Long-term in situ dynamics of the fungal communities in a multi-contaminated soil are mainly driven by plants

The fungal communities of a multi-contaminated soil polluted by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals (NM) were studied within a long-term in situ experiment of natural attenuation assisted by plants. Three treatments were monitored: bare soil (NM-BS), soil planted with alfalfa and inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi (NM-Msm), and soil with spontaneous vegetation (NM-SV). The same soil after thermal desorption (TD) was planted with alfalfa and inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi (TD-Msm). Twice a year for 5?years, the fungal abundance and the community structure were evaluated by real-time PCR and temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis targeting 18S rRNA genes. The fungal abundance increased over time and was higher in planted than in bare NM soil and in TD than in NM soil. The Shannon diversity index (H') increased during the first 2?years with the emergence of more than 30 ribotypes, but decreased after 3?years with the selection of a few competitive species, mostly Ascomycetes. H' was higher under complex plant assemblage (NM-SV) than in the NM-BS plots but did not differ between NM and TD soils planted with alfalfa. These results indicated that even in a highly polluted soil, the plant cover was the main driver of the fungal community structure.     

Arbuscular mycorrhiza can depress translocation of zinc to shoots of host plants in soils moderately polluted with zinc

There is increasing and widespread interest in the maintenance of soil quality and remediation strategies for management of soils contaminated with organic pollutants and trace metals or metalloids. There is also a growing body of evidence that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can exert protective effects on host plants under conditions of soil metal contamination. Research has focused on the mechanisms involved and has raised the prospect of utilizing the mutualistic association in soil re-vegetation programmes. In this short paper we briefly review this research, summarize some recent work and highlight some new data which indicate that the alleviation of metal phytotoxicity, particularly Zn toxicity, by arbuscular mycorrhiza may occur by both direct and indirect mechanisms. Binding of metals in mycorrhizal structures and immobilization of metals in the mycorrhizosphere may contribute to the direct effects. Indirect effects may include the mycorrhizal contribution to balanced plant mineral nutrition, especially P nutrition, leading to increased plant growth and enhanced metal tolerance. Further research on the potential application of arbuscular mycorrhiza in the bioremediation or management of metal-contaminated soils is also discussed.     

Soil initial bacterial diversity and nutrient availability determine the rate of xenobiotic biodegradation

Understanding the relative importance of soil microbial diversity, plants and nutrient management is crucial to implement an effective bioremediation approach to xenobiotics-contaminated soils. To date, knowledge on the interactive effects of soil microbiome, plant and nutrient supply on influencing biodegradation potential of soils remains limited. In this study, we evaluated the individual and interactive effects of soil initial bacterial diversity, nutrient amendments (organic and inorganic) and plant presence on the biodegradation rate of pyrene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. Initial bacterial diversity had a strong positive impact on soil biodegradation potential, with soil harbouring higher bacterial diversity showing ~ 2 times higher degradation rates than soils with lower bacterial diversity. Both organic and inorganic nutrient amendments consistently improved the degradation rate in lower diversity soils and had negative (inorganic) to neutral (organic) effect in higher diversity soils. Interestingly, plant presence/type did not show any significant effect on the degradation rate in most of the treatments. Structural equation modelling demonstrated that initial bacterial diversity had a prominent role in driving pyrene biodegradation rates. We provide novel evidence that suggests that soil initial microbial diversity, and nutrient amendments should be explicitly considered in the design and employment of bioremediation management strategies for restoring natural habitats disturbed by organic pollutants.     

