Gyedu-Ababio T K, Baird D
Kruger National Park, P/Bag X1021 Phalaborwa 1390, South Africa.
Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2006 Mar;63(3):443-50. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2005.01.010.
This study was undertaken to assess the response of meiofauna and nematode (multispecies) associations in terms of density, diversity, and composition to different environmental contaminants and also to evaluate the use of meiofauna and nematodes as indicators in pollution monitoring. Sediment was collected from the mouth of the Swartkops River estuary and defaunated by successive freezing and thwarting. The sediment was then subdivided into flasks and treated with different contaminants (organic carbon, Zn, Cu, Pb, Fe) at different concentrations, before meiofauna-rich sediment was added to each of them. The setup was allowed to mature for 32 days. Various biological indices were used to assess the biological status of the nematode communities in the laboratory experiment. Nematode identification was done to the genus level. The results indicate that higher concentrations of heavy metals and organic carbon had an impact on the nematode density, diversity, and community structure. Nematode genera such as Axonolaimus, Theristus, and Paramonohystera were found to be tolerant to metal pollution. This study also observed that nematode communities react differently to metal and organic pollution.
本研究旨在评估小型底栖动物和线虫（多物种）群落的密度、多样性和组成对不同环境污染物的响应，并评估小型底栖动物和线虫作为污染监测指标的适用性。沉积物取自斯瓦特科普斯河河口，通过反复冷冻和融化去除其中的动物。然后将沉积物分装到烧瓶中，用不同浓度的不同污染物（有机碳、锌、铜、铅、铁）进行处理，之后向每个烧瓶中添加富含小型底栖动物的沉积物。该装置放置32天使其成熟。在实验室实验中，使用各种生物学指标评估线虫群落的生物学状态。线虫鉴定到属级水平。结果表明，较高浓度的重金属和有机碳对线虫密度、多样性和群落结构有影响。发现轴咽线虫属、瑟里斯线虫属和副单宫线虫属等线虫属对金属污染具有耐受性。本研究还观察到线虫群落对金属污染和有机污染的反应不同。
