Ecotoxicological studies indicate that sublethal and lethal processes limit insect-mediated contaminant flux
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
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Abstract
Merolimnic insects can accumulate and transport considerable amounts of aquatic contaminants to terrestrial systems. The rate of contaminant biotransport, termed insect-mediated contaminant flux (IMCF), depends on emergent insect biomass and contaminant accumulation, both functions of environmental concentration. Here we develop a mathematical model of IMCF and apply it to three ecotoxicological studies obtained through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ECOTOX database to determine at which concentration maximum IMCF occurs. Model results demonstrate that the maximum IMCF depends on competing rates of biomass loss and contaminant accumulation and does not necessarily occur at the highest insect or environmental contaminant concentration. Additionally, modeling results suggest that sublethal contaminant effects (e.g., decreased growth) on insect biomass can be an important and potentially underappreciated control on IMCF.
Suggested Citation
Olson, C., Beaubien, G., Otter, R., Walters, D., and Mills. M.A, 2023, Ecotoxicological studies indicate that sublethal and lethal processes limit insect-mediated contaminant flux: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, v. 42, no. 9, p. 1982-1992, https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5574.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Ecotoxicological studies indicate that sublethal and lethal processes limit insect-mediated contaminant flux |
| Series title | Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry |
| DOI | 10.1002/etc.5574 |
| Volume | 42 |
| Issue | 9 |
| Publication Date | January 30, 2023 |
| Year Published | 2023 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Wiley |
| Contributing office(s) | Columbia Environmental Research Center |
| Description | 11 p. |
| First page | 1982 |
| Last page | 1992 |