Heterotrophic nitrifying bacteria in acid forest soils polluted by atmospheric SO2

The occurrence of nitrification and its effectivity were investigated in 312 cultures of heterotrophic bacteria isolated from fermentation and humus horizon of soils in spruce, mountain-ash and birch forest stands at elevations of about 500 and 800 m above sea level, in relatively unimpaired areas and areas strongly influenced by SO₂ immissions. Of the isolated cultures 33—100 % could oxidize NH₄+ and NO₂ ^- to NO₃ ^-. Acidophihe cultures (pH 4.0) were more effective than neutrophilic ones (pH 6.0 and 8.0). The activity was significantly decreased in isolates from soils strongly influenced by SO₂ and those of foliated forests. Effect of elevation above sea level was less pronounced. Differences between isolates from the fermentation and humus horizons were insignificant.     

The effect of atmospheric SO2 pollution on the microflora of forest soils

The existing knowledge of the effects of industrial SO₂ immissions on forest soil microflora is reviewed. Most Czechoslovak data were obtained in heavily polluted spruce stands in the Ore Mountain and in the Slavkov Forest (NW Bohemia). The industrial SO₂ immissions soil. Pseudomonads yield to yellow-and red-pigmented microorganisms, among micromycetes there is a higher incidence of the generaRhizopus andMucor. The biochemical capabilities of the bacterial populations are reviewed: the immissions have a negative effect on the occurrence and efficiency of heterotrophic nitrifiers, increase the concentration of autotrophic as well as heterotrophic oxidizers of S⁰ and of sulfite-resistant bacteria. The soil activities of the C and N cycles are inhibited whereas the oxidation of S⁰ is stimulated. Changes in the soil of spruce stands are probably due to intoxication with sulfur dioxide (and possibly with sulfite) rather than to acidification. Replacement of withered spruce stands with mountain ash brings about a dramatic improvement of the soil microflora. Presented at the16th Congress of the Czechoslovak Microbiological Society, Banská Bystrica, October 21–23, 1983.     

SO2 and NO2 effects on microbial activity in an acid forest soil

The rate of glucose decomposition and the pH fell in a forest soil (initial pH 4.06) exposed to 1.0 ppm SO₂. No such effect was noted if the soil was exposed to 1.0 ppm nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). Nitrite but not bisulfite (5g N or S/g of soil) inhibited O₂ consumption and CO₂ evolution in the glucose-amended forest soil, and nitrite and bisulfite acted synergistically in inhibiting these processes. Iron and manganese were solubilized when the soil was exposed to 10 ppm SO₂, but NO₂ caused no such change.     

Effects of zinc-smelter emissions on forest soil microflora.

Within 2 km of a zinc (Zn) smelter in Palmerton, Pennsylvania, near the Lehigh Water Gap, up to 13.5% Zn by weight has been measured in the O2 horizon of the soil, and up to 8% Zn in the A1 horizon. The total numbers of bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi (measured by dilution plate counts) were greatly reduced in the most severely Zn-contaminated soils compared with control soils. The reduction of microbial populations may be a partial cause of the decreased rate of litter decomposition at Lehigh Gap. Growth of most bacteria from control sites was reduced by 100 to 200 muM Zn, most actinomycetes by 100 muM Zn, and most fungi by 100 to 1000 muM Zn in thin-Pablum extract agar (TPab). All the tested actinomycetes and non-spore-forming bacteria isolated from Zn-contaminated Lehigh Gap soils were Zn-tolerant, growing normally in media containing 600-2000 muM Zn. Most fungi, regardless of source, were capable of at least 50% of normal growth at 700 muM Zn. Zinc-tolerant bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi were readily isolated from low-Zn soils, suggesting that selection for Zn tolerance may proceed rapidly. Acidophilic Mortierella species have been selectively eliminated near the smelter, apparently because of elevated soil pH. Peryronellaea glomerata (Corda) Goidanich and Coniothyrium spp. were found only in the high-Zn soils.     

