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Li H, Yao J, Min N, Sunahara G, Liu J, Li M, Liu B, Pang W, Cao Y, Li R, Duran R. Microbial metabolic activity in metal(loid)s contaminated sites impacted by different non-ferrous metal activities. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 459:132005. [PMID: 37467603 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Many non-ferrous metal mining and smelting activities have caused severe metal(loid) contamination in the local soil environment. The metabolic activity of soil microorganisms in four areas affected by different metallurgical activities (production vs. waste disposal) was characterized using a contamination gradient from the contaminated site to the surrounding soils. Results indicated that the soil microcalorimetric and enzyme activities were correlated with the fractionated metal(loid) properties (p < 0.05). All four areas had high total As, Cd, Pb, Sb, and Zn concentrations, of which mobile As, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Zn were higher in the contaminated sites than the surrounding sites, reflecting an elevated environmental risk. Three contaminated site areas had lower microbial activities than their surrounding sites suggesting that high metal(loid) concentrations inhibited soil microbial communities. Interestingly, the fourth area (tailing pond) showed an opposite trend (i.e., increased microbial activity in contaminated vs. surrounding areas). The microbial thermodynamic parameters of this contaminated site were higher than its surrounding sites, suggesting that the selected microbial communities can develop a functional resistance to metal(loid)s stress. This study provides a theoretical basis for ecological prevention and control of metal-polluted areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Li
- School of Water Resources and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jun Yao
- School of Water Resources and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Ning Min
- School of Water Resources and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Geoffrey Sunahara
- School of Water Resources and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China; Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Drive, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Jianli Liu
- School of Water Resources and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Miaomaio Li
- School of Water Resources and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Bang Liu
- School of Water Resources and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Wancheng Pang
- School of Water Resources and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Ying Cao
- School of Water Resources and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Ruofei Li
- School of Water Resources and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Robert Duran
- School of Water Resources and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China; Universite de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S-UPPA, IPREM 5254, BP 1155, 64013 Pau Cedex, France
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Jiang X, Zhou Y, Meng X, Wu G, Miao Z, Sun F, Xu E. The effect of inorganic salt modification of sludge on the performance of sludge-coal water slurry. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2023.131146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
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3
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Suitability of Selected Plant Species for Phytoremediation: A Case Study of a Coal Combustion Ash Landfill. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14127083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Coal bottom and fly ash waste continue to be generated as a result of energy production from coal in the amount of about 750 million tonnes a year globally. Coal is the main source of energy in Poland, and about 338 million tonnes of combustion waste has already been landfilled. The aim of the research was to identify factors determining the Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu phytostabilisation by vegetation growing on a coal combustion waste landfill. Soil and shoots of the following plants were analysed: wood small-reed, European goldenrod, common reed; silver birch, black locust, European aspen and common oak. The influence of the location where the plants grew and the influence of the interaction between the two factors (species and location) were significant. The tree species were more effective at accumulating heavy metals than the herbaceous plants. European aspen had the highest Bioaccumulation Factor (BCF) for cadmium and zinc. A high capacity to accumulate these elements was also demonstrated by silver birch, and in the case of cadmium, by common oak. Accumulation of both lead and copper was low in all plants. The Translocation Factors (TF) indicated that the heavy metals were accumulated mainly in the roots. European aspen, silver birch and European goldenrod were shown to be most suitable for stabilization of the metals analysed in the research.
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Li H, Yao J, Min N, Liu J, Chen Z, Zhu X, Zhao C, Pang W, Li M, Cao Y, Liu B, Duran R. Relationships between microbial activity, enzyme activities and metal(loid) form in NiCu tailings area. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 812:152326. [PMID: 34906578 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Here we combined microcalorimetry, enzyme activity measurements, and characterization of metal form in order to evaluate the effect of metal(loid)s on the activity of microbial community inhabiting tailings area with high toxic metal(loid)s concentration. Chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) were the main pollutants. The exchangeable fractions (bioavailability) of Cu, Ni and Mn were higher in the tailings sample (Site Z), indicating a higher environmental risk. The total heat Qtotal (17,726.87 J/g), peak power Ppeak (541.42 μW/g) and growth rate constant k (0.11 h-1) of Site Z were higher than that of the polluted soil around tailings (Site Y). Such observation may be explained by physiological changes within the microbial community in response to high levels of heavy metal stress, thereby increasing respiration and improving microbial activity. In contrast, enzyme activities and enzyme activities index (GmeA) of Site Z were lower than the Site Y, which is strongly influenced by changes on physical-chemical properties (TN and TOC) and the presence of Cr, Mn, and Ni. Correlation coefficient and principal component analysis (PCA) indicate that GmeA is significantly correlated (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) with environmental factors (EC, TOC and TN), Mn and Ni concentration, Ni bioavailability, and peak time (Tpeak). Therefore, GmeA represents a potential biological indicator for reporting the pollution degree in tailings area. Our results provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of pollution in non-ferrous metal(loid) tailings area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Li
- School of Water Resources and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, 100083 Beijing, China
| | - Jun Yao
- School of Water Resources and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, 100083 Beijing, China.
