Effects of trace elements on nitrogen mineralisation in soils

Effect of Metals Contamination on Soil Microbial Diversity, Enzymatic Activity, Organic Matter Decomposition and Nitrogen Mineralisation (A Review)

“…He (Khan, 1999) also reported that this increase in mineral N was in line with increased CO 2 evolution in high metal soils over control and concluded that increased mineral N content could be due to higher turnover of organic matter in the high metal soils. In contrast, Liang and Tabatabai (1977) found a decrease of up to 82% in the soil treated with 300 µg Cu gG 1 soil after 20 days of incubation. They suggested that the toxic effect of Cu on N mineralisation could be due to the reaction of Cu ion with sulphydryi groups in the enzyme systems of the microorganisms involved in the N mineralisation.…”

Toxicological benchmarks for screening potential contaminants of concern for effects on soil and litter invertebrates and heterotrophic process

“…The effective concentration of 280 ppm (Liang and Tabatabai, 1977) is the lowest of the nine reported. Confidence in the benchmark of 200 ppm is low because of the limited amount and type of data available.…”

“…Both were reduced by the addition of 2000 ppm Pb (lowest concentration tested). Liang and Tabatabai (1977) investigated the effects of Pb on N mineralization by native soil microflora in four soils, as described for Cd. Lead reduced N mineralization in one soil at 1035 ppm.…”

Toxicological Benchmarks for Screening Potential Contaminants of Concern for Effects on Soil and Litter Invertebrates and Heterotrophic Process

“…Liang and Tabatabai (1977) investigated the effects of various metals on N mineralization by native soil microflora in four soils, as described for Cd. Chromium(III) at 260 ppm reduced N mineralization in the soil containing the highest organic matter content.…”

“…The highest LOEC concentration (56.3 ppm) for Cd was associated with the soil containing the lowest percentage of organic matter and the lowest pH. Liang and Tabatabai (1977) investigated the effects of various metals on N mineralization by native soil microflora in four soils varying in pH from 6 to 7.8, clay from 23 to 34%, and organic matter content from 6 to 11%. Only one concentration of each metal was tested and was added to the soil as a salt solution.…”