Trace element concentrations in two oribatid mite species and their associated soil and moss habitats

Oribatid mites, soil-inhabiting arthropods, play a role in decomposition and nutrient cycling. This research provides an initial examination of trace element levels in these mites, along with the soil and moss they inhabit. Two species were analyzed alongside their respective soil and moss substrates using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Due to a shortage of samples, pooled samples were analyzed, and the outcomes were described rather than quantitatively assessed. The results show the presence of both trace and essential elements in both the mites and their environments, with differences noted between species and the various matrices. Generally, the mite samples' elemental compositions mirrored those of their surroundings, indicating that environmental exposure may contribute to these patterns.

However, the study does not offer statistically validated relationships, but rather presents observed trends. The data offer evidence of element accumulation in oribatid mites, although the extent and mechanisms of uptake cannot be definitively determined. The findings are thus interpreted as indicative rather than conclusive. This work offers foundational data for future research utilizing larger sample sizes and quantitative analyses, and contributes to understanding trace element distribution in soil-associated microarthropods.

The author expresses gratitude to Semiha KÖPRÜ for her experimental assistance and Melike Sude AKKAYA for her fieldwork support. The article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, allowing for use, sharing, adaptation, distribution, and reproduction, provided appropriate credit is given to the original authors and sources, a link to the Creative Commons license is provided, and any changes made are indicated.