Kurzzeittests zur Abschätzung langfristiger Wirkungen potentieller anorganischer Schadstoffe auf die mikrobielle Aktivität von Böden

Short-term experiments for the estimation of long-term effects of inorganic pollutants on soil microbial activity The purpose of the present study was to develope a short-term laboratory method to predict long-term effects of inorganic pollutants on soil microbial activity. Experiments were carried out on a sandy cambisol which had been used in a long-term field plot of the Biologische Bundesanstalt in Berlin. The perfusion technique was suitable to prove long-term effects of concentrations of 50 mg Cd/kg and 1000 mg Pb/kg dry soil on dehydrogenase activity of the test soil. 200 mg Cd/kg and 4000 mg Pb/kg caused higher reductions in the perfusion experiment than in the long-term field trial. Due to the desorption of OH-ions and the dissolution of organic material, effects of NaF-additions were partly compensated in the short-term experiment. The lysimeter technique used here seems to be of minor value to simulate long-term effects of cadmium, lead, and fluorine because unadsorbed portions of these elements and their accompanying ions (e.g. Cl, NO₃) are washed out of the system too slowly. The dehydrogenase activity was more valid to indicate long-term effects on soil microbial activity than ATP-contents and nitrification measurements did.     

Einfluß polychlorierter Biphenyle auf die mikrobielle Aktivität in Böden

Effects of polychlorinated biphenyls on soil microbial activity In laboratory experiments the microbial toxicity of the PCB congeners 5 (2, 3-Dichlorobiphenyl), 8 (2, 4′-Dichlorobiphenyl), 29 (2. 4, 5-Trichlorobiphenyl) and 77 (3, 3′, 4, 4′-Tetrachlorobiphenyl) which is supposed to be extremely toxic to wildlife was investigated using Parabrownearth-Ap and Podsol-Ahe horizon material. In addition the technical PCB mixtures Arochlor 1242 and 1260 were tested. Microbial toxicity was measured by means of long-term respiration (CO₂-evolution), short-term respiration (CO₂-evolution 12 h, after addition of glucose), and dehydrogenase activity (TTC reduction) tests. 1 mg/kg of the Dichlorobiphenyls 5 and 8 reduced the long-term and short-term respiration of the Podsol-Ahe during the whole experiment (35 and 28 days, respectively). The Trichlorobiphenyl 29 became effective after addition of 10 mg/kg. No effect except a short stimulation of long-term respiration was observed for PCB 77 (Tetrachloro-PCB). Due to its higher sorption capacity, all PCB congeners reduced the microbial activity of the Parabrownearth-Ap to a lower degree. In general the toxicity of PCBs decreased with increasing degree of chlorination in both soil horizons. The technical mixtures reduced the long-term respiration only after high additions of 50 mg/kg (Podsol-Ahe) and 100 mg/kg (Parabrownearth-Ap), respectively. Arochlor 1242 proved to be more toxic than Arochlor 1260.     

Sorption und Wirkung von Arsen auf die mikrobielle Aktivität von Waldhumusformen

Arsenate adsorption and effects of arsenate pollution on microbial activity of different types of humus soils Perfusion experiments using Na₂HAsO₄ were carried out in order to investigate adsorption and effects of arsenate on microbial activity of L-, O-, and A-horizons of a mull, a moder, and a mor soil. Arsenic adsorption of mineral A-horizons was positively influenced by their contents of amorphous Al- and Fe-oxides. It is assumed that arsenic was mainly precipitated as Al-, Mn- or Ca-arsenate in the organic layers during the perfusion experiments. The Freundlich equation was valid to describe As-adsorption of all layers under investigation. Microorganisms seemed to be very tolerant to arsenate pollution. Soil respiration and enzyme activities were reduced when liquid concentrations exceeded 8 μg As/ml. Extremely high As-additions (up to 10 mg As/g) did not reduce microbial processes to a greater degree than lower ones of 0,5 mg As/g.     

