Leaf litter decomposition and soil microarthropods affected by sulphur dioxide fallout

Abstract

A field experiment was set up in northeastern Italy to investigate the effects of sulphur dioxide fallout on leaf litter decomposition rates and soil microarthropods. The pollution fallout, which affected part of the Po River delta, originated from the activity of an oil‐fired power plant located at Isola Camerini (Porto Tolle, Rovigo). Four sampling sites, exposed to different amounts of pollutant fallout, were selected along the river bank. Two sites, located 1·5 km from the power‐plant stack, received minimum sulphur dioxide fallout and were used as controls; two high‐deposition sites were about 13 km away from the power‐plant settlement. Soil cores were taken to compare sulphur concentrations in the upper layers of the sampling site soil profiles. Litter bags filled with plant material of various types, laid down over two consecutive sampling periods, were used to study leaf litter decomposition and sulphur accumulation on plant tissues. Microarthropods were extracted from the litter bags by means of a modified Tullgren apparatus. Soil chemical analysis showed the highest sulphur concentrations at the high pollutant deposition sites along the plume path. Litter bag dry weight loss over time was reduced by sulphur accumulation in plant tissues. Sulphur accumulation in litter bags gave an indirect measure of the differential pollutant deposition over the land. High‐deposition sampling sites showed a significant reduction in the total number of some decomposers. Collembola, in particular, appeared to be a robust bio‐indicator of pollutant fallout. Conclusions were drawn about the possible detrimental effects of sulphur compounds on soil and leaf chemistry, litter decomposition and microarthropod decomposer populations.© 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Using bioindicators based on biodiversity to assess landscape sustainability

“…At the landscape level, pollution is rarely a punctiform impact, e.g., the case of a power plant that disseminates undesired by-products into the surroundings (Bressan and Paoletti, 1997) or an intensive farm (e.g., apple orchard) that routinely uses high doses of pesticides. Although few data are available, most intensively cultivated areas (especially orchards) are probably severely polluted by current and past residues of pesticides.…”

Using bioindicators based on biodiversity to assess landscape sustainability

“…At the landscape level, pollution is rarely a punctiform impact, e.g., the case of a power plant that disseminates undesired by-products into the surroundings (Bressan and Paoletti, 1997) or an intensive farm (e.g., apple orchard) that routinely uses high doses of pesticides. Although few data are available, most intensively cultivated areas (especially orchards) are probably severely polluted by current and past residues of pesticides.…”

Using bioindicators based on biodiversity to assess landscape sustainability

“…At the landscape level, pollution is rarely a punctiform impact, e.g., the case of a power plant that disseminates undesired by-products into the surroundings (Bressan and Paoletti, 1997) or an intensive farm (e.g., apple orchard) that routinely uses high doses of pesticides. Although few data are available, most intensively cultivated areas (especially orchards) are probably severely polluted by current and past residues of pesticides.…”

Using bioindicators based on biodiversity to assess landscape sustainability

“…At the landscape level, pollution is rarely a punctiform impact, e.g., the case of a power plant that disseminates undesired by-products into the surroundings (Bressan and Paoletti, 1997) or an intensive farm (e.g., apple orchard) that routinely uses high doses of pesticides. Although few data are available, most intensively cultivated areas (especially orchards) are probably severely polluted by current and past residues of pesticides.…”