丛枝菌根对有机污染土壤的修复作用及机理

丛枝菌根(AM)是丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)与植物根系相互作用的互惠共生体,能改良土壤结构,增强植物抗性.自然界中已知的AMF有170多种,分布广泛,且可与大多数植物共生.利用AM修复有机污染土壤正成为一个崭新的研究方向.本文综述了AM对多环芳烃、酞酸脂、石油和农药等一些典型有机污染物污染土壤的修复作用.AM修复有机污染土壤的机理主要包括:AMF代谢有机污染物;AM分泌酶,降解污染物;AM影响根系分泌作用,并促进根际微生物对有机污染物的降解;AMF宿主植物吸收积累污染物.AM修复研究中,高效AMF的筛选、复合菌种效应、土壤老化、AM作用下植物对有机污染物的吸收积累等几方面仍有待于深入研究.     

25S rDNA-based molecular monitoring of glomalean fungi in sewage sludge-treated field plots

Recycling of sewage wastes in agriculture is likely to affect the biological activity of soils through contamination of ecosystems by pathogens and metallic or organic micropollutants. The impact of sewage sludge spreading under field conditions on arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) formation by a community of glomalean fungi was evaluated using a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and discriminating primers based on 25S rDNA polymorphisms to detect different fungal species within root systems. Medicago truncatula was grown in soil of field plots amended or not with a composted sewage sludge, spiked or not with organic or metallic micropollutants. Overall AM development in roots decreased with sewage sludge application, and the relative abundance of five AM fungal morphotypes in root fragments was modified by the input of composted sludges. Sewage sludge spiked or not with organic pollutants had a generally positive effect on the relative diversity of AM fungal populations in planta , whereas after spreading of the sludge spiked with metallic pollutants, no variation was observed in the abundance of different species.     

人工与天然云杉林土壤真菌群落多样性及菌群网络关系特征

土壤真菌群落多样性和菌群关系是维持生态系统的多样性及稳定性的关键.本文以粗枝云杉人工林和天然林为研究对象,利用高通量测序技术和生物信息学分析方法,研究了云杉根际和非根际土壤真菌群落组成、多样性及菌群网络关系.结果 表明:从群落组成上看,人工林中相对丰度最高的科是丝盖伞科,而天然林中是蜡壳耳科,两处林型下占比最高的属均为...     

Behavior of Cu and Zn under combined pollution of 2,4-dichlorophenol in the planted soil

Behavior of heavy metals under combined pollution of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) was investigated using metal contaminated soil which was sampled from the heavily industrialized areas, Fuyang county, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China and pretreated with 100 μg g^?1 2,4-DCP for 1 month. Metal complexes were the predominant species for Cu and Zn in the soil solution. The treatment of 2,4-DCP had limited effect on the dissolution of Cu and Zn in the soil without plant root growth. But the metal species might be changed due to the addition of organic pollutant. Planting with rye grass for 1 month, greatly increased both water soluble Cu and Zn. The increase of water soluble Cu and Zn in the presence of 2,4-DCP was much more than that in the absence of 2,4-DCP, which suggested more attention should be paid to the behavior of heavy metals under combined pollution of organic pollutants in the planted soil. The results also indicated that in comparison to Cu, soil planted with ryegrass was more effective in activating Zn from soils, which was consistent with its relative weak chemisorptions on clays, oxides and humus of soils.     

Phenanthrene toxicity and dissipation in rhizosphere of grassland plants (Lolium perenne L. and Trifolium pratense L.) in three spiked soils

Rhizodegradation is a technique involving plants that offers interesting potential to enhance biodegradation of persistent organic pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Nevertheless, the behaviour of PAHs in plant rhizosphere, including micro-organisms and the physico-chemical soil properties, still needs to be clarified. The present work proposes to study the toxicity and the dissipation of phenanthrene in three artificially contaminated soils (1 g kg^-1 DW). Experiments were carried out after 2 months of soil aging. They consisted in using different systems with two plant species (Ryegrass—Lolium perenne L. var. Prana and red clover—Trifolium pratense L. var. fourragère Caillard), three kinds of soils (a silty-clay-loam soil “La Bouzule”, a coarse sandy-loam soil “Chenevières” and a fine sandy-loam soil “Maconcourt”). Phenanthrene was quantified by HPLC in the beginning (T ₀) and the end of the experiments (30 days). Plant biomass, microbial communities including mycorrhizal fungi, Rhizobium and PAH degraders were also recorded. Generally phenanthrene contamination did not affect plant biomass. Only the red clover biomass was enhanced in Chenevières and La Bouzule polluted soils. A stimulation of Rhizobium red clover colonisation was quantified in spiked soils whereas a drastic negative phenanthrene effect on the mycorrhization of ryegrass and red clover was recorded. The number of PAH degraders was stimulated by the presence of phenanthrene in all tested soils. Both in ryegrass and red clover planted soils, the highest phenanthrene dissipation due to the rhizosphere was measured in La Bouzule soils. On the contrary, in non-planted soils, La Bouzule soils had also the lowest pollutant dissipation. Thus, in rhizospheric and non-rhizospheric soils the phenanthrene dissipation was found to depend on soil clay content.     

PHYTOREMEDIATION POTENTIAL OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) IN CO-CONTAMINATED SOILS WITH PENTACHLOROPHENOL AND CADMIUM

The ubiquitous coexistence of heavy metals and organic contaminants was increased in the polluted soil and phytoremediation as a remedial technology and management option is recommended to solve the problems of co-contamination. Growth of Zea mays L and pollutant removal ability may be influenced by interactions among mixed pollutants. Pot–culture experiments were conduced to investigate the single and interactive effect of cadmium (Cd) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) on growth of Zea mays L, PCP, and Cd removal from soil. Growth response of Zea mays L is considerably influenced by interaction of Cd and PCP, significantly declining with either Cd or PCP additions. The dissipation of PCP in soils was notably affected by interactions of Cd, PCP, and plant presence or absence. At the Pentachlorophenol in both planted and non-planted soil was greatly decreased at the end of the 10-week culture, accounting for 16–20% of initial extractable concentrations in non-planted soil and 9–14% in planted soil. With the increment of Cd level, residual pentachlorophenol in the planted soil tended to increase. The pentachlorophenol residual in the presence of high concentration of Cd was even higher in the planted soil than that in the non-planted soil.     

Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal effectiveness in an acid soil amended with fresh organic matter

A greenhouse investigation was undertaken to determine the influence of fresh organic matter on the formation and functioning of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in Leucaena leucocephala grown in an acid aluminum-rich ultisol. In soil not amended with fresh organic matter or lime, plants failed to grow. Mycorrhizal infection level, mycorrhizal effectiveness measured in terms of pinnule P content of L. leucocephala leaves and dry matter yield of the legume increased with increase in fresh organic matter. Although VAM colonization level and dry matter yield of L. leucocephala were significantly higher if the test soil was limed (7.2 cmole OH^–) than if amended with fresh organic matter, the latter was as effective as lime in off-setting the detrimental effect of aluminum on mycorrhizal effectiveness. The lower mycorrhizal colonization level and the lower dry matter yield noted in the soil treated with fresh organic matter appears to be related to the inadequacy of Ca in the soil amended with fresh organic matter. These observations are supported by the low calcium status of soil and plant tissues in the absence of lime. It is concluded that while fresh organic matter, in appropriate amounts, could protect sensitive plants and VAM symbiosis against Al toxicity in acid soils, maximum mycorrhizal inoculation effects are not likely to be attained unless the soils are also amended with Ca.Contribution from Hawaii Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Journal Series No 3740.     

Resistance of soil biota and plant growth to disturbance increases with plant diversity

Plant diversity is critical to the functioning of ecosystems, potentially mediated in part by interactions with soil biota. Here, we characterised multiple groups of soil biota across a plant diversity gradient in a long‐term experiment. We then subjected soil samples taken along this gradient to drought, freezing and a mechanical disturbance to test how plant diversity affects the responses of soil biota and growth of a focal plant to these disturbances. High plant diversity resulted in soils that were dominated by fungi and associated soil biota, including increased arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and reduced plant‐feeding nematodes. Disturbance effects on the soil biota were reduced when plant diversity was high, resulting in higher growth of the focal plant in all but the frozen soils. These results highlight the importance of plant diversity for soil communities and their resistance to disturbance, with potential feedback effects on plant productivity.     

