categorisation of soil particles. The validation of the results in the study region showed a good overall accuracy (75% for GSR, 76.1% for BSR) for both spatial soil units, when better performance has been observed in BSR. The conversion accuracy differed significantly in the individual soil units, and ranged from almost 100% in Fluvizems to 0% in Anthropozems. The extreme cases of a complete mis-classification can be attributed to inconsistencies originating in the historical database and maps. The study showed the potential of modern quantitative methods in the legacy data harmonisation and also the necessity of a critical approach to historical databases and maps.

Experiments were used to determine the potassium release from the non-exchangeable K (Kne) forms that are involved in plant nutrition and which replenish the pool of available K. Long-term stationary field experiments with different fertilisation systems (organic: farmyard manure, sewage sludge, straw; mineral: NPK, N) were carried out to study the potassium balance and the K content changes in the topsoil (0-30 cm) and subsoil (30-60 cm). The trials were located at three sites with different soil-climatic conditions. The following crops were rotated within the trial: potatoes (maize) - winter wheat - spring barley. All three crops were grown each year over 21 years. Positive correlations between the contents of the available K in the topsoil and the potassium balance (K inputs - K outputs) were observed. There were no statistically significant differences among the treatments. Depending on the soil properties, the ratio of non-exchangeable K (Kne) was 12-37% of the values obtained via the aqua regia extraction. Depending on the site, the amount released from the Kne forms to the available K form was 46-69 kg K/ha/ year. The use of K from the farmyard manure varied from 7.4% up to 25%. Due to the low K content in the sewage sludge, the long-term fertilisation with sludge may only lead to the depletion of the available K in the soil, similar to the sole N mineral fertilisation.

The study covered 6 sites located in the Vistula glaciation area in north-western Poland, where the Holocene calcareous (gyttja) deposits occur. Three types of such calcareous deposits were isolated: marly (groundwater calcretes) (CaCO₃ > 80%, loss of ignition < 20%, non-carbonate fractions < 20%), calcareous gyttja (CaCO₃ 50-80%, loss of ignition < 40%, non-carbonate fractions < 40%), and clay calcareous gyttja (CaCO₃ 20-50%, loss of ignition < 30%, non-carbonate fractions < 60%). The content of major and trace elements was determined in different horizons. Several parameters of Holocene calcareous deposits were determined, namely carbonate status, total organic carbon, non-carbonate mineral fractions and several major and minor components. Close correlations between CaCO₃ and Ca, Mg contents, between non-carbonate fraction and K, Zn and Cu contents, as well as between ignition loss and Zn and Cu contents were observed in the sediments. The sediments exhibit vertical variability which relates to the genesis of sediments and soils. The highest content of macroelements was recorded in the uppermost layers for Ca, Mg, Na, and Mn and for microelements (trace elements) in bottom layers for S, P, K, Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Ni.

Proper characterization of contaminants in subsurface helps to clean up effectively the contaminated sites. In this study, different methods were used to quantify non-volatile light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) and water from sample columns subjected to different water to LNAPL ratios. The objective of the study was to evaluate methods for porous media water and LNAPL contents analysis. The liquids were sampled from the sample columns using activated carbon pellets (ACP). Sample columns water content was also measured using soil moisture sensors. Dielectric mixing model (DMM) was evaluated for the estimation of LNAPL content after water and LNAPL contents of the sample columns were determined through gravimetric analysis method. The result shows that it was possible to sample both water and LNAPL using ACP proportionally but with high standard deviations. It also shows that more liquid was sampled from sample columns subjected to only one liquid compared to sample columns subjected to two liquids. On the other hand, analysis of water and LNAPL using gravimetric analysis method gave the best result although the presence of LNAPL resulted in underestimation of water content at higher LNAPL contents. Meanwhile, the presence of LNAPL modified the bulk relative permittivity (ε_a) of the sample columns and resulted in overestimation of water contents measured using soil moisture sensors at higher LNAPL content. The modification of ε_a was used for the estimation of LNAPL using DMM. The evaluation of the model with known water and LNAPL contents and in estimating the LNAPL content of the other sample columns shows that the model could be used for the proper estimation of LNAPL in porous media.

