Urbanization Affects Soil Microbiome Profile Distribution in the Russian Arctic Region

Summary

This research examined how city development affects soil microorganisms in the Arctic region, specifically in Murmansk, Russia. The study revealed that while city soils have fewer microorganisms near the surface compared to natural soils, they actually support more microbial life in deeper layers. This has important implications for understanding how urban development affects Arctic ecosystems. Impacts on everyday life: – Shows how urban development creates new environments for beneficial soil microorganisms – Helps urban planners understand how city development affects soil health in cold regions – Provides insights for managing urban green spaces in Arctic cities – Contributes to understanding how climate change might affect Arctic soil ecosystems – Demonstrates the importance of considering both surface and deep soil layers in urban planning

Background

Arctic and Subarctic regions are highly vulnerable to global changes, with urbanization effects being overlooked despite potentially irreversible and dramatic changes to ecosystems. While industrial and mining activities cause environmental pollution affecting vegetation and soil quality, urban soil construction also involves organic material input and creates different temperature and moisture regimes compared to natural conditions.

Objective

To investigate microbial properties, including microbial biomass structure, content of ribosomal genes of prokaryotes and fungi, and their distribution down urban and natural soil profiles in Murmansk city. The study aimed to understand how urbanization affects soil microbiome in Arctic conditions.

Results

Urban soils showed shifted pH toward neutral and increased carbon and nutrient contents compared to natural soils. The numbers of rRNA genes copies of archaea, bacteria, and fungi in urban topsoils were lower than in natural Podzol, but higher in subsoil layers. Total microbial biomass in urban topsoils (0.55-0.75 mg/g) was lower compared to natural soils (1.02 mg/g), while urban subsoil microbial biomass was 2-2.5 times higher. Fungi dominated the biomass in all soils, with lower mycelium-spores ratios and higher amounts of thin mycelium in urban soils.

Conclusion

Urbanization in the Arctic created new niches for microbial development in urban subsoils, with higher microbial biomass and gene copy numbers compared to natural soils at similar depths. While urban topsoils showed reduced microbial presence, subsoils with neutral pH and high carbon content provided favorable conditions for microbiome development. This contribution to biodiversity and nutrient cycling may become increasingly important under projected climate change.
Scroll to Top