Effect of copper activity on carbon and nitrogen mineralization in field-aged copper-enriched soils

Summary Nitrogen and C mineralization were investigated in five soils which had received anthropogenic Cu inputs many years ago, and compared to control soils. Copper activity was used to assess the active or toxic form of Cu; the activity of Cu in the soils ranged from approximately 10^–10 to 10^–7M. No effect of the Cu was observed on the mineralization rates, indicating that either the Cu levels were not toxic or that microbial adaptation to Cu inputs had occurred at the sites. The ion activity product ((Cu)(OH)²) is suggested as a possible indicator of plant available Cu.