Bioaccumulation of arsenic and zinc by chironomid larvae in lacustrine environments: exploring this community as an indicator of trace element dynamics in Patagonian food webs

Key Points

• Chironomid larvae showed significant bioaccumulation of arsenic and zinc.
• Levels of arsenic were noted to range from 5 to 15 µg/g in larvae samples.
• Assessment of bioaccumulation involved examining various lacustrine environments in Patagonia.
• Environmental monitoring of chironomid larvae could indicate trace element dynamics.