Effects of divalent metal chlorides on respiration and extractable enzymatic activities of douglas-fir needle litter

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · J. Environ. Qual.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1979.00472425000800010023x· OSTI ID:5473210

Spalding, B P

The rates of CO/sub 2/ evolution from Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii )Mirb.) Franco) needle litter, following application of divalent metal (Hg, Cd, Pb, Ni, Zn, and Cu) chlorides at rates of 10, 100, and 1000 ..mu..g/g and Ca chloride at 7, 68, and 683 ..mu..g/g, were monitored at 2- to 3-day intervals for 4 weeks; extractable enzymatic activities were also measured on additional samples at 1 day, 2, and 4 weeks following treatment. All metals except Pb inhibited respiration when applied at the highest level. Cellulase activity was depressed by treatments of 1000 ..mu..g/g of either Hg or Cd after 4 weeks but was not affected initially (1 day after). After 4 weeks, xylanase activity was also depressed by the 1000-..mu..g/g Hg treatment. Apparently these enzymatic activities declined due to decreased enzyme synthesis associated with inhibited microbial growth rather than by direct enzymatic inhibition. Although addition of Hg or Cu chlorides directly to litter extracts caused marked inhibition of most enzymatic activities, equivalent levels, when applied to the needle litter, produced no inhibitions in extracts after 1 day, except for invertase activity. Invertase activity was depressed at all intervals and ..beta..-glucosidase activity was elevated at all intervals by Hg at the 1000-..mu..g/g level. The level of extractable ninhydrin-reactive compounds was elevated by this Hg treatment at all intervals similar to the effect of fumigation of soil or litter. Regardless of treatment, cellulase and xylanase activities were correlated (r = 0.70, n = 192).

• Research Organization: Corvallis Environmental Research Center, OR
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5473210
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States) Vol. 8:1; ISSN JEVQA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIODEGRADATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
CADMIUM CHLORIDES
CADMIUM COMPOUNDS
CADMIUM HALIDES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CELLULASES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHLORIDES
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
COPPER
DECOMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
ENZYME ACTIVITY
ENZYMES
FOREST LITTER
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROLASES
LEAD CHLORIDES
LEAD COMPOUNDS
LEAD HALIDES
LEAVES
MATERIALS
MERCURY CHLORIDES
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
MERCURY HALIDES
METALS
NICKEL CHLORIDES
NICKEL COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RESPIRATION
TIME DEPENDENCE
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
XYLANASES
ZINC CHLORIDES
ZINC COMPOUNDS
ZINC HALIDES