Abstract
LITTER decomposition and soil enzymatic activity in forests surrounding metal-processing industries are influenced by high concentrations of deposited heavy metals1–2. Very little seems to be known about the effects of heavy metal pollution on nitrogen mineralisation rates in natural soils. Reports on nitrogen mineralisation and nitrification rates after addition of heavy metal salts to mineral soils are not quite unanimous3–6. There is evidence, however, that the ammonification rate of some vineyard soils is retarded by accumulated Cu7. I have determined the relationship between nitrogen mineralisation rate and the degree of Cu and Zn pollution in conifer forest soils, and found that soil nitrogen mineralisation is impaired by industrial metal pollution. I also conclude that a Cu and Zn concentration of three times the background level is sufficient to bring about a measurable disturbance of the nitrogen mineralisation rate.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Prices vary by article type
from$1.95
to$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Rühling, Å, and Tyler, G., Oikos, 24, 402–416 (1973).
Tyler, G., Pl. Soil, 41, 303–311 (1974).
Quraishi, M. S., and Cornfield, A. H., Pl. Soil, 35, 51–55 (1971).
Quraishi, M. S. I., and Cornfield, A. H., Environ. Pollut., 4, 159–163 (1973).
Sandhu, M. S., and Moraghan, J. T., Communs Soil Sci. Pl. Anal., 3, 439–447 (1972).
Tyler, G., Mörnsjö, B., and Nilsson, B., Pl. Soil, 40, 237–242 (1974).
Baroux, J., C.r. hebd. Séanc. Acad. Sci. Paris, D 275, 499–502 (1972).
Hoffmann, G., and Teicher, K., Z. Pfl. Ernähr., Düng. Bodenk., 95, 55–63 (1962).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
TYLER, G. Heavy metal pollution and mineralisation of nitrogen in forest soils. Nature 255, 701–702 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/255701a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/255701a0
This article is cited by
-
Coronilla juncea, a native candidate for phytostabilization of potentially toxic elements and restoration of Mediterranean soils
Scientific Reports (2022)
-
Experimentally induced effects of heavy metal on microbial activity and community structure of forest mor layers
Biology and Fertility of Soils (2007)
-
Microbial populations and enzyme activity in soil treated with heavy metals
Water, Air, & Soil Pollution (1997)
-
Einfluß chemischer Kontaminanten (insbesondere Schwermetalle) auf die Bodenorganismen und ihre ökologisch bedeutenden Aktivitäten
Umweltwissenschaften und Schadstoff-Forschung (1995)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.