Abstract

First results are described from the application of a recently developed dry method for determination of elements in single specimens of freshwater microcrustaceans, using total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF). This method is a powerful, non-destructive technique for quantifying the trace element content of minute biological samples with a dry weight of 3-50 ?g. Three different freshwater microcrustaceans were sampled, from the natural, uncontaminated Lake Laja and from the artificial Rapel reservoir which is slightly contaminated by drainage water from a copper mine. Single specimens of Daphnia pulex, Bosmina chilensis, and Ceriodaphnia dubia were prepared using a modification of the dry method and measured by TXRF. The results showed that both As, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn, and Cu content and the bioaccumulation of these metals were usually significantly different between the microcrustaceans from the two lakes. The largest difference was found for Cu which was eight times more concentrated in the two microcrustaceans from Rapel reservoir than it was in D. pulex from Lake Laja. © Springer-Verlag 2003.