First Insights Into Trace Element Accumulation by Philoscia affinis (Crustacea, Isopoda): a Novel Tracer to Assess Soil Contamination in Lowland Plains?

Abstract

Isopods are terrestrial invertebrates that accumulate trace elements in large quantities, thus providing information on levels of soil contamination. However, the accumulation pattern seems to be species dependent. For this study, specimens of Philoscia affinis (Isopoda, Oniscidea) and soil samples were collected from both a protected area (site 1) and urban roadside (site 2) in the low plain of Friuli-Venezia Giulia (northeast Italy) to determine whether P. affinis could serve as a potential candidate for monitoring soil contamination. To do this, the following objectives were achieved: a) the level of trace elements (Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, Zn) were detected in soils and isopods; 2) the difference in trace elements accumulation was compared in the two sampling sites; 3) the bioaccumulation factor (BAF) was calculated for each element. With some exceptions, trace element concentrations were higher in both isopods and soil samples from the urban roadside compared to the protected area. Furthermore, except for Cd, Cu, and Zn, trace element levels were higher in the soil than in the isopod samples. The higher mean BAF values were recorded for Cd (6.169 and 6.974 for site 1 and 2, respectively), Cu (10.324 and 11.452 for site 1 and 2, respectively), and Zn (1.836 and 2: 1.943 for site 1 and 2, respectively), whereas BAF values <1 were recorded for the other elements. Philoscia affinis was found to be a potential candidate to monitor soil contamination as a macro-concentrator of Cu and Cd and a micro-concentrator of Zn.

Flow cytometric analysis of hepatopancreatic cells from Armadillidium vulgare highlights terrestrial Isopods as efficient environmental bioindicators in ex vivo settings

“…Previous studies have shown that the level of accumulation in the organism of Isopods correlates with the level of contamination in rural, suburban and urban sites (Papp et al, 2019;Simon et al, 2016), and that the level of accumulation depends on the level present in food and soil (Heikens et al, 2001;Van Straalen et al, 2001). The accumulation pattern appears to be species-dependent (Pastorino et al, 2021):…”

“…A lot of studies report the high capacity of bioindication of Isopoda, especially their capacity to accumulate contaminants (Dallinger et al, 1992;Pastorino et al, 2021;van Gestel et al, 2018), in fact they are also used as useful bioindicators of environmental contamination by heavy elements, which they uptake and accumulate (Odendaal & Reinecke, 2004a, 2004bPaoletti & Hassall, 1999;Vijver et al, 2006;Witzel, 1998).…”

“…Isopods are relevant models in soil ecotoxicology, both in laboratory toxicity tests and in eld monitoring and bioindication studies (van Gestel, 2012;van Gestel et al, 2018). Therefore, Isopods are terrestrial invertebrates that provide information on levels of soil contamination (Pastorino et al, 2021).…”

“…agriculture, industry, etc.) (Jelassi et al, 2020;Kampe & Schlechtriem, 2016;Pastorino et al, 2021;van Gestel et al, 2018); although representing about 5% of the dry weight of the animal, may contain more than 75% of zinc, 95% of cadmium, 80% of lead, 85% of total copper (Hopkin & Martin, 1982).…”

Flow cytometric analysis of hepatopancreatic cells from Armadillidium vulgare highlights terrestrial isopods as efficient environmental bioindicators in ex vivo settings

“…Many studies have reported the high capacity of bioindication of Isopoda, especially its capacity to accumulate contaminants (Dallinger et al 1992 ; Pastorino et al 2021 ; van Gestel et al 2018 ). They are also used as useful bioindicators of environmental contamination by heavy elements, which they uptake and accumulate (Odendaal and Reinecke 2004a , 2004b ; Paoletti and Hassall 1999 ; Vijver et al 2006 ; Witzel 1998 ).…”