Abstract
Even after remediation, mining impacted soils can leave behind a landscape inhospitable to plant growth and containing residual heavy metals. While phytostabilization can be used to restore such sites by limiting heavy metal spread, it is reliant on soil capable of supporting plant growth. Manure-based biochars, coupled with compost, have demonstrated the ability to improve soil growth conditions in mine impacted soils, however there is a paucity of information regarding their influence on resident microbial populations. The objective of this study was to elucidate the impact of these soil amendments on microbial community structure and function in mine impacted soils placed under phytostabilization management with maize. To this aim, a combination of phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) and enzymatic analyses were performed. Results indicate that microbial biomass is significantly increased upon addition of biochar and compost, with maximal microbial biomass achieved with 5% poultry litter biochar and compost (62.82 nmol g−1 dry soil). Microbial community structure was impacted by biochar type, rate of application, and compost addition, and influenced by pH (r2 = 0.778), EC (r2 = 0.467), and Mg soil concentrations (r2 = 0.453). In three of the four enzymes analyzed, poultry litter biochar treatments were observed with increased activity rates that were often significantly greater than the unamended control. Overall, enzyme activities rates were influenced by biochar type and rate, and addition of compost. These results suggest that using a combination of biochar and compost can be utilized as a management tool to support phytostabilization strategies in mining impacted soils.
Highlights
Mining activity serves as one of the primary sources of heavy metal accumulation in soils, the results of which pose serious, long-term concerns for human and environmental health
When coupled with other tools, such as biochar, designed to reduce heavy metal bioavailability, the combinative impact of these dual strategies can result in improved remediation efforts [2,3]
The aim of the current project was to understand the impact of two manure-based biochars on microbiological properties of a mining impacted soil planted with maize for phytostabilization purposes
Summary
Mining activity serves as one of the primary sources of heavy metal accumulation in soils, the results of which pose serious, long-term concerns for human and environmental health. When coupled with other tools, such as biochar, designed to reduce heavy metal bioavailability, the combinative impact of these dual strategies can result in improved remediation efforts [2,3]. This synergy is often attributable to microbial communities aptly suited to the remediation environment.
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