Estimation of the Enzymatic Activity of Haplic Chernozem under Contamination with Oxides and Nitrates of Ag, Bi, Te and Tl
, Sergey Kolesnikov, Natalia Evstegneeva, Alena Timoshenko and Natalia Tsepina
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
I have some questions and comments. They are indicated in the attached file.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
Author responses to reviewer (1) comments
(agronomy-1851782)
To Reviewer #1
line 97 Why study the introduction of oxides and nitrates of the elements Ag, Bi, Te and Tl? Why have other chemical compounds not been studied, such as sulfates and sulfides?
Response:
Oxides of Ag, Bi, Tl, and Te are the most common form of metal compound found in soil. Oxides insoluble form of the compound. Nitrate of Ag, Bi, Tl, and Te are the soluble form of a metal compound in soil, also commonly found in soil.
Heavy metals in the form of sulfates and sulfides are found in the soil in small amounts, and metal salts form insoluble compounds with sulfates and sulfides.
line 99 Why was this range of concentrations chosen (0.5, 1, 3, 10, 30 mg/kg), most of which are not found in nature?
Response:
This range of concentrations was chosen to approximate the response of the soil enzyme pool at higher levels of contamination and to calculate the recommended concentrations of metals in each form (oxide and nitrate).
line 101, 325, 361, 427 In figure 1 and table 2,3,4, the designation Integral index of enzymatic activity of soil (IIEA) should be corrected and written uniformly, as in the methodology.
Response:
the designation Integral index of enzymatic activity of soil (IIEA) on figure 1 and table 2,3,4 was corrected.
Figure 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 - It is necessary to add the results of statistical processing of data…
Response:
The calculation of least significant difference (LSD) treatment was used in the statistical processing of data and the creation of figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments:
The manuscript entitled “Estimation of the enzymatic activity of haplic chernozem under contamination with oxides and nitrates of Ag, Bi, Te and T” has so many grammatical errors that need to be corrected. In addition, this manuscript has some ambiguous statements which do not fully depict the information provided. Authors need to proofread the manuscript thoroughly. I suggest the following changes and improvements:
1. Keywords should be more precise because it helps the reader to find relevant articles.
2. The relative values of several indicators: the activity of catalase…... Need rephrasing for better understanding
3. The aim is to evaluate the change in the enzymatic ……. a short paragraph, please connect with the previous one.
4. What is the current research gap and the significance of this work? Furthermore, the novelty of this work should be stated clearly in the introduction section.
5. The introduction section is not attractive in its current form. Furthermore, the last paragraph needs to be revised, considering the main theme/objectives and findings of the study.
6. All abbreviations should be checked carefully.
7. Precise the name of the supplier of each chemical in a separate Materials Section.
8. For consistency, the word should be consistent throughout the manuscript according to the journal, such as (Figure or Fig.), (minute or min), (gram or g),
9. All used chemicals should be mentioned with their chemical names and formulas.
10. In Figures 2 to 7: the x-axis and y-axis should be mentioned.
11. Urease activity in the case of contamination ………. rewrite it.
12. Conclusion is a fundamental recap of whole data sets. Please make sure your conclusions section underscores the scientific value-added of your paper, and/or the applicability of your findings/results.
Author Response
Author responses to reviewer (2) comments
(agronomy-1851782)
To Reviewer #1
The manuscript entitled “Estimation of the enzymatic activity of haplic chernozem under contamination with oxides and nitrates of Ag, Bi, Te and Tl” has so many grammatical errors that need to be corrected. In addition, this manuscript has some ambiguous statements which do not fully depict the information provided. Authors need to proofread the manuscript thoroughly. I suggest the following changes and improvements:
1.Keywords should be more precise because it helps the reader to find relevant articles.
Response:
Keywords were précised: soil; pollution; rare elements; enzymatic activity; integral index of enzymatic activity of soil; agroecosystem services; sustainable agriculture.
- The relative values of several indicators: the activity of catalase…... Need rephrasing for better understanding
Response:
Have been corrected.
- The aim is to evaluate the change in the enzymatic ……. a short paragraph, please connect with the previous one.
Response:
Have been corrected.
