The fate of trace metals during the metamorphosis of chironomids (diptera, chironomidae).

The fate of the trace metals zinc, cadmium and copper during the metamorphosis of chironomids was studied under field and experimental conditions. Field observations demonstrated a significant decrease in the trace metal body burden of larvae and imagines of Stictochironomus histrio Fabricius. No such difference were noted between successive developmental stages of Chironomus anthracinus Zett. The exuviae of both species contained small amounts of trace metals. Experiments, in which larvae of S. histrio and C. riparius Meigen were individually exposed, showed that larvae of both species accumulated substantial amounts of zinc and cadmium. For these metals, a transfer to pupae and imagines occurred. However, pupae had a lower body burden than larvae, and imagines a lower body burden than the pupae. Copper was also accumulated in the larvae, but it was excreted almost completely before the pupal stage. Elimination pathways of the trace metals during metamorphosis and the ecotoxicological consequences of trace metal transfer are discussed.