By Elaine Almanza
Arsenic pollution is of great concern because of the harmful effects it has on humans and animals; as well as soil microbes which are important in the maintenance of soil fertility. Arsenic could enter the soil through insecticides, herbicides, mining, and smelting of metals. Three different soils were exposed to arsenic for 10 days. The 3 soils showed reduction in microbial biomass. This is due to the toxicity of Arsenic in soil microorganism. Its important to maintain a high soil microbial biomass because the fertility of different soils depend on this. If we lose soil microbes, agriculture could not be as successful.
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| Figure from Pasad et al. 2013. Microbial biomass shows decrease in three different soil types with increasing Arsenic levels. |
Original Article: Prasad P, George J, Masto R.E, Rout T.K, Ram L.C, Selvi V.A. (2013). Evaliation of Microbial Biomass and Activity in Different Soils Exposed to Increasing Level of Arsenic Pollution: A Laboratory Study. Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International Journal, 22:5, 483-497.
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