Microbial properties of soil aggregates created by earthworms and other factors: spherical and prismatic soil aggregates from unreclaimed post-mining sites

0360622 - BC 2012 RIV CZ eng J - Journal Article
Frouz, J. - Krištůfek, Václav - Livečková, M. - van Loo, D. - Jacobs, P. - van Hoorebeke, L.
Microbial properties of soil aggregates created by earthworms and other factors: spherical and prismatic soil aggregates from unreclaimed post-mining sites.
Folia Microbiologica. Roč. 56, č. 1 (2011), s. 36-43. ISSN 0015-5632. E-ISSN 1874-9356
R&D Projects: GA MŠMT LC06066; GA MŠMT 2B08023; GA AV ČR 1QS600660505
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60660521
Keywords : microbial properties * earthworms * spherical and prismatic soil aggregates
Subject RIV: EH - Ecology, Behaviour
Impact factor: 0.677, year: 2011

Soil aggregates between 2 and 5 mm from 35- and 45-year-old unreclaimed post-mining sites near Sokolov (Czech Republic) were divided into two groups: spherical and prismatic. X-ray tomography indicated that prismatic aggregates consisted of fragments of claystone bonded together by amorphous clay and roots while spherical aggregates consisted of a clay matrix and organic fragments of various size. Prismatic aggregates were presumed to be formed by plant roots and physical processes during weathering of Tertiary mudstone, while earthworms were presumed to contribute to the formation of spherical aggregates. The effects of drying and rewetting and glucose addition on microbial respiration, microbial biomass, and counts of bacteria in these aggregates were determined. Spherical aggregates contained a greater percentage of C and N and a higher C-to-N ratio than prismatic ones. The C content of the particulate organic matter was also higher in the spherical than in the prismatic aggregates.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0198131