Variations of soil enzyme activities in a temperate forest soil

Soil enzyme activities (dehydrogenase, urease, phosphatase, and arylsulfatase) in a temperate forest soil were determined in relation to landscape position and seasons. Overstory of the area is dominated by Quercus mongolica, Kalopanax pictus, Carpicus cordata, and Acer pseudo-sieboldianum. The activities were measured in three patches, namely a north-facing backslope, a ridge, and a south-facing backslope in autumn and spring over 2 years. In addition, spatially more detailed analysis for phosphatase was conducted before and after litterfall production in six patches. Dehydrogenase, urease, phosphatase, and arylsulfatase activities varied 1.8–18.5 μg INT-formazan g⁻¹ h⁻¹, 45.4–347.0 μg NH₄ ⁺ g⁻¹ h⁻¹, 0.9–4.5 mmol pNP g⁻¹ h⁻¹, and 0.7–2.6 mmol pNP g⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively. In general, higher enzyme activities were found in the northern aspect than in the southern aspect. This variation appears to be related to differences in chemical properties (e.g., Fe, Al, and Mg) of soil as well as distribution of leaf litter. Two patterns were discernible in relation to seasonal variations. Dehydrogenase and urease exhibited a positive correlation with mean air temperature, suggesting that temperature would be a major controlling variable for those enzymes. In contrast, higher activities were detected in autumn for phosphatase and arylsulfatase activities, which appeared to be closely related to litter production and distribution. Overall results of this study indicate that soil enzyme activities in a forest floor are influenced by several variables such as temperature, nutrient availability, and input of leaf litter, which are closely related to landscape position.     

Copper mobility and toxicity of soil percolation water to bacteria in a metal polluted forest soil

In order to assess the success of in situ remediation of coniferous forest soil polluted by a Cu–Ni smelter, the total Cu concentration in soil percolation water, the fluxes of Cu down through the soil profile, and the toxicity of soil percolation water to soil bacteria were studied. Total Cu in percolation water was also fractionated into free ionic and complexed forms. The toxicity of the percolation water was measured by the [³H]-thymidine incorporation method, which measures bacterial growth rates. Soil percolation water was collected during one growing season by zero tension lysimeters inserted at depths of 0.2 and 0.4 m in the soil. The treatments consisted of a control, mulch application to the forest floor (M) and mulch application after removing the polluted organic soil layer (MR). The mulch consisted of a mixture of compost and woodchips (1/1; vol/vol). Analysis of Cu species and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) indicated that DOC leached from the mulch and complexed Cu into forms that were less toxic to soil bacteria. At 0.2 m depth percolation water toxicity was 19% lower in the M and 42% lower in the MR treatment than in the control. Toxicity correlated with the Cu²⁺ concentration, which was 61 and 84% lower in the M and MR treatments, respectively, compared to the control. However, there were signs that total Cu had leached down through the soil profile, the leaching being more pronounced in the MR treatment.     

Comparison of Al speciation and other soil characteristics between meadow, young forest and old forest stands

The aim of this paper is to describe the influence of spruce (Picea abies) afforestation on soil chemical properties, especially on soil acidity and aluminium (Al) mobilization and speciation in soil. For our study we used a unique set of three adjacent plots, including a meadow and two spruce forest stands of different age, in otherwise comparable conditions. The plots were located in the region of Giant Mountains, north-eastern Czech Republic. In general, pH values decreased and Al concentrations increased significantly after afforestation. Speciation of KCl-extractable and water-soluble Al in soil samples was done by means of HPLC/IC method. The concentrations of Al(X)¹⁺ and Al(Y)²⁺ forms (in both extracts) are higher in humic and organically enriched (Bhs) horizons. The highest concentration of Al³⁺ in both extracts is in the B horizons of old forest.Generally, in all studied stands majority of Al in aqueous extract is in the Al(X)¹⁺ form, which indicates that a large amount of mobile Al is bound in organic complexes. It suggests that actual toxicity is rather low. On the other hand, we have proved that majority of KCl-extractable Al exists in Al³⁺ form. Thus we can conclude that disturbance of existing equilibrium may cause massive release of highly toxic Al³⁺ from soil sorption complex to the soil solution, and consequently it can endanger the whole ecosystem. Moreover, continuous soil acidification accelerated by anthropogenic factors leading to Al mobilization represents a chemical time bomb.     

南亚热带不同林分土壤颗粒分形与水分物理特征

以广西国有高峰林场的6种不同林分(马尾松林Pinus massoniana、杉木林Cunninghamia lanceolata、尾巨桉林Eucalyptus urophylla×E. grandis、米老排林Mytilaria laosensis、红锥林Castanopsis hystrix和天然次生林)为对象,运用分形学和森林水文学的理论和方法,研究了不同林分类型土壤的颗粒组成以及水分物理特征。结果表明:研究区不同林分类型的土壤颗粒组成以黏粒为主,其次为粉粒和细砂粒,粗砂粒的含量相对较低,土壤颗粒分形维数从大到小依次表现为天然次生林、杉木林、米老排林、红锥林、马尾松林和尾巨桉林;不同林分类型土壤的水分物理特征存在差异,蓄水性能大小依次表现为天然次生林、米老排林、杉木林、红锥林、马尾松林和尾巨桉林,且土壤表层(0～10 cm)的蓄水能力要好于下层(20～50 cm);土壤颗粒分形维数主要受黏粒含量的影响,分形维数与黏粒含量呈极显著正相关,与总孔隙度、饱和蓄水量显著正相关,与土壤密度显著负相关,而与非毛管孔隙度、非毛管蓄水量和有机质含量相关性不显著。土壤颗粒分布的分形维数可作为反映南亚...     

