The Influence of Nitrogen on the Biological Properties of Soil Contaminated with Zinc

Abstract

This study analyzed the relationship between nitrogen fertilization and the biological properties of soil contaminated with zinc. The influence of various concentrations of zinc and nitrogen on the microbiological and biochemical activity of soil was investigated. In a laboratory experiment, loamy sand with pHKCl 5.6 was contaminated with zinc (ZnCl2) and fertilized with urea as a source of nitrogen. The activity of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, urease and β-glucosidase, and microbial counts were determined in soil samples after 2 and 20 weeks of incubation. Zinc generally stimulated hydrolase activity, but the highest zinc dose (1250 mg kg−1) led to the inhibition of hydrolases. Nitrogen was not highly effective in neutralizing zinc’s negative effect on enzyme activity, but it stimulated the growth of soil-dwelling microorganisms. The changes in soil acidity observed after the addition of urea modified the structure of microbial communities.

Dissolved carbon and nitrogen release from deadwood of different tree species in various stages of decomposition

“…Also N is released during deadwood decomposition, and it is transferred to the soil (Yang et al 2010). The nitrogen stimulates the growth of soil microorganisms (Strachel et al 2017) and it can affect the structure and composition of soil microbial communities (Yan et al 2017). The C and N dynamics in decomposing of deadwood are species specific (Palviainen et al 2008).…”

The Role of Compost in Stabilizing the Microbiological and Biochemical Properties of Zinc-Stressed Soil

“…Zinc belongs to the elements involved in various biological processes. However, from an ecological point of view, excessive amounts of this element result in a number of adverse effects (Wyszkowska et al 2013 ; Wyszkowska et al 2017 ; Strachel et al 2017a ; Strachel et al 2017b ).…”

Microbial Biomass and Enzymatic Activity of Major Cropping Systems in Soils of Inceptisols and Vertisols at Northern Telangana

“…Soil available nitrogen content in soil had positive influence on urease activity. With higher the content of nitrogen in soil more will be the urease activity, such results were also found with [22,23,24]. Relationship between urease with available nitrogen content was positively correlated (Y=26.80 X + 128.2; R 2 =0.499), is shown in the Fig.…”

“…In cropping systems, rice-rice (CS 1 ) has maintained higher amount of urease activity followed by CS 2 > CS 4 > CS 3 with the activity of 3.84, 3.62, 2.41 and 1.92 µg NH 4 -N g -1 hr -1 respectively. Biogenic elements were more in rice-rice cropping system compared to other systems [22] which helps in increase of microbial properties, such as urease [22,23,24] Urease participate in ammonification, during which ammonia is released from urea, amino acids, and purine bases. Soil fertility and productivity depend on soil organic matter, which is a reserve of nutrients and is very important in nutrient cycling [25] as well as improves soil physical, chemical, and biological properties [26].…”

“…1. Nitrogen stimulates soil microorganisms which produce more soil enzymes when biogenic elements become more available [22]. As urease is the enzyme that catalyzes hydrolysis of urea to CO 2 and NH 3 , which is a vital process in the regulation of N supply to plants after urea fertilization [28].…”