Biological Degradation of Soil

Abstract

Soil microorganisms play key roles in cycling of nutrients, decomposition of wastes and residues, and detoxification of pollutant compounds in the environment. Factors that affect these organisms, and/or their ability to mediate anthropic functions, have received attention in recent years. The purpose of this chapter is to present a review of the present literature that addresses the potential for biological degradation of soil. Biological degradation of soil as described herein refers to the impairment or elimination of one or more ``significant'' populations of microorganisms in soil, often with a resulting change in biogeochemical processing within the associated ecosystem. ``Significant'' microorganisms are those for which an ecologically significant role is understood.