title: Soil plant interactions of Populus alba in contrasting environments.
abstract: The effects of the Populus alba tree on different biochemical soil properties, growing in a contaminated area, were studied for two years under field conditions. Two types of trace element contaminated soils were studied: a neutral contaminated soil (NC) and an acid contaminated soil (AC). One neutral non-contaminated area was studied as control. Soil samples were collected at depths of 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm. Leaves and litter samples were analysed. The addition of organic matter, through root exudates and litter, contributed to an increase in soil pH, especially in acid soil. Microbial Biomass Carbon (MBC) was significantly increased by the presence of the trees in all studied areas, especially in the upper soil layer. Similar results were also observed for protease activity. Both MBC and Protease activity were more sensitive to contamination than β-glucosidase activity. These changes resulted in a decrease of available trace element concentrations in soil and in an improvement of soil quality after a 2-year study. The total concentration of Cd and Zn in soil did not increase over time due to litter deposition. Analysis of P. alba leaves did not show a significant nutritional imbalance and trace element concentrations were normal for plants, except for Cd and Zn. These results indicate that P. alba is suitable for the improvement of soil quality in riparian contaminated areas. However, due to the high Cd and Zn concentrations in leaves, further monitoring of this area is required.
authors: Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Protection of the Soil-Water-Plant System, Av. Reina Mercedes, 10, 41012 Seville, Spain. Electronic address: lisac@irnase.csic.es.
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Ciadamidaro
authors: Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Protection of the Soil-Water-Plant System, Av. Reina Mercedes, 10, 41012 Seville, Spain.
authors: Engracia
authors: E
authors: Madejón
authors: Department of Soil and Physical Sciences, PO Box 84, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, Canterbury, New Zealand.
authors: Brett
authors: B
authors: Robinson
authors: Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Protection of the Soil-Water-Plant System, Av. Reina Mercedes, 10, 41012 Seville, Spain.
authors: Paula
authors: P
authors: Madejón
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism; D008670:Metals; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D032107:Populus / Q000378:metabolism*; D012621:Seasons; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*; D013030:Spain; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000378:metabolism; D014197:Trees / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014131:Trace Elements; D002244:Carbon
keywords: Cadmium; Enzymatic activities; Phytomanagement; Poplars; Zinc