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¹ University of Belgrade-Faculty of Biology, Studentski Trg 16, 11000 Belgrade
² University of Belgrade - Faculty of Agriculture, Nemanjina 6,11080 Belgrade, Serbia
³ University of Belgrade, Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, Center of Chemistry, Njegoševa 12, Belgrade, Serbia DOI : 10.4194/1303-2712-v19_03_08 Viewed : 3128 - Downloaded : 3143 Elevated concentrations of heavy metals in water can cause deformities of the mouthparts in chironomid larvae reared on artificial sediment. This investigation is an attempt to study effects of increased copper concentrations on mouthparts deformities of Chironomus plumosus larvae reared on natural sediment obtained from carp pond. Since the bioavailability of heavy metals is greater in artificial substrates than in natural ones usage of carp pond sediment, especially due to its low heavy metals content according to sediment quality guidelines, should provide more realistic assessment of biomarker potential of chironomid mouthparts deformities in biomonitoring of copper sediment pollution.
It is demonstrated in the experiment that an increase of copper concentration in sediment leads to progressive increase in the frequency and severity of deformities of the mentum in C. plumosus larvae. Thus, shortening of median teeth in 2.0±0.2% individuals was the only deformity recorded in control tanks (at 15 µgg-1 Cu), at 30 µgg-1 Cu its frequency increased to 16±2%, and shortening of median-lateral teeth appeared at the same frequency, while at 60 µgg-1 Cu frequency of both deformities increased to 24±2% and 28±4%, respectively, in addition to the appearance of tooth loss in 16±3% of individuals. Keywords : Chironomid larvae, İndicator, Mentum deformities, Heavy metal contamination