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The mineralogy of bulk and rhizosphere soils was compared to assess the effect of roots on mineral weathering in a Typic Dystrochrept supporting Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst) and oak (Quercus sessiliflora Smith). In an experimental forest site (Breuil-Chenue, France), systematic soil sampling was performed in forty pits. The soil adhering to the roots was considered as rhizosphere soil. The remaining material was regarded as bulk soil. The mineralogy of the clay-sized particles of both fractions was determined by x-ray diffraction (XRD). Amorphous solid phases were estimated by extracting Fe and Al with hot Na-citrate and dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate. Total chemical analyzes were performed on the clay-sized particles via Ba[Cl.sub.2]-saturation and an iso-zirconium weathering balance was calculated. The XRD demonstrated an increase of illite-like minerals in the rhizosphere of both species and the selective extractions revealed a decrease in the amorphous phases. The total chemical analyzes showed that the rhizosphere clay-sized fraction contained significantly more Si and K (for oak only) and less Fe and Al than the bulk soil. By way of the iso-zirconium weathering balance, these losses of Fe and AI in the rhizosphere were estimated at several tens of kilograms by hectare for the surface horizon (0-3 cm). This study demonstrates that, despite the short duration of the contact between the active part of a root and the solid mineral phase, the intensity of the processes occurring in the rhizosphere significantly increases mineral weathering. Abbreviations: B, bulk soil; BS, base saturation; subscript c, hot Na-citate treatment; CEC, cation exchange capacity; subscript d, dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate treatment; EA, exchangeable acidity; EG, ethylene glycol treatment; HIS, hydroxy-interlayered smectite; HIV, hydroxy-interlayered vermiculite; ICP-AES, inductively coupled plasma spectrometry-atomic emission spectrometry; ICP-MS, inductively coupled plasma spectrometry- mass spectrometry; R, rhizosphere; subscript [tot], total; XRD, x-ray diffraction.

Soil analyses was combined with cultivation-dependent analyses of the culturable bacterial communities associated with the widespread mycorrhizal fungus Scleroderma citrinum to demonstrate a significant enrichment of bacterial isolates with efficient mineral weathering potentials around the oak and beech mycorrhizal roots compared to bulk soil. The study highlights the presence of bacterial strains harboring efficient mineral weathering potential in the soil surrounding the trees regardless of the tree species considered.

Two column experiments with a quartz-biotite substrate were conducted to quantify the respective effects of plant- and root-associated bacteria on mineral weathering and their consequences on tree seedling growth and nutrition. It was observed that there was no improvement in growth when the seedlings were supplied with all the necessary nutrients suggesting that the principal nutrient source for forest trees is derived from the weathering of soil minerals, which results from water circulation and from plant and microbial activity.

To which extent does the apparent negative correlation reported between silicate weathering rates and time result from the spontaneous physicochemical evolution of the fluid–mineral interface? To address this question, labradorite powders inserted in nylon bags and buried into two different topsoil horizons for four years were subjected to nanoscale characterization of their near-surface regions using transmission electron microscopy. These characterizations revealed the occurrence of a 30 to 70 nm-thick discontinuous amorphous silica-rich surface layer (ASSL) with a sharp crystalline-amorphous interfacial boundary between labradorite and the layer. Dissolution experiments conducted in mixed-flow reactors at ambient temperature and acidic pH demonstrated that the reactivity of fresh and naturally weathered labradorite powders decreased with time, with the dissolution rate of fresh powders remaining systematically greater than that of naturally weathered powders, all over the duration of the experiments (3 weeks). In addition, the dissolution rate of all labradorite batches was noticeably lower in solutions containing elevated concentrations of SiO 2 (aq), which we attributed to the passivating effect of the ASSLs. This suggestion was confirmed with a simple passivation model, which enabled to capture (i) the greater reactivity of fresh powders; (ii) the dependence of the dissolution rate on [SiO 2 (aq)]; (iii) the gradual decline of powder dissolution rate with time and (iv) the discontinuous occurrence of ASSLs. The model further supports that surface