Evidence of rich microbial communities in the subsoil of a boreal acid sulphate soil conducive to greenhouse gas emissions

0360521 - BC 2012 RIV NL eng J - Journal Article
Šimek, Miloslav - Virtanen, S. - Krištůfek, Václav - Simojoki, A. - Yli-Halla, M.
Evidence of rich microbial communities in the subsoil of a boreal acid sulphate soil conducive to greenhouse gas emissions.
Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. Roč. 140, 1-2 (2011), s. 113-122. ISSN 0167-8809. E-ISSN 1873-2305
R&D Projects: GA ČR GA526/09/1570; GA MŠMT LC06066
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60660521
Keywords : acid sulphate soil * microorganisms * carbon
Subject RIV: EH - Ecology, Behaviour
Impact factor: 3.004, year: 2011

The largest areas of acid sulphate (AS) soils in Europe are located in Finland, where 67,000-130,000 ha of AS soils are in agricultural use. In addition to their acidifying effects on waters, AS soils might be a significant source of greenhouse gases. In this pilot research, carbon and nitrogen content and microbial activity were studied in an AS and a non-AS soil. Large carbon and nitrogen stocks (110 Mg C_orgha^-1 and 15 Mg N_totha^-1) as well as high substrate induced respiration (33 µg CO₂-Cg^-1h^-1) were found in the C horizons of the AS soil but not in the non-AS soil. High microbial activity in these horizons of the AS soil was further confirmed by the measurement of dehydrogenase activity, basal respiration, the numbers of culturable bacterial cells, and the ratio of culturable to total numbers of cells.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0198043