We investigated the influence of elevated CO₂ and O₃ on soil N cycling within the soybean growing season and across soil environments (i.e., rhizosphere and bulk soil) at the Soybean Free Air Concentration Enrichment (SoyFACE) experiment in Illinois, USA. Elevated O₃ decreased soil mineral N likely through a reduction in plant material input and increased denitrification, which was evidenced by the greater abundance of the denitrifier gene nosZ. Elevated CO₂ did not alter the parameters evaluated and both elevated CO₂ and O₃ showed no interactive effects on nitrifier and denitrifier abundance, nor on total and mineral N concentrations. These results indicate that elevated CO₂ may have limited effects on N transformations in soybean agroecosystems. However, elevated O₃ can lead to a decrease in soil N availability in both bulk and rhizosphere soils, and this likely also affects ecosystem productivity by reducing the mineralization rates of plant-derived residues.

The potential for storing additional C in U.S. Corn Belt soils – to offset rising atmospheric [CO2] – is large. Long-term cultivation has depleted substantial soil organic matter (SOM) stocks that once existed in the region's native ecosystems. In central Illinois, free-air CO2 enrichment technology was used to investigate the effects of elevated [CO2] on SOM pools in a conservation tilled corn–soybean rotation. After 5 and 6 y of CO2 enrichment, we investigated the distribution of C and N among soil fractions with varying ability to protect SOM from rapid decomposition. None of the isolated C or N pools, or bulk-soil C or N, was affected by CO2 treatment. However, the site has lost soil C and N, largely from unprotected pools, regardless of CO2 treatment since the experiment began. These findings suggest management practices have affected soil C and N stocks and dynamics more than the increased inputs from CO2-stimulated photosynthesis. Soil carbon from microaggregate-protected and unprotected fractions decreased in a conservation tilled corn–soybean rotation despite increases in primary production from exposure to atmospheric CO2 enrichment.

Larvae of Zophobas atratus (synonym as Z. morio, or Z. rugipes Kirsch, Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) are capable of eating foams of expanded polystyrene (EPS) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE), similar to larvae of Tenebrio molitor. We evaluated biodegradation of EPS and LDPE in the larvae from Guangzhou, China (strain G) and Marion, Illinois, U.S. (strain M) at 25 °C. Within 33 days, strain G larvae ingested respective LDPE and PS foams as their sole diet with respective consumption rates of 58.7 ± 1.8 mg and 61.5 ± 1.6 mg 100 larvae⁻¹d⁻¹. Meanwhile, strain M required co-diet (bran or cabbage) with respective consumption rates of 57.1 ± 2.5 mg and 30.3 ± 7.7 mg 100 larvae⁻¹ d⁻¹. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and thermal gravimetric analyses indicated oxidation and biodegradation of LDPE and EPS in the two strains. Gel permeation chromatography analysis revealed that strain G performed broad depolymerization of EPS, i.e., both weight-average molecular weight (Mw) and number-average molecular weight (Mₙ) of residual polymers decreased, while strain M performed limited extent depolymerization, i.e., Mw and Mₙ increased. However, both strains performed limited extent depolymerization of LDPE. After feeding antibiotic gentamicin, gut microbes were suppressed, and Mw and Mₙ of residual LDPE and EPS in frass were basically unchanged, implying a dependence on gut microbes for depolymerization/biodegradation. Our discoveries indicate that gut microbe-dependent LDPE and EPS biodegradation is present within Z. atratus in Tenebrionidae, but that the limited extent depolymerization pattern resulted in undigested polymers with high molecular weights in egested frass.

In order to better understand the exposure of aquatic systems to halogenated flame retardant contaminants, the present study investigated a variety of legacy and emerging flame retardants in common carp and largemouth bass collected from 58 stations across Illinois (United States). The data revealed that polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) generally dominated the flame retardant residues in Illinois fish. Concentrations of ΣPBDEs (including all detectable PBDE congeners) ranged from 24.7 to 8270 ng/g lipid weight (median: 135 ng/g lw) in common carp and 15–3870 ng/g lw (median: 360 ng/g lw) in largemouth bass. In addition to PBDEs, Dechlorane analogues (i.e. Dec-603, Dec-604, and Chlordane Plus) were also frequently detected. Median concentrations of ΣDechloranes (including all detected Dechlorane analogues) were 34.4 and 23.3 ng/g lw in common carp and largemouth bass, respectively. Other emerging flame retardants, including tetrabromo-o-chlorotoluene (TBCT), hexabromobenzene (HBBZ), 2-ethylhexyltetrabromobenzoate (EH-TBB), and bis(2-ethylhexyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrabromo-phthalate (BEH-TEBP), were also detected in 40–78% of the fish at the monitored stations. Spatial analysis revealed significantly greater PBDE concentrations in fish living in impaired urban streams and lakes compared to those from the impaired agricultural and unimpaired agricultural/urban waters, demonstrating a significant urban influence on PBDE contamination. Future studies and environmental monitoring are recommended to focus on temporal trends of PBDEs and alternative flame retardants, as well as human exposure risks via edible fishes, in the identified Areas of Concern within Illinois.

