University of Louisville
Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Junior
Major
Molecular Biology
Institution 23-24
University of Louisville
KY House District #
3
KY Senate District #
7
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Sarah Emery PhD.
Department
Dept. of Biology
Abstract
Urban green spaces can improve food security, enhance biodiversity, and provide recreational and educational opportunities in cities. Converting abandoned or vacant lots to functional urban green spaces such as parks or gardens is a promising way to increase urban canopy cover, make use of available land, and mitigate food insecurity. However, research has shown that heavy metal soil contamination is a major concern in urban vacant lots, not just for human health, but also for the plants, wildlife, and soil organisms that play crucial roles in providing beneficial ecosystem services. In our study, we asked whether heavy metals impacted soil microbial activity in vacant lots in Louisville, KY. We hypothesized that increased soil contamination with heavy metals would have a negative effect on soil microbial functional diversity.
We selected twenty contaminated vacant lots in the Portland neighborhood of Louisville, KY based on data provided by the Louisville Office of Land Development. Soil samples from each lot were collected and analyzed for heavy metals in collaboration with the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service (specifically lead, cadmium, zinc, chromium, nickel, and copper). We then assessed microbial functional diversity and abundance using Biolog Ecoplates. We used linear regression and ordination in R-Studio statistical software to analyze relationships between heavy metals and microbial diversity. We found that soil microbial diversity changed in association with soil contamination. This Study highlights the potential effects of heavy metal pollution on soil health, which should be considered in any urban green space development. Interventions, such as phytoremediation using metal-tolerant plant species, may be required to restore ecosystem functionality in soils in urban areas.
Heavy metals contamination alters soil microbes
Urban green spaces can improve food security, enhance biodiversity, and provide recreational and educational opportunities in cities. Converting abandoned or vacant lots to functional urban green spaces such as parks or gardens is a promising way to increase urban canopy cover, make use of available land, and mitigate food insecurity. However, research has shown that heavy metal soil contamination is a major concern in urban vacant lots, not just for human health, but also for the plants, wildlife, and soil organisms that play crucial roles in providing beneficial ecosystem services. In our study, we asked whether heavy metals impacted soil microbial activity in vacant lots in Louisville, KY. We hypothesized that increased soil contamination with heavy metals would have a negative effect on soil microbial functional diversity.
We selected twenty contaminated vacant lots in the Portland neighborhood of Louisville, KY based on data provided by the Louisville Office of Land Development. Soil samples from each lot were collected and analyzed for heavy metals in collaboration with the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service (specifically lead, cadmium, zinc, chromium, nickel, and copper). We then assessed microbial functional diversity and abundance using Biolog Ecoplates. We used linear regression and ordination in R-Studio statistical software to analyze relationships between heavy metals and microbial diversity. We found that soil microbial diversity changed in association with soil contamination. This Study highlights the potential effects of heavy metal pollution on soil health, which should be considered in any urban green space development. Interventions, such as phytoremediation using metal-tolerant plant species, may be required to restore ecosystem functionality in soils in urban areas.