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Aquatic insects as biological monitors of heavy metal pollution

Journal Article · · Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01685153· OSTI ID:7351174
A mayfly, Ephemerella grandis, and a stonefly, Pteronarcys californica, were exposed to lead, zinc, copper, and silver to determine the acute metal toxicities. The insects tested were found to be more tolerant of the heavy metals than most fish. They concentrated the metals in relative proportion to the occurrence of the metals in the stream by some predictable, reproducible factor. These data, together with field tests, indicate aquatic insects may serve as effective biological monitors of heavy metal pollution where fish-kills are involved.
Research Organization:
Iran Dept. of the Environment, Tehran
OSTI ID:
7351174
Journal Information:
Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States), Journal Name: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States) Vol. 15:2; ISSN BECTA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English