passivation could be one of the (non-exclusive) mechanisms that could account for the so-called kinetic “field-lab discrepancy”. The geochemical implications of the recognition of the passivation mechanism are broad, ranging from the need to revisit the kinetic rate laws implemented in geochemical codes to the questioning of the formalism used for determining weathering rates from the study of U-series nuclides in soils and weathering profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of forest vegetation in the silicon (Si) cycle has been widely examined. However, to date, little is known about the specific role of fine roots. The main objective of our study was to assess the influence of fine roots on the Si cycle in a temperate forest in north-eastern France. Silicon pools and fluxes in vegetal solid and solution phases were quantified within each ecosystem compartment, i.e. in the atmosphere, above-ground and below-ground tree tissues, forest floor and different soil layers, on three plots, each with different soil types, i.e. Dystric Cambisol (DC), Eutric Cambisol (EC) and Rendzic Leptosol (RL). In this study, we took advantage of a natural soil gradient, from shallow calcic soil to deep moderately acidic soil, with similar climates, atmospheric depositions, species compositions and management. Soil solutions were measured monthly for 4 years to study the seasonal dynamics of Si fluxes. A budget of dissolved Si (DSi) was also determined for the forest floor and soil layers. Our study highlighted the major role of fine roots in the Si cycle in forest ecosystems for all soil types. Due to the abundance of fine roots mainly in the superficial soil layers, their high Si concentration (equivalent to that of leaves and 2 orders higher than that of coarse roots) and their rapid turnover rate (approximately 1 year), the mean annual Si fluxes in fine roots in the three plots were 68 and 110 kgha-1 yr-1 for the RL and the DC, respectively. The turnover rates of fine roots and leaves were approximately 71 and 28% of the total Si taken up by trees each year, demonstrating the importance of biological recycling in the Si cycle in forests. Less than 1% of the Si taken up by trees each year accumulated in the perennial tissues. This study also demonstrated the influence of soil type on the concentration of Si in the annual tissues and therefore on the Si fluxes in forests. The concentrations of Si in leaves and fine roots were approximately 1.5-2.0 times higher in the Si-rich DC compared to the Si-poor RL. In terms of the DSi budget, DSi production was large in the three plots in the forest floor (9.9 to 12.7 kgha-1 yr-1), as well as in the superficial soil layer (5.3 to 14.5 kgha-1 yr-1) and decreased with soil depth. An immobilization of DSi was even observed at 90 cm depth in plot DC (-1.7 kgha-1 yr-1). The amount of Si leached from the soil profile was relatively low compared to the annual uptake by trees (13% in plot DC to 29% in plot RL). The monthly measurements demonstrated that the seasonal dynamics of the DSi budget were mainly linked to biological activity. Notably, the peak of dissolved Si production in the superficial soil layer occurred during winter and probably resulted from fine-root decomposition. Our study reveals that biological processes, particularly those involving fine roots, play a predominant role in the Si cycle in temperate forest ecosystems, while the geochemical processes appear to be limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context In the current context of land use and climate change, there is a need to precisely quantify the carbon (C) balance of forest ecosystems, and more specifically, of C allocation to tree compartments. Aims We quantified the seasonal changes in the aboveground biomass production (aBP) of a beech forest growing on two different soils: an alocrisol and a calci-brunisol. In addition, for the alocrisol ecosystem, we assessed the existence and degree of intra-annual variability in the ratio of wood aBP to gross primary production (GPP), i.e., the wood aBP efficiency. Methods The study site is a 60-year-old beech forest in northeastern France. An eddy covariance tower records continuously net ecosystem exchange. To investigate the temporal changes in aBP, mini-cores were drilled and diameter at breast height measurements were taken on a monthly basis from 45 trees for both stands studied over 2014. Results A clear difference in aBP was observed between the two soils with the alocrisol being more productive than the calcibrunisol. For the alocrisol, both woody aBP and GPP changed over the course of the year, reaching peak values during June (6 and 12.5 gC m−2 day−1, respectively). Wood applied bias photon-to-current efficiency aboveground Biomass Production Efficiency (aBPE) also showed important intra-annual