MP8 Metals in the Environment: Dietary concerns in Aquatic Systems
Monday, 14 November 2005: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM in Exhibit Hall

(DUB-1116-970671) Trophic transfer of Cd and Se along a benthic food chain.

Dubois, M¹, Hare, L¹, ¹ INRS-ETE, Québec, QC, Canada

ABSTRACT- Food is the major route by which some aquatic invertebrates are exposed to the non-essential metal cadmium (Cd) and the essential metalloid selenium (Se). Thus processes involved in the transfer of these contaminants along food chains need to be considered when assessing environmental risk. We contaminated lake sediments with these elements and then measured their accumulation by prey (the insect Chironomus and the oligochaete Lumbriculus). We then measured the subcellular distribution of Cd and Se in prey, and used this information to explain the efficiency with which these elements are transferred to a predator (the insect Sialis). Our results suggest that metal and metalloid detoxification strategies used by prey influence the availability of these elements to predators.

Key words: Trophic transfer, Cd, Se, Subcellular distribution