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Influence of heavy metals in spruce forest soil on amylase activity, CO2 evolution from starch and soil respiration

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Summary

Starch decomposition and soil respiration is partly inhibited in spruce needle mor contaminated with heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd) from a brass foundry at Gusum, Southern Sweden. The total decomposition of starch was measured as CO2 evolution rate and the hydrolysis of starch as increase in glucose concentration during incubation according to the methods of Hoffman and Pallauf and that of Nelson. In order to measure the effects of the Na-acetate buffer (pH 5.5) during incubation, amylase activity was also determined without buffer. Only the Hoffmann and Pallauf method without buffer was significantly different (p<0.001) from the other three methods. Application of stepwise regression showed that 43 to 62 per cent of the variability in amylase activity was accounted for by the metal- and hydrogen concentration of the soil. Corresponding figures for the total starch decomposition and soil respiration were 47 and 66 per cent respectively. re]19751213

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  1. A. Ebregt & J. M. A. M. Boldewijn

    Present address: Department of Geobotany, Faculty of Sciences, Toernooiveld, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Ecology, University of Lund, Sweden

    A. Ebregt & J. M. A. M. Boldewijn

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  1. A. Ebregt
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  2. J. M. A. M. Boldewijn
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Ebregt, A., Boldewijn, J.M.A.M. Influence of heavy metals in spruce forest soil on amylase activity, CO2 evolution from starch and soil respiration. Plant Soil 47, 137–148 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00010375

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00010375

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