Toxicity of NO 2 : Effect of Nitrite on Microbial Activity in an Acid Soil

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Abstract
In an acid forest soil of pH 4.0 to 4.2 amended with glucose, 1.0 μg of nitrite-N per g of soil inhibited the rate of O2 utilization and CO2 evolution. The inhibition was evident only for several hours after nitrite addition, and the subsequent rate of glucose mineralization was the same as in soil not receiving nitrite. The decomposition of protein hydrolysate was reduced by 10 μg of nitrite-N per g of soil but not lower concentrations, and the inhibition of this process by 20 μg of nitrite-N per g had dissipated after 24 h. Nitrite disappeared readily from this soil. More than 20 μg of bisulfite-S per g of soil was required to inhibit glucose decomposition. The data suggest that the possible antimicrobial effects of low levels of NO2, which give rise to nitrite in soil, require further evaluation.

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