|
2Q - Online Biomonitoring (WEP/165) Assessing the effects of acid mine drainage with behavioural responses of Micronecta sp. (Insecta, Heteroptera). Sousa , Joaquim1, Gerhardt , Almut1, Brett, Christopher2, Ferreira, Abel1, Nogueira, António1, Soares, Amadeu1, 1 Aveiro University, Aveiro, Portugal, Portugal2 Coimbra University, Coimbra, Portugal, Portugal ABSTRACT- Abandoned mines′ drainage presents several ecological problems namely the acidification of superficial freshwater systems and heavy metal contamination. Behavioural early warning responses to São Domingos Mine (Southeast Portugal) drainage were measured in Micronecta species with LimCo′s Multispecies Freshwater Biomonitor® (MFB). Although Micronecta are considered to be tolerant species to low pH levels, behaviour appears to be a sensitive parameter in the assessment of acid pulses. As a consequence of the acidic conditions it was registered an increase in the activity of the treatment organisms relatively to the control ones. These results were compared with standard survival toxicity tests to enhance the applicability of the behavioural approach in the assessment of the acidification of superficial freshwaters. Key words: pH, Biomonitoring, Mines, Micronecta |
