The soil pH and heavy metals revealed their impact on soil microbial community

J Environ Manage. 2022 Nov 1:321:115770. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115770. Epub 2022 Aug 30.

Abstract

Soil microbial community is the main indicator having a crucial role in the remediation of polluted soils. These microbes can alter soil pH, organic matter in soils (SOM), soil physic-chemical properties, and potential soil respiration rate via their enzymatic activities. Similarly, heavy metals also have a crucial role in soil enzymatic activities. For this purpose, a number of methods are studied to evaluate the impact of soil pH (a key factor in the formation of biogeographic microbial patterns in bacteria) on bacterial diversity. The effects of pH on microbial activity are glamorous but still unclear. Whereas, some studies also indicate that soil pH alone is not the single key player in the diversity of soil bacteria. Ecological stability is achieved in a pollution-free environment and pH value. The pH factor has a significant impact on the dynamics of microbes' communities. Here, we try to discuss factors that directly or indirectly affect soil pH and the impact of pH on microbial activity. It is also discussed the environmental factors that contribute to establishing a specific bacterial community structure that must be determined. From this, it can be concluded that the environmental impact on soil pH, reducing soil pH and interaction with this factor, and reducing the effect of soil pH on soil microbial community.

Keywords: Environmental factors; Lowering soil pH; Microbial activity; Microbial community.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Metals, Heavy*
  • Microbiota*
  • Soil / chemistry
  • Soil Microbiology
  • Soil Pollutants* / pharmacology

Substances

  • Metals, Heavy
  • Soil
  • Soil Pollutants