The Effect of Nitrogen on the Microbiological and Biochemical Properties of Zinc-Contaminated Soil

Abstract

The aim of these studies was to determine the influence of excessive zinc doses on the microbiological and enzymatic properties of soil. Also, an evaluation of the possibility to stimulate remediation processes by nitrogen fertilisation of the soil was attempted. Zinc was applied to loamy sand in the amounts of 0, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1250 mg Zn2+ kg–1 DM soil, while nitrogen in the form of urea in doses of 0, 250, 500 mg N kg–1 DM soil. Soil samples were incubated at a temperature of 25 °C, maintaining a constant humidity equal to 50% of the maximum water capacity. In the 2nd and 20th week of the experiment, the following factors were determined: activity of dehydrogenases and catalase, and number of organotrophic bacteria, copiotrophic bacteria, oligotrophic bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi. Zinc inhibited the enzymatic activity of the soil, while causing a slight increase in populations of microorganisms. Only fungi reacted unequivocally positively to contamination of the soil with zinc, therefore demonstrating changes in the biodiversity of microorganisms. Nitrogen fertilisation of the soil resulted in stabilization of the environment contaminated with zinc by stimulation of growth of microorganisms resistant to the influence of this metal.

Soil Quality Assessment of Sesame-Growing Soils with Different Productivity in the Northern Telangana Zone, India

“…Thus, urease activity is more in high productivity zone compared to medium and less in low productivity zone. This is similar with the results of Strachel et al, [25].…”

The Role of Compost in Stabilizing the Microbiological and Biochemical Properties of Zinc-Stressed Soil

“…Zinc applied to the soil at doses of 250 to 1250 mg Zn 2+ kg −1 was a potent inhibitor of the activity of dehydrogenases, catalase, and acid phosphatase. Based on the literature data (Borowik et al 2014 ; Chaperon and Sauvé 2007 ; Kucharski et al 2011 ; Strachel et al 2017a , dehydrogenases are the most sensitive enzymes to excessive amounts of zinc in the environment. According to Yang et al ( 2006 ), catalase also shows high sensitivity to zinc.…”

“…Zinc belongs to the elements involved in various biological processes. However, from an ecological point of view, excessive amounts of this element result in a number of adverse effects (Wyszkowska et al 2013 ; Wyszkowska et al 2017 ; Strachel et al 2017a ; Strachel et al 2017b ).…”

Potassium and Nitrogen Fertilization vs. Trace Element Content of Maize (Zea mays L.)

“…Average trace element levels in natural soils around the world are determined by type of soil and can vary widely: from less than 1 mg for cadmium, from a few to less than 20 mg for cobalt, from 10 or so to dozens mg for nickel, copper, lead, chromium, and zinc, several hundred mg for manganese, and from a few to several thousand mg for iron (per kg soil) [11]. The use of mineral fertilizers, especially the nitrogen-based ones, is a major contributor to the transfer of heavy metals and many other toxic contaminants in soil-plant systems, mainly through changes in soil acidity [12,13], microbial counts, and enzymatic activity [14], which in turn impacts the bioavailability of heavy metals.…”