Showing papers by "Jan Kucharski published in 2006"

The effects of copper on soil biochemical properties and its interaction with other heavy metals

Abstract: The effect of soil contamination with copper on soil biochemical properties and oat yields was assessed in a pot experiment. Copper was applied alone or in combination with other heavy metals. The study was conducted on samples of brown soil consisting of heavy loamy sand and brown soil developed from light silty clay. On days 28 and 56 of the experiment the following were determined: activity of dehydrogenases, urease, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase in soil as well as oat yields. Contamination of soil with copper, zinc, nickel, lead, cadmium and chromium in concentrations of 50 mg kg-1 was found to have a negative influence on the activity of dehydrogenases, urease, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and yield of oats. The soil enzymes can be arranged in terms of their sensitivity to heavy metals as follows: dehydrogenases > urease > alkaline phosphatase > acid phosphatase. Higher activity of dehydrogenases was determined in brown soil developed from heavy loamy sand, while urease, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase were more active in brown soil formed from light silty clay. The contamination of copper with other heavy metals was inhibited in heavy loamy sand more than in light silty clay.

Application of the Activity of Soil Enzymes in the Evaluation of Soil Contamination by Diesel Oil

Abstract: A pot experiment was undertaken to investigate the effect of soil contamination with diesel oil, used at doses of 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 g kg -1 , on the activity of dehydrogenases, urease, acid phosphatase and alka line phosphatase. An attempt was also made to reduce the negative effects of diesel oil on the biochemical activity of soil by its fertilization with finely ground pinewood sawdust and urea. Enzymatic activity was determined on days 14, 58 and 108 of the experiment. The experiment demonstrated that soil contamination with diesel oil at amounts from 3 to 24 mg kg -1

Activity of enzymes in zinc contaminated soil

Abstract: The aim of the study has been to determine the effect of soil contamination with zinc on the activity of soil enzymes The study consisted of two laboratory experiments Same, light loamy soil of pH 71, was used in both experiments The variables in the first experiment were: a degree of soil contamination with zinc in mg Zn kg -1 dm of soil: 0, 5, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000; dose of cellulose in g kg -1 dm of soil: 0, 15, and time of soil incubation (15 – 120 days) In the second experiment the following variables were tested: the degree of soil contamination with zinc in mg Zn kg -1 dm of soil: 0, 1000 and 2000; soil pH: 71, 64

Microbiological activity of zinc-contaminated soils

Abstract: Heavy metals, e.g. zinc, present in soil in excessive quantities become quite persistent contami- nants. Thus, they differ from organic pollutants, which can be degraded, to a various degree, by microorganisms. Although the accumulation of heavy metals by microorganisms is widespread, this phenomenon has not been thoroughly investigated. Tolerance limits are not uniform and depend on the biodiversity and duration of ambient concentration, as well as on the physicochemical properties of soil, soil structure, organic matter content, pH and sorptive complex capacity. Soil contamination is more and more frequently assessed with biological methods, by testing for example the activity of soil enzymes. Such assays, however, can be used to evaluate the quality of soils contaminated with heavy metals, but are less useful for testing soils polluted with organic compounds.