Effect of reclamation treatments on microbial activity and phytotoxicity of soil degraded by the sulphur mining industry.

The aim of the work was to determine the trend, intensity and changes of selected microbial and phytotoxic parameters of degraded soil in the area of former sulphur mine reclaimed by post-flotation lime (PFL), sewage sludge (SS), mineral wool (MW- mixed with soil, MWP-pad) and mineral fertilizer (NPK). The following parameters: number of proteolytic bacteria and fungi, ammonification, nitrification, activities of alkaline phosphatase and arylsulphatase Lepidium sativum growth index (GI) and phenolic compounds were analysed in the soil in second and third year of the experiment. The addition of the SS separately or in combination with other remediation agents was found to be the most valuable for the number of microorganisms, intensification of nitrification process and enzymatic activities. In objects where other materials were added without sewage sludge, the inhibition of fungal growth as well as alkaline phosphatase and arylsulphatase activities was observed, however the inhibitory effect declined with time. The observed increase of GI shows the long-term, positive effect of treatments on soil properties concerning plant growth. The use of lime and lime together with sewage sludge contributed to the decrease in the content of phenolic compounds in the reclaimed soil. Image 1 • Microbial activity and phytotoxicity of waste-reclaimed soil was analysed. • There was a positive impact of waste on the parameters of microbial activity. • The decrease in phytotoxicity was found in the reclaimed soil. • The parameters used are useful for monitoring reclamation processes in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]