Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2026

Soil Lysimeter Excavation for Coupled Hydrological, Geochemical, and Microbiological Investigations
Published on: September 11, 2016
Microbial biomass and activity in lead-contaminated soil
1Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA.
Abstract:
Microbial community diversity, potential microbial activity, and metal resistance were determined in three soils whose lead contents ranged from 0.00039 to 48 mmol of Pb kg of soil-1. Biomass levels were directly related to lead content. A molecular analysis of 16S rRNAs suggested that each soil contained a complex, diverse microbial community. A statistical analysis of the phospholipid fatty acids indicated that the community in the soil having the highest lead content was not related to the communities in the other soils. All of the soils contained active microbial populations that mineralized [14C]glucose. In all samples, 10 to 15% of the total culturable bacteria were Pb resistant and had MIC of Pb for growth of 100 to 150 &mgr;M.
Related Concept Videos
Bioremediation
Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium
Microbial Bioremediation of Hydrocarbons
Microbial Bioremediation of Pesticides
Microbial Leaching
Microbial Wastewater Treatment

