BIOCHEMICAL RESPONSES ASSOCIATED WITH DISCHARGES FROM CELL AND PAPER MILL LETEA BACAU UPON THE ECOSYSTEM OF BISTRITA - PART I. AQUATIC INSECT ABUNDANCE/BIOMASS AS INDICATORS OF ORGANOCHLORINE CONTAMINATION

Abstract

Cellulose and paper mill effluent is known to affect freshwater biota in various ways. However, its effects on the food chains of aquatic ecosystems from our country haw not been examined. The riparian birds diet consisted of 50-60% insects emerging fn» aquatic ecosystems. This study examined the aquatic insect abundance at sites located upstream and downstream from two pulp mills in Romania during 1997-1999. It a noteworthy that the number of aquatic insect adults from downstream was significant elevated at both mills. The improved reproduction and larger nestlings at downstream sites may be the result of a grater food supply, consistent with the nutrient enrichment effect often seen below cellulose and pulp mills.

Cuvinte cheie