In response to the restrictions of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants in various consumer products, alternative halogenated flame retardants have been subjected to increased use. Compared to aquatic ecosystems, relatively little information is available on the contamination of alternative flame retardants in terrestrial ecosystems, especially with regards to mammalian wildlife. In this study we used a top terrestrial carnivore, the bobcat (Lynx rufus), as a unique biomonitoring species for assessing flame retardant contamination in the Midwestern United States (U.S.) terrestrial ecosystems. Concentrations of ∑PBDEs (including all detectable PBDE congeners) ranged from 8.3 to 1920 ng/g lipid weight (median: 50.3 ng/g lw) in livers from 44 bobcats collected during 2013–2014 in Illinois. Among a variety of alternative flame retardants screened, Dechloranes (including anti- and syn-Dechlorane Plus and Dechlorane-602, 603, and 604), tetrabromo-o-chlorotoluene (TBCT), and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) were also frequently detected, with median concentrations of 28.7, 5.2, and 11.8 ng/g lw, respectively. Dechlorane analogue compositions in bobcats were different from what has been reported in other studies, suggesting species- or analogue-dependent bioaccumulation, biomagnification, or metabolism of Dechlorane chemicals in different food webs. Our findings, along with previously reported food web models, suggest Dechloranes may possess substantial bioaccumulation and biomagnification potencies in terrestrial mammalian food webs. Thus, attention should be given to these highly bioavailable flame retardants in future environmental biomonitoring and risk assessments in a post-PBDE era.

Fine particulate matter samples (PM2.5) were collected from three locations around the Denver–Metropolitan area to study the impacts of the ground–level light rail on airborne metal concentrations. Size–segregated PM was collected on board the trains, at the side of the tracks, and at a background location in downtown Denver. Results from this study showed highest crustal enrichment factors of metals in samples collected on board the train, despite lower concentrations of total PM2.5. Metals commonly found in steel such as Fe, Cr, Mn, and Ni, all exhibited elevated concentrations relating to train activity over the background site. Iron in the PM2.5 at track–side and on board the trains was above the background by a factor of 1.89 and 1.54, respectively. For Mn, the ratios were 1.34 for the track–side and 0.94 for the on board samples. Cr and Ni exhibited higher ratios over the background only in samples collected on board the trains at 1.59 (Cr) and 1.26 (Ni). Soluble metals were measured with Ni (53–71%), Cu (52–81%), and Zn (30–81%) exhibiting the highest solubilities across the different sites. Soluble Fe ranged from 8–15% for the total measured Fe, indicating a non–crustal source of Fe. Soluble Fe was also characterized as Fe(II) and Fe(III) with 87–90% of the soluble Fe being Fe(II), similar to results from studies in Los Angeles, CA and East St. Louis, IL but higher than in Atlanta, GA and Waukesha, WI.

Row crop agriculture systems are a significant contributor to non-point source nutrient loading into water bodies. One approach to reduce phosphorus (P) losses through surface runoff is applying flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum as a soil amendment. This research was conducted to examine the effects of different rates of FGD gypsum application to corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean (Glycine max) plots on water quality parameters including dissolved reactive phosphate (DRP), total phosphorus (TP), and total suspended solids (TSS). The study was conducted on a high P level (>30 mg P kg⁻¹) soil in a completely randomized design with four treatments each replicated three times. The four treatments were no FGD gypsum (control), FGD gypsum at a rate of 2.2 Mg ha⁻¹, FGD gypsum at 4.5 Mg ha⁻¹, and FGD gypsum at 13.5 Mg ha⁻¹. Gypsum applications were effective in reducing P loads in surface runoff water, with a significant (P < 0.1) reduction in DRP and TP from all the treatments compared to the control during the initial post-gypsum application period (December 2018–May 2019). Results suggest application rates of 4.5 Mg ha⁻¹ and 13.5 Mg ha⁻¹ were most suitable to reduce P loads in surface runoff water from Hosmer silt loam soil with high soil test P (STP) prior to P fertilizer application. However, following P fertilizer application (May 2019–January 2020), gypsum was not effective in reducing P in surface runoff. Overall, FGD gypsum appeared to be an effective phosphorus abatement tool for southern Illinois soils to improve water quality. Though, how long it remains effective appears to be in question given our results in the post P fertilization period.

