Influence of land use on metal concentrations in playa sediments and amphibians in the Southern High Plains.
The Southern High Plains (SHP) is a semi-arid region in which playa wetlands are the focal points of biodiversity. Playas are highly influenced by surrounding land use. Most of the SHP is in agricultural production (primarily cotton) with a history of arsenic-containing herbicide use. Metals influence reproduction and development in amphibians. We analyzed metal residues in playa sediment and whole body tissue of Spea spp. and Bufo cognatus metamorphs from two land uses: cropland and native grassland. Cd and Ni concentrations in B. cognatus tissues differed between land uses. Metal concentrations in Spea spp. tissues did not differ between land uses. Ba was higher in Spea spp. than B. cognatus collected from the same grassland playas, indicating differential habitat use. No correlations between sediment and tissue concentrations were found. Land use appeared to have little influence on metal concentrations and levels were below those known to cause effects in amphibians.
Venne
Louise S
LS
Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, MS 1163, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA. louise.venne@tiehh.ttu.edu <louise.venne@tiehh.ttu.edu>
Cobb
George P
GP
Coimbatore
Gopal
G
Smith
Loren M
LM
McMurry
Scott T
ST
D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000032:analysis; D001464:Barium / Q000032:analysis; D002025:Bufonidae / Q000378:metabolism*; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D003368:Gossypium / Q000254:growth & development; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological; D009532:Nickel / Q000032:analysis; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis; D006109:Poaceae / Q000254:growth & development; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D013781:Texas; D053833:Wetlands
D001152:Arsenicals; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D008670:Metals; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D002104:Cadmium; D001464:Barium; D009532:Nickel