Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Assessing Biological Impacts of Land Reclamation in a Mining Region in Canada: Effects of Dolomitic Lime Applications on Forest Ecosystems and Microbial Phospholipid Fatty Acid Signatures

  • Published:
Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The ability of an ecosystem to withstand serious disturbances may depend in part on the diversity of the system, with soil microbiological communities being coupled to their associated vegetation. The main objectives of the present study were (1) to determine the association between soil microbial diversity, abundance, and activities with diversity and sustainability of remediated mining-damaged ecosystems in Northern Ontario, and (2) to assess the effects of dolomitic lime applications on aboveground and belowground biodiversity and community structures. Results revealed that liming increases soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), forest tree species diversity and abundance, and the overall ecosystem health even 25 to 35 years after dolomite applications. The mean Shannon index value was significantly higher in limed compared to unlimed sites. Tree species richness was 4.0, 6.0, and 7.7 for unlimed, limed, and reference sites, respectively. Overall, the mean health index revealed a significant improvement in population health in limed sites (index score = 7) compared to unlimed areas (index score = 4). Soil microbial biomass and respiration were also increased by liming. Surprisingly, the main component of soil microbial biomass in limed, unlimed, and reference sites within the vicinity of the restored lands was bacteria (mostly Gram (−). Significant difference was also observed between limed, unlimed, and reference sites for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Gram (−) bacteria, Gram (+) bacteria, anaerobe, and actinomycetes abundance. The ratios between fungi and bacteria and among other phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) measures were extremely low suggesting that the targeted region is still under environmental stress. No apparent associations among soil microbial biomass, soil respiration, and forest plant diversity or abundance were observed. Soil pH levels and organic matter amounts and quality appear to be the main factors affecting these parameters. Molecular analysis of main tree species within the impacted region revealed no change in genetic variation among plant populations on either limed or unlimed lands contaminated with metals over two generations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amiro, B. D., & Courtin, G. M. (1981). Patterns of vegetation in the vicinity of an industrially disturbed ecosystem Sudbury Ontario Canada. Canadian Journal of Botany, 59(9), 1623–1639.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, J. P. E., & Domsch, K. H. (1978). A physiological method for the quantitative measurement of microbial biomass in soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 10(3), 215–221.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aubin, I. (2012). From seed size to ecosystem health: the plant trait approach. Frontline Express, 57(57).

  • Baath, E., Frostegard, A., Pennanen, T., & Fritze, H. (1995). Microbial community structure and pH response in relation to soil organic matter quality in wood-ash fertilized, clear-cut or burned coniferous forest soils. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 27(2), 229–240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bardgett, R., Jones, A., Jones, D., Kemmitt, S., Cook, R., & Hobbs, P. (2001). Soil microbial community patterns related to the history and intensity of grazing in sub-montane ecosystems. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 33(12–13), 1653–1664.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bornet, B., & Branchard, M. (2004). Use of ISSR fingerprints to detect microsatellites and genetic diversity in several related Brassica taxa and Arabidopsis thaliana. Hereditas, 140(3), 245–248.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Buyer, J. S., & Sasser, M. (2012). High throughput phospholipid fatty acid analysis of soils. Applied Soil Ecology, 61, 127–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cannon, P. F. (1999). Options and constraints in rapid diversity analysis of fungi in natural ecosystems. Fungal Diversity, 2, 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carter, M. R. (1993). Soil sampling and methods of analysis. Boca Raton: Lewis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, R. K., & Warwick, R. (2001). A further biodiversity index applicable to species lists: variation in taxonomic distinctness. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 216, 265–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dobrzeniecka, S., Nkongolo, K. K., Michael, P., Mehes-Smith, M., & Beckett, P. (2011). Genetic analysis of black spruce (Picea Mariana) populations from dry and wet areas of a metal-contaminated region in Ontario (Canada). Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 215(1–4), 117–125.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Doyle, J. J., & Doyle, J. L. (1987). A rapid DNA isolation procedure for small quantities of fresh leaf tissue. Phytochemical Bulletin, 19, 11–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drenovsky, R. E., Grewell, B. J., D'Antonio, C. M., Funk, J. L., James, J. J., Molinari, N., Parker, I. M., & Richards, C. L. (2012). A functional trait perspective on plant invasion. Annals of Botany, 110(1), 141–153.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dudka, S., Ponce-Hernandez, R., Tate, G., & Hutchinson, T. C. (1996). Forms of Cu, Ni and Zn in soil of Sudbury, Ontario and the metal concentrations in plants. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 90(3–4), 531–542.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frostegard, A., Baath, E., & Tunlid, A. (1993). Shifts in the structure of soil microbial communities in limed forests as revealed by phospholipid fatty acid analysis. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 28(1), 55–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frostegard, A., Tunlid, A., & Baath, E. (1996). Changes in microbial community structure during long-term incubation in two soils experimentally contaminated with metals. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 25(6), 723–730.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goupil, K., & Nkongolo, K. (2014). Assessing soil respiration as an indicator of soil microbial activity in reclaimed metal contaminated lands. American Journal of Environmental Sciences, 10, 403–411.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gratton, W., Nkongolo, K., & Spiers, G. (2000). Heavy metal accumulation in soil and jack pine (Pinus banksiana) needles in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 64(4), 550–557.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hackl, E., Pfeffer, M., Donat, C., Bachmann, G., & Zechmeister-Boltenstern, S. (2005). Composition of the microbial communities in the mineral soil under different types of natural forest. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 37(4), 661–671.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hendershot, W. H., Lalande, H., & Duquette, M. (2000). Ion exchange and exchangeable cations. In M. R. Carter & E. G. Gregorich (Eds.), Soil sampling and methods of analysis (2nd ed).

  • Kaur, A., Chaudhary, A., Kaur, A., Choudhary, R., & Kaushik, R. (2005). Phospholipid fatty acid—a bioindicator of environment monitoring and assessment in soil ecosystem. Current Science (Bangalore), 89(7), 1103–1112.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khan, M. (2000). Effect of metals contamination on soil microbial diversity, enzymatic activity, organic matter decomposition and nitrogen mineralization (a review). Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 3(11), 1950–1956.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laliberte, E., Wells, J. A., DeClerck, F., Metcalfe, D. J., Catterall, C. P., Queiroz, C., Aubin, I., Bonser, S. P., Ding, Y., Fraterrigo, J. M., McNamara, S., Morgan, J. W., Sanchez Merlos, D., Vesk, P. A., & Mayfield, M. M. (2010). Land-use intensification reduces functional redundancy and response diversity in plant communities. Ecology Letters, 13(1), 76–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lavkulich, L. J. (1981). Methods manual. Vancouver, BC: Pedology Laboratory, Department of Soil Science, University of British Columbia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luo, Y., & Zhou, X. (2006). Soil respiration and the environment. Burlington: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ma, M. (2005). Species richness vs evenness: independent relationship and different responses to edaphic factors. Oikos, 111(1), 192–198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKeague, J. A., Desjardins, J. G., & Wolynetz, M. S. (1979). Minor elements in Canadian soils. Agriculture Canada, Research Branch Land Resource Research Institute Contribution No LRRI 27.

  • Mehes, M. S., Nkongolo, K. K., & Michael, P. (2007). Genetic analysis of Pinus strobus and Pinus monticola populations from Canada using ISSR and RAPD markers: development of genome-specific SCAR markers. Plant Systematics and Evolution, 267(1–4), 47–63.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mehes-Smith, M., Nkongolo, K., & Kim, N. S. (2009). A comparative cytogenetic analysis of five pine species from North America, Pinus banksiana, P. contorta, P. monticola, P. resinosa, and P. strobus. Plant Systematics and Evolution, 292, 153–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nannipieri, P., Ascher, J., CECcherini, M. T., Landi, L., Pietramellara, G., & Renella, G. (2003). Microbial diversity and soil functions. European Journal of Soil Science, 54(4), 655–670.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Narendrula, R., Nkongolo, K., & Beckett, P. (2012). Comparative soil metal analyses in Sudbury (Ontario, Canada) and Lubumbashi (Katanga, DR-Congo). Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 88(2), 187–192.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Narendrula, R., Nkongolo, K. K., Beckett, P., & Spiers, G. (2013). Total and bioavailable metals in two contrasting mining regions (Sudbury in Canada and Lubumbashi in DR-Congo): relation to genetic variation in plant populations. Chemistry and Ecology, 29(2), 111–127.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nkongolo, K. K., Michael, P., & Demers, T. (2005). Application of ISSR, RAPD, and cytological markers to the certification of Picea mariana, P. glauca, and P. engelmannii trees, and their putative hybrids. Genome, 48(2), 302–311.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nkongolo, K. K., Vaillancourt, A., Dobrzeniecka, S., Mehes, M., & Beckett, P. (2008). Metal content in soil and black spruce (Picea mariana) trees in the Sudbury region (Ontario, Canada): low concentration of arsenic, cadmium, and nickel detected near smelter sources. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 80(2), 107–111.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nkongolo, K. K., Spiers, G., Beckett, P., Narendrula, R., Theriault, G., Tran, A., & Kalubi, K. N. (2013). Long-term effects of liming on soil chemistry in stable and eroded upland areas in a mining region. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 224(7), 1618.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pradeep Reddy, M., Sarla, N., & Siddiq, E. A. (2002). Inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) polymorphism and its application in plant breeding. Euphytica, 128(1), 9–17.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qian, W., Ge, S., & Hong, D. Y. (2001). Genetic variation within and among populations of a wild rice Oryza granulata from China detected by RAPD and ISSR markers. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 102(2–3), 440–449.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rajora, O. P., & Mosseler, A. (2001a). In G. MÃller-Starck & R. Schubert (Eds.), Molecular markers in sustainable management, conservation, and restoration of forest genetic resources (pp. 187–202). Netherlands: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rajora, O., & Mosseler, A. (2001b). Challenges and opportunities for conservation of forest genetic resources. Euphytica, 118(2), 197–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saitou, N., & Nei, M. (1987). The neighbor-joining method: a new method for reconstrucing phylogenetic trees. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 4, 406–425.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Slatkin, M. (1985). Rare alleles as indicators of gene flow. Evolution, 39, 53–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stirling, G., & Wilsey, B. (2001). Empirical relationships between species richness, evenness, and proportional diversity. American Naturalist, 158(3), 286–299.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Theriault, G., Nkongolo, K. K., Narendrula, R., & Beckett, P. (2013). Molecular and ecological characterisation of plant populations from limed and metal-contaminated sites in Northern Ontario (Canada): ISSR analysis of white birch (Betula papyrifera) populations. Chemistry and Ecology, 29(7), 573–585.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tran, A., Nkongolo, K. K., Mehes-Smith, M., Narendrula, R., Spiers, G., & Beckett, P. (2014). Heavy metal analysis in red oak (Quercus rubra) populations from a mining region in northern Ontario (Canada): effect of soil liming and analysis of genetic variation. American Journal of Environmental Sciences, 10, 363–373.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vandeligt, K. K., Nkongolo, K. K., Mehes, M., & Beckett, P. (2011). Genetic analysis of Pinus banksiana and Pinus resinosa populations from stressed sites contaminated with metals in Northern Ontario (Canada). Chemistry and Ecology, 27(4), 369–380.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilsey, B., & Stirling, G. (2007). Species richness and evenness respond in a different manner to propagule density in developing prairie microcosm communities. Plant Ecology, 190(2), 259–273.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wren, C., Watson, G., & Butler, M. (2012). Risk assessment and environmental: a case study in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada (1st ed.). The Netherlands: Maralte B. V. Leiden.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yeh, F. C., & Boyle, T. (1997). Population genetic analysis of co-dominant and dominant markers and quantitative traits. Belgian Journal of Botany, 129, 157.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Vale (Sudbury), and Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations - Glencore Company (formerly Xstrata Limited) for their financial support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6, Canada

    K. K. Nkongolo & P. Beckett

  2. Department of Biomolecular Sciences program, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6, Canada

    K. K. Nkongolo, P. Michael, G. Theriault, R. Narendrula & K. N. Kalubi

  3. Collège Boréal, 21 Lasalle Blvd, Sudbury, ON, P3A 6B1, Canada

    P. Castilloux

  4. School of the Environment, Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON, P3E 2C6, Canada

    G. Spiers

Authors
  1. K. K. Nkongolo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. Michael
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. G. Theriault
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. R. Narendrula
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. P. Castilloux
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. K. N. Kalubi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. P. Beckett
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. G. Spiers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to K. K. Nkongolo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Nkongolo, K.K., Michael, P., Theriault, G. et al. Assessing Biological Impacts of Land Reclamation in a Mining Region in Canada: Effects of Dolomitic Lime Applications on Forest Ecosystems and Microbial Phospholipid Fatty Acid Signatures. Water Air Soil Pollut 227, 104 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-016-2803-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-016-2803-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation