An ecological dose-response model approach to short- and long-term effects of heavy metals on arylsulphatase activity in soil

Summary The aim of this study was to provide data to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of heavy metals on arylsulphatase activity in five soils. The effects are fitted on a logistic dose-response model and are presented graphically as the ecological dose (heavy metal concentration corresponding to 50% inhibition; ED₅₀) and ecological dose range (heavy metal concentration range corresponding to 10–90% inhibition; EDR). In 7 out of 22 comparable soil-metal combinations the ED₅₀ decreased significantly over 6 weeks to 18 months of incubation and in two cases the ED₅₀ increased. Toxicity (defined as ED₅₀) was highest in sand and sandy loam and lowest in sandy peat. Cd toxicity in sand, silty loam, and clay varied from 1.08 to 9.04 mmol kg^-1. Both Cr and Ni toxicity varied strongly and decreased with time in some soils while increasing in others. The Cu toxicity ranged from 4.51 to 2 mmol kg^-1 in sand and silty loam, respectively, but remained fairly constant over time. Pb was the least toxic element (14.5 to 59.9 mmol kg^-1). The toxicity of Zn ranged from 5.73 to 148 mmol kg^-1 in sand and sandy peat, respectively. At critical concentrations set by the Dutch Soil Protection Act, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn inhibited arylsulphatase by 53, 35, 48 and 97%, respectively.     

Short- and long-term effects of heavy metals on urease activity in soils

Summary The inhibitory effects of cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc on urease activity of five different soils during two different periods were investigated, in order to obtain information on the change in heavy metal toxicity with time. The results are presented graphically as logistic dose-response curves. When the ecological dose range was used as a measure of toxicity this value decreased significantly only for copper in the sandy soil. Considering toxicity as the ecological dose-50% (ED50) value, toxicity tended to increase over 1 1/2 years for cadmium, copper and zinc. For nickel and lead, however, the toxicity stabilized in all soils, except in sand and clay. The average ED 50 value of zinc varied between 100 and 300 mg kg^–1 and its toxicity was highest. It is emphasized that these data may help to set limits for the heavy-metal pollution of soils.     

贵阳市城区土壤重金属分布特征及污染评价

调查了贵阳市不同功能区表层土壤中重金属含量及其分布特征,以基线为参比值,采用Hakanson潜在生态危害指数法对重金属的潜在生态风险进行了评价。结果表明,贵阳市城区土壤重金属(Hg、Cd、As、Pb、Cr、Cu、Ni、Zn)主要来源于工业、交通以及燃煤等活动,其平均含量分别为0.108、0.320、20.53、22.17、35.71、64.87、48.65、217.90mg/kg,除Cr外,均显著高于相应基线。工矿区土壤中Pb、Zn含量显著高于其他功能区(p0.05)。Hg和Cd是主要的生态危害因子,其污染已达强生态危害水平,其余均显示为轻微生态危害水平;不同功能区土壤重金属污染均已达强生态危害水平,且污染程度依次是:商务区工矿区文教区居民区城市绿地交通区。     

湖州市土壤重金属元素分布及潜在生态风险评价

在对湖州市土壤重金属污染状况进行调查后,按照有关标准和方法对该市土壤重金属潜在生态风险进行了评价。结果表明:单因子污染指数最小的是Pb,最大的是Cd。土壤中Pb含量均达标,其余各重金属元素有部分土壤超标。68.9%的土壤处于安全等级,21.6%的土壤处于警戒限,轻污染土壤占8.1%,重污染土壤占1.4%。68.9%的土壤处于低风险等级,27.0%的土壤处于中等风险等级,强风险等级土壤占2.7%,很强风险等级土壤占1.4%。林地的重金属含量变化幅度普遍大于耕地。耕地土壤污染程度轻于林地。土壤中各重金属对污染的贡献大小为:CdNiCrHgZnCuAsPb。     

闽西南崩岗土壤重金属含量、分布、来源及生态风险

选取福建省长汀县黄泥坑崩岗群内2处典型崩岗及附近一无崩岗山坡(对照区),采样并测定了63份0~20 cm土壤样品Cu、Zn、Ni、Pb、Cr、As、Cd含量,运用相关分析与主成分分析进行重金属来源辨识,并应用Hankanson潜在生态风险指数法,以福建省背景值和国家二级标准作为参比,对研究区重金属进行潜在生态风险评价。结果表明:研究区土壤重金属含量从高到低的顺序依次为Zn(105.56 mg·kg~(-1))Pb(67.21 mg·kg~(-1))As(61.47 mg·kg~(-1))Cu(22.33 mg·kg~(-1))Cr(17.12 mg·kg~(-1))Ni(5.24 mg·kg~(-1))Cd(0.80 mg·kg~(-1)),Pb、Cd含量表现为崩岗区对照区,Cu、Zn、Ni、Cr、As、Cd含量与之相反。1号崩岗Zn、Pb、As和Cd平均值分别是福建省背景值的1.12倍、2.82倍、8.68倍和13.33倍,2号崩岗这4种元素平均值分别是背景值的1.11倍、1.36倍、11.22倍和16.67倍,对照区该4种元素平均值分别是背景值的1.58倍、1.60倍、5.14倍和14.44倍;与国家土壤环境质量二级标准比较得出,崩岗区和对照区As平均值分别超标1.92倍和2.70倍,Cd平均值分别超标2.31倍和2.60倍。从集水坡面到沟道末端,崩岗区Pb、Zn、Cd含量呈增加趋势,Cu、Cr含量基本维持稳定,Ni含量有所降低;从坡面上部到下部,对照区Cu、Zn、Ni、Cr、Cd含量呈增加趋势,Pb含量略有降低;As含量在研究区的分布无明显变化。Cu、Ni、Cr主要来源为成土母质,Zn主要来源于禽畜养殖,Cd、As的主要来源包基岩风化稀土开采,Pb主要来源于基岩矿化、煤炭燃烧及汽车尾气排放等复合污染源。以福建省背景值为参比时,Cd潜在生态风险系数达到"极强风险",As为"较强风险",其余均为"轻微风险";以国家二级标准为参比时,Cd属"较强风险",其余均为"轻微风险"。潜在生态风险指数(Ri)表现为2号崩岗对照区1号崩岗。研究区Cd、As污染已较为严重,应采取相应的安全防范措施。     

Bioavailability and effects of heavy metals on soil microbial biomass survival during laboratory incubation

In this work we studied the influence of Pb, Zn, and Tl on microbial biomass survival and activity during a laboratory incubation of soil. In comparison to uncontaminated soil, the microbial biomass C decreased sharply in soil contaminated with Zn and Tl, whereas the addition of Pb did not have any significant inhibitory effect on the level of microbial biomass C. Zn displayed the greatest biocidal effect, confirmed by the measurement of the death rate quotient (q D). The microbial activity, measured as CO₂ evolution, increased significantly in contaminated soils, emphasizing the need of living organisms to expend more energy to survive. The greater demand for energy by microorganisms in order to cope with the toxicity of pollutants was also confirmed by measurement of the metabolic quotient (q CO₂). In order to determine whether soil microorganisms affect the bioavailability of these metals through their mobilization and release, we studied the relationships between available Pb, Zn, and Tl, and microbial biomass C. The water-soluble fraction of Tl, available Tl, and Zn, and microbial biomass C were related significantly, but not Pb.     

基于PMF模型的准东煤矿周围土壤重金属污染及来源解析

为了解准东煤矿区周围土壤的污染状况及来源,在准东露天矿区采集47个表层土壤样本,测定其中Zn、Cu、Pb、Cr、Hg和As 6种重金属元素的含量。运用统计学方法、地累计指数(geoaccumulation index,I_(geo))和潜在风险指数(potential ecological risk index,PER)对研究区土壤重金属污染程度和生态风险态势进行评价,采用正矩阵分解模型(positive matrix factorization,PMF)解析重金属污染源。结果表明:1)研究区土壤Zn、Cu、Pb、Cr、Hg和As含量均超出新疆土壤环境质量背景值,超标率分别为2.1%、14.9%、4.3%、68.1%、68.1%和95.8%,其中As含量的均值分别超过国家土壤质量Ⅰ级和Ⅱ级标准(GB15618-1995)的2.1和1.3倍;2)Hg的地累积指数和潜在生态风险指数呈极高污染和高风险态势,Zn、Cu和Pb处于未污染和低风险状态。研究区综合潜在生态风险指数介于50.09～1 038.47之间,差异明显,均值为180.22,21%和11%土壤采样点呈现出较高和高风险水平;3)PMF模型结果显示:研究区土壤Hg主要受到燃煤活动的影响;Pb的积累主要与交通运输有关,As的积累主要与大气沉降和工业排放有关,工业排放是Cr的主要污染源,Zn和Cu的积累主要与土壤成土母质等自然因素有关。燃煤、交通运输、大气降尘、工业排放和自然因素5种来源的贡献率分别为20.79%,16.83%,16.83%和27.72%和17.82%。     

Effects of plant species on microbial biomass phosphorus and phosphatase activity in a range of grassland soils

Soil P transformations are primarily mediated by plant root and soil microbial activity. A short-term (40 weeks) glasshouse experiment with 15 grassland soils collected from around New Zealand was conducted to examine the impacts of ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and radiata pine (Pinus radiata) on soil microbial properties and microbiological processes involved in P dynamics. Results showed that the effect of plant species on soil microbial parameters varied greatly with soil type. Concentrations of microbial biomass C and soil respiration were significantly greater in six out of 15 soils under radiata pine compared with ryegrass, while there were no significant effects of plant species on these parameters in the remaining soils. However, microbial biomass P (MBP) was significantly lower in six soils under radiata pine, while there were no significant effects of plant species on MBP in the remaining soils. The latter indicated that P was released from the microbial biomass in response to greater P demand by radiata pine. Levels of water soluble organic C were significantly greater in most soils under radiata pine, compared with ryegrass, which suggested that greater root exudation might have occurred under radiata pine. Activities of acid and alkaline phosphatase and phosphodiesterase were generally lower in most soils under radiata pine, compared with ryegrass. The findings of this study indicate that root exudation plays an important role in increased soil microbial activities, solubility of organic P and mineralization of organic P in soils under radiata pine.     

Microbial community structure and function in a soil contaminated by heavy metals: effects of plant growth and different amendments

We studied the effects of in situ remediation of a heavy metal (HM) contaminated soil on some soil chemical properties, microbial function and microbial structural diversity after 18 months. The experiment was carried out at semifield scale in containers filled with HM contaminated soil from the Aznalcóllar mine accident (Southern Spain, 1998). The remediation measures consisted of the application of different amendments and/or establishment of a plant cover (Agrostis stolonifera L.). Seven treatments were established: four organic treatments (municipal waste compost (MWC), biosolid compost (BC), leonardite (LEO) and litter (LIT)), one inorganic treatment (sugar beet lime (SL)) and two controls (control with plant cover (CTRP) and control without plant cover (CTR)). Several soil chemical (pH, soluble HM, total organic C (TOC), water-soluble C (WSC) and available-P) and biochemical properties (microbial biomass C (MBC), MBC/TOC ratio and enzyme activities) were determined. Microbial community structure was studied by means of ARDRA (amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis). The SL, MWC and BC treatments were the most efficient to raise soil pH and decrease soluble HM concentrations. Total organic C was increased in the organic treatments by 2 to 4-fold, whereas water-soluble C was statistically similar in the CTRP, SL and the organic treatments, probably due to the presence of a root system in all these treatments. Available-P was also increased in the BC, SL and MWC treatments due to the higher P content of the amendments applied in these treatments. Soil microbial function was generally enhanced in the amended and CTRP treatments. The MWC, BC and SL treatments were particularly efficient to increase microbial biomass C, the MBC/TOC ratio and the dehydrogenase and aryl-sulphatase enzyme activities. These results could be attributed to the amelioration of some of the soil chemical properties: increase in soil pH and water-soluble C and decrease of HM soluble concentrations. ARDRA analyses showed changes in structural diversity in both the bacterial and fungal community under the different treatments. Fingerprinting patterns of the 16S rDNA obtained with Hinf-I and of the 18S rDNA with Hpa-II revealed higher similarity percentages among samples from the same treatment compared with samples from the other treatments. In addition, a higher similarity was found between samples from all treatments under the Agrostis influence. The use of certain amendments and/or a plant cover is important for in situ remediation of HM contaminated soils, since these practices can affect soil chemical properties, as well as the microbial community function and structure.     

Effect of heavy metals contamination on root-derived and organic matter-derived CO2 efflux from soil planted with Zea mays

The CO₂ efflux from loamy Haplic Luvisol and heavy metal (HM) uptake by Zea mays L. were studied under increased HM contamination: Cd, Cu, and Ni up to 20, 1000, and 2500 mg kg⁻¹ soil, respectively. Split-root system with contrasting HM concentrations in both soil halves was used to investigate root-mediated HM translocation in uncontaminated soil zones. To separate root-derived and soil organic matter (SOM)-derived CO₂ efflux from soil, ¹⁴CO₂ pulse labeling of 15-, 25-, and 35-days-old plants was applied. The CO₂ evolution from the bare soil was 10.6 μg C–CO₂ d⁻¹ g⁻¹ (32 kg C–CO₂ d⁻¹ ha⁻¹) and was not affected by HM (except 2500 mg Ni kg⁻¹). The average CO₂ efflux from the soil with maize was about two times higher and amounted for about 22.0 μg C–CO₂ d⁻¹ g⁻¹. Portion of assimilates respired in the rhizosphere decreased with plant development from 6.0 to 7.0% of assimilated C for 25-days-old Zea mays to 0.4–2.0% for 45-days-old maize. The effect of the HM on root-derived ¹⁴CO₂ efflux increased with rising HM content in the following order: Cd < Cu < Ni. In Cu and Ni contaminated soils, shoot and root dry matter decreased to 70% and to 50% of the uncontaminated control, respectively. Plants contained much more HM in the roots than in the shoots. A split-root system with contrasting HM concentrations allowed to trace transport of mobile forms of HM by roots from contaminated soil half into the uncontaminated soil half. The portion of mobile HM forms in the soil (1 M NH₄NO₃ extract) increased with contamination and amounted to 9–16%, 2–6% and 1.5–3.5% for Cd, Cu, and Ni, respectively. Corresponding values for the easily available HM (1 M NH₄OAc extract) were 22–52%, 1–20% and 5–8.5%. Heavy metal availability for plants decreased in the following order: Cd > Cu ≥ Ni. No increase of HM availability in the soil was found after maize cultivation.     

Linking dynamics of soil microbial phospholipid fatty acids to carbon mineralization in a C natural abundance experiment: Impact of heavy metals and acid rain

A ¹³C natural abundance experiment including GC-c-IRMS analysis of phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) was conducted to assess the temporal dynamics of the soil microbial community and carbon incorporation during the mineralization of plant residues under the impact of heavy metals and acid rain. Maize straw was incorporated into (i) control soil, (ii) soil irrigated with acid rain, (iii) soil amended with heavy metal-polluted filter dust and (iv) soil with both, heavy metal and acid rain treatment, over a period of 74 weeks. The mineralization of maize straw carbon was significantly reduced by heavy metal impact. Reduced mineralization rate of the added carbon likely resulted from a reduction of the microbial biomass due to heavy metal stress, while the efficiency of ¹³C incorporation into microbial PLFAs was hardly affected. Since acid rain did not significantly change soil pH, little impact on soil microorganisms and mineralization rate was found. Temporal dynamics of labelling of microbial PLFAs were different between bacterial and fungal PLFA biomarkers. Utilization of maize straw by bacterial PLFAs peaked immediately after the application (2 weeks), while labelling of the fungal biomarker 18:2ω6,9 was most pronounced 5 weeks after the application. In general, ¹³C labelling of microbial PLFAs was closely linked to the amounts of maize carbon present in the soil. The distinct higher labelling of microbial PLFAs in the heavy metal-polluted soils 74 weeks after application indicated a large fraction of available maize straw carbon still present in the soil.     

4种改良剂对铅锌尾矿污染土壤中光叶紫花苕生长及重金属吸收特性的影响

通过盆栽试验研究了铅锌尾矿污染土壤中施用有机肥、石灰、蛭石和白云石等4种改良剂对光叶紫花苕生长发育、叶绿素及重金属Cu、Cd、Pb、Zn积累特性的影响,并分析了施用改良剂后土壤pH和有效态重金属含量的变化。结果表明,与对照相比,不同改良剂及其不同施用水平均能不同程度地提高土壤pH,显著降低土壤各重金属有效态含量,并显著抑制了Cd、Pb向光叶紫花苕地上部转移,降低了重金属在光叶紫花苕植株地上部的积累,改善了光叶紫花苕的生长和发育,光叶紫花苕株高、地上部鲜重和地下部鲜重、叶绿素含量均有不同程度增加,其中株高和地上部鲜重增加达到显著水平。4种改良剂的不同处理水平对光叶紫花苕地下部重金属含量影响均达显著水平。     

The adverse effects of soil salinization on the growth of Trifolium alexandrinum L. and associated microbial and biochemical properties in a soil from Iran

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of increasing concentrations of salt solutions (including 0.12, 2, 6, and 10 dS m⁻¹) on the growth of berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) and related soil microbial activity, biomass and enzyme activities. Results showed that the dry weights of root and shoot decreased with an increase in the concentrations of salt solutions. Soil salinization depressed the microbiological activities including soil respiration and enzyme activities. Substrate-induced respiration was consistently lower in salinized soils, whereas microbial biomass C did not vary among salinity levels. Higher metabolic quotients (qCO₂) and unaffected microbial biomass C at high EC values may indicate that salinity is a stressful factor, inducing either a shift in the microbial community with less catabolic activity or reduced efficiency of substrate utilization. Acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activities decreased with increasing soil salinity. We found significant, positive correlations between the activities of phosphatase enzymes and plant's root mass, suggesting that any decrease in the activities of the two enzymes could be attributed to the reduced root biomass under saline conditions.     

Effects of past, present and future atmospheric CO2 concentrations on soil organic matter dynamics in a chaparral ecosystem

Owing to the continuously increasing concentration of atmospheric CO₂, it has become a priority to understand if soil organic matter (SOM) will behave as a sink or a source of CO₂ under future environmental changes. Although many studies have addressed this question, a clear understanding is still missing, particularly with respect to long-term responses. In this study, we quantified soil C stores and dynamics in relationship to soil aggregation and pool composition in a Californian chaparral ecosystem exposed for 6 years to a gradient of atmospheric CO₂ concentrations, ranging from pre-industrial levels 250 to 750 μl l⁻¹ CO₂. Fossil fuel-derived CO₂ depleted in ¹³C was used for the fumigation, thus providing a tracer of C input from the vegetation to the soil.Long-term CO₂ exposure invariably affected soil aggregation, with a significant decrease in the macroaggregate fraction at highest CO₂ levels relative to the other two size fractions (i.e. microaggregates and silt and clay). This soil structural change most likely reduced the stability and protection of SOM, and C content generally decreased in most fractions over the CO₂ treatments, and induced faster turnover of recently fixed C at high CO₂ levels. The strongest response was found in the C content of the microaggregates, which decreased significantly (P<0.05) with rising levels of CO₂. We conclude that increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentrations will decrease soil C in chaparral ecosystems, and that the microaggregate fraction is the most responsive to increasing concentrations of atmospheric CO₂.     

The influence of time, storage temperature, and substrate age on potential soil enzyme activity in acidic forest soils using MUB-linked substrates and l-DOPA

The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate whether soil storage and processing methods significantly influence measurements of potential in situ enzyme activity in acidic forest soils. More specifically, the objectives were to determine if: (1) duration and temperature of soil storage; (2) duration of soil slurry in buffer; and (3) age of model substrates significantly influence the activity of six commonly measured soil extracellular enzymes using methylumbelliferone (MUB)-linked substrates and l-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-DOPA). Soil collected and analyzed for enzyme activity within 2 h was considered the best measure of potential in situ enzyme activity and the benchmark for all statistical comparisons. Sub-samples of the same soil were stored at either 4 °C or −20 °C. In addition to the temperature manipulation, soils experienced two more experimental treatments. First, enzyme activity was analyzed 2, 7, 14, and 21 days after collection. Second, MUB-linked substrate was added immediately (i.e. <20 min) or 2 h after mixing soil with buffer. Enzyme activity of soil stored at 4 °C was not significantly different from soil stored at −20 °C. The duration of soil storage was minimal for β-glucosidase, β-xylosidase, and peroxidase activity. N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAGase), phosphatase, and phenol oxidase activity appeared to change the most when compared to fresh soils, but the direction of change varied. Likewise, the activities of these enzymes were most sensitive to extended time in buffer. Fluorometric MUB and MUB-linked substrates generally had a 3-day shelf life before they start to significantly suppress reported activities when kept at 4 °C. These findings suggest that the manner in which acidic forest soils are stored and processed are site and enzyme specific and should not initially be trivialized when conducting enzyme assays focusing on NAGase, phosphatase, and phenol oxidase. The activities of β-glucosidase, β-xylosidase, and peroxidase are insensitive to storage and processing methods.