Heavy Metals (Pb, Cd and Hg) Analysis in Cheumatopsyche sp. (Hydropsychidae, Trichoptera) as Bioindicator for Support Water Quality Assessment

In this study, we utilized the larvae of Cheumatopsyche sp. (Insecta, Trichoptera, Hydropsychidae) as a key component to assess heavy metal contamination in the waters of the Bone River, Gorontalo, Indonesia. To measure the concentrations of heavy metals, specifically lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg), an atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was employed on both river sediments and the entire body of the Cheumatopsyche sp. larvae. Additionally,analysis was conducted using the SEM-EDX method to confirm the absorption of heavy metals in the larvae, particularly in the digestive tract. Sediment and larvae samples were collected from five sampling points along the main river, including reference sites in the upstream area. Our findings revealed that Hg and Cd levels were lower in the sediment compared to those in the larvae, while Pb levels were higher in the sediment. Examination of heavy metals in the digestive tract showed morphological abnormalities in larvae from the most contaminated sites. This research confirmed that Cheumatopsyche sp. larvae effectively absorb heavy metals, particularly Hg, validating their use as bioindicators in heavy metal bioassays.