Publicação
Impact of the mine pollution on the abundance and community structure of ground-dwelling spiders (Araneae): potential use as bioindicators
| Resumo: | Heavy metal pollution has been the object of much research in the last few decades, motivated by concerns over human health and the integrity of biological systems. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of mine-originated fugitive dust deposition, as contaminator of surface soils with copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), on the abundance and community structure of a Mediterranean ground-dwelling spider community. Spider and soil bioavailable metal contents were analysed. Lichen data was obtained from models from previous studies at the Cu-mine. Community assessment of ground-spiders was made through pitfall trapping in a series of sites in a 2 km radius area from the contamination source. Decreased overall community abundance and increased Cu and Fe in spiders were detected with decreasing distance from the mine. Significant correlations between these parameters and high levels of lichens and soil bioavailable metal contents were observed. Cu in spiders did not show a magnitude of enrichment comparable to that of soil; this study therefore agrees with previous studies that Cu seems to be regulated in spiders. Fe in spiders had a even stronger gradient with distance to the mine than Cu, despite the absence of a correspondingly strong soil gradient. Zn soil concentrations in the study area were probably too low for there to be any significant accumulation in spiders. Ground Hunter guild abundance was found to respond better to soil contamination, while abundance of Specialists responded better to atmospheric deposition. Juveniles, females and males presented different patterns of abundance. The inclusion of juveniles in the overall abundance assessments therefore permits the observation of more generalized and robust patterns for the whole guild and overall community. The results of the present study indicate that spiders can be adequate bioindicators of soil contamination in the context of a primarily Cu gradient in the Mediterranean ecoregion. |
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| Autores principais: | Ferreira, Joana Guimarães |
| Assunto: | Metais pesados Bioindicadores Aranhas Minas Teses de mestrado - 2010 |
| Ano: | 2010 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Tipo de documento: | dissertação de mestrado |
| Tipo de acesso: | acesso aberto |
| Instituição associada: | Universidade de Lisboa |
| Idioma: | inglês |
| Origem: | Repositório da Universidade de Lisboa |
| Resumo: | Heavy metal pollution has been the object of much research in the last few decades, motivated by concerns over human health and the integrity of biological systems. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of mine-originated fugitive dust deposition, as contaminator of surface soils with copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), on the abundance and community structure of a Mediterranean ground-dwelling spider community. Spider and soil bioavailable metal contents were analysed. Lichen data was obtained from models from previous studies at the Cu-mine. Community assessment of ground-spiders was made through pitfall trapping in a series of sites in a 2 km radius area from the contamination source. Decreased overall community abundance and increased Cu and Fe in spiders were detected with decreasing distance from the mine. Significant correlations between these parameters and high levels of lichens and soil bioavailable metal contents were observed. Cu in spiders did not show a magnitude of enrichment comparable to that of soil; this study therefore agrees with previous studies that Cu seems to be regulated in spiders. Fe in spiders had a even stronger gradient with distance to the mine than Cu, despite the absence of a correspondingly strong soil gradient. Zn soil concentrations in the study area were probably too low for there to be any significant accumulation in spiders. Ground Hunter guild abundance was found to respond better to soil contamination, while abundance of Specialists responded better to atmospheric deposition. Juveniles, females and males presented different patterns of abundance. The inclusion of juveniles in the overall abundance assessments therefore permits the observation of more generalized and robust patterns for the whole guild and overall community. The results of the present study indicate that spiders can be adequate bioindicators of soil contamination in the context of a primarily Cu gradient in the Mediterranean ecoregion. |
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