Impact of heavy metals on bacterial communities from mangrove soils of the Mahanadi Delta (India)

Behera, BC and Mishra, RR and Patra, JK and Sarangi, K and Dutta, SK and Thatoi, HN (2013) Impact of heavy metals on bacterial communities from mangrove soils of the Mahanadi Delta (India). In: CHEMISTRY AND ECOLOGY, 29 (7). pp. 604-619.

PDF Che_And_Eco_29-7_604_2013.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (666kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

This study aimed to assess soil nutrient status and heavy metal content and their impact on the predominant soil bacterial communities of mangroves of the Mahanadi Delta. Mangrove soil of the Mahanadi Delta is slightly acidic and the levels of soil nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous and potash vary with season and site. The seasonal average concentrations (g/g) of various heavy metals were in the range: 14810-63370 (Fe), 2.8-32.6 (Cu), 13.4-55.7 (Ni), 1.8-7.9 (Cd), 16.6-54.7 (Pb), 24.4-132.5 (Zn) and 13.3-48.2 (Co). Among the different heavy metals analysed, Co, Cu and Cd were above their permissible limits, as prescribed by Indian Standards (Co=17g/g, Cu=30 g/g, Cd=3-6 g/g), indicating pollution in the mangrove soil. A viable plate count revealed the presence of different groups of bacteria in the mangrove soil, i.e. heterotrophs, free-living N-2 fixers, nitrifyers, denitrifyers, phosphate solubilisers, cellulose degraders and sulfur oxidisers. Principal component analysis performed using multivariate statistical methods showed a positive relationship between soil nutrients and microbial load. Whereas metal content such as Cu, Co and Ni showed a negative impact on some of the studied soil bacteria.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	CHEMISTRY AND ECOLOGY
Publisher:	TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Additional Information:	copyright for this article belongs to TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Keywords:	bacterial community; heavy metals; mangrove ecosystem; soil nutrients
Department/Centre:	Division of Biological Sciences > Centre for Ecological Sciences
Date Deposited:	30 Nov 2013 13:23
Last Modified:	30 Nov 2013 13:23
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/47848

Actions (login required)

View Item