Pig decomposition in lotic aquatic systems: the potential use of algal growth in establishing a postmortem submersion interval (PMSI).
Pig decomposition in lotic aquatic systems: the potential use of algal growth in establishing a postmortem submersion interval (PMSI).
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DOI：
10.1520/jfs2003283
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发表时间：
2004-02
影响因子：
1.6
通讯作者：
James N Haefner;J. Wallace;R. Merritt
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
James N Haefner;J. Wallace;R. Merritt
虽然藻类群落组成已被视为死后潜水时间(PMSI)的定性指标，但还没有关于使用藻类生长速度作为PMSI估计值的定量研究。本研究是为了研究河流中猪的分解情况，并开发一种更定量的方法来估计PMSI。猪和瓷砖被完全浸入水中，并定期采样以观察围生植物的生长情况。根据猪身体的物理特征，确定了猪身体的五个分解阶段。与瓷砖相比，猪的藻类生长速率(作为叶绿素a浓度的函数进行定量测量)更大；然而，微生境(池塘与冲沟)对藻类生长没有显著影响。此外，藻类在猪和瓷砖基质上的生长速度与时间有很强的相关性。这种强烈的相关性是在重大降雨事件之后观察到的。我们的研究首次证明了一种定量技术，可以确定身体在水中的时间长度。我们认为，在涉及完全淹没在溪流或河流生境中的身体的刑事调查中，藻类生长速度可能是一个有用的量化指标。
While algal community composition has been examined as a qualitative indicator of postmortem submersion interval (PMSI), there have been no quantitative studies on using algal growth rates as PMSI estimators. The present study was undertaken to examine pig decomposition in streams and to develop a more quantitative approach to estimate a PMSI. Pigs and ceramic tiles were completely submerged and regularly sampled for periphyton growth. Five stages of decomposition were identified for the submerged pig carcasses according to physical characteristics. Algal growth rates, measured quantitatively as a function of chlorophyll-a concentration, were greater on pigs compared with tiles; however, microhabitat (pools versus riffles) did not significantly influence algal growth. Additionally, there was a strong correlation between algal growth rate and time on pigs and tile substrates. This strong correlation was observed after significant rain events. Our study documents for the first time a quantitative technique to determine the length of time a corpse has been submerged in water. We suggest that algal growth rates may be a useful quantitative indicator in criminal investigations involving corpses that are completely submerged in stream or riverine habitats.