Investigating the influence of heavy metals on macro-invertebrate assemblages using Partial Cononical Correspondence Analysis (pCCA)

Abstract

This paper defines the spectrum of impairment to stream macroinvertebrates arising from urban runoff. Field sampling of stream sediments at 62 sites across Yorkshire, UK was used to investigate the influence of heavy metals and habitat on macroinvertebrate family distribution using partial Canonical Correspondence Analysis (pCCA). Increasing urbanization and trafficking was associated with increasing levels of metal pollution but, even when traffic is light, family numbers can be reduced by 50%. Industrial areas and motorway runoff depress macroinvertebrate numbers but drainage from streets with no off-road parking in residential areas can have similar impacts. The heavy metals in the sediment accounted for approximately 24% of the variation in macroinvertebrate community composition while the physical habitat variables used in RIVPACS (River InVertebrate Prediction And Classification System) (Wright, 2000) accounted for an additional 30%. Zinc and nickel were the main metal influences regardless of the time of sampling; at these sites copper is less than critical. Results agree with those reported in other studies in which families mainly from the orders Ephemeroptera (mayfly), Plecoptera (stonefly) and Tricoptera (caddisfly) displayed metal sensitivity in that they were absent from metal polluted streams. However, within each of these orders, a continuum of sensitivity is evident: this highlights the risks of generalising on orders rather than using family or indeed species data.

Relationship between aquatic insects and heavy metals in an urban stream using multivariate techniques

“…Heavy metals are widely used in industry and are common water pollutants. Thus, knowledge of their toxicity to aquatic organisms is important (Sprague, 1985;Murthy, 1986;Rattner and Heath, 1995;Beasley and Kneale, 2003;Rathore and Khangarot, 2003;Suthar and Sing, 2008;Nakane and Haidary, 2010). Generally, increasing urbanization and road construction means that heavy metals derived from non-point sources are likely to cause further impairment of stream ecology but current knowledge of metal contamination is related primarily to point and downstream measurements from known sources (Gower et al, 1994(Gower et al, , 1995Garcia-Criado et al, 1999;Nelson and Roline, 1999;Babel and Opiso, 2007;Zvinowanda et al, 2009;Sekabira et al, 2010).…”

Influences of geology and land use on macroinvertebrate communities across the Motueka River catchment, New Zealand

“…Although we did not measure the levels of trace elements in the ultramafic streams, it is possible that toxic effects of these trace metals may be responsible for the low diversity and density of macro-invertebrates in these streams (see also Gillespie et al this issue). The two most prominent orders that we found in ultramafic streams (Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera) are considered to have a higher tolerance to trace elements and metal toxicants than those of other invertebrate groups (Hickey & Vickers 1992;Hickey & Clements 1998;Beasley & Kneale 2003).…”

Changes in macroinvertebrate community structure provide evidence of neutral mine drainage impacts

“…53 In this study, slightly higher (but not significantly different) EPT scores were recorded at impacted sites, influenced by the presence of large numbers of Plecoptera taxa, which are generally considered to be tolerant of metal pollution. 54,55 The AWIC index scores generally improved with distance downstream corresponding to the gradual increase in stream pH with increasing distance from the source of the river. Therefore, this pressure-specific index successfully identified changes in acidity and its impact on macroinvertebrate communities.…”