Abstract
This study assessed the capacity of leaf litters to adsorb copper ions applied as a copper-based pesticide. Leaf litters of two fruit tree species with different lignin/N ratios were examined to determine their protective role against the incorporation of Cu into soil. A leaf litter Cu-adsorption capacity assay and a degradation assay were performed using table grape (lignin/N = 2.35) and kiwi (lignin/N = 10.85) leaf litters. Table grape leaf litter had a significantly (p = 0.001) higher Cu-adsorption capacity (15,800 mg kg−1) than kiwi leaf litter (14,283 mg kg−1). Following leaf litter degradation, significant differences (p = 0.011) were observed in the release of Cu from Cu-enriched leaf litter into soil, showing that kiwi litter has a greater protective effect against the incorporation of Cu into soil, regardless of the amount of Cu applied. This protective role is reflected in a significantly higher (p = 0.015) Cu concentration in table grape soil (41.71 ± 2.14 mg kg−1) than in kiwi soil (35.87 ± 0.69 mg kg−1). Therefore, leaf litter with higher lignin/N ratio has greater protective role against copper incorporation into soil.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 60913-60922 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Environmental Science and Pollution Research |
Volume | 28 |
Issue number | 43 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 2021 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Degradation
- Lignin
- Metals
- Microbial activity
- Orchards
- Pesticides