ISSN:
1432-0789
Keywords:
Soil respiration
;
ATP
;
Heavy metal effects
;
Dormant population
;
Microbial biomass
;
Urban soils
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Geosciences
,
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Summary The effects of heavy metals on microbial biomass and activity were investigated in 30 urban soils, contaminated mainly with Zn and Pb to different extents, in terms of the physicochemical and biological characteristics of the soils. Evaluated by simple and multiple regression analyses, the microbial biomass was not affected significantly by easily soluble Zn + Pb (extractable with 0.1 NHCI). The biomass was accounted for as a function of cation exchange capacity (CEC), total organic C and the numbers of fungal colonies present (R 2 = 0.692). Carbon dioxide evolution from soils, which reflected microbial activity, was studied on soils incubated with microbial-promoting substrates (glucose and ammonium sulfate) or without. Carbon dioxide evolution was negatively related to Zn+Pb, and this inhibitory effect of the metals was greater in the soils incubated with substrates. Carbon dioxide evolution in soils with substrates was closely related to Zn+Pb, bacterial numbers and the numbers of fungal colonies (R 2 = 0.718). Carbon dioxide evolution in soils without substrates was accounted for as a function of Zn + Pb, biomass and the C/N ratio (R 2 = 0.511). Using these relationships, the effects of heavy metals on soil microorganisms are discussed in terms of metabolically activated and dormant populations.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00257913
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