This paper examines the impact of an industrial point-source atmospheric emission on the feeding of early life stages of a terrestrial invertebrate. Larvae of a bagworm moth, Luffia ferchaultella [Stephens], were fed terrestrial epiphytic algae (Desmococcus viridis [Menegh]) collected from five sites located along a 16 km transect around the Avonmouth zinc smelter. After 10 days of exposure symptoms of lethal and sublethal toxicity (mortality and paralysis) were observed. Reductions in the amount of faecal material (frass) produced were also identified, and these correlated with distance downwind of the smelter. The elevated concentrations of lead, mercury, arsenic, antimony, copper, cadmium, lead and nickel present in the algae could account for these symptoms of toxicity. Similar symptoms were observed when larvae were fed algae spiked with inorganic mercury. These results are consistent with other studies of soil toxicity conducted around the Avonmouth smelter. However, the current study suggests that the impacted area exceeds this 16 km transect and demonstrates the value of bagmoth larvae as sensitive biomonitors of metallic atmospheric pollutants above the rhizosphere.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10646-009-0382-6 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Biomonitoring the environmental impact of atmospheric emissions from the Avonmouth zinc smelter, United Kingdom.
Ecotoxicology
October 2009
Ecological Sciences, Jealott's Hill International Research Centre, Syngenta, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG42 6EY, UK.
This paper examines the impact of an industrial point-source atmospheric emission on the feeding of early life stages of a terrestrial invertebrate. Larvae of a bagworm moth, Luffia ferchaultella [Stephens], were fed terrestrial epiphytic algae (Desmococcus viridis [Menegh]) collected from five sites located along a 16 km transect around the Avonmouth zinc smelter. After 10 days of exposure symptoms of lethal and sublethal toxicity (mortality and paralysis) were observed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEarly kidney damage in a population exposed to cadmium and other heavy metals.
Environ Health Perspect
February 2009
Small Area Health Statistics Unit, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
Background: Exposure to heavy metals may cause kidney damage. The population living near the Avonmouth zinc smelter has been exposed to cadmium and other heavy metals for many decades.
Objectives: We aimed to assess Cd body burden and early signs of kidney damage in the Avonmouth population.
Critical analysis of soil invertebrate biomarkers: a field case study in Avonmouth, UK.
Ecotoxicology
November 2004
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (CEFAS), Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 OHT, United Kingdom.
During the period 1996-1999 a joint field research programme (BIOPRINT-II) funded by the European Union was undertaken. The main objective of this project was the deployment of biochemical fingerprint techniques of soil invertebrate biomarkers for assessing the exposure and effect of toxicants on soil invertebrates in the field. The aim was to apply these techniques in the field focusing on a a chronically polluted field near a lead and zinc smelter in Avonmouth (UK).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCd accumulation and Cd-metallothionein as a biomarker in Cepaea hortensis (Helicidae, Pulmonata) from laboratory exposure and metal-polluted habitats.
Ecotoxicology
November 2004
Institut für Zoologie und Limnologie, Abteilung Okophysiologie, Universität Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Cepaea hortensis is a widespread terrestrial pulmonate, contributing significantly to element fluxes in soil ecosystems. Due to its capacity of accumulating certain trace elements in its tissues, Cepaea hortensis can serve as a biological indicator of metal accumulation in contaminated areas. In response to Cd exposure this species and related helicid pulmonates are also able to synthesize an inducible, Cd-binding metallothionein (MT) isoform specifically serving in binding and detoxification of this metal.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPedological characterisation of sites along a transect from a primary cadmium/lead/zinc smelting works.
Ecotoxicology
November 2004
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Monks Wood, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28 2LS, UK.
A pedological characterisation of seven sites along a transect from a smelter at Avonmouth, UK, was undertaken. Site locations comprised a mixture of both grassland (5 sites) and oak tree dominated (2 sites) areas. Geographically, sites were either low lying or on adjacent elevated ground.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!