Development of a sub-lethal pollution bioassay using the estuarine amphipod Gammarus duebeni

Bioassays have been developed and compared to assess the potential role of the estuarine amphipod Gammarus duebeni in sub-lethal ecotoxicology studies. The assays involved the monitoring of pleopod beat frequency and swimming endurance against a head flow of water. Pleopod beat frequency showed a complex response to copper which was concentration and time dependent. Swimming endurance however, showed a clear dose response relationship and was identified as the more consistent technique. Using this assay significant impairment of swimming endurance was observed at 45 mg l−1 copper, 20 mg l−1 pentachlorophenol (PCP) and 8 mg l−1 benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). These results indicate that Gammarus duebeni is a useful species with which to assess pollution impacts in estuarine areas.