title: Influence of cadmium on carbon and nitrogen mineralization in sewage sludge amended soils.
abstract: The effect of cadmium on C and N mineralization in sewage sludge amended and unamended sandy loam, loam and clay loam soils was studied during 2 months incubation at 30+/-1 degrees C. The sludge amendment caused 15-39% increase in microbial respiration, with the maximum C mineralization in sandy loam and the minimum in loam soil. The addition of 10 microg Cd g(-1) soil had no remarkable effect on C and N mineralization and microbial biomass; whereas significant decreases in the above parameters were observed at 25 and 50 microg Cd g(-1) soil, irrespective of the sludge addition. Less NO3(-)-N accumulated at higher Cd concentration. Cd recovery was high in sandy loam and low in clay loam soil. DTPA extractable Cd exhibited a significant negative correlation with microbial biomass (r=-0.58* to -0.86*; p < 0.05).
authors.affiliation: Section of Microbiology, S. K. University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Shalimar, Srinagar-191 121, Kashmir, India.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hassan Dar
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Mishra