Functional diversity of microorganisms in metal- and alkali-contaminated soils of Central and North-eastern Slovakia

• Published in: Soil and water research Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 32 - 39
• Main Authors: Fazekaš, Juraj, Fazekašová, Danica, Adamišin, Peter, Huličová, Petra, Benková, Eva
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Prague Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) 01.01.2019; Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences
• Subjects: Acidic soils; Air pollution; awcd; Bulk density; Cadmium; Chromium; Copper; Environmental effects; Environmental factors; Extreme values; heavy metal; Heavy metals; Iron; Iron compounds; Iron ores; Laboratory tests; Lead; Magnesite; Magnesium carbonate; Manganese; Mercury; Mercury (metal); Microbial activity; Microorganisms; Mine tailings; Porosity; Quality assessment; Sediment pollution; shannon diversity index; Soil contamination; Soil density; Soil microorganisms; Soil pollution; Soil porosity; soil reaction; Soil remediation; Soils; Zinc; Slovakia
• ISSN: 1801-5395; 1805-9384
• DOI: 10.17221/37/2018-SWR

A field-based study and laboratory tests were undertaken to determine the functional diversity of microorganisms in metal- and alkali-contaminated soils in Central and North-eastern Slovakia where iron ore and magnesite have been mined and processed for a long time. To improve the understanding of the functional diversity of microorganisms, we examined the effects of environmental factors on the functional diversity of microorganisms in metal- and alkali-contaminated soils in the emission field of heaps and tailings impoundments of iron ore mines (Central Spiš) and magnesite factories (Jelšava and Lubeník). Biolog® Eco Plates were used to determine and assess metabolic profiles of microbial communities. The examined area of Central Spiš showed extremely high values of Hg and Cu and the values of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cr exceeding the permissible limit were determined. Soil reaction was extremely acidic to strongly acidic. The Jelšava and Lubeník area was characterized by alkaline contamination and the soil reaction was slightly acidic to strongly alkaline. The values of Cr, Mn, and Mg exceeding the permissible limit were measured there. The results indicate harmful and even toxic contamination. Our results showed that the diversity of microorganisms was different in the investigated areas and it was significantly influenced by environmental factors such as soil reaction, bulk density, porosity, and heavy metals Hg, Pb, Cr, Zn, Cu, Mn and Mg. Based on the results of the Shannon index, we can conclude that the diversity was low to moderate (2.5–3.3) and medium (3.3–4.0). Correlations between functional diversity of microorganisms and soil reaction, Hg, Cr, and Cu were determined. Our findings are decisive for understanding the microbial diversity in metal- and alkali-contaminated soils and they can be used to assess the quality and health of soil, as well as for scientific applications of remediation techniques.