Microfungi and microbial activity along a heavy-metal gradient
Soil fungal biomass, microfungal species composition, and soil respiration rate of conifer mor soil were studied along a steep copper and zinc gradient (up to 20,000 ,ug of Cu and 20,000 ,ug of Zn g-1 dry soil) around a brass mill near the town of Gusum in South Sweden. Fungal biomass and soil respiration rate decreased by about 75% along the metal gradient. Above 1,000 ,ug of Cu g- 1, the decreas