Microbiological rates and enzyme activities as indicators of functionality in soils affected by the Aznalcóllar toxic spill

This study focused on the potential of using soil enzyme activities and general microbiological rates (respiration, N-mineralisation, nitrification) to evaluate the quality of soils affected by a pyrite mud spill which contained high concentrations of heavy metals. The quality of soils after restoration was estimated by comparing enzyme activities and general microbiological rates in three different types of experimental field plots: (i) non-polluted, (ii) polluted but restored, and (iii) polluted but un-restored soils. Non-polluted soils showed the highest levels of enzyme activity. Significant differences were detected for acid phosphatase, β-glucosidase and urease activities between all types of plots. However, arylsulfatase and alkaline phosphatase activities showed no significant differences between the restored plots and polluted but un-restored plots. Geometric mean statistics were used as an index of soil quality in terms of overall: (i) bioavailable heavy metal concentrations, (ii) assayed enzyme activities, and (iii) general microbiological rates, in order to compare plots differing in the degree of pyritic mud pollution. The results indicate that it is important to consider these three criteria in to estimate the soil quality of heavy-metal contaminated soils. Typically, enzyme activities were negatively correlated with bioavailable Cd, Cu and Zn concentrations, but positively with soil pH values. In contrast, pH values were negatively correlated with bioavailable concentrations of Cd, Cu and Zn. It is unclear if the generalised lower enzyme activities found in restored soils, compared to non-polluted soils, is promoted by pH or bioavailable heavy metals concentrations, or a combination of both.