Soil micro-arthropods in automobile repair workshops (ARWs): Impact of land use stressor

Abstract : Soil micro-arthropods plays and important roles in soil health but sensitive to environmental perturbations such as automobile repair workshops (ARWs) activities which are sources of automobile waste. This research aims to determine the impacts of ARWs activities on soil micro-arthropods. Sixty-six (66) soil samples (0-10 cm), ten (10) for micro-arthropods (MAs) extraction and twelve (12), for some heavy metals (As, Cd, Co, Ni & Pb) concentration were randomly collected from selected ARWs (Ewang-Idi Aba, Olorombo and Brake Master) then transported to the laboratory. Dry extraction of MAs was carried out using a low-cost berlese tullgren funnel. One gram of the processed sample was digested using aqua regia, while heavy metals (HMs) analyses were done using an atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). Findings recorded forty (40) individual soil micro-arthropods (SMAs) belonging to the class coleoptera (15%), hymenoptera (20%), pauropoda (30%) and symphyla (35%). The highest number of SMA was recorded in Brake master (20). The highest dominance, evenness and equitability was recorded in Olorombo (0.45; 0.96 and 0.94), Simpson, Shannon, Brillouin, Margalef indices and Chao-1 in Brake master (0.76; 1.26; 1.11; 1.00 & 04), Fisher_alpha was recorded in Ewang (1.74) and an equal Berger-Parker index in Ewang – Idi Aba and Olorombo (0.5). The level of Cd and Co in soil from Ewang – Idi Aba and Olorombo ARWs were above the permissible limits by UK (Cd-22 and Co-50 mg/kg). In conclusion, the activities of ARWs decreases the abundance & diversity micro-arthropods in the soil.
Keyword : Automobile workshops, land use, soil micro-arthropods, stressor
Author(s) : Umoren, O. D.
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Published Issue : 2024 Vol. 19 Supplement


2024 Vol. 19 Supplement