Effect of copper smelting air pollution on the mites (ACARI) associated with young scots pine forests polluted by a copper smelting works at Głogów, Poland. II. Soil mites

Abstract

The arboreal mites and epiphytes in young Scots pine forests (plant association Leucobryo-Pinetum) polluted by a copper smelting works at Glogow, were investigated. The concentration of heavy metals in Scots pine bark and epiphytes increased towards the pollution source. Copper was accumulated mainly by algae, but lead was accumulated mainly by lichens; these epiphytes accumulated more heavy metals than tree bark. A high concentration of heavy metals was harmful to mites, especially to Oribatida, and to lichens, but algae tolerated these pollutants. The number of oribatid species decreased towards the pollution source, along with the increasing concentrations of heavy metals in tree bark and epiphytes. Among mites, the following categories were distinguished: a) sensitive to heavy metals, b) sensitive to a high concentration but tolerant of small concentrations and c) tolerant of these metals. The mites inhabited mainly the lower section of trees.