1. EFFECTS OF HEAVY METAL
CONTAMINATION ON SOIL
MICROBIAL BIOMASS
By Nkosi N.G., supervisor- Kgopa P.M
Faculty Research Day
21 November 2016

2. INTRODUCTION
Background..
What is soil biomass?
Heavy metal contamination.
Impacts.

3. INTRODUCTION CONT….
Possible causes.
Possible solution.
Focus of study.

4. PROBLEM STATEMENT
• Heavy metal contamination poses health risks
to the environment as well as humans, current
literature is limited to effect of heavy metal
toxicity to humans, the proposed solution is a
broader focus on effect on soil microbial
biomass.

5. RATIONALE OF STUDY
97% soil microbes are beneficial(Darwin,
2010).
Save RSA billions in wasted land, inadequate
land distribution, agricultural input programs
for farmers.
Benefits to nation as well as science
community.

6.  To investigate the effect of heavy metals
on soil biomass.
PURPOSE OF STUDY
AIM

7. OBJECTIVE
 To determine whether heavy metal
contamination will affect soil microbial biomass.

8. HYPOTHESIS
Heavy metal contamination does not have any
effect on soil microbial biomass

9. METHODOLOGY
study area description
Syferkuil commercial site (23.848435 S and 29.6781 E)

10. METHODOLOGY CONT…
Data collection
Soil biomass
Heavy metals
Research design

11. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 Week four after acceleration  Week eight after acceleration
0
5
10
15
20
25
As Pb Ni Co
heavymetal
bacteria

12. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION CONT…
• Week four after
acceleration
• Week four after
acceleration

13. CONCLUSION
The added concentrations of heavy metals
have changed the soil microbial community
structure and activities.
 Pb and As have the highest effect on soil fungi
since fungi decline greatly from week four to
eight. The Interaction of both Pb and As has
less effect on soil fungi than when they are
single available in the soil.

14. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Family
Research team
Supervisor
Soil science and c pathology lab technicians
University of Limpopo

15. The end…
Thank you