Microbial characterization and monitoring of polluted soils by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis (PLFA monitoring of polluted soils )

Hungarian National Research Found Project, 2002-2005.  Ref. No. TO38280

The exploration of the microbiota in ecosystems has an increasing practical importance, e.g. in the biological remediation of polluted soils. To follow such microbial processes, easily detectable adequate indicators are needed. There are quantitative measurable biomolecules in soil microorganisms that have high indicative value to assess and monitor the microbial community structure, physiological and stress state. Among such biomarkers the cell membrane constituent phospholipid fatty acids provide the most detailed quantitative information. In this project we have to install the phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis at our institute in order to assess and monitor the effects of soil pollution and soil remediation technologies on soil microbial communities. using the indicative value of soil microbial communities. 	
Aims
1.Installing a laboratory that regularly use the PLFA methodology at the Research Institute for Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
2.Determining the application field of the methodology, in order to assess soil pollution and soil remediation effects on soil ecosystems.
3.Evaluating the effects of soil pollution (heavy metals, organic pollutants, nutrient load) to the soil microbiota.
4.Evaluation of soil remediation technologies, their effect on soil ecosystems, hypothesis to explain the action mechanism of different soil treatments.

Methods used:
1.PLFA analysis  
2.Ergosterol measurement
3.Poli-beta-hydroxi-butirate (PHB) measurement
4.Fluorescent microscopy counting of bacterial cells in soils
5.Substrate induced Respiration (SIR)

Expectable results
-	Laboratory that regularly use the PLFA methodology at the Research Institute for Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
-	Determining the application field of the methodology, in order to assess soil pollution and soil remediation effects on soil ecosystems.
-	Evaluating the effects of soil pollution (heavy metals, organic pollutants, nutrient load) to the soil microbiota.
-	Evaluation of soil remediation technologies, their effect on soil ecosystems, hypothesis to explain the action mechanism of different soil treatments.
	
Participants: Anton Attila*, Halbritter András Albert*, Oldal Bálint*, Vörös Ibolya*.
*RISSAC-Research Insitute for Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences