Biological functioning of PAH-polluted and thermal desorption-treated soils assessed by fauna and microbial bioindicators.

A large number of soil bioindicators were used to assess biological diversity and activity in soil polluted with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the same soil after thermal desorption (TD) treatment. Abundance and biodiversity of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes and microarthropods, as well as functional parameters such as enzymatic activities and soil respiration, were assessed during a two year period of in situ monitoring. We investigated the influence of vegetation (spontaneous vegetation and Medicago sativa) and TD treatment on biological functioning.

Changes in the level of alkaline and acid phosphatase activities during green wastes and sewage sludge co-composting.

The aim of this work was to study the activity level of alkaline and acid phosphatases during the composting of green wastes and sewage sludge and to determine relationships between biotic and abiotic properties of compost and phosphatase activities. This study has revealed a noticeable separation of phosphomonoesterase activities into two distinct phases during composting. Alkaline and acid phosphatase activities were high during the first month of composting and then declined up to the end of the process.