Abstract
Soil with high moisture content is often improved using conditioners such as calcium oxide (CaO). However, for bioremediation of such improved soils, the effect of increased pH on indigenous microbes in the soil is a concern. In this study, the effects of various amelioration conditioners on soil pH and microbial count have been investigated in the context of bioremediation. The effect of soil neutralization and addition of nutritional amendments for biological treatment after amelioration, were also discussed. Results clearly indicated that microbial counts in the soil significantly decrease with increased pH resulting from amelioration. However, through soil neutralization and the addition of nutritional amendments, microbial counts clearly recovered to original levels or higher without any addition of new microbes. From the final microbial count and physical and other properties following neutralization, utilization of the neutral soil amelioration conditioners appears to be very effective in terms of bioremediation for ameliorated soil.
