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Trace element accumulation in lotic dragonfly nymphs: Genus matters
Dean E Fletcher1, Angela H Lindell1, Garrett K Stillings1
1Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, South Carolina, United States of America.
Plos One
|February 17, 2017
Summary
Dragonfly nymphs accumulate metals from coal combustion waste differently based on their habitat and body form, not just their diet or location. These variations highlight the element and taxa-specific nature of trace element accumulation in aquatic ecosystems.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Toxicology
- Ecotoxicology
- Aquatic Ecology
Background:
- Coal combustion waste (CCW) releases toxic metals and metalloids into aquatic environments.
- Dragonfly nymphs (Odonata: Anisoptera) are valuable bioindicators due to their predatory role and diverse habitat preferences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate trace element accumulation patterns in dragonfly nymphs from a CCW-contaminated stream.
- To determine the influence of trophic position, carbon sources, body form, and habitat use on metal accumulation.
Main Methods:
- Multi-element trace element analysis of 16 elements (e.g., As, Se, Pb, Hg) in 8 genera of dragonfly nymphs.
- Stable isotope analysis (δ13C, δ15N) to assess trophic position and carbon sources.
- Comparison of accumulation patterns between upstream and downstream sites.
Main Results:
- Trace element accumulation varied significantly among dragonfly genera, often exceeding site-specific differences.
- Body form and habitat use were more influential than phylogeny for several elements (e.g., Ni, Ba, Sr, V, Be, Cd, Cr), with 'sprawlers' and 'climber-sprawlers' accumulating higher concentrations.
- Arsenic (As) and Selenium (Se) showed higher accumulation in 'burrowers', with site-specific variations in 'sprawlers'.
Conclusions:
- Taxonomic differences and ecological factors like body form and microhabitat are critical drivers of trace element accumulation in dragonfly nymphs.
- Bioaccumulation patterns are element- and taxa-specific, underscoring the complexity of assessing ecological risk from CCW.
- Genus-level comparisons are appropriate for understanding trace element accumulation in Anisoptera.
