Abstract
Mining, roasting as well as smelting of these eleme nts have caused sulphur dioxide fumigations and metal particulate depositions which have led to various d etrimental effects on the overall environmental qua lity of the Greater Sudbury region. Soil amendment and r evegetation within the Greater Sudbury Region were initiated to restore the damage land. Several methods have been used to assess the progress made toward full ecosystem recovery. Soil respiration ra tes are particularly critical in the assessment of soil health. They reflect the complete extent of biologi cal activity of living microorganisms in the soil. Bacterial and fungal the main biological soil compo nents are functionally important and must be proper ly determined. The objective of the present study was to measure soil respiration and health in limed and unlimed areas in the Northern Ontario (Canada) regi on. The results confirm that the liming did maintai n an increase in soil pH from extremely acid to sligh tly acid, even 30 to 40 years after dolostone applications. Fungi were more abundant in limed sit es compared to unlimed areas. Soil respiration base d on CO 2 rate followed the same trend. Respiration rates fo r the reference sites were similar to those documented for the limed areas. Summer soil respira tion rates were associated (r = 0.50) with total fu ngal abundance in the targeted sites. Overall, the Solvi ta test of assessing soil respiration and determini ng microbial mass and soil quality is a reliable and c ost effective method.
Highlights
Nkongolo et al, 2008; 2013; Mehes-Smith et al, 2013).The increased metal-binding capacity of the soil coupledFor decades, the Greater Sudbury Region has thrived economically because of its nickel, copper and other metal and mineral deposits
Fungi were more abundant in limed sites compared to unlimed areas
The results of soil acidity analysis confirmed that liming did maintain an increase in soil pH from extremely acid to slightly acid, even 30 to 40 years after dolostone applications
Summary
2008; 2013; Mehes-Smith et al, 2013).The increased metal-binding capacity of the soil coupledFor decades, the Greater Sudbury Region has thrived economically because of its nickel, copper and other metal and mineral deposits. Soil amendment and revegetation within the Greater well as smelting of these elements have caused Sudbury Region were initiated to restore the damage sulphur dioxide fumigations and metal particulate land. Between 1978 and 2011, 3400 ha of the Greater depositions which have led to various detrimental Sudbury land were limed and over 7 million trees were effects on the overall environmental quality of the Greater planted (Lautenbach et al, 1995).
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