2,4-Dichlorophenoxy Acetic Acid Mineralization in Amended Soil

The application of municipal biosolid or liquid hog manure to agricultural soils under laboratory conditions at 20°C influenced the fate of the herbicide 2,4-D [2,4-(dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] in soil. When 2,4-D was added to soil at agronomic rates immediately after the addition of manure or biosolids to a coarse-textured soil, the percentage of 2,4-D mineralized at 100 days was about 47% for both treatments, compared to only 31% for control soils without amendments. The enhanced 2,4-D mineralization as a result of amendment addition was due to an increased heterotrophic microbial activity, with the greatest increases in soil respiration occurring for soils amended with biosolids. When additions of 2,4-D were delayed for one, two, or four weeks after the amendments were applied, the additions of amendments generally reduced 2,4-D mineralization in soil, particularly for manure, indicating that the effect of amendments on enhancing soil microbial activities diminished over time. In contrast, the mineralization of 2,4-D in control soils was less dependent on when 2,4-D was applied in relation to pre-incubations of soil for zero, one, two, or four weeks. The effect of manure on decreasing 2,4-D mineralization in specific soils was as large as the effect of soil texture on differences in 2,4-D mineralization across soils. Because manure was not found to impact 2,4-D sorption by soil, it is possible that 2,4-D mineralization decreased because 2,4-D transformation products were strongly sorbed onto organic carbon constituents in manure-amended soils and were therefore less accessible to microorganisms. Alternatively, microorganisms were less likely to metabolize the herbicide because they preferentially consumed the type of organic carbon in manure that is a weak sorbent for 2,4-D.     

2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid mineralization in amended soil

The application of municipal biosolid or liquid hog manure to agricultural soils under laboratory conditions at 20 degrees C influenced the fate of the herbicide 2,4-D [2,4-(dichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] in soil. When 2,4-D was added to soil at agronomic rates immediately after the addition of manure or biosolids to a coarse-textured soil, the percentage of 2,4-D mineralized at 100 days was about 47% for both treatments, compared to only 31% for control soils without amendments. The enhanced 2,4-D mineralization as a result of amendment addition was due to an increased heterotrophic microbial activity, with the greatest increases in soil respiration occurring for soils amended with biosolids. When additions of 2,4-D were delayed for one, two, or four weeks after the amendments were applied, the additions of amendments generally reduced 2,4-D mineralization in soil, particularly for manure, indicating that the effect of amendments on enhancing soil microbial activities diminished over time. In contrast, the mineralization of 2,4-D in control soils was less dependent on when 2,4-D was applied in relation to pre-incubations of soil for zero, one, two, or four weeks. The effect of manure on decreasing 2,4-D mineralization in specific soils was as large as the effect of soil texture on differences in 2,4-D mineralization across soils. Because manure was not found to impact 2,4-D sorption by soil, it is possible that 2,4-D mineralization decreased because 2,4-D transformation products were strongly sorbed onto organic carbon constituents in manure-amended soils and were therefore less accessible to microorganisms. Alternatively, microorganisms were less likely to metabolize the herbicide because they preferentially consumed the type of organic carbon in manure that is a weak sorbent for 2,4-D.     

Microbial response to repeated treatments of manure containing sulfadiazine and chlortetracycline in soil

Substantive addition of antibiotic-contaminated manure to agricultural soil may lead to “persistent” residues of antibiotics and may affect soil health. Therefore, this study examines the effects of repeated manure treatments containing sulfadiazine (SDZ) and chlortetracycline (CTC) residues, both individually and combined, on the functional diversity and structure of soil microbial communities in the soils under laboratory conditions. The average well color development (AWCD), Simpson diversity index (1/D, dominant populations), Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H′, richness), and McIntosh diversity index (U, evenness) in the antibiotics-treated soils decreased in the first 60-day treatment and then gradually recovered or even exceeded the initial level in the unamended soils with increasing treatment frequency. A total of 11 specific bands in temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE) profiles were observed and sequence analyzed for five repeated treatments, and most of them belonged to the phyla Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria. These results indicate that repeated treatments of manure containing SDZ and CTC residues can alter soil microbial community structure, although they have a temporary suppression effect on soil microbial functional diversity.     