Literature on prevalence of concentrated flow paths (CPFs) in agricultural fields are limited at field scale with only few studies that address occurrence of CFPs at large geographic extent. This study used high-resolution Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data to identify CFPs in agricultural fields and calculate the percentage of the fields drained by CFPs at a county scale. In 389 agricultural fields across Jackson County, southern Illinois, this study also investigated the association between field characteristics and CFP formation using multiple regression and CART analysis. The mean number of CFPs in a field was 5 with a minimum of 0 and maximum of 17 CFPs. The majority of the CFPs fell under the large category for CFP length and drainage area that corresponds with high mean percent (81%) of field area drained by the CFPs. Further, 85% of the fields had more than 70% of their area drained by CFPs. The multiple regression and CART analysis showed slope as an important factor influencing CFP characteristics such as number of CFPs and CFP length. Both analyses also indicated physical soil properties such as bulk density, soil erodibility factor, saturated hydraulic conductivity, LS factor, organic matter, and percent sand were also predictors of the CFP characteristics. However, these factors explained only 2 to 12% of the variation observed. The significant presence of CFP’s has important implications for water quality since current conservation practices such as riparian buffers were not designed to address concentrated flow from agricultural fields.

Indirect nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions account for the majority of uncertainty associated with the global N₂O budget. Agricultural streams with subsurface (tile) drainage are potential hotspots of indirect N₂O emissions from streams and groundwater. However, there are only a limited number of studies with direct measurements from stream surfaces. Research presented here represents the first study of N₂O emissions from agricultural streams in Illinois, USA. We measured water chemistry data from 10 sites in three watersheds in east-central Illinois. Additionally, floating chambers and gas transfer velocity models were used to measure N₂O fluxes from the stream surface at 4 of the 10 sites. Dissolved N₂O concentrations ranged from < 0.1 to 7.46 μg N₂O-N L⁻¹. Floating chamber N₂O fluxes ranged from 0 to 13.84 μg N₂O-N m⁻² min⁻¹. We found strikingly different patterns of nitrate (NO₃−) concentrations at sites downstream of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent. Data from sites not affected by the WWTP expressed seasonal variations of NO₃− with elevated concentrations in winter and spring months when subsurface tile drains were flowing. Floating chamber N₂O fluxes were strongly correlated (p value 0.001) with NO₃− at sites not affected by the WWTP. All sites were correlated with flow (p value 0.01) and dissolved N₂O (p value 0.02). Our data suggest flow and dissolved N₂O are stronger indicators of N₂O flux from stream surfaces than NO₃− concentrations in agricultural watersheds. Furthermore, this study supports growing concerns of estimating N₂O emissions using linear relationships between N₂O and NO₃−, such as those used in IPCC estimates.

Agricultural runoff is a major non-point source pollutant and is the leading impairment of streams and rivers in the USA. This study examined the effects of agricultural, forest and urban land cover on water quality at the watershed level. Forty-three catchments ranging from 12 to 50 km2 were selected based on a land cover gradient within Lower Kaskaskia River Watershed in Illinois. Grab samples were collected and analyzed for nutrients, bacteria, and total suspended solids (TSS). Forest land cover was included in six of the ten regression models produced. Four of these regression models were for base flow conditions, suggesting that forest land cover had a significant impact on base flow water quality. Urban land cover was also included in six of the regression models. However, the majority were during storm flow conditions implying urban land cover had a greater impact on storm flow conditions. Watersheds were further categorized into agriculture, village, and urban watersheds. During base flow conditions agriculture watersheds had significantly higher TSS concentrations and urban watersheds had significantly higher ortho-P concentrations. In all watersheds, ortho-P concentrations were above the statewide 95th percentile for Illinois streams. Escherichia coli levels during storm conditions exceeded the national US EPA criteria.