Some Effects of Aldrin and DDT on the Soil Fauna of Arable Land

INSECTICIDES are now extensively applied to agricultural soils, and if this practice continues there is the obvious possibility that such treatments may have harmful effects on the soil fauna. The chlorinated hydrocarbons are not readily broken down in soil 1,2 and the general use of fertilizers containing aldrin could be one source of accumulations of this material in agricultural land. The applications of insecticide may control specific pests as desired, but could also suppress certain elements of the fauna, and even cause secondary increases of some soil animals by modifications in the predator pressure.