Morphological abnormalities in mites of the genera “Zecron” and “Prozecron” (Acari : Gamasina) collected near caves : preliminary results

Eleven mites of the genera "Zercon" C.L. Koch, 1836 and "Prozercon" Sellnick, 1943 with various morphological deviations (changes in chaetotaxy) are described. The mites were collected from the natural environment, near limestone caves in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland (Wyżyna Krakowsko-Częstochowska) in southern Poland

Oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) in selected caves of the Kraków-Wielun Upland (southern Poland)

This paper describes and compares the species composition and community structure of the oribatid mite fauna of 5 caves in the Kraków-Wielun Upland (Wyzyna Krakowsko-Wielunska). We also compare oribatid communities in 3 chosen caves with oribatid communities in the soil and litter (leaves, dead wood, bat guano) in the vicinity of the cave entrances. Three hypotheses were tested: (1) oribatid communities from the soil and litter near the caves differ from the communities inhabiting caves; (2) the composition of oribatid communities depends on cave size; (3) the cave communities strongly depend on microhabitat quality and diversity. We collected 1112 adult oribatids from caves and 838 from the soil and litter near the caves. Oribatid communities in the caves were different from the soil communities. Litter, guano and dead wood were the microhabitats that affected oribatid communities signifcantly. In the other cave microhabitats (soil and mud), oribatids were infrequent. Cave size affected the oribatid community structure

Roztocze drapieżne wybranych jaskiń Wyżyny Krakowsko-Częstochowskiej : analiza wpływu parametrów siedliskowych na zgrupowania roztoczy Gamasina (Arachnida, Acari)

W aktualnym światowym trendzie badań nad bioróżnorodnością, prowadzona jest inwentaryzacja zasobów przyrody na terenach Parków Narodowych i rezerwatów. W tym kontekście duże znaczenie ma poznanie zgrupowań stawonogów glebowych, a w szczególności roztoczy, które są jednym z najbogatszych gatunkowo składników ekosystemów lądowych. Do terenów o szczególnym znaczeniu biologicznym należą jaskinie, które są stosunkowo rzadko badane. Głównym celem pracy było poznanie składu gatunkowego roztoczy Gamasina zasiedlających wybrane jaskinie Jury Krakowsko-Częstochowskiej oraz określenie jaki wpływ na te zgrupowania mają parametry środowiskowe. Niniejsza praca jest jedynym w Polsce tak szerokim i kompleksowym opracowaniem roztoczy podrzędu Gamasina jaskiń. Dlatego może być przydatna specjalistom z dziedziny ekologii i akarologii a, ze względu na wielokierunkową analizę statystyczną, także studentom.1. 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Evaluation of Soil Biological Quality Index (QBS-ar): Its Sensitivity and Usefulness in the Post-Mining Chronosequence - Preliminary Research

We took 60 samples in the post-mining chronosequence with different stages of ecological succession (4 sites) in 2005 and 2006. In total, 2,740 specimens of soil microarthropods were extracted and classified according to the Biological Quality of Soil Index (QBS-ar). The number of taxa of microarthropods and QBSar values increased with succession. According to the increasing values of QBS-ar, the soils of the study sites can be ordered along the following sequence: the youngest part of the dump (the two-year-old site) (S I) – the four-year-old site (S II) – the ten-year-old site (S III) – the twenty-year-old site (S IV) (mean QBS-ar = 40; 94; 120; 140, respectively). The QBS-ar index indicated better soil biological quality in woodland sites. The correlation between QBS-ar values and time of chronosequence was presented

Antioxidant responses of Triticum aestivum plants to petroleum-derived substances

Winter common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants were cultivated on petroleum products contaminated soils with and without using biopreparation ZB-01. We determined the impact of soil contamination with petrol, diesel fuel and engine oil on selected antioxidant enzymes and the levels of antioxidants in the leaves of winter wheat. The impact of petroleum products on selected morphological characteristics of the plants, levels of nutrients and heavy metals was also assessed. Winter wheat was relatively resistant to soil contamination with petroleum products, and did not show a significant impact on the morphological characteristics of the plants. The levels of nutrients and heavy metals in the plants depended on the type of pollutant and the analyzed component. Biopreparation ZB-01 generally resulted in an increase in calcium levels in the plants. The winter wheat plants growing in soil contaminated with engine oil were characterized by higher levels of zinc, lead, manganese and cadmium than the control plants. Biopreparation applied to the soil contaminated with petrol resulted in a slight increase in the levels of lead and zinc in the plants. The petroleum products affected the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the levels of antioxidants in the plants. The general markers of soil contaminated with diesel fuel and petrol were POD activity and proline levels. Use of the ZB-01 biopreparation caused an increase in the levels of proline and -SH groups and an increase in the levels of carbon and calcium in the plants and had no effect on the morphological characteristics of plants