华南地区八种人工林的土壤物理性质

研究了华南地区8种林地的土壤物理性质,根据其土壤特点分为4类。第1类为马占相思林地、黎蒴-加勒比松林地、火力楠-木荷林地、木荷林地和湿地松林地,特点是上层的土壤容重小于中层和下层,毛管孔隙度中等或较小,非毛管孔隙度中等或较大,非毛管孔隙度和总孔隙度为上层大于中层和下层,自然含水量中等或较大,随着土壤深度的增加而下降或稳定。除了马占相思林地上层外,毛管持水量为中等或较小;第2类为柚木林地,土壤容重较大,且3层土壤的容重相近,毛管孔隙度和毛管持水量较大,非毛管空隙度和自然含水量较小;第3类为落羽杉林地,各层土壤的自然含水量远远大于其他林地。上层和中层的土壤容重、毛管孔隙度和非毛管空隙度中等,毛管持水量大。下层的土壤容重和非毛管空隙度大、毛管空隙度和毛管持水量小。第4类为尾叶桉林地,上层的土壤容重大于中层和下层,毛管孔隙度和毛管持水量较大,非毛管空隙度和自然含水量较小。     

Effect of industrial SO2 immissions on the epiphytic microflora of spruce

In regions highly influenced by immissions the concentrations of serobic and ammonifying bacteria and yeasts on the surface of apical shoots of spruce were 10–30 times higher in summer than in regions that were relatively less influenced; concentrations of micromycetes were almost two-fold. Deterioration by immissions eliminated the autotrophic oxidizers of sulphur and decreased the number of asymbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria to zero. Counts of proteolytic bacteria decreased pronoucedly. On the other hand, the number of bacteria capable of multiplication at pH 4.0 in the presence of 10 mM sulphite increased. The proportion of lipolytic bacteria, micromycetes and mainly of yeasts increased considerably. A similar trend was observed in the case of amylolytic bacteria. Heterotrophic sulphur oxidizers could not be detected. The possible significance of this phenomenon for senescence of conifer needle is discussed.     

Influence of hexaconazole, carbofuran and ethion on soil microflora and dehydrogenase activities in soil and intact cell

Total microbial count was highly affected (up to 61% at 1000 micrograms level) in presence of hexaconazole and persisted up to 21 days. Bacteria were more susceptible than actinomycetes. Carbofuran and ethion were moderately toxic to soil microflora. Inhibitory effects of all the three pesticides gradually decreased after 21 days as was evident by increase in total microbial count except in carbofuran. GDH activity in soil was also affected initially (up to 14 days) by all the three pesticides (60.3% in hexaconazole at 1000 micrograms level) and inhibition gradually decreased to zero except in carbofuran (15-20% toxicity persisted up to 35 days). GDH and LDH activity in presence of hexaconazole was strongly affected in intact cells of some standard culture of bacteria like Rhizobium sp. (host Dolichos sp., 32.1 and 72.5%), Bacillus subtilis Cohn (86.75 and 76.5%), Azotobacter sp. (36.9 and 55.4%) and B. sphaericus (67.6% GDH) respectively. Carbofuran inhibited the enzyme activity in B. subtilis (55.55 and 35.3%) and to some extent in B. sphaericus. Ethion moderately inhibited LDH activity in Rhodococcus sp. AK1 (17.1 and 33.3%), Rhizobium (27.6% LDH), E. coli HB 101 (34.2% LDH) as evidenced by formazan formation. From the result, it might be concluded that among the above three pesticides tested hexaconazole strongly inhibited the dehydrogenase system in bacteria including nitrogen fixing bacteria of soil and thus may affect soil fertility. It was concluded that hexaconazole was more toxic than ethion to dehydrogenase enzymes.     

