The effect of charcoal from historical kiln sites on the structure of soil microbial communities.

Alisa Malakhova

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

This bachelor thesis explores the effects of charcoal left in the soil from historical kiln sites in Moravsky Kras forest, Czech Republic. Effects on soil and microorganisms of the site was compared to the control of uncharred adjacent forest soil. The differences were drawn out by two-part methodology, determination of soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) and extraction of soil microbial DNA. The results were tested using one-way ANOVA and compared between sites with and without charcoal remain. The soil analysis has shown that CEC at the charcoal sites is significantly different from the control sites, especially in the FH horizon. The ion composition has been affected too, charcoal dominating ion in CEC value is Ca2+ while in the control it is Al3+. The pH of charcoal sites turned out to be slightly more acidic at organic layer but on mineral layer the pH is increased at charcoal locations, providing a unique mosaic of niches for bacteria and fungi communities. The microbial analysis showed that the total DNA of different amount and quality is present in every sample. More detailed analysis of the microbial communities by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing will be performed in the following diploma thesis. Conclusion of this preliminary study is that charcoal from historical kiln sites provides a new niche environment for microorganisms and we expect to find altered communities compared to the control sites but also possibly unusual new bacterial taxa.

Keywords

charcoal, bacteria, historcal kiln sites, forest soils

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 29. 7. 2020

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: doc. RNDr. Markéta Marečková, Ph.D.
• Reader: Hana Hurychová, Ing.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources

Bachelor programme / field:
Sustainable Use of Natural Resources / Sustainable Use of Natural Resources