Responses of Niphargus montellianus and Gammarus balcanicus (Crustacea, Amphipoda) from karst waters to heavy metal exposure

The response to some heavy metals (Cd, Cu, and Zn) was examined in two amphipods, Niphargus montellianus and Gammarus balcanicus, living in karst waters and endowed with different ecological characteristics. Exposure experiments were made, in the controlled conditions of a biospeleology laboratory, to increasing concentrations of metals in the range 0.1-10 μg ml-1 for up to 10 days. Hypogean and epigean amphipods differed in their responses, G. balcanicus being more sensitive to the toxic effects of heavy metals than the hypogean N. montellianus. The degree of tolerance was Cu<Cd<Zn in both organisms. Metal contents were checked in amphipods in natural conditions and after metal exposure; differences in accumulation rates suggest the potential use of Niphargus as a biological indicator for monitoring groundwater heavy metal pollution.