Nitric Oxide Emission and Soil Microbial Activities in Toluene Contaminated Soil

The purpose of this research is to consider a novel concept for measuring and monitoring (M&M) the presence and levels of contaminants in soil. Current M&M techniques include direct sensing for the target contaminant and the surrogate indicators of respired O2 and CO2. The method suggested here is based on nitric oxide (NO). It is an alternative M&M method that could become quicker, easier, more reliable, and less expensive than the other M&M methods being used currently. NO emission from toluene contaminated soil and soil microbial activity were investigated to understand the NO-toluene-soil microbial relationships using fluorescent in situ hybridization molecular technique combined by enzymatic method. The relationships have been analyzed by the comparison of experimental measurements coming from analysis of variance statistical analysis, referring to toluene concentrations. Relationships between NO emissions and the microbial activity were significantly correlated (P<0.01) with the level of toluene concentration and duration of toluene contamination. Thus, NO emissions are suggested as a useful indicator of microbial activity in toluene contaminated soils.