Volume changes of soil associated with soil moisture changes are caused by the presence of clay minerals from illite and montmorillonite groups. Clay minerals are found in the so-called clay soil component which can be quantified by laboratory analysis of the soil particle-size distribution. Consequently, the potential for volume changes in soil can be assessed from soil texture. In our study, 172 soil samples with different textures were used to measure dependencies between volume changes in soil and changes in soil moisture under laboratory conditions. The samples were collected from 11 sites in the Eastern Slovak Lowland. On the basis of the measurements, 10 mathematical models were created to compute the correlation between volume changes of soil and soil moisture content and texture. The highest accuracy was obtained with the model which assumes the content of particles < 0.002 mm. When comparing the clay particles < 0.001 mm (colloidal clay) with the particles < 0.002 mm (colloidal + physical clay) it was also found that the particles < 0.002 mm have a larger impact on the volume changes of soil than the particles < 0.001. The inclusion of particles > 0.002 mm (silt + sand) into the models resulted in either no or only negligible refinement of the soil volume change calculations.

The release and transport of soil chemicals in water erosion conditions are important for the local environment, soil and water resources conservation. According to the artificial rainfall experiments with a constant rainfall intensity of 90 mm/h and different rainfall duration (30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 min), the traits of soil PO₄^3-, K⁺, and Br^- release and transport from soil to surface runoff on the loess slope were analysed, and a model describing the chemical concentration change in surface runoff under soil erosion conditions was developed. The runoff coefficient quickly increased in 15 min or so, and then it was stable in the range of 0.60-0.85. The sediment intensity decreased in 30 min and soon increased after severe sheet erosion occurred on the slope. The concentration curve of Br^- in surface runoff can be divided into two stages, quickly decreasing in the initial 30 min after the surface runoff occurred, and then stable. The concentration curve of PO₄^3- and K⁺ in surface runoff can be divided into three stages, quickly decreasing like Br^- was decreasing, then stable, and increasing after severe sheet erosion began. Compared with the exponential function, the power function was found more suitable for fitting the change in chemicals in runoff with unsaturated soil; while neither of them could well fit the PO₄^3- and K⁺ concentration change after severe erosion occurred. The transport of chemicals under complex soil erosion conditions seems to be a dynamic release process between surface runoff and sediment. Based on the convection-dispersion mechanism and desorption kinetics, the polynomial model under soil erosion conditions was created. For adsorbed PO₄^3- and K⁺, it is more suitable to simulate that process than the power function, while it is not so good for mobile Br^-.

Soil water dynamic is considered an important process for water resource and plantation management in Horqin Sand Land, northern China. In this study, soil water content simulated by the SWMS-2D model was used to systematically analyse soil water dynamics and explore the relationship between soil water and rainfall among micro-landforms (i.e., top, upslope, midslope, toeslope, and bottomland) and 0-200 cm soil depths during the growing season of 2013 and 2015. The results showed that soil water dynamics in 0-20 cm depths were closely linked to rainfall patterns, whereas soil water content in 20-80 cm depths illustrated a slight decline in addition to fluctuations caused by rainfall. At the top position, the soil water content in different ranges of depths (20-40 and 80-200 cm) was near the wilting point, and hence some branches, and even entire plants exhibited diebacks. At the upslope or midslope positions, the soil water content in 20-80 or 80-200 cm depths was higher than at the top position. Soil water content was higher at the toeslope and bottomland positions than at other micro-landforms, and deep caliche layers had a positive feedback effect on shrub establishment. Soil water recharge by rainfall was closely related to rainfall intensity and micro-landforms. Only rainfalls > 20 mm significantly increased water content in > 40 cm soil depths, but deeper water recharge occurred at the toeslope position. A linear equation was fitted to the relationship between soil water and antecedent rainfall, and the slopes and R² of the equations were different among micro-landforms and soil depths. The linear equations generally fitted well in 0-20 and 20-40 cm depths at the top, upslope, midslope, and toeslope positions (R² value of about 0.60), with soil water in 0-20 cm depths showing greater responses to rainfall (average slope of 0.189). In 20-40 cm depths, the response was larger at the toeslope position, with a slope of 0.137. In 40-80 cm depths, a good linear fit with a slope of 0.041 was only recorded at the toeslope position. This study provides a soil water basis for ecological restoration in similar regions.

