Abstract
Post-mining areas require reclamation. The main aim of reclamation is to restore the soil as a basic element of the terrestrial ecosystem. This paper presents the results of an evaluation of the enzymatic activity of soils formed on an afforested heap from an opencast sulphur mine. Six research sites were selected on the overburden heap of the Piaseczno sulphur mine, afforested 50 years ago. They differed in the type of soil in the subsoil and in the species composition of the stand. The activity of dehydrogenases, phosphatases, urease, total organic carbon, and total nitrogen was determined and statistical analysis of the obtained results showed that the activity of the evaluated enzymes in the soils formed in the reclaimed areas was significantly dependent on the type of substrate and the species composition of the plants. The activity of the evaluated enzymes was significantly positively correlated with the content of total nitrogen and the C/N ratio, and the activity of phosphatases and urease with the total organic carbon content. Within soils developed on the same texture, the influence of stand species was revealed. In soils formed on clay, the soils under the beech stand and under the birch stand were characterized by higher activity of enzymes. The soil developing under the stands of European larch and red oak was characterized by higher enzymatic activity on weakly clayey sands. On loose sands, the activity of dehydrogenases and urease was significantly higher under acacia robinia than under hornbeam.
Highlights
The negative impact of anthropopression on the earth’s surface is observed mainly in industrial, urban, communication, and agricultural areas
The results demonstrated that in soils developed on reclaimed post-industrial land, afforestation significantly increased the content of total organic carbon (TOC), determined by the type of soil material that was reclaimed and by the species composition of the stands (Table 3)
Enzymatic activity is strongly stimulated by soil organic matter (SOM) [71] and processes related to organic matter transformations are realized with the participation of soil microorganisms and their enzymes [38]
Summary
The negative impact of anthropopression on the earth’s surface is observed mainly in industrial, urban, communication, and agricultural areas. Strong human interference in these areas causes far-reaching deterioration of the physical, chemical, biological, and ecological properties of soils (degradation) or complete loss of use-values (devastation) [1,2,3,4,5,6]. The FAO [8] defines soil degradation “... As a change in soil health resulting in a reduction in the capacity of the ecosystem to provide goods and ser-vices to beneficiaries. Degraded soils do not provide the normal goods and services of a soil in its ecosystem”. Refers to a broad spectrum of changes in soil properties under the influence of natural or anthropogenic factors that alter their structure and quality [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
