Journal article

Publication year: 1994

Pages: 249-256

Journal: Science of the Total Environment

Volume number: 157

Issue number: 1-3

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/0048-9697(94)90586-X

Publisher: Elsevier

Abstract: 

The ¹³⁷Cs content of the microbial biomass in the organic layers of 10 German forest sites was quantified with a modified fumigation/extraction method. A K_Cs factor was calculated for biomass ¹³⁷Cs from the difference between unfumigated and fumigated samples by means of laboratory cultures. The size of the estimated K_Cs factors varied between 1.54 and 2.90 (mean, 2.17; S.D., 0.48). The microflora at the different forest sites contained between 1 and 56% of the total amount of ¹³⁷Cs found in the organic layers (mean, 13%). Litterbag experiments showed that ¹³⁷Cs was actively transported into the L layer by the microflora and that this effect was enhanced by the mesofauna. It is concluded that the immobilization and recycling of ¹³⁷Cs by the microflora in the organic layer of forest soils is determined by three major factors: ¹³⁷Cs availability, growth conditions of the microflora and biotic interactions.

Harvard Citation style: Brückmann, A. and Wolters, V. (1994) Microbial immobilization and recycling of 137Cs in the organic layers of forest ecosystems: relationship to environmental conditions, humification and invertebrate activity, Science of the Total Environment, 157(1-3), pp. 249-256. https://doi.org/10.1016/0048-9697(94)90586-X

APA Citation style: Brückmann, A., & Wolters, V. (1994). Microbial immobilization and recycling of 137Cs in the organic layers of forest ecosystems: relationship to environmental conditions, humification and invertebrate activity. Science of the Total Environment. 157(1-3), 249-256. https://doi.org/10.1016/0048-9697(94)90586-X