The aim of this study is to describe the changes of bioavailable phosphorus content in soil in long-term 18 years field experiments with different fertilizing systems. The field experiments are located at three sites with different soil and climatic conditions in the Czech Republic (Červený Újezd, Humpolec and Prague-Suchdol). Same fertilizing systems and crop rotation (potatoes (maize) - winter wheat - spring barley) are realized at each site with following fertilizing treatments: (1) unfertilized treatment (control), (2) farmyard manure (FYM), (3) and (4) sewage sludge (SS 1 and SS 3), (5) mineral nitrogen (N), (6) mineral nitrogen with straw (N + straw) and (7) mineral nitrogen with phosphorus and potassium (NPK). The long-term fertilizing effect on available P content changes in soil was observed. Bioavailable phosphorus content in soil increased in treatments with organic fertilization after 18 year experiment at all sites. The treatments SS 3 had the highest increase at all sites. The highest bioavailable P content increase compared to control (258 mg/kg) was determined at site Červený Újezd. On the contrary, available phosphorus content decreased at treatments with mineral fertilization and control treatment among all sites. Bioavailable P content decrease in the treatment NPK was observed, although phosphorus was applied. The lowest differences in available P content among all fertilizing treatments were observed at the location Prague-Suchdol.

Soil degradation is a threat to sustainable development in Ethiopia. However, degradation indicators, such as sediment enrichment ratio (SER), are not adequately documented in literature. This study aims to investigate the SER of different erosion-status sites (aggrading, stable, eroded) in various landforms in Mai-Negus catchment, northern Ethiopia. The erosion-status sites in the landforms were identified using field indicators, and soil samples were collected for analysis of selected soil parameters. In this study, due to the ratio of aggrading to eroded or stable sites at catchment and landform levels, the SER of soil nutrients and fine soil particles was > 1. But due to the ratio of aggrading to eroded sites in the landforms the average SER of the soils were higher (1.42-7.22) as compared to the ratios of aggrading to stable sites (1.10-3.66). The SER significantly (P ≤ 0.05) differed among the landforms, which indicated differences in the effect of erosion. The relationships between the SER of fine soil particles and soil nutrients were strong. Thus, priority for introducing appropriate anti-erosion measures should be given to sources of high SER sites such as the mountainous and central ridge landforms in the catchment using the limited resources available.

Gravel mulching is a characteristic agricultural technique that has been used for hundreds of years in the north-western Loess Plateau of China. However, the effects of the gravel-sand mulch on the processes of the runoff, soil erosion, and nutrient losses are neither fully distinguished nor even known in many parts of the world. This study investigated how different gravel particle sizes in the mulch affected the runoff, erosion as well as the extent of the nutrient losses in the surface runoff. The laboratory experiments were conducted using a rainfall simulator with three gravel mulch treatments: (1) fine gravel mulch (FG); (2) medium gravel mulch (MG); (3) coarse gravel mulch (CG) and a control group, bare soil (BS). The results of these rainfall simulation experiments gave estimates on how the grain size influences the runoff and losses of the soil and its nutrients. Applying the gravel mulch significantly delayed the runoff's starting time when compared with the bare soil. Both the total runoff and soil loss increased with the grain size of the gravel mulch. Compared with the bare soil, the lowest surface runoff and soil loss was observed from the fine gravel treatment. These results clearly show that gravel mulch plays an important role in the runoff and sediment generation processes, and that it significantly reduces the surface runoff and soil loss. The losses of the total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and total organic carbon (TOC) from the bare soil were much higher than those under the gravel mulching. The fluctuations in these nutrient-loss processes were the most intense in the CG treatment, while the TC content, in initial runoff, was significantly higher in the FG than the other treatments. Our findings suggest gravel mulch is a useful water and soil conservation technique in the loess area of north-western China, and these results can inform one on the theoretical principles for properly utilising gravel-mulched fields.

Soil properties can be influenced by long-term agricultural management practices as described in pedological literature. In this study, selected physical properties (particle density and bulk density, total porosity, maximum capillary water capacity, minimum air capacity, field capacity, permanent wilting point and available water capacity) of topsoils from different reference soil groups (Cambisols, Luvisols, Fluvisols, Chernozems and Phaeozems, Leptosols, Stagnosols and Gleysols) were sampled and analysed in the years 2016-2017. The topsoil samples were taken from points of so-called S (specific) soil pits to be sampled from the General Soil Survey of Agricultural Soils (GSSAS) which was accomplished in the years 1961-1970. In addition, some of the properties were also compared with those measured during the GSSAS. Recognising the properties, only the particle density, the maximum capillary water capacity, the permanent wilting point and the available water capacity of the topsoil of the individual soil groups were statistically significantly (P < 0.05) different. A comparison of the physical properties with those analysed after more than 40 years was performed, the bulk density increased and the total porosity decreased in the topsoil of the major part of the studied soil groups.

Soils that contain rock fragments (particles > 2 mm in diameter) are distributed all over the world. The presence of these small rock fragments can have a great impact on soil water retention properties, as well as on the soil-water infiltration and vegetation restoration in semi-arid regions. To quantitatively describe the transport of water in stony soils, repacked soil cores were used to determine the infiltration rates for different rock fragment contents (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) and rock fragment sizes (2-5, 5-8, 8-11, and 2-11 mm). The results showed that both the content and size of the rock fragments and their interaction significantly affected the infiltration process. The infiltration rates over time and the saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s) decreased with an increasing rock fragment content to an observed minimum value for a 40% rock fragment content. The soil-water infiltration processes were accurately described by the Kostiakov model. The measured and calculated K_s values decreased with an increasing rock fragment content, which was in accordance with the published data and in accordance with the K_s obtained by five empirical methods. The variations in the measured K_s were likely due to the variations in the soil properties caused by the soil sample repacking. The results of this study may improve the understanding of the effects of the rock fragment content and size on the infiltration processes in arid and semi-arid desert steppes.

Freeze-thaw erosion occurs primarily at high latitudes and altitudes. Temperature controlled freeze-thaw events dislodge soil particles and serve as a catalyst for erosion. This review paper provided an overview of the effects of freeze-thaw on soil properties and water erosion. The process of freeze-thaw cycles results in temporary and inconsistent changes in the soil moisture, and affects the soil's mechanical, physical and chemical properties, such as the soil moisture content, porosity, bulk density, aggregates stability, shear strength and organic matter content and so on. The variation trend and range of the soil properties were related to the soil texture, water content and freeze-thaw degree. Furthermore, the soil erosion was affected by the freeze-thaw processes, as thawing and water erosion reinforce each other. However, research of different experimental conditions on indoor simulations have numerous limitations compared with field experiments. The use of indoor and field experiments to further reveal the freeze-thaw effect on the soil erosion would facilitate improved forecasting.

The Štiavnické vrchy Mts. were strongly affected by pollution mostly from an aluminium plant in 1953-1989. This paper compares contamination of soils between Štiavnické vrchy Mts. and the neighbouring little polluted Kremnické vrchy Mts. from results of a 25-year study. After a decrease of emissions in Slovakia at the beginning of the 1990s the sulphate sulphur content, acidity and conductivity of soil water have decreased only on the surface and at a depth of 0.10 m at the study site in the Štiavnické vrchy Mts. At the depth 0.25 m the increase of sulphurization (23.68 kg/ha S-SO₄^2- per year) and acidity (pH 4.92) was observed. During the research, the total sulphate sulphur influx to this soil depth was 568.3 kg/ha. The average sulphur input in the study areas of the Kremnické vrchy Mts. decreased with depth: from 18.48 kg/ha/year in the surface humus to 6.85 kg/ha/year at a depth of 0.25 m. The maximum sulphur influx at the open plot was 24.06 kg/ha/year and in total 553.34 kg S-SO₄^2-. A small increase of acidity at soil depths of 0.25 m at some sites was observed also in the Kremnické vrchy Mts. Regression analysis revealed a statistically significant influence of sulphate sulphur content in the atmospheric precipitation on the sulphur amount in the soil water. A significant correlation was also observed between the precipitation amount and the sulphur content in soil water. Data from monitoring revealed significant differences between the sulphur amounts at depths of 0.10 m and 0.25 m in these study areas.

The leakage of pharmaceuticals present in soils towards groundwater is largely controlled by sorption of those compounds in soils. In some soils, soil aggregates are covered by coatings, which may have considerably different composition in comparison to that in an inner part of the aggregates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sorption of three pharmaceuticals, which were applied in single or all compounds solutions, onto soil samples taken from the Bt horizon of a Haplic Luvisol. Analyses were performed on three types of disturbed soil samples: (1) entire aggregates, (2) aggregates from which coatings were removed, and (3) clay-organic coatings. Sorption of atenolol onto material from coatings was slightly higher than that onto material from the inner parts of the aggregates. On the other hand, sorption of sulfamethoxazole onto material from the coatings was lower than that from the aggregate interior. Both associates with a dominant fraction of clay particles (that are mostly negatively charged) in the coatings in comparison to soil composition in interiors and thus larger cation exchange capacity, which increased sorption of the positively charged atenolol and decreased sorption of the negatively charged sulfamethoxazole. Sorption of carbamazepine, which was in neutral form, did not substantially differ. The sorption of all three compounds did not decrease due to the competition between these compounds for the same sorption sites when applied simultaneously. Atenolol sorption was similar for both applications. Sorption of sulfamethoxazole increased when applied in solution with the other two compounds in comparison to its negligible sorption measured for the single compound solution likely due to sorption of the positively charged molecules of atenolol onto the negatively charged surface of soil components and reduction of repulsion between the soil components and the negatively charged molecules of sulfamethoxazole. Carbamazepine sorption also increased probably due to ionization of molecules due to dipole - induced dipole interaction between non-polar and polar molecules in solution.

Non-exchangeable K release can greatly influence soil K fertility. This study was carried out to study the release of non-exchangeable K from 22 surface and subsurface soils of southern Iran using successive extraction with 10 mmol/l of CaCl₂ and oxalic acid in a period of 2-1368 h at 25 ± 1°C. Alfisols, Aridisols, Entisols, Inceptisols, Mollisols, and Histosols were among the studied soil orders. Illite, smectite, chlorite, vermiculite, kaolinite and palygorskite clay minerals were identified. The amount of non-exchangeable K varied from 95 to 506 mg/kg. Results showed that CaCl₂ and oxalic acid released 60 and 55% of non-exchangeable K from soils, respectively. The discontinuity in slope was found when the cumulative amount of released K was plotted versus time, supporting the multi-reactive nature of K exchange sites. The cumulative K release in soils ranged from 87 to 300 mg/kg for CaCl₂ and 78 to 300 mg/kg for oxalic acid which was well described by simplified Elovich and power function equations. The b constant of simplified Elovich as an index of non-exchangeable K release rate was in the range of 10 to 36 mg/kg for CaCl₂ and 11 to 36 mg/kg for oxalic acid. The highest b constant was measured in Inceptisols and Alfisols, while the lowest values were found in Entisols and Histosols. In conclusion, the K release pattern was similar for both extractants and affected by clay content and type, and soil depth.

Industrial activities in the Czech Republic have brought into existence many degraded and contaminated sites. Such areas are not suitable for farming, building or recreation purposes. The necessary reclamation is typically very expansive. In this study, the contingent valuation method (CVM) was used to estimate the public's willingness to pay for soil reclamation, and also to find out the desire of habitants to live in a good environment with respect to soil quality, and generally to improve the publics awarness of soil protection. This study can help to improve understanding of the local public willingness to pay for reclamation of degradated land protection and can provide useful information for an effective land protection programme. The study was carried out on the locality of Březové Hory - a part of the old mining town Příbram. The chosen locality was used for the placement and storage of residual material after mining, but also includes different soils, which have been transported here as useless material. After the reclamation of a part of the locality, a forest park has been established. A random questionnaire survey was conducted with local resident and as well as holiday makers. The results of the survey indicated that protection of cultivated land was important to the local public. The mean willingness to contribute to reclamation of degraded and contaminated lands in Březové Hory was expressed as the following amount of money: 36.64 CZK (1.4 €) per habitant. The findings calculated suggested that the costs of reclamation of landfill soils on Březové Hory totaled 1528 CZK/m². The results of the survey also showed that the willingness to pay increased according to the dependence on income, the gender and also residential address of respondents. The results have not confirmed the dependence on education. In order to increase the hypothetical willingness to pay, an increase of public awareness of soil degradation and harmful effects on the environment is necessary. Furthermore, it was shown that the market valuation of land can not be used for soil protection purposes.

