Cadmium regulation by <i>Lasius niger</i>: A contribution to understanding high metal levels in ants

Abstract

Abstract Ants (Formicinae, Hymenoptera) are considered efficient accumulators of Zn and Cd. In this study the relationship between Cd concentrations in soil and in Lasius niger workers was assessed for 20 colonies located along a gradient of Cd pollution. As soil Cd concentration increased from 1 to 8 mg/kg, ant body Cd concentration increased rapidly to about 40 mg/kg, and remained stable at this level, through a progressive increase of soil Cd concentration from 8 to 21 mg/kg. The phase of rapid increase confirms the high ability of L. niger for Cd accumulation, while the stabilization of Cd body concentration indicates either increasing elimination rate or decreasing rate of uptake. Therefore it can be concluded that Lasius niger has a high ability to accumulate Cd, but simultaneously an ability for Cd regulation was detected.