IMPACT OF MINE POLLUTION ON THE ABUNDANCE AND COMMUNITY STRUCTURE OF GROUND-DWELLING SPIDERS (ARANEAE): POTENTIAL USE AS BIOINDICATORS

Heavy metal pollution has been the object of much research in the last few decades, motivated by concerns over human health and the integrity of biological systems. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of mine-originated fugitive dust deposition, as contaminator of surface soils with copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), on the abundance and community structure of a Mediterranean ground-dwelling spider community. Spider and soil bioavailable metal contents were analysed. Lichen data was obtained from models from previous studies at the Cu-mine. Community assessment of ground-spiders was made through pitfall trapping in a series of sites in a 2 km radius area from the contamination source. Decreased overall community abundance and increased Cu and Fe in spiders were detected with decreasing distance from the mine. Significant correlations between these parameters and high levels of lichens and soil bioavailable metal contents were observed. Cu in spiders did not show a magnitude of enrichment comparable to tha