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Changes in element availability induced by sterilization in heavy metal contaminated substrates: A comprehensive
Thomas Krauße1, Eileen Schütze1, René Phieler1
1Microbial Communication, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Neugasse 25, 07743 Jena, Germany.
Journal of Hazardous Materials
|November 21, 2017
Summary
Sterilization of metal-contaminated soils for microbiome studies can alter metal availability. Dry heat sterilization significantly changed metal availability, while autoclaving was acceptable, and gamma irradiation showed unexpected changes.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
- Microbiology
Background:
- Microbiome studies often require soil sterilization for experimental manipulation.
- Sterilization methods can inadvertently alter metal availability in metal-contaminated soils.
- This is critical as altered metal speciation can impact microbial community structure and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of different sterilization methods on metal availability and speciation in metal-contaminated soils.
- To compare the effects of autoclaving, dry heat, and gamma irradiation on various soil substrates.
- To determine which sterilization method best preserves natural metal associations for microbiome research.
Main Methods:
- Four metal-contaminated soil substrates with varying nutrient content were selected.
- Sterilization treatments included autoclaving (wet heat), dry heat, and gamma irradiation, compared to a non-treated control.
- Sequential extraction and speciation analysis were used to assess changes in (heavy) metals and (micro)nutrients.
Main Results:
- Dry heat sterilization altered metal availability to the greatest extent across all substrates.
- Autoclaving (wet heat) generally resulted in acceptable changes in metal associations.
- Gamma irradiation caused unexpected alterations in metal associations, particularly in one specific substrate.
Conclusions:
- The choice of sterilization method significantly impacts metal availability and speciation in contaminated soils.
- Autoclaving appears to be a more suitable method for preserving metal associations in soils for microbiome studies compared to dry heat or gamma irradiation.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind gamma irradiation-induced changes and to optimize sterilization protocols for metal-contaminated environments.
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