| | - Ning Min
- School of Water Resources and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, 100083 Beijing, China
| | - Jianli Liu
- School of Water Resources and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, 100083 Beijing, China
| | - Zhihui Chen
- School of Water Resources and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, 100083 Beijing, China
| | - Xiaozhe Zhu
- School of Water Resources and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, 100083 Beijing, China
| | - Chenchen Zhao
- School of Water Resources and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, 100083 Beijing, China
| | - Wancheng Pang
- School of Water Resources and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, 100083 Beijing, China
| | - Miaomiao Li
- School of Water Resources and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, 100083 Beijing, China
| | - Ying Cao
- School of Water Resources and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, 100083 Beijing, China
| | - Bang Liu
- School of Water Resources and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, 100083 Beijing, China
| | - Robert Duran
- School of Water Resources and Environment, Research Center of Environmental Science and Engineering, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, 100083 Beijing, China; Universite de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, E2S-UPPA, IPREM UMR CNRS 5254, BP 1155, 64013 Pau Cedex, France
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Coal Mines in Vietnam: Geological Conditions and Their Influence on Production Sustainability Indicators. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su132111800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The high growth rate that the Vietnamese economy has been demonstrating in recent years largely depends on the use of the country’s fossil fuel reserves, which form the foundation of its fuel and energy sector. The country will have to rely on coal as one of the key energy sources for a long time in order to meet its energy needs. Since coal has been mined in Vietnam for a long time, the country is now facing such challenges as the depletion of readily available reserves and an increase in the share of coal mined underground in difficult geological conditions. These circumstances may affect the sustainability of the coal industry as a whole. The purpose of the study is to develop a method for analyzing the influence of geological conditions on production sustainability indicators at coal mines operated by Vinacomin, a state-owned corporation. Research methods include substantiating and choosing objects and indicators reflecting production sustainability at coal mines, formalizing the qualitative characteristics of geological conditions, and revealing the relationship between the complexity of geological conditions and production sustainability indicators. As a result of the analysis, the most problematic mines and their operations were identified. They should be given priority attention when developing measures and corporate programs aimed at fostering the sustainability of coal mines. The results of the study provide new knowledge on the coal industry in Vietnam and help to develop methods for assessing corporate sustainability.
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Woch MW, Kapusta P, Stanek M, Zubek S, Stefanowicz AM. Functional traits predict resident plant response to Reynoutria japonica invasion in riparian and fallow communities in southern Poland. AOB PLANTS 2021; 13:plab035. [PMID: 34249308 PMCID: PMC8266581 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plab035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Reynoutria japonica is one of the most harmful invasive species in the world, dramatically reducing the diversity of resident vegetation. To mitigate the impact of R. japonica on ecosystems and properly manage affected areas, understanding the mechanisms behind this plant's invasive success is imperative. This study aimed to comprehensively analyse plant communities invaded by R. japonica, taking into account species traits, habitat conditions and seasonal variability, and to determine the ecological profile of species that withstand the invader's pressure. The study was performed in fallow and riparian areas in southern Poland. Pairs of adjacent plots were established at 25 sites with no obvious signs of recent human disturbance. One plot contained R. japonica, and the other contained only resident vegetation. For each plot, botanical data were collected and soil physicochemical properties were determined. Twelve sites were surveyed four times, in two springs and two summers, to capture seasonal variability. The presence of R. japonica was strongly associated with reduced resident plant species diversity and/or abundance. In addition to the ability to quickly grow and form a dense canopy that shades the ground, the success of the invader likely resulted from the production of large amounts of hard-to-decompose litter. The indirect impact of R. japonica by controlling the availability of nutrients in the soil might also play a role. A few species coexisted with R. japonica. They can be classified into three groups: (i) spring ephemerals - geophytic forbs with a mixed life history strategy, (ii) lianas with a competitive strategy and (iii) hemicryptophytic forbs with a competitive strategy. Species from the first two groups likely avoided competition for light by temporal or spatial niche separation (they grew earlier than or above the invasive plant), whereas the high competitive abilities of species from the third group likely enabled them to survive in R. japonica patches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin W Woch
