Bioaccumulation and elimination of waterborne mercury in the midge larvae, Chironomus riparius Meigen (Diptera: Chironomidae).
Here, mercury kinetics and behavioural effects in the midge larvae under a water-only exposure were assessed. Uptake and elimination of waterborne mercury were described by using a one-compartment kinetic model. Results show that midges were able to readily accumulate the heavy metal (BCF = 450), presenting a fast uptake, up to 13.1 μg Hg g of animal(-1) at the end of the exposure period. Elimination was slow, with c.a. 39 % of the mercury in larvae being depurated after 48 h in clean medium. Behaviour did not present differences upon exposure or elimination, but a trend to increase ventilation was noticed during the exposure period.
CESAM and Departament of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal. hapereira@ua.pt
Henrique M V S
HM
Azevedo-Pereira
Sizenando N
SN
Abreu
Marco F L
MF
Lemos
Amadeu M V M
AM
Soares
D000818:Animals; D002683:Chironomidae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D008628:Mercury / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*
D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008628:Mercury