Effects of metal pollution on soil macroinvertebrate burrow systems

Nahmani, J., Capowiez, Y. and Lavelle, P. (2005) Effects of metal pollution on soil macroinvertebrate burrow systems. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 42 (1). pp. 31-39. ISSN 0178-2762 doi: 10.1007/s00374-005-0865-4

Abstract/Summary

A reduction in the numbers of macroinvertebrates present in soil may have a negative effect on soil structure, infiltration rates, and gas exchanges. Soil pollution by metal is known to have a detrimental effect on soil macrofauna. The aim of the present study was to evaluate (1) direct and indirect effects of soil pollution on soil macroinvertebrate bioturbation and (2) effects of the two macroinvertebrate communities found in a polluted and a nonpolluted area (one supposed sensitive, the other tolerant to metals) on burrow systems parameters. Macroinvertebrate porosity was studied using X-ray tomography. Three-dimensional reconstructions and characterisation of the burrow system were obtained using image analysis. Results showed that metal pollution principally affected the spatial distribution of macropores (more macropores were found near the soil surface) and the shape of the burrow system (branching rate was higher in the polluted soil), whereas soil macroinvertebrate composition principally affects burrow density parameters (the number of burrows was higher for the sensitive macroinvertebrate community).