ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Yeasts in the Soils of the Alytus Region
after the Fire of the Tyre Processing Plant
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Laboratory of Biodeterioration Research, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos str. 2, Vilnius, Lithuania
Submission date: 2023-07-18
Final revision date: 2023-09-14
Acceptance date: 2023-09-23
Online publication date: 2023-11-17
Publication date: 2024-01-03
Corresponding author
Jonas Žvirgždas
Laboratory of Biodeterioration Research, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos, Vilnius, Lithuania
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2024;33(1):991-1000
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ABSTRACT
The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and biodiversity of yeasts in the soil and water
samples of the city and district of Alytus after a fire at a tire processing plant. 11 soil and 3 water
samples were taken each year for the periods of 2019-2021. The yeast count in the soil samples ranged
from 102 to 105 CFU/g. In water samples, the count of yeasts varied between 0.00-103 CFU/g. A total of
114 yeast isolates were isolated from the soil samples and 46 yeast species were identified. No statistically
significant changes in the phyla distribution of yeast species isolated from the soil were observed
during the different study periods. A total of 25 yeast isolates were isolated from the water samples and
14 yeast species were identified. Statistically significant differences in the phyla distribution of yeast
species isolated from water samples were observed. The obtained research data showed that the results
of all chemical soil tests do not exceed the limit values specified in Lithuanian legal acts. The obtained
results of the study allow us to state that the fire at the tyre recycling plant did not affect the prevalence
and biodiversity of soil yeasts, but the possibility that the effect will be noticed after a longer period
of time cannot be ruled out. We believe that this study significantly contributes to the dissemination
of information about the fire at the tire recycling plant and its impact on the environment, brings more
clarity and reduces doubts about the possible impact of pollution on the environment.