Responses of activities, abundances and community structures of soil denitrifiers to short-term mercury stress

Abstract

The responses of activities, abundances and community structures of soil denitrifiers to mercury (Hg) stress were investigated through a short-term incubation experiment. Four soil treatments with different concentrations of Hg (CK, Hg25, Hg50, and Hg100, denoted as 0, 25,50, and 100 mg Hg/kg dry soil, respectively) were incubated for 28 days. Soil denitrification enzyme activity (DEA) was measured at day 3,7 and 28. The abundances and community structures of two denitrification concerning genes, nirS (cd 1-nitrite reductase gene) and nosZ (nitrous oxide reductase gene), were analyzed using real-time PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Results showed that soil DEA was sig..