Abstract
The effect of heavy metals (cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb)) on organic carbon mineralization (OCM) was studied in the laboratory. Top soil (Typic Paleudult ) containing 1.0 g organic carbon in the form of milled dry Cajanus cajan leaves was incubated at field capacity with heavy metals (Cd, Ni and Pb) at four levels (0, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg soil) for 30 days in a 3 × 4 factorial experiment. Each soil contained one level and one type of heavy metal. Carbon dioxide-carbon evolved was measured every five-day period. The quantity of CO 2-C was highest in the first five-day period of incubation than the subsequent periods. All the rates of the heavy metals studied gave significantly (P Ni>Pb. Since OCMR is an index of soil productivity, it was therefore concluded that heavy metals decreased soil productivity.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
