Ecological Impact Assessment of the Aznalcóllar Mine Toxic Spill on Edaphic Coleopteran Communities in the Guadiamar River Basin (Southern Iberian Peninsula)

Abstract

This study is part of the Restoration Program of the animal populations from the Guadiamar River basin. The main objective is to evaluate the current state of populations of the most representative groups of edaphic coleoptera in the Guadiamar River basin. In 1998, a breach in the Aznalcóllar mines retaining wall (Southern Iberian Peninsula) led to toxic sludge pouring out into this area. Systematic samples were taken from monitoring plots, scattered throughout the affected area. In order to provide an overall assessment of the fauna collected from this area in relation to adjacent areas, ecological indices were applied, and temporal course and biogeographical comparisons were also made. The results indicate that, overall, the edaphic fauna has not been significantly affected by the spillage; however, a faunistic poverty was also detected, which becomes increasingly evident closer to the accident site. Moreover, temporal evolution analysis suggests that the most affected areas are undergoing a re-colonization process, although this varies widely between species and higher taxa.