Substrate utilization pattern, biomass and activity of microbial communities in a sequence of heavy metal-polluted paddy soils

The microbial biomass, activity and substrate utilization pattern of seven Chinese paddy soils with different heavy metal concentrations in the vicinity of a Cu–Zn smelter was investigated. Microbial biomass and basal respiration were negatively affected by the elevated metal levels. Two important b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geoderma 2003-07, Vol.115 (1), p.139-148
Main Authors: Yao, Huaiying, Xu, Jianming, Huang, Changyong
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Heavy metal
Microbial biomass
Paddy soil
Substrate utilization pattern
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Summary:The microbial biomass, activity and substrate utilization pattern of seven Chinese paddy soils with different heavy metal concentrations in the vicinity of a Cu–Zn smelter was investigated. Microbial biomass and basal respiration were negatively affected by the elevated metal levels. Two important biological parameters, namely, the microbial biomass-C (C mic)/organic C (C org) ratio and metabolic quotient were closely correlated to heavy metal stress. There was a significant decrease in the C mic/C org ratio and an increase in the metabolic quotient with increasing metal concentration. Multivariate analysis of sole carbon source utilization pattern demonstrated that heavy metal pollution had a significant impact on microbial community structure and there was a threshold metal concentration for substrate utilization pattern. However, the average well colour development (AWCD) of the carbon sources in Biolog plates did not vary in a consistent manner with the microbial biomass or heavy metal concentration.
ISSN:0016-7061
1872-6259
DOI:10.1016/S0016-7061(03)00083-1