Potential Nitrification Activity Research Articles

Ammonium Availability Affects the Ratio of Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria to Ammonia-Oxidizing Archaea in Simulated Creek Ecosystems

The ammonia-oxidizing microbial community colonizing clay tiles in flow channels changed in favor of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria during a 12-week incubation period even at originally high ratios of ammonia-oxidizing archaea to ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB). AOB predominance was established more rapidly in flow channels incubated at 350 μM NH(4)(+) than in those incubated at 50 or 20 μM NH(4)(+). Biofilm-associated potential nitrification activity was first detected after 28 days and was positively correlated with bacterial but not archaeal amoA gene copy numbers.

Linking plant identity and interspecific competition to soil nitrogen cycling through ammonia oxidizer communities

Both plants and microbes influence soil nutrient cycling. However, the links between plants, microbes and nutrient cycling are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated how plant identity and interspecific competition influence soil nitrogen cycling and attempted to link plant identity and interspecific competition to community structures of bacterial and archaeal ammonia oxidizers based on terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (T-RFLP) of bacterial and archaeal ammonia monooxygenase (amoA) genes. Faba bean and maize monocultures and a faba bean/maize mixture were planted with two nitrogen levels (0 and 100 mg N kg−1 soil as urea). Soil mineral nitrogen, ammonia oxidizer function (potential nitrification activity, PNA) and community structures were measured 28 and 54 days after plant emergence. Faba bean and maize substantially differed in their influences on mineral nitrogen concentrations and PNA in rhizosphere soils. Soil mineral nitrogen and PNA in the rhizosphere soils of the faba bean/maize mixture were closer to those of the maize monoculture than to those of the faba bean monoculture. T-RFLP with restriction enzymes BsaJI and Hpy8I distinguished variations in bacterial and archaeal ammonia oxidizers community structure, respectively, and detected both between-cluster and within-cluster variations in bacterial ammonia oxidizers. T-RFLP data showed that nitrogen addition favored part of a Nitrosospira cluster 3b sequence type and suppressed part of a cluster Nitrosospira 3a sequence type of bacterial ammonia oxidizers, while it had no influence on the archaeal ammonia oxidizer community structure. Although multivariate analysis showed that the function and community structure of bacterial ammonia oxidizers were significantly correlated, plant species and interspecific competition did not significantly change the community structure of bacterial and archaeal ammonia oxidizers. These results indicate that plant species and interspecific competition regulate soil nitrogen cycling via a mechanism of other than alteration in the community structure of ammonia oxidizers as investigated by DNA based methods.

Repression of potential nitrification activities by matgrass sward species

Soil nitrification is a key process in regulating the relative availability of the various inorganic N forms to plants. In the current study, we investigated the effect of different plant species on numbers of ammonia-oxidizing microbial cells by measuring the potential nitrification activity (PAA). Soil from matgrass sward and from calcareous grassland was collected in the field and four characteristic plant species of each vegetation type were cultivated from seed. These plant species grew for 4 months in the two soil types. After those 4 months, PAA were significantly higher in calcareous soil compared to the matgrass sward soil and the presence of matgrass sward species had significantly decreased PAA in this soil. In soils from matgrass stands, PAA were much lower, and no effect of the different plant species could be detected. Plant biomass of the calcareous grassland species was overall positively correlated with PAA, whereas for matgrass plant species a negative trend was found. We conclude that matgrass sward plant species had a clear repressing effect on the potential ammonia-oxidizing activity in calcareous grassland soil within this 4-month growth experiment. The observed repression of PAA is in accordance with earlier field observations of PAA in the different vegetation zones, where repressed PAA and significant higher ammonium to nitrate ratios were observed in the matgrass sward vegetation compared to the other vegetation zones. Major findings of this study indicate that plant species can influence the nitrification potential of their habitats, i.e. certain species can repress nitrification potential and others can increase nitrification potential of their habitats.

