Role of heavy metals in amelioration of environmental extremeness in a salt affected habitat

Abstract

In the Varanasi district the concentration of heavy metals in the soil was below toxic level though the area was exposed to carpet industry effluents and frequent automobile traffic. Heavy metals enhanced microbial activity in the soil at initial incubation but beyond the 16th day of incubation the effect was retarding. Lead imparted highest retarding influences on microbial activities irrespective of concentration. After 24 days incubation a recognizable amelioration in soil organic matter content, total nitrogen content, and C/N ratio was evident. -from Authors