Easily degradable carbon – an indicator of microbial hotspots and soil degradation

Abstract

The effect of arable soil was quantified against non-cultivated soil on easily degradable carbon and other selected microbiological factors,i.e.soil microbial biomass, respiration activity, and dehydrogenase activity. The intent was to ascertain whether easily degradable carbo can be useful as a sensitive indicator of both soil biological degradation and microbial hot-spots indication. As a result, it was found that soil respiration activity was significantly higher (p <0.0001) in all controls, ranging between 30-60vs.11.5-23.7 μmol CO2kg d.m.−1 h−1for the arable soils. Dehydrogenase activity was significantly lower in the arable soil (down to 35-40% of the control values, p <0.001) varying depending on the soil type. The microbial biomass was also significantly higher at the non-cultivated soil (512-2807vs. 416-1429 µg g−1d.m., p <0.001), while easily degradable carbon ranged between 620-1209 mg kg−1non-cultivated soil and 497-877 mg kg−1arable soil (p <0.0001). It was demonstrated that agricultural practices affected soil properties by significantly reducing the levels of the studied parameters in relation to the control soils. The significant correlations of easily degradable carbon-respiration activity (ρ= 0.77*), easily degradable carbon-dehydrogenase activity (ρ= 0.42*), and easily degradable carbon-microbial biomass (ρ= 0.53*) reveal that easily degradable carbon is a novel, suitable factor indicative of soil biological degradation. It, therefore, could be used for evaluating the degree of soil degradation and for choosing a proper management procedure.

Forest Humus Type Governs Heavy Metal Accumulation in Specific Organic Matter Fractions

“…According to Karaca et al (2010), soil characteristics such as pH, clay content, and soil organic matter can modify the impacts of heavy metals on soil enzymes. Soil organic matter influences metal binding and their impact on soil microorganisms (Kuźniar et al 2018;Wolińska et al 2018). Bioavailability constitutes an important factor in the assessment of metal toxicity (Vig et al 2003).…”

“…Soil organic matter (SOM) and clay minerals are the main component of soil that possess significant sorption capacity relative to metals through exchange sorption, complexing, or chelation. Soil organic matter is involved in retention, reduction of mobility, and reduction of bioavailability of heavy metals (Impellitteri et al 2002;Wolińska et al 2018). The heterogeneous nature of SOM includes particles with components that vary considerably in their turnover rates (von Lützow et al 2007).…”

Content of Cadmium and Nickel in Soils and Assimilatory Organs of Park Woody Species Exposed to Polluted Air

“…Increasing soil pH from 5.5 to 7.0 significantly decreased Cd concentrations in clover, lettuce, carrot, and ryegrass, and to a lesser extent in wheat [39]. According to Woli ńska et al [40], soil organic matter participates in the retention, reduction of mobility, and bioavailability of HM. We found the highest soil Cd content in combination with the medium content of organic matter (3.8 to 4.2%) in Levice and Želiezovce parks.…”

The role of chemical properties of the material deposited in nests of white stork in shaping enzymatic activity and fungal diversity

“…Lasota et al ( 2020 ) suggested that organic matter masks the negative impact of metals on the enzyme activity in the humus soil type. Soil organic matter influences metal binding and their impact on soil microorganisms (Wolińska et al 2018 ). Nevertheless, the present study demonstrated that certain fungal species correlated with the concentration of heavy metals in the material of white stork nests.…”