Chemical and microbial properties in contaminated soils around a magnesite mine in northeast China

D Yang; D-H Zeng; Jianwei Zhang; L-J Li; R. Mao

doi:10.1002/ldr.1077

Treesearch

Chemical and microbial properties in contaminated soils around a magnesite mine in northeast China

Formally Refereed

Authors:

D Yang, D-H Zeng, Jianwei Zhang, L-J Li, R. Mao

Year:

2012

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Pacific Southwest Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.1077

Source:

Land Degradation & Development 23:256-262

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Abstract

We measured soil chemical and microbial properties at a depth of 0–20 cm among mine tailings, abandoned mined land, contaminated cropland, and uncontaminated cropland around a magnesite mine near Haicheng City, Liaoning Province, China. The objective was to clarify the impact of Mg on the soils. We found that soluble Mg²⁺ concentration and pH were significantly higher in contaminated soils (266–345 mg kg^-1 and 9.9-10.3, respectively) than in uncontaminated soils (140 mg kg^-1 and 7.1, respectively). Soil nutrients (total N, total P, mineral N, available P and soluble Ca) and microbial biomass C and N decreased as pH and soluble Mg²⁺ concentration increased. In addition, an increase of microbial metabolic quotient and a decrease of N mineralization rate were found in contaminated soils. Soluble Mg²⁺/Ca²⁺ ratios in contaminated soils were 3.5–8.9 times higher than in uncontaminated soils. Our results indicate that soil contamination in such magnesite mine regions is characterized by high pH, Mg²⁺ concentration and soluble Mg²⁺/Ca²⁺ ratio, and low microbial activity and N and P availability. Future soil amelioration in the magnesite regions should consider applying acid ameliorants to neutralize high pH and applying calcareous ameliorants to increase Ca²⁺ concentration.

Keywords

Magnesium dust, soil contamination, soil microbial activity, soil microbial biomass, Northeast China, soil chemistry

Citation

Yang, D; Zeng, D-H; Zhang, J; Li, L-J; Mao, R. 2012. Chemical and microbial properties in contaminated soils around a magnesite mine in northeast China. Land Degradation & Development 23:256-262.