The effects of tillage and crop rotation on the soil carbon, the soil bulk density, the porosity and the soil water content were evaluated during the 6^th season of an on-going field trial at the University of Fort Hare Farm (UFH), South Africa. Two tillage systems; conventional tillage (CT) and no-till and crop rotations; maize (Zea mays L.)-fallow-maize (MFM), maize-fallow-soybean (Glycine max L.) (MFS); maize-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-maize (MWM) and maize-wheat-soybean (MWS) were evaluated. The field experiment was a 2 × 4 factorial, laid out in a randomised complete design. The crop residues were retained for the no-till plots and incorporated for the CT plots, after each cropping season. No significant effects (P > 0.05) of the tillage and crop rotation on the bulk density were observed. However, the values ranged from 1.32 to1.37 g/cm³. Significant interaction effects of the tillage and crop rotation were observed on the soil porosity (P < 0.01) and the soil water content (P < 0.05). The porosity for the MFM and the MWS, was higher under the CT whereas for the MWM and the MWS, it was higher under the no-till. However, the greatest porosity was under the MWS. Whilst the no-till significantly increased (P < 0.05) the soil water content compared to the CT; the greatest soil water content was observed when the no-till was combined with the MWM rotations. The soil organic carbon (SOC) was increased more (P < 0.05) by the no-till than the CT, and the MFM consistently had the least SOC compared with the rest of the crop rotations, at all the sampling depths (0-5, 5-10 and 10-20 cm). The soil bulk density negatively correlated with the soil porosity and the soil water content, whereas the porosity positively correlated with the soil water content. The study concluded that the crop rotations, the MWM and the MWS under the no-till coupled with the residue retention improved the soil porosity and the soil water content levels the most.

Magnesium is one of the most important nutrient elements. Soils are tested for magnesium in many countries with several extractants. Each country has its own validated methods, best-suited for its soils. The current study was designed to compare different magnesium content measuring methods with 80 Hungarian samples. The magnesium content was determined by the potassium chloride (1 M KCl 1:10), Mehlich 3 and CoHex (cobalt hexamine trichloride) methods. The maximum, mean and median values resulting from all the Mg determination methods showed the following order of measured magnitude: KCl < CoHex < M3.

Toxicity and persistence of heavy metals, which are accumulated in the environment as the result of diverse industrial activities, represent serious environmental problem worldwide. The intense mineral extraction in mining areas has produced a large amount of waste material and tailings, which release toxic elements to the environment. The aim of the study was to determine in two time horizons (1997, 2015) the heavy metal contents of samples derived from ten sampling sites located in the former mining area of Central Spiš (Slovakia). In order to compare the level of contamination, the contamination factor (Cⁱ_f), degree of contamination (C_d), and pollution load index (PLI) were computed. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used in order to detect the relationships among heavy metals. A serious situation was found for Hg, Zn, and Cd, which exceeded limit values at all sampling sites within both studied years. In 1997, the average values of contamination factor have shown very high contamination with all studied heavy metals, and moderate contamination with Co. In 2015, the study area was classified as very highly contaminated with As, Hg, Zn, Cu, considerably contaminated with Ni, Cr, Pb, and Cd, while Co contamination was not detected. Since 1997 till 2015 the pollution load index decreased by about 38%, nevertheless even then almost all sampling sites were classified as heavily polluted. Despite the fact that mining activities were stopped or limited at the beginning of the 21^st century, the presence of heavy metals in soils remains at a serious level. The high level of contamination is a result of heavy metal persistence and non-biodegradability.

The effect of tertiary treated sewage effluents on the plant cover and the physico-chemical properties of the surface soil (environmental characteristics) before and after the Al Rass sewage plant was investigated. The data were illustrated via TWINSPAN and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). Five sites, 1 km apart, after the discharge point and one site (control site) before the sewage plant were examined. Eleven vegetation characteristics and ten physico-chemical properties of surface soil were studied. The obtained results revealed that discharging of treated sewage effluents altered quantitatively and qualitatively the pattern of species dominance and the physico-chemical properties of the soil. Soil electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), organic matters (OM), soluble cations, and soluble anions showed increased values compared to the control (resulting in salination), whereas soil pH decreased as a result of sewage disposal. It was also noticed that the physico-chemical values of EC, TDS, Ca⁺⁺, Mg⁺⁺, Na⁺, Cl^- after the sewage plant were higher than the permissible limits for agriculture recommended by FAO, whereas K⁺ and HCO₃^- were within the recommended values. The dominance of Suaeda vermiculata Forssk. ex J.F.Jmel. after the sewage plant and its absolute absence before the sewage plant may be used as an environmental bioindicator of pollution.

The article demonstrates a multilevel method of soil degradation analysis on land within South Moravia (Czech Republic (CZ)), in the Hodonín region, which is among the highest producing agricultural regions in CZ. The analysis takes a top-down approach, from a regional scale, through cadastres, to individual blocks of land. In the initial (rough) phase, selection was based on the Soil Degradation Model created for the Czech Republic, which classifies the extent of soil degradation to a cadastral level. Within the chosen region, the Čejkovice cadastre is the most burdened in terms of the combination of various degradation factors, and was therefore chosen for a further level of analysis in the form of remote sensing. The results of remote sensing and image classification identify areas with a high level of water erosion, which is the most significant degradation factor within CZ. Pedological research was then carried out in these identified areas. The results of both approaches were compared, and showed significant differences between erosional areas and depositional areas of slopes, which confirms their suitability for the given form of research and analysis. A combination of the given general (Degradation Model) and more detailed methods (erosion modelling, image classification and soil sample analysis) can find practical application in the optimization of farm production in the rural landscape.

Švihov dam, the largest drinking water source in the Czech Republic and Central Europe, has problems with eutrophication. The Švihov dam catchment spreads over 1200 km² and supplies over 1.5 million people in the capital of Prague and the Central Bohemian region with drinking water. Due to intensive agricultural activities and a lack of wastewater treatment plants in small settlements, the water quality is deteriorating. As a result, corrective measures need to be taken. Technological Agency of the Czech Republic supported this research which proposes different scenarios for a reduction of water quality degradation in the dam. The Trnávka dam watershed was chosen for study purposes as it occupies one quarter of the Švihov dam watershed. Hydrological balance was established using measured data. Point and non-point sources of nutrients were determined by field research and included in a Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. This study aims to propose complex watershed management to improve the state of the environment in the entire area and to reduce eutrophication. Different management practices would reduce nutrient loads of streams and increase water quality which is the critical factor in dam eutrophication. This research brings methodology and systematic approach to integrated management, and can be applied not only for the Švihov dam, but also for other watersheds, including those which function as drinking water supply.

The use of sludge in agriculture within the European Union (EU) is currently regulated only by the limits of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) listed in Council Directive 86/278/EEC. This document is now more than 30 years old. Several European countries have introduced more stringent requirements in comparison with the directive, and have adopted limits for concentrations of other heavy metals, synthetic organic compounds and microbial contamination. The paper provides an overview of the current limits of these substances in sewage sludge and concentration limits of heavy metals in soil intended for sludge application, together with applicable laws and regulations in European Union countries. There is a need to update these regulations taking into account the current risks associated with the application of sludge to agricultural land, with the possibility of using ecotoxicological tests to assess the risks. A wide range of technologies for sewage sludge processing is used in EU countries. The predominant choice is a direct application in agriculture followed by composting. The use of sewage sludge in agriculture in 2014 and 2015 in 13 EU countries that provided data amounted to 22.6% (2014) and 22.1% (2015) of produced sludge and 23.3% (2014) and 23.1% (2015) of sludge disposed. It is also highly variable within EU countries ranging between zero (Malta, Slovenia, Slovakia) and 80% (Ireland). Over 50% of sewage sludge is used in agriculture in Bulgaria according to 2015 data.

Forests occupy one third of the world's land area and govern carbon (C) transfers and influence nitrogen (N) content in the biosphere. Afforestation leads to soil changes of specific dynamics, often accompanied by acidification. Especially at higher altitudes this effect is accelerated and increased with the stand age since forestation. The change in soil C and N content following afforestation is controlled by a number of factors, including: previous land use (grasslands, cropland, etc.), tree species, soil cultivation method, soil properties (clay content, pH), stand age, site management, topography, and climate. In the Czech Republic, large area changes in land use took place in the last centuries - forests covering roughly 20% in the 18^th century currently occupy almost 34%, with still increasing tendencies. This paper compares basic soil properties (soil reaction, total soil organic carbon as well as total nitrogen contents) of the agricultural land and land afforested 40-60 years ago. The results confirmed the key role of afforestation in the change of soil organic matter dynamics after establishing new forests on the former agricultural lands in the uppermost mineral soil part of the Orlické hory Mts. region in the Czech Republic. During that time, comparatively substantial changes in soil organic matter and nitrogen were registered. Afforestation considerably increased organic matter content in the studied A-horizons of different land use types. Soil development resulted in a high production of C and N pools under the forest stands, contrary to agricultural land. In general, afforestation caused significant soil acidification. The common tendency of higher acidity of forest soils compared to agricultural ones was documented in the studied case as well. The general tendencies of soil reaction and soil organic matter dynamics at the studied sites are comparable to those in other regions of the Czech Republic.

