Transport of PCBs from aquatic to terrestrial environments by emerging chironomids

• The transport of PCBs from sediment to air by emerging chironomids (Chironomus plumosus-type) was studied in aquatic laboratory model systems. Uptake of PCBs from the sediment by chironomid larvae was directly related to the concentration of PCBs in the sediment. When the larvae metamorphosed to adults the PCB compounds were concentrated and transferred from the aquatic to the terrestrial environment. A minor part of the compounds was retained in the exuviae. In a field study, transport of PCBs by chironomids from the aquatic to the terrestrial environment was estimated at 20 μg PCBs m−2 year−1. The results suggest an additional way in which terrestrial predators that feed on emerging aquatic insects, whose larval stage is in contaminated sediment, are exposed to organochlorine residues. 

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Ekologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Ecology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecology

Terrestrisk, limnisk och marin ekologi

Akvatisk ekologi

Aquatic Ecology

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)