engleski

Advancing the understanding of aquatic-terrestrial contaminant transport using aquatic insects

Emerging aquatic insects such as caddisflies, connect freshwater and terrestrial food webs. Moreover, they play a central role not only for energy and nutrient flow, but also for contaminant transfer to higher trophic levels in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. In our studies, we aim at advancing the knowledge on the role of aquatic insects in transport of emerging contaminants (ECs) such as pharmaceuticals, endocrine disruptors, metal ions and microplastics through food webs and ecosystems. In addition to disentangling effects of ECs on aquatic insects, we also focus on impact the type of insect metamorphosis and feeding behaviour determine the bioaccumulation patterns of ECs. While monitoring stress of caddisflies at the molecular level, we showed that combined effects of ECs and climate change on caddisflies cross the aquatic-terrestrial ecotone. Overall, our research helps in detangling effects of ECs in combination with increased water temperature, one of the stressors resulting from the climate change. We combine field-based research and laboratory experiments with simplified freshwater food webs consisting of moss and caddisflies in micro- and mesocosm settings. In one of such experiments, we have provided the first direct evidence of the transport of pharmaceuticals and endocrine disruptors through the aquatic−terrestrial ecotone by emerging caddisflies. We have also shown that to provide understanding of contaminant transport dependent on ecological processes linking aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

emerging contaminants, bioaccumulation, bioamplification, Trichoptera

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