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<p> The objective of this study was to analyze macroinvertebrate assemblages dominated by Chironomidae (Diptera) and to assess the protective nature of these midges’ larval tubes against trace metals in the weakly polluted Bzura River. This low order lowland river flows through the Łódź City Municipal Area and is supplied by a large amount of organic matter from ecotones and a polluted roadside. Determination of metal content in sediments and chironomid tissue and tubes was conducted using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Our study has shown that the composition of chironomid assemblages was not determined by trace metals but rather by high organic enrichment, which caused the dominance of two species representing the same trophic group − gathering collectors − but differing in behavior. One of them belongs to free-rangers (Prodiamesa olivacea), while the other (Chironomus riparius) to tube-dweller larvae. Although the accumulation of certain trace metals in the tubes was found, the larvae of both types of behavior had a similar concentration of metals in their tissues, which proves effective metal detoxification in these insects.</p>
</abstract>

The objective of this study was to analyze macroinvertebrate assemblages dominated by Chironomidae (Diptera) and to assess the protective nature of these midges’ larval tubes against trace metals in the weakly polluted Bzura River. This low order lowland river flows through the Łódź City Municipal Area and is supplied by a large amount of organic matter from ecotones and a polluted roadside. Determination of metal content in sediments and chironomid tissue and tubes was conducted using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Our study has shown that the composition of chironomid assemblages was not determined by trace metals but rather by high organic enrichment, which caused the dominance of two species representing the same trophic group − gathering collectors − but differing in behavior. One of them belongs to free-rangers (Prodiamesa olivacea), while the other (Chironomus riparius) to tube-dweller larvae. Although the accumulation of certain trace metals in the tubes was found, the larvae of both types of behavior had a similar concentration of metals in their tissues, which proves effective metal detoxification in these insects.

Trace metal concentrations in free-ranger, tube-dweller chironomid larvae and a weakly polluted fluvial sediment

Department of Ecology and Vertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection

Department of Environmental Pollution Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection

Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The objective of this study was to analyze macroinvertebrate assemblages dominated by Chironomidae (Diptera) and to assess the protective nature of these...

Trace metal concentrations in free-ranger, tube-dweller chironomid larvae and a weakly polluted fluvial sediment

Published Online: Dec 09, 2015

Page range: 445 - 455

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ohs-2015-0042

Keywords
river, benthos, tubes, larvae, imagines, Chironomus riparius, Prodiamesa olivacea, detoxication

© 2015 Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, University of Gdansk, Poland

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Trace metal concentrations in free-ranger, tube-dweller chironomid larvae and a weakly polluted fluvial sediment

Published Online: Dec 09, 2015

Page range: 445 - 455

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ohs-2015-0042

Keywordsriver, benthos, tubes, larvae, imagines, Chironomus riparius, Prodiamesa olivacea, detoxication

© 2015 Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, University of Gdansk, Poland

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
river, benthos, tubes, larvae, imagines, Chironomus riparius, Prodiamesa olivacea, detoxication