ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Urease Activity in Soil Contaminated
with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Aneta Lipińska, Jan Kucharski, Jadwiga Wyszkowska
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Department of Microbiology, Warmia and Mazury University in Olsztyn,
Plac Lodzki 3, 10-727 Olsztyn, Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2013;22(5):1393-1400
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Urease activity was determined in soil contaminated with four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs): naphthalene, phenanthrene, anthracene, and pyrene in the amount of 0, 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000
mg·kg-1 DM soil. Organic materials – cellulose, sucrose, and compost – were applied to the samples in the
amount of 0 and 9 g·kg-1 DM soil. The experiment was carried out in a laboratory, and soil samples consisted
of loamy sand. Soil resistance (RS) and soil resilience (RL) were determined. Soil contamination with PAHs
had an adverse effect on urease activity, and naphthalene had the most inhibitory impact on the studied
enzyme. Urease activity was significantly determined by the dose of PAH, soil incubation time, and the type
of organic material. Soil resistance to PAHs decreased with an increase in contamination levels. The addition
of sucrose, cellulose, and compost increased soil's resistance to the toxic effects of naphthalene and phenan-
threne. Soil resilience values indicate that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons cause long-term impairment of
urease activity.