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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #184675
Title: MICROBIAL PROPERTIES AS AFFECTED BY IN-SITU PHOSPHATE TREATMENTS IN LEAD-CONTAMINATED URBAN SOILS

Author
item HOILETT, NIGEL - UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
item YANG, JOHN - LINCOLN UNIVERSITY
item Kremer, Robert
item ANDERSON, STEPHEN - UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
item EIVAZI, FRIEDA - LINCOLN UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/15/2005
Publication Date: 10/28/2005
Citation: Hoilett, N.O., Yang, J., Kremer, R.J., Anderson, S.H., Frieda, E. 2005. Microbial properties as affected by in-situ phosphate treatments in lead-contaminated urban soils [abstract] [CD-ROM]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting. Nov. 6-10, 2005, Salt Lake City, UT.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Application of soluble phosphates is emerging as a cost-effective remediation technique for immobilizing Pb and reducing the risk of contaminated soil. The impact of the phosphate treatment on soil microbial communities that sustain the terrestrial ecosystem and soil productivity is largely unknown and has been insufficiently evaluated. This study was conducted to assess the alteration of soil microbial properties induced by in situ phosphate treatments in Pb-contaminated soil under field conditions. Soil samples (0 to 10-cm depth) were collected from contaminated urban sites in the Jasper County, Missouri Superfund Site that were treated with phosphoric acid using three methods of application: surface applied; pressurized injection; and incorporation with roto-tilling,. The samples were collected periodically after phosphoric acid treatment and characterized for microbial biomass by total organic carbon (TOC) and enzyme activity by acid/alkaline phosphatase assays. Total organic carbon (TOC) gradually increased over time regardless of treatment, with a slightly more rapid increase for the treated over the control (78% vs. 60%). Enzymatic activity measured had a trend similar to TOC, with a higher increase for the treated than the control (15% vs. 13%) over a two-year sampling period. Results suggest that reduction of soil Pb risk can be achieved by phosphate treatments without significant alteration of soil microbial growth and activity.