Influence of Oil Contamination on Physical and Biological Properties of Forest Soil After Chainsaw Use

Forestry works using chainsaws result in up to 7 million liters of various mineral oils being soaked annually into forest soils. These substances, containing a complex mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are highly toxic. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of oil contamination with PAHs on the physical and biological properties of forest soils. The study area was located in southern Poland in the Miechow forest district. The experiment was conducted on four treatment blocks with various amounts of oil addition. The study included the determination of PAH content, dehydrogenase and urease activity, and biomass of earthworms. Physical properties were determined using the dryer method and Kopecky rings of 250 cm(3) volume. The results obtained confirmed the hypothesis that oil contamination with PAHs modified the physical properties of forest soils and oil had a negative impact on enzyme activity in soil. Enzyme activity in the studied soils was negatively correlated with PAH content. Earthworm population density reflected the contamination level of oil-contaminated soils.