Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer Application on Soil Properties and Arsenic Mobilization in Paddy Soil

Bing Han, Wei-Qing Chen, Yong-Qiang Jiao, Rui Yang, Li-Lu Niu, Xin-Ran Chen, Chen-Yang Ji and Dai-Xia Yin ()
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Bing Han: College of Resources and Environment, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
Wei-Qing Chen: College of Resources and Environment, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
Yong-Qiang Jiao: College of Resources and Environment, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
Rui Yang: College of Resources and Environment, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
Li-Lu Niu: College of Resources and Environment, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
Xin-Ran Chen: College of Resources and Environment, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
Chen-Yang Ji: College of Resources and Environment, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
Dai-Xia Yin: College of Resources and Environment, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 13, 1-13

Abstract: Anthropogenic nitrogen (N) fertilization may substantially alter arsenic (As) behavior in the soil. However, a comprehensive understanding of how the soil As cycle responds to external N addition remains elusive. This study investigates the effects of various N fertilizers on soil properties and As mobility in paddy soil. Regardless of N sources, the concentrations of soluble As and SPLP-extractable As decreased with all N applications. Similarly, soil acidification occurred and dissolved iron (Fe) increased in most treatments, except for KNO 3 addition. However, only the KNO 3 application could reduce As desorption from soil minerals based on phosphate extraction. Also, KNO 3 enhanced both soil catalase (S-CAT) and dehydrogenase (S-DEH) activities. Other N treatments decreased S-CAT activities, but increased S-DEH activities. Principal components analysis indicated that phosphate extractable As was associated with NH 4 + -N concentration and S-DEH activity, while the concentrations of soluble As and SPLP-extractable As were associated with pH, S-CAT activity, and dissolved Fe. These results demonstrated that the soil properties induced by the N application are the main drivers of As desorption in paddy soil and that KNO 3 application is more eco-friendly than other N sources in As-contaminated paddy soil. This study shed light on the reasonable application of N-bearing fertilizers and the importance of soil properties to assess As mobility in As-contaminated paddy soil.

Keywords: nitrogen fertilizer; arsenic; soil properties; redox reactions; soil enzymatic activities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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