Invertebrates control metals and arsenic sequestration as ecosystem engineers.
Organic sediments are known to be a significant sink of inorganic elements in polluted freshwater ecosystems. Hence, we investigated the role of invertebrate shredders (the freshwater shrimp Gammarus pulex L.) in metal and arsenic enrichment into organic partitions of sediments in a wetland stream at former uranium mining site. Metal and metalloid content in leaf litter increased significantly during decomposition, while at the same time the carbon content decreased. During decomposition, G. pulex as a ecosystem engineer facilitated significantly the enrichment of magnesium (250%), manganese (560%), cobalt (310%), copper (200%), zinc (43%), arsenic (670%), cadmium (100%) and lead (1340%) into small particle sizes. The enrichments occur under very high concentrations of dissolved organic carbon. Small particles have high surface area that results in high biofilm development. Further, the highest amounts of elements were observed in biofilms. Therefore, invertebrate shredder like G. pulex can enhance retention of large amounts of metal and arsenic in wetlands.
Dresden University of Technology, Institute of General Ecology and Environmental Protection, PF 1117, 01737 Tharandt, Germany. Schaller@forst.tu-dresden.de
Jörg
J
Schaller
Arndt
A
Weiske
Martin
M
Mkandawire
E Gert
EG
Dudel
D033304:Amphipoda / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D010316:Particle Size; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D001151:Arsenic