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Effects of depleted uranium on decomposition and soil bacterial communities

Conference ·
OSTI ID:455296
; ;  [1]
  1. Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, CO (United States). Center for Ecological Risk Assessment and Management
A soil microcosm experiment was used to analyze effects of depleted uranium on soil community function. Uranium treatment levels were 0, 50, 500, 5,000, 10,000, and 25,000 ppm. Decomposition was followed through measurement of mass loss of several different plant litter types, as well as through analysis of soil respiration. Litter types tested were lignin, cellulose, and both high-nitrogen and low-nitrogen grass. Functional diversity of soil bacteria was assessed using the BIOLOG system of sole carbon source utilization. There was a significant reduction in litter decomposition at the 25,000 ppm level versus the control for all litter types except the high-nitrogen grass. Changes in functional diversity of the soil bacterial communities were more pronounced. Changes were observed both in terms of the number of carbon sources utilized, as well as in the intensity of utilization.
OSTI ID:
455296
Report Number(s):
CONF-961149--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English