title: Effects of plant species identity, diversity and soil fertility on biodegradation of phenanthrene in soil.
abstract: The work presented in this paper investigated the effects of plant species composition, species diversity and soil fertility on biodegradation of (14)C-phenanthrene in soil. The two soils used were of contrasting fertility, taken from long term unfertilised and fertilised grassland, showing differences in total nitrogen content (%N). Plant communities consisted of six different plant species: two grasses, two forbs, and two legume species, and ranged in species richness from 1 to 6. The degradation of (14)C-phenanthrene was evaluated by measuring indigenous catabolic activity following the addition of the contaminant to soil using respirometry. Soil fertility was a driving factor in all aspects of (14)C-phenanthrene degradation; lag phase, maximum rates and total extents of (14)C-phenanthrene mineralisation were higher in improved soils compared to unimproved soils. Plant identity had a significant effect on the lag phase and extents of mineralisation. Soil fertility was the major influence also on abundance of microbial communities.
authors.affiliation: Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ayodeji O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Oyelami
authors.forename: Uchechukwu V
authors.initials: UV
authors.lastname: Okere
authors.forename: Kate H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Orwin
authors.forename: Gerlinde B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: De Deyn
authors.forename: Kevin C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Kirk T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Semple
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D009584:Nitrogen; D010616:Phenanthrenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D010944:Plants / Q000145:classification* / Q000378:metabolism; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010616:Phenanthrenes; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; C031181:phenanthrene; D009584:Nitrogen