Changes in microbial community characteristics and soil organic matter with nitrogen additions in two tropical forests

Microbial communities and their associated enzyme activities affect the amount and chemical quality of carbon (C) in soils. Increasing nitrogen (N) deposition, particularly in N-rich tropical forests, is likely to change the composition and behavior of microbial communities and feed back on ecosystem structure and function. This study presents a novel assessment of mechanistic links between microbial responses to N deposition and shifts in soil organic matter (SOM) quality and quantity. We used phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis and microbial enzyme assays in soils to assess microbial community responses to long-term N additions in two distinct tropical rain forests. We used soil density fractionation and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to measure related changes in SOM pool sizes and chemical quality. Microbial biomass increased in response to N fertilization in both tropical forests and corresponded to declines in pools of low-density SOM. The chemical quality of this soil C pool reflected ecosystem-specific changes in microbial community composition. In the lower-elevation forest, there was an increase in gram-negative bacteria PLFA biomass, and there were significant losses of labile C chemical groups (O-alkyls). In contrast, the upper-elevation tropical forest had an increase in fungal PLFAs with N additions and declines in C groups associated with increased soil C storage (alkyls). The dynamics of microbial enzymatic activities with N addition provided a functional link between changes in microbial community structure and SOM chemistry. Ecosystem-specific changes in microbial community composition are likely to have far-reaching effects on soil carbon storage and cycling. This study indicates that microbial communities in N-rich tropical forests can be sensitive to added N, but we can expect significant variability in how ecosystem structure and function respond to N deposition among tropical forest types.     

Cu、抗生素协同污染对土壤微生物活性的影响

随着畜禽养殖业的规模化发展,重金属和抗生素在土壤环境中协同污染的几率不断升高。为分析和评价重金属、抗生素协同污染对土壤微生物生态系统的影响,以Cu、磺胺甲基嘧啶为添加毒物,其中,Cu的添加质量分数为0、100、500mg·kg-1;磺胺甲基嘧啶的添加质量分数为0、5、25、50、100mg·kg-1,采用室内培养试验的方法研究分析了cu、磺胺甲基嘧啶协同污染对土壤微生物微生物基础呼吸、微生物量碳、微生物量氮、硝化势、尿酶以及脱氢酶等土壤微生物指标的影响。结果表明,与磺胺甲基嘧啶单独污染处理相比,在Cu的质量分数为100mg·kg。协同污染污染下土壤微生物呼吸,土壤微生物量碳、氮以及土壤尿酶等指标的活性均明显增加;即表明它们对Cu与磺胺甲基嘧啶的协同污染表现出不同程度的交互抗性;在cu的协同污染质量分数为500mg·kg-1,Cu与磺胺甲基嘧啶对土壤各微生物指标则基本表现为协同抑制作用;在不同剂量Cu的协同污染处理下,当磺胺甲基嘧啶处理质量分数≥10mg·kg-1时,各土壤微生物指标的活性随着其处理质量分数的增加而显著降低,表现出很好的剂量依赖效应。因此,低剂量的Cu．磺胺甲基嘧啶协同污染可能会诱导土壤微生物对二者产生交互抗性;而高剂量协同污染则对土壤微生物生态功能产生较为严重的协同抑制作用。     

The effect of imazethapyr on soil microbes in soybean fields in northeast China

Large quantities of herbicides are used on agricultural soils, but the effects of herbicides on the structure of the soil microbial community have not been well investigated. In this study, soil from three soybean fields was investigated. The herbicide imazethapyr was applied in one year to soil 1 and in two sequential years to soil 2. Control soil received no imazethapyr. Microbial biomass and community structure were characterised using chloroform fumigation–extraction and phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) determination. The imazethapyr residue was 1.62 μ g·kg^?1 in soil 1 and 1.79 μ g·kg^?1 in soil 2. The microbial biomass carbon and total PLFAs for soil 2 were much higher than for the other soils. PLFA profiles showed that fatty acids for Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, as well as total bacteria and total fungi in soil 2 were higher than in other samples. Principal component analysis of the PLFAs showed that the structure of the microbial community differed substantially among the three different soybean field soils. Application of the herbicide imazethapyr to soybean fields clearly changed the soil microbial biomass and shifted the structure of the microbial community.     

Soil enzyme activities and their indication for fertility of urban forest soil

To reveal the biological characteristics of urban forest soil and the effects of soil enzyme on soil fertility as well as the correlation between physicochemical properties and enzyme activities, 44 urban forest soil profiles in Nanjing were investigated. Basic soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities were analyzed in the laboratory. Hydrogen peroxidase, dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and cellulase were determined by potassium permanganate titration, TTC (C₁₉H₁₅N₄·Cl) colorimetry, phenyl phosphate dinatrium colorimetry, and anthrone colorimetry, respectively. The result showed that soil pH, organic carbon (C), and total nitrogen (N) had great effects on hydrogen peroxidase, dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase activities in 0–20 cm thick soil. However, pH only had great effect on hydrogen peroxidase, dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase activities in 20–40 cm thick soil. Hydrogen peroxidase, dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase were important biological indicators for the fertility of urban forest soil. Both in 0–20 cmand 20–40 cmsoil, soil enzyme system (hydrogen peroxidase, dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and cellulase) had a close relationship with a combination of physicochemical indicators (pH, organic C, total N, available K, available P, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and microbial biomass carbon (C_mic)). The more soil enzyme activities there were, the higher the fertility of urban forest soil.     

Effect of rhizosphere on soil microbial community and in-situ pyrene biodegradation

To access the influence of a vegetation on soil microorganisms toward organic pollutant biogegration, this study examined the rhizospheric effects of four plant species (sudan grass, white clover, alfalfa, and fescue) on the soil microbial community and in-situ pyrene (PYR) biodegradation. The results indicated that the spiked PYR levels in soils decreased substantially compared to the control soil without planting. With equal planted densities, the efficiencies of PYR degradation in rhizosphere with sudan grass, white clover, alfalfa and fescue were 34.0%, 28.4%, 27.7%, and 9.9%, respectively. However, on the basis of equal root biomass the efficiencies were in order of white clover >> alfalfa > sudan > fescue. The increased PYR biodegradation was attributed to the enhanced bacterial population and activity induced by plant roots in the rhizosphere. Soil microbial species and biomasses were elucidated in terms of microbial phospholipid ester-linked fatty acid (PLFA) biomarkers. The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed significant changes in PLFA pattern in planted and non-planted soils spiked with PYR. Total PLFAs in planted soils were all higher than those in non-planted soils. PLFA assemblages indicated that bacteria were the primary PYR degrading microorganisms, and that Gram-positive bacteria exhibited higher tolerance to PYR than Gram-negative bacteria did.     

Effect of rhizosphere on soil microbial community and pyrene biodegradation

To access the influence of a vegetation on soil microorganisms toward organic pollutant biogegration, this study examined the rhizospheric effects of four plant species (sudan grass, white clover, alfalfa, and fescue) on the soil microbial community and in-situ pyrene (PYR) biodegradation. The results indicated that the spiked PYR levels in soils decreased substantially compared to the control soil without planting. With equal planted densities, the efficiencies of PYR degradation in rhizosphere with sudan grass, white clover, alfalfa and fescue were 34.0%, 28.4%, 27.7%, and 9.9%, respectively. However, on the basis of equal root biomass the efficiencies were in order of white clover >> alfalfa > sudan > fescue. The increased PYR biodegradation was attributed to the enhanced bacterial population and activity induced by plant roots in the rhizosphere. Soil microbial species and biomasses were elucidated in terms of microbial phospholipid ester-linked fatty acid (PLFA) biomarkers. The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed significant changes in PLFA pattern in planted and non-planted soils spiked with PYR. Total PLFAs in planted soils were all higher than those in non-planted soils. PLFA assemblages indicated that bacteria were the primary PYR degrading microorganisms, and that Gram-positive bacteria exhibited higher tolerance to PYR than Gram-negative bacteria did.     

大冶矿区土壤重金属积累对土壤酶活性的影响

大冶矿区位于湖北省的东南部,是我国的青铜之乡,长期的采矿和冶炼活动已使该矿区土地生产力和农产品品质严重下降。为了探明相关重金属的污染状况,应用野外调查与采样分析相结合的方法,研究了大冶矿区土壤酶活性和土壤中重金属的累积特性。结果表明:矿区土壤Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、As全量的平均值分别是该区土壤背景值的35.1倍、16.0倍、3.0倍、29.8倍、1.1倍。不同样点土壤酶活性存在一定程度的差异。土壤重金属胁迫对土壤酶活性主要表现为抑制作用,其中对土壤重金属响应较敏感的酶为脲酶和过氧化氢酶,这两种酶与重金属Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、As的全量分别呈显著或极显著的负相关。这些研究结果对于大冶矿区土壤环境质量评价及生态修复有一定的指导意义。     

Effects of sepiolite on stabilization remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil and its ecological evaluation

Stabilization in the remediation of heavy metal contaminated soils has been gaining prominence because of its cost-effectiveness and rapid implementation. In this study, microbial properties such as microbial community and enzyme activities, chemical properties such as soil pH and metal fraction, and heavy metal accumulation in spinach (Spinacia oleracea) were considered in assessing stabilization remediation effectiveness using sepiolite. Results showed that soil pH values increased with rising sepiolite concentration. Sequential extraction results indicated that the addition of sepiolite converted significant amounts of exchangeable fraction of Cd and Pb into residual form. Treatments of sepiolite were observed to reduce Cd and Pb translocation from the soil to the roots and shoots of spinach. Concentrations of Cd and Pb exhibited 12.6%–51.0% and 11.5%–46.0% reduction for the roots, respectively, and 0.9%–46.2% and 43.0%–65.8% reduction for the shoots, respectively, compared with the control group. Increase in fungi and actinomycete counts, as well as in catalase activities, indicated that soil metabolic recovery occurred after sepiolite treatments.     

Assessment of soil quality under different tillage practices during wheat cultivation: soil enzymes and microbial biomass

Microbial processes, particularly enzyme activities, play crucial functional roles in soil ecology, hence serving as sensitive indicators of soil quality. We assessed the temporal dynamics of microbial biomass and selected soil enzymes (β-d-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase, polyphenol oxidase, urease, glycine-aminopeptidase and alkaline phosphatase) during wheat cultivation, under four different tillage practices in the rice–wheat system. The four practices involved conventional tilling of soil before cultivating each crop (CTR-CTW); no tilling before cultivating rice but conventional tillage before wheat (NTR-CTW); conventional tilling before cultivating rice but no tilling before wheat (CTR-NTW) and no tilling before cultivation of each crop (NTR-NTW). Microbial biomass and activities of hydrolytic enzymes increased under NTR-NTW followed by CTR-NTW and NTR-CTW with respect to the conventional practice CTR-CTW, thus reflecting improvement in microbial activities with reduced tillage frequency. Enzyme activities generally depended on soil moisture and temperature, but nature of relationships varied among different practices. Nutrient demand appeared to be the strongest driver of alkaline phosphatase and urease, and soil temperature for glycine-aminopeptidase. Under CTR-CTW, activities of most of the extracellular enzymes were related with β-d-glucosidase or urease, but such relations altered under rest of the practices. The study showed that extracellular soil enzymes respond sensitively to tillage practices as well as environmental variables, particularly soil temperature and moisture and hence can serve as a sensitive indicator of changes in soil processes. Considering improvement in microbial biomass and enzymatic activities as indicators of better soil quality, adoption of no tillage apparently improved soil quality. Still, more number of field studies are required under tillage managements to explore the relationships between different enzyme activities and environmental factors.     

Temporal changes of Collembola population and alterations of life history parameters and acetylcholinesterase and superoxide dismutase activities in Cyphoderus javanus (Collembola) as biomarkers of fly ash pollution in lateritic soil

Fly ash is applied in agricultural fields to improve soil quality and crop yield; however, there are concerns regarding environmental hazards and toxicity to ecologically important soil organisms. The soil microarthropod fauna is a vital component of detritus food web, and major groups like Collembola are sensitive indicators of soil quality; however, information is scanty on their biomarker potentials against xenobiotics in tropical soils. The present study was aimed to evaluate temporal changes of Collembola population in fly ash amended field plots, and assess the biomarker potentials of life history parameters and biochemical responses such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in Cyphoderus javanus Borner (Collembola, Insecta), exposed to fly ash treated soil in microcosms. The field study using 5% (50 t ha^?1) and 20% (200 t ha^?1) doses of fly ash revealed dose-dependent and persistent decline in the density and relative abundance of Collembola population in sandy loam lateritic soil. The microcosm experiments showed negligible lethal effect of fly ash on C. javanus, but major life history parameters namely survival success, fecundity, and molting were significantly inhibited by fly ash treatments. The activity of AChE was downregulated, whereas activity of SOD was upregulated within 7 days of exposure of C. javanus to fly ash treated soil. These biological and biochemical parameters in Collembola are potential biomarkers, and therefore, the effects of fly ash are significant in C. javanus, an ecologically relevant species in the tropical soils of India.     

高位池养虾对土壤微生物脂肪酸和土壤酶活及其表征的土壤质量的影响

为评价高位池养虾对土壤质量的影响,通过脂肪酸分析和土壤酶活测定比较海南岛白马井镇高位池土壤与原始土壤微生物群落结构与活性的变化.结果显示,高位池土壤的pH值和盐分含量显著升高,有机质和总N显著下降(P<0.05).脂肪酸分析表明,高位池土壤中细菌、真菌、放线菌和微生物总量都显著下降(P<0.05),尤其真菌急剧下降(P<0.05),放线菌未检测到.土壤脱氢酶、脲酶和酸性磷酸酶活性在高位池土壤中也显著下降(P<0.05).总之,微生物群落结构显著变化,微生物生物量和活性在高位池土壤中都显著下降,表明长期的高位池养虾导致了土壤质量的下降.     

上海市沿海防护林下土壤养分、微生物及酶的典型相关关系

以上海市沿海防护林为研究对象,选择6种不同树种的防护林带,采集0～10、10～20、20～40、40～60cm四层土样为研究材料,运用典型相关分析法,对防护林地土壤养分因子、微生物因子和酶活性因子中每两组变量间的相关性进行了分析。结果表明：三组变量土壤养分、微生物、酶活性中,每两者之间均有显著的典型相关变量存在,而且基本能够代表变量总体相关信息;土壤养分和土壤微生物间的相关主要由全氮、速效磷含量与微生物生物量氮、微生物生物量碳和微生物生物量磷引起;土壤养分与土壤酶活性间的相关性主要由全氮、有效磷、水解氮含量与脲酶、蛋白酶活性的相关性引起;土壤微生物与土壤酶活性间的相关性主要是由微生物生物量氮、微生物生物量磷与脲酶、蛋白酶、碱性磷酸酶活性的相关性引起;不同林地不同土壤层次的养分、微生物及酶活性在各对典型变量上的聚集趋势可为防护林建设过程中的树种选择与土壤健康诊提供一定的依据。     

Microorganisms and physico-chemical properties of soils with different slope-protecting vegetation in Daguang Highway北大核心CSCD

