Abstract
An experimental approach, based on a complete experimental design, was set up in order to carry out a comparative analysis of cadmium (Cd) and methylmercury (MeHg) bioaccumulation in the burrowing mayfly nymphs of Hexagenia rigida (Ephemeridae) after 15 days' exposure to water column or sediment compartment as initial contamination sources. Combinations of two modalities of temperature—15 and 25°C— and pH—5.0 and 7.5—enabled us to quantify the actions of these two abiotic factors and also their interactions on the metal bioaccumulation. Whatever the initial contamination source, a high level of metal bioaccumulation was observed after exposure to MeHg; Cd transfers, on the other hand, were very low. For similar theoretical exposure conditions, differences between the bioaccumulation capacities of the two metals were between 20 and 30, in favor of MeHg. Multiple regression did not reveal significant interactions between MeHg and Cd towards their bioaccumulation in the nymphs. When the microcosms were contaminated via the sediment source, increasing the temperature from 15 to 25°C led to an increase in MeHg bioaccumulation and a decrease of Cd bioaccumulation. After exposure from the water source, no significant amounts of Cd were measured in the nymphs at 25°C even though significant metal concentrations were observed at 15°C. pH had no significant effect on the bioaccumulation processes when the two metals were initially added to the sediment compartment; acidification of the overlying water, however, gave rise to a decrease in MeHg and Cd concentrations in the nymphs, with marked interactions with temperature. The results are discussed from the data available on metal partitioning in the biotopes and their bioavailability, uptake routes and also the structural and functional properties of the biological barriers involved (gills, gut wall).
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Odin, M., Ribeyre, F. & Boudou, A. Temperature and pH effects on cadmium and methylmercury bioaccumulation by nymphs of the burrowing mayfly Hexagenia rigida, from water column or sediment source. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 31, 339–349 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00212672
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00212672