Microbial effects

Conference · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Am. Assoc. Adv. Sci., Symp.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6094886

Lamborg, M R; Hardy, R W.F.; Paul, E A

The postulated doubling of atmospheric CO/sub 2/ is not likely to have direct effect on soil microbial activity because during the growing season, the concentration of CO/sub 2/ in the soil atmosphere is already ten to fifty times higher than existing atmospheric CO/sub 2/. Based on all available experimental information, it is estimated that a doubling of atmospheric CO/sub 2/ will cause an increase in primary productivity of 10 to 40% depending on locale. The increase in biomass will, in turn, produce a limitation of available soil nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus. Increased organic carbon together with nitrogen and/or phosphorus limitation will result in a preferential increase in nitrogen fixation and mycorrhizal activities as the expedient means for supplying required nutrients to sustain the predicted increase in primary productivity. Therefore, increased emphasis should be placed on fundamental research related to soil microbiology with special reference to nitrogen-fixing, nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria, and to the mycorrhizal fungi. 111 references, 2 figures.

• Research Organization: C.F. Kettering Research Lab., Yellow Springs, OH
• OSTI ID: 6094886
• Report Number(s): CONF-8205274-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Adv. Sci., Symp.; (United States)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560302* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Microorganisms-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AGRICULTURE
AIR POLLUTION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
DESIGN
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
INDUSTRY
MICROORGANISMS
NITROGEN FIXATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SOILS