Development of sediment copper toxicity testing for chironomis larvae

Abstract

Toxicity of two copper spiked sediments, which is clay loam and sandy loam, were studied in bioassays using a midge, Chironomus tentans. Comparisons were made between aquatic test, sediment test and sediment pore water. Experiments were performed to investigate the bioavailability and bioaccumulation of copper by the freshwater bloodworm; Chironomus tentans to further understand the controls on bioaccumulation by benthic organisms. It is also to provide early copper toxicity database for this Malaysian Dipterian larvae. In aquatic test, the use of different copper salt, copper chloride, copper sulphate and copper nitrate showed no significant variation in mortality results.