Oribatid communities and heavy metal bioaccumulation in selected species associated with lichens in a heavily contaminated habitat.

ABSTRACT: The study examines oribatid communities and heavy metal bioaccumulation in selected species associated with different microhabitats of a post-smelting dump, i.e. three lichen species of Cladonia with various growth forms and the slag substrate. The abundance of oribatids collected from the substrate was significantly lower than observed in lichen thalli. The morphology and chemical properties of lichens, and to some extent varying concentrations of heavy metals in thalli, are probably responsible for significant differences in oribatid communities inhabiting different Cladonia species. Some oribatids demonstrate the ability to accumulate zinc and cadmium with unusual efficiency, whereas lead is the most effectively regulated element by all species. A positive correlation was found between

SUBMITTER: Skubala P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4850176 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature