Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of heavy metals on microorganisms in soils near a secondary lead smelter

  • Published:
Water, Air, and Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Soil samples were collected to a depth of 0 to 10 cm from several sites near a secondary Pb smelter during the summer of 1976 in order to determine heavy metal concentrations of soil and enumerate soil microorganisms and earthworms. Chemical analyses indicated that abnormally high concentrations of Pb, As, Cd, and Cu decreased with increasing distance from the source and population counts of bacteria, actinomyces, fungi, nematodes and earthworms increased with increasing distance from the smelter. The negative correlation coefficients between bacteria, actinomyces, fungi, and nematodes and the level of Pb, As, Cd, and Cu in the soil were statistically significant. The microflora of the contaminated soil was altered and the marked quantitative reduction or elimination of organisms were attributable to heavy metal pollution emission from the secondary Pb smelter.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ashida, J.: 1965, Annual Rev. of Phytopathology 3, 153.

    Google Scholar 

  • Babich, H. and Stotzky, G.: 1977, Appl. Environ. Microbial. 33, 1059.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bisessar, S.: 1979, unpublished data.

  • Brock, J. D.: 1969, Symposium Soc., Gen., Microbial. 19th, 15.

  • Carter, G. A. and Wain, R. L.: 1964, Ann. Appl. Biol. 53, 291.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, A. J. and Shepherd, A. M.: 1966, Ann. Appl. Biol. 58, 497.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gingel, S. M., Campbell, R., and Martin, M. H.: 1976, Environ. Pollut. 11, 25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodey, J. B.: 1957, Laboratory Methods for Work with Plant and Soil Nematodes, Ministry Agr. Fisheries and Food Tech. Bull. No. 2.

  • Hartman, L. M.: 1974, Am. J. Bot. 61 (Supplement No. 5), 23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Horsfall, J. G.: 1956, Principles of Fungicidal Action, Waltham, Mass., U.S.A. Chronica Botanica.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huisingh, D.: 1974, Annual Rev. Phytopath. 12, 375.

    Google Scholar 

  • Linzon, S. N., Chai, B. L., Temple, R. J., Pearson, R. G., and Smith, M. L.: 1976, J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc. 26, 650.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, I. S.: 1975, Trans. Br. Mycol. Soc. 64, 175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, W. H.: 1977, Microb. Ecol. 3, 231.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, W. H., Staskawicz, B. J., and Harkov, R. S.: 1978, Trans. Br. Mycol. Soc. 70, 29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Somers, E.: 1961, Ann. Appl. Biol. 49, 246.

    Google Scholar 

  • Temple, P. J., Linzon, S. N., and Chai, B. L.: 1977, Environ. Pollut. 12, 311.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vijan, D. N. and Wood, G. R.: 1974, Atomic Absorp. Newsl. 13, 33.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Phytotoxicology Section, Air Resources Branch Ontario Ministry of the Environment, 880 Bay Street, MSS 1Z8, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    S. Bisessar

Authors
  1. S. Bisessar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bisessar, S. Effect of heavy metals on microorganisms in soils near a secondary lead smelter. Water Air Soil Pollut 17, 305–308 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00283160

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00283160

Keywords

Search

Navigation