Long‐term changes in macroinvertebrate communities of a heavy metal polluted stream: the river Nent (Cumbria, UK) after 28 years

Abstract

The macroinvertebrate fauna of the river Nent, a heavy metal polluted upland stream in northern England, first surveyed in 1976, was re-examined in 2004 to assess long-term changes in relation to activities in the catchment which have included, a river restoration project, works associated with the development of a mine heritage site and the removal of a chicken farm and more effective organic pollution control measures. The degree of change between years in total abundance, numbers of taxa and community composition varied considerably between sites. Two tributary sites showed marked changes between years due to a reduction in acidity in one and changed substratum in the other but in the main river no significant difference in total taxa and total abundance was observed between years, although seasonal differences were significant. Multivariate community analyses grouped 1976 samples with those taken in 2004 but revealed a clear separation between upper and lower Nent sites. This observed difference may be related to increased algal cover in the lower sites in conjunction with geomorphological features of the lower Nent. Environmental assessment methodology River Invertebrate Prediction and Classification System (RIVPACS) identified 'sensitive' faunal groups and indicated that the extensive impact of zinc pollution in the main river has remained practically the same between 1976 and 2004. This persistence of community structure despite the heavily disturbed nature of the river is attributed to relative constancy in instream habitat conditions. The recent activities in the catchment have had little effect on the overall controllers of faunal communities in this system, zinc concentrations and geomorphological characteristics of the stream. However, further disturbances involving movement of spoil heaps and channel alterations in the upper catchment may increase both sediment and heavy metal loadings to the river.

Pollution Status of River Hindon From Ghaziabad to Noida With Special Reference to Heavy Metals

“…India therefore faces a substantial challenge to meet the legal and moral obligations towards the provision of safe water [31]. Heavy metals are serious pollutants due to their toxicity, persistence in natural conditions and ability to be incorporated into food chains [52], [30], [7], [43]. Rapid urbanization and population growth in fast growing cities leading to industrialization poses a major threat of Heavy metal pollution for India's rivers flowing through these cities [50], [19], [04], [02].…”

Sediment geochemistry of streams draining abandoned lead/zinc mines in central Wales: the Afon Twymyn

“…Contaminated drainage from abandoned metal mines and mine spoil are issues of international concern that can severely impact hydrological (Grimshaw et al 1976;Gammons et al 2005), sedimentological (Macklin et al 2006;Dennis et al 2009) and ecological (Gower et al 1994;Armitage et al 2007) systems. The varied geology of the UK has provided many valuable natural resources and mineral exploration has occurred since the early Bronze Age (Environment Agency 2008a).…”

The effect of long-term contamination by heavy metals on community and genome alterations of Chironomidae (Diptera) in a stream with mine drainage water (southern Poland)

“…Clements et al (1992) also observed an increased abundance of Chironomidae taxa in the Clinch River in Virginia, which is severely polluted with heavy metals. Along-term study of the impact of heavy metals originating from a Zn and Pb mine on the macroinvertebrate community showed an increasing abundance of Chironomidae (Armitage et al 2007). Similar results were obtained by Canfield et al (2009) and Michailova et al (2012a).…”