Industrial, wastewater and agricultural activities have caused large-scale soil and water contamination. Organisms living exposed to variable concentrations of pollutants that originate from human activities. Heavy metals are among the most persistent pollutants that are toxic to animals and plants. Heavy metals are non-biodegradable compounds which can bind to ecosystem’s trophic chain; many of them exhibit toxic and carcinogenic properties. There are many anthropogenic sources of heavy metals emission to ecosystems. Pollution by heavy metals generally considered to have important effects on wild organisms. However, spiders show high tolerance to metals, which make them an ideal tool for heavy metal pollution indication. Spiders are strong metal accumulators and the content of metals in their bodies could reflect the metal amount in the environment. Hnancha river in the south part of Souk Ahras (Algeria), is heavily polluted by agriculture and industry, that is why we have investigated the effects of environment pollution the degree of contamination by heavy metals occurring, in the terrestrial habitats alongside that tidal river and using spiders as a biomonitor of heavy metal pollution and why we report here the first results of these studies in Algeria.
Results/Conclusions
We have used spiders as ecological indicators to evaluate the nature conservation value and to evaluate the effects of changes in habitat structure. This study investigated the bioaccumulation and effects of heavy metals in Lycosidae spider Pardosa proxima exposed to industrial pollution. Physicochemical analyzes of spiders, water and soil of heavy metal by means of flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. We noted a difference in color and size with appearance of white spot by contribution to the same species in other area. A total of 90 individuals (n=60 showing a white spot, and n= 30 without spot) were selected for further analysis from several sites along the river. Due to low count of males, only females included in further analysis. Very high Pb concentrations are noted in the spider (white spot) and less in spiders (white spot). In comparison with Pb , Cu, Mn, Li and Fe seems to be accumulated to a lesser extent in the spiders. High metal concentrations were found in water and soil. Metal concentrations in species depend on diet, food chain at least as much on ecological aspects as on the physical and chemical characteristics of soil and water. The results confirm degradation of the environment under the effect of agricultural and industrial activity.