Abstract
Natural and anthropogenically induced seasonal variations in the abundance and biomass of various groups of microorganisms in the Al–Fe–humus podzols of boreal spruce forests were analyzed. The fungal biomass in these soils was found to be considerably higher than the bacterial biomass. The microbial population was mainly concentrated in a thin surface layer (10–15 cm in thickness), which included the forest litter and the upper mineral root-inhabited soil horizon and greatly differed from other soil horizons in morphology and other properties. This layer was found to be optimal with respect to hydrothermal and nutritional conditions and is characterized by profound seasonal variations in the abundance and biomass of microbiota. The high acidity, typical of the Al–Fe–humus podzols, resulted from the metabolism of their microbial communities. In the polluted podzols, the population of prokaryotes increased and that of eukaryotes decreased.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aristovskaya, T.V., Mikrobiologiya protsessov pochvoobrazovaniya (The Microbiology of Pedogenesis), Leningrad: Nauka, 1980.
Zvyagintsev, D.G., Dobrovol'skaya, T.G., Bab'eva, I.P., Zenova, G.M., Lysak, L.V., Polyanskaya, L.M., and Chernov, I.Yu., Structural and Functional Organization of the Microbial Communities of Terrestrial Ecosystems, Ekologiya i pochvy (Ecology and Soils), Pushchino: Nauchn. Tsentr Biol. Issled. Akad. Nauk SSSR, 1998, vol. 2, pp. 34–83.
Zvyagintsev, D.G., Dobrovol'skaya, T.G., Bab'eva, I.P., Zenova, G.M., Lysak, L.V., and Marfenina, O.E., Role of Microorganisms in the Biogeocenotic Functions of Soils, Strukturno-funktsional'naya rol' pochvy v biosfere (Structural and Functional Role of Soils in the Biosphere), Moscow: GEOS, 1999, pp. 113–121.
Polyanskaya, L.M., Microbial Succession in Soil, Doctoral (Biol.) Dissertation, Moscow: Mosk. Gos. Univ., 1996.
Kislotnye dozhdi i lesnye pochvy (Acid Rains and Forest Soils), Nikonova, V.V. and Koptsik, G.N., Eds., Apatity: Kol'skii Nauchn. Tsentr Ross. Akad. Nauk, 1999.
Lukina, N.V. and Nikonov, V.V., Sostoyanie elovykh biogeotsenozov Severa v usloviyakh tekhnogennogo zagryazneniya (Northern Spruce Biogeocenoses under Conditions of Anthropogenic Pollution), Apatity: Kol'skii Nauchn. Tsentr Ross. Akad. Nauk, 1993.
Manakov, K.N. and Nikonov, V.V., Biologicheskii krugovorot mineral'nykh elementov i pochvoobrazovanie v el'nikakh Krainego Severa (Biocycling of Mineral Elements and Soil Formation in Boreal Spruce Forests), Leningrad: Nauka, 1981.
Primary Productivity and Biogeochemical Cycles in the Arctic, Soobshchestva Krainego Severa i chelovek (Humans and Arctic Biocommunities), Moscow: Nauka, 1985, pp. 79–90.
Zyrin, N.G. and Stoilov, G.P., About the Method of Seedlings for the Determination of the Mobility of Microelements in Soils and the Evaluation of Relevant Chemical Methods, Agrokhimiya, 1964, no. 7, pp. 12–17.
Zyrin, N.G. and Stoilov, G.P., Again about the Method of Seedlings for the Determination of the Mobility of Microelements in Soils, Agrokhimiya, 1965, no. 6, pp. 38–43.
Halonen, O., Tulkki, H., and Derome, J., Nutrient Analysis Methods, Metsantutkimuslaitoksen Tiedonantoja, 1983, vol. 121, pp. 1–28.
Lukina, N.V. and Nikonov, V.V., Pitatel'nyi rezhim severo-taezhnykh lesov: prirodnye i tekhnogennye aspekty (Nutritional Conditions in Boreal Forests: Natural and Technogenic Aspects), Apatity: Kol'skii Nauchn. Tsentr Akad. Nauk, 1998.
Evdokimova, G.A., Ekologo-mikrobiologicheskie osnovy okhrany pochv Krainego Severa (Ecological and Microbiological Principles of the Arctic Soil Management), Apatity: Kol'skii Nauchn. Tsentr Akad. Nauk, 1995.
Baath, E., Effects of Heavy Metals in Soil on Microbial Processes and Population, Water, Air, Soil Pollut., 1989, no. 47, pp. 335–379.
Nordgren, A., Kauri, T., Baath, E., and Soderstrom, B., Soil Microbial Activity, Mycelial Length and Physiological Groups of Bacteria in Heavy Metal Polluted Area, Environ. Pollut., Ser. A, 1986, vol. 41, pp. 89–100.
Fritze, H., Vanhala, P., Pietikainen, A., and Malkonen, E., Vitality Fertilization of Scots Pine Stands Growing along a Gradient of Heavy Metal Pollution: Short-Term Effects on Microbial Biomass and Respiration Rate of the Humus Layer, Fresenius' J. Anal. Chem., 1996, vol. 354, pp. 750–755.
Fritze, H., Pennanen, T., Haimi, J., Siira-Pietikainen, A., and Vanhala, P., Effects of Heavy Metals on Soil Micro-flora, Forest Condition in a Changing Environment: The Finnish Case, Malkonen, E., Ed., New York: Kluwer, Forest Sci., 2000, vol. 65, pp. 260–265.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nikonov, V.V., Lukina, N.V., Polyanskaya, L.M. et al. Distribution of Microorganisms in the Al–Fe–Humus Podzols of Natural and Anthropogenically Impacted Boreal Spruce Forests. Microbiology 70, 319–328 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010459512590
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010459512590