Research will be conducted on the microbial response in soils to the influx of selected organic substances that are subject to biological degradation. The investigators plan to study soils with originally low concentrations of organic matter to determine whether naturally occurring populations of micro-organisms can adjust to the application of the selected chemical or whether inoculation with acclimated cultures is necessary to initiate degradation. Results of this research may be applicable to engineering design of soil application systems for managing hazardous wastes.
