Variation in sensitivity to metals in Gammarus pulex and Asellus aquaticus
- Univ. of Sheffield (United Kingdom)
The aim of this study was to investigate inter- and intra-specific variation in two ecologically important freshwater organisms; Asellus aquaticus and Gammarus pulex. Animals of each species were collected from contaminated and uncontaminated sites. The toxicity of zinc and cadmium to these populations was determined using acute toxicity tests. Results show that G. pulex was more sensitive to the toxicants than A. aquaticus. For both species, animals from contaminated sites were less sensitive than animals from uncontaminated sites. The mechanistic bases of this observed variation was investigated. Experiments were performed to determine the accumulation, detoxification and distribution of zinc and cadmium in animals from contaminated and uncontaminated populations. Differences in metal accumulation and production of metal binding proteins have been found and the implication of these will be discussed.
- OSTI ID:
- 49551
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9410273--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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