Biotransfer, bioaccumulation and detoxification of nickel along the soil- faba bean- aphid- ladybird food chain

Nickel release from anthropogenic and natural sources into the environment has resulted in biomagnification in terrestrial ecosystems. Here, we studied the biotransfer and toxicokinetics of nickel (Ni) along the soil < faba bean < aphid-ladybird food chain. The soil was spiked with the following Ni concentrations (in mg kg & minus;1 soil ww); T0 (0), T1 (25), T2 (50), T3 (75), and T4 (100). Our results revealed a significant elevation of Ni transfer with increasing Ni doses. The transfer coefficients (TC) indicate Ni biomagnified in soil to root and shoot to aphid >1 while the TC of the biominimisation of Ni in the aphid to ladybird was <1. The Ni removal from aphids through honeydew (excreta) and pupal exuviae during metamorphosis suggests a possible detoxification mechanism operating at two distinctive trophic levels, controlling the bioaccumulation of Ni along the examined food chain. Such toxicokinetics is not reported elsewhere and emphasize the need for future studies aiming to elabo-rate the possible mechanisms, potential components and physiological pathways associated with the bioaccumu-lation of Ni across food chains of the ecosystem. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study revealed an increase in nickel transfer and accumulation along the soil-plant-insect-ladybird food chain with increasing nickel concentrations in soil, indicating a potential detoxification mechanism between insects and ladybirds.