- What is the current research gap and the significance of this work? Furthermore, the novelty of this work should be stated clearly in the introduction section.
Response:
The novelty was added.
- The introduction section is not attractive in its current form. Furthermore, the last paragraph needs to be revised, considering the main theme/objectives and findings of the study.
Response:
The introduction has been corrected.
- All abbreviations should be checked carefully.
Response:
Have been corrected.
- Precise the name of the supplier of each chemical in a separate Materials Section.
Response:
Have been corrected.
- For consistency, the word should be consistent throughout the manuscript according to the journal, such as (Figure or Fig.), (minute or min), (gram or g),
Response:
Have been corrected.
- All used chemicals should be mentioned with their chemical names and formulas.
Response:
Have been added.
- In Figures 2 to 7: the x-axis and y-axis should be mentioned.
Response:
Have been corrected.
- Urease activity in the case of contamination ………. rewrite it.
Response:
Sentences have been corrected:
Influence of contamination with oxides and nitrates of Ag, Bi, Tl, and Te urease activity of haplic chernozem is shown in Figure 6.
- Conclusion is a fundamental recap of whole data sets. Please make sure your conclusions section underscores the scientific value-added of your paper, and/or the applicability of your findings/results.
Response:
Conclusion have been corrected.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
In order to develop sustainable agriculture, the pollution of several rare elements to soil was studied from the perspective of enzyme activity, and their toxicity was judged.The research idea of the article is clear, the data and materials are reliable, the discussion is sufficient, and has certain social application value. The specific modification opinions are as follows:
1. Introduction：“The toxicity of these elements in relation to living organisms has been found in many studies at a minimum concentration.These elements enter the environment both together and separately. The combined content of Ag, Bi, Se, and Te was found in lead concentrate during mining; and in zinc – In, Cd, and Ag.”Lack of literature support.
2. 2.2 Experiment simulation：It is suggested to briefly describe the experimental steps in the picture.
3. Figure 2-7.：Coordinate scale is not obvious, it is recommended to optimize the picture.
4. Table 2.：Part of the table is highlighted and does not correspond.
5. The table layout is disordered, and some parts are not centered.
6. The home page is largely left blank. It is suggested to re plan the format.
7. Conclusions：The conclusion is simple. It is suggested to summarize the full text and add content.
8. 2.5 Statistical processing:It is suggested to briefly introduce how the statistical methods are carried out? What are the advantages?
9. Figure 1：Poor typesetting, some centered, some not centered, different font sizes, unclear steps.
Author Response
Author responses to reviewer (3) comments
(agronomy-1851782)
To Reviewer #3
In order to develop sustainable agriculture, the pollution of several rare elements to soil was studied from the perspective of enzyme activity, and their toxicity was judged. The research idea of the article is clear, the data and materials are reliable, the discussion is sufficient, and has certain social application value. The specific modification opinions are as follows:
- Introduction：“The toxicity of these elements in relation to living organisms has been found in many studies at a minimum concentration. These elements enter the environment both together and separately. The combined content of Ag, Bi, Se, and Te was found in lead concentrate during mining; and in zinc – In, Cd, and Ag.”Lack of literature support.
Response:
Introduction have been corrected according to reviewer comments.
- 2.2 Experiment simulation：It is suggested to briefly describe the experimental steps in the picture.
Response:
Text have been added in 2.2.
- Figure 2-7.：Coordinate scale is not obvious, it is recommended to optimize the picture.
Response:
Figures have been corrected according to reviewer comments.
- Table 2.：Part of the table is highlighted and does not correspond.
Response:
Have been corrected.
- The table layout is disordered, and some parts are not centered.
Response:
Have been corrected.
- The home page is largely left blank. It is suggested to re plan the format.
Response:
Have been corrected.
- Conclusions：The conclusion is simple. It is suggested to summarize the full text and add content.
Response:
Conclusion have been corrected according to reviewer comments.
- 2.5 Statistical processing: It is suggested to briefly introduce how the statistical methods are carried out? What are the advantages?
Response:
Information have been added.
- Figure 1：Poor typesetting, some centered, some not centered, different font sizes, unclear steps.
Response:
Figure 1 have been corrected.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
