EFFECT OF COPPER SMELTING AIR-POLLUTION ON THE MITES (ACARI) ASSOCIATED WITH YOUNG SCOTS PINE FORESTS POLLUTED BY A COPPER SMELTING WORKS AT GLOGOW, POLAND .2. SOIL MITES

The soil mites were investigated in the areas covered with dead needle s in young Scots pine forests (plant association Leucobryo-Pinetum), p olluted by a copper smelting works at Glogow, and in a control plot. T he concentration of heavy metals, mainly copper and lead, was the lowe st in the control plot, and increased towards the pollution source. A high concentration of these metals reduced the density of mites and sp ecies number of Oribatida and Gamasida, while small concentrations wer e associated with the increasing abundance of mites and species number of Oribatida. Among mites, the following categories were distinguishe d: a) sensitive to heavy metals, b) sensitive to a high concentration, but tolerant of small concentrations, and c) tolerant of these metals . The changed vertical distribution of mites in the most polluted soil was also observed, due to accumulation of heavy metals in the Of/h ho rizon.