Abstract

FONTURBEL RADA, Francisco. Some biological and biochemical indicator parameters to evaluate hydrocarbon contamination and biodegradation at Titikaka's lake zone (San Pedro de Tiquina, Bolivia). Ecol. apl. [online]. 2004, vol.3, n.1-2, pp.172-179. ISSN 1726-2216.

Microbial biomass, pH and enzymatic activity (for proteases, sacharases and ureases) time variation were studied in naturally hydrocarbon exposed soils at the municipality of San Pedro de Tiquina. Dry and wet season samples were analyzed. For dry season samples, the microbial biomass on hydrocarbon treated soil reach a 0 meqC/kg value, whereas wet season samples show an exponential behavior for control and treated samples. In both seasons, pH analysis shows a regulation tendency to values of a 5.50-5.60 range at two weeks of exposure. Enzymatic activity analysis shows a reciprocal and 2nd grade polynomial behavior for proteases, sacharases and ureases. Also sacharases activity was observed that is not sensitive for this kind of contamination. Variance analysis performed shows significant differences between control and hydrocarbon-treated samples. Pearson correlation analysis shows a medium relationship between biomass-pH and biomass-proteases, and a high correlation between proteases-ureases. Results suggest that a conjunction of these parameters could be used as an indicator to evaluate hydrocarbon contamination and in-situ natural biodegradation potentialities in Titikaka’s lake zone soils.

Keywords : Hydrocarbons; edaphic ecosystem; biodegradation; microbial biomass; enzymatic activity.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )