Miniaturized test system for soil respiration induced by volatile pollutants

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) 2006-03, Vol.140 (2), p.269-278
• Main Authors: Kaufmann, Karin, Chapman, Stephen J., Campbell, Colin D., Harms, Hauke, Höhener, Patrick
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; Biodegradation of pollutants; Biological and medical sciences; Biological and physicochemical properties of pollutants. Interaction in the soil; Biotechnology; carbon dioxide; Carbon Dioxide - physiology; Community level physiological profile; Decontamination. Miscellaneous; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Ecosystem; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environment and pollution; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gas production (biological); Hazardous Substances - toxicity; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Inhibition; Kerosene - toxicity; microbial activity; Microbiological Techniques; MicroResp; Microtitre plates; mineralization; nitrogen; Nitrogen - physiology; Nutrients; phosphorus; Phosphorus - physiology; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Soil and sediments pollution; Soil Microbiology; soil nutrients; Soil Pollutants - toxicity; soil pollution; soil respiration; testing; toluene; Toluene - toxicity; volatile compounds
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2005.07.011

A miniaturized method based on 96-well microtitre plates was developed and used to study respiration in pristine and contaminated soils following addition of volatile substrates. Small soil samples were exposed to fuel components, which were volatilized from spatially separate reservoirs of 2,2,4,4,6,8,8-heptamethylnonane (HMN) as an organic carrier. Respiration was determined as CO 2 production by means of a pH-indicator and bicarbonate-containing agar, or as 14CO 2 evolution from 14C-labelled substrates. Substrate concentrations inducing maximum microbial activity or inhibition were determined and CO 2 production profiles examined by multivariate analysis. When high concentrations of fuel components were applied, distinction of hydrocarbon exposed soils from unexposed soil was achieved within 6 h of incubation. With low concentrations, adequate distinction was achieved after 24 h, probably as a result of community adaptation. Nutrient limitation was identified with the 14C method for toluene, and the optimal N and P amendment determined. Further potential applications of this rapid and inexpensive method are outlined. A new method to study soil respiration is used when volatile organic contaminants are added.