马尾松林土壤呼吸组分对不同营林措施的响应

针对不同营林措施(对照、除灌、采伐1(15%)、采伐2(70%)后的三峡库区马尾松飞播林,采用LI-8100对其土壤呼吸组分的呼吸速率和土壤温度、湿度进行为期1年的连续观测分析表明,不同营林措施对土壤呼吸组分的影响不同。1)观测期内,各营林措施下凋落物层呼吸速率差异并不显著,对照、除灌、采伐1、采伐2的根呼吸速率均值分别为:1.00、0.83、0.86、1.11μmolCO_2m~(-2)s~(-1);采伐处理下矿质土壤呼吸显著高于对照和除灌(P0.05);2)与对照相比,营林措施并未显著改变凋落物呼吸对于土壤总呼吸的贡献率(18.78%-23.70%),但降低了根呼吸的贡献率,其中以采伐1最为显著(P0.05);除灌的矿质土壤呼吸贡献率(37.00%)与对照(38.32%)相近,而采伐1(45.63%)和采伐2(43.07%)均显著增加了矿质土壤呼吸的贡献率,矿质土壤呼吸的变化是造成采伐措施下土壤呼吸变化的主要土壤呼吸组分;3)营林后仅采伐2措施下土壤温湿度显著高于对照,土壤温湿度双因子模型较单因子模型能更好的解释土壤呼吸组分变化,但仅能解释其部分变化(4.6%-59.3%),仍需对营林后其他相关因子进行深入的综合研究。     

庐山6种树木立地土壤溶液铝形态与溶解有机碳变化

于1999年夏季,采集了庐山植物园6种树木立地的不同层次土壤样品,提取土壤溶液,分析其溶液中的溶解铝和溶解有机碳。结果表明,尽管发育于同一发生性土类,不同立地下土壤溶液溶解铝含量有明显差异,而溶解性有机碳的差异相对较小,在6种树木立地中,香柏立地表层土壤溶解铝含量达4．95mg·kg^-1,为其它针叶林立地的2倍,是阔叶林立地的3倍。溶解铝积累与土壤酸化强度有密切关系,但溶解有机碳趋向于形成抑制毒性的单核铝,供试的不同立地土壤可以按溶液铝化学特点分为不同的生态化学类型。     

Microfungal species composition and fungal biomass in a coniferous forest soil polluted by alkaline deposition

Isolations of soil microfungi from the humus (F/H-layer) of a coniferous forest soil which was either unpolluted (pH 4.1) or polluted (pH 6.6) for 25 years by deposition of alkaline dust, were made by soil washing and spore plating. Both techniques revealed similar changes in species composition. Alkaline dust exposure caused a reduction in overall species numbers, but led to higher relative isolation frequencies of Mortierella alpina, Oidiodendron tenuissimum, Penicillium montanese, Sagenomella verticillata, and Trichosporiella sporotrichioides. The incidence of M. isabellina, O. cf. clamydosporium, P. spinulosum, Penicillium sp. 1, P. sclerotiorum, Trichoderma viride, and Verticillium bulbillosum was reduced on polluted sites. The amount of the mainly fungal-derived phospholipid fatty acid 18 : 26 decreased by 23%, while the amount of ergosterol increased by 9% in the polluted soil. Offprint requests to: H. Fritze.     

Competition-dependent modelling of foliage biomass in forest stands

Currently, foliage biomass is estimated based on stem diameter or basal area. However, it is questionable whether the relations between foliage and stem observed from plantations of a single tree species can be applied to stands of different structure or species composition. In this paper, a procedure is presented to simulate foliage and branch biomass of tree crowns relative to crown size and light competition. Crowns are divided into layers and segments and each segment is divided into a foliated and an unfoliated fraction. Depending on the competitive status of the segment, leaf area density, specific leaf area and foliated branch fraction are determined. Based on this information, foliage biomass is calculated. The procedure requires a crown shape function and a measure to characterise competition for light and space of each individual segment within the canopy. Simple solutions are suggested for both requirements to enable an application with data that can be measured non-destructively in the field; these were stem position, tree height, crown base height, crown radii and some general crown shape information. The model was parameterised from single trees of Norway spruce and European beech and partly evaluated with independent data close to the investigation plot. Evaluations showed that the model can attribute the ecology of the different crown forms. Modelled foliage distribution for beech and spruce as well as total needle biomass of spruce agreed well with measurements but foliage biomass of beech was underestimated. The results are discussed in the context of a general model application in structured forests.     

The soil organic carbon in particle-size separates under different regrowth forest stands of north eastern Costa Rica

Despite the importance of the secondary forest (SF) in tropical areas, few studies have quantified the soil organic carbon (SOC) pool in Costa Rica. Most of the studies conducted to date in this country have focused mainly on changes in the soil C pool following conversion of forests to pastures, which is the predominant land use in the tropics. The aim of this study was to measure SOC concentration and pool in particle-size fractions down to 50 cm depth in four SF stands regenerating from different intensities of prior land use in loamy sand and sandy loam soils of northeast Costa Rica: (i) a gallery forest (GF), (ii) a 15-year-old SF enriched with commercially planted native trees (15SF), (iii) a 25-year-old SF (25SF), and (iv) an abandoned Theobromma cacao plantation >60 years old (60SF). Additional objectives were (1) to determine the relationship of SOC concentration with selected physical and chemical soil properties, and (2) to establish the key determinants of the depth distribution of SOC in order to identify meaningful trends in the SOC pool. The SOC pool was highest under the 60SF (221.4 Mg C ha⁻¹) followed by the 15SF (212.1 Mg C ha⁻¹), the 25SF (195.9 Mg C ha⁻¹) and the lowest in the GF (183.5 Mg C ha⁻¹). The SOC concentration decreased significantly from 59.7 to 94.1 g kg⁻¹ in the 0–10 cm layer down to 31.0 to 45.5 g kg⁻¹ in the 40–50 cm layer in all forest stands. The fine silt + clay fraction contained the highest values of SOC concentration in all forest stands. Soil texture and the age of the SF were identified as the main factors that explained the variability in SOC. The age of SF stand influenced the distribution of size class aggregates and SOC.     

三峡库区不同林龄马尾松土壤养分与酶活性的关系

基于对三峡库区不同林龄马尾松林下土壤养分和酶活性的测定及典范对应分析,探讨了不同林龄马尾松林土壤养分、酶活性特征及其相互关系.结果表明:马尾松林0 ～ 20 cm土壤有机质、总氮、铵态氮和有效磷含量均表现出成熟林＞中龄林＞近熟林;随着林龄的增加,土壤转化酶活性先降低后增加,纤维素酶、多酚氧化酶活性逐渐降低,而脲酶和过氧化物酶活性先增加后降低.经典范对应分析,不同林分中主要土壤养分对酶活性的影响顺序为总氮＞有机质＞pH＞容重＞铵态氮＞有效磷,转化酶与土壤有机质、总氮、总磷呈显著正相关,过氧化物酶与有机质、总氮、总磷、容重呈显著负相关,土壤主要养分含量高,转化酶活性较高,过氧化物酶活性相对较低.转化酶、纤维素酶和过氧化物酶是评价土壤质量及肥力较好的生物学指标.     

模拟氮沉降对温带森林土壤酶活性的影响

森林土壤酶作为土壤中最活跃组分,能影响生态系统的物质循环过程,其活性能快速反映氮沉降对土壤环境的变化。以北京地带性植被辽东栎林为研究对象,利用模拟氮沉降方法,原位设计低氮(50 kg N hm~(-2)a~(-1),N50)、高氮(150 kg N hm~(-2)a~(-1),N150)两个施氮水平,每个施氮水平设置Na NO_3、(NH_4)_2SO_4、NH4NO_33个不同的施氮类型,另设置空白对照(0 kg N hm~(-2)a~(-1),N0)。从时间格局上研究不同氮素化学形态和剂量对温带森林土壤6种酶(脲酶、酸性磷酸酶、碱性磷酸酶、β-葡萄糖苷酶、多酚氧化酶和过氧化氢酶)活性的影响。结果表明:在氮形态和水平的交互作用下,NH4NO3-N处理的脲酶活性显著高出NO~-_3-N处理的24.20%(N50),NH~+_4-N处理对酸性磷酸酶活性的影响显著高出NO~-_3-N处理的13.82%(N150);在NH~+_4-N和NH_4NO_3-N处理中,N50水平下的脲酶活性分别高出N0处理的38.90%和24.20%,差异显著。对无氮形态和水平交互作用的酶活性分析得出,不同的施氮水平,对碱性磷酸酶和多酚氧化酶的酶活性有显著促进作用,碱性磷酸酶活性在N50和N150处理下分别比N0高20.2%和11.5%,N50和N150处理对多酚氧化酶活性的促进作用分别比N0处理高64.3%和41.8%,差异显著(P0.05);NH~+_4-N处理对β-葡萄糖苷酶活性具有显著促进作用(P0.05),不同的施氮形态,对碱性磷酸酶、多酚氧化酶和过氧化氢酶的酶活性无显著影响。6种酶活性均呈现了显著的时间变化,氮添加对森林土壤酶活性的时间分异规律没有显著影响。此外,土壤微生物量碳、硝态氮和铵态氮含量与酶活性具有显著相关性(P0.05)。以上结果表明,氮添加通过改变森林土壤的环境因子,影响了土壤中的水解酶和氧化酶活性,进而改变了土壤有机碳库和养分循环。