We studied the long-term effects (12 years) of municipal refuse compost addition on the total organic carbon (TOC), the amount and activity of the microbial biomass (soil microbial biomass C, B(C) and metabolic quotient qCO2) and heavy metal bioavaiability in soils as compared to manuring with mineral fertilizers (NPK) and farmyard manure (FYM). In addition, we studied the relationships between among the available fraction [Diethylenetriaminopentacetic acid (DTPA) extractable] of heavy metals and their total content, TOC and B(C). After 12 years of repeated treatments, the TOC and B(C) of control and mineral fertilized plots did not differ. Soils treated with FYM and composts showed a significant increase in TOC and B(C) in response to the increasing amounts of organic C added. Values of the B(C)/TOC ratio ranged from 1.4 to 2, without any significative differences among soil treatments. The qCO2 increased in the organic-amended soil and may have indicated microbial stress. The total amounts of metals in treated soils were lower than the levels permitted by the European Union in agricultural soils. DTPA-extractable metals increased in amended soils in response to organic C. A multiple regression analysis with stepwise selection of variables was carried out in order to discriminate between the influence exerted on DTPA-extractable metals by their total content. TOC and B(C). Results showed that each metal behaved quite differently, suggesting that different mechanisms might be involved in metal bioavailability.