Effect of petroleum-derived substances on life history traits of black bean aphid (Aphis fabae Scop.) and on the growth and chemical composition of broad bean

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of various petroleum-derived substances, namely petrol, diesel fuel and spent engine oil, on life history traits and population dynamics of the black bean aphid Aphis fabae Scop. and on growth and chemical composition of its host plant Vicia faba L. Each substance was tested separately, using two concentrations (9 g kg−1 and 18 g kg−1). The experiment was conducted in four replications (four pots with five plants in each pot per treatment). Plants were cultivated in both control and contaminated soils. After six weeks from soil contamination and five weeks from sowing the seeds, observations of the effect of petroleum-derived substances on traits of three successive generations of aphids were conducted. Aphids were inoculated separately on leaves using cylindrical cages hermetically closed on both sides. Contamination of aphid occurred through its host plant. Results showed that all tested substances adversely affected A. fabae life history traits and population dynamics: extension of the prereproductive period, reduction of fecundity and life span, reduction of the population intrinsic growth rate. In broad bean, leaf, roots, and shoot growth was also impaired in most conditions, whereas nutrient and heavy metal content varied according to substances, their concentration, as well as plant part analysed. Results indicate that soil contamination with petroleum-derived substances entails far-reaching changes not only in organisms directly exposed to these pollutants (plants), but also indirectly in herbivores (aphids) and consequently provides information about potential negative effects on further links of the food chain, i.e., for predators and parasitoids

Robinia pseudoacacia and Melandrium album in trace elements biomonitoring and air pollution tolerance index study

The accumulation efficiency of selected trace elements in the leaves of Melandrium album and Robinia pseudoacacia grown on heavy metal contaminated sites in comparison with a non-contaminated one was evaluated. The study was undertaken to calculate air pollution tolerance index and to determine the contents of selected metabolites: glutathione, non-protein thiols, ascorbic acid, chlorophyll and the activity of antioxidant enzymes: guaiacol peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. Such estimations can be useful in better understanding of plants defense strategies and potential to grow in contaminated environments. The results in the most contaminated site revealed higher contents of metals in M. album leaves, especially Zn, Cd and Pb (3.4, 6 and 2.3 times higher, respectively) in comparison with the R. pseudoacacia. Better accumulation capacity found in M. album was shown by metal accumulation index values. The plants could be used as indicators of Zn, Cd (both species) and Pb (M. album) in the soil. Glutathione content (in both species) and peroxidase activity (in M. album), general markers of heavy metals contamination, were increased in contaminated sites. In most cases in contaminated areas R. pseudoacacia had decreased ascorbic acid and chlorophyll levels. Opposite tendency was recorded in M. album leaves, where similar or higher contents of the abovementioned metabolites were found. In our study, M. album and R. pseudoacacia proved to be sensitive species with the air pollution tolerance index lower than 11 and can be recommended as bioindicators

Accumulation of heavy metals and antioxidant responses in Pinus sylvestris L. needles in polluted and non-polluted sites

The purpose of this study was to determine the concentrations of heavy metals (cadmium, iron, manganese, lead and zinc) in current-year, 1-year old and 2-year old needles of Pinus sylvestris L. Trees were from three heavily polluted (immediate vicinity of zinc smelter, iron smelter and power plant) and three relatively clean sites (nature reserve, ecologically clean site and unprotected natural forest community) in southern Poland. Analysis also concerned the antioxidant response and contents of protein, proline, total glutathione, non-protein thiols and activity of guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) in the needles. Generally, in pine needles from the polluted sites, the concentrations of the metals were higher and increased with the age of needles, and in most cases, antioxidant responses also were elevated. The highest levels of Cd, Pb and Zn were found in 2-year old pine needles collected near the polluted zinc smelter (respectively: 6.15, 256.49, 393.5 mg kg −1 ), Fe in 2-year old pine needles in the vicinity of the iron smelter (206.82 mg kg −1 ) and Mn in 2-year old needles at the ecologically clean site (180.32 mg kg −1 ). Positive correlations were found between Fe, Mn and Pb and the content of proteins and NPTs, between Cd and non-protein –SH groups, and between Zn and proline levels. The activity of GPX increased under the influence of Mn, while glutathione levels tended to decrease as Mn levels rose. The data obtained show that the levels of protein and non-protein –SH groups may be useful in biological monitoring, and that these ecophysiological parameters seem to be good evidence of elevated oxidative stress caused by heavy metals