Der Einfluß von Fungiziden auf die mikrobielle Aktivität eines Bodens

The influence of fungicides on microbial activity in soil The objective of this work was to investigate the influence of the fungicides copper, sulfur, mancozeb, captan-folpet-folcid, quintozene and benomyl on CO₂-evolution and on the dehydrogenase-, xylanase- and urease-acitivities of an acid soil. The investigations showed that a recommended dosage of fungicide caused an increase in CO₂-evolution. After the second and third fungicide application this ‘stress reaction’ was followed by a decrease in CO₂-release below the value of the untreated control soil. Up to the tenth week after pesticide application again an increase of the activity could be shown. This increase might be explained by an inactivation of fungicides, a selection of resistant species, a decreasing competition of microorganisms and mineralization of dead organisms. Finally, after 10 to 14 weeks the activity returned to the value of the untreated soil, that was probably due to the recovery of the affected microflora and/or a new adapted microflora. The various enzyme activities did not follow this scheme exactly. The course was influenced by the mode of action of the particular compound used. Brassicol (Quintozene) differed because of the severe and continous inhibition of the xylanase activity. It can be concluded that the fungicides applied to the soil influence both the CO₂-release and the activities of the soil enzymes tested. Consequently litter decomposition and metabolic activities may be affected for 3 to 4 months.     

Dosis- Wirkungs-Beziehungen zur Erfassung von Chemikalienwirkungen auf die mikrobielle Aktivität von Böden: I. Kurvenverläufe und Auswertungsmöglichkeiten

Dose response curves: their use in soil microbiological research and possibilities of evaluation The relation between different concentrations of a toxicant in soils and the resulting effects on biological parameters can be described with dose response curves. Dose response curves make it possible to determine the concentrations of a chemical that create definite effects (?Effective Doses”?, e.g. ED₁₀ and ED₅₀ for 10- and 50% inhibitory effects) or to evaluate the rate of increase of inhibition with increasing concentrations. Some of the mostly used ways to extract these parameters from dose response curves are presented and examined with regard to their suitability in soil microbiological research. Besides graphical procedures for the evaluation of dose response curves a mathematical model for fitting quantitative dose response curves is introduced. With this model the confidence intervals of effective doses can be computed. By showing eight frequently appearing shapes of dose response curves the advantages and limitations of different ways to calculate effective doses are discussed.     

Der Einfluß der Fauna auf die Stoffverlagerung sowie die Homogenität und die Durchlässigkeit von Böden

The influence of the fauna on displacement and on homogeneity and permeability of soils The influence of the most important soil animals (mammals, ants, termites, woodlice and earthworms) on displacement and on homogeneity and permeability of soils is discussed in reference to both older and more recent literature. Nearly all soil animals cause displacement of organic and mineral soil particles. The quantity, intensity and direction of this activity depends upon the morphological characters of the species involved. The homogeneity of soils is positively influenced only by the earthworms (and related forms) whereas the activity of the other soil fauna mostly has a contrary effect as far as shorter periods are concerned. The permeability of soils increases in different dimensions due to the activity of all species discussed. Permanent vegetation and non-tilling for the most part favour the activity of the soil fauna. Recent field experiments dealing with minimum or zero tillage have made this fact fairly evident.     

Ein Mischzellenmodell zur Abschätzung der Nitratauswaschung aus landwirtschaftlich genutzten Böden im Winterhalbjahr

A mixing-cell model for estimating nitrate seepage losses from agricultural soils in winter A mixing-cell model is developed with which the leaching of nitrate from agricultural soils in temperate regions during winter can be estimated. The model assumes steady-state flow conditions and takes nitrogen mineralization in the upper soil as well as nitrate deposition from the atmosphere into consideration. Model results are compared with results from a convective-dispersive solute flow model. They show that for common field soil dispersivities mixing-cell model results compare well with those obtained from convective-dispersive theory. With the mixingcell model nitrate leaching calculations were carried out for a variety of soil and climatic conditions. They show that the combined effect of N-mineralization and N-deposition may influence the amount of leached nitrate in winter considerably, especially in regions with light soils and high seepage rates. It is shown that the model can be used to derive late fall site-specific upper limits for soil mineral nitrogen for groundwater protection purposes. Such upper limits should reflect the crop-specific rate of N-mineralization that can be expected during winter.     

Kurzmitteilung Einfluß der Qualität der organischen Substanz auf die Konsistenz landwirtschaftlicher Böden

Influence of organic matter quality on consistency of agricultural soils The soil organic matter of two samples similar in the texture and approximately in the organic C contents, but very differently in the consistency properties, were investigated by pyrolysis-field ionization mass spectrometry (Py-FIMS). The shifts of the values of the liquid and plastic limits towards higher moisture contents are explained by a different quality of soil organic matter, in particular by higher amounts of longchained lipids (C_8-32 alkanes, alkenes, fatty acids), N-compounds and lignin dimers.     

Die Messung der Katalaseaktivität von Böden

The determination of Catalase Activity in Soils by Dr. Beck 1. The elaboration of a method for the determination of the activity of catalase in soils is described. The method envolves the gasvolumetric determination of oxygen released by decomposition of a H₂O₂-solution by soils, suspended in buffers in the presence and absence of the catalase inhibitor NaN₃. 2. The influences of the following factors on catalase activity were studied: Methods for the determination of developed oxygen, enzyme- and substrate concentration, inhibition of catalase by NaN₃, pH- and temperature-optima of catalase and the presence of plant residues in soils. 3. It was found, that there was only a little decrease in catalase activity when fresh or dried samples of soils were stored over a periode of 4 months under laboratory conditions. The catalase activity of different soils showed very good correspondence to the dehydrogenase activity of the soils and less correspondence to the amount of soil respiration and the amylase activity. No relation could be found to the number of microorganisms in soil.     

Langzeitwirkungen potentieller anorganischer Schadstoffe auf die mikrobielle Aktivität einer sandigen Braunerde

Long-term effects of inorganic pollutants on microbial activity of a sandy cambisol Long-term effects of twelve inorganic pollutants on soil microbial activity were studied in a sandy cambisol. As, Be, Br, Cd, Cr, F, Pb, Hg, Se, Sn, and V were added as inorganic salts to the soil in a field plot in 1975 and 1976. Soil samples were taken in 1984 and 1985 to determine dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, saccharase, and protease activity as well as biomass- and ATP-content. All pollutants except selenium and tin inhibited microbial activity of the soil. Br, F, Ni, and V reduced microbial biomass, protease, and dehydrogenase activity although their total contents did not exceed maximum recommended levels in the FRG very much. Br was even effective below the “tolerable” concentration of 10 mg/kg. Dehydrogenase activity and microbial biomass content were the most sensitive parameters to detect negative effects of inorganic pollutants on microflora in the test soil.     

Schätzung der mikrobiellen Biomasse von Böden aus anthropogenen und natürlichen Substraten — ein Beitrag zur Standortbewertung

Field estimation of the microbial biomass of soils derived from natural and anthropogenic parent materials Whereas the estimation and evaluation of physical and chemical soil properties is possible with the use of widely accepted methods, there is still no procedure with respect to microbiological parameters. Therefore, our objective was to develop a field procedure for estimating the integral parameter ”︁microbial biomass”. For this purpose, microbial biomass data (C_mic in dry matter) of soils developed in natural parent materials from 116 sites in Germany and abroad were analyzed. Additionally, C_mic in 33 German soils developed in anthropogenic parent materials was determined. In the soils under consideration, C_mic varied between 100 and 4000 kg ha^—1 in the upper 30 cm. For soils of natural substrates statistical relations between C_mic and the humus and clay content as well as pH were derived. From these parameters which are combined as the diagnostic characteristics of humus a simple procedure for estimating C_mic of arable soils was developed. For soils developed in anthropogenic parent materials, however, an estimation procedure was developed that uses the nature of the parent material and the degree of soil development. To evaluate the estimated amount of C_mic, a frame consisting of 6 classes is proposed: < 200 kg ha^—1 (= very low), 200—400 kg ha^—1 (= low), 400—800 kg ha^—1 (= moderate), 800—1600 kg ha^—1 (= medium), 1600—3200 kg ha^—1 (= high), and > 3200 kg ha^—1 (= very high).     

Die Standortsbewertung der biologischen Aktivität von Böden über Ermittlung der Bodenatmung und der zellulolytischen Aktivitatät im Feld

Intersite estimation of biological activity of soils by determination respiration and cellulolytical activity in the field A temperature differentiated scale of estimation is presented, which is derived from long-term investigations of respiration and cellulolytic activity. This is suitable for intersite comparison of different soil-ecosystems. Investigations in spring are representative and could be done during mapping the soil-ecosystems. It exists a strong correlation to the quality of the humus body and to the available nutrients.     

Über Sorption und Wirkung von Blei auf die biologische Aktivität terrestrischer Humusformen

Lead sorption and effect of lead pollution on biological activity of different types of humus forms Effects of Pb(NO₃)₂ on biological activity (e. g. respiration and enzyme activity) of mull, moder and mor soils were investigated under controlled laboratory conditions. Lead sorption capacity of investigated humus forms decreased in the order mull > moder > mor. Soil respiration was inhibited after addition of 10 mg Pb/g soil at lead concentrations > 1 μg Pb/ml of soil solutions of the mor and moder profiles. Highly significant positive regression coefficients were obtained for decreases in soil respiration and decreases in dehydrogenase-, phosphatase- and arylsulfatase activities of O-horizons. It is assumed that minor enzymatic acitivities after lead addition result from its effect on enzyme producing organisms. After additions of 200 mg Pb/g soil biological activities of investigated humus layers were also affected by a marked increase of acidity of soil solutions. This ?secondary”? effect was also obtained using Ca(NO₃)₂ in pollution experiments.     