Sorption of quaternary ammonium compounds in soils: Implications to the soil microbial activities

Despite their widespread use in household activities and various industries, information on the toxicity of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) to microbial activities in soil is scant. This study investigated the effect of three commonly used QACs namely hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (HDTMA), octadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (ODTMA) and Arquad on dehydrogenase and potential nitrification activities in three different soils. The toxicity of QACs on the dehydrogenase activity and potential nitrification in these soils followed the order: HDTMA>ODTMA>Arquad and Arquad>HDTMA>ODTMA, respectively. HDTMA, ODTMA and Arquad exhibited toxicity to dehydrogenase activity at concentration of 50, 100 and 750mgkg−1 soil, respectively, whereas potential nitrification was inhibited by HDTMA and ODTMA even at 50mgkg−1 soil. Arquad exhibited toxicity to potential nitrification at comparatively higher concentration of 250mgkg−1 soil, with the severity of toxicity very intense at higher concentrations. The nature of QACs and soil properties influenced the toxicity. The toxic effect of QACs on soil microbial activities was more influenced by the relative release of sorbed QACs in soils. This study provides valuable information on the toxicological properties of some widely used QACs on important soil microbial activity parameters. To our knowledge, this is the first report.

Nitrification along a grassland gradient: Inhibition found in matgrass swards

Measurements along a hill-slope vegetation gradient in nutrient-poor grasslands from acid grasslands via matgrass swards to calcareous grasslands showed increased ammonium to nitrate ratios in the matgrass swards. These results generated the research question whether there might be a difference in nitrification activity or nitrifying community composition between the different zones in this hill-slope gradient. In each of the vegetation types along the gradient, soil samples were taken in five grassland nature reserves. Potential nitrification rates have been determined as an indication of the size of the active ammonia-oxidising microbial communities. Additionally, the dominant ammonia-oxidising sequences related to the β-Proteobacteria have been determined by a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based on the 16S rRNA gene in combination with Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) at one of the nature reserves. Compared to the top and lower zones of the vegetation gradient (i.e. acid grasslands and calcareous grasslands, respectively), potential nitrification rates were clearly repressed in the middle, matgrass swards zone. In contrast to the differences in potential nitrification activities observed in one of the nature reserves (Bemelerberg), no differences in dominant ammonia-oxidising sequences were observed at this location. One sequence belonging to cluster 3 of the Nitrosospira lineage appeared to be dominant among the sequences belonging to the ammonia-oxidising species of the β-Proteobacteria in all vegetation zones. Nitrification was apparently inhibited by the vegetation, whereas no shift in nitrifier populations could be shown. The possible role of repressed nitrification in the decline of this vegetation type is discussed.

Enhancement of nitrogen removal in towery hybrid constructed wetland to treat domestic wastewater for small rural communities

Efforts to protect watercourses, especially sources of drinking water, particularly in rural areas, are now underway in China. Nitrogen present in wastewater, due to its role in eutrophication and potential toxicity to aquatic species, is a focus of primary concern. Constructed wetlands (CWs), a simpler, less costly treatment alternative, have been used to treat domestic wastewater for small communities. Although showing great promise for removing carbonaceous materials from wastewater, wetland systems have not been successful in removing nitrogen mainly due to lack of dissolved oxygen (DO). To enhance nitrogen removal, a novel CW configuration with three stages, towery hybrid constructed wetland (THCW), was designed. The first and third stages were rectangle subsurface horizontal flow CWs, and the second stage was a circular three-layer free-water flow CW. Increased DO by passive aeration of a tower type cascade overflow from the upper layer into the lower layer in the second stage of the wetland enhanced nitrification rates. Denitrification rates were also improved by additional organic matter supplied as a result of bypass influent directly into the second stage. Evergreen tree Pond Cypress ( Taxodium ascendens), industrial plants Mat Rush ( Schoenoplectus trigueter) and Wild Rice shoots ( Zizania aquatica), ornamental floriferous plants Pygmy Waterlily ( Nymphaea tetragona) and Narrow-leaved Cattail ( Typha angustifolia) were planted in the wetland. The average percentage of removal was 89%, 85%, 83%, 83% and 64% for total suspended solid, chemical oxygen demand, ammonia nitrogen, total nitrogen and total phosphorus, respectively. There was no significant difference ( p < 0.05) at low and high hydraulic loads (16 cm/d and 32 cm/d) for performance of THCW. Nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria as well as potential nitrification activity and potential denitrification rates measured have shown that nitrification–denitrification is the main mechanism for nitrogen removal in the wetland. THCW also provided additional aesthetic benefits.

