Maria Niklińska | Jagiellonian University (original) (raw)

Papers by Maria Niklińska

Journal of soils and sediments, Jun 13, 2024

Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae, 2010

European Journal of Soil Biology, May 1, 2010

The effect of heavy metal pollution on Oligochaeta (Enchytraeidae and Lumbricidae) populations wa... more The effect of heavy metal pollution on Oligochaeta (Enchytraeidae and Lumbricidae) populations was studied along a pollution gradient in vicinity of Olkusz (southern Poland). The study sites, which differed in metal concentrations in the humus layer, were established in mixed-pine forests 3.5 km, 2.5 km, 3.9 km, 7.9 km and 31.9 km (reference site) from the source of pollution (zinc smelter). Enchytraeid and earthworm population density and species composition were determined from soil sampled four times from the study sites. Enchytraeidae populations consisted of nine genera and 18 species. The dominating enchytraeid species in all study sites was Cognettia sphagnetorum (approx. 90%), except for the most polluted site, where Enchytraeus, Fridericia and Henlea were the most common species diversity and heterogeneity were the highest in the most polluted site. The highest mean densities were found in the reference site (16,333 individuals m À2) and lowest in the most polluted site (3932 individuals m À2). Earthworm populations consisted of three epigeic species, and the most abundant one was Dendrobaena octaedra. Earthworms densities in all sites sampled were low. The concentrations of Zn, Pb and Cd in: humus layer, and in enchytraeids and earthworms, were the highest for the most polluted site and decreased with distance from pollution source. Density of Enchytraeidae and body loads of metals in Enchytraeidae and Lumbricidae can be employed for biomonitoring.

Warszawa : Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego eBooks, 2015

Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 2011

The objective of this study was to compare chemical and microbial properties of sandy mine soils ... more The objective of this study was to compare chemical and microbial properties of sandy mine soils under young Scots pine, silver birch, and mixed pine-birch forest stands. The measured properties included the contents of organic C (C org) and total N (N t), the C org-toN t ratio, pH, microbial biomass, basal respiration, and activities of dehydrogenase, acid phosphomonoesterase, and urease. Community level physiological profiles (CLPPs) of soil bacteria were determined with Biolog ® test and genetic profiles with the DGGE method. Scots pine and silver birch did not affect the C org and N t contents in the studied mine soils. The soil under birch contained larger and more active microbial biomass than the soil under pine. Under the mixed stand, most of the microbial properties were intermediate between the pine and the birch stand. The DGGE profiling indicated different composition of soil bacteria under the birch stand compared to the other stands. Differences in CLPPs were less pronounced, probably due to functional redundancy of soil bacteria.

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, Apr 5, 2007

Applied Soil Ecology, Feb 1, 2013

Large accumulation of heavy metals in organic layers of forest soils may adversely affect the str... more Large accumulation of heavy metals in organic layers of forest soils may adversely affect the structure and diversity of microbial communities. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of different soil chemical properties on structure and diversity of microbial communities in soils polluted with different levels of heavy metals. The soil samples were taken at ten sites located in the vicinity of the cities of Legnica and Olkusz, differently polluted with Cu, Zn and Pb. The samples were measured for pH and the contents of organic C (C org), total N (N t), total S (S t) and total Zn, Cu and Pb. The measured gross microbial properties included microbial biomass (C mic) and soil respiration (RESP). The structure of soil microbial communities was assessed using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis and the structure of soil bacterial communities using pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA genes. To assess diversity of the bacterial communities the Chao1 index was calculated based on the pyrosequencing data. For C mic and RESP the most important factors were N t and C org , respectively. The structure and diversity of soil microbial communities revealed by PLFA profiles and pyrosequencing depended mainly on soil pH. The effect of high heavy metal contents on soil microbial properties was weaker compared with other soil properties. High concentrations of heavy metals negatively affected RESP and the Chao1 diversity index. The heavy metal pollution altered the structure of microbial communities measured with PLFA analysis, but the effect of heavy metal pollution was not observed for the structure of soil bacteria measured by pyrosequencing. The obtained results indicate that the use of soil microbial properties to study heavy metal effects may be difficult due to confounding influences of other environmental factors. In large-scale studies local variability of soil properties may obscure the effect of heavy metals.

Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Feb 1, 2004

This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or s... more This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae, and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand, or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material.

Applied Soil Ecology, Aug 1, 2012

The effects on soil microorganisms of a three-year cultivation programme using mineral and manure... more The effects on soil microorganisms of a three-year cultivation programme using mineral and manure fertilization on three perennial medicinal plant species, lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.), sage (Salvia officinalis L.), and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.), were studied. Root endophyte colonization, namely arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), dark septate endophytes (DSE) and Olpidium spp., as well as AMF species richness and abundance in the soil, soil respiration, microbial biomass, and the activity and functional richness of culturable bacterial communities were assessed. In the mineral fertilization treatment (MRL), phosphorus and potassium fertilizers were incorporated at the beginning of the experiment, while nitrogen fertilizer was applied throughout its course. In the manure fertilization treatment (MAN), animal manure was applied once four years prior to soil and plant sampling. The soil under MRL was characterized by a higher pH and P, N and Ca contents. AMF colonization of sage under MAN was lower in comparison to MRL; however, no significant differences were found in the case of lemon balm and lavender. The results of the Plantago lanceolata L. laboratory bioassay in respect of the infectivity potential of the AMF present in the soils tested were in accordance with the trends obtained from mycorrhizal colonization assessments of the medicinal plant species. DSE and Olpidium spp. were also observed in the roots subjected to analysis; however, they were not abundant. In the case of sage, DSE were more frequent in MAN, while no significant differences were found in lemon balm and lavender. In contrast, Olpidium spp. were more abundant in the sage and lavender from MRL. Moreover, the lemon balm roots were devoid of these endophytes. The spores of 15 AMF species from 10 genera were isolated from trap cultures established from the soils collected in the field. The species richness found in MRL was higher than that in MAN. Moreover, four AMF species were detected exclusively in the trap cultures established from the soils collected from under lemon balm, two were exclusive to sage and one to lavender. The soil basal respiration was significantly affected by the plant species, but not by the fertilization systems and this parameter was lowest under lemon balm and highest under lavender. The microbial biomass differed significantly between management types only for lemon balm and was lower in MAN than in MRL. Bacterial activity was affected neither by plant species nor by fertilization type. Bacterial functional richness was significantly influenced only by the fertilization type in interaction with the plant species and was higher in MAN than in MRL for sage. Our results suggest that moderate application of mineral fertilizers does not suppress, and sometimes enhances, AMF and other soil microorganisms. Moreover, the effects of the fertilization type on soil microbial properties depend on the plant species being cultivated.

FEMS Microbiology Ecology, Dec 5, 2014

Using two distinct gradients of long-term heavy metal pollution, we found that both microbial com... more Using two distinct gradients of long-term heavy metal pollution, we found that both microbial community composition as well as functional gene-based structure was only minorly affected by the metal pollution, despite strong differences in metal toxicity along the gradients.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2004

Enchytraeidae were investigated as a part of a broad study of Niepolomice Forest ecosystem functi... more Enchytraeidae were investigated as a part of a broad study of Niepolomice Forest ecosystem functioning. Animals were collected in oak-hornbeam (Tilio-Carpinetum) and in mixed oak-pine (Pino-Quercetum) stands. The highest cadmium concentration was observed in oak-hornbeam from the northern part of the forest (32.33+/-23.22 mg kg(-1) dry mass), with lower ones in mixed oak-pine (13.60+/-21.42 mg kg(-1) dry mass) and southern oak-hornbeam stands (11.84+/-7.52 mg kg(-1) dry mass). Lead concentrations were higher in mixed oak-pine (47.73+/-23.36 mg kg(-1) dry mass) and southern oak-hornbeam (52.20+/-45.19 mg kg(-1) dry mass) stands than in northern, oak-hornbeam (9.20+/-6.46 mg kg(-1) dry mass). The copper concentration was similar in animals from all forest types studied (147.94+/-106.38 mg kg(-1) dry mass in mixed oak-pine, 138.35+/-64.76 mg kg(-1) dry mass in northern oak-hornbeam, and 138.27+/-80.08 mg kg(-1) dry mass in southern oak-hornbeam). The lowest concentration of zinc in animals was found in northern oak-hornbeam (1015.27+/-300.28 mg kg(-1) dry mass) and higher concentrations, in mixed oak-pine (2233.81+/-1825.41 mg kg(-1) dry mass) and southern oak-hornbeam (2366.60+/-1987.52 mg kg(-1) dry mass). The concentrations of available metals in litter trended with those in the animals, but only the relation between lead concentration in animals and available lead in litter was significant. The spatial distribution of metal concentrations in the whole forest suggests a relationship between forest type and the content of cadmium, lead, and zinc in animals. The spatial distribution of heavy metal content in enchytraeids was investigated in selected plots as well. The coefficients of variation indicated that lead had the most diverse distribution and zinc the most homogeneous.

