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Application of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) products - fly ash (MSW-FA) and bottom ash (MSW-BA), is increasingly popular, mostly due to the need to reintroduce it in the industrial chain, but also because its technical performance is constantly enhanced by a growing research effort. This paper deals with the less popular application of these wastes without the addition of a more competent precursor. Several pastes based on MSW-FA, MSW-BA or MSW-FA+MSW-BA were prepared, using sodium silicate or sodium hydroxide. Their overall performance was then assessed through mechanical (uniaxial compressive strength - UCS and seismic wave velocity), environmental (leaching) and durability tests (freeze-thaw and wetting-drying). Cement stabilised MSW-BA pastes were also tested, for reference. Results showed that a preliminary mechanical activation, achieved by milling, is fundamental; the activation with silicate is more effective than with hydroxide, especially in the case of the MSW-BA pastes, when the UCS values are more than triplicated (3–10 MPa); the MSW-BA is a more competent precursor than the MSW-FA and the durability and leachability of the alkali activated pastes is similar to that obtained with cement. The most performing paste, in terms of UCS, was obtained with BA activated exclusively with sodium silicate, with an activator/precursor weight ratio of 0.5. In general, the low-cost solidification/stabilisation proposed in this study showed competitive with the alternative use of up to 30% cement and should be regarded as a valid alternative for simple storage or low-range applications, in substitution of Portland cement.

Key message Despite the fact that the technique of application of bioinoculants improved the quality ofQuercus suberL. seedlings produced in nurseries, these benefits are dependent on the ecological conditions of the site and the composition of the applied inoculum, which interferes with the profile of the local fungal community. Context Quercus suber L. plays a key ecological and socio-economical role in the Iberian Peninsula. Symbiotic ectomycorrhizal fungi-ECM are crucial partners of several tree species, and assessing the efficacy of bioinoculants at nursery stage helps devising tools to increase plant resilience. Aims The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two inocula formulations of mixed ECM fungi and bacteria on the quality of seedlings produced in two forest nurseries, differing in environmental conditions and forest embedment. Methods Quercus suber L. seedlings were inoculated with a commercial product containing Pisolithus tinctorius (Pers) Coker & Couch, Scleroderma sp., and six bacterial species and with a non-commercial fungal and bacterial dual inoculum (Suillus granulatus (L.) Roussel + Mesorhizobium sp.). Biometric and nutritional parameters and morphological quality indexes were determined on seedlings. The ECM community was assessed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and cloning-sequencing. Results In both nurseries, the seedling quality index in inoculated was up to 2-fold higher than in non-inoculated seedlings. Plant biomass differed significantly among nurseries. The inoculum influenced the profile of the fungal community. S. granulatus and P. tinctorius persisted for 6 months in the inoculated seedlings. Conclusion The nursery ecosystem influenced plant growth. Inoculation treatments increased plant performance; however, the dual inoculum resulted in more consistent improvements of Q. suber at nursery stage, highlighting the importance of inocula selection.

Heavy metals in urban soils may impose a threat to public health and may negatively affect urban tree viability. Vegetation spectroscopy techniques applied to bio-indicators bring new opportunities to characterize heavy metal contamination, without being constrained by laborious soil sampling and lab-based sample processing. Here we used Tilia tomentosa trees, sampled across three European cities, as bio-indicators i) to investigate the impacts of elevated concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) on leaf mass per area (LMA), total chlorophyll content (Chl), chlorophyll a to b ratio (Chla:Chlb) and the maximal PSII photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm); and ii) to evaluate the feasibility of detecting Cd and Pb contamination using leaf reflectance spectra. For the latter, we used a partial-least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) to train spectral-based models for the classification of Cd and/or Pb contamination. We show that elevated soil Pb concentrations induced a significant decrease in the LMA and Chla:Chlb, with no decrease in Chl. We did not observe pronounced reductions of Fv/Fm due to Cd and Pb contamination. Elevated Cd and Pb concentrations induced contrasting spectral changes in the red-edge (690–740 nm) region, which might be associated with the proportional changes in leaf pigments. PLS-DA models allowed for the classifications of Cd and Pb contamination, with a classification accuracy of 86% (Kappa = 0.48) and 83% (Kappa = 0.66), respectively. PLS-DA models also allowed for the detection of a collective elevation of soil Cd and Pb, with an accuracy of 66% (Kappa = 0.49). This study demonstrates the potential of using reflectance spectroscopy for biomonitoring of heavy metal contamination in urban soils. Applying leaf reflectance spectroscopy to urban trees allows for biomonitoring of heavy metal pollution and the classification of pollutants in urban soils.

Studies on the functional significance of bacteria associated with ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi are scarce, as well as information on the metabolism of the host plant when in symbiosis with ECM fungi. Here we intended to evaluate the phenolic profile of seedlings when associated with Bacillus subtilis (B1), Pisolithus tinctorius (Pis) and their combination (PisB1). The interaction between microorganisms was conducted in three stages: (i) in vitro evaluation of fungal/bacterial interaction, (ii) microcosms, (iii) plant transplantation to natural soil. The profile of phenolic compounds was determined at the end of stages (ii) and (iii) and further supplemented with biometric, nutritional and analysis of the ectomycorrhizal community by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. In the in vitro compatibility test, B1 inhibited fungal growth at all glucose concentrations tested. In the microcosm, the levels of chlorogenic and p-coumaric acid decreased over time, unlike the protocatechuic acid which tended to increase during 70 days. After transplantation to the soil, the levels of phenolic acids decreased in all treatments, while catechin increased. B. subtilis positively influenced the fungus-plant relationship as was evidenced by higher biomass of seedlings inoculated with the dual inoculum (PisB1), both in the microcosm and soil stages. The presence of the bacteria interfered in the composition of the ECM fungal community installed in Pinus pinea L. in the soil. This leads to infer that B. subtilis may have caused a greater effect on the metabolism of P. pinea, especially in synergy with mycorrhizal fungi, than the action of the isolated fungus.

