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Teratogenic and genotoxic responses of larval Chironomus salinarius group (diptera: Chironomidae) to contaminated sediment
Author(s) -
Hudson Lori A.,
Ciborowski Jan J. H.
Publication year - 1996
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.5620150817
Subject(s) - chironomidae , biology , sediment , larva , chironomus , contamination , ecology , zoology , paleontology
Chironomids are important indicators of the effects of sediment‐bound contaminants. However, cause–effect relationships between contaminant exposure and stress‐related indicators other than growth and survival have not been demonstrated. In the laboratory, we conducted 10‐d exposures of Chironomus salinarius group Kieffer larvae to mixtures of contaminated (Trenton Channel, Detroit River, MI) sediment diluted with uncontaminated, formulated sediment (sand, sculptor's clay, and potting soil) in ratios of 1:0, 1:1, 1:3, 1:7, 1:15, and 0:1. Larvae were inoculated into either recently mixed sediments or those allowed to age for 7 d. Surviving larvae were examined for mouthpart (mentum) deformities. Giant chromosomes of the salivary glands were examined for reduction in relative nucleolus diameter (RND). Proportions of larvae with mentum deformities and of larvae with reduced RND increased linearly with each doubling of concentration of contaminated sediment. Deformities and RND reduction in individual larvae were independent responses. Incidences of deformities at low contamination doses were much greater for recently mixed sediments than for more aged sediments. Sediment age did not affect incidence of reduced RND except in the most contaminated treatment. Mentum deformities and reduced RND are quantifiable sublethal attributes reflecting stress responses to sediment contamination that can complement more traditional measures (survival and growth) in chironomid sediment bioassays.