Pedogeochemical alterations induced by biomass burning: an assessment of soil elemental and anionic dynamics in shifting cultivation plots of Northeast India.
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| Title: | Pedogeochemical alterations induced by biomass burning: an assessment of soil elemental and anionic dynamics in shifting cultivation plots of Northeast India. |
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| Authors: | Khundrakpam, Nicholas1 (AUTHOR) nicholaskhsingh@gmail.com, Nonglait, Mebaaibok L1 (AUTHOR) mebaaibok@gmail.com, Deka, Pratibha1 (AUTHOR) pratibhadeka@gmail.com |
| Source: | Environmental Monitoring & Assessment. Feb2026, Vol. 198 Issue 2, p1-26. 26p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Biomass burning, *Shifting cultivation, *Soil chemistry, *Soil pollution, *Analytical geochemistry, *Land management |
| Geographic Terms: | Northeastern India, Meghalaya (India) |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the spatio-temporal variation of elemental (Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Zn) and anionic (Cl⁻, SO4−2, F⁻, NO₃⁻) concentrations across pre-burning, post-burning, and regeneration phases of shifting cultivation in West Garo Hills District of Meghalaya, Northeast India. Samples were collected from six shifting cultivation sites across three phases. Elemental concentrations were analysed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) and anions via Ion Chromatography (IC) following US EPA 3051A and US EPA 300 protocols respectively. Statistical test revealed significant phase wise variations. Post-burning ash deposition significantly elevated Ca, Mg, Fe, Li, and Zn levels, while Cd, Ni, Pb, and Ba decreased significantly due to leaching and volatilisation. Pollution indices revealed severe geogenic contamination, with Cd showing extreme enrichment and contributing 94% to the Ecological Risk Index (ERI > 320) across all phases. Pb and Li also exhibited high enrichment. The Geoaccumulation index (Igeo), Nemerow Pollution Index (NPI > 3), and Contamination Factor (CF), collectively indicated significant contamination, predominantly derived from lithogenic sources. Among anions, SO₄2⁻ concentrations increased significantly after burning (375.67 mg/kg) and decreased during regeneration (38.83 mg/kg). NO₃⁻ decreased from 268.67 mg/kg in the pre-burning phase to 119.56 mg/kg post-burning, followed by a significant increase during regeneration (475.50 mg/kg), likely due to microbial recovery. Chloride and F⁻ concentrations decreased during regeneration, indicating leaching losses. Correlation and multivariate analyses (PCA, HCA) suggested that elemental variations were primarily influenced by parent rock weathering with minimal anthropogenic input. Overall, the findings highlight the transient nutrient enrichment after burning and the need for sustainable land management and mineralogical assessment of parent materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Database: | Energy & Power Source |
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