Comparison of portuguese soils from different geographical regions using physicochemical, biological and biochemical parameters

As a way of getting a comprehensive assessment of soil quality it is necessary to gather information on several appropriate soil parameters as well as also to perceive their spatial variation between geographic regions. The present work aimed to characterize and compare soil samples from different geographical regions and vegetation covers in the Portuguese territory through the use of physicochemical, biological and biochemical parameters. The study also intended to ascertain if those parameters are sensitive tools that consistently respond to geographical variations. Physical and chemical (soil organic matter contents, moisture, pH and conductivity), biological (macroarthropod es and diversity) and biochemical (potential nitrification, dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase activities) soil parameters were determined for three different regions of Portugal. Several sub-areas were chosen within each region, in order to include main vegetation patches. At each sampling sub-area, 5 traps were randomly set up for the collection of macroarthropods. For each sampling location, diversity descriptors of soil macrofauna were calculated: species richness, β diversity, the Shannon diversity (H′) and Pielou evenness (J′) indices. A principal component analysis (PCA) was used to plot the different sampling locations based on physical and chemical parameters; a canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was performed to analyse the relationships between soil fauna and environmental variables (physicochemical parameters and enzyme activities) and a partial canonical correspondence analysis (pCCA), with vegetation patches as covariables, was carried out to perceive their contribution to the variation in macroarthropod distribution. Physical and chemical parameters discriminated soils from the different geographic regions in the PCA. Nevertheless, a CCA of environmental variables (physical and chemical properties, dehydrogenase activity, acid phosphatase activity and potential nitrification) and soil macroarthropod catches only discriminated continental soils (Arouca and S. Domingos Mine) from insular ones (Porto Santo Island). The former were correlated with high dehydrogenase activity (DHA) and potential nitrification values, while soils from the Porto Santo Island were particularly correlated with high pH values and low moisture percentages. However, in spite of the extreme conditions, Porto Santo sampling sub-areas presented a great diversity of macroarthropods, especially when compared to the S. Domingos Mine. The pCCA showed that the different vegetation patches only explained 15% of the variation in edaphic species distribution. Even though physical and chemical parameters were sufficient to discriminate the different geographical regions included in this study, biochemical and biological parameters grouped continental regions, discriminating them from the insular one. According to the CCA triplot, it was evident that the sampling sub-areas from the island were negatively correlated with soil moisture, suggesting that this was probably the main factor for the suppression of the microbial parameters in the island. On the other hand, the location of the S. Domingos mine area, in a metallogenetic province — the Iberian Pyrite Belt — may have contributed to the dominance of taxa more adapted to higher background levels of heavy metals. In order to perceive geographical variation among different regions, more information is needed regarding different vegetation covers and the chemical composition of their corresponding litter, as well as about other soil chemical parameters. The data gathered in this study will help to distinguish variation in soil biological and biochemical parameters induced by abiotic conditions from the one promoted by anthropogenic disturbances.

Response of Nitrosospira sp. Strain AF-Like Ammonia Oxidizers to Changes in Temperature, Soil Moisture Content, and Fertilizer Concentration

Very little is known regarding the ecology of Nitrosospira sp. strain AF-like bacteria, a unique group of ammonia oxidizers within the Betaproteobacteria. We studied the response of Nitrosospira sp. strain AF-like ammonia oxidizers to changing environmental conditions by applying molecular methods and physiological measurements to Californian grassland soil manipulated in the laboratory. This soil is naturally high in Nitrosospira sp. strain AF-like bacteria relative to the much-better-studied Nitrosospira multiformis-like ammonia-oxidizing bacteria. Increases in temperature, soil moisture, and fertilizer interacted to reduce the relative abundance of Nitrosospira sp. strain AF-like bacteria, although they remained numerically dominant. The overall abundance of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria increased with increasing soil moisture and decreased with increasing temperature. Potential nitrification activity was altered by interactions among temperature, soil moisture, and fertilizer, with activity tending to be higher when soil moisture and temperature were increased. The increase in potential nitrification activity with increased temperature was surprising, given that the overall abundance of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria decreased significantly under these conditions. This observation suggests that (i) Nitrosospira sp. strain AF-like bacteria may respond to increased temperature with an increase in activity, despite a decrease in abundance, or (ii) that potential nitrification activity in these soils may be due to organisms other than bacteria (e.g., archaeal ammonia oxidizers), at least under conditions of increased temperature.