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals and ecophysiological responses to heavy metal stress in selected populations of Vaccinium myrtillus L. and Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.

The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Zn, Fe, and Mn) in soil, and their bioavailability and bioaccumulation in Vaccinium myrtillus L. and Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. organs. Analysis also concerned the physiological responses of these plants from three polluted sites (immediate vicinity of a zinc smelter in Miasteczko Śląskie, ArcelorMittal Poland S.A. iron smelter in Dąbrowa Górnicza-Łosień, and Jaworzno III power plant in Jaworzno) and one pseudo-control site (Pazurek nature reserve in Jaroszowiec Olkuski). All of the sites are situated in the southern parts of Poland in the Śląskie or Małopolskie provinces. The contents of proline, non-protein thiols, glutathione, ascorbic acid, and the activity of superoxide dismutase and guaiacol peroxidase in the leaves of Vaccinium myrtillus L. and Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. were measured. In soil, the highest levels of Cd, Pb, and Zn (HNO3 extracted and CaCl2 extracted) were detected at the Miasteczko Śląskie site. At all sites a several times lower concentration of the examined metals was determined in the fraction of soil extracted with CaCl2. Much higher Cd, Pb, Zn and Fe concentrations were found in V. myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea grown at the most polluted site (located near the zinc smelter) in comparison with cleaner areas; definitely higher bioaccumulation of these metals was found in lingonberry organs. Additionally, we observed a large capability of bilberry to accumulate Mn. Antioxidant response to heavy metal stress also differed between V. myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea. In V. myrtillus we found a positive correlation between the level of non-protein thiols and Cd and Zn concentrations, and also between proline and these metals. In V. vitis-idaea leaves an upward trend in ascorbic acid content and superoxide dismutase activity accompanied an increase in Cd, Pb, and Zn concentrations. At the same time, the increased levels of all tested metals in the leaves of V. vitis-idaea were accompanied by a decreased activity of guaiacol peroxidase. In both species increased Mn accumulation caused a decrease in antioxidant response

A comparative study of heavy metal accumulation and antioxidant responses in Vaccinium myrtillus L. leaves in polluted and non-polluted areas

The purpose of this study was to explore a possible relationship between the availability of metals in soil (Cd, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn) and their concentrations in leaves of Vaccinium myrtillus L. as a species which has been reported to be a successful colonist of acid-and-heavy metal-contaminated soil. Analysis also concerned the antioxidant response of plants from three heavily polluted (immediate vicinity of: zinc smelter, iron smelter and power plant) and three relatively clean sites (nature reserve, ecological site and unprotected natural forest community) in southern Poland. The contents of glutathione, non-protein thiols, protein, proline and activity of guaiacol peroxidase in leaves of bilberry were measured. Generally, the concentrations of metals in the HNO 3 and CaCl 2 extracants of the soil from the polluted sites were higher. Moreover, the antioxidant responses were also elevated in bilberries in the polluted sites. Significant positive relationships between Cd, Pb and Zn concentrations in soil and in the plants were found. In the leaves of V. myrtillus from the polluted sites, higher concentrations of Cd, Pb and Zn were noted (In Miasteczko Śla{ogonek}skie respectively 6.26, 157.09 and 207.17 mg kg -1 d.w.). We found a positive correlation between the increase in the NPTs and protein contents as well as the Cd, Pb and Zn concentrations in V. myrtillus. Cd, Pb and Zn also decreased guaiacol peroxidase activity. However, the activity of this enzyme increased under Fe. A decreasing trend in glutathione contents was observed with increasing iron and manganese concentrations in bilberry leaves. Parameters such as protein, non-protein -SH groups and changes in GPX activity seem to be universal, sensitive and correlated well with heavy metal stress