Abstract
The microbial biomass, activity and substrate utilization pattern of seven Chinese paddy soils with different heavy metal concentrations in the vicinity of a Cu–Zn smelter was investigated. Microbial biomass and basal respiration were negatively affected by the elevated metal levels. Two important biological parameters, namely, the microbial biomass-C (C mic)/organic C (C org) ratio and metabolic quotient were closely correlated to heavy metal stress. There was a significant decrease in the C mic/C org ratio and an increase in the metabolic quotient with increasing metal concentration. Multivariate analysis of sole carbon source utilization pattern demonstrated that heavy metal pollution had a significant impact on microbial community structure and there was a threshold metal concentration for substrate utilization pattern. However, the average well colour development (AWCD) of the carbon sources in Biolog plates did not vary in a consistent manner with the microbial biomass or heavy metal concentration.
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