Soil biogeochemical toxicity end points for sub‐Antarctic islands contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons

Sub-Antarctic islands have been subjected to petroleum hydrocarbon spills, yet no information is available regarding the toxicity of petroleum hydrocarbons to these subpolar soils. The purpose of the present study was to identify soil biogeochemical toxicity end points for petroleum hydrocarbon contamination in sub-Antarctic soil. Soil from Macquarie Island, a sub-Antarctic island south of Australia, was collected and exposed to 10 concentrations of Special Antarctic Blend (SAB) diesel fuel, ranging from 0 to 50,000 mg fuel/kg soil, for a 21-d period. The sensitivity of nitrification, denitrification, carbohydrate utilization, and total soil respiration to SAB fuel was assessed. Potential nitrification activity was the most sensitive indicator of SAB contamination assessed for nitrogen cycling, with an IC20 (concentration that results in a 20% change from the control response) of 190 mg fuel/ kg soil. Potential denitrification activity was not as sensitive to SAB contamination, with an IC20 of 950 mg fuel/kg soil for nitrous oxide production. Nitrous oxide consumption was unaffected by SAB contamination. Carbohydrate utilization (respiration caused by sucrose) was a more sensitive indicator (IC20, 16 mg fuel/kg soil) of SAB contamination than total respiration (IC20, 220 mg fuel/kg soil). However, total soil respiration was a more responsive measurement end point, increasing soil respiration over a 72-h period by 17 mg of CO2, compared to a change of only 2.1 mg of CO2 for carbohydrate utilization. Our results indicate that IC20s varied between 16 to 950 mg fuel/kg soil for Macquarie Island soil spiked with SAB diesel fuel. These results indicate that current cleanup levels derived from temperate zones may be too liberal for soil contamination in sub-Antarctic islands.

Response of Nitrosospira sp. Strain AF-Like Ammonia Oxidizers to Changes in Temperature, Soil Moisture Content, and Fertilizer Concentration

Very little is known regarding the ecology of Nitrosospira sp. strain AF-like bacteria, a unique group of ammonia oxidizers within the Betaproteobacteria. We studied the response of Nitrosospira sp. strain AF-like ammonia oxidizers to changing environmental conditions by applying molecular methods and physiological measurements to Californian grassland soil manipulated in the laboratory. This soil is naturally high in Nitrosospira sp. strain AF-like bacteria relative to the much-better-studied Nitrosospira multiformis-like ammonia-oxidizing bacteria. Increases in temperature, soil moisture, and fertilizer interacted to reduce the relative abundance of Nitrosospira sp. strain AF-like bacteria, although they remained numerically dominant. The overall abundance of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria increased with increasing soil moisture and decreased with increasing temperature. Potential nitrification activity was altered by interactions among temperature, soil moisture, and fertilizer, with activity tending to be higher when soil moisture and temperature were increased. The increase in potential nitrification activity with increased temperature was surprising, given that the overall abundance of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria decreased significantly under these conditions. This observation suggests that (i) Nitrosospira sp. strain AF-like bacteria may respond to increased temperature with an increase in activity, despite a decrease in abundance, or (ii) that potential nitrification activity in these soils may be due to organisms other than bacteria (e.g., archaeal ammonia oxidizers), at least under conditions of increased temperature.

Shifts in microbial community functions and nitrifying communities as a result of combined application of copper and mefenoxam

In this microcosm study, we focused on the effect of a combined application of copper and mefenoxam on the functional diversity of soil microbial communities. Treatments with combined and separate applications of copper and mefenoxam were sampled at 24 and 60 days and control soil was sampled at 0, 24 and 60 days. Structural and metabolic profiling of microorganisms were performed by arbitrarily primed (AP) and RNA arbitrarily primed-PCR (RAP-PCR). Cluster analysis resulted in separate grouping of AP and RAP-PCR profiles, with differences between control and treatments being more pronounced with respect to RAP-PCR profiles. amoA, a functional molecular marker for beta-subgroup ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, could only be detected at day 60 in treatments of mefenoxam, and mefenoxam+copper, with higher gene copies in the latter. There was also an increase in potential nitrification activity on application of mefenoxam and mefenoxam+copper. Comparison of amoA diversity was performed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis followed by construction of a clone library of amoA fragments amplified from the mefenoxam+copper-treated sample. Analysis of clones was performed by restriction digestion and subsequent sequencing. Patterns 1 and 5 were seen in 93% of the clones and clustered together with amoA sequences of Nitrosospira, indicating that Nitrosospira-like organisms are the major nitrifiers under mefenoxam treatments.