Pedosphere, Aug 1, 2020

The aim of this study was to assess and to detect factors controlling the temperature sensitivity... more The aim of this study was to assess and to detect factors controlling the temperature sensitivity of soil organic matter (SOM) in boreal forests, constituting an important stock of carbon. Soils were collected under Scots pine, Norway spruce, silver birch and mixed forests (O horizon) in northern Finland and measured for basal respiration rate at five different temperatures (from 4˚C to 28˚C). Q 10 values were calculated using a Gaussian function and based on temperature-dependent changes. The soils were measured for the a range of physicochemical parameters and functional diversity of soil microbial communities was assessed using the novel MicroResp™ method. Temperature sensitivity of SOM decomposition differed under the studied forest stands, with pine forests exhibiting the highest temperature sensitivity of SOM decomposition at a lower temperature range (0°C-12°C). In such temperature range we found that Q 10 values were positively correlated with microbial functional diversity index (H' mic) and soil C-toP ratio. These suggest that metabolic abilities of soil microbial communities and soil nutrient content are the important controls of temperature sensitivity of taiga soils.

Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 2012

This study assessed the development of microbial biomass, basal respiration, and the activities o... more This study assessed the development of microbial biomass, basal respiration, and the activities of dehydrogenase, urease, and acid phosphomonoesterase in sandy mine soils reclaimed for forestry and those developing under vegetation from natural succession. The mine soils contained significantly less organic C (C org) and total N (N t) than the natural forest soils. However, in some of them the microbial biomass and basal respiration attained values typical for the natural forest soils. The content of N t proved to be the most important control on the microbial biomass, basal respiration, and the activities of dehydrogenase and phosphomonoesterase in the mine soils. All the microbial properties were positively related also to C org content. The activities of dehydrogenase and urease depended strongly on microbial biomass (C mic). Hence, high activities of these enzymes were determined in soils containing high C mic. The acid phosphomonoesterase activity was also positively related to C mic , but its activity was increased in the soils with low P contents.

Acta Oecologica-international Journal of Ecology, Oct 1, 2020

This study examines the effect of the soil physicochemical properties and the vegetation diversit... more This study examines the effect of the soil physicochemical properties and the vegetation diversity and composition on the soil microorganism community structure on the temperate forest stands along the altitudinal gradient. The studied stands were located at three altitudes (600, 900, and 1200 m a.s.l.) on five separate mountain slopes (treated as independent replicates) in the Western Carpathians Mountains (Poland). The soil physicochemical characteristics varied widely between the stands on these same altitude, and only the organic matter content, water-holding capacity and dissolved organic nitrogen differed significantly between the different altitudes, exhibited highest values in the stands at 1200 m a.s.l. The vascular plant species number, including trees, shrubs and understorey decreased with an increase in the altitude. Multivariate analysis (CCA, ANOSIM) indicated that the plant diversity and composition differed significantly between 600 m a.s.l. and 1200 m a.s.l. and was related to altitude, soil pH and fertility, defined as P and K content. Soil microbial biomass and community structure was measured using PLFA (phospholipid fatty acids) analysis. PLFA pattern did not differ between altitudes but was related to the number of plant species, soil pH and C:N ratio. Taking all stands altogether, we showed clear relationship between the plant diversity and composition and the PLFA pattern (Mantel test). Additionally, we indicated that the main factor affecting both the plant diversity and composition as well as microbial community structure was the soil pH.