Effect of green manure amendment on herbicide pendimethalin on soil

Manure amendment in agricultural practice can have a large effect on herbicide dissipation because the period of manure plowing is close to the period of herbicide application. In addition, manure amendment is among the frequently encountered options in ameliorating pesticide pollution. In this research, the dissipation of the herbicide pendimethalin was examined after amendment with two common green manures, Lupinus luteus (L) or Cosmos bipinnatus (C), for 110 days in pH 5.2 and 7.7 soils (Sankengtzu [Sk] and Erhlin [Eh] soil, respectively). The microbial activity and ecology changes were examined by using Biolog EcoPlate and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). In Sk soil, the half-lives of pendimethalin with L, C, and blank treatment were 49.0, 54.9, and 62.2 days, respectively, whereas that in Eh soil they were 46.3, 52.6, and 34.8 days, respectively. Pendimethalin dissipated quickly in more neutral soil (Eh soil), but the addition of manure can only increase the dissipation rate in acidic soil (Sk soil), indicating that the amendment of manures exerted different effect in pendimethalin dissipation rates in different pH soils. The application of pendimethalin and/or manure altered the microbial community activity after 24 h of incubation. After 110 days, the microbial community activities in green manure–amended soil were more similar to that with blank than pendimethalin treatment in both types of soils. In comparison with treatment C, microbial communities were more similar between treatment L and blank, indicating the superior effect over pendimethalin on microbial communities when applying Lupinus luteus. The research showed that the application of herbicide pendimethalin changed soil microbial community, and the amendment of manures exerted different effect in pendimethalin dissipation rates in different pH soils. It is assumed that the change in dissipation rates was originated from the microbial community change after different manure amendment.     

Characterization of non-extractable ¹⁴C- and ¹³C-sulfadiazine residues in soil including simultaneous amendment of pig manure

Recently, we reported on soil fate of SDZ residues amended with pig manure treated with 1?C-labeled sulfadiazine 1?C-SDZ). The first objective of the present study was to determine whether this strategy can be substituted by application of 1?C-SDZ to soil. The second objective was to characterize non-extractable SDZ residues by fractionation, size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and solid state 13C-NMR. The fate of 1?C-SDZ was examined for 28 d, using two soils with and without amendment of pig manure. Mineralization of 1?C-SDZ was low; extractable residues decreased to 7-30%. Compared to the previous study, results were similar. 1?C-SDZ derived bound radioactivity was found in HCl-washings, fulvic, humic acids and humin. According to SEC, one bound 1?C portion (70%) co-eluted with fulvic acids (above 910 g mol?1); the other consisted of adsorbed/entrapped 1?C-SDZ. The 13C-SDZ study was performed for 30 d; humic acids were examined by 13C-NMR. A signal (100-150 ppm) was referred to 13C-SDZ. SEC and 13C-NMR demonstrated rapid integration of SDZ into humics.     

Functional and community-level soil microbial responses to zinc addition may depend on test system biocomplexity

The effect of zinc on soil nitrification and composition of the microbial community in soil was investigated using a full factorial experiment with five zinc concentrations and four levels of biological complexity (microbes only, microbes and earthworms (Eisenia fetida), microbes and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum var. Macho), and microbes, ryegrass and earthworms). After 6 weeks of exposure, the activity of soil nitrifying bacteria was measured and the microbial community structure was characterized by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis. Soil nitrification and several PLFA markers were significantly influenced by either zinc addition and/or the presence of earthworms or ryegrass, and one of the most pronounced changes was the increase of fungi and decrease of bacteria with increasing concentrations of zinc. Of particular interest, however, was the potential interaction between the presence of plants and/or earthworms and the effect of zinc, which the factorial study design allowed us to explore. Such an effect was observed in two cases: Earthworms reduced the positive effect of zinc on the fungal biomass (ANOVA, p=0.03), and the effect of earthworms on the soil nitrification activity depended on zinc concentration (ANOVA, p<0.05). The effect of earthworm presence was not very large, but it does show that multispecies tests might give information about metal toxicity or bioavailability that cannot be predicted from single-species tests.     

