Effects of Trace Metals and Municipal Wastewater on the Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera of a Stream Community.

ABSTRACT: Abundances of EPT larvae sampled in a Central European locality affected by mining and smelting, as well as by the continual inflow of treated communal wastewaters (WWs), were recorded. High concentrations of trace metals in water (maximum 1200 µg·L^-1 for zinc) and sediments (maximum 140,000 mg·kg^-1 in dry weight for lead) were found at the most contaminated sites. The highest loads of pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and illegal drugs were found under the WW effluent. Other associated factors such as the physicochemical parameters of the water and alterations to microhabitats were also evaluated and taken into account. Although EPT richness was lower at affected sites, abundances did not fall. Stoneflies were dominant at unaffected sites, while caddisflies dominated at a

SUBMITTER: Let M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9137756 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature