Soil microbial component and its respiratory activity in coniferous forests of the Northwest Priladozhje area

Abstract

The microbial biomass carbon (Cmic) by substrate-induced respiration method (SIR), the basal (microbial) respiration rate (BR) and the metabolic quotient (qCO2 = BR / Cmic) were calculated from samples of plant litter and mineral layers of forest soils (Podburs, Sod-podburs, Gleyzems, Litozems) of four catenas of northern and southern exposure of selgovy landscape in the Northwest Priladozhje area. Sample sites were located at different distances (300, 500 and 2000 m) from a source of aerotechnogenic pollution (a granite quarry). High levels of biogenecity were found in plant litter, low ones in corresponding mineral layers of the soil profile in the pine forests examined. Soils of accumulative parts of the landscape were characterized by higher Cmic and BR compared to transit and autonomic ones. The impact of aerotechnogenic pollution from the granite quarry on soil microbial component was found, it was expressed by decreased Cmic and BR mainly in forest plant litter. Refs 13. Fig. 1. Tables 6.