Responses of soil microbial community and enzymes during plant-assisted biodegradation of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and pyrene

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted to explore the plant-assisted degradation efficiency of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and pyrene. Three plant species: Ceylon spinach, sunflower, and leaf mustard were cultivated in co-contaminated soils under three contamination levels: control (T0), 20?mg kg^?1 (T20), and 50?mg kg^?1 (T50). The results showed that a higher DEHP and pyrene degradation efficiency was observed evidently in planted cases, increasing from 42 to 53–59% (T0), 61 to 65–76% (T20) and 52 to 68–78% (T50) for DEHP, and from 22 to 30–49% (T0), 58 to 62–72% (T20), and 54 to 57–70% (T50) for pyrene. Under T20 contamination level, soil phospholipid fatty-acid analysis depicted the increased microbial biomass in rhizosphere, especially the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus that is effective for the degradation of organic pollutants. The study also revealed that the activities of dehydrogenase, acid phosphomonoesterase, urease, and phenol oxidase negatively correlated with pollutant concentration. In general, the removal rate of DEHP and pyrene was highest in the soil planted with leaf mustard for each contamination level considered. For soils at T20 level, sunflower and leaf mustard appeared as interesting phytoremediation plants due to the improved removal rates of organic pollutants and the soil microbial activity.     

Depth-dependent effects of ericoid mycorrhizal shrubs on soil carbon and nitrogen pools are accentuated under arbuscular mycorrhizal trees

Plant mycorrhizal associations influence the accumulation and persistence of soil organic matter and could therefore shape ecosystem biogeochemical responses to global changes that are altering forest composition. For instance, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) tree dominance is increasing in temperate forests, and ericoid mycorrhizal (ErM) shrubs can respond positively to canopy disturbances. Yet how shifts in the co-occurrence of trees and shrubs with different mycorrhizal associations will affect soil organic matter pools remains largely unknown. We examine the effects of ErM shrubs on soil carbon and nitrogen stocks and indicators of microbial activity at different depths across gradients of AM versus ectomycorrhizal (EcM) tree dominance in three temperate forest sites. We find that ErM shrubs strongly modulate tree mycorrhizal dominance effects. In surface soils, ErM shrubs increase particulate organic matter accumulation and weaken the positive relationship between soil organic matter stocks and indicators of microbial activity. These effects are strongest under AM trees that lack fungal symbionts that can degrade organic matter. In subsurface soil organic matter pools, by contrast, tree mycorrhizal dominance effects are stronger than those of ErM shrubs. Ectomycorrhizal tree dominance has a negative influence on particulate and mineral-associated soil organic matter pools, and these effects are stronger for nitrogen than for carbon stocks. Our findings suggest that increasing co-occurrence of ErM shrubs and AM trees will enhance particulate organic matter accumulation in surface soils by suppressing microbial activity while having little influence on mineral-associated organic matter in subsurface soils. Our study highlights the importance of considering interactions between co-occurring plant mycorrhizal types, as well as their depth-dependent effects, for projecting changes in soil carbon and nitrogen stocks in response to compositional shifts in temperate forests driven by disturbances and global change.     

球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白的分布及环境功能研究进展

球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白(GRSP)是由丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)在土壤中产生的一种糖蛋白,其在土壤中大量存在,可分为总球囊霉素、易提取球囊霉素、免疫反应性总球囊霉素、免疫反应性易提取球囊霉素.土地利用方式、施肥条件、AMF及宿主类型、外界环境条件等均会影响土壤中GRSP的含量及分布.GRSP能改善土壤团聚体的水稳定性、降低陆地生态系统土壤中CO₂排放、促进土壤中碳贮存、降低土壤中重金属的有效性、减弱重金属的植物毒害.GRSP的提取及定量表征技术仍是限制人们深入了解其在土壤中分布及环境功能的瓶颈.今后有关GRSP的研究应重视以蛋白及其编码该蛋白的基因为基础,阐释GRSP在土壤生态系统中的分子生物学作用及机制,以及GRSP对土壤中有机污染物环境行为的影响.     

Soil chemistry and plant distributions in rock habitats of southern Sweden

The vascular plant flora of open land on superficial bedrock in southem Sweden (northwards to 59°N) is described and related to soil chemical properties. including soil acidity (pH), exchangeable Al, Ca, Fe, Mn, Mg, and phosphate, as well as to soil solution pH and concentrations of Al, Ca and Mg, and to the contents of soil organic matter, soil depth and bedrock types (sandstone, gneiss, granites, various dark igneous rocks and limestones). About 120 localities with totally 652 sites (4 m²) have been examined. Experimental evidence for the toxicity of acid soils and mineral nutrient deficiency of neutral and alkaline soils is related to field data. Hydrogen and Al ion toxicity in acid soils and low phosphate solubility in neutral - alkaline soils are identified as major factors limiting the field distributions of rock habitat plants. Some species (e.g., Rumex acetosella and Sedum telephium ) were limited by phosphate also in acid soils. The relative importance of H and Al ion concentrations to plant performance under variously acid soil conditions is discussed, and strong evidence is given for a decisive influence of Al ion toxicity on species diversity at pH-KCI > 4.5. The importance of grazing and former land use is considered briefly and the floristic differences between the western and the eastern half of the study area are discussed originating from differences in general distribution patterns of species and soil chemical properties.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity in phosphorus-deficient Alfisols of a dry North-western agro-ecosystem of Tamil Nadu,India

Semi-arid tropical soils, characterized by low soil organic carbon (SOC) with limited available macronutrients and micronutrients for crop plants, are predicated to have a yield sustainability problem in the future due to intensive cropping and limited nutrient management adoptions. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), the functional link between plant and soil, play a pivotal role in nutrient cycling, organic matter stabilization and soil structure and fertility improvement. Hence, so far unexplored or underutilized, native AMF could be a potential resource for fertility management of these semi-arid tropical soils. Hence, in the present investigation, we assessed the abundance and diversity of AMF in phosphorus-deficient agricultural soils of semi-arid tropics of southern India. Our results show that the spore density and infective propagules of AMF were relatively low in these soils. The morpho-typing of extracted AMF spores revealed that these soils were dominated by glomeraceae (six species of Glomus) while species of Gigaspora, Scutellospora and Acaulospora were found in low abundance. The diversity indices assessed for the AMF species were also globally low. The non-metric multi-dimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis of species richness showed variation in the community composition of AMF in the soils. The principal component analysis of the assessed soil variables suggest that the available phosphorus (P), SOC and dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activities had negative impact on spore density and infective propagules of AMF with no effect on species diversity. The regression analyses reveal that the available P is the significant soil variable that drives the AMF abundance and infectivity. This study opens the possibilities of effective utilization of native mycorrhizae for agriculture in semi-arid tropical soils.     

Diversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus Populations in Heavy-Metal-Contaminated Soils

High concentrations of heavy metals have been shown to adversely affect the size, diversity, and activity of microbial populations in soil. The aim of this work was to determine how the diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi is affected by the addition of sewage-amended sludge containing heavy metals in a long-term experiment. Due to the reduced number of indigenous AM fungal (AMF) propagules in the experimental soils, several host plants with different life cycles were used to multiply indigenous fungi. Six AMF ecotypes were found in the experimental soils, showing consistent differences with regard to their tolerance to the presence of heavy metals. AMF ecotypes ranged from very sensitive to the presence of metals to relatively tolerant to high rates of heavy metals in soil. Total AMF spore numbers decreased with increasing amounts of heavy metals in the soil. However, species richness and diversity as measured by the Shannon-Wiener index increased in soils receiving intermediate rates of sludge contamination but decreased in soils receiving the highest rate of heavy-metal-contaminated sludge. Relative densities of most AMF species were also significantly influenced by soil treatments. Host plant species exerted a selective influence on AMF population size and diversity. We conclude based on the results of this study that size and diversity of AMF populations were modified in metal-polluted soils, even in those with metal concentrations that were below the upper limits accepted by the European Union for agricultural soils.     

Environmental impact and bioremediation of seleniferous soils and sediments

Selenium concentrations in the soil environment are directly linked to its transfer in the food chain, eventually causing either deficiency or toxicity associated with several physiological dysfunctions in animals and humans. Selenium bioavailability depends on its speciation in the soil environment, which is mainly influenced by the prevailing pH, redox potential, and organic matter content of the soil. The selenium cycle in the environment is primarily mediated through chemical and biological selenium transformations. Interactions of selenium with microorganisms and plants in the soil environment have been studied in order to understand the underlying interplay of selenium conversions and to develop environmental technologies for efficient bioremediation of seleniferous soils. In situ approaches such as phytoremediation, soil amendment with organic matter and biovolatilization are promising for remediation of seleniferous soils. Ex situ remediation of contaminated soils by soil washing with benign leaching agents is widely considered for removing heavy metal pollutants. However, it has not been applied until now for remediation of seleniferous soils. Washing of seleniferous soils with benign leaching agents and further treatment of Se-bearing leachates in bioreactors through microbial reduction will be advantageous as it is aimed at removal as well as recovery of selenium for potential re-use for agricultural and industrial applications. This review summarizes the impact of selenium deficiency and toxicity on ecosystems in selenium deficient and seleniferous regions across the globe, and recent research in the field of bioremediation of seleniferous soils.     

种植阔叶树种和毛竹对土壤有机碳矿化与微生物群落结构的影响

为探明种植阔叶树种和毛竹对土壤有机碳矿化与微生物群落特征的影响,本研究通过盆栽试验和室内培养法比较分析种植香樟、木荷、青冈等阔叶树种与毛竹的土壤有机碳矿化速率和累计矿化量,并结合末端限制性片段长度多态性(T-RFLP)以及荧光定量PCR技术,分析土壤细菌、真菌群落组分与数量特征.结果表明:与种植阔叶树种的土壤相比,种植...     

Dosage-dependent shift in the spore community of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi following application of tannery sludge

The controlled disposal of tannery sludge in agricultural soils is a viable alternative for recycling such waste; however, the impact of this practice on the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) communities is not well understood. We studied the effects of low-chromium tannery sludge amendment in soils on AMF spore density, species richness and diversity, and root colonization levels. Sludge was applied at four doses to an agricultural field in Rolandia, Paraná state, Brazil. The sludge was left undisturbed on the soil surface and then the area was harrowed and planted with corn. The soil was sampled at four intervals and corn roots once within a year (2007/2008). AMF spore density was low (1 to 49 spores per 50 cm³ of soil) and decreased as doses of tannery sludge increased. AMF root colonization was high (64%) and unaffected by tannery sludge. Eighteen AMF species belonging to six genera (Acaulospora, Glomus, Gigaspora, Scutellospora, Paraglomus, and Ambispora) were recorded. At the sludge doses of 9.0 and 22.6 Mg ha⁻¹, we observed a decrease in AMF species richness and diversity, and changes in their relative frequencies. Hierarchical grouping analysis showed that adding tannery waste to the soil altered AMF spore community in relation to the control, modifying the mycorrhizal status of soil and selectively favoring the sporulation of certain species.