Graduate Thesis Or Dissertation
 

Evaluation of an automated respiration method used in assessing the toxicity of zinc on soil microorganisms

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https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/graduate_thesis_or_dissertations/qz20sw847

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  • Microorganisms can be a valuable tool in assessing the toxicity of heavy metals. The soil respiration rate is a commonly explored endpoint. I utilized a fully automated respirometer incorporating an infrared gas analyzer (IRGA) and developed a method for measuring the effect of Zn on soil microbial populations. Zinc, in the form of ZnCl₂, was added to a Willamette Valley soil at concentrations ranging from 0.5 mg to 30.0 mg Zn/g⁻¹ dry soil. Glucose (0.01 g C/g⁻¹ dry soil) was added as the primary substrate. The samples were monitored over a 5-day period in the respirometer apparatus. Compared to a glucose control, respiration was stimulated at concentrations of 0.5 and 1.0 mg Zn. Respiration was repressed at concentrations equal to and greater than 3.0 mg Zn. Overall, the viability of fungi increased slightly with time, while bacterial populations remained static or decreased slightly over time. I found the respirometer easy to use, rapid, and inexpensive; in addition, because the system can be fully automated, it requires minimal sample manipulation. Furthermore, because a large number of samples can be monitored concurrently, sampling intervals can be controlled and variability is low. For these reasons, the system can be used for full-scale screening studies.
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