Effect of (sup 210)Pb and stable lead on the induction of mouthpart deformities in chironomid larvae

摘要

To determine whether mouthpart deformities in chironomid larvae from Port Hope Harbour, Ontario, are the result of exposure to ionizing radiation or heavy metals in the sediment, Chironomus tentans larvae were exposed in the laboratory to concentrations of (sup 210)Pb and stable lead representative of contaminant levels in the harbour. Exposure to 100, 1000, and 2000 Bq (sup 210)Pb(center dot)g(sup -1) dry sediment had no effect on the survival, growth of the larvae or frequency of deformities. Likewise, exposure to 0.5 and 5.0 mg lead(center dot)g(sup -1) dry sediment had no effect on the larvae, but exposure to 35.0 mg lead(center dot)g(sup -1) dry sediment resulted in 100% mortality of the larvae. These results indicate that the observed mouthpart deformities in chironomid larvae in Port Hope Harbour are not the result of radiation exposure. They also indicate that heavy metals (lead) may be having an impact on the population. (author). 28 refs., 9 tabs., 4 figs. (Atomindex citation 27:031194)