Anthropogenic activity along the Velhas River (São Francisco River basin) has destabilized the banks of the river channel across an urban fragment. To improve the physical stabilization, the base of the slope was stabilized with urban construction waste. After this, the slope was revegetated with native species and arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) inoculation was applied with a successfully restoration of the vegetative cover and ecological functions. This study aims to evaluate the role of the AMF population in the soil aggregation and stabilization of the revegetated slope. The soil aggregation was higher at the experimental site than at the disturbed site, especially under the AMF inoculation. The aggregates improvement was accompanied by an increase of soil humic acid and glomalin contents 24 months after the transplantation despite a flood impact 12 months after the transplantation. A scatter plot based on Principal Component Analysis of aggregates Showed that the preserved site samples clustered with most of those from experimental site. However, some samples from experimetal site were found between those from preserved and disturbed sites. This result shows that the recovering site is evolving toward the conditions of the preserved site and that the rehabilitation process is in an intermediate phase related to the aggregate formation. The AMF inoculation of woody species was indicated in the rehabilitation procedures.

In this paper we determined the phosphorus (P) concentration in precipitation, and calculated the annual P deposition rate at three study sites located in northern Poland. We observed that the mean annual volume-weighted concentration of mineral phosphorus (P_min) in wet deposition varies from site to site. The estimated annual wet deposition rate of P_min in the study region amounted from 0.1 to 0.39 kg/ha. The concentration and deposition rate of P_min in the southern part of the study region was significantly lower than that in the northern and central part. We detected that the P_min deposition was strongly positively correlated with the fraction of arable land in the study site vicinity, and also positively correlated with the mineral P fertilizer consumption in the area. The mean annual volume-weighted concentration of P_min in wet deposition varied from 0.015 mg/l in the area of the lowest arable land percentage and the lowest mineral fertilizer consumption, to 0.046 mg/l in the area where the arable lands comprise 84% of agricultural land, and mineral P fertilizer consumption exceeded 33 kg/ha. In the P soil surface balance the atmospheric wet deposition represents 2.1-5.6% of annual total inputs of total P. The level of atmospheric P input varies widely by catchment and is related to land use (fertilizing, intensity and type of crop production).

In the context of the overall competition for water resources it is important to understand the complex dynamics of crop water management including evapotranspiration, water quality, and leaching requirement, each of them depending on the site-specific conditions. The research started with grain maize and continued with sunflower, grain maize, and wheat, at the experimental field. On both grain maize and sunflower, 10 irrigation treatments were compared that resulted from the factorial combination of two types of water (fresh and brackish water) with five irrigation regimes; the scheduled treatments were applied by furrow irrigation. The amount of salts brought into the soil with the irrigation water during the three irrigation seasons of our trial increased shifting from the lowest to the highest irrigation regime and with the increase of salinity in the irrigation water. From the study of salt distribution in the soil it follows that at the end of the irrigation season the salt concentration increased by passing from the middle of the furrow, a zone more subject to leaching during irrigation, to the intermediate zone between the furrow and the ridge, and in the middle of the ridge between two contiguous furrows, an area of confluence of the wetting and salt accumulation fronts. The leaching water supplied during the irrigation season was poorly efficient in leaching the salts brought in through irrigation, whereas the rainfall water of the autumn-winter period after the irrigation season ensured a good control of soil salinity.

Nowadays, both synthetic and natural geotextiles are used to mitigate water erosion processes on hillslopes. Jute and coir are most suitable materials for the production of woven geotextiles. They are used for a variety of purposes - from natural fibre composite building materials to a soil protective agent. They were tested under laboratory conditions, without soil. This enabled us to focus on the reaction of the woven geotextiles to simulated rainfall. ECC 700 (coir), ECC 400 (coir), and ECJ 500 (jute) were tested. The Norton Ladder Rainfall Simulator was selected for spraying. Each simulated rainfall event lasted 15 min. An artificial hillslope with a gradient of 7.2 degrees was used. Jute absorbed water more effectively than both types of coir, and ECC 400 was more effective than ECC 700. The measured values were entered into the KINFIL hydrological model, which confirmed a positive impact of jute on delaying the ponding time and on reducing the total discharge. In practice, it can be suggested that jute prevents drying of the soil better than coir, and thus promotes better vegetation growth. The results also demonstrated that jute material is suitable for erosion control of hillslope surface for a short time (the time of the grass cover reinforcement), because it has good adhesion and reduces the total overland flow in an effective manner.