Is it necessary to sterilize soil samples before preparing contaminated soil for experiments on degradation of organic pollutants in soil by PMS? A review of the large amount of papers shows that many people directly collect the soil after removing stones and leaves, dry and sieve it naturally, and then spray a certain concentration of organic solvent of the target pollutant without sterilizing it? Won't this have biodegradation implications?
Sterilizing soil samples before conducting experiments on the degradation of organic pollutants in soil with PMS (persulfate) can help ensure that any observed changes are due to the treatment rather than pre-existing microbial activity. However, the necessity of sterilisation depends on the specific research objectives and conditions. If you want to study the combined effect of PMS treatment and microbial activity, sterilization may not be necessary. It's essential to consider the experimental design and objectives when deciding whether to sterilize soil samples.
Yes, sterilizing soil samples is a common practice in experiments involving the degradation of organic pollutants. The purpose of sterilization is to eliminate or reduce the presence of microorganisms in the soil1. Microorganisms can participate in almost all the biogeochemical reactions in soil systems. Therefore, to clarify the functions of soil microorganisms in soil reactions, efficient soil sterilization approaches are required for conducting paired experiments in soils with and without microbes.
Different sterilization methods such as autoclaving, oven heating, ultraviolet irradiation, and microwave heating have different efficiencies and effects on soil particle size distribution1. For instance, oven heating was found to be the most efficient in sterilizing soils, with the highest efficiency for both bacteria (99.35%) and fungi (98.28%).
However, it’s important to note that all sterilization methods can alter the soil’s physical structure, such as its particle size distribution1. Therefore, the choice of sterilization method should consider its impact on the soil’s physical properties and the specific requirements of the experiment.
In the context of experiments on the degradation of organic pollutants, sterilization can help isolate the effects of the treatment (e.g., PMS) on pollutant degradation from the effects of soil microorganisms2. This can provide clearer insights into the mechanisms of pollutant degradation and the effectiveness of the treatment.
In conclusion, while sterilization is not always necessary, it can be a valuable tool in experimental design, depending on the specific goals and requirements of the experiment. It’s always recommended to consult relevant scientific literature or experts in the field when designing such experiments.
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