variations, ranging from 0.09 in September to 0.58 in July. Wood density varied throughout the year, and not taking it into account would have led to an overestimation of aBP by as much as 20% in April and May. Conclusion Our study highlights the importance of taking wood density into account for intra-annual studies of aBP. Wood aBPE cannot be considered as constant as it fluctuated from 0.09 to 0.58 throughout the year for an annual value of 0.34. The potential error in wood aBPE stemming from not taking these changes into account amounts to 15%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of forest vegetation in the silicon (Si) cycle has been widely examined. However, to date, no study has investigated the specific role of fine roots. The main objectives of our study were to assess the influence of fine roots as well as the impact of soil properties on the Si cycle in a temperate forest in northeastern France. Silicon pools and fluxes in solid and solution phases were quantified within each ecosystem compartment, i.e., the atmosphere, aboveground and belowground tree tissues, forest floor, and different soil horizons, on three plots, each with different soil types, i.e., Dystric Cambisol (plot S1), Eutric Cambisol (plot S2), and Rendzic Leptosol (plot S3). In this study, we took advantage of a natural soil gradient, from shallow calcic soil to deep moderately acidic soil, with similar climates, atmospheric depositions, species composition and management. Soil solutions were measured monthly for four years to study the seasonal dynamics of Si fluxes. A budget of dissolved Si was also determined for the forest floor and soil layers. Our study highlighted the major role of fine roots in the Si cycle in forest ecosystems for all soil types. Because of the abundance of fine roots mainly in the superficial soil horizons, their high Si concentration (equivalent to that of leaves and two orders higher than that of coarse roots) and their rapid turnover rate (approximately one year), the mean annual Si fluxes in fine roots in the three plots ranged from 68 to 110 kg ha-1 y-1 for the Rendzic Leptosol and the Dystric Cambisol, respectively. The turnover of fine roots and leaves was approximately 71 % and 28 % of the total Si taken up by trees each year, respectively, demonstrating the importance of biological recycling in the Si cycle in forests. Less than 1 % of the Si taken up by trees each year accumulated in the perennial tissues. This study also demonstrated the influence of soil type on the concentration of Si in the annual tissues and therefore on the Si fluxes in forests. The concentrations of Si in leaves and fine roots were approximately 1.5-2.0 times higher in the Si-rich Dystric Cambisol compared to the Si poor Rendzic Leptosol. In terms of the dissolved Si budget, there were large amounts of dissolved Si in the three plots on the forest floor (9.9 to 12.7 kg ha-1 y-1) and in the superficial soil horizon (5.3 to 14.5 kg ha-1 y-1), and Si decreased with depth in plot S1 (1.7 kg ha-1 y-1). The amount of Si leached from the soil profile was relatively low compared to the annual uptake by trees (13 % in plot S1 to 29 % in plot S3). The monthly measurements demonstrated that the seasonal dynamics of the dissolved Si budget were mainly linked to biological activity. Notably, the peak of dissolved Si production in the superficial soil horizon was during the winter and probably resulted from fine root decomposition. Our study reveals that biological processes, particularly those of fine roots, play a predominant role in the Si cycle in temperate forest ecosystems, while the geochemical processes appear to be limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In forest ecosystems, the specific influence of soil resources on stand productivity is difficult to assess because many other ecological variables also affect tree growth. In this study, we took advantage of a natural soil gradient, from shallow calcic soil to deep acidic soil, all with similar climate, atmospheric depositions, species composition and management, to determine the relationship between soil nutritive resources and the growth and mineral nutrition of a beech ( Fagus sylvatica ) mature forest of Northeastern France. Soil resources were assessed through the quantification of the stocks of available water and mineral nutrients (Ca, Mg, K and P 2 O 5 ). Beech stand growth and mineral nutrition were determined through the use of several indicators, i.e., standing aboveground biomass and annual biomass production, potential growth index (prediction of the height of dominant trees at 100 years) and foliar nutrient content. We observed a gradient of nutritive resources in soils as well as a gradient of stand growth on the study site: the current aboveground biomass was highest on the calci-brunisol which presented the highest water and nutrient stocks while it was lowest on the rendisol, characterized by a very low water holding capacity and a very low stock of available K. However, the growth of beech trees on the rendisol was equivalent to the highest growth classes of beech trees in France, and K nutrition was optimal. Observations on the study site suggest that, in favorable climate conditions, some biological adaptation processes, such as an efficient root colonization as well as an efficient nutrient cycling may allow to maintain stand growth and nutrition on soils with low water and nutrient reserves. The fertility of forest soils has thus to be assessed in a dynamic way by integrating nutrient fluxes as well as the adaptations of trees to environmental constraints. The biological processes become an increasingly important part in the conservation of soil fertility, notably in the perspective of global changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and particularly increasing frequency of drought events during the vegetation period may threaten tree vitality and forest biomass productivity in many temperate regions in the future. In that context, the identification of critical environmental factors and a better understanding of their impact on forests are decisive. The water balance is recognized as one of the most important soil factors for stand productivity in temperate forests. Hence, the consequences of short or long term climate change might vary considerably spatially in function of soil type within a given forest. Our study objective was to assess the impact of contrasting soil types on the water balance and stand growth of a beech ( Fagus sylvatica ) forest ecosystem of similar age and management during four climatically contrasting years. The experimental forest site of Montiers presents different soils with contrasting physicochemical properties (Dystric Cambisol, Eutric Cambisol and Rendzic Leptosol) monitored to quantify water fluxes and stand biomass increment. Using data collected over the period 2012–2015, including a particularly dry year (−24% precipitations in 2015), we also quantified the impact of water shortage on stand productivity at the annual scale as a function of soil type. We evidenced important differences in soil water holding capacities (SWHC) along the studied soil sequence, ranging between 57 mm for the Rendzic Leptosol downhill over limestone and 205 mm for the Dystric Cambisol uphill over detrital sediments. The results show that the canopy intercepted the same amount of incident rainfall in the three plots and that there were no significant differences in annual soil moisture dynamics among the studied soils. We evidenced different rooting patterns depending on soil type. Under a same climate and with stand, site exposition and solar radiation equivalency, trees transpiration was the evident primary driver of the stand potential to produce aboveground biomass. Soil water holding capacity, annual trees transpiration and aboveground biomass production increased in that order: Rendzic Leptosol < Eutric Cambisol < Dystric Cambisol. During the drier year 2015, the decrease in aboveground biomass productivity was of similar amplitude on the three soil types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: As wood harvests are expected to increase to satisfy the need for bio-energy in Europe, quantifying atmospheric nutrient inputs in forest ecosystems is essential for forest management. Current atmospheric measurements only take into account the <0.45μm fraction and dry deposition is generally modeled. The aims of this study were to quantify atmospheric particulate deposition (APD), the >0.45μm fraction of atmospheric deposition, below the canopy, to study the influence of the canopy on APD, and to determine the influence of APD below canopy to nutrient input–output budgets with a focus on base cations calcium, magnesium and potassium, and phosphorus. APD was sampled every four weeks by passive collectors. We divided APD into an organic and a mineral fraction, respectively POM and MDD. MDD was divided into a soluble and a hardly soluble fraction in hydrogen peroxide, referred to as S-MDD and H-MDD, respectively. In order to better understand the influence of the canopy on APD, we studied APD in three pathways below the canopy (litterfall, stemflow and throughfall), and in open field. Our results indicated that APD in throughfall (123±64kgha−1 year−1) was significantly higher and synchronic with that in open field (33±9kgha−1 year−1) in the two study sites. This concerned both POM and MDD, suggesting a large interception of APD by foliar surfaces, which is rapidly washed off by rain within four weeks. Throughfall H-MDD was the main pathway with an average of 16±2kgha−1 year−1. Stemflow and litterfall were neglected. In one study site, canopy intercepted about 8kgha−1 year−1 of S-MDD. Although base cations and phosphorus inputs by APD are lower than those of <0.45μm deposition, they contributed from 5 to 32% to atmospheric deposition and improved the nutrient budget in one of the study sites. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The release of nutritive elements through apatite dissolution represents the main source of phosphorus, calcium, and several micronutrients (e.g., Zn, Cu) for organisms in non-fertilized forest ecosystems. The aim of this study was to quantify, for the first time, the dissolution rate of apatite grains by tree roots that were or were not associated with a mineral weathering bacterial strain, and by various acids known to be produced by tree roots and soil bacterial strains in open-system flow microcosms. In addition, we explored whether the mobilization of trace elements (including rare earth elements) upon apatite dissolution was affected by the presence of trees and associated microorganisms. The dissolution rate of apatite by Scots pine plants that were or were not inoculated with the strain Burkholderia glathei PML1(12)Rp, and by inorganic (nitric) and organic (citric, oxalic and gluconic) acids at pH 5.5, 4.8, 3.8, 3.5, 3.0, and 2.0 was monitored in two controlled experiments: “plant–bacteria interaction” and “inorganic and organic acids”. Analyses of the outlet solutions in the “plant–bacteria interaction” experiment showed that Scots pine roots and B. glathei PML1(12)Rp produced protons and organic acids such as gluconate, oxalate, acetate, and lactate. The weathering budget calculation revealed that Scots pines (with or without PML1(12)Rp) significantly increased (factor>10) the release of Ca, P, As, Sr, Zn, U, Y, and rare earth elements such as Ce, La, Nd from apatite, compared to control abiotic treatment. Scanning electron microscopy observation confirmed traces of apatite dissolution in contact of roots. Most dissolved elements were taken up by Scots pine roots, i.e., approximately 50% of Ca, 70% of P, 30% of As, 70% of Sr, 90% of Zn, and 100% of U, Y, and rare earth elements. Interestingly, no significant additional effect due to the bacterial strain PML1(12)Rp on apatite dissolution and Scots pine nutrition and growth was observed. The “inorganic and organic acids” experiment demonstrated that the apatite dissolution efficacy of organic acids was higher than for the inorganic acid and varied in function of the acids: oxalic acid>citric acid>gluconic acid>nitric acid for pH ⩽3.5. In addition, apatite dissolution increased with increasing acidity for each acid. Only oxalic acid generated non-stoichiometric release of calcium and phosphorus from apatite in the solution at pH ⩽3.5, due to the precipitation of Ca-oxalate crystals at apatite surfaces. Comparison of the experiments revealed that the apatite dissolution rate by Scots pines supplied with nutritive solution at pH 5.5 reached 2.0×10−13 molcm−2 s−1 and was equivalent to rates with nitric acid at pH 3.2, gluconic acid at pH 3.5, citric acid at pH 3.7, and oxalic acid at pH 3.8. Altogether our results highlight that, through the production of weathering agents, notably protons and organic acids, tree roots and root-associated microorganisms are able to significantly increase the release of macro- and micro-nutrients from apatite, thus maintaining high-nutrient conditions to support their growth. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ni phytoextraction processes need further understanding of the interactions between Ni availability in soils and its absorption by plant roots. The large metal uptake and root exudation by hyperaccumulator species could accelerate the weathering process of Ni-bearing phases in the rhizosphere. The aim of this work was to quantify the weathering of a Ni-bearing mineral phase in the rhizosphere of the Ni-hyperaccumulator Leptoplax emarginata. The studied mineral was chrysotile which was characterized by a low Ni solubility. Column experiments were performed to assess the effect of the Ni-hyperaccumulator L. emarginata and the contribution of rhizobacteria on the dissolution rate of chrysotile. Mineral weathering was monitored by measuring Ni and Mg transferred to leachates or plants throughout the experiment. Results showed that L. emarginata increased chrysotile dissolution by more than 2-fold . The hyperaccumulator L. emarginata accumulated 88% on average of total mobilized Ni. Inoculation with Ni-resistant bacteria in the rhizosphere of L. emarginata had no significant effect on chrysotile dissolution or plant accumulation of Ni in this context. Finally, after 15 weeks of culture, 1.65% of total Ni in the system was mobilized in the planted treatments compared with 0.03% in the unplanted treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]