Microbial Functional Diversity in Podzol Ectohumus Horizons Affected by Alkaline Fly Ash in the Vicinity of Electric Power Plant.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of alkaline fly ash on selected microbiological properties of soils in the vicinity of an electric power plant. The specific objectives were as follows: first, to determine the metabolic activity and functional diversity of soils, such as biological indicators of acidic soil; second, to compare the changes in microbial diversity indicators based on the distance from dumping site of fly ash located in the vicinity of electric power plant; third, to determine the metabolic profile pattern in soils with different pH levels. The study revealed the stimulation of dehydrogenases activity (DHA) and microbial respiration (RESP) by fly ash. It contributed to the increase in metabolic profile expressed as community-level physiological profile differences. The enrichment of fly ash affected the soil microbial characteristics. The values of DHA and RESP decreased with increasing distance from the emission source, whereas the number of utilized substrates (R) increased. However, the utilization of carbohydrates and carboxylic and ketone acids was enhanced with decreasing distance from the emission source, while the utilization of polymers and amino acids was reduced. Furthermore, the forests ectohumus horizons near the emission source were characterized by significantly increased pH level, due to the alkalinity of fly ash particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]