Thiobacilli and sulphate production from inorganic sulphur compounds in upper horizons of spruce forest soils.
The species representation of Thiobacilli was investigated in horizons F, H and A of spruce forest at ten localities. Concentrations of Thiobacilli in the selected localities and ability of the soils to oxidize sulphur compounds to sulphate were determined. Horizons F exhibited a high oxidative activity, a lower activity was found in horizon H and the lowest one was detected in horizon A. The activities showed spring and autumn maxima. Horizons F, H and A contained 10(4)--10(5), 10(2)--10(3) and 10(1)--10(3), respectively, Thiobacilli in 1 g dry soil. Thiobacillus thioparus was detected in all three horizons from all localities, T.thiooxidans was found in all horizons F, only in some horizons H and was not detected in horizons A. T.novellus was found only in some samples without any relation to the horizons, T.denitrificans was not detected at all.
D004463:Ecology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013431:Sulfates / Q000378:metabolism*; D013455:Sulfur / Q000378:metabolism; D013855:Thiobacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014197:Trees
D013431:Sulfates; D013455:Sulfur