The relation between chironomid (Diptera: Chironomidae) assemblages and environmental variables: The Kolubara River case study
2016
Authors:
Popović, NatašaĐuknić, Jelena
Čanak Atlagić, Jelena
Raković, Maja
Tubić, Bojana
Anđus, Stefan
Paunović, Momir
Document Type:
Article (Published version)
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract:
Chironomid larvae respond rapidly to environmental changes in aquatic ecosystems, with different species possessing different degrees of tolerance. Consequently, this group is considered an effective and reliable indicator of the ecological status. In this study, the relation between larval chironomid assemblages and environmental variables was examined at two sites on the Kolubara River. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test did not confirm significant seasonal differences between samples. Correspondence analysis indicated that the study sites are distinguished by their community composition. Based on forward selection analyses, 5 out of the 28 analyzed water parameters and 3 out of the 22 sediment parameters displayed the highest levels of correlation with chironomid assemblages. Forward selection analysis revealed that inorganic pollutants in the sediment (mercury, nickel and cadmium) exerted the greatest influence on the community. Results of canonical correspondence analysis indicated that the sediment characteristics have a more significant impact on chironomid communities than the analyzed water parameters. Our study confirmed that chironomids and sediment analyzes should be obligatorily included in the monitoring of ecological status, since chironomids are often a dominant component of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in freshwater ecosystems, with many species inhabiting the sediment with a proclivity for intake of toxic and persistent pollutants.
Keywords:
Chironomidae; Environmental parameters; Water; Sediment; Pollutants prioritizationSource:
Archiv of Biological Science, 2016, 68, 2, 405-415Funding / projects:
- Geologic and ecotoxicologic research in identification of geopathogen zones of toxic elements in drinking water reservoirs- research into methods and procedures for reduction of biochemical anomalies (RS-MESTD-Basic Research (BR or ON)-176018)
- Evolution in Heterogeneous Environments: Adaptation Mechanisms, Biomonitoring and Conservation of Biodiversity (RS-MESTD-Basic Research (BR or ON)-173025)
- Managing the effects of multiple stressors on aquatic ecosystems under water scarcity (EU-FP7-603629)
DOI: 10.2298/ABS150521123P
ISSN: 0354-4664