The article presents protocols for determining the biological activity of kerosene-contaminated soils in terms of two indicators, i.e. cellulolytic activity and biological consumption of oxygen. A method for determining the cellulolytic activity of soils is based on measuring the rate of cellulose decomposition in situ. Model test objects (linen fragments 10 × 20 cm weighing 4-6 g) were put in the root layer of soil. A month later, the linen was removed from soil and its weight loss was measured. Cellulolytic activity was estimated by the weight loss of readily hydrolysable organic matter (RHOM) per day (mg/g RHOM per day). The method for determining the biological consumption of oxygen of water was adapted for soils. The indicator characterizes the ability of microorganisms to oxidize organic substances using oxygen for 5 days. The analytic procedure includes taking a soil sample, preparing the suspension (the ratio of soil to distilled water is at least 1:10) and after 5 days measuring the concentration of unspent dissolved oxygen using the oxygen meter. The proposed methods give reproducible and reliable results on the biochemical activity of soil microorganisms in a wide range of soils, e.g. Retisols, Arenosols and Histosols, including those under hydrocarbon pollution.
Keywords: BCO, biological consumption of oxygen; Biodegradation; Biological soil health; Controlled Study; Ecological indicators; Environmental Factor; Microbial Activity; Microbial decomposers; One health approach; Organic Matter; RHOM, readily hydrolysable organic matter; Soil quality; TBI, Tea Bag Index.
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