Use of the MicroResp™ method to assess Pollution-Induced Community Tolerance in the context of metal soil contamination

•MicroResp™ used in PICT-assays to assess metal impact to soil microbial communities.•PICT observed in a long-term field experiment with high Cd soil contamination.•The long-term metal (Cd) contamination induced a shift in catabolism structure.•Metabolic quotient increased with Pollution-Induced Community Tolerance.•Allocation of carbon for energy requirements versus growth in response to Cd-PICT.