Effects of heavy metal concentrations on biological activity of soil micro-organisms

M. Šmejkalová, O. Mikanová and L. Borůvka
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M. Šmejkalová: Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czech Republic
O. Mikanová: Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czech Republic
L. Borůvka: Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czech Republic

Plant, Soil and Environment, 2003, vol. 49, issue 7, 321-326

Abstract: The distribution of cadmium, lead and zinc in exchangeable, organic, and 2M HNO3-extractable fractions as well as the effect of heavy metal concentrations on soil microflora was investigated. Six sampling transects were chosen in theLitavkaRiveralluvium in 1999-2001. Concentrations of all metals increased with decreasing distance from the source of contamination. The concentrations of Cd and Zn in exchangeable fraction were higher than in organically bound fraction, a reverse trend was found in Pb speciation. All measured parameters of soil microbial activity were affected by heavy metal concentrations. The decrease in CFU was most significant in the case of oligotrophic bacteria and spore-forming bacteria. Significant inhibition of C-biomass occurred in soils highly contaminated by heavy metals. The Cbiomass:Cox ratio decreased with increasing soil pollution. Generally, the values of enzymatic activities were highest in the soil above the source of contamination and they were decreased as approaching the source of contamination. Our results demonstrate that several parameters of microbial activity could be used as good indicators of increasing concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn in soil.

Keywords: heavy metals; soil microflora; microbial and enzymatic activities; CFU (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2003
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:caa:jnlpse:v:49:y:2003:i:7:id:4131-pse

DOI: 10.17221/4131-PSE

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