© 2018 The Authors Urban trees play a key role in mitigating environmental problems in cities, but they often face harsh environmental conditions as they generally grow in sealed soils that have small rooting space and low water availability. In this context, rapid monitoring and assessment of tree health status is critical to maintain urban trees and secure the provisioning of urban ecosystem services. Across three European cities we selected 187 Tilia tomentosa trees growing under following planting conditions: (i) sealed, trees planted in small soil pits or strips surrounded by highly sealed surfaces (concrete, pavement or asphalt); and (ii) unsealed, trees planted in roomy soil surfaces (e.g. parks). We measured leaf reflectance and fluorescence and derived a set of optical traits from the measurements. We examined whether these non-destructively measured optical traits differ between planting conditions and whether they correlate with leaf functional traits, e.g. specific leaf area (SLA), leaf water content (LWC) and leaf water per area (LWA). Compared to the unsealed trees, sealed trees showed decreased SLA and LWC while increased LWA. Leaf optical traits differed between the unsealed and sealed trees. Highly sealed soils accelerated leaf senescence of the sealed trees compared to the unsealed trees, embodied in the temporal trend of optical traits. Sealed planting conditions negatively affect urban tree health status and phenology. These negative effects can be estimated by leaf optical traits, demonstrating the great potential of optical traits in assessing tree health status. Our findings provide insights into facilitating urban green management using optical traits and remote sensing data. ispartof: ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS vol:95 pages:895-906 status: published

It is recognized that inoculation with ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi can have a positive effect on the establishment of nursery grown seedlings and influence their survival during the first years. However, an increased effort is needed to understand their role and behavior in abandoned burned areas. We investigated tree performance of pre-inoculated Quercus rubra seedlings on a site with fire history and monitored fungal persistence and succession dynamics of the ectomycorrhizal community established. Nursery grown Q. rubra seedlings inoculated with a mixture of 6 ECM fungi ( Cenococcum geophilum , Hebeloma crustuliniforme , H. mesophaeum , H. velutipes , Paxillus involutus and Scleroderma citrinum ) were transplanted to Serra da Cabreira, Northern Portugal. Non-inoculated control oak seedlings were also transplanted. Two years after planting, biometric and mycorrhizal parameters were determined. The presence of the inoculated ECM fungi and the dominant ECM fungal community established was assessed by DGGE-cloning. Results showed that the bioinoculants improved the growth performance of outplanted oak seedlings, promoting a c.a. 1.6-fold increase in height and a 2.9-fold increase in the number of ECM root tips. After two years, H. mesophaeum , H. velutipes , P. involutus and S. citrinum persisted in the root system of inoculated plants. Ordination analysis demonstrated that ECM fungal communities of inoculated and non-inoculated samples were significantly different. The present work reinforces the benefits of using nursery inoculated plants in forest reclamation processes.

The combination of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi and plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) has considerable potential in forestry. Here we report on the combined effects of PGPB Mesorhizobium sp. and the ECM fungus Paxillus involutus on the growth of Betula pubescens in two different substrates, a forest soil and an alkaline anthropogenic sediment. Growth, nutrient concentration and mycorrhizal formation of B. pubescens were determined at the end of the experiment and the fungal and bacterial communities were assessed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. The combined effects of ECM and PGPB enhanced root and shoot growth most in the forest soil with Mesorhizobium appearing to stimulate mycorrhizal formation. However, in the alkaline sediment, an antagonistic interaction was detected between P. involutus and Mesorhizobium sp., with Mesorhizobium sp. alone stimulating growth. The significant interaction between the ECM and the PGBP across the two substrates is discussed.

Soil contamination with Cd is of primary concern and beneficial soil restoration strategies urge. The aim of this work is to evaluate the response of two different genotypes of Pinus pinaster (wild and selected) to Cd contamination and to assess how inoculation with ectomycorrhizal fungi, Suillus bovinus and Rhizopogon roseolus, influenced each genotype. Seedlings were exposed to soil contaminated at 15 and 30 mg Cd kg−1. Plant growth, mycorrhizal traits and Cd accumulation in different tissues of the plant were determined at harvest. The fungal community was assessed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. At 15 mg Cd kg−1 S. bovinus increased aboveground development in both genotypes. At 30 mg Cd kg−1 non-inoculated wild genotype accumulated more Cd in the shoots (1.7-fold) than the selected genotype; inoculation with R. roseolus decreased Cd concentration in the roots of the selected genotype whereas the opposite occurred in the wild genotype. Cd concentration in the root system was the parameter most influenced by the interaction between the three studied variables. The fungal community established was affected by the Cd concentration in the soil. Results show that different genotypes of P. pinaster react differently to Cd exposure depending on the mycorrhizal association. The importance of considering the combination between plant genotype and its symbiotic partners when aiming at the forestation of degraded land is highlighted.