Effects of irrigation sources on ammonia-oxidizing bacterial communities in a managed turf-covered aridisol

Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) perform the rate-limiting step of nitrification, a key process in the global nitrogen cycle. In this study, chemical factors controlling AOB activity, diversity, and composition in a turfgrass-covered aridisol irrigated with groundwater, Colorado River water, or reclaimed wastewater were examined. Activity of AOB contributed an average of 96% of potential nitrification activity in four soils examined, and this activity correlated positively with ammonium concentration and negatively with salinity of the irrigation water. AOB abundance, as determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, also correlated positively with ammonium concentration in the irrigation water but negatively with soil salinity. Characterization of AOB communities by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis showed the presence in every soil of AOB taxa, most commonly found in high-ammonia environments. The soil with the fewest years of management had the least diverse AOB population, compared to the other three soils, and much lower specific nitrification activity. This soil was irrigated with highly saline Colorado River water, which likely exerted acute negative effects on the activity of AOB. In summary, this study revealed that, although AOB activity and growth responded positively to ammonium availability in irrigation water, the salinity of the water and soil had strong negative effects on these aspects of the AOB community.

Spatial distribution and rate of potential nitrification activity in two hill country pastures

The purpose of this study was to conduct a preliminary investigation into the effect of increasing fertiliser- and excreta-N inputs on the spatial distribution and rate of potential nitrification activity in hill country pasture land at two sites, Invermay and Ballantrae. High nitrification rates could potentially limit N efficiency by increasing N losses through leaching and denitrification. Nitrification potentials (NP) were measured in camp sites and medium slopes of hill country soils receiving 0 kg N and 500 kg N/ha/yr over the previous 18 months. Nitrification potential was determined by calculating the rate of nitrate production (mg NO3-N/kg soil/h) by linear regression of soil solution concentrations, versus time. Nitrification potential was significantly higher at Invermay than at Ballantrae, which was likely due to a significantly lower soil pH at Ballantrae. At Invermay, NP increased with fertiliser-N application rate and in camp site soils. The fertiliser N effect was not observed at Ballantrae. However, soil NO3-N and NP was significantly greater in soils from camp sites than for soils from medium slopes. Best management practices for fertiliser-N application in hill country should make allowances for these factors to maximise farm efficiency and profitability. Keywords: hill country, nitrification potential, nitrogen fertiliser, stock behaviour, excreta-N, mineral-N, New Zealand

Mesocosms Mimic Natural Meadows as regards Greenhouse Gas Fluxes and Potential Activities of Nitrifying and Denitrifying Bacteria

The objective of this study was to determine whether a planted mesocosm mimics a natural habitat in terms of N2O and CH4 fluxes, soil characteristics and potential nitrification and denitrification activities. We compared mesocosms in unchambered open-field plots and in open-top chambers with nonfiltered ambient air with three natural meadows that had similar soil characteristics and species composition. The N2O fluxes in the mesocosms were very similar to the fluxes in the three natural meadows. There were no marked differences in potential nitrification and denitrification activities between the mesocosms and the natural meadows, either. Only the CH4 fluxes differed slightly between the mesocosms and some of the natural meadows. Therefore, it seems that the mesocosms compared rather well to natural habitats. The open-top chambers modified only the soil water content, the values being higher in the unchambered plots than in the chambered plots. These results thus suggest that the open-top chamber experiment enables estimates of greenhouse gas and potential activities of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria in unfertilized Finnish meadows, in spite of the chamber effects on the soil water content.

