EFFECT OF COPPER SMELTING AIR-POLLUTION ON THE MITES (ACARI) ASSOCIATED WITH YOUNG SCOTS PINE FORESTS POLLUTED BY A COPPER SMELTING WORKS AT GIOGOW, POLAND .1. ARBOREAL MITES

The arboreal mites and epiphytes in young Scots pine forests (plant as sociation Leucobryo-Pinetum) polluted by a copper smelting works at Gl ogow, were investigated. The concentration of heavy metals in Scots pi ne bark and epiphytes increased towards the pollution source. Copper w as accumulated mainly by algae, but lead was accumulated mainly by lic hens; these epiphytes accumulated more heavy metals than tree bark. A high concentration of heavy metals was harmful to mites, especially to Oribatida, and to lichens, but algae tolerated these pollutants. The number of oribatid species decreased towards the pollution source, alo ng with the increasing concentrations of heavy metals in tree bark and epiphytes. Among mites, the following categories were distinguished: a) sensitive to heavy metals, b) sensitive to a high concentration but tolerant of small concentrations and c) tolerant of these metals. The mites inhabited mainly the lower section of trees.