Effect of Spent Lubricating Oil on the Composition and Abundance of Arthropod Communities of an Urban Soil

The effect of spent lubricating oil on the composition and abundance of soil arthropods in impacted sites compared with natural control sites was assessed in Benin City, Southern Nigeria. The Modified Berlese-Tullgren Funnel method was used for the extraction of soil arthropod fauna. The results showed that altogether, 476 specimens were collected and sorted into four arthropod groups, namely Acarina, Collembola, Hymenoptera and Myriapoda in successive order of abundance at both sites studied. Soil arthropod taxa and abundance were significantly lower (u₍₂₎ = 51, P<0.05) at the impacted sites where 10.92% (52) of the total number occurred compared to 89.08% (424) recorded in the natural control site. Significant differences were detected in pH and total hydrocarbon content (THC) between the impacted and control sites, the values of pH and THC were significantly higher (P<0.05) at the impacted site; inversely, the arthropod faunal abundance were lower at the impacted sites. Basically, Myriapoda were most sensitive while Acarina, Collembola and Hymenoptera showed trends of population fluctuation. In general, abundance and richness of species were negatively affected by habitat transformation caused by spent engine oil application.