Effect of pyrene and cadmium on microbial activity and community structure in soil

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 91; no. 4; pp. 491 - 497
• Main Authors: Lu, Mang, Xu, Kui, Chen, Jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-04-2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; bacteria; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and medical sciences; cadmium; Cadmium - analysis; Cadmium - metabolism; Cadmium - toxicity; carbon; community structure; Eco-physiological index; ecophysiology; Festuca - physiology; Festuca arundinacea; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; greenhouse experimentation; Heavy metal; microbial activity; microbial biomass; Oryza - physiology; physicochemical properties; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Pyrenes - analysis; Pyrenes - metabolism; Pyrenes - toxicity; Raphanus - physiology; Rhizoplane; Rhizosphere; Soil - chemistry; Soil and water pollution; Soil Microbiology; soil microorganisms; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Soil Pollutants - metabolism; Soil Pollutants - toxicity; Soil science; Rhizosphere; Rhizoplane; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Eco-physiological index; Heavy metal; Community structure; Microbial activity; Cadmium; Poison interaction; Hydrocarbon; Toxicity; Tolerance; Transition metal; Polycyclic aromatic compound; Ecophysiology; Synergism; Toxic association; Persistent organic pollutant; Trace element; Pyrene; Soils; Microbial community
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.12.009

► The first study on the biocidal influence of Cd and pyrene on soil microorganisms. ► Complex interactions among plants, microorganisms and pollutants are reported. ► Significant differences in rhizosphere effect are observed among plant species.
In this study, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate interactive effects of cadmium (Cd)×pyrene×plant treatments on soil microbial activity and community structure. The results demonstrated that the basal respiration, microbial biomass carbon and metabolic quotient in both unplanted and rhizosphere soil were significantly influenced by interaction of Cd and pyrene. The combined application of Cd and pyrene caused a significantly greater biocidal influence on the soil microorganisms than the single spiking of Cd or pyrene. The soil basal respiration increased with the spiking of 2.5mgkg−1 Cd in both unplanted and rhizosphere soil. The eco-physiological index of Cd-tolerant populations was significantly different among the unplanted soil, rhizoplane and rhizosphere soil of tall fescue, indicating a slightly uneven distribution of fast- and slow-growing tolerant bacteria. Obvious differences in microbial activity were observed among treatments due to different physicochemical characteristics of the rhizosphere soils depending on the plant species.