Changes in Microbial Functional Diversity and Activity in Paddy Soils Irrigated with Industrial Wastewaters in Bandung, West Java Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Characteristics, such as microbial biomass, basal respiration, and functional diversity of the microbial communities, were investigated in paddy soils located in Bandung, West Java Province, Indonesia, that have been heavily polluted by industrial effluents for 31 years. Paddy soil samples (10-20 cm) were taken from two sites: polluted soils and unpolluted soils (as control sites). The polluted soils contained higher salinity, higher sodicity, higher nutrient contents, and elevated levels of heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, and Zn) than unpolluted soils. Soil physicochemical properties, such as maximum water holding capacity, exchangeable sodium percentage, sodium adsorption ratio, and swelling factor, in polluted soils were much greater than those in unpolluted soils (P<0.05). Changes in the physical and chemical soil properties were reflected by changes in the microbial communities and their activities. BIOLOG analysis indicated that the functional diversity of the microbial community of polluted soils increased and differed from that of unpolluted soils. Likewise, the average rate of color development (average well color development), microbial biomass (measured as DNA concentration), and the soil CO 2 respiration were higher in polluted soils. These results indicate that major changes in the chemical and physical properties of paddy soils following the application of industrial wastewater effluents have had lasting impacts on the microbial communities of these soils. Thus, the increased activity, biomass, and functional diversity of the microbial communities in polluted soils with elevated salinity, sodicity, and heavy metal contents may be a key factor in enhancing the bioremediation process of these heavily polluted paddy soils.

Effects of Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu on Soil Enzyme Activity and Soil Properties Related to Agricultural Land-Use Practices in Karst Area Contaminated by Pb-Zn Tailings

“…CEC is related to heavy metal toxicity affecting microorganism activities in soils [30]. The CEC depends on the amount and type of hydrous metal oxides and organic matter.…”

Fire Alters Vegetation and Soil Microbial Community in Alpine Meadow

“…Fire disturbance leads to the change of soil environment, which can be attributed to an increase in grass functional group coverage and biomass, root‐to‐soil ratio and soil physical–chemical property. The fire disturbance also changes the soil organic quality and quantity of the utilisation of C and N. Changes in the physical and chemical soil properties were reflected by changes in the microbial communities and their activities (Chaerun et al ., ). In this study, we found that the total PLFA, G + bacterial PLFA and G − bacterial PLFA are closely related to plant community characteristics.…”

Changes in Microbial Biomass, Activity, Functional Diversity, and Enzyme Activity in Tree Peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) Garden Soils

“…Tree peony can continually provide soil microbes with nutritive materials by releasing root exudates and rhizodeposits. In addition, the changes in soil chemical properties resulting from continued tree peony growth have lasting impacts on soil microbial communities and functional diversity (Chaerun et al, 2011). Moreover, the reduction in the functional diversity of the microbial community resulting from continued growth may also be ascribed to differences in root exudation, because the quantity and chemical composition of root exudates change over the course of tree peony growth (Marschner et al, 2002).…”