Publication
Title
Relating metal exposure and chemical speciation to trace metal accumulation in aquatic insects under natural field conditions
Author
Abstract
The present study investigated to what extent measured dissolved metal concentrations, WHAM-predicted free metal ion activity and modulating water chemistry factors can predict Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb accumulation in various aquatic insects under natural field conditions. Total dissolved concentrations and accumulated metal levels in four taxa (Leuctra sp., Simuliidae, Rhithrogena sp. and Perlodidae) were determined and free metal ion activities were calculated in 36 headwater streams located in the north-west part of England. Observed invertebrate body burdens were strongly related to free metal ion activities and competition among cations for uptake in the biota. Taking into account competitive effects generally provided better fits than considering uptake as a function of total dissolved metal levels or the free ion alone. Due to the critical importance and large range in pH (4.09 to 8.33), the H+ ion activity was the most dominant factor influencing metal accumulation. Adding the influence of Na+ on Cu2+ accumulation improved the model goodness of fit for both Rhithrogena sp. and Perlodidae. Effects of hardness ions on metal accumulation were limited, indicating the minor influence of Ca2+ and Mg2+ on metal accumulation in soft-water streams (0.01 to 0.94 mM Ca; 0.02 to 0.39 mM Mg). DOC levels (ranging from 0.6 to 8.9 mg L− 1) significantly affected Cu body burdens, however not the accumulation of the other metals. Our results suggest that 1) uptake and accumulation of free metal ions are most dominantly influenced by competition of free H+ ions in low-hardness headwaters and 2) invertebrate body burdens in natural waters can be predicted based on the free metal ion activity using speciation modelling and effects of H+ competition.
Language
English
Source (journal)
The science of the total environment. - Amsterdam, 1972, currens
Publication
Amsterdam : 2014
ISSN
0048-9697 [print]
1879-1026 [online]
DOI
10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2014.07.023
Volume/pages
496 (2014) , p. 11-21
ISI
000342245600003
Pubmed ID
25051425
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Uptake kinetics, internal distribution and toxicity of metal mixtures in aquatic invertebrates after waterborne and dietary sediment exposure
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 23.07.2014
Last edited 09.10.2023
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