Spatial and temporal variability of microbes in selected soils at the Nevada Test Site
Large areas encompassing almost 800 hectares on the Nevada Test Site, Nellis Air Force Range and the Tonopah Test Range are contaminated with plutonium. Decontamination of plutonium from these sites may involve removal of plants and almost 370,000 cubic meters of soil. The soil may be subjected to a series of processes to remove plutonium. After decontamination, the soils will be returned to the site and revegetated. There is a paucity of information on the spatial and temporal distribution of microbes in soils of the Mojave and Great Basin Deserts. Therefore, this study was initiated to determine the biomass and diversity of microbes in soils prior to decontamination. Soils were collected to a depth of 10 cm along each of five randomly located 30-m transects at each of four sites. To ascertain spatial differences, soils were collected from beneath major shrubs and from associated interspaces. Soils were collected every three to four months to determine temporal (seasonal) differences in microbial parameters. Soils from beneath shrubs generally had greater active fungi and bacteria, and greater non-amended respiration than soils from interspaces. Temporal variability also was found; total and active fungi, and non-amended respiration were correlated with soil moisture at the time of sampling. Information from this study will aid in determining the effects of plutonium decontamination on soil microorganisms, and what measures, if any, will be required to restore microbial populations during revegetation of these sites.
- Research Organization:
- EG and G Energy Measurements, Inc., Las Vegas, NV (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC08-93NV11265
- OSTI ID:
- 10159127
- Report Number(s):
- EGG-11265-2032; CONF-9310276-9; ON: DE94013568
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 8. wildland shrub and arid land restoration symposium,Las Vegas, NV (United States),19-21 Oct 1993; Other Information: PBD: [1993]
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
NEVADA TEST SITE
REMEDIAL ACTION
SOILS
DECONTAMINATION
BIOLOGICAL RECOVERY
MICROORGANISMS
PLUTONIUM
ECOSYSTEMS
SAMPLING
MOISTURE
BIOMASS
ZONES
BACTERIA
FUNGI
RESPIRATION
054000
540230
550700
HEALTH AND SAFETY
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS MONITORING AND TRANSPORT
MICROBIOLOGY