Article

Effects of uranium on soil microbial biomass carbon, enzymes, plant biomass and microbial diversity in yellow soils

¹ Southwest University of Science and Technology Mianyang, Sichuan 621000, P.R. China.
² College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qiqihar University, Heilongjiang 161006, P.R. China.
³ Fisheries environmental monitoring station, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang 161006, P.R. China.

^* m13836295186@163.com

Received: 3 October 2015
Accepted: 14 June 2016

Abstract

We conducted an experiment to investigate the effects of uranium (U) on soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), enzymes, plant biomass and microbial diversity in yellow soils under three concentrations: 0 mg kg^-1 (T1, control), 30 mg kg^-1 (T2) and 60 mg kg^-1 (T3). Under each treatment, elevated U did not reduce soil MBC or plant biomass, but inhibited the activity of the soil enzymes urease (UR), dehydrogenase (DH) and phosphatase (PHO). The microbial diversity was different, with eight dominant phyla in T1 and six in T2 and T3. Furthermore, Proteobacteria and material X were both detected in each treatment site (T1, T2 and T3). Pseudomonas sp. was the dominant strain, followed by Acidiphilium sp. This initial study provided valuable data for further research toward a better understanding of U contamination in yellow soils in China.