Effect of mine tailing on the spatial variability of soil nematodes from lead pollution in La Union (Spain)

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2014-03, Vol.473-474, p.518-529
• Main Authors: Rodríguez Martín, José Antonio, Gutiérrez, Carmen, Escuer, Miguel, García-González, Ma Teresa, Campos-Herrera, Raquel, Águila, Nancy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abundance; Animals; Bacteria; Environmental Monitoring; Footprints; Heavy metal pollution; Lead (metal); Lead - analysis; Lead - toxicity; Metabolic footprints; Mine tailing; Mining; Multivariate geostatistics; Nematoda; Nematoda - physiology; Nematode trophic groups; Nematodes; Soil (material); Soil - chemistry; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Soil Pollutants - toxicity; Spain; Unions
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.12.075

The Cartagena–La Union mining district, exploited since the end of the 3rd century BC, was one of the world's largest lead producers in the 19th century. Although activity ceased in 1991, today mining residues pose a huge pollution problem. This study characterises lead contents (total and DPTA) and other soil parameters (N, P, K, pH, SOM, CaCO3, granulometric fraction, etc.) using multivariate geostatistical methods in relation to nematode diversity. In this work, trophic groups and metabolic footprints of soil nematodes were measured using 193 samples from the mining, natural and agricultural areas in this district. We explored the relationship between soil health and nematode communities. High lead concentrations were quantified: mean 8500mgkg−1 for total and 340mgkg−1 for DPTA in this mining area. Although nematode diversity was broad (81 taxa), their diversity, abundance and metabolic footprints significantly reduced in the mining area. Significant differences in the nematode community structure were observed, and the relative abundance of predators was sensitive to mine and agricultural activities, whilst omnivores reduced only in the agricultural area, and bacterial feeders exhibited a differential response to both anthropogenic disturbances. The total abundance of nematodes, trophic groups and c–p groups correlated negatively with soil Pb contents, and a positive relationship was found with SOM and N, P and K contents. [Display omitted] •High lead contents from mine tailing diminish soil biodiversity.•Spatial relationship showing the soil Pb pollution impact of mines on soil health.•SOM and nutrients are the most influential factors on soil nematodes in La Union.•Nematode populations have well adapted to high Pb after a long mining period.