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Chironomidae in a Pennine stream system receiving mine drainage and organic enrichment

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Abstract

The species of Chironomidae found at 17 sites in a stream system receiving heavy metal inputs and organic enrichment are listed. Sites with zinc concentrations > 2.00 mg l−1 supported fewer species than did sites with concentrations of zinc < 0.36 mg l−1. Sites low down on the system with high total alkalinities supported low numbers of chironomids. Cluster analyses showed that Chironomidae alone could be used to differentiate between sites with varying degees of pollution in the same way as analyses using total benthos but in which chironomids were identified only to sub-family level. The use of Chironomidae in bio-surveillance is discussed.

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Armitage, P.D., Blackburn, J.H. Chironomidae in a Pennine stream system receiving mine drainage and organic enrichment. Hydrobiologia 121, 165–172 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00008720

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00008720

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