Studies on the Microflora of Soil under Chronic Irradiation Free

Abstract

SUMMARY: The number of micro-organisms present in soil located at a distance of 4 cm. from a Co-source 1 m. above ground declined considerably after 24 hr. of exposure. Respirometric determination showed no decrease in oxygen uptake at this time. The distance at which the effect of irradiation could be demonstrated increased with increasing duration of exposure; after 396 days a reduction of the oxygen uptake as well as of the number of microbes could be detected at a distance of more than 3 m. and at a depth of 10 cm. as well as at the surface.

There appeared to be no significant difference between the effects of chronic irradiation on spore-forming and on non-spore-forming bacteria, respectively.

The plot of microbial count showed a better fit to a double-logarithmic than to a semi-logarithmic diagram according to Lea’s formula. Possible explanations of this fact are discussed.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journal/micro/10.1099/00221287-28-3-521
1962-07-01
2024-03-28
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

/deliver/fulltext/micro/28/3/mic-28-3-521.html?itemId=/content/journal/micro/10.1099/00221287-28-3-521&mimeType=html&fmt=ahah

References

  1. Alper T., Gilles N. E., Elkind M. M. 1960; The sigmoid survival curve in radiobiology. Nature, Lond. 186:1062
    [Google Scholar]
  2. Billen D., Stapleton G. E., Hollaender A. 1953; The effect of X-radiation on the respiration of Escherichia coli. J. Bad. 65:131
    [Google Scholar]
  3. Brynjolfsson A., Holm N. W. 1960; The Co60 irradiation facility and the gamma field at Riso. Large Radiation Source in Industry115 Vienna: IAEA;
    [Google Scholar]
  4. Davis R. J., Sheldon V. L., Auerbach S. J. 1956; Lethal effects of gamma radiation upon segments of a natural microbial population. J. Bact. 72:505
    [Google Scholar]
  5. Dixon M. 1951 Manometric Methods as Applied to the Measurement of Cell Respiration and other Processes, 3rd edn.. Cambridge University Press;
    [Google Scholar]
  6. Dunn C. G., Campbell W. K., Fram H., Hutchins A. 1948; Biological and photochemical effects of high energy, electrically produced roentgen rays and cathode rays. J. appl. Phys. 19:605
    [Google Scholar]
  7. Etchells J. L., Costilon R. N., Bell T. A., Rutherford H. A. 1961; Influence of gamma-radiation on the microflora of cucumber fruit and blossoms. Appl. Microbiol. 72:145
    [Google Scholar]
  8. Halkier S. B. 1959; Str&lekonservering af fisk. Levnedsmiddelkonservering ved bestraling69 Only in Danish
    [Google Scholar]
  9. Halkier S. B. 1960; The effect of Co60 irradiation on bacteria from fish. Riso Report 16:44
    [Google Scholar]
  10. Lea D. E. 1955 Action of Radiation on Living Cells, 2nd edn. Cambridge University Press;
    [Google Scholar]
  11. McLaren A. D., Reshetko L., Huber W. 1957; Sterilization of soil by irradiation with an electron beam, and some observations on soil enzyme activity. Soil Sci. 83:497
    [Google Scholar]
  12. Platt R. B., Mohrbacher J. A. 1959; Studies in radiation ecology. I. The program of study. Bull. Georgia Acad. Sci. 17:1
    [Google Scholar]
  13. Siu R. G. H. 1957; Action of ionizing radiation on enzymes. The U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps: Radiation Preservation of Food169 Washington D.C.: U. S. Government Printing Office;
    [Google Scholar]
  14. Stotzky G., Mortensen J. L. 1959; Effect of gamma radiation on growth and metabolism of microorganisms in an organic soil. Proc. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. 23:125
    [Google Scholar]
  15. Umbreit W. W., Burris R. H., Stauffer J. F. 1957 Manometric Techniques. Minneapolis: Burgess Publishing Co;
    [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journal/micro/10.1099/00221287-28-3-521
Loading
/content/journal/micro/10.1099/00221287-28-3-521
Loading

Data & Media loading...

Most cited Most Cited RSS feed