The measurement of copper in individual aquatic insect larvae

Abstract
Using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy a programme has been developed to measure copper concentrations in single specimens of the larvae, and also pupae and adults, of the caddis fly Plectrocnemia conspersa Each larval instar from a copper contaminated stream contained significantly more copper, than the same instar in a control stream. Highest concentrations (over 1100μgg‐1) were recorded in young larvae, and there was an exponential decrease in larval copper concentration with increasing body weight for both populations. Significantly lower concentrations were found in pupae and adults.