Contaminant fluxes across ecosystems mediated by aquatic insects

Current Opinion in Insect Science
By: , and 

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Abstract

Metals and organic contaminants in aquatic systems affect the coupling of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems through two pathways: contaminant-induced effects on insect emergence and emergence-induced contaminant transfer. Consequently, the impact of aquatic contaminants on terrestrial ecosystems can be driven by modifications in the quantity and quality of adult aquatic insects serving as prey or contaminants entering terrestrial food webs as part of the diet of terrestrial predators. Here, we provide an overview of recent advances in the field, separating metals from organic contaminants due to their differential propensity to bioaccumulate and thus their potential contribution to either of the two pathways. Finally, this review highlights the knowledge gap in the relative impact of these pathways on terrestrial insectivores.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Contaminant fluxes across ecosystems mediated by aquatic insects
Series title Current Opinion in Insect Science
DOI 10.1016/j.cois.2022.100885
Volume 50
Year Published 2022
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) Columbia Environmental Research Center, Fort Collins Science Center
Description 100885, 6 p.
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