Assessment of efficacy of biocides in different soil types for use in sorption studies of low molecular weight organic compounds

The abiotic protection of low molecular weight organic compounds (LMWOC) in soils may be an important regulator of C cycling. The study of the protection of LMWOC through sorption typically employs soils shaken in solution, which may be compromised by biological activity. We used [sup.14]C-labelled glucose as a LMWOC in batch assays of four different soils with contrasting physico-chemical properties (Arenosol, Luvisol, Ferralsol and Andisol). The commonly used biocides Na[N.sub.3] and Hg[Cl.sub.2] were employed alone or in concert across a range of concentrations to assess their efficacy in inhibiting microbial degradation. For short ( Additional keywords: abiotic process, LMWOCs, mercuric chloride, radiolabelled compounds, sodium azide, soil organic matter.
Introduction The presence of low molecular weight organic compounds (LMWOCs), such as amino acids and carbohydrates, in soil is attributed to root exudation and turnover (Farrar et al. 2003; Boddy [...]