ERSC 2240H Lecture 9: Week 9 - Biotic Indicators
26 Dec 2015
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Document Summary
Can be used to monitor environmental impacts for any given species. Reptiles do not migrate or move around too much, thus you will not get data from somewhere else. These things make them very suitable bio-monitors of contamination. Groups are at the top of the food chain (crocs, snakes) Contaminants bio accumulate and bio magnify at a level similar to birds and mammals. Good indicator of bio-available metal concentration in soil. Not all nutrients are in an available form. Properties must be demonstrated using the worst case scenario. Putting worms in the soil and then measuring the intake from the worms is the most legitimate way of measuring. Copper has a strong affinity to organic matter which is why it is not readily available for researchers. They are cleaned and their guts are emptied for optimal results. Can be very sensitive to pollution and species composition can be used as an indicator of poor air quality.