Soil Microbial Characteristics and Mineral Nitrogen Availability as Affected by Olive Oil Waste Water Applied to Cultivated Soil

Waste disposal is an urgent problem in those Italian areas devoted to olive oil production where a large amount of olive oil waste is produced in a short period of time. Given the high organic matter and macronutrient content of olive oil waste water, its use in agriculture could help to solve the disposal problem and, at the same time, to improve the physiochemical characteristics of intensely cultivated soils. However, olive oil waste water contains noteworthy quantities of phenols, which are toxic and have bacteriostatic activity. The effects of repeated spreading of olive oil waste water on alfalfa, on soil microbial properties, and on the availability of mineral nitrogen were determined. Doses of 0, 80, and 160 m3 ha−1 of olive oil waste water (OW) were spread over experimental plots sown with 3rd year alfalfa. Soil samples were collected at various intervals after OW application. The biomass, respiratory activity, metabolic quotient, mineralization index, and the potential nitrification activity (PNA) of the soil were measured. Polyphenol, organic carbon, and mineral nitrogen contents were measured on the same soil samples. In general, the spreading of OW caused slightly positive modifications to the soil microbial biomass and metabolic quotient. These modifications were temporary and disappeared as early as a few months after the treatment. The PNA, as well as the nitrate and nitrite contents, were lower in the treated plots during the vegetative cycle of alfalfa and after the last harvest, and appeared to be negatively correlated with polyphenols. The results of this experiment confirmed that the spreading of olive oil waste water on cultivated soil could be an eco‐compatible practice. Despite their origin, the OW had no toxic effects on the soil microflora, and in fact, stimulated growth and reproduction of cells. Only the PNA proved to be slightly reduced, but the yield was not negatively affected.

Autotrophic Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria Contribute Minimally to Nitrification in a Nitrogen-Impacted Forested Ecosystem

Deposition rates of atmospheric nitrogenous pollutants to forests in the San Bernardino Mountains range east of Los Angeles, California, are the highest reported in North America. Acidic soils from the west end of the range are N-saturated and have elevated rates of N-mineralization, nitrification, and nitrate leaching. We assessed the impact of this heavy nitrogen load on autotrophic ammonia-oxidizing communities by investigating their composition, abundance, and activity. Analysis of 177 cloned beta-Proteobacteria ammonia oxidizer 16S rRNA genes from highly to moderately N-impacted soils revealed similar levels of species composition; all of the soils supported the previously characterized Nitrosospira clusters 2, 3, and 4. Ammonia oxidizer abundance measured by quantitative PCR was also similar among the soils. However, rates of potential nitrification activity were greater for N-saturated soils than for soils collected from a less impacted site, but autotrophic (i.e., acetylene-sensitive) activity was low in all soils examined. N-saturated soils incubated for 30 days with ammonium accumulated additional soluble ammonium, whereas less-N-impacted soils had a net loss of ammonium. Lastly, nitrite production by cultivated Nitrosospira multiformis, an autotrophic ammonia-oxidizing bacterium adapted to relatively high ammonium concentrations, was significantly inhibited in pH-controlled slurries of sterilized soils amended with ammonium despite the maintenance of optimal ammonia-oxidizing conditions. Together, these results showed that factors other than autotrophic ammonia oxidizers contributed to high nitrification rates in these N-impacted forest soils and, unlike many other environments, differences in nitrogen content and soil pH did not favor particular autotrophic ammonia oxidizer groups.

Preliminary ecotoxicological characterization of a new energetic substance, CL-20

A new energetic substance hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (or CL-20) was tested for its toxicities to various ecological receptors. CL-20 (ε-polymorph) was amended to soil or deionized water to construct concentration gradients. Results of Microtox (15-min contact) and 96-h algae growth inhibition tests indicate that CL-20 showed no adverse effects on the bioluminescence of marine bacteria Vibrio fischeri and the cell density of freshwater green algae Selenastrum capricornutum respectively, up to its water solubility (ca. 3.6 mg l −1). CL-20 and its possible biotransformation products did not inhibit seed germination and early seedling (16–19 d) growth of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa) and perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne) up to 10 000 mg kg −1 in a Sassafras sandy loam soil (SSL). Indigenous soil microorganisms in SSL and a garden soil were exposed to CL-20 for one or two weeks before dehydrogenase activity (DHA) or potential nitrification activity (PNA) were assayed. Results indicate that up to 10 000 mg kg −1 soil of CL-20 had no statistically significant effects on microbial communities measured as DHA or on the ammonium oxidizing bacteria determined as PNA in both soils. Data indicates that CL-20 was not acutely toxic to the species or microbial communities tested and that further studies are required to address the potential long-term environmental impact of CL-20 and its possible degradation products.

Toxicity assessment of contaminated soils from an antitank firing range

Explosives are released into the environment at production and processing facilities, as well as through field use. These compounds may be toxic at relatively low concentrations to a number of ecological receptors. A toxicity assessment was carried out on soils from an explosive-contaminated site at a Canadian Forces Area Training Center. Toxicity studies on soil organisms using endpoints such as microbial processes (potential nitrification activity, dehydrogenase activity, substrate-induced respiration, basal respiration), plant seedling and growth ( Lactuca sativa and Hordeum vulgare), and earthworm ( Eisenia andrei) growth and reproduction were carried out. Results showed that 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazacyclooctane (HMX) was the principal polynitro-organic compound measured in soils. Soils from the contaminated site decreased microbial processes and earthworm reproduction; whereas plant growth was not significantly reduced. Toxicity to aquatic organisms and genotoxicity were also assessed on soil elutriates using Microtox ( Vibrio fischeri), growth inhibition of algae ( Selenastrum capricornutum), and SOS Chromotest ( Escherichia coli). Results indicated that soil elutriates were generally not toxic to bacteria (Microtox) and algae. However, genotoxicity was found in a number of soil elutriate samples. Thus, the explosive-contaminated soils from the antitank firing range may represent a hazard for the soil organisms. Nevertheless, the global toxicity might have partially resulted from HMX as well as from other (not identified) contaminants such as heavy metals.

Effects and bioavailability of 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene in spiked and field‐contaminated soils to indigenous microorganisms

AbstractThe response of potential nitrification activity (PNA), nitrogen‐fixation activity (NFA), and dehydrogenase activity (DHA) in soil to 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT) was assessed. Two garden soils of contrasting texture (sandy loam vs clay loam) were spiked with TNT (25–1,000 mg TNT/kg). Soil microbial activities and TNT residues were analyzed 1 week later. The estimated IC50 (concentration causing 50% inhibition) ranged from 39 to 533 mg/kg of the acetonitrile‐extractable (AE) TNT (1 week after spiking), depending on indicators and soils. The lowest LOEC (lowest‐observed‐effect concentration) was 1 mg AE TNT/kg. Field soil (0–15 cm) was collected from three known contaminated sites in an abandoned TNT manufacturing facility. Microbial toxicity significantly correlated to TNT levels in these soils. The LOEC and NOEC (no‐observed‐effect concentration) values were site and indicator specific, with the lowest LOEC being 1 mg AE TNT/kg and the lowest NOEC being 0.4 mg AE TNT/kg. The IC50 of the pooled field samples was 51 mg AE TNT/kg for PNA or 157 mg AE TNT/kg for DHA. These results indicate that microbial responses were consistent and comparable between the laboratory and the field and that TNT could significantly inhibit soil microbial activities at very low levels. Both AE TNT and deionized water–extractable (DW) TNT concentrations correlated well with microbial toxicity, but AE TNT provided a better evaluation of TNT bioavailability than did DW TNT.

Effects of Salinity on NH 4 + Adsorption Capacity, Nitrification, and Denitrification in Danish Estuarine Sediments

The regulatory effect of salinity on nitrogen dynamics in estuarine sediments was investigated in the Randers Fjord estuary, Denmark, using sediment slurries and intact sediment cores and applying 15N-isotope techniques. Sediment was sampled at three representative stations varying in salinity, and all experiments were run at 0‰, 10‰, 20‰, and 30‰. The sediment NH4 + adsorption capacity decreased markedly at all stations when salinity was increased from 0‰ to 10‰; further increase showed little effect. In situ nitrification and denitrification also decreased with increasing salinities, with the most pronounced reduction of approximately 50% being observed when the salinity was raised from 0‰ to 10‰. The salinity-induced reduction in NH4 + adsorption capacity and stimulation of NH4 + efflux has previously been argued to cause a reduction in nitrification activity since the nitrifying bacteria become limited by NH4 + availability at higher salinities. However, using a potential nitrification assay where NH4 + was added in excess, it was demonstrated that potential nitrification activity also decreased with increasing salinity, indicating that the inhibitory salinity effect may also be a physiological effect on the microorganisms. This hypothesis was supported by the finding that denitrification based on NO3 − from the overlying water (Dw), which is independent of the nitrification process, and hence NH4 + availability, also decreased with increasing salinity. We conclude that changes in salinity have a significant effect on nitrogen dynamics in estuarine sediments, which must be considered when nitrogen transformations are measured and evaluated.