Effect of heavy metals and PAH on soil assessed via dehydrogenase assay

Environ Int. 2003 Mar;28(8):779-82. doi: 10.1016/S0160-4120(02)00124-1.

Abstract

Dehydrogenase enzyme activity (DHA) assay method using resazurin was accommodated for measuring of toxicity of compound contaminants on uncharacterized microbial communities present in any given soil. The method was used to compare the toxic effect of heavy metal and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contaminant mixture (Cr, Pb, Cu, Cd, Pyrene) on four typical Estonian soils covering a range of compositions. The method proved to be useable on all soils; the sensitivity of soil microbiology to toxic effect of contaminants was found to have a negative correlation with Ca and organic matter (OM) content and a positive correlation with amorphous phase content of soils.

MeSH terms

  • Biological Assay / methods
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Metals, Heavy / adverse effects*
  • Metals, Heavy / analysis
  • Organic Chemicals / metabolism
  • Oxidoreductases / analysis
  • Oxidoreductases / pharmacology*
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / adverse effects*
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / analysis
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Soil Microbiology*
  • Soil Pollutants / adverse effects*
  • Soil Pollutants / analysis

Substances

  • Metals, Heavy
  • Organic Chemicals
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
  • Soil Pollutants
  • Oxidoreductases