Microbial biomass, respiration and enzyme activities after in situ aided phytostabilization of a Pb- and Cu-contaminated soil

We conducted a pilot-scale experiment to study the effects of an aided phytostabilisation on soil microbial and biological endpoints in an ore dust-contaminated soil. Soil was amended with alkaline fly ashes plus peat to reduce mobility of trace elements and vegetated with a proprietary grass/herb mixture. Results indicated that the proposed aided phytostabilization approach of Cu–Pb contaminaed soil significantly increased microbial biomass and respiration, reduced microbial stress and increased key soil enzyme activities. Further research is needed to unambiguously determine whether the soil biochemical endpoints that were studied responded more to decreased metal mobility or to general soil amelioration.