Effect of heavy metals on microorganisms in soils near a secondary lead smelter

Soil samples were collected to a depth of 0 to 10 cm from several sites near a secondary Pb smelter during the summer of 1976 in order to determine heavy metal concentrations of soil and enumerate soil microorganisms and earthworms. Chemical analyses indicated that abnormally high concentrations of Pb, As, Cd, and Cu decreased with increasing distance from the source and population counts of bacteria, actinomyces, fungi, nematodes and earthworms increased with increasing distance from the smelter. The negative correlation coefficients between bacteria, actinomyces, fungi, and nematodes and the level of Pb, As, Cd, and Cu in the soil were statistically significant. The microflora of the contaminated soil was altered and the marked quantitative reduction or elimination of organisms were attributable to heavy metal pollution emission from the secondary Pb smelter.