ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Eco-Chemical Forest Soil Indices
from a Forest Fire
E. J. Bielińska1, A. Mocek-Płóciniak2, Z. Kaczmarek3
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1 Institute of Soil Science and Environmental Management, University of Life Sciences,
Leszczyńskiego 7, 20-069 Lublin, Poland
2 Department of Microbiology, University of Life Sciences, Szydłowska 50, 60-656 Poznań, Poland
3 Department of Soil Science, University of Life Sciences, Szydłowska 50, 60-656 Poznań, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2008;17(5):665-671
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ABSTRACT
Our paper presents results of investigations aimed at determining correlations between the content of
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the enzymatic activity of a forest soil on an extensive area of
forest damaged by a large fire 12 years ago. The investigations comprised experimental plots in the cultivations
of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and grey alder (Alnus incana L.) MOENCH on three sample surfaces
on which different methods of soil preparation were applied. The statistical analysis of the obtained results
clearly showed the inhibiting influence of the PAH content on the activity of dehydrogenases, acid phosphatase,
alkaline phosphatase and protease, which indicated that the examined soils were loaded with PAHs
to such a degree that it was dangerous to living organisms. A highly significant positive correlation was found
between urease activity and PAH content.