Effect of heavy metals on the denitrification process in soil
The effect of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn on denitrification of three Pseudomonas species in a liquid culture medium (Giltay) and in autoclaved soil, as well as on the denitrifying activity of native soil, was investigated. In Giltay medium, Cd in concentrations starting at 50 ..mu..g/ml strongly inhibited growth and denitrification of an unidentified Pseudomonas sp., P. aeruginosa, and P. denitrificans, while Zn and Pb did not influence the denitrifying activity even up to 500 ..mu..g/ml. Cu at 50 ..mu..g/ml inhibited denitrification of P. aeruginosa and the unidentified Pseudomonas sp.; however, it had no influence on P. denitrificans. When the three bacteria were inoculated into autoclaved soil their reaction to Cd and Cu was similar to that in Giltay medium, but the accumulation of nitrite was considerably higher. Zn, which showed no effect in the liquid medium at 500 ..mu..g/ml, inhibited the dentrifying activity of all bacteria in the soil at this concentration. Denitrification in native (nonautoclaved) soil was also inhibited by the addition of increasing amounts of heavy metals. This was indicated by an accumulation of nitrite and nitrous oxide which appeared to a lesser degree and for a shorter time period in nontreated samples.
- Research Organization:
- Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park
- OSTI ID:
- 5732347
- Journal Information:
- J. Environ. Qual.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Qual.; (United States) Vol. 8:2; ISSN JEVQA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
550700 -- Microbiology
560302* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Microorganisms-- (-1987)
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BACTERIA
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CADMIUM
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COPPER
DATA
DATA COMPILATION
DATA FORMS
DENITRIFICATION
ELEMENTS
INFORMATION
INHIBITION
LEAD
METABOLISM
METALS
MICROORGANISMS
NITRITES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
NITROUS OXIDE
NUMERICAL DATA
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SOILS
TABLES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
ZINC