Mining, roasting as well as smelting of these elements have caused sulphur dioxide fumigations and metal particulate depositions which have led to various detrimental effects on the overall environmental quality of the Greater Sudbury region. Soil amendment and revegetation within the Greater Sudbury Region were initiated to restore the damage land. Several methods have been used to assess the progress made toward full ecosystem recovery. Soil respiration rates are particularly critical in the assessment of soil health. They reflect the complete extent of biological activity of living microorganisms in the soil. Bacterial and fungal the main biological soil components are functionally important and must be properly determined. The objective of the present study was to measure soil respiration and health in limed and unlimed areas in the Northern Ontario (Canada) region. The results confirm that the liming did maintain an increase in soil pH from extremely acid to slightly acid, even 30 to 40 years after dolostone applications. Fungi were more abundant in limed sites compared to unlimed areas. Soil respiration based on CO 2 rate followed the same trend. Respiration rates for the reference sites were similar to those documented for the limed areas. Summer soil respiration rates were associated (r = 0.50) with total fungal abundance in the targeted sites. Overall, the Solvita test of assessing soil respiration and determining microbial mass and soil quality is a reliable and cost effective method.
Northern Ontario (Canada) especially the Greater Sudbury region is highly known for its nickel, copper and other metal deposits. The mining, roasting and smelting of these elements have caused disastrous effects on the vegetation and overall environment. Dolomitic lime which contains calcium and magnesium carbonate was applied to soils from 1980 to 1995 at different locations across Northern Ontario. The objective of the present study is to determine fungi diversity and abundance in selected limed and unlimed areas contaminated with metals in the Region. Soil respiration, fungi cultures and Phospholipid Fatty Acid (PLFA) were analyzed. The liming did maintain an increase in soil pH from extremely acid to slightly acid, even 25 to 30 years after liming applications. A total of 52 fungi species belonging to 34 genera were identified on growth media. The majority of fungi (up to 70%) in all the sites belong to the Ascomycota phylum. Some species were specific to one or two sites, while others were present in the majority of the sites. Fungal diversity and abundance were higher in limed soils compared to unlimed samples based on SDA medium growth. The rates of soil respiration in limed sites were also higher compared to unlimed areas. Phospholipid Fatty Acid (PLFA) analysis revealed a significantly higher total microbial biomass in samples from limed areas compared to unlimed samples. Total and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi abundance based on this analysis followed the same trend. Surprisingly, there were 7 to 10 fold more bacteria than fungi in all the sites. Moreover, there was twice more Gram (-) bacteria than Gram (+) indicating that the sites are still severely stressed. Soil pH appears to be the most important factor for microbial abundance, diversity and activities than total metal content.
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