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The role of grazers and shredders in the retention and downstream transport of a pcb in lotic environments
Author(s) -
Sallenave Rossana M.,
Day Kristin E.,
Kreutzweiser David P.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.5620131116
Subject(s) - invertebrate , caddisfly , benthic zone , river ecosystem , downstream (manufacturing) , upstream and downstream (dna) , ecology , environmental science , environmental chemistry , chemistry , biology , ecosystem , larva , upstream (networking) , operations management , economics , computer network , computer science
Field studies using flow‐through artificial stream channels were conducted between May and October 1992 to study the role of the feeding activity of grazing and shredding invertebrates in promoting downstream transport of 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′‐hexachlorobiphenyl (HCBP). Plant material was labeled with [ 14 C]HCBP and fed to selected invertebrate species, and accrual of radioactivity by downstream collector species ( Hydropsyche spp.) was measured. Downstream transport of HCBP was significantly increased by the presence of the grazer Elimia livescens in the upstream sections of the channels as demonstrated by significantly higher levels of radioactivity in hydropsychid larvae located downstream. Similarly, movement of HCBP downstream was significantly greater in channels containing the shredder Hydatophylax argus than in channels without shredders. These results suggest that the feeding processes of benthic invertebrates may play an important role in the downstream transport of particle‐bound hydrophobic organic compounds.