The potential role of the estuarine amphipod Gammarus duebeni in sub-lethal ecotoxicology testing

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of Gammarus duebeni as an indicator of estuarine pollution. This involved the development of sub-lethal pollution bioassays monitoring respiration rate, swimming efficiency and precopula pairing; assessment of the sensitivity of the assays to copper pollution and comparison of the suitability of the assays. Significant impairment of respiration rate, as measured by changes in pleopod beat, was determined at a copper concentration of 600 μg 1⁻¹. Significant impairment to swimming ability was determined after exposure to copper pollution at a concentration of 600 μg 1⁻¹ and precopula pairing was significantly reduced at a concentration of 600 μg 1⁻¹. Of the assays, swimming efficiency and pleopod beat frequency appear to offer the most potential for further development. The lower limit of sensitivity of the bioassays developed in this study is yet to be determined. However, the levels of copper shown to induce an effect can be experienced in the natural environment. The study has shown thatGammarus duebeni can be used in sub-lethal pollution assays, at relatively high Cu concentrations, and indicates that it is potentially a useful species with which to assess estuarine water and sediment pollution.