Influence of total and bioavailable forms of metals on soil microbial biomass and activities in metal contaminated old landfill soil

摘要

A study was conducted to determine the concentrations of few selected metals (Cr, Cu, Ni and Ph), their effect on microbial biomass and their activities in landfill soils. The concentrations of metals, microbial biomass and its activities were found to be higher in landfill soils as compared to uncontaminated background soil of the area. Significant positive correlations were observed between the microbial parameters and organic carbon content of the landfill soil. The ratios of different microbial parameters with organic C were negatively correlated with metal concentrations while inhibition increased with increased hioavailability of metals. Although the landfill soils had higher microbial biomass and activities than the background, due to higher organic matter content, the ratios of microbial parameters / organic carbon indicated that inhibition of microbial growth and activities had occurred due to metal stress.