Effects des poussieres d'amiante sur la microflore tellurique

Abstract

Asbestos mining dusts which pollute soil surfaces in the area of Thetford Mines, Black Lake and Asbestos, Province of Quebec, contain large amounts of magnesium and iron. In the long run, these mining pollutants reduce total soil microflora; they decrease fungal populations and obligate heterotrophic bacteria, whereas facultative heterotrophic and autotrophic bacteria are enhanced. In short term experiments, the later groups of bacteria increase in number when high doses of asbestos powder were applied, although total number of bacteria remains constant. Other simple Mg formulations reduce bacterial soil populations.