In order to investigate the effect of different slope-protecting vegetation on soil restoration in the highways, we collected soils at depths of 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, and 20-30 cm from areas planted with Amorpha fruticosa, Periploca sepium, and Paederia scandens for 6-7 years in the Daming road section of the Daguang Highway, in October 2016. The physico-chemical properties and microbial community of the soils were then analyzed. The soil microbial community was analyzed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP). The correlation between the microbial community and the physico-chemical properties of the soils was determined by redundancy analysis (RDA). The results showed that (1) the physico-chemical properties were the best for soils with Paederia scandens; the nutrient content, water holding capacity, and porosity of the soils with the three types of slope-protecting vegetation were better in the 0-10 cm layer than in the other layers; (2) the contents of soil aggregates (diameter > 5 mm) were the highest in the 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm layers for the soil with Paederia scandens; (3) the dominant bacteria in the 0-10 cm layer and dominant fungi in the 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, and 20-30 cm layers were higher in the soils with Pe. sepium and Pa. scandens than in the soil with A. fruticosa; and (4) results of RDA showed that the physical properties of the soils were the main factors that influenced the soil microbial community. The physical properties of the soils were sensitive to the change of soil quality. Soil quality can be improved by appropriate management measures, such as burying litter, which can subsequently improve the ecological environment of soils in sloping regions. © 2018 Science Press. All rights reserved.     

Assessment of metal contamination in soil banks of the Rhumel wadi (Northeast Algeria)

Levels of six trace metals were assessed in bank soils of the Rhumel wadi (Northeast Algeria) and their association with soil properties was investigated. Samples were collected at 10 sites. The soils are neutral to moderately alkaline, have high contents of carbonate, and are low in organic carbon and clay. Mean metal concentrations are 1.1 (Cd), 63 (Cr), 20 (Cu), 26 (Ni), 31 (Pb), and 98 (Zn) mg kg^?1. The Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn contents in soil from sites closest to Constantine City were higher than in uncontaminated soils worldwide, indicating accumulation due to human activities (residential, industrial, and agricultural). Statistical analyses (correlation and principal component analysis) demonstrated that Cd, Pb, and Zn are of anthropogenic origin in the urban areas, whereas Cr and Cu enrichment in some situations is caused by industrial activities, while Ni was geogenic.     

Vegetation roles on changes of soil properties and microbial activities in a coastal sand dune. A case study

The vegetation effects on changes of soil physicochemical properties and microbial activities in the costal sand dune were investigated to understand the roles of vegetation on sand dune ecosystem. Eight sites from six vegetation zones and two bare zones in the dune front, dune crest, and dune back regions were selected. Soil microbial enzyme activities of β-glucosidase, acid phosphatase, arylsulfatase, and dehydrogenase, and soil physicochemical properties of each site were evaluated. The results showed that all the enzyme activities were higher in the mixed vegetation sites with native sand dune plants and naturalized plants and in Pinus thunbergii community site both located in the dune back regions where the accumulation of organic matter and nitrogen were more prominent. The results demonstrated that soil organic matter and nutrients are the primary determinants of the microbial activity in sand dune where are exposed to a gradient of physicochemical stress such as high salinity, moisture and salt spray. Therefore, the conservation of vegetation that generates more soil organic matter and nutrients is important factor in controlling the soil microbial activities and biogeochemical cycles in the coastal sand dune systems.     

宁夏引黄灌区农田土壤酶活性及其空间变异

采集了同一地点不同土地利用方式,及不同地点不同典型土地利用类型下银川平原的灌淤土样品,在分析了土壤基本理化性质的基础上,用奈氏比色法、苯磷酸二钠比色法和高锰酸钾滴定法,分别测定了宁夏引黄灌区农田不同利用方式下土壤的磷酸酶、脲酶、过氧化氢酶的活性状况,并对土壤酶活性与土壤的基本理化性质的相关性进行了相关分析。结果表明,土地利用方式对三种酶活性有很大的影响。12年果园磷酸酶活性最高,常年旱田脲酶和过氧化氢酶活性最高,而盐化旱田及常年淹水的稻田,三种酶活性都很低。脲酶活性与土壤全氮之间显著正相关,全磷与三种酶活性都极显著相关,三种酶之间达到显著或极显著正相关关系。表明磷酸酶、脲酶和过氧化氢酶活性的大小可以敏感地表征宁夏引黄灌区土壤肥力和生产力的高低。     

Changes of soil microbiological properties caused by land use changing from rice-wheat rotation to vegetable cultivation

A survey was done recently in Jiaxing city of Zhejiang Province in the Yangtze River Delta to compare the differences of soil microbiological properties among paddy soils with different land use including continuous open-field vegetable cultivation (OFVC), plastic-greenhouse vegetable cultivation (PGVC) and traditional rice-wheat rotation (RWR). The soil types included are percolating, permeable and waterlogged paddy soils. The results indicate that the microbial flora was markedly changed as the land use changed for all the three soil types. In continuous vegetable cultivation soils, especially in PGVC soils, the bacteria amounts decreased dramatically, but the fungal and actinomyce amounts increased as compared with RWR soils. The dehydrogenase activities decreased significantly in vegetable soils, especially in PGVC soils as compared with RWR soils. The microbial biomass C and the total phospholipid contents (TPL) in vegetable cultivation soil greatly decreased as compared with RWR soils. Biolog analysis indicated that the kinds of carbon sources that could be metabolized by native microbes in PGVC soils greatly decreased as compared with OFVC soils and RWR soils, revealing that microbial diversity had decreased since land use change. The activities of some soil enzymes including urease, invertase and phosphase were all lower in OFVC soils than those in RWR soils, and those in PGVC soils were the lowest. The degradation of microbiological activities in continuous vegetable cultivation soils, especially in PGVC soils, as compared with RWR soils might have been caused by soil acidification and accumulation of salts due to overuse of both organic and inorganic fertilizers in vegetable cultivation.     

Bioremediation of highly contaminated oilfield soil: Bioaugmentation for enhancing aromatic compounds removal

This study evaluated the effectiveness of different amendments--including a commercial NPK fertilizer, a humic substance （HS）, an organic industrial waste （NovoGro）, and a yeast-bacteria consortium--in the remediation of highly contaminated （up to 6% of total petroleum hydrocarbons） oilfield soils. The concentrations of hydrocarbon, soil toxicity, physicochemical properties of the soil, microbial population numbers, enzyme activities and microbial community structures were examined during the 90-d incubation. The results showed that the greatest degradation of total petroleum hydro- carbons （TPH） was observed with the biostimulation using mixture of NPK, HS and NovoGro, a treatment scheme that enhanced both dehydrogenase and lipase activities in soil. Introduction of exogenous hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria （in addition to biostimulation with NPK, HS and NovoGro） had negligible effect on the removal of TPH, which was likely due to the competition between exogenous and autochthonous microorganisms. None- theless, the addition of exogenous yeast-bacteria consor- tium significantly enhanced the removal of the aromatic fraction of the petroleum hydrocarbons, thus detoxifying the soil. The effect of bioaugmentation on the removal of more recalcitrant petroleum hydrocarbon fraction was likely due to the synergistic effect of bacteria and fungi.     

The influence of anthropogenic and natural geochemical factors on urban soil quality variability: a comparison between Glasgow, UK and Aveiro, Portugal

As part of a harmonised assessment of urban soils (), we investigated the variability of metal content in soils from Aveiro (Portugal) and Glasgow (UK). Samples were collected from parks and other public open spaces in each city. Metal content (Al, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) and basic soil parameters (texture, CEC, pH, organic matter) were determined and data investigated using principal component analysis (PCA). The two cities differ in absolute levels of metal content reflecting industrial and historical development. Factors identified by PCA included anthropogenic (Cu, Pb, Zn), soil properties and geology, which explain variability when data were assessed based on metal content, soil properties and land use. This study highlights the contribution from geological background even in strongly urbanised environments.     

粉煤灰结合施肥对土壤微生物和酶活性的效应

在以前对粉煤灰改良石灰性土壤对其理化性质和养分效应研究的基础上,分析了小麦不同生育期土壤中微生物数量和几种重要的土壤酶的活性,旨在探讨石灰性褐土施用粉煤灰配合有机肥对土壤环境生物质量的效应。结果表明,每公顷施用粉煤灰150t以上显著提高了土壤中各种微生物的数量,对土壤酶活性也有显著的作用,尤其是对小麦灌浆期脲酶的活性有显著的促进作用。因此,施用粉煤灰可以改善土壤的生物活性,从而达到保护和治理土壤环境的效果。