Abstract
Even low concentrations of mercury compounds in agar media strongly decreased the number of soil microbes that could be isolated on these media. Mercury compounds added to the soil in very high concentrations inhibited CO2-evolution, dehydrogenase activity, and nitrification. In contrast, the number of microbes increased somewhat in a clay soil treated with HgCl2. Phenylmercury acetate had a stronger inhibiting effect than HgCl2. In sandy soil the microbial processes were inhibited more strongly than in clay soil. Mercury compounds present in the soil or added in low concentrations are not expected to seriously disturb organic-matter breakdown, nitrogen mineralization, or the soil-microbe numbers.
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.
