Single-walled carbon nanotubes alter soil microbial community composition.
Recent developments in nanotechnology may lead to the release of nanomaterials into the natural environment, such as soils, with largely unknown consequences. We investigated the effects of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), one of the most widely used nanomaterials, on soil microbial communities by incubation of soils to which powder or suspended forms of SWCNTs were added (0.03 to 1 mg g(-1) soil). To determine changes in soil microbial community composition, phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiles were analyzed at 25th day of the incubation experiment. The biomass of major microbial groups including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi showed a significant negative relationship with SWCNT concentration, while the relative abundance of bacteria showed a positive relationship with SWCNT concentration. Furthermore, soils under distinct concentrations of SWCNT treatments had PLFA profiles that were significantly different from one another. Our results indicate that the biomass of a broad range of soil microbial groups is negatively related with SWCNT concentration and upon entry into soils, SWCNTs may alter microbial community composition. Our results may serve as foundation for scientific guideline on regulating the discharge of nanomaterials such as SWCNTs to the soil ecosystem.
Department of Environmental Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Republic of Korea.
Lixia
L
Jin
Yowhan
Y
Son
Jared L
JL
DeForest
Yu Jin
YJ
Kang
Woong
W
Kim
Haegeun
H
Chung
D058448:Biota / Q000187:drug effects; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects*; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000633:toxicity*; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*
D005227:Fatty Acids; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D010743:Phospholipids; D012989:Soil Pollutants
Bacteria; Fungi; Nanomaterial; Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA); Soil incubation; Soil microorganism