Impact of heavy metals on bacterial communities from mangrove soils of the Mahanadi Delta (India)

B. C. Behera, R. R. Mishra, J. K. Patra, K. Sarangi, S. K. Dutta, H. N. Thatoi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study aimed to assess soil nutrient status and heavy metal content and their impact on the predominant soil bacterial communities of mangroves of the Mahanadi Delta. Mangrove soil of the Mahanadi Delta is slightly acidic and the levels of soil nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous and potash vary with season and site. The seasonal average concentrations (μg/g) of various heavy metals were in the range: 14 810-63 370 (Fe), 2.8-32.6 (Cu), 13.4-55.7 (Ni), 1.8-7.9 (Cd), 16.6-54.7 (Pb), 24.4-132.5 (Zn) and 13.3-48.2 (Co). Among the different heavy metals analysed, Co, Cu and Cd were above their permissible limits, as prescribed by Indian Standards (Co=17 μg/g, Cu=30 μ g/g, Cd=3-6 μ g/g), indicating pollution in the mangrove soil. A viable plate count revealed the presence of different groups of bacteria in the mangrove soil, i.e. heterotrophs, free-living N2 fixers, nitrifyers, denitrifyers, phosphate solubilisers, cellulose degraders and sulfur oxidisers. Principal component analysis performed using multivariate statistical methods showed a positive relationship between soil nutrients and microbial load. Whereas metal content such as Cu, Co and Ni showed a negative impact on some of the studied soil bacteria.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)604-619
Number of pages16
JournalChemistry and Ecology
Volume29
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2013

Keywords

  • bacterial community
  • heavy metals
  • mangrove ecosystem
  • soil nutrients

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