Long-term effects of aided phytostabilisation of trace elements on microbial biomass and activity, enzyme activities, and composition of microbial community in the Jales contaminated mine spoils.
We studied the effectiveness of remediation on microbial endpoints, namely microbial biomass and activity, microbial and plant species richness, of an As-contaminated mine spoil, amended with compost (C) alone and in combination with beringite (B) or zerovalent iron grit (Z), to increase organic matter content and reduce trace elements mobility, and to allow Holcus lanatus and Pinus pinaster growth. Untreated spoil showed the lowest microbial biomass and activity and hydrolase activities, and H. lanatus as sole plant species, whereas the presented aided phytostabilisation option, especially CBZ treatment, significantly increased microbial biomass and activity and allowed colonisation by several plant species, comparable to those of an uncontaminated sandy soil. Microbial species richness was only increased in spoils amended with C alone. No clear correlation occurred between trace element mobility and microbial parameters and plant species richness. Our results indicate that the choice of indicators of soil remediation practices is a bottleneck.
Renella
Giancarlo
G
Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, University of Florence, Piazzale delle Cascine 28, I-50144 Florence, Italy. giancarlo.renella@unifi.it
Landi
Loretta
L
Ascher
Judith
J
Ceccherini
Maria Teresa
MT
Pietramellara
Giacomo
G
Mench
Michel
M
Nannipieri
Paolo
P
D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D044822:Biodiversity; D018533:Biomass; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006812:Humic Substances; D007501:Iron; D007558:Italy; D008906:Mining; D052638:Particulate Matter; D063245:Plant Development; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D013995:Time
D006812:Humic Substances; D052638:Particulate Matter; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D007501:Iron