- Institute of Biology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Lwowska 1, PL- 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Paweł Kapusta
- Władysław Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lubicz 46, PL-31-512 Kraków, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Stanek
- Władysław Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lubicz 46, PL-31-512 Kraków, Poland
| | - Szymon Zubek
- Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 3, PL-30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Anna M Stefanowicz
- Władysław Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lubicz 46, PL-31-512 Kraków, Poland
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Eliáš P, Hegedüšová Vantarová K. Progress in Slovak botany: a successful path to modern research on flora and vegetation. Biologia (Bratisl) 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11756-021-00809-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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8
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Occurrence and uptake of heavy metals by selected terrestrial orchids in extreme conditions of initial soils on previous mining sites. Biologia (Bratisl) 2020. [DOI: 10.2478/s11756-020-00619-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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9
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Batista ÉR, Carneiro JJ, Araújo Pinto F, Dos Santos JV, Carneiro MAC. Environmental drivers of shifts on microbial traits in sites disturbed by a large-scale tailing dam collapse. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 738:139453. [PMID: 32531582 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the most affected traits related to microbial ecophysiology and activity and investigate its relationships with environmental drivers in mine tailings spilled from the Fundão dam at disturbed sites across Gualaxo do Norte river, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The mine tailings are characterized by increased pH value, silt percentage, and bulk density, while clay percentage, organic carbon (Corg), total nitrogen (Nt), and moisture contents are reduced. Microbial biomass, enzymatic activities (arylsulfatase, β-1,4-glucosidase, acid and alkaline phosphatases), and the total microbial activity potential (FDA hydrolysis) were generally lower in tailings compared to undisturbed reference soil (Und). Enzyme-based indexes (GMea, WMean, and IBRv2) showed microbial communities with significantly lower degradative efficacy in the tailings than Und in all sites (R2 ≥ 0.94, p < 0.001). Non-metric multidimensional scaling and distance-based redundancy analysis revealed that microbial communities exhibited significant differentiation (R2 adjusted = 0.73, p = 0.0001) between mine tailings and Und over the different studied sites, which was strongly influenced by changes on physicochemical properties (pH, Corg and Nt contents, the predominance of small-sized particles of silt, and bulk density) and the presence of Se, Cr, Fe, and Ni, even at low concentrations. Our study suggests that the physicochemical properties and the presence of low bioavailable concentrations of heavy metals in dam tailings promote shifts on microbial communities through reductions in the C storage and biogeochemical cycling of nutrients by these communities compared to those in undisturbed reference soils surrounding and, therefore, has negative implications for the ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Éder Rodrigues Batista
- Sector of Biology, Microbiology and Soil Biological Processes, Department of Soil Science, Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), Lavras, MG, Brazil
| | - Joana Junqueira Carneiro
- Sector of Biology, Microbiology and Soil Biological Processes, Department of Soil Science, Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), Lavras, MG, Brazil
| | - Flávio Araújo Pinto
- Sector of Biology, Microbiology and Soil Biological Processes, Department of Soil Science, Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), Lavras, MG, Brazil
| | - Jessé Valentim Dos Santos
- Sector of Biology, Microbiology and Soil Biological Processes, Department of Soil Science, Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), Lavras, MG, Brazil
| | - Marco Aurélio Carbone Carneiro
- Sector of Biology, Microbiology and Soil Biological Processes, Department of Soil Science, Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), Lavras, MG, Brazil.
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Zhao X, Sun Y, Huang J, Wang H, Tang D. Effects of soil heavy metal pollution on microbial activities and community diversity in different land use types in mining areas. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:20215-20226. [PMID: 32239406 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08538-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Microbial activities and community structures play crucial roles in the soil environment and can be served as effective indicators to assess the ecological influence of heavy metal pollution in soil. This article selected soil samples from five land use types (mining area, mineral processing area, heap mining area, tailing area, and vegetable area) in the Shizishan mining area in Tongling, Anhui Province, China. The physicochemical properties, pollution characteristics, enzyme activities (catalase, urease, alkaline phosphatase, neutral phosphatase, cellulase, and sucrase), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), basal respiration (SBR), and metabolic entropy (qCO2) in soil were determined and compared, and the relationship between environmental factors and the microbial activities and community diversity was analyzed. The results showed that, according to the Nemerow's Pollution Index (PN), the values were the heap mining area (24.47) > mineral processing area (12.55) > mining area (9.81) > tailings area (6.02) > vegetable area (4.51). With the increase of heavy metal contamination in the sampling area, the six enzyme activities, MBC and SBR decreased, but the qCO2 increased. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and canonical correlation analysis (CCA) showed that the land use types, soil moisture content (MC), heavy metal content, pH, MBC, SBR, and qCO2 were significantly affected by the microbial community. The most dominant phyla were Proteobacteria (34.73%), Bacteroidetes (9.25%), Acidobacteria (8.99%), and Chloroflexi (8.68%) at the phylum (0.01) level by a total of 18 phyla. It was also found that Firmicutes and Phormidium were more tolerant to heavy metals. These results contributed to an insight into key environmental variables shaping the microbial activities, community structure, and diversity under various land use types in mining area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingqing Zhao
- School of Environmental and Safety Engineering, Changzhou University, Gehu Middle Road 21, Changzhou, 213164, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yu Sun
- School of Environmental and Safety Engineering, Changzhou University, Gehu Middle Road 21, Changzhou, 213164, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Huang
- School of Environmental and Safety Engineering, Changzhou University, Gehu Middle Road 21, Changzhou, 213164, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Wang
- School of Environmental and Safety Engineering, Changzhou University, Gehu Middle Road 21, Changzhou, 213164, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Ding Tang
- School of Environmental and Safety Engineering, Changzhou University, Gehu Middle Road 21, Changzhou, 213164, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
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Zhang Y, Xu Z, Tu Y, Wang J, Li J. Study on properties of coal-sludge-slurry prepared by sludge from coal chemical industry. POWDER TECHNOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2020.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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12
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Gamrat R, Tomaszewicz T, Wróbel M, Miller T, Chudecka J, Stankowski S. Impact of Different Reclamation Modes of Fly Ash Deposits on Species Richness of Spontaneous Flora. POLISH JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.3161/15052249pje2019.67.4.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Renata Gamrat
- Department of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Management, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Słowackiego 17, 71-434 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Tomasz Tomaszewicz
- Department of Soil Science, Grassland and Environmental Chemistry, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Słowackiego 17, 71-434 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Mariola Wróbel
- Department of Botany and Nature Protection, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Słowackiego 17, 71-434 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Tymoteusz Miller
- University of Szczecin, Institute of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Wąska 13, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Justyna Chudecka
- Department of Soil Science, Grassland and Environmental Chemistry, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Słowackiego 17, 71-434 Szczecin, Poland
| | - Sławomir Stankowski
- Department of Agronomy, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Papieża Pawła VI 3, 71-459 Szczecin, Poland
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Stefanowicz AM, Kapusta P, Zubek S, Stanek M, Woch MW. Soil organic matter prevails over heavy metal pollution and vegetation as a factor shaping soil microbial communities at historical Zn-Pb mining sites. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 240:124922. [PMID: 31563718 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the effects of soil heavy metals, macronutrients, texture and pH as well as plant species richness and composition on soil respiration, enzymatic activity, microbial biomass, metabolic quotient (qCO2) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) at sites of historical Zn-Pb mining. The study was conducted both on a large scale (65 heaps scattered over the area of 750 km2) and on a small scale (25 plots along two 48 m transects extending from heaps to adjacent fallow fields). Total concentrations of metals exceeded 400 (Cd), 20,000 (Pb) and 80,000 (Zn) mg kg-1 at the most polluted sites. Although they decreased along the heap-fallow direction, they still remained above environmental standards in fallow soils. In contrast, some soluble metal forms increased with the increasing distance from heaps. Soil organic matter had the strongest positive effect on most microbial parameters. Total and/or available heavy metals exhibited significant negative effects on microbial biomass, enzymatic activity and AMF, and a positive effect on qCO2. Organic matter alleviated negative effects of heavy metals on microorganisms; they were not observed where the increase in the contamination was accompanied by the increase in organic matter content. Plant species richness affected positively enzymatic activity and mycorrhization level. Plant species composition possibly contributed to the formation of soil microbial communities, but its effect was entangled in that of heavy metals as plant communities changed along pollution gradients (from metal-tolerant grasslands dominated by Festuca ovina to calcareous grasslands and ruderal communities at less polluted sites).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Stefanowicz
- W. Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lubicz 46, 31-512, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Paweł Kapusta
- W. Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lubicz 46, 31-512, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Szymon Zubek
- Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 3, 30-387, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Stanek
- W. Szafer Institute of Botany, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lubicz 46, 31-512, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Marcin W Woch
- Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University of Kraków, Podchorążych 2, 31-054, Kraków, Poland.
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