Evaluation of the Soil Enzymes Activity as an Indicator of the Impact of Anthropogenic Pollution on the Norway Spruce Ecosystems in the Silesian Beskid

Abstract

Activity of soil enzymes is considered as a good indicator of natural and anthropogenic disturbances of the functioning of the soil. Heavy metals can inhibit the activity of enzymes in varying degree, depending on soil properties such as content of clay materials, organic matter and pH of soil solution. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of physicochemical and biological properties of soils on the condition of Norway spruce stands in Silesian Beskid. In the soil samples enzymatic activity of four enzymes (alkaline and acid phosphatase, dehydrogenase and urease) and concentration of three selected heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Zn) and sulfur were determined. The analyses showed no reduced activity of investigated enzymes. Presumably, despite of low pH values of the soil, organic matter contained in the soil is able to effectively bind heavy metal ions, limiting their cycling in the environment. It can be concluded that the condition of spruce stands in Silesian Beskid is not affected by the soil contamination.