The Effect of Urbanization on Trace Element Concentration and Symmetry of Woodlice (Armadillidium vulgare Latreille, 1804)

Woodlice are top consumers of a three-trophic system (soil, leaf litter, woodlice), and they are closely related to pollutant absorbing surfaces such as soil, leaf litter, and organic matter. We studied the effects of urbanization on trace element concentrations and fluctuating asymmetry of Armadillidium vulgare (Crustacea: Isopoda) individuals in and around Debrecen city, Hungary. Along an urbanization gradient (urban, suburban, and rural areas), trace element concentrations (Ba, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn) of woodlice and bioconcentration factor (BCF) were analyzed. Asymmetry was also measured in metric traits of woodlice: the length of three segments of antennae, the body length, and the width of the 3rd segment of pereon. We found significant differences in Ba and Cu concentration of A. vulgare individuals along the urbanization gradient. The highest Cu concentration was found in woodlice from the urban area and the highest Ba concentration was found in the individuals from the rural area. The Ba concentration was higher in females than in males. The BCF values of Cu indicated that A. vulgare accumulated this element from soil and leaf litter. There was no significant difference in symmetry of the bilateral traits of woodlice along the urbanization gradient based on FA levels. Our results showed that the urbanization had remarkable effect on the Ba and Cu concentration of woodlice which were originated from traffic pollution. At the same time, the anthropogenic activities did not affect the symmetry of the tested traits of A. vulgare individuals.

Trace element concentrations in soils along urbanization gradients in the city of Wien, Austria

Urban soil is an important component of urban ecosystems. This study focuses on heavy metal contamination in soils of Wien (Austria) and results are compared to those for a few large European cities. We analysed the elemental contents of 96 samples of topsoil from urban, suburban and rural areas in Wien along a dynamic (floodplain forest) and a stable (oak-hornbeam forest) urbanization gradient. The following elements were quantified using ICP-OES technique: Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Pb, P, S and Zn. For heavy metals PI (pollution index) values were used to assess the level of pollution. The PI values indicated high level of pollution by Pb in the suburban and rural area of stable gradient and in the urban area of dynamic gradient; moderate level of pollution was indicated for Cd in the urban area of stable gradient. The level of pollution was moderate for Co in the suburban and rural area of the stable gradient, and for Cu in suburban area of stable gradient, and urban area of dynamic gradient. The pollution level of Zn was moderate in all areas. Urban soils, especially in urban parks and green areas may have a direct influence on human health. Thus, the elemental analysis of soil samples is one of the best ways to study the effects of urbanization. Our results indicated that the heavy metal contamination was higher in Wien than in a few large European cities.