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Effect of Spent Lubricating Oil on the Composition and Abundance of Arthropod Communities of an Urban Soil
ROTIMI, J. & EKPERUSI, O.A.
Abstract
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.
Keywords
Arthropods; composition; lubricating oil; soil; southern Nigeria
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