Metal accumulation by chironomid larvae: the effects of age and body weight on metal body burdens

Age and body weight affected the extent of metal retention in larval chironomids. Elements differed with respect to age- and size-dependent metal uptake. The slopes of the regressions of metal burdens against age and size varied depending on the range in body size considered. Among fourth instar larvae, younger chironomids had higher concentrations of Cd, Mn, Ca, Ni, Fe, and Cu than older instars. When all instars were included, only …