Zur Bestimmung der Kationenaustauschkapazität von Böden mittels Barium

Regarding the Determination of Cation Exchange Capacity of Soils with Barium Very often the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of soils is determined using Ba⁺⁺ as exchange cation. In soils with high contents of organic matter, Ba⁺⁺ cannot be desorbed completely by Mg⁺⁺ or H⁺ but by Ca⁺⁺. Soils containing vermiculite adsorb Ba⁺⁺ in non exchangeable form. The fixed Barium can only be determined by total digestion. Therefore in soils containing vermiculite the exchange with Ba⁺⁺ leads to an underestimation of the CEC.     

Düngung,N-Umsatz und Pflanzenwachstum in ihrer Wirkung auf die langfristige Protonenbilanz von Böden

Influence of fertilization, nitrogen transformation and plant growth on the long-term proton balance in soils In view of results of recent publications the influence of fertilization, nitrogen transformation and plant growth on proton balance in soil is discussed. One reason, why acidity in the soil increases after plant growth can be traced back to the fact, that plants take up more N-free cations than N-free Anions from the soil. Thus the more nitrogen fertilization as well other fertilization practices will increase plant yield the more the process of soil acidification will be enhanced. There ist no influence on soil pH by forms of applied fertilizer nitrogen like NH₄NO₃, HNO₃, NH₄OH, urea or biologically fixed N. However, accompanying ions of nitrogen fertilizers depending whether they are metal cations or sulfate or chlorid anions will decrease or increase proton production. For the calculation of the amount of produced acid in the soil during the uptake of nutrients by plants the yield of the plants and the alcalinity of plant ash will be needed. The calculation of the amount of produced acid both from the fertilization and the plant growth will be falsified by the unknown amount of nitrate which is leached beneath the rooting zone.     

Der Einfluß von Niederschlag und Höhenlage auf den Humusgehalt ostafrikanischer Böden

The influence of precipitation and altitude on the humus content of East African soils Positive correlations were found between the log of the carbon and nitrogen content of the 0–15 cm soil layer, altitude and average annual precipitation of 20 grassland soils, 13 forest soils and 21 cultivated soils at altitudes of 10–2840 m and a precipitation of 380–2410 mm in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. For each of the soil groups equations with the two variables altitude and precipitation were derived, which accounted for 76–93 per cent of the variation of the carbon (0,42–5,62%) and nitrogen (0,04–0,71%) content. There was no correlation between altitude, precipitation and the C/N ratio of the soils.     

Verhalten von Schwermetallen in Böden 1. Untersuchungen zur Schwermetallmobilität

Behaviour of heavy metals in soils. 1. Heavy metal mobility 158 soil samples with widely varying composition were analysed for their total, EDTA, DTPA and CaCl₂ extractable contents of Cd, Zn, Mn, Cu and Pb. By means of single and multiple regressions the relations between the different heavy metal fractions and the pH, organic carbon and clay content were considered. The correlations between the total, EDTA and DTPA extractable contents are very close, whereas the CaCl₂ extractable contents are not or only weakly correlated with these fractions. According to these statistical results the former fractions are considered to be the total quantity (total content) and the reactive quantity (EDTA and DTPA extractable contents) of the heavy metals, whereas the CaCl₂ extractable fraction represents the mobile fraction of the heavy metals in soils. The multiple regressions show that the mobile content of heavy metals is closely correlated with each of the quantity fractions and with soil pH. In the same way the proportion of the mobile fraction (in %) of the total, EDTA and DTPA extractable heavy metal content of the soil samples is closely related to the soil pH. Hereby the proportion of the mobile content of the various elements increases in the pH range 6,5 - 3 below element-specific threshold pH values (in brackets) in the order Cd (6,5) > Mn (5,7) > Zn (5,3) > Cu (4,5) > Pb (3,5). In the pH range 6,5 - 7,5 mainly Cu and to a lesser degree also Pb show an increasing mobility due to the influence of soluble organic substances.