ICP-MS analysis of metal accumulation by macroinvertebrates

Results of the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) output for both the contaminated and reference site macroinvertebrates collected from 2 Alabama high conductivity coal mine streams and 1 ultra low conductivity reference stream are presented here. These insects were taxonomically identified at the genus level. It was found that the amount of metals in the tissues vary between macroinvertebrates of common names such as stone flies, caddis flies, may flies, dragon flies, snails, clams, and sow bugs. Also found is that the metal accumulation by the insects from the contaminated sites is larger in more than half of the elements tested (Cd, Se, Ni, K, Zn, Mn, Cu, Ca, Al, Mg, and Na) than that from the resident sites in this study.