Heavy metal concentrations and enzyme activities in soil from a contaminated Korean shooting range.
Soil enzyme activities and heavy metal concentrations (Cd, Zn, Cu and Pb) were measured at a general shooting range in South Korea. Total heavy metal concentrations varied with pH, and were negatively correlated with moisture content and organic matter. Most enzyme activities (dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase and beta-glucosidase) and ATP values (measure of biomass) were lower in polluted soils, especially in bald spots contaminated by heavy metals and TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene). These data indicate that concentrated shooting activity inhibits enzyme activity and microbial growth. Soil enzyme activities in richly vegetated spots around the general shooting range were higher (2- to 3-fold) than in bald spots, but lower in areas of heavy metal contamination. Our results demonstrate that the dominant plant species in richly vegetated spots accumulated heavy metals from soils, and suggest certain plants may be useful for decontaminating polluted soil.
Lee
In-Sook
IS
Department of Life Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 120-750, Korea. islee@mm.ewha.ac.kr
Kim
Ok Kyung
OK
Chang
Yoon-Young
YY
Bae
Bumhan
B
Kim
Hyun Hee
HH
Baek
Kyung Hwa
KH