Photolysis of 14C-sulfadiazine in water and manure

Photolysis of 14C-sulfadiazine in aqueous solution under simulated sunlight followed first-order kinetics. The impact of H2O2, humic acid, fulvic acid and acetone to enhance the photodegradation of sulfadiazine (SDZ) was studied. Six photoproducts, 4-OH-SDZ, 5-OH-SDZ, N-formyl-SDZ, 4-[2-iminopyrimidine-1(2H)-yl] aniline, 2-aminopyrimidine, and aniline were identified. Extrusion of SO2 was found to be the main degradation process during irradiation. These photoproducts can occur in water and soil upon sunlight exposure, when soil is treated with SDZ contained in manure. Due to photodegradation the experimental half-life of the SDZ in water was 32h and in the presence of photosensitizers the half-life values were 19.3-31.4h, 17.2-31.4h, 12.6-29.8h, and 3.8-30.7h for H2O2, humic acid, fulvic acid, and acetone, respectively depending on the concentration of the photosensitizers. The presence of photosensitizers markedly reduced SDZ persistence, indicating that indirect photolytic processes are important factors governing the photodegradation of SDZ in aqueous environments. Investigation revealed further persistence behavior of SDZ in manure. The half-life value of SDZ in manure was 158h.     

Impact of river overflowing on trace element contamination of volcanic soils in south Italy: part II. Soil biological and biochemical properties in relation to trace element speciation

The effect of heavy metal contamination on biological and biochemical properties of Italian volcanic soils was evaluated in a multidisciplinary study, involving pedoenvironmental, micromorphological, physical, chemical, biological and biochemical analyses. Soils affected by recurring river overflowing, with Cr(III)-contaminated water and sediments, and a non-flooded control soil were analysed for microbial biomass, total and active fungal mycelium, enzyme activities (i.e., FDA hydrolase, dehydrogenase, beta-glucosidase, urease, arylsulphatase, acid phosphatase) and bacterial diversity (DGGE characterisation). Biological and biochemical data were related with both total and selected fractions of Cr and Cu (the latter deriving from agricultural chemical products) as well as with total and extractable organic C. The growth and activity of soil microbial community were influenced by soil organic C content rather than Cu or Cr contents. In fact, positive correlations between all studied parameters and organic C content were found. On the contrary, negative correlations were observed only between total fungal mycelium, dehydrogenase, arylsulphatase and acid phosphatase activities and only one Cr fraction (the soluble, exchangeable and carbonate bound). However, total Cr content negatively affected the eubacterial diversity but it did not determine changes in soil activity, probably because of the redundancy of functions within species of soil microbial community. On the other hand, expressing biological and biochemical parameters per unit of total organic C, Cu pollution negatively influenced microbial biomass, fungal mycelium and several enzyme activities, confirming soil organic matter is able to mask the negative effects of Cu on microbial community.     

Pencycuron application to soils: degradation and effect on microbiological parameters

Clay loam soil from agricultural fields of alluvial (AL) soil (typic udifluvent) and coastal saline (CS) soil (typic endoaquept) were investigated for the degradation and effect of pencycuron application at field rate (FR), 2-times FR (2FR) and 10-times FR (10FR) with and without decomposed cow manure (DCM) on soil microbial variables under laboratory conditions. Pencycuron degraded faster in CS soil and in soil amended with DCM. Pencycuron spiking at FR and 2FR resulted in a short-lived (in case of 10FR slightly longer) and transitory toxic effect on soil microbial biomass-C (MBC), ergosterol content and fluorescein diacetate hydrolyzing activity (FDHA). Amendment of DCM did not seem to have any counteractive effect of the toxicity of pencycuron on the microbial variables. The ecophysiological status of the soil microbial communities as expressed by microbial metabolic quotient (qCO2) and microbial respiration quotient (Q(R)) changed, but for a short period, indicating pencycuron induced disturbance. The duration of this disturbance was slightly longer at 10FR. Pencycuron was more toxic to the metabolically activated soil microbial populations, specifically the fungi. It is concluded that side effects of pencycuron at 10FR on the microbial variables studied were only short-lived and probably of little ecological significance.     

Effects of sulfonamide and tetracycline antibiotics on soil microbial activity and microbial biomass

Increasingly often soil residual concentrations of pharmaceutical antibiotics are detected, while their ecotoxic relevance is scarcely known. Thus, dose related effects of two antibiotics, sulfapyridine and oxytetracycline, on microorganisms of two different topsoils were investigated. The fumigation-extracted microbial C (E(C)) and ergosterol were determined to indicate soil microbial and fungal biomass, respectively. Microbial activity was tested as basal respiration (BR), dehydrogenase activity (DHA), substrate-induced respiration (SIR), and Fe(III) reduction. The BR and DHA were uninfluenced even at antibiotic concentrations of 1000 microg g(-1). This revealed that an activation of microbial growth through nutrient substrate addition is required to test possible effects of the bacteriostatic antibiotics. In addition, the effects of both antibiotics were time dependent, showing that short-term tests were not suitable. Clear dose-response relations were determined with SIR when the short-term incubation of 4h was extended into the growth phase of the microorganisms (24 and 48 h). The Fe(III) reduction test, with a 7-d incubation, was also found to be suitable for toxicity testing of antibiotics in soils. Effective doses inhibiting the microbial activity by 10% (ED(10)) ranged from total antibiotic concentrations of 0.003-7.35 microg g(-1), depending on the antibiotic compound and its soil adsorption. Effective solution concentrations (EC(10)), calculated from distribution coefficients, ranged from 0.2 to 160 ng g(-1). The antibiotics significantly (p<0.05) reduced numbers of soil bacteria, resulting in dose related shifts in the fungal:bacterial ratio, which increased during 14 d, as determined from analysis of ergosterol and E(C). It was concluded that pharmaceutical antibiotics can exert a temporary selective pressure on soil microorganisms even at environmentally relevant concentrations.     

Land application of tylosin and chlortetracycline swine manure: Impacts to soil nutrients and soil microbial community structure

The land application of aged chortetracycle (CTC) and tylosin-containing swine manure was investigated to determine associated impacts to soil microbial respiration, nutrient (phosphorus, ammonium, nitrate) cycling, and soil microbial community structure under laboratory conditions. Two silty clay loam soils common to southeastern South Dakota were used. Aerobic soil respiration results using batch reactors containing a soil-manure mixture showed that interactions between soil, native soil microbial populations, and antimicrobials influenced CO₂ generation. The aged tylosin treatment resulted in the greatest degree of CO₂ inhibition, while the aged CTC treatment was similar to the no-antimicrobial treatment. For soil columns in which manure was applied at a one-time agronomic loading rate, there was no significant difference in soil-P behavior between either aged CTC or tylosin and the no-antimicrobial treatment. For soil-nitrogen (ammonium and nitrate), the aged CTC treatment resulted in rapid ammonium accumulation at the deeper 40cm soil column depth, while nitrate production was minimal. The aged CTC treatment microbial community structure was different than the no-antimicrobial treatment, where amines/amide and carbohydrate chemical guilds utilization profile were low. The aged tylosin treatment also resulted in ammonium accumulation at 40 cm column depth, however nitrate accumulation also occurred concurrently at 10 cm. The microbial community structure for the aged tylosin was also significantly different than the no-antimicrobial treatment, with a higher degree of amines/amides and carbohydrate chemical guild utilization compared to the no-antimicrobial treatment. Study results suggest that land application of CTC and tylosin-containing manure appears to fundamentally change microbial-mediated nitrogen behavior within soil A horizons.     

Land application of tylosin and chlortetracycline swine manure: Impacts to soil nutrients and soil microbial community structure

The land application of aged chortetracycle (CTC) and tylosin-containing swine manure was investigated to determine associated impacts to soil microbial respiration, nutrient (phosphorus, ammonium, nitrate) cycling, and soil microbial community structure under laboratory conditions. Two silty clay loam soils common to southeastern South Dakota were used. Aerobic soil respiration results using batch reactors containing a soil-manure mixture showed that interactions between soil, native soil microbial populations, and antimicrobials influenced CO(2) generation. The aged tylosin treatment resulted in the greatest degree of CO(2) inhibition, while the aged CTC treatment was similar to the no-antimicrobial treatment. For soil columns in which manure was applied at a one-time agronomic loading rate, there was no significant difference in soil-P behavior between either aged CTC or tylosin and the no-antimicrobial treatment. For soil-nitrogen (ammonium and nitrate), the aged CTC treatment resulted in rapid ammonium accumulation at the deeper 40cm soil column depth, while nitrate production was minimal. The aged CTC treatment microbial community structure was different than the no-antimicrobial treatment, where amines/amide and carbohydrate chemical guilds utilization profile were low. The aged tylosin treatment also resulted in ammonium accumulation at 40 cm column depth, however nitrate accumulation also occurred concurrently at 10 cm. The microbial community structure for the aged tylosin was also significantly different than the no-antimicrobial treatment, with a higher degree of amines/amides and carbohydrate chemical guild utilization compared to the no-antimicrobial treatment. Study results suggest that land application of CTC and tylosin-containing manure appears to fundamentally change microbial-mediated nitrogen behavior within soil A horizons.     

Effects of thiobencarb in combinations with molinate and chlorpyrifos on selected soil microbial processes

The impact of pesticides, namely thiobencarb (TBC), molinate (MOL) and chlorpyrifos (CPF), on soil microbial processes was studied in two Australian soils. Substrate induced respiration (SIR), substrate induced nitrification (SIN) and phosphatases and chitinase enzymatic activities were assessed during a 30-day microcosm study. The pesticides were applied to soils at recommended rates either alone, or as binary mixtures with TBC. Soil samples were sampled at 5, 15 and 30 days after pesticide treatments. Substrate induced respiration was only transiently affected by pesticides in both soils. In contrast, the process of indigenous nitrification was affected by the presence of pesticides in both soils, especially when the pesticides were applied as binary mixtures. Substrate induced nitrification increased with pesticides in the Griffith soil (except with MOL+TBC after 5 days) whereas SIN values were non-significantly different to the control on the Coleambally soil. The binary mixtures of pesticides with TBC resulted in a decrease in SIN in both soils, but the effects disappeared within 30 days. The enzymatic activities were not consistently affected by pesticides, and varied with the soil and pesticides studied. This study showed that, when applied at recommended application rates, TBC, MOL, and CPF (individually or as binary mixtures), had little or only transitory effects on the functional endpoints studied. However, further investigations are needed to assess the effect on microbial densities and community structure despite the low disturbance to the functions noted in this work.     

土霉素残留对猪粪堆肥过程中理化性质的影响

为探讨土霉素残留对猪粪堆肥过程的影响,以猪粪和锯末为原料,设置土霉素初始残留质量浓度分别为0、10、50、100、150 mg/kg的5个处理,进行为期30 d的好氧堆肥,研究土霉素对堆肥过程中温度、含水率、水溶性NH4+-N、水溶性NO3- -N、水溶性有机碳(DOC)的变化影响.结果表明:(1)土霉素残留加速了温度的下降,不利于温度的上升.(2)土霉素初始残留质量浓度为100、150 mg/kg不利于堆肥过程中水分的散失,并且会造成堆肥结束后堆体的高含水率.(3)土霉素抑制了堆肥过程中微生物对有机氮的分解及硝化细菌的硝化作用,其中150mg/kg处理的土霉素抑制作用最显著.(4)堆肥结束后,0、10、50、100、150 mg/kg处理的DOC分别为3 815.65、3 461.88、3 429.28、3 231.18、2 782.09mg/kg.0 mg/kg处理的DOC高于其他4个处理,且与150 mg/kg处理之间差异显著,表明土霉素抑制了堆肥过程中微生物对有机碳的利用,其中150 mg/kg处理的土霉素抑制作用最显著.     

Effect of manure on glyphosate and trifluralin mineralization in soil

Manure additions to soil may alter soil chemical, physical, and biological characteristics, and thereby change pesticide fate processes in soil. This is the first study to examine the impact of liquid hog manure amendments on glyphosate and trifluralin mineralization in soil. Experiments were conducted in soil microcosms in the laboratory for a total of 332 (glyphosate) and 430 (trifluralin) days. The rate and amount of mineralization of both glyphosate and trifluralin were significantly influenced by the additions of fresh manure to soil in the laboratory and by the history of manure applications in the field. However, the maximum difference in herbicide mineralization between soils that were free of manure application and those amended with manure in the field or in the laboratory was only 6.1% and 7.3% of that initially applied, for trifluralin and glyphosate, respectively. Therefore, we conclude that liquid hog manure application to soil will have no significant effect on the mineralization of glyphosate and trifluralin under field conditions.     

Effect of Manure on Glyphosate and Trifluralin Mineralization in Soil

Manure additions to soil may alter soil chemical, physical, and biological characteristics, and thereby change pesticide fate processes in soil. This is the first study to examine the impact of liquid hog manure amendments on glyphosate and trifluralin mineralization in soil. Experiments were conducted in soil microcosms in the laboratory for a total of 332 (glyphosate) and 430 (trifluralin) days. The rate and amount of mineralization of both glyphosate and trifluralin were significantly influenced by the additions of fresh manure to soil in the laboratory and by the history of manure applications in the field. However, the maximum difference in herbicide mineralization between soils that were free of manure application and those amended with manure in the field or in the laboratory was only 6.1% and 7.3% of that initially applied, for trifluralin and glyphosate, respectively. Therefore, we conclude that liquid hog manure application to soil will have no significant effect on the mineralization of glyphosate and trifluralin under field conditions.     

Solid beef cattle manure application impacts on soil properties and 17β-estradiol fate in a clay loam soil

Livestock manure applied to agricultural land is one of the ways natural steroid estrogens enter soils. To examine the impact of long-term solid beef cattle (Bos Taurus) manure on soil properties and 17β-estradiol sorption and mineralization, this study utilized a soil that had received beef cattle manure over 35 years. The 17β-estradiol was strongly sorbed and sorption significantly increased (P < 0.05) with increasing soil organic carbon content (SOC) and with an increasing annual rate of beef cattle manure. The 17β-estradiol mineralization half-life was significantly negatively correlated, and the total amount of 17β-estradiol mineralized at 90 days (MAX) was significantly positively correlated with 17β-estradiol sorption. The long-term rate of manure application had no significant effect on MAX, but the addition of fresh beef cattle manure in the laboratory resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) smaller MAX values. None of the treatments showed MAX values exceeding one-third of the 17β-estradiol applied.     

Evaluating three trace metal contaminated sites: a field and laboratory investigation

Selecting guidelines to evaluate elevated metals in urban brownfields is hindered by the lack of information for these sites on ecosystem structure and function. A study was performed to compare three trace metal-contaminated sites in the metropolitan Montreal area. The goal was to obtain an idea of the organisms that may be present on urban brownfields and to measure if elevated metals alter the presence and activity of the indigenous biota. Field and laboratory studies were conducted using simple methodologies to determine the extent to which microbial activity affected by trace metal content, to assess diversity of plant and soil invertebrate communities and to measure phytoaccumulation of trace metals. It was found that microbial activity, as measured by substrate-induced respiration (SIR) and nitrification, was not affected by the levels of soil Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn recorded on the sites. Seven of the 12 invertebrate groups collected were sampled on soils with similar Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations. Diversity of plant species increased as a function of the length of time the sites had been inactive. Levels of metals in plant tissue were influenced by soil characteristics and not by total soil Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn.     

Solid beef cattle manure application impacts on soil properties and 17β-estradiol fate in a clay loam soil

Livestock manure applied to agricultural land is one of the ways natural steroid estrogens enter soils. To examine the impact of long-term solid beef cattle (Bos Taurus) manure on soil properties and 17β-estradiol sorption and mineralization, this study utilized a soil that had received beef cattle manure over 35 years. The 17β-estradiol was strongly sorbed and sorption significantly increased (P < 0.05) with increasing soil organic carbon content (SOC) and with an increasing annual rate of beef cattle manure. The 17β-estradiol mineralization half-life was significantly negatively correlated, and the total amount of 17β-estradiol mineralized at 90 days (MAX) was significantly positively correlated with 17β-estradiol sorption. The long-term rate of manure application had no significant effect on MAX, but the addition of fresh beef cattle manure in the laboratory resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) smaller MAX values. None of the treatments showed MAX values exceeding one-third of the 17β-estradiol applied.     

The effects of residual tetracycline on soil enzymatic activities and plant growth

A pot trial was carried out to investigate the adverse effects of tetracycline (TC) on soil microbial communities, microbial activities, and the growth of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L). The results showed that the presence of TC significantly disturbed the structure of microbial communities and inhibited soil microbial activities in terms of urease, acid phosphatase and dehydrogenase (p < 0.05). Plant biomass was adversely influenced by TC, especially the roots with a reduction of 40% when compared with the control. Furthermore, TC decreased the assimilation of phosphorus by the plant although the concentration of phosphorus was increased by 20% due to decreased plant biomass. TC seemed to increase the concentration of dissolved organic carbon (by 20%) in soil. The findings implied that the agricultural use of animal manure or fishpond sediment containing considerable amounts of antibiotics may give rise to ecological risks.