Effects of chronic low-level PAH contamination of soil invertebrate communities.
Soils containing low levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were collected from an abandoned industrial site. A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of these contaminants on soil invertebrates representing three levels of ecological hierarchy: the microfauna, mesofauna, and macrofauna. Nematodes were studied as representatives of the soil microfauna, microarthropods as representatives of the mesofauna, and earthworms as representatives of the macrofauna. Six sample plots representing a gradient of PAH contamination ranging from 5.28 to 80.46 mg/kg total PAHs were evaluated. Nematode community structure, including abundance and diversity of trophic and taxonomic groups; the total abundance of microarthropods (orders Collembola and Acarina); and earthworm (Eisenia andrei) growth were evaluated. Multiple regression analyses were used to evaluate trends in the responses of these target organisms to PAH concentrations and habitat variability. Abundance of omnivore/predator nematodes and microarthropod order Collembola; nematode taxonomic diversity; and the percent difference in earthworm weights exhibited positive associations with PAH concentrations. Total abundance of microarthropod order Acarina was negatively associated with PAH concentrations.
Erstfeld
K M
KM
Environmental Studies Program, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Pomona 08240, USA. Kerstfeld@aol.com
Snow-Ashbrook
J
J
D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007220:Industrial Waste; D007313:Insecta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D009348:Nematoda / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*
D007220:Industrial Waste; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants