Journal article

Publication year: 2001

Pages: 1511-1516

Journal: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Volume number: 20

Issue number: 7

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620200714

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Abstract: 

The acute sensitivity to CuSO₄ of a broad range of nematode
taxa was analyzed in order to assess the potential of changes to
nematode community structure to serve as a practical tool for the
bioindication of heavy‐metal pollution. An easy‐to‐use experimental
set‐up was developed along with an appropriate mathematical response
model in order to quantify the response characteristics of nematodes to
CuSO₄ pressure. Three similar experiments were conducted
using water, dune sand, and sandy soil as media, each of which was
subjected to 12 increasing concentrations of CuSO₄. In total, 130 response curves representing 70 nematode taxa were produced and analyzed. CuSO₄ concentrations were normalized for differences in efficiency among media due to different adsorption. At low CuSO₄
concentrations, many taxa exhibited stimulation rather than inhibition
regarding recovery efficiency. At higher concentrations, the
concentration level at which 50% of the nematode population was
recovered after a 24‐h incubation (recovery concentration 50% [RC50])
varied widely among taxa and ranged from 0.01 to 4 mM/L CuSO₄
(normalized to water). Stimulation of recovery efficiency and RC50 were
negatively correlated with the colonizer‐persister (C‐P) classification
of taxa, which discriminates nematodes according to their reproductive
potential. The maturity index, which relates to a nematode community's
state of disturbance and eutrophication, was negatively correlated with
CuSO₄ concentration. The properties of the applied test
method are discussed as are the relationships between the investigated
short‐term toxicity effects and long‐term toxicity processes in the
field. From the large range of observed RC50 values, it is concluded
that a meaningful sensitivity classification of nematodes should be
possible and thus would allow for a sensitive bioindication of
heavy‐metal pollution. From the correlation between RC50 and C‐P
classification, the authors further conclude that the maturity index
will, in addition to enrichment and disturbance, respond to heavy‐metal
pollution and thus may serve as a general indicator of soil health.

Harvard Citation style: Bongers, T., Ilieva-Makulecy, K. and Ekschmitt, K. (2001) Acute sensitivity of nematode taxa to CuSO4 and relationships with feeding‐type and life‐history classification, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 20(7), pp. 1511-1516. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620200714

APA Citation style: Bongers, T., Ilieva-Makulecy, K., & Ekschmitt, K. (2001). Acute sensitivity of nematode taxa to CuSO4 and relationships with feeding‐type and life‐history classification. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 20(7), 1511-1516. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620200714