Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

DISTRIBUTION OF MICROORGANSMS IN IRON MINE OVERBURDEN SPOILS IN RELATION TO VEGETATION DEVELOPMENT

S.K. Banerjee, Amit Sahai and N. Mukhopadhyay

Abstract

The distribution of microorganisms in iron mined overburdens of different ages in Dalli-Rajhara of Madhya Pradesh in relation to plant succession was studied with a view to assess the time dependent changes in species composition, nutrient status and biological activity. With an increase in age of overburden spoils, not only the number of trees, shrubs and herbs increased but their density also. The population of all the microorganisms increased sharply with the increase of the age of overburdens. Nutrient status of the spoils also increased with time. The growth of all the organisms was significantly influenced by organic carbon, total and available nitrogen, available phosphorus and potash and exchangeable calcium and magnesium. Improvement of soil condition promoted plant succession and microbial activity.