Accumulation of metals in Elodea canadensis and Elodea nuttallii: implications for plant-macroinvertebrate interactions

Abstract

Elodea nuttallii and Elodea canadensis are considered good candidates for metal studies. Metal pollution can disturb the interactions between trophic levels. Our goals were 1) to analyse the metal content in plants, sediment and water from three polluted sites, and 2) to analyse the impact of metal contamination on plant consumption by macroinvertebrates. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and Fe and S were measured in water, sediment and in the two Elodea species during two years. Our results showed that metal accumulation varied according to site, metal and season. The ability to uptake metal was similar in E. canadensis and in E. nuttallii. No significant seasonal metal accumulation was established for plants or sediment. Metal accumulation in Elodea species in polluted sites had no impact on their palatability. The plant palatability depends on the season and varies according to the part of the plant. In autumn, apex was less consumed than defoliated and foliated stems.