Influence of smoke exposure on soil enzyme activities and nitrification

Summary Soil was exposed to red phosphorous/butyl rubber (RP/BR) aerosols at various relative humidities in a recirculating environmental wind tunnel. Soil microbial and enzymatic activities were measured immediately after exposure and periodically thereafter for 56 days. The nitrification potential was significantly reduced in soil amended with ammonium sulfate and exposed to RP/BR smoke, and could be related to a decline in soil pH. The rate of nitrate formation in unamended soil with time was also reduced, but by 57 days postexposure, concentrations were similat to those of unexposed controls in all but the thinnest soil lense. Soil dehydrogenase and phosphatase enzyme activities were sensitive to RP/BR smoke and in some treatments no activity was detected. The measured activities did not recover within the 56-day postexposure period and in some cases declined. Soil lense thickness was the greatest factor controlling the degree of RP/BR effects, indicating that injury to soil microbial and enzymatic activities may be surficial. Deposition of smoke particles increased with increasing relative humidity, which had a significant impact on the activities measured.