Spatial Distribution of Salmonella in Soil near Municipal Waste Landfill Site

Reviewer 1

Authors’ comments

In the result and discussion section and Table 1, detection of Salmonella in winter was represented as “0%”, which is scientifically incorrect. It is needed to be presented as “undetectable” or “below detection limit” and show the detection limit of the assay used in the study.

Was corrected

In addition, the persistency of the Salmonella in the environment is not discussed enough in the discussion. Please add this point.

It was added

“Jechalke et al. [16] concluded that one of the major factors affecting the persistence of Salmonella spp. in the soil might be the availability and composition of nutrients. In turn, some authors have indicated that the survival of these bacteria in different soils is correlated with differences in microbial communities [33,34].”

There are numerous typing errors. Please check thoroughly of this manuscript. (i.e. capitalization, superscript letter, italic etc…)

It was checked and corrected

Figure 2 and 3: Please wright in English in the annotation of the figures.

Was corrected

Figure 1 and 4: What is the y-axis mean? In addition to this, it looks not linear.

Unit of the y-axis was corrected. The scale of y-axis is logarithmic, to better show low and high values graphically. 

Reviewer 2

Authors’ comments

1. The authors need to improve a few errors. (m2, italic, g-1, etc.)

Was corrected

2. Introduction should be improved.

Was corrected – new information was added.

“These bacteria can be found in human and animal manures being responsible for dangerous enteric diseases. When introduced into the soil as a waste or fertilizer component they pose a significant source of soil-origin infections both direct or indirect by feeding contaminated plants [12,15]. As enteric bacteria, Salmonella is an allochthonous genus to the soil environment, being a good indicator of fresh pollution by manures.”

“In turn, the treatment of soil with sewage sludge distinctly decreased the numbers of cultivable Salmonella Typhimurium LT2 that presumably entered into the viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state [17].”

3. Please explain the positive and negative effects of Salmonella.

Such information’s were added

“These bacteria can be found in human and animal manures being responsible for dangerous enteric diseases. When introduced into the soil as a waste or fertilizer component they pose a significant source of soil-origin infections both direct or indirect by feeding contaminated plants [12,15]. As enteric bacteria, Salmonella is an allochthonous genus to the soil environment, being a good indicator of fresh pollution by manures.”

4. The authors add the characterization of soil.

Information about soils type was added. 

“Soils that predominate in the study area are Epidistric Cambisols and Disric Cambisols. In terms of type, they are light and medium loess, and in the minority area heavy loess.”

5. The authors should explain the influence between salmonella and soil.

Such information’s were added

“These findings suggest that agricultural soils can be regarded as a long-term reservoir of Salmonella spp.”

6. The authors should discuss the influence between salmonella and season.

Such information’s were added

“(i.e. weather and atmospheric conditions) [16,30-32]. Jechalke et al. [16] concluded that one of the major factors affecting the persistence of Salmonella spp. in the soil might be the availability and composition of nutrients. In turn, some authors have indicated that the survival of these bacteria in different soils is correlated with differences in microbial communities [33,34].”

7. The authors should revise all figure legends.

Was corrected

8. Overall, there were the lack of explanation.

The section “Results and discussion” was improved

Reviewer 3

Authors’ comments

1. Lines 33:36; Please support this sentence with literature.

Was corrected – appropriate literature was added

2. Line 65; change “geostatistical” to geographical.

Was changed

3. Lines 71:81; It will be better if the authors increase the usage of GIS by providing a location map showing the sampling sites. Consider adding a base map indicating the exact location of the investigated landfill in Poland.

Sampling sites are shown on each graphics in figure 4. In authors opinion it is correct.

4. Line 102; [33]???

Cited publication was corrected. In this publications more information about stands are provided.

5. Lines 134:146; It will be better to move this information to the introduction section and merge it with Lines 41:54.

We have decided to improve this part without moving it.

6. Figures 1, 2, and 3; Please improve these figures' quality. Consider defining the